S-L-O-W D-O-W-N

     I have been with the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) for about 10 years, so I hope you will oblige my getting personal.

     I have a question: As you take care of your patients and/or work for the betterment of the health of others, are you remembering to take care of you? I ask because recently certain events overwhelmed my daily routine. My stress levels were through the roof. I experienced denial, then fear. Finally, I accepted that no one but me could fix things — I needed to reevaluate what really matters. I had to consider work, personal life, community involvement, other commitments — the history of what has made me “me” — and ask myself why I was constantly running toward a finish line that doesn’t exist. I had too many balls in the air — from excessive worry about situations beyond my control to trying to be everything to everyone, becoming so progressively anxious I couldn’t keep up. I had no choice but to weed out the stressful, unnecessary burdens I kept handling at the expense of my health because you can’t get by for long if you neglect yourself.      As I prepared my message for this year’s AAWC focus issue, I wanted to share the insights my experience provided. I knew I had to remind everyone to evaluate priorities, especially if you are like so many who run in multiple directions, juggle unwanted tasks, and constantly remark, There are just not enough hours in the day.

     Why am I divulging so much? Because I have come to appreciate the uniqueness of wound care professionals. Dr. John Macdonald, past President of AAWC, once told me, “Those who dedicate their lives to wound care are some of the most amazing people in the world. They work for or treat the patient who others have given up on and nobody else wants to see. These people are special.” He wasn’t talking about himself in particular, even though he is one of the greatest people I know. He explained that his colleagues in wound care were the reason he loved his position in life, in wound care, and on the Board; why his career was fulfilling; and why he wanted to “give back” through volunteer service. He was talking not about his own achievements but about every one of you. You inspired him to lead our organization. Now his words inspire me.

     Dr. Macdonald’s attitude affirmed my role within the Association. I may not have clinical background but I love that what I do enables others to give, learn, practice wound care, and help patients. Because the AAWC is a family — diverse but similarly passionate, driven, caring, and interested in what is best for wound care patients around the world — I want you to appreciate yourselves as Dr. Macdonald and so many others appreciate you. Nonmembers of AAWC should consider joining this family that’s “in this together,” supporting one another and making a difference.

     We hope that by reading this AAWC special issue you will appreciate the difference the AAWC is making in wound care and will celebrate and/or join us in our efforts. If some days it becomes difficult to remember your passion for wound care, perhaps it is time to clear the path to what you really enjoy — that is, the fulfillment of helping those who need you the most, personally and professionally, along with whatever else makes you smile. 

     Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.