Practicing Medicine

New Year’s Eve. The last day of the year—a day for celebration, reflection, and the inevitable “How did we get here so fast?” moment. For me, this New Year’s feels different, heavier but not in a bad way. It’s like the weight of everything I’ve been through this year is simultaneously grounding and propelling me forward.

The day started quietly. No grand plans, no sequined dresses or glittering parties. My energy is precious, so I reserved it for what mattered most—time with my family. As the hours ticked by, I found myself reflecting on the whirlwind that was 2024. The highs, the lows, and everything in between. This year has tested me in ways I never imagined. I ended the year with doctor’s appointments, lab results, treatments, and trying to keep life as normal as possible for my children. A quarter of the year where I had to redefine strength, not as the absence of struggle but as the willingness to face it head-on, day after day.

But it hasn’t been all hardship. There were moments of joy, too—the simple kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Like the comfort of a warm blanket on a cold day at the treatment center.

By the time the evening rolled around, the house was dimly lit with soft lamps and the glow of the TV. As midnight approached, I felt a mix of emotions—gratitude for having made it through this year, anxiety about the unknowns of the year ahead, and a quiet determination to keep moving forward. When the ball dropped, I closed my eyes and made a wish. Not for myself, but for my family—for more laughter, more time, and more moments of togetherness.

And just like that, a new year began. A clean slate, a fresh start, another chance to keep going. I don’t know what 2025 will bring, but for now, I’m content in this moment—surrounded by love, hope, and the quiet promise of better days ahead.

Happy New Year to all who are walking this path with me. May this year bring strength, joy, and resilience to us all.