You never know where life is going to take you!
I knew last summer I not only wanted to stay in academia, but I needed to stay in academia. I was in my first practicum, the dual internship shared between the MSW and MPH programs. I was also recovering from surgery and attending physical therapy several times a week.
I was weak. I had major hip surgery in mid-January. I walked with crutches or a walker from January 17 to early May while I was relearning how to walk. My bone was healing, but the allergic reaction I was having to the stainless steel plate in my leg meant I wasn’t healing fast enough, I had open wounds that had to be kept clean and covered, my body was fighting the infection and allergy while still trying to detox the Percocet and anesthesia out of my body. How I managed to re-learn how to walk (with assistive devices) and go to physical therapy 2-3 times a week on top of frequent doctor visits all while being a full-time student with a teaching assistantship, I may never know. I do have my mother to thank for helping me get through the initial 6 weeks of complete non-weight bearing on one leg. With my mom, my surgeon, and the knowledge that I had this practicum to complete over the summer, I carefully selected the date for surgery #2. The second surgery isn’t supposed to happen for at least 12 months, but my inability to heal due to the metal allergy meant the plate had to come out much sooner. But it was ok. My bone healed more than expected for being only 4 months post-op on the major surgery. I should have been crutch-free before May, but the complications prevented me from moving forward on the appropriate time schedule with physical therapy. I was finally able to walk without crutches while I was home and only used one crutch when out and about just a few weeks before the second surgery.
I started that internship at only 1 week post-surgery with a 14-inch fresh scar down leg. They had just taken the stitches out. I was ordered to another 2 weeks of non-weight bearing on the hip and had to use crutches for the first month of that internship. We were cautious because I could easily fall and break my leg without having a plate screwed in holding the bone together. Apart from not being able to carry much, I was ready. I didn’t need pain medication this time (that’s another story). The other thing I learned through all this really just reinforced what I already knew: Always follow the directions on your prescriptions. It can save your life or spare you needless suffering. I won’t have to suffer another surgery to remove another metal plate on this leg because I took all the calcium and vitamin D.
Always follow the directions on your prescriptions. It can save your life or spare you needless suffering.
Thanks to taking all the calcium and other prescription level supplements my surgeon gave me, my bone healed enough that I didn’t need a new allergy-friendly plate. I just had to be extra careful not to fall or jump for the next 12 months or so. Then I was in physical therapy for another 6 months re-learning how to use my leg…again. I was in physical therapy off-and-on all year. It was the beginning of February to mid-December. I was at the mercy of my physical therapist’s availability. Thankfully, being in academia, as a student, assistant, or intern, provided me with more flexibility than any other job could provide. Some days it was a 9:30am appointment and other days it was 3:45pm. That was the selling point for academia.
I’ve seen my professors keep weird office hours, go home at random hours of the day, work from home when they’re sick or their child is sick, etc. I need that flexibility. I don’t mind bringing work home with me if it’s something I deeply love. I would do it anyway. It’s important to recognize when you need to leave work at the office and not bring it home. Some professions make it much easier than others. Academia seems to be 24/7/365. That used to scare me. I understand it now (also another story). And I love it. I suppose it was another case of fearing the unknown. But I’m here now embracing this life and hoping it takes to me like I have taken to it.
I’m older, wiser, and I’ve been through hell and back in many ways.
This time I have vision and understand the deep well from which my passion overflows. I don’t need more time to figure out my direction. So here’s to another 4+ years of poverty, stress, and lots of reading and research as I begin the PhD in Health Behavior at Indiana University this August! I’m sure I will have many days where the climate (political or actual weather) will make me wish I chose Oregon instead, but I’m so excited to have been accepted into my top choice program!
Also my GRE scores just expired today, so I’m ecstatic to never take the GRE again. Now excuse me while I go find some wood to knock on.
I used this photo on social media to announce my decision to accept the offer of admission to Indiana University.
Academy of Michaella 