Delayed but Determined

Due to the many planes trying to reach Haiti, and the US Gov controlling the Port au Prince airport, all commercial planes into Haiti have been delayed until Feb 2nd- that being said my flight leaves out of Miami early in the morning of Feb 2nd. It's been a little complicated with all of the changes seeing as I'm travelling with a group from all over. As a group however, we refuse to be discouraged. If nothing else it gives us a chance to be as prepared as possible for the trip (I'm still wishing I had 30 hours in the day and 2 secretaries to help with all I need to do).

With all that's being written and shown on television, I have a strong desire to get to PAP as soon as possible and trepidation about what we will encounter. The sights, smells and experiences will, no doubt, be intense.

I've heard from many people "I think it's crazy you're going to Haiti." In response I usually don't mention why now, more than ever, I feel called to serve in places such as Haiti. This past Friday I celebrated the one year anniversary of my diagnosis of breast cancer. Around Christmas time the year prior I had found a lump while doing a self breast exam; being a doctor I knew there was nothing sinister about that lump (no pain, no skin change, easily mobile, relatively small). Add to that, I was 29 with no real family history. I thankfully took the 'practice what you preach' approach and went to another physician for an exam. I was reassured at my initial suspicion that it would be nothing. . .but then, after a biopsy 'just to be sure,' learned I was not immune to the fact that bad things (unexpected diagnosis, accidents etc) happen to good people all the time.

Thankfully at no time after my cancer diagnosis did I panic or become paralyzed by regret regarding all the things I hadn't done in my life. Sure at some point I'd love to get married, have kids, travel to Brazil, become a one-hit wonder and be on VH1's "Where Are They Now" and "Oprah". . . but all things in good time. Thankfully up until this point I can say that I've done a good job of really enjoying life- appreciative of the wonderful family, friends, and strong faith that carried through my cancer treatment and that will continue to carry me through challenging situations, such as Haiti, in the future.