Omaha has totally changed Jonathan. I am so grateful.
Residency was so hard on him. It was three years total, but the last two years were the hardest. He fell into depression and a deep-rooted exhaustion. Whenever he had time off, he just wanted to rest but that doesn't really happen when you have three kids.
He often told me he hated his job. And there was nothing I could really do to help him. He dealt with death and dying all the time. He saw so many people die and had to tell that many more that they were going to die or tell their families the heart-wrenching news. He had to deal with angry patients (because it's just human nature to want to find blame when things go bad), and he worked with nurses who didn't have a lot a respect for residents. And then there were his attendings. Again, not so nice. And I could go on and on about the horrible hours.
And when he was home, he saw that I needed help. So he tried to help me. And after the kids were in bed, he had to get presentations ready or study for another test (because they never stop!). I feel like he had pressure on every front.
BUT NOW...now things are different. And I love it.
Jonathan is happy. He has a life outside of work. He is running again and has lost almost 40 pounds since we have been in Omaha. He comes home every.single.night. He comes to church every Sunday with us. There are a few times a month when he doesn't get to tuck the girls in bed, but it is the exception now, not the norm.
Even though he is now in fellowship, he still has to do a lot of presentations and research. He still has boards to study for (he just became board certified in internal medicine now he has to study for allergy boards). And he still has to moonlight. But the depression and exhaustion are gone. It is so fun to see him back and enjoying life and work. I worried it would never happen.
I am so grateful to the Lord for this opportunity for fellowship. It has changed our lives so much, and for the better.
We learned so much during residency. In particular, I learned about grace. I know we couldn't have done it without the Lord's help. I learned about the importance of good friends, who stood by us and helped us so much. I learned about letting things go (although I am still working on that!) and I learned about patience.
And residency made Jonathan a good doctor.
But I am glad it's over. :)
3 comments:
Oh my goodness. I have so much respect for doctors now because of what y'all have been through. I can't imagine going through that myself. One of my nightmares is finding out that Ben has to go back to school. I'm praying that that never happens.
Ben was offered a job recently that paid 20k more than what we're making now, but the hours were HORRIBLE, mostly at night. And we turned it down because having Dad sane and at home is worth so much more than money. So I really can say how happy I am for you that that phase in your life is over. Congratulations on getting your hubby back! And 40 pounds?!?!?! I need to learn how to do that!
That is awesome! So happy for you and your sweet family. You were so good at being understanding through it all. A great example to me and those around you!
YAHOO YAHOO YAHOO!!! They come back??? I needed to hear that today! I am so happy that there is life on the other side! Bless you all-- residency isn't for the "weak-marriaged" and he is so lucky to have you by his side!
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