A Little About Me

One of my good friends once confessed she thought of me as a cat who always lands on her feet no matter what unimaginable hardship is thrown my way. I find that very peculiar since I would not classify myself as a cat lover, but have had two pet cats- one was an ill thought out gift from a high school boyfriend and the other was "inherited" from Doc H's ex-girlfriend. While both cats lived long lives, I am cat-free at the moment.

I am a forty-something mother and step-mother to three teens and one twenty-something. I am a second wife and Doc H is a second husband.  We have no "ours" except for our dog. Our family has blended together better than I ever could have imagined or dreamed. Don't get me wrong, we have had to work our way through family issues in the past and I'm certain there will be more coming with three teens still living under our roof. Regardless, we are very fortunate.

Despite the fact that we have begun the empty nesting process and one has flown the coop, our schedule is still just as messy as ever. We have been together for almost a decade now, and I can't tell you how much I enjoy being married to this man!

After a year of college I married my first husband and finished my second year of college. After a nine year academic hiatus, I found myself finishing my degree as a penniless single mother. I thank God for all my supportive professors who were willing to take my toddler-daughter out for walks while I took tests, or allowed me to bring her to class and were willing to overlook the crayon marks she left on the desks.

Doc H came into my life in an amazing fashion. I'll have to write that story one day.

When Doc H and I began our relationship, I think it's fair to say we were both struggling financially. Everyone thinks doctors make a TON of money. Well, here's the truth...medical residents don't even make peanuts for the hours they work. Fellows a little more, and attendings start their careers working hard to payoff the bottom-less crevasse of med school debt they accumulated in pursuit of helping others. While we are almost paid up, we still have a little ways to go before we are completely free of our student debt... Just in time to pay for our oldest's freshman year! Hey now! Isn't life just great! I bring this up to reassure everyone that we know what it's like to live on a dime. Neither of us came from wealthy families. I understand what it's like to work hard, budget, and I have even robbed Peter to pay Paul. Once you've lived it, that life experience is with you forever.

I began blogging, because I finally have the time and have decided to make it a priority. After consistently having a job since the age of fourteen, I packed up my office Fall 2011, looked out my office window last time and headed home to take off the suit. Identity crisis ensued and I am still working to find my legs, but writing and blogging have definitely spurred my self-reinvention.

"Your Doctor's Wife" came into being after hearing numerous complaints from friends and acquaintances about their doctors and the current medical system. As soon as people learn you are the wife of a doctor, it is open season for such conversation. It is even worse for my poor husband. On top of doctor complaints, rants on our medical system, and co-pays, he listens to a list of ailments....from strangers even! Hearing such chatter bothers me more than him, I'm sure. I can only take so much blood and guts talk. Mr. Stranger, please don't tell me about your prostrate or how you need a Viagra prescription, after all, I am just Your Doctor's Wife.

~Emma

Questions?
Email me at yourdoctorswife@gmail.com