Keywords

cancer treatment, chemotherapy, motherhood, emotional support, personal journey, health challenges, parenting, medical experiences, resilience, community support


Summary

In this solo episode, Dr. Alison Trainor shares her personal journey through cancer treatment while balancing motherhood. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges of chemotherapy, the impact of hair loss, and the support she received from friends and family. Alison reflects on the complexities of navigating her health while being a parent and the importance of community support during difficult times.


Takeaways

The transition from work to medical leave was emotionally challenging.
Chemotherapy brought both physical and emotional struggles.
Hair loss was a significant emotional hurdle during treatment.
Support from friends and family was crucial during this journey.
The experience of being a patient gave insight into patient care.
Navigating treatment while pregnant added complexity to her situation.
The emotional toll of scan results can be overwhelming.
Community support, like meal trains, made a big difference.
It's important to communicate openly about what support is needed.
Finding joy in small moments with family helped cope with challenges.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Update
01:28 Navigating Work and Cancer Diagnosis
05:41 Chemotherapy Regimen and Initial Experiences
12:27 Emotional and Physical Challenges of Treatment
16:03 Hair Loss and Its Impact
20:13 Adjusting to Public Perception and Normalcy
23:02 Additional Treatment Considerations and Reflections
26:20 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Illness
34:07 The Impact of Community Support
47:39 Finding Meaning in Difficult Times

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Summary

In this conversation, Ali and Polly reflect on the past year since their last chat, discussing personal growth, work-life balance, and the challenges of parenting. Polly shares her experiences with returning to work, navigating childcare, and the impact of illness on their family. They delve into the pressures of the medical profession, the importance of mental health support, and the benefits of couples therapy. The discussion also touches on family planning and the considerations that come with it, particularly in light of Polly's husband's health. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of parenting, relationships, and self-care.

Takeaways

• Polly has experienced significant personal growth over the past year.
• Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial for well-being.
• Childcare can provide valuable socialization and learning opportunities for children.
• Illnesses in daycare can be challenging but are often part of the experience.
• The pressure to show up in the medical field can lead to neglecting personal health.
• Therapy and support systems have been vital for Polly's mental health journey.
• Communication is key in maintaining a healthy relationship, especially during stressful times.
• Considering family size involves weighing personal desires against practical realities.
• The experience of parenting can evoke nostalgia and a desire for more children.
• It's important to discuss and normalize the challenges of postpartum mental health.

Keywords
parenting, mental health, work-life balance, childcare, couples therapy, family planning, postpartum anxiety, child development, daycare challenges, personal growth

Chapters
00:00
Reflecting on Growth and Change

02:45
Finding Balance in Work and Family Life

05:44
Navigating Childcare and Developmental Milestones

08:50
The Challenges of Illness in Daycare

11:29
The Pressure to Show Up in Medicine

14:20
Mental Health Journey and Support Systems

17:28
Couples Therapy and Communication

20:36
Considering Family Size and Future Plans

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Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Jenn Gates-Nassar shares her journey as a pediatric resident, balancing the demands of her medical training with motherhood. She discusses her motivations for pursuing medicine, the challenges of being a resident with young children, and the emotional toll of caring for sick kids. Dr. Gates-Nassar also highlights the importance of advocacy in public health, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on long-term health, and the challenges posed by misinformation in healthcare. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on her aspirations for the future and the ongoing learning process in medicine.

Takeaways

• Dr. Gates-Nassar is a second-year pediatric resident at Mount Sinai.
• She balances her demanding residency with being a mother to two young girls.
• Her journey into medicine was influenced by her family's public health background.
• She emphasizes the importance of reliable childcare for working parents.
• Guilt when away from her children but recognizes the need for stable caregivers.
• She discusses the emotional challenges of being a pediatric resident.
• Advocacy and public health are significant aspects of her career aspirations.
• Adverse childhood experiences can have lasting impacts on health outcomes.
• Misinformation in healthcare is a growing concern for pediatricians.

Time stamps

00:00
Introduction and Background

03:01
Journey into Medicine

05:57
Balancing Family and Residency

09:00
Navigating Parenthood and Guilt

11:58
Career Aspirations in Pediatrics

15:12
Challenges in Pediatric Care

17:53
Addressing Systemic Barriers

21:05
Misinformation and Public Health Advocacy

27:29
Balancing Clinical Work and Personal Life

31:03
Navigating Parenthood and Medical Training

34:14
Advice for Future Parents in Medicine

38:06
Influences and Inspirations in Medicine

43:24
Experiences and Challenges in Residency

48:45
The Ongoing Journey of Learning in Medicine

keywords

pediatrics, residency, motherhood, public health, advocacy, work-life balance, adverse childhood experiences, healthcare challenges, physician insights, medical training

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In this episode we catch up with Dr. Lauren Puretz from episode 33. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I would suggest listening to that episode first.

In this episode we talk about:

- How Lauren's practice has been doing since opening 8/2024. We last spoke when she was 2 months in and there have been some bumps in the road

- How her running career has been going. Also, a few bumps.

- Feeling a bit like she was in the hole and how she's been digging herself out

- and so much more!

Connect with Moms of Medicine:
- Instagram @moms_of_medicine
- Momsofmedicine@gmail.com

Connect with Lauren:
- Instagram @Lauren1642

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Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Janelle Nassim shares her journey as a dermatologist and a mother, detailing her experience with a life-altering heart attack caused by a coronary artery dissection (SCAD) shortly after the birth of her second child. She discusses the symptoms leading up to the event, her hospital experience, and the emotional and physical recovery process. Janelle reflects on the changes in her perspective towards life, motherhood, and work, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and accepting help from others.


Time stamps

00:00 Introduction and Background
04:52 Life as a Dermatologist and Mother
09:53 The Day of the Heart Attack
19:58 The Experience in the Hospital
24:30 Processing Trauma and Growth
24:30 Navigating the Hospital Experience
25:57 The Journey of Recovery
29:25 Reconnecting with Family
31:25 Shifting Perspectives on Parenting
31:53 Physical Recovery and Exercise
35:38 Emotional Grief and Acceptance
44:03 Work-Life Balance Post-Diagnosis
47:02 Current State: A Year Later

Keywords

dermatology, heart attack, SCAD, recovery, motherhood, emotional health, trauma, resilience, work-life balance, personal growth

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summary

In this conversation, Dr. Tali Lando shares her journey as a pediatric ENT and a mother of three daughters. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding medical career with motherhood, the importance of support systems, and the evolution of parenting dynamics as children grow. Dr. Lando reflects on her experiences with burnout, the role of passion projects in rejuvenating her career, and the lessons learned from her journey through cancer treatment. She emphasizes the significance of honesty in parenting and the power of anecdotes in medicine, providing valuable insights for working parents in the medical field. In this conversation, Tali Lando shares her deeply personal journey through medical challenges, including her experience as a mother in the NICU and her battle with breast cancer. She discusses the emotional toll of these experiences, the impact on her family, and how writing became a therapeutic outlet. Tali also reflects on her return to work after treatment and the process of writing her upcoming book, 'Breathless,' which aims to provide insights from her medical career and personal experiences.

takeaways

• Dr. Tali Lando is a pediatric ENT with a busy practice.
• She had her first child during her chief year of residency.
• Balancing motherhood and a demanding career is challenging but rewarding.
• Support systems play a crucial role in managing work and family life.
• Quality time with children is more important than quantity.
• The dynamics of parenting evolve as children grow older.
• Burnout is a common issue among medical professionals.
• Passion projects can rejuvenate a career and provide fulfillment.
• Experiences during cancer treatment inspired her writing.
• Honesty with children about career sacrifices fosters understanding. Tali's experience in the NICU highlighted the emotional toll on parents.
• The transition from being a doctor to a patient is profound and challenging.
• Writing became a therapeutic outlet for Tali during her cancer journey.
• The importance of family support during health crises cannot be overstated.
• Tali's father's glioblastoma diagnosis added another layer of complexity to her journey.
• Navigating treatment options for cancer can be overwhelming and confusing.
• The impact of cancer on family dynamics is significant and often heartbreaking.
• Tali's writing process was influenced by her personal experiences and desire to help others.
• Returning to work after treatment requires careful consideration of one's health.
• The upcoming book 'Breathless' aims to share valuable insights from Tali's medical career.

keywords

pediatric ENT, work-life balance, motherhood, residency, surgical training, parenting, career fulfillment, burnout, passion projects, breast cancer, medical challenges, NICU experience, cancer diagnosis, family dynamics, writing, coping mechanism, health, career, book release, personal journey

ENT

Connect with Moms of Medicine:
- Instagram @moms_of_medicine
- Momsofmedicine@gmail.com

Connect with Dr. Tali Lando:

- Instagram @drtalilando

- Preorder her upcoming book Breathless

- Drtalilando.com

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Picking up where we left off from the last solo episode. This one goes into everything from initial diagnosis leading up to starting treatment.

Thanks for listening

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keywords

career transitions, parenting, work-life balance, family dynamics, health journey, personal experiences, professional choices, future planning, medical education, lung transplantation

summary

In this conversation, Ali and Kashi reconnect after two years to discuss Kashi's recent transition to faculty in lung transplantation, her family's dynamics, and the impact of Anika's health journey on their lives. They explore themes of work-life balance, career aspirations, and the emotional complexities of parenting, especially in light of past challenges. Kashi shares her insights on navigating uncertainty and the joy of expanding their family, while reflecting on the lessons learned from their experiences.

takeaways

• Kashi has transitioned to faculty in lung transplantation after completing her fellowship.
• She emphasizes the importance of taking things year by year in her career and personal life.
• Kashi's husband has taken on a new role with a more stable schedule to support the family.
• Anika's health journey has profoundly impacted their family dynamics and future planning.
• Kashi is exploring her interests in medical education and research.
• She acknowledges the challenges of balancing clinical work with family time.
• Kashi reflects on the emotional weight of her past experiences and how they shape her present.
• The couple is excited about expanding their family and preparing for a new baby.
• Kashi shares the importance of setting anchors in her job search based on core values.
• They discuss the complexities of parenting and the joy of watching Anika thrive.

Chapters

00:00
Reconnecting After Two Years

02:54
Navigating Career Transitions

05:57
Family Dynamics and Parenting

08:56
Reflections on Work-Life Balance

11:53
Career Goals and Aspirations

14:45
Impact of Personal Experiences on Professional Choices

17:40
Anika's Health Journey and Family Planning

20:48
Embracing Uncertainty and Future Possibilities

23:44
Preparing for a New Addition to the Family

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