Many years ago following my BRCA2 diagnosis and my subsequent desire to break into the field of health education and public health, I walked into a local clinic and had no idea how that day would forever change my life. There I volunteered among a group of amazing women providing comprehensive health care, building an environment of comraderie, and supporting each other and our patients everyday.

That first day when I put on that white coat, I had arrived. This is what Oprah calls an “Ah ha moment”. There I stood in the dark hallway, the old fluorescent bulb flickering on and off, patients streaming in and out of rooms and there I was - right where I belonged. I instantly felt comfortable, proudly wearing my name badge, letting patients know I was a volunteer, assisting the clinical staff in whatever they needed. And I knew … I just knew, that that was what I was meant to do. Meant to be.

Many years in the making, I have conquered the public health part of that dream and am slowly inching my way towards the nursing part of things. Some days I am overwhelmed, feel it’s never going to happen, loans won’t ever get paid, that I’ll NEVER finish school. But I know I will. I will pay those loans and add more letters after my name and maybe fulfill that dream of opening my own clinic. Until then, I get to wear a researcher white coat and hang out in this new office.

When I found out I would be working in an exam room I didn’t know whether to laugh or see this as a sign from the heavens. Fully stocked cabinets, all the tongue depressors and giant cotton swabs a girl could want. Gauze bandages to wrap the whole world ’round, even an exam table with fancy up and down motions!

George Costanza eat your heart out. I will be napping away my lunch breaks, heels in stirrups ‘n all.