DR. CHELSEY SMITH'S STORY: Q & A #1

Dr. Chelsey Smith's Story
aka Our 1st Q&A

Sitting at my laptop in our darkened hotel suite the night before the 40th (+) procedure in a lifelong battle with Arteriovenous Malformation. Both my parents are asleep, only the computer's screen glow and faint fan noises to keep me company. Before turning to focus on finishing my cheesecake and soda before the clock strikes 12 AM, I've been in a bit of reflection. My mind has been on all of the recent news effects that has challenged us as a country here in the US and as a global community - the bus crash in Chattanooga that took the lives of six precious children, the plane crash in Columbia that resulted in the deaths of 71 beloved souls, and the wildfires in Gatlinburg which not only took lives but engulfed a cherished city in flames.

Left in the ashes of the East Tennessee destruction was pieces of a Bible page. One readable verse was the following from Joel chapter 1: "O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field."

I am learning to appreciate the blessing of a God who does not exist on our terms but rather welcomes us to lay life's burdens at his feet, to be the first place we turn in times of distress, the one consistent source of peace beyond what our human minds deem possible. The fires will undoubtedly come. Evidence of God's presence will always be right there in the embers, a remnant of hope.

One (albeit material) source of hope for me and others has come in the form of a new doctor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. My doctor of 18 years, Dr. James Suen, is training her to slowly but surely take the reigns of his practice one day. I am encouraged by her presence, her enthusiasm, and her commitment to quality care for AVM patients and a cure in our lifetime. Click below to hear from Dr. Smith In Her Own Words, the first video Q & A to be featured so far!