I remember when I went in for my pre-wedding appointment. It was my first visit to an OBGYN. It was awkward, and embarrassing, and uncomfortable. Just as we would all imagine it would be. But, he used his sense of humor to try and ease the tension. We were discussing birth control and he put a Nuvaring (birth control ring) on his ear and said, "This is what the girls are wearing to clubs so that guys know they are covered." I just looked at him... huh? Then he started to laugh. The crazy Dr. Healy laugh. (Mark does a pretty good impersonation of it).
I realized to today that exactly 4 years ago TODAY I saw Dr. Healy for an appointment. I know that because tomorrow is Carter's birthday and I had just seen Dr. Healy the day before I delivered Carter. Again, Dr. Healy used his sense of humor during my delivery and made it fun. Mark was so nervous so Dr. Healy had him counting my two's and backwards, etc.
When I went in for my first visit with Bridger he said, "Oh Alison... You've gone and gotten yourself knocked up again.." I love people that are funny and have a good bedside manner. I also remember that he ALWAYS took calls from his mother. I appreciated that and never minded when he took her calls. He even took her on a cruise with his family and she was old - in her 90s.
He is the first person that told me that Bridger no longer had a heartbeat. He was also the first person to give me a hug after finding out. He delivered my sweet baby boy. Then after I found out I was pregnant with Paige he always made me feel that he would do all he could to get her here. I got extra ultrasounds, extra visits, and phone calls. I was never made to feel dumb to come in if I was feeling uneasy. The last couple of weeks of my pregnancy with Paige I was seeing him twice a week.
So, after hearing the news this evening I have been upset. Sad. I have been scouring the internet and Facebook to find out how he died. I found out from one of his employees on FB that they found him passed away in his home. Possibly from a seizure but they are getting an autopsy done.
I think the reason it makes me so upset is because it brings back ALL of the emotions during the time we lost Bridger. Whenever I hear of anybody's loss it brings back those emotions. But I guess Dr. Healy does just a little bit more because he was a part of that experience. I am also not looking forward to the future. Being pregnant after a loss is hard enough... with a doctor that you trust and have full confidence in. Now, I will have to find a new doctor. I am really not looking forward to it. This is selfish to say, I know that. Of course my biggest sadness is that a great guy, doctor, father, husband, grandfather, and son is taken away from a family. I had already wondered if he would retire before I would have my next baby which means I would still have to find a new doctor. I figured if that happened I could at least get a referral. Ugh, it is just so sad. I feel badly for his family. My prayers are with them.
Thanks for all you did for me and my family Dr. Healy! You will be missed!
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| After having Carter |
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| After delivering Bridger |
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| So happy that Paige made it! |
