8 Comments
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Waterbird's avatar

Wow! I’m really glad to have found your writing. I’m working at an FQHC in the Midwest, and it is not easy work.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Welcome! I'm glad you found us. We probably aren't to far from each other. I'm in WI near the Twin Cities. I'm always happy to find doctors who are interested in getting into the emotional and spiritual aspects of medicine because I think most of us (myself included until 2 years ago) avoid it like the plague.

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Thoedore Lowry of Story Paths's avatar

I appreciate these insights into medical practice, bringing the possibility of more empathy for those like yourself, on the front lines. Perhaps they don’t need to be front lines...

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thanks Theo. It is an interesting framing that these areas of healing are front lines. I have spent most of my career in a small town ER, so, while stressful, it's not traumatic in the same way as working at a trauma center. I think when psychologists talk to these doctors it is typical that they show symptoms of chronic PTSD like soldiers. I don't think it has to be this way, but it is hard to imagine the next story from here.

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Geneviève Hopkins's avatar

You are a dragon slayer! My Mum had a bowel cancer successfully and completely resected last year. She thought of it as a dragon, slain by her kind and and skilful medical team. Sometimes dragons can't be slayed, for whatever reason. Not because of a lack of care or ability but because it was to big for any mortal, some dragons are inevitable.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thanks Genevieve, I'm glad your mom had a good relationship with her healers and successful healing. I suspect the two are related. I think the doctors in the generations before mine did a disservice by not acknowledging that some Dragons are beyond our slaying capability and instead cultivating this image of being all-powerful and all-knowing.

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The Eclectic Alchemist's avatar

Thank you for this. All of it. Wow! ♥️🙏

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Amy Walsh's avatar

I'm so glad it moved you and I really appreciate your kind words!

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