I could easily write a novel of gratitude from start to finish, nonetheless, in fewer words I hope to express the sincerest of gratitude for the doctors and medical professionals associated with this guild. I can only try to justly express the experiences that not only presented a field of faith, but also elite medical practice.
My first encounter with a Catholic Doctors’ practice was nearly ten years ago newly married and expecting our first. The pregnancy progressed, but not as anticipated. We were first given the news of a unhealthy child from the hospital doctors which brought much agony and questions of termination. However, the following words after fleeing that hospital wing were given from our chosen ObGyn and one of your guild’s doctors. These words breathed so deeply in virtues of faith, hope and love. We were given a new understanding of baptism by desire, given hope in our hearts shared from the love of our doctor calling us back to the faith of God and to the Church. Twelve days later we delivered a still birth, but the compassion and love easily shattered any sorrow or guilt in these tough moments. Dr. Michael Dixon has since delivered the next four of ourchildren.
Next, as years progressed so did our family, and with age gaining wisdom but still challenged and often lost in discovering parenting insights. The support and confidence from our pediatrician has given us a backbone in the medical field when faced with threats and uncertainty while our son was being psychologically evaluated. The comfort she gave was natural and easing in this time and continues to be so in each wellness visit, even in a crowded room with two adults and five small boys. She would never flinch at the size of our family, but instead go about caring for each individual being certain they are given top medical attention. Dr. Patricia Amato has been a true advocate for our family.
Another, time in our lives so overcome with medical questions was with fifth son whom se knew early in the pregnancy of serious health concerns which could be fatal. In due time the baby was born and transferred to Children’s NICU after intuation. He had been given seven lines of meds, an oscillator, nitric and a pubic catheter. Time seemed to be against us and decisions were soon being thrown into our hands. For days we were struggling in prayer and tackling the CCC 2278, hoping there might just be a miracle in our midst. The daily medical jargon was spinning around along with the complexity of the human anatomy. In this thick fog we were finally given medical guidance we could confidently find peace in. Finding counsel from a Catholic doctor during this time of trial was a turning point in perception and the language we needed to be able to respond to the neonatologists with confidence. Just a few brief phone conversations with Dr. Elizabeth Abraham made the world of a difference.
These are the doctors that I meet each week in the Eucharist. Further, I have no motivation to avoid any medical institutions because of the overwhelming support and charity that is given with all doctors not just those mentioned, but also for the association at large! The community itself is a support to each and spreads its blessing further to us outside the field. There have been so many other doctors, nurses and medical professionals that I did not mention but made a difference in our understanding of faith and medicine. The witness of faith, the face of Christ not only found on the crucifixes hung in examination rooms or around the neck, but also the face of Christ on each of these persons. Thank you for bringing the Divine Physician to me in the most personal of ways. Our family will always be grateful and pray for these doctors and the association as a whole. Thank you.
Submitted 10/14/2017 by Rachelle B.