Through my tenure in Pharma, I have met some absolutely incredible providers, and some that left us reps scratching our heads as to how they became a doctor. The ego’s, the power struggles, the cat and mouse dance, the friendship’s, the history, it’s pretty incredible and dynamically layered when I think about it. I have worked in so many different disease states that I have contacts in a rainbow of specialties. I am a firm believer in never burning bridges, and I have created some amazing friendships with physicians that have lasted throughout many years.
The reason I bring this up, is that today I dropped by to see my all time favorite physician. I have known him for 20 years, and I can honestly tell you, he is hands down the SMARTEST person I have ever met. He has a photographic memory. It is the absolute coolest thing I have ever witnessed. The man can recite specific sentences from random studies that are 20 years old, verbatim. He remembers EVERYTHING. He is the perfect blend of what you would seek in a physician. He is kind, he is smart, he is informative, he is personal, and he empowers. I was introduced to two of his patients in the waiting room (that he personally greeted and escorted back to a room). One woman was 99, and the other was 87. They both volunteered how he was the reason they were so spry at their ages! I was tickled to watch the dynamic of trust and respect between them.
I had never revealed to ANY of my providers my stance or decision on not vaccinating our son. Today I broke that, as I can’t hide my truth from someone I have the utmost respect for and have also grown to have an amazing friendship with him and his wife. I had not planned on telling him, mainly because I was scared to have him disappointed in me or scold me or whatever other fear based nonsense I could come up with.
Since I have no fear regarding our decision, I decided I couldn’t have fear with him. So I told him. I told him a cliff notes version and braces for impact. He was almost father like in how tender and empathetic he was to my story. He praised me, he reassured me at how incredibly smart he thinks I am, and proceeded to tell me that he will support me in any way I need. The best part is, I genuinely believe him. He will. He is not afraid to stand up against what he took an oath to do. I am forever grateful to know him.
It also happens that he is the brother in law to a political figure that may be helpful. He immediately offered to reach out and be of assistance any way he can. Prayers up for those connections if and when needed.
Every day, I make the choice to speak my truth. I probably never would have come forth on my own, so as horrendous as the situation has developed into, I am forever grateful to not fear. I know I will always have adversaries. I know I will continue to face hate speech and blatant discrimination, I just know that it will never stop me or change me to become like that.
My Irish roots are bleeding through in songs in my head. All I keep hearing are the glorious words from the Wild Rover. “and it’s no, nay, never, no, nay, never, no more….” One of my favorite “sing songs”, and now one of my favorite mantras to never going backwards, always forwards.
So much love and respect.
Xo-e
The Underground Momma 