John,
So your son will be doing his residency at
Fresno? Is that
U of Cal also? He sure must enjoy that adrenalin rush, with his love for the
E.R. and research on a mountain. It must be the wrestling background. Sorry to
hear about the divorce; the boys must have been young then. I know how tough
that is. Your son has a heart for people, which is what draws him into
medicine in the first place. The experiences of the E.R. are much like
battlefield experiences, and can be just as traumatic. Hopefully he will always
keep that tender heart, but will adjust to the fact that the Lord has foreordained
the number of days a person lives, regardless of whatever heroics a doctor or
nurse employs. You can only do what you can do; the rest is up to Him.
My husband does not have the heartbreaking
experience of losing many patients now that he is settled into ophthalmology. J He just spends his days,
“Stamping out glaucoma.” My husband loves Residents, and he is his Dept.
Residency Director at St. Louis
University, in addition
to his regular duties. He is a big believer in the Attendings mentoring the
Residents and would, of course, always be available to speak with your son
about anything that might be helpful, via email or phone.
Thanks for the kind words of
encouragement. I don’t like having to set boundaries with anyone,
especially other Believers, but Tough Love is never fun. (A good book on the
subject is “Boundaries” by Drs. Cloud and Townsend.) Reconciliation
is always a huge relief and joy; but cannot be done without establishing mutual
respect first. I look forward to such a day. In the meantime, I care
enough about my own peace to guard it from unnecessary violation. Therefore I
will reluctantly employ the delete button as you advise. There are too
many gentle folks here, such as yourself, that I would miss otherwise.
Izzy
From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 2:10
PM
My son is James Smithson. James has just finished his academic
requirements at S.F. and is taking nine months off to do this research before
his fours years of residency. He likes the ER in Fresno - it is a little hairy and
fast paste. He is not fully settled on trauma. Maybe he should join
this list if he wants some real experience in trauma. Anyway, he is
a wonderful kid .... one of three brothers; all were state
wrestling champions. I have coached for years. There
mom and I divorced in 1987 and I raised James and his younger brother.
I worry sometimes about being so tender hearted -- him
not me. He comes home in tears very often, especially when he loses
a patient. Impute from your husband would not hurt.
Hang in there in this list. I appreciate your comments and sense of
maturity. With judyt -- just delete. There are
two individuals from another list that are very much outside the will of God
-- more than any on this list. They continue to send me
postings -- I have pretty much warn out the delete button on them.
Grace to you
John
