The Art of Becoming a Successful “Zebra”
I never fully comprehended the phrase “You wear the dress; the dress does not wear you,” until I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, in December of 2014. When I was diagnosed with a disease that could affect every aspect of my life, I learned what it meant to take control of my life.
Waking from surgery is akin to rebirth. The third day following each surgery is the worst. The pain becomes real on this day and realization of the next recovery steps hit me. Unaware that I had Ehlers Danlos syndrome when I had the first two surgeries, I assumed that my injuries occurred due to clumsiness and overtraining for dance; however, that did not deter me. I came out of both surgeries preparing to dance again. The third surgery was different. While I had yet to be formally diagnosed, the term Ehlers Danlos was mentioned, and I thought that I was a damaged good. I was in the process of preparing to compete in The Miss Tennessee Scholarship pageant after winning a preliminary pageant when I was told I needed this surgery. I was devastated and gave up on trying to win the competition. Academics helped me get back on track and regain confidence. My professors supported me through my surgical recovery and pushed me to focus on my career goals. While my physical recovery was brutal during that time, this was the first semester of college were I showcased my true academic ability. My fourth and fifth surgeries went differently. I took control of the disease, and through researching this disease I discovered medicine and my yearning to be involved in it. I made the decision to be a doctor when I took control over Ehlers Danlos. I took control by exercising and returning to activities that I enjoy such as canoeing.
My treating physicians were partially responsible – in part – for my decision to become a doctor. They helped me take control over the disease and reclaim my life. My doctors have gone beyond their normal roles and demonstrated to me laudable characteristics that I want to imitate. My orthopedic surgeons have the talent to fix joints and ease minds. My knee surgeon told me that I needed a surgery he purposely got distracted by a squirrel which added some comical relief to this stressful situation. He then proceeded to perform a procedure that eliminated the knee pain that I had been coping with for over a year. My geneticist is one of the most well rounded and intelligent gentlemen I have met. He made the time to motivate me and to give me advice about school. He gave me his personal email address during my diagnosis appointment so that if I had any questions about my diagnosis, or life in general, I could get in touch with him directly. While all these people are brilliant and highly trained, they were able to simplify complex matters to make them understandable. As I began to understand their medical lingo, my doctors noted my growth and adapted their bedside manner to me. This is one of the best abilities a doctor can possess. Being able to fix the problem is important and incredible, but being able to accurately and clearly communicate with patients so that they feel understood and comprehend the information given by the physician is key in practicing medicine. I believe that through my doctoral example I will be a more competent and commutative physician and person.
A zebra makes the same sound when walking as does a horse does which causes it to be difficult to spot a zebra without looking. The term ”zebra” is used by many to describe diseases that may be difficult to diagnose, such as Ehlers Danlos. Zebras are unique and no two will be exactly alike. I can truly identify with this term not only because of my disease, but also because it reminds us as physician and people that stereotyping everyone into an exact category is impossible. I was not the stereotypical dancer or pageant queen when growing up. However, I brought unique intangibles to the table that helped others and myself succeed. I will bring these same qualities to and becoming an understanding, compassionate, and patient-friendly physician.
