Check out the link above. I had to go through the 10 signs myself. I am always self evaluating. It guess it goes with my profession of being a physician. Well, I have been a little down. Life is rough, and sometimes the pouches hurts, and sting a little bit. I am not depressed. I have been, and been on a couch. There is no shame in that. After my Mom died I had to get some help.
Well, in 2017 I ended a toxic relationship which sometimes lingers. I was still rehabbing for a foot injury that has bothered me over two years. I injured my knee, so I had to be shut down for a few weeks from my love–running. I had to see doctors, which I hate. I know I am one, but being a patient is difficult. I have FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL) regarding my running journey. I am scared to run because I am tired of getting hurt. After an injury it is like staring over, and it is hard, not as much fun when starting over. Last weekend I had to real ” Come to Jesus Moment”
I had a super active weekend planned–heaven for me. Friday night run, Saturday morning run, followed by bike ride. Sunday would end with Susan G Komen a yearly tradition since my mom was diagnosed and eventually passed from breast cancer. Well, Mother’s Day weekend was rough this year. Friday I got a little down. Decided not to run, so could rest for Saturday. Overslept and missed the run and the biking Saturday. So they moved the Susan G Komen race further North. So I woke up Sunday and didn’t feel like driving–well that is what I told myself. Before it was a10-15 min walk from my house. I could have gone to church, but was not in the mood for that either.I did stream the service. One of my friends called about watching basketball playoffs so I forced myself to leave the house, although it was half time before I made it.
My mother has been gone for almost 8 years, and mother’s day weekend can be challenging because I so miss her. Also the fact that by now I thought I would be a mother, so I can be down on both fronts. So lack of interest and isolation was me last weekend, and the few weekends that I have been back in Chicago. My travels have had me away most of early part of the year. Life is good and everyone goes through ups and down. The key is to not stay in the downs–my faith, family, friends, and my interests keep me from staying there usually.
So I wrote this post for you to be self-aware and for you to check and love on your friends, family as you never know what people are going through.
I had a mission when I boarded the plane to my old city- Philadelphia. My plan was to thoroughly explore the Draft. I wanted to compare the Chicago to Philadelphia Draft experience. Chicago had a marked advantage as I would could walk a few blocks and be in the center of the action.
I arrived the night prior to the Draft. I had to go to bed early so I could make the Mike and Mike show the morning of the Draft. It would be the sixth time I had the opportunity to go to the show. I made friends while I was in line with random people, as I usually do while waiting to get in the show. I have yet to get anyone else to get up early to attend the show with me. I was fortunate enough to get on the first row with some sports bloggers. The show was jammed packed- Adam Schefter was the first guest. He gave hints of who he thought would be the number one draft pick. Todd McShay came with more of the same, draft buzz. “Booger” Anthony McFarland was on as a usual host. The four hours of the show whizzed past. It was 10 AM before I knew it, Mike and Mike was over. I was fortunate enough to get Booger’s autograph on my football, I could not get Donovan McNabb’s. He was the last guest, and ran over to the First Take’s set, before I could get it.
Then I headed to the Draft Town. I figured there would not be many people there early, and I was wrong. I started to walk around and take some pictures. I saw some of the same attractions that I remember from the Chicago Draft town. I then made the mistake of going to the Pro-Shop. Well maybe it wasn’t a mistake. I got some new Eagles gear (like I needed more). In the end, it was good I went early, because my items were sold out on the last day. Next, I checked out a booth where I could be a broadcaster. My face, but it was Suzy Kolber’s voice. Many may not know but my dream job would be to be a sport injury analyst. A job where I could take about my favorite – sports combined with my profession, as an orthopaedic surgeon.
Well, while I was waiting to do my broadcast – the prospected number one draft pick Mitch Trubisky came for “Question and Answer Session” I figured why not get his autograph. He was from University of North Carolina (my medical school Alma Mata). Ironically, he ends being drafted by the Chicago Bears – my present city’s team. Although I am not a Bears fan, it seems that people assume I am. Up next, was the Honda Rookie challenge which was awesome. Reason being is that that I love sports trivial. I love the history of the game of football, is so intrigues me. I thought that I knew about football while I do, but it was not enough. Out of ten questions the most I could get correct was eight. So, I kept playing, as the prizes for the top four players of the day was an autographed football. My present football is almost now full of signatures. I stopped by that booth all three days.
While, I am an Eagles fan, my first recollection of football was as a child. My Dad was a Steelers fan, and my Grandfather was a Cowboy fan, and they use to argue on Sunday. I chose the Steelers. So, the Pittsburgh Steelers were my first football team, but I really fell in love with football while living in Philadelphia doing my sports medicine fellowship. As I stood on the sidelines taking care of athletes I learned to love the game. Lavon Bell was doing a “Question and Answer” session, and an autograph session I was excited. The hours past, and my phone died. I was supposed to leave and go to a Happy Hour to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Well without my phone it was impossible to get an Uber to get to Happy Hour and to make it back for the start of the Draft coverage. I missed seeing some of my friends, as a result. I then meet up with a crew of friends that were also in town for the draft: Green Bay Packer fans, Redskins fan, and a Bears fan. We all watched the coverage together. I also met some random sports fans standing around us.
Everyone was in suspense who would be the first pick in the draft. Who would be the second? Well the rumor or the suspicious of Mitch Trubisky going number one was wrong. William Garrett be the first draft pick for the Cleveland Browns. Well then there was more drama with the Bears trading with the 49ers to get Mtch Trubisky the second draft pick. That was a surprise the rumor was Chicago would pick a defensive player, again wrong. Other noteworthy surprise was the Cleveland Browns trading with Houston and Houston getting Deshaun Watson at the twelfth pick of the draft. I wanted the Eagles to get Jonathan Allen- Roll Tide. I am an Alabama fan. I however heard from the “draft experts” standing around me that he was a solid pick. I talked to so many random people at the draft. That is one thing I love about sports, it has a wonderful way of uniting people. Well, I was at the draft until 11pm. My crew had left me. I was trying to say until the Steeler’s pick at 30, but they got TJ Watts. If he is anything like his brother JJ Watts, he will be an awesome NFL player.
The second day I get there around two. The plan was to get some autographs, listen to a few picks, and then go meet up with some friends. DeAngelo Williams my favorite running back with pink locks was signing autographs. His story of why he had pink locks made me an instant fan. His mom died of breast cancer, and so did my mom. Well, my picture with him was my favorite of the Draft weekend.
Randall Cunningham, was signing autographs- the legendary quarterback from Eagles. As I stood in line for his autograph I received a text stating I was in the standby list to go inside the theater. The Philadelphia Draft was all outside which was the first time ever that it had been. Philadelphia Draft made history.
Part of The attraction, and what made people download the draft app was when people scanned the bar codes, people were automatically placed in stand-by list (although it was long) to get a seat in the theater. Well my number came up the second night. I had to wait for a while, but I made some new friends in line. Two Eagles, and one Seahawk fan entertained me. When we got in, the Eagles fans I was talking to, convinced me into walking up to the seats up front. Well, I worked my way to the second row, and my new friends left. I stayed, and I was excited there were legends naming picks- Jim Brown, Frank O’Hare, Walter Payton Men of the Year nominees/winners (Greg Olsen, Larry Fitzgerald, Thomas Davis-just to name a few) The second Eagles draft pick was about to be announced. The fans were cheering and the camera panned the audience. As I was sitting there my cousin texted me a picture of me on ESPN. Well I stayed to the end. I missed hanging out with my friends, and even turned down a date. I am an over the top football fanatic.
Day Three, I really was not going back, but one of my ski-football friends was driving in from New Jersey, so I would have to go meet with her. She was in Chicago last yea, and came to see me at Chicago Draft town. It was pouring rain so she wanted a do-over. Well, I meet her and her cousin and we made it our mission to scan all the bar codes at all of the booths. One if 30 codes were scanned the prize would be a NFL Draft commentary pin. Also by scanning we all were eligible for several drawings for a multitude of prizes. We then make it back to the theater for the final picks. We stayed until the final pick 253.
Pros of Chicago
It was close to my house
I got to experience it with my Sports Buddy
I got to experience with my sports loving soror – who unfortunately is a Cowboy fan.
I got Otis Wilson’s Autograph-of the Champion 1985 Bears
Picture opportunities were numerous
1st is usually the best in most things
There was a Ferris Wheel attraction
Buckingham fountain changed colors based on team that was up for a pick
Pros of Philadelphia
Gave me another reason to go to Philadelphia- my old city
The Draft outside had a more intimate feel
Philadelphia Fans are the best fans in the NFL
Was off, so I could spend the whole day there.
The Pro-shop had more Eagles gear.
I got more autographs
Zip lining (although I didn’t do it)
I met so many random people
I got a few cameos- even prime time ones
So, Chicago is still my favorite Draft town. I maybe bias, because it is my favorite city. I can’t wait until they announce where next year’s will be. This may become an off-season yearly ritual.
My first love is running. Running means so much to me. It is so much more than exercise. It is a way of life, a release. As I run, I feel the breeze blow against my face. I feel like my cares are going away. Long runs, I have some serious talks with God. Well, skiing is causing some serious completion with my first love. I have to travel to get to the best snow. So I add another love. I get to see the best scenery after I ride up the lift chairs to ski down. I have a need for speed, and I can go fast-within reason. I can compete, and actually place- win a award, unlike when I run. Yes, I get a medal for crossing the finish line, but I am too slow to place overall or in my age group. I am good with that, but on ski trips I can. Running is solo sport, skiing is about the group. I never ski alone, because if something happens I will be struck out there by myself. I also have had a plethora of injuries from running. I could write a book- I actually have (coming soon).
Ironically my last injury was from a ski incident. I can ski relatively pain free, but it hurts to run. I may have to undergo the knife again. Will update you all. While I am a doctor, and do treat myself sometimes. I am not the most objective, so I will know the verdict by the end of the week. Either way my Fall Marathon is not looking promising, but will for sure be ready for next ski season. Until next season will cherish the last runs of the season (ski runs that is)
What is NBS one may ask? NBS is the National Brotherhood of Skiers http://www.nbs.org/summits/.It is a national organization of predominantly black ski clubs who mission is to identify, develop, and support athletes of color who will win international and Olympic winter sports competition representing the United States. Also key to its core is to increase participates of athletes of color in winter sports.
The year is 2002. I was finishing up my last year of medical school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I had joined a ski club when I moved to Charlotte a few year prior just to met some people. I met a friend Yvette Fuller. I went on a few local trips, which was fun, but I never progressed much pass the bunny slopes. Yvette invited me to the NBS Ski Summit in 2002 which was in Snow Mass, CO. It was my last year of medical school, and I was on an easy rotation so I said why not. I went and the rest is history. I have been to the Summit every year since except a little hiatus due to being a struggling surgery resident with not much money, and very few days off.
At the beginning, I skied a little and partied allot. Now I ski allot, and party. I won’t say a little, but less than I use to. The NBS ski summit has something for everyone. 15 years later, and I always mark my calendar for the event. For those who just want to get away rest, and be a snow bunny, it is perfect. Also for those who want to just get away and party, the Summit is the trip. For those who want to get some skiing in with friends, family, and/or take a lesson the Summit is for you too. For those like me who want to ski daily, and also party, there is room on the ski train. Cross country skiing, riding snow mobiles, trying snow shoeing are other options. That is the perfect thing about the Summit. There is room for everyone. A plethora of experiences awaits. Outside of the yearly week trip to the Summit, there are other trips planned by the various regions, and clubs that make up the NBS. I now live in Chicago, and have met a wonderful core group and we ski together in the Mid-West, and plan various side trips. It is always fun to see a diverse group of people on the slopes. Variety is the spice of life.
This year the Summit was in Keystone, Colorado. It was my first time there. I got my six day of skiing, and my share of the theme parties. I was also blessed to race, and win first in my age group in the intermediate category. Each year is better than the year before. I see old friends, meet new ones, and my skiing get better each year. If you ever thought about coming to ski Summit, make a commitment join us next year.
Well, I love Marvel movies!! While, this one was not my favorite, it still was awesome. My analysis of it, is probably different from most other people’s. I admit as I have mentioned in my previous blogs, that I did not read the comic books in my childhood, so my knowledge of Dr. Strange is limited.
The opening scene in the hospital had me all in. Dr. Strange was a neurosurgeon. I was loving it. The scene in the operating room, the way he pulled the bullet from the man’s skull. He helped bring the guy back to life. It made me think of the time I was an intern on my neurosurgeon rotation. A patient in the ICU had increased pressure on his brain, and need a burr hole drilled in his skull to release the pressure. The senior residents stated ” Let Ouida do it. She is an orthopedic resident and they love bones”. I was excited although drilling in a skull in nothing like drilling into a bone of a leg or arm. So the movie had me with the opening few scenes. Then they messed it up. Ok, where was the protective googles/glasses, and why were they in the operating room without mask over their faces for a few minutes. I had to calm down and realize it was a movie. I had to let it go.
Then the egotistical, arrogant side of Dr. Strange was revealed. I again thought about some of the pricks that I had worked with in the past. As he was driving in his nice car, like a maniac. I thought he is so out of control. Then the accident, the injury to his hands was the turning point. I thought about life, God has a way of using circumstances no matter how bad to humble, to teach, to grow, to realized one’s true potential. Well this was what happened to Dr. Stephen Strange.
He woke up with those hideous external fixators on both of his hands. The doctor in me emerged and thought “Oh my God what injuries did he actually have. Were there multiple breaks, tendon, and nerve injuries? Why use external fixations? They actually could have been better options” Ok I had to come back and realize again this is only movie. He had loss the major use of his hands to operate. The one thing he used to primarily defend himself was gone. He felt useless, as he whole life was based on the premise that he was a brilliant, renowned neurosurgeon. He had to figure out a way to repair the damage to return to the life he once knew. In the process he finds a man who was paralyzed and by some miracle was healed and now walks.
Dr. Strange fed up with Western medicine travels East find a way to cure his hands. What he finds instead in something beyond his wildest dreams. He mets the Ancient One, and while his hand were not healed, his mind was. What he thought was his identity and purpose were redefined. He ultimately saves the earth, destroyed Kaecillius and his crew (the bad guys). He was not healed, but found a better, a more noble purpose outside of himself.
Ok the reason I think the movie is awesome. It is not the graphics which were amazing especially in 3-D. It is not because Marvel is all of that. Marvel really is all that, and they some. The reason I loved it was the message that I got out of the story. Life is not about one person. Life is not about how great, awesome, talented one person is. It is not about a person’s ego, job, career, status. Life is about purpose. We all were put on this earth for a purpose. God created us with a divine purpose. God uses everything in life- the good with the bad- to help or guide us in that purpose.
Romans 8:28King James Version (KJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
So when life gives you lemons, let us all make sweet lemonade. Be Blessed!!
Everyone was in suspense who would be the first pick in the draft. Who would be the second? Well the rumor or the suspicious of Mitch Trubisky going number one was wrong. William Garrett be the first draft pick for the Cleveland Browns. Well then there was more drama with the Bears trading with the 49ers to get Mtch Trubisky the second draft pick. That was a surprise the rumor was Chicago would pick a defensive player, again wrong. Other noteworthy surprise was the Cleveland Browns trading with Houston and Houston getting Deshaun Watson at the twelfth pick of the draft. I wanted the Eagles to get Jonathan Allen- Roll Tide. I am an Alabama fan. I however heard from the “draft experts” standing around me that he was a solid pick. I talked to so many random people at the draft. That is one thing I love about sports, it has a wonderful way of uniting people. Well, I was at the draft until 11pm. My crew had left me. I was trying to say until the Steeler’s pick at 30, but they got TJ Watts. If he is anything like his brother JJ Watts, he will be an awesome NFL player.
Part of The attraction, and what made people download the draft app was when people scanned the bar codes, people were automatically placed in stand-by list (although it was long) to get a seat in the theater. Well my number came up the second night. I had to wait for a while, but I made some new friends in line. Two Eagles, and one Seahawk fan entertained me. When we got in, the Eagles fans I was talking to, convinced me into walking up to the seats up front. Well, I worked my way to the second row, and my new friends left. I stayed, and I was excited there were legends naming picks- Jim Brown, Frank O’Hare, Walter Payton Men of the Year nominees/winners (Greg Olsen, Larry Fitzgerald, Thomas Davis-just to name a few) The second Eagles draft pick was about to be announced. The fans were cheering and the camera panned the audience. As I was sitting there my cousin texted me a picture of me on ESPN. Well I stayed to the end. I missed hanging out with my friends, and even turned down a date. I am an over the top football fanatic.
