Not your doctor.

I do not want to be your doctor.

You come in, complaining about bleeding and cramping. As the only female doctor in clinic that morning, I am asked to see you. I notice the high school ID badge you have hanging around your neck, your gray hooded sweatshirt.

Four days ago, see, you had an abortion. 7 days ago, I had a miscarriage.

I listen quietly to your story, gently examine you for signs of infection, and do not understand your decision at all. The voice inside of me wants to scream at you. How could you purposely end the life that was growing inside of you? It doesn't seem fair - you did not want to be pregnant, but were, and so ended it. I have tried to get pregnant for months and months, and yet lost the tiny baby that I carried.

I think about our children - the ones neither of us will know. They would have been almost exactly the same age. Maybe one day they would have met - at school, or soccer, or swim lessons, two bright-eyed, smiling children.

I do not want to be your doctor, yet here I am. I have to put aside my sorrow, my anger, and try to be the best doctor I can be. That is what doctors are supposed to do. I try to treat you just like I would treat anyone else, like I would treat my mother or a dear friend. I lay my hand on your shoulder, explaining that this is all normal. But it isn't. Abortion isn't normal. Expected would have perhaps been a better word. I give you medicine to treat your pain, antibiotics to make sure you do not get sicker, and encourage you to come back in a few days so we can make sure you are getting better.

As I think about you, over the next few days, I say some silent prayers.
That I will remember that Jesus died for your sins just like he died for mine.
That God will replace my bitterness with compassion.
That God will comfort me as I mourn.
That God will comfort you as you mourn.
That God will heal the wounds I cannot see that I am sure you carry, underneath that gray hooded sweatshirt.

Comments

Anonymous said…
What terrible pain for you guys. Your trust in God through this is encouraging to me even though some days I'm sure there are many many questions with the tears for you all. God will be seen as faithful, even when the path hurts so much some times.
lindsey kate said…
Oh my goodness, Aubrey ... what pain to have to bear. I've been praying for God to open your womb and bless you guys with children ... to read of your miscarriage saddens me greatly. I want you to know how sorry I am and that I will continue to bring you before the Lord.
Sara said…
We love you guys and are praying for you.
j... said…
isn't it amazing how, so often, society expects physicians to be emotionless--to mask the pain they are bearing & "sacrifice" personal feelings for patients.

this must be a difficult time...you will remain in our prayers :) {and so will she....}
Alecia W. said…
sweet aubrey, we are praying for you and Jeff. your writing always amazes me. God has given you such beautiful words...
Emilie said…
I too am praying.
Oh Aubrey, I am so sad for you. Miscarriages are a horrible thing. God's grace in your life is evident. I'm praying for comfort and you mourn two losses. A couple of months ago we dealt with a girl through RUF who was pregnant and after a week of talking with her decided to end her baby's life. Her child was two weeks older than my baby. All this to say, I feel your pain and am praying specifically for you. Call if you want to chat 843-522-3291

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