Today is Daddy's Day at the school my children attend. Daddies are asked to 'stop by' between 8:45-11:30 to spend some time in the classroom with their children, who have have made crafts and cards in preparation. It is a big deal in their little worlds. That makes it a big deal in my husband's world as well.
He is a loving father, raised in a home where his parents 'showed up' for his every activity. He wants to be present and involved in K, P & R's lives--cheering them on, encouraging them and plugged in. He does a remarkable job of such considering his occupation.
In order to attend today's 'drop in,' he left in the dark of the morning (as usual) to get a couple of hours work done. Most people's 'first thing in the morning' is mid morning in his world, so he has had to shut down his OR for a 2 hour break. Nurses, scrub techs, anesthetists, transporters assigned to work with him will have idle time. Non-emergent patients will wait. All so this surgeon, who also happens to be a devoted Daddy, can go bring a sparkle to eyes of his children.
Since we have had children I have watched the strain on his face as he tries to be fully present as a physician and fully present as a father. I know it takes a toll on his heart.
I was reading this post by Danielle last night and it reminded me of all that my husband carries in his heart. As a general surgeon, he sees 40+ people on an in-office clinic day. Truly, he sees hemorrhoids in one exam room before heading next door to discuss a devastating colon or breast cancer diagnosis. He may then walk out of that room and into the next to see a hernia. In the hospital he drains pus in one room, then delivers bleak news to anxious family members in another. To each patient, often frustrated that they have been waiting too long, their diagnosis is the center of their world...so for those moments, it must become his as well. And he does this, essentially nonstop, 80-110 hours per week.
I am not writing this for sympathy. My husband is responding to the call God placed on his life. He, nor I, can imagine him doing anything else. Many people are in vocations that involve great sacrifice and time away from home. We each have a cross to bear. I write this more so that we can all be reminded to have empathy for those we encounter during the day. Stop and put yourself in their shoes for just a moment. From the police officer who works the night shift, to the breakfast waitress at Waffle House, from the deployed service man/woman you encounter in the airport to your physician who seems a bit too serious, perhaps.
May we all have patience with one another and empathy for the loads we bear.
11 comments:
A great reminder of what is going on with doctors on the other side of waiting room doors. So glad he could manage to get off and see the kids: I'm sure an emergency could have interrupted those plans, as well. Hope the day was extra special.
I feel compelled to comment....
I've been in the doctor's office awaiting news that was horrible, the death of my first unborn son. In the weeks and months following, I was blessed to have a remarkable and Godly specialist who cared for me when I was pregnant again. He spent many hours talking with me, encouraging me and calming my fears. Thirteen years later I've never forgotten how much I appreciated the time he took with me and my husband during a difficult time. He had a way of making us feel like we were his only patient and he had all day to listen to us. I remind myself of that when waiting for a doctor takes a little longer than I'd like...knowing that someone else may be in need of feeling like the only appointment on the schedule that day.
God bless your husband for his obedience in following God's call.
So thankful for godly Dr.s !!! They give up so much and so do their families.
As a nurse who worked in the hospital for many years, it is BACK BREAKING work and stressful and the emotional stuff really drains you more than even the physical.
I'm sure your husband is so very very thankful that you hold down the fort at home and pray for him, make your home a sanctuary for him at the end of a long day, and love and care for your children so he does not have to worry.
Behind every good Dr. is a great spouse!!! :) And a BIG GOD !
What a great story! My husband just completed a 4 year fellowship and now, finally, is not at the mercy of others when planning his day. He will be able to attend school functions, soccer games and church. We can't wait to get to know him all over again! (He was able to make it to D-day for my daughter's kindergarten class - but only b/c he was out on medical leave thanks to a ruptured appendix. How's that for a silver lining!?)
Thank God for doctors such as your husband, with hearts of gold for their patients, as well as for their precious families. I love how you related his obedience to everyone else's professional calling. If we all lived as if none of this is about us, and all of it is for the glory of God, we would have that patience you speak of. And those sacrifices would be our joy. Thank you for those reminders!
This past spring, my mother had an allergic reaction to Tetracycline (sp?!) When she got to the doctor's office, they whisked her in, spent 45 minutes with her and got things handled so that she would be okay again. Mom's response? "There were so many people in the waiting room ahead of me, they brought me in and spent so much time." "Mom, next time you go to the doctor and are frustrated at the wait, please consider what may have come before you. They may have been a bigger case than you." She said that she will no longer complain about how far a doctor is behind again.
So thank you to your husband for spending time with each person and taking each diagnosis personally. Those on the table appreciate it more than he knows.
Thank you for this reminder and for the beautiful tribute to your husband. All of his patients are blessed to have him as thier doctor. You all are blessed to have him as the head of your family. Christ is so honored in your lives and your household. Thank you for the reminder for all of those who have "service" jobs that we want to be the center of thier attention.
I always try to remember this when we wait for a doctor--- perhaps someone ahead of me had a moment or needs a moment more of a doctor's time. Thank god for people like your husband!
Posts like these are why I love your blog! Thanks for the encouragement!
I have been to two funerals in the past month, and one other nearly 3 years ago. A 28 year old cancer patient, a newborn who didn't survive childbirth, and a 20 month old burn victim. There were docs and nurses at all three funerals. And recently we had a cancer scare with our 3 year old - I could tell that even our pediatrician was concerned. When I think about the emotional toll each of these care givers experienced (and the time that each of the patients needed), I am perfectly content to wait for an appointment that is running grossly behind schedule. And, even though my own OB was at the hospital for several hours in the wee-hours of the morning with both of our babies, I'd never realized just HOW MANY hours a doc might be putting in. God bless the Scotts for your sacrifice. Thank you.
I am a patient of your husband and am very thankful of the time he spends with me in the office. when I had my surgery last September (it was on my birthday) I didn't know anything about you or your family or your faith. What I did know is that there was a peace during the whole time I was under his care. Since then I came across your blog & have learned a lot about your family. I can not tell you the impact you have made on my life on a daily basis. I wish only the best for you & Dr. Scott and your wonderful family. i have a much better understanding of why I sometimes have to wait at any Dr. office.
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