Katy Kropf: There are no frames and no boundaries

09/01/2015

09/01/2015

Seeing and hearing more clearly

“If you don’t know that about me by now, you aren’t ever going to know it!” An indignant patient said to me with frustration.
Followed by an exasperated “you’ve known me for 3 years, you should know that by now!”

Her comments came in response to a question I posed to her a few weeks ago during an office visit.
My question was: “will you tell me more about your support network, your friends and family that help you get through the day?"

I had asked this question of a patient who has many chronic illnesses. I have seen her many times in the course of treating those illnesses, and yes, she was right, I should know those things about her by now. My excuse is that at every visit over the past 3 years we had been so busy managing all the meds, or this new abnormal lab, or these new problems, that I never really had the chance to get to know who she was.
I am often overwhelmed by my incredible sense of powerlessness to help her.

On this particular day, I finally had a visit with no abnormals, no new concerns, and I wanted to hear more about her life so I asked my question. But I was a little too late. She did not want to open up and share with someone who hadn’t paid attention earlier. I could humbly admit I had failed her in this regard.

Somewhat surprisingly, I found her comments inspiring. Despite her challenges, she still was willing to fight for herself and demand more of her doctor. She may be challenged by her health problems, but she was challenging me to think more broadly and be more aware of my patients’ lives.

Mindfulness reminds me to pause and notice the person in front of me. But mindfulness practice also reminds me to ask about who they are outside of the office (or outside of our school or work life). What were they like before they became sick? What were their hopes and dreams? What have they had to give up and grieve?

We all have a past.
Can we remember to listen a little more carefully for the story of their lives, and not just react to the person who is challenging us in the moment?

08/18/2015

40 and Forward -- what a great name for the celebration of 40 years of OU-HCOM!
Yes, lets acknowledge 40 great years but also lets look forward to what is next.

Birthdays and anniversaries often remind us to take stock of what has gone well, what we have learned from past experiences, and how we want to grow into the future.
Sometimes we notice the challenges and conflicts we have overcome but we also see the places where we continue to struggle.
Ugh. In my experience, struggle doesn’t feel very good much of the time. It’s emotionally painful, it can take too long, we can feel not capable and doubt our abilities.

But I recently heard an interview with film producer and author DeVon Franklin that reminded me of the importance of struggle.
He said:
"Conflict helps prepare us.”

"Difficulty drives connection."

I can choose to see challenge as a force that drags me down, or I can choose to see challenge as something that builds me up.
Our personal and professional challenges call upon us to not only reach within our selves, but to also reach out to others to receive and give support and connection.
We don’t have to do it alone.
Each struggle is an opportunity to build resilience, emotional intelligence, empathy, professionalism, and personal spiritual growth.

So Happy Birthday OU-HCOM and may we all have some great life-affirming challenges ahead!

08/18/2015

Why, as a community, is it important that we do Mindfulness Practice at OU-HCOM?

A few months ago, a first-year student told me that he was feeling overwhelmed and struggling with anxiety. He had decided to get some support from Counseling and Psychological Services (3rd floor Hudson Health Center – the Campus Care building. https://www.ohio.edu/counseling/)

This in and of itself was great. He realized he was struggling and wanted to get some help and he took advantage of a great resource. But he didn’t stop at that. He went one step further. He shared that he was telling other students that he was going there for help and and that it was ok to ask for help. He was speaking up and sharing his experience so that others could benefit.
Wow, I was impressed by his courage.

As a culture, we still have a difficult time talking about the ways we struggle. We feel it will show us as “weak” when in fact
“vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage.” - Brené Brown

This is why it’s important to practice mindfulness at OU-HCOM:
By creating a culture of mindfulness at OU-HCOM, we can cultivate a place where we understand that we ALL have challenges.

Mindfulness practice is one way to develop a deeper understanding of our own spirit. We can develop a connection to our own challenges, emotions, and difficulties.
We can recognize that we all struggle and suffer at times and we can create a community where it is safe (Safer, at least!) to share both how we struggle as well as how we are joyful.

Each year, there are medical students who develop anxiety, dark depression, and even consider su***de. Faculty are not immune – aging parents, work-life balance, depression and anxiety can affect us all. Just like this student who spoke out about his own challenges, we need for all of us to know that it’s okay to talk about these feelings and that it’s okay to seek help.

I have seen a counsellor off and on throughout my life. Why? Because I too struggle with various things in life and I have realized that I am my most important wellness project. To be the best healer I can be, I need to start with myself. So why not get some help on this amazing journey?

Counseling & Psychological Services

08/18/2015

“Mindfulness is Paying attention here and now with compassion and curiosity.”

A patient I saw a few months ago was struggling with depression, crying most days, and feeling really down. She could not say why. In the course of our conversation I gave her some space to explore this – including some periods of silence. At the end of one of these moments of silence, her face softened and tears came as she found the source of her grief. She was preparing to sell her home of many years and of many family memories. She had not realized the effect this was having on her until we created the space; until someone was listening. I did not do anything particularly profound, but the result was profound: she no longer felt that she was “going crazy” with an un-explicable sadness. With the source identified, her sadness now made sense to her and she felt she could move forward with healing this grief.

The power of silence and listening is true for our own lives. Are we creating the space to hear what is going on in our own hearts and minds? Our we listening to ourselves? Our we finding people who can gently listen to us?
The simple act of sitting quietly for even a few minutes can have a profound impact. (I like to light a candle and set a timer for 5 or 15 minutes)
Listening IS medicine.

08/18/2015

Last week I sent out a brief overview of mindfulness.
“Mindfulness is Paying attention here and now with compassion and curiosity.”

This week I want to share a brief example of how you can practice mindfulness right now. Try this 4-4-4 Belly breathing exercise and see what happens.

4-4-4 Belly Breathing

1) Sit upright with your hands on your belly

2) Breathe in through your nose. Feel your belly expand like a balloon. Count to FOUR.

3) Hold your breath. Count to FOUR

4) Breathe out through your mouth. Feel your belly collapse. Count to FOUR

(repeat as many cycles as you like/need!)

08/18/2015

What is Mindfulness Tuesday?
Every Tuesday, you will receive a message as a reminder to slow down, breathe deeply and check in with this moment. I invite you to be kind to yourself and take a few moments to read it!

Mindfulness is Paying attention here and now with compassion and curiosity. (or what I like to call: Compuriosity!)

It’s as simple (and as challenging) as that. We are often forward thinking (where worry and anxiety live) or thinking about the past (where regret and sadness live). Mindfulness gives us the opportunity to be present in this just-right moment.

Why do Mindfulness?
You will discover your own benefits to practicing mindfulness. But I do it largely because it feels good. After practicing mindfulness I feel more calm and more connected to my true passions and purpose. And I do it because it is part of my vision of wellness - my brain and spirit deserve some TLC.

And in this evidenced based world, research shows it can Decrease stress, improve sleep quality, improve working memory, decrease test anxiety.
All great things for medical students and faculty and staff of medical schools!

How Do Mindfulness?
There are lots of ways to practice mindfulness. I’ve attached a document with resources for mindfulness podcasts, videos, etc. Take a look and click on any of the links for ideas on how to practice some mindfulness.

Where is it?
Mindfulness is available to you anywhere you are! It can come in the form of taking a breath and noticing that you are breathing. (* you can try it now: pay attention to sensations in your body as you breath in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. What do you notice?)

Remember mindfulness is a kind and curious process! It’s a chance to notice all the funny, curious stuff our brain does.