More than a doctor…

A Pediatrician is technically a doctor that treats children. He or she is there for the first check-up and immunizations; and then sticks around for the next 18 years overseeing the health of the child.

My Pediatrician, Dr. Tiberio, stuck around a tad longer and was there to welcome our first grandchild into the world, however at our last well-baby appointment he broke the news that he is planning to retire in May. The room was suddenly deflated and the mood in my heart turned gloomy. I kept telling myself, “Don’t cry…everyone retires…you’re being ridiculous, don’t cry”…but as usual, ‘myself’, didn’t listen and soon the tears were flowing.

For the past twenty-five years this gentle, caring man has been there, like a quiet member of my family, one that stays back in the shadows and causes no drama. Over the years he has treated so much more than ear-aches and viruses. He has treated my worries, my over-reacting and my fears; all with a calm and reassuring voice.

Statements such as, “No, Kennedy will NOT nurse forever,”, “Yes Katilyn WILL be potty-trained” and, “The vaccines are safe, please don’t worry”, only scratch the surface of the candor and wisdom he provided me.

Number one, he “remembers” my mom, and if you are someone that has lost your mom, then you know how important it is when someone “remembers” her. My mom accompanied me to every pediatric visit until she died, when Katilyn was twenty-months old. After that I went alone to the check-ups and sick visits, but Dr. T always commented about “how proud” my mom would be of Katilyn, and that he knew how badly I missed her and how hard it was for me. I seldom left with dry eyes those days, but eventually things got better.

Then when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and died within just a few months I remember telling Dr. Tiberio that I really should have insisted on chemotherapy WITH the radiation, instead we opted to do radiation first and then add chemo later, and my dad never made it to one chemo treatment. I felt like it was the wrong choice and that I should have been more on my game so to speak. He listened quietly and then said the magic words that lifted that burden from my heart. “My dad was in a similar situation,” he shared. “I insisted on chemo and radiation at the same time, and you know what Shell, he didn’t live any longer than your dad”. Those words made everything better, as strange as that may sound; I had just been granted permission NOT to replay the ‘what ifs’ over and over in my mind.

My Pediatrician was caring, patient and spent TONS of time with my kids during their appointments, he didn’t only treat them, he treated me. He treated me with kindness and guidance; he treated me with respect and compassion. He was a doctor, but he was also a husband, a dad of four kids and in recent years a grandfather. He allowed all those experiences to become an intricate part of how he doctored and cared for his patients.

I feel privileged and blessed to have gotten to know him over the years. I feel especially grateful that he was able to take care of my girls and usher them into adulthood and that first appointment with their “grown-up doctor”. I love the fact that he was there to greet my little grandson and take care of him for the first 18 months of his life.

I hope he realizes that his life’s work is so much more than the medical aspect; he has been an emotional support, a friend, a counselor and wonderful advice giver. No one is perfect, not even doctors, but this one was pretty close. My wish is for his retirement to be full of promise, good health, family and prosperity, he deserves it!