In Loving Memory

Let me tell you about my "day job"...


Although I often dream upon the day where my only responsibility is playing Polly Pockets with my 7 year old while sipping tea and eating scones as I read poetry, your blogs all the while listening to Monteverdi....the reality is that most days of the week you can find me working as a Physician Assistant for a wonderful Pulmonary/Critical Care and Sleep Medicine private practice. 


This past week I realized how lucky I am to be able to do what I do. 


Several years ago a very special patient came into my life. 


On Monday he left my life.


With all of the HIPPA rules I feel I can't give out his name even though we were more like friends and family than a true "doctor patient relationship" so I will refer to him by the name, Mr Turkey.  

Mr Turkey was an amazing man, father, husband, dancer and story teller.  Every time he made an appointment with me in clinic the schedulers always added an extra 15 minutes to his appointment time because we would often just "shoot the breeze".


Mr Turkey had pulmonary fibrosis, a very aggressive lung disease. 


I guess I just do not have the right words to express the feelings I had/have about this patient and his family.  In short, I became very close with him and his sweet, loving wife as well as all his children.  His wife was there for every appointment and his children would call me to get updates regularly. 


About 2 months ago the decision was made to transition Mr Turkey to home hospice. I had the honor of being invited to go into his home and see him on a regular basis. I did this on my own time and our visits were purely social.  No stethoscope. No medication. Just talking. 


We talked turkeys and birds a lot! Mr Turkey was an avid turkey hunter and absolutely loved it. He often commented on the fact that turkey's had little pea brains and that was the only reason why he could out smart them. 


Recently I made him these "turkey" cupcakes to brighten his day...
 

He just loved these cupcakes.


I am so glad I did this. 

You know, I often fret about having to work which I feel gets in my way of doing the things that I really WANT to do like spending time with Sophia, James and making this blog better with more interesting recipes and posts. 

I realized this past week that I am very lucky to do what I do in that I have the ability to make relationships with people like Mr Turkey. 

I may not have a bazillion followers and amazing ideas but I do have perspective.


In the end, Mr Turkey probably did more for me than anything I ever did for him. 


This is my life in cupcakes.