*New dope podcast. Swipe left. Link in bio* #wildextremities: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness That most frightens us. We ask ourselves Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small Does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, As children do. We were born to make manifest The glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; It's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.”-Marianne Williamson (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0rRu7TFmcz/?igshid=izd9272u25s3

#wildextremities Today my endometriosis decided to act up. This morning my pain was around a 6/10 which for someone with a high pain tolerance meant that I could barely walk. At first I was annoyed, but then I became grateful. I remember when I thought that 8/10 pain was normal, a right of passage of sorts. I also remember the first time a doctor told me it wasn’t. Told me that I had endometriosis. Validated my pain and empowered me to take control over my own health. These wild hours that I’ve been working in my obgyn clerkship have exhausted me, but then I remember that soon I’ll have the opportunity to empower others as a physician. That fateful day when I got diagnosed changed my life, and I can’t wait to change the lives of my future patients. #womeninmedicine #whitecoatblackdoctor #endometriosis #endowarrior #ms3 (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpIZ6BLlUbd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h0dumrwjg53e

#wildextremities: always minority. Happy #doctorsday, y’all! Today’s got me reflective. Though I’m still right about a year away from having my #MD, I found it important to stop and think about what I’ve learned through this medical journey. ————————— Overall, I’ve gained an overwhelming amount of medical knowledge, but the life lessons were the most impactful. I learned about myself and that I am passionate about patient care and hospital infrastructure. I learned that I don’t like ego driven #medicine and how not to accept disrespect from anyone. I learned to define myself by my character not my failures. But one of the biggest lessons I learned was what it meant to be a minority. ——————————— As a black female seventh day adventist future physician, I am always the #minority. Not just because I’m black but because of every adjective preceding physician. This year, I’ve had issues with my school (an hbcu) and my #religion. Pushing back and forth with administration for an entire year on an issue that seems like a no-brainer, has been frustrating, but more than anything it has been enlightening. I’ve realized that struggle simply expands the boundaries of purpose. Each word I used to describe myself has fed into my purpose. Whether that’s being female and advocating for #womenshealth or being an ambassador for women with #endometriosis. (I’m speaking at the Worldwide Endo March here in DC at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on A st at 2pm tomorrow btw 👀👀). Whether that’s being black and starting minority mentorship programs or working towards pipelines for minority students. Whether that’s being seventh-day adventist and fighting for religious rights for all in medical school or simply showing people what my religion looks like and entails. I’m grateful to be a minority amongst minorities. It doesn’t hinder me; it just prepares me for a larger territory. (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmwWxjlDM9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d4x1b89ghtdf

#wildextremities: Peds and Prose. #Peds and #Prose is my passion project that I founded in 2018. As a group, we provide #poetry workshops and open mics for kids in the hospital because we believe in the #healing that is to be found in poetry. ——————————————— One of the volunteer services ladies asked me this week if I would be okay if there aren’t as many patients there as I would like. I chuckled a bit as I thought about how this was everything that I could’ve dreamt of. I thought of the tears in the room from patient and caretaker alike during each program we hold. I think about the healing found every time. I chuckled because even if it was only one sick kid who found even an ounce of wholeness during our sessions, God has used me, and for that I’m forever grateful. ——————————————— This week ended up being more of a physical artwork week (as seen in the middle picture ☺️). The drawings were beautiful. The little souls behind the drawings were even more beautiful. Many were shy to share their pieces but smiled as we applauded their art nonetheless. It’s a beautiful space, a vulnerable, and one of the best leaps of faith I’ve ever taken. ————————————- If you’re in the DMV area and you’d like to be a part of this awesome organization, DM me! (at Children's National Medical Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUpzoNFh7G/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e8rofabfi9oj

#wildextremities: @endo_black. This Saturday, I was a part of something that I could be proud of. As one of the 1 in 10 women suffering with #endometriosis, it’s often a battle that I fight alone. Me against my body. —————————————— On Saturday, I was one of the 10 in 10 women in that room fighting the same battle. There’s very little that could be more inspiring. I was late and a bit off kilter that day, but I remembered having to tell myself to breathe and soak it all in because I may never again be in a room full of strangers that know me so intimately. —————————————— I may never again be so privileged to enter such a #powerful room. As they jested about Tylenol #3 being like skittles. I smiled because strength never looked so beautiful. Seeing #blackqueens dipped in yellow with wombs so explosive they couldn’t be held by uteri, was something that felt commonplace in the moment but inexplicable in hindsight. Thank you @iamlaurenrenee for creating @endo_black , for bringing #visibility to our struggle, and a voice to our silent wars often shadowed on bathroom floors and doctors benches. Check out what she’s doing y’all and support because the 1 in 10 is your aunt, your sister, yourself, and we deserve to be heard. (at Arlington, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHrtHzFi8d/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ezv63pls89tb

#wildextremities: Sick and Tired. Today has been the definition of a bad day. I’ve been sick, tired, and sick and tired. I haven’t cried today, but I’ve wanted to for most of it. ———————————————- Starting from Wednesday of last week, I’ve been more Patient Scott than Student Doctor Scott. I’ve been in a constant cycle of ‘If it’s not one thing, it’s another’. And sis is big tired! ———————————————- But isn’t that the beauty of Women Physicians? Strength and beauty embodied. Though today I may mope, tomorrow I will put back on my strength and change lives. I am small but resilient. Pretty but not delicate. Unassuming but unwavering. I’m the heartbeat of medicine, and so are you. (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtekHEJF_PP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1v2eztvtbj322

#wildextremities: Real Niggas Get C. Diff too. ————————————— Pretty sure I have C. Diff guys. You know the bug fabled about in #medicalschool halls- the one they tell us not to get. Yeah, I think I got it. ————————————— Just letting you know that it stinks *pun intended*. So don’t get C. Diff y’all. Don’t get peer pressured into not wearing gloves because your steel immune systemed of an attending didn’t. Don’t not wear the mask when you think the patient might have TB. Don’t just go touching things. You will find yourself with scabies in your intergluteal clefts or even worse, a pseudomembranous colitis, collecting stool cultures in a solo cup and sharting yourself when you laugh too hard. Wash your hands & laugh freely guys, Wild Extremities #medschoollife #whitecoatblackdoctor (at Washington, District of Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtRxGZnljN0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17vph76z2hbyh