The Good, The Bad and The Funny

               The Good, The Bad and The Funny

Author: Sally Walton 

I thought I would write more on the lighter side and discuss the good, the bad, and the funny side of having a spouse in medicine. I know that a lot of topics discussed here are dealing with the difficulties that we face having a partner in medicine; the physical, emotional, and financial toll that it takes on us all. But I thought I would write about the little perks we get from being in this "situation", the hurdle I personally had to get over along the way, and the funny side of medicine.   

The Good

My husband is a Family Doctor, so we never run out of medication. Our house is filled with a good "dose" of medication that makes our bathroom cupboard look like a mini-pharmacy. I don't know what half the medication is used for - but it is there! If I have a medical question or should I say if a family member or friend have a medical question it is just a phone call away to the hubby or a second degree phone call to a specialist friend. Who needs WebMD.com? They are allowed to take a few med samples home right?

The Bad

When my husband started his residency I chose to work and not continue with my post secondary education due to the financial strain it would have put on us. After a year of working, I could feel the resentment building because I was losing myself in the process. I had some words of wisdom given to me from a friend during that challenging time "You are the only one who can hold yourself back" so with a bit of a mind shift, I went from feeling stagnated to looking at it as a stepping stone to where I wanted to go. It took a little longer but I finally received my education too. 

Medicine is a prestigious profession, and I totally get that, but I love introductions to new people because as soon as anyone finds out the hubby is a doctor - I might as well be a wall flower. I think next time someone asks what my husband and I do for a living I will say I am an astronaut and see if that trumps my husband...probably not:)   

The Funny

I could write a book about the funny stories that come from my husband and our medical friends. Of course names of patients and personal info is never included. It is this comic relief that counters the heartache that comes along with this profession. The best patients are the little old ladies who don't give a hoot and say what's on their minds. Before I met my husband, I didn't fathom that Dr's talked - but of course they do. If you bedazzle "down there" then that might be mentioned at a dinner party later that week. The "case studies" provide great insight into human behaviour and can be quite educational at times!  

Do you have anything to add to the list? What do you find to be the best, the worst, and the funniest about having a partner in medicine?