My VIP Uncle's New Book

[Andrew]

My uncle is kind of an important guy. Rulon Stacey is the president and CEO of Poudre Valley Health System, centered in Fort Collins and the largest hospital system in northern Colorado. Last year his company won the extremely prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, awarded by President Obama. And, last month he was elected president of the American College of Health Care Executives. He knows a thing or two about leadership and healthcare and he recently imparted his wisdom in a new book, "Over Our Heads: An Analogy on Healthcare, Good Intentions, and Unforeseen Consequences."

If you have ever wanted to learn about what lead to the current healthcare crisis, you should read this book. For the first time you will learn from an international expert and not from a talking head in Washington. Though he is my uncle and I am a bit biased, by the accolades listed above, I don't believe there is a more qualified individual to explain to the layperson the chaos that is occurring in healthcare today. The book really opened my eyes. He uses an easy to understand metaphor and the book is a quick read, I finished in one night.

As a physician (wow, that feels weird to type!) I really wish every American would read this book, its message is very important and comes at a very important time.

Wrapping it Up

It was really nice of Andrew to give me a shout-out, but lets be honest. I didn't have to memorize 5,000 new words like endophthalmitis, or study for exams, or have to impress people at residency interviews. I just had to play cars with this fella...

and peek-a-boo with the other fella...

Who wouldn't want my job?

The very first week that med school began was probably the craziest week of our lives. I took my finals, Andrew's sister got married, we graduated from BYU, we packed up our apartment and drove our meager belongings out to Ohio in a little blue Saturn, and we bought our very first piece of furniture: a bed. Andrew tried his best to be there for the mandatory stuff but, in the end, he missed most of his first week of med school. As soon as we arrived in Columbus he had to throw himself into long study sessions just to try and catch up before his first test. It was during those first few weeks that it began to sink in just how difficult this was going to be. The curriculum in med school and the required memorization was a whole different beast compared to undergrad or even grad school. Andrew is much better at handling stress than I am.... in fact, I think he absolutely thrives on it. That's a good thing because there was plenty of stress those first few months.

It also took a little while to determine how we were going to live as students. Our first winter, we only turned on the heat 4 or 5 times. It was a poorly insulated apartment and we decided we just couldn't afford it. I would come home from work and turn on a little space heater, throw a blanket over it and get under the blanket (not sure if that was such a bright idea). When the car broke down for several weeks, we walked everywhere in the freezing cold snow (it took about an hour to walk to my work and probably 40 minutes to school). I was pregnant and sick. Thinking back now I wonder why we were so masochistic. I should have just asked someone for a ride. duh.

A few months after finding out we were pregnant with Luke, I remember having a major sob session one night because I was sure we wouldn't be able to clothe our child until he was at least 7. How in the world could we have kids during med school? That seems so silly to me now. I'm sure Andrew was wondering if his wife was going to be this wimpy and ridiculous for all eternity. I think I've probably mellowed out a little since then.

Eventually we figured out how to get by frugally but comfortably. I'm so glad we did because I don't think I could have lived quite that poor for 4 years (call me high-maintenance, I'll take it). When a baby comes along, it's easier to convince your husband to turn on the heat "for the baby" or eat something other than ramen "for the baby". A shout out to Luke for helping us embrace some modern conveniences.

I don't know why I'm blogging about all this. I guess I just want to be better at recording these little things so that my kids know what their parents went through to create a life for our family. I'm not talking about just being able to make a living. Trust me, there are easier ways to earn a buck and I would highly suggest any of those other ways if you're interested in money. I know that there are lots of careers besides medicine that require a great deal of sacrifice and patience...I'm not trying to make us sound unordinary by any means. Like a lot of people we have had moments where we just wonder how everything is going to get done. It just seems like there is more work to do than any 2 people can possibly accomplish. So we've let go of a few things and for the rest we've done a LOT of praying. It feels good to have a moment like a graduation, where you can see how far you've come and be thankful for all the tender mercies that got you there.

Now we move on the the next phase: RESIDENCY. I'm sure it will be even more challenging but hopefully med school has prepared us for what lies ahead. No matter what, I know it is worth it to do something that will put us in a position to serve others. I'm grateful to Andrew for working hard, not complaining, being compassionate but firm when I'm weak, doing his own laundry even though it's easier for me to do it, and always making time for his family no matter the professional costs. I really don't know how you do it. :)

p.s. sorry for the weird font stuff going on... blogger drives me nuts.

Lauren M Stacey, BS WM

[Andrew]

About a year ago I was on a surgery rotation with a very outspoken female surgery resident (we will call her Sara Smith). Early one morning we walked into a patient's room and were greeted by a very kind, "Good Morning Miss Smith." All of the sudden I saw the resident's neck hair stand on end and her heart rate double as she replied, "My name is DOCTOR Smith. I have worked WAY TOO hard for that title, and I expect you to use it."

Not only was I beet red with embarrassment, I was shocked at how little about life this resident actually understood. As if a man is defined by the letters at the end of his name! While earning a medical degree is a great accomplishment, let me briefly tell you about something far more difficult, far more time consuming, and FAR more important.

Four years ago Lauren followed me out to medical school and we started a family. She was a much better student than me at BYU, she is much more diligent than me, and could have had her choice of graduate degrees. For the time being, however, she decided to raise our children. So, while I have been gone 80 hours a week at the hospital/library, she has been raising two children and taking care of me 168 hours a week. She is the ultimate multi-tasker, parenting, teaching, clothing, bathing, feeding, playing, serving, and working part time on the side. Because of her we have a beautiful family, a beautiful home, and a beautiful marriage.

Today we graduate from medical school, something I assure you could not have happened without my rockstar wife. Although the letters will follow my name, all the accomplishments within this family should follow hers. Thank you, Lauren BS WM, for being the most amazing (W)ife, (M)other, and support that I could have dreamed of. I am truly lucky to have you and I hope you can realize your accomplishments as you watch me put on that ridiculous gown.

BYU Graduation, 2007

Small Flecks of Gold

Today I read this talk and realized that I'm the merchant in the story:

"Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.

Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”

The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”

Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.

Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”

The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.

The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.

This story illustrates the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son Helaman:

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …

“… And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).

Brothers and sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple, no matter how much we try to make it complicated. We should strive to keep our lives similarly simple, unencumbered by extraneous influences, focused on those things that matter most."

I won't elaborate too much on all the things I learned from reading this talk. Lets just say that it was exactly what I needed to hear...again...and probably again in another few weeks. I just wonder how many times I'm going to have to re-remember this principle (is that a word?).

Watch Out for the Crazy Squirrels

I was all ready to start blogging about our vacation tonight but then I remembered that all our pictures are on the laptop which is currently with Andrew. However, I did find this picture:

In Yosemite, it is a big deal to keep all your food or anything with a scent in the bear locker. We tried to be really careful, but I guess I forgot about some m&m's in the pocket of my diaper bag.

Forget the bears, it was the squirrels that were the real danger! I came back from a hike to find that they had completely demolished the side pocket of my diaper bag and ate every single m&m. It seriously grossed me out. The pocket was open on top so the dumb animals didn't have to bust through the side! Oh well, I took off the pocket and you can hardly tell I suffered such a severe misfortune.

So if you ever go to Yosemite, beware of the squirrels. They are honestly the craziest squirrels in the world. Even though we wouldn't admit it out loud, I think after this incident we were both afraid the squirrels would go after Cam next.

4 months (actually 4.5)

Before I go through the gazillion pictures from our vacation, I have to make sure I post about Cammy's 4 month milestone (which actually happened 2 weeks ago, but better late than never). I'm a little foggy on the details but I think at his appointment he was 16.7 pounds and 25 3/4 inches tall (and I never pay attention to head circumference...his head looks fine to me :)). 75th percentile still.

Yes all these pictures are different because they show Cam's personality quite well. You can get him to smile but he quickly returns to "serious" face. We've only been able to get a few chuckles out of this kid but that's okay. I think he will balance out Luke quite nicely. I'm hoping when he gets older he will help me keep Luke from running out into the street.

Cameron now can roll from stomach to back, pick up his binky with his hand, and sometimes fall asleep by himself in his crib. I'm slowing getting him weaned from sleeping with me but I think I'm having a harder time with it than he is. I like having one less person in the bed but he is SO cute when he sleeps and I love how he always has to have his hand on my face or on my hand. He still cries a little more than the average baby but I think it is because he is tired and needs absolute silence to sleep. I put a white noise machine on in his room today and he slept for 3.5 hours!

Luke is seriously the best big brother a boy could ever want. He always uses the highest voice possible to talk to Cam and always says, "hi Cammy!" whenever he sees him. Luke is very concerned whenever Cams is crying and he tells me, "Cammy's sad!". Then he tries to make him feel better by forcing a binky in his mouth or giving him hugs. Cameron seems surprisingly calm when Luke is around and smiles at him a lot. Honestly, I've never seen such perfect love in action. There is really nothing better than watching your kids love each other.

Evidence of a Good Vacation

We are still on the longest vacation of all time...and having a blast!

I think we probably have about 400 pictures so far but I thought I'd share one of our favorites:

I'm not loving the car that decided to drive by when this picture was taken, but I love the dirt all over Luke's face. You know your son is having a great time when you are constantly having to wash his face :)