And so…
…it all begins with an idea.
I’m Dr. Ash. I am a recovering surgeon who is now “sidelined” by way of a progressive autoimmune medical condition. This condition was not on my radar and was discovered by happenstance.
I suffered a crush injury to my left ring finger courtesy of a strong Illinois wind and a very heavy and very mobile steel door. Let’s just say, I thought I was temporarily “sidelined” when all of this started.
During my recovery process, I noticed a very sudden and random swelling of my right ring finger. This condition is known as a “sausage digit” (the diffuse swelling of a digit - or finger - due to soft tissue inflammation triggered by arthritis, an infection, or an autoimmune condition).
As a result of this finding, I was referred to a rheumatologist for what I thought would be a pass-through visit, i.e., “Jen, nothing to see or do here. Good luck with your fracture and follow-up as needed.”
After taking my history (which when recited in its entirety, actually seemed significant for the very first time), my rheumatologist recommended a battery of tests. I had a history of neck and back complaints, and I always blamed my symptoms on horrible ergonomics and posture - a job hazard for all surgeons, but certainly for vascular surgeons. We operate wearing heavy lead aprons that drape over our shoulders & backs (that function to protect us from radiation exposure), we assume very awkward positions to access tight anatomic spaces when we operate, we perform surgery using microscopic glasses which require one’s head to be cocked at very unhealthy angles for hours on end, and we lift and position a lot of human bodies and limbs. It seemed like a no-brainer.
To make a very long and exhaustive story somewhat short, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that attacks my spine and my joints. My rheumatologist recommended a variety of medications to help treat my condition, and they seemed to work… until they didn’t.
Ultimately, for the sake of my health, my family, and my patients, I had to walk away from the career I loved and worked so hard for - vascular surgery. I was officially “sidelined.”
As I cut back my practice, I spent more time with many of my patients in longer visits, listening to their issues from a patient's perspective. This taught me a lot in my final months of practice.
Transitioning out of medical practice was initially very difficult for me. I felt like I was losing control over my work, my health, my life, and my future. But as I stepped back and observed from the “sidelines,” my outlook shifted. Reflecting on my experiences as a patient and my knowledge as a physician, I recognized the challenges I faced scheduling appointments, communicating with nurses, grasping the necessity of certain tests, and navigating insurance for medication coverage.
If I struggled as a doctor, I understood that it must feel overwhelming for the average patient. It was out of this experience that Sideline MD was born.
