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Friday, March 9, 2007
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DOCTOR DUOS Juggling career, family can be tricky
Doctors marrying other doctors is fairly common in the medical world. The Brainerd lakes area alone has nine married doctor couples, many of whom responded to the Dispatch's call for input on the Doctor Duos series. Here's some portions of e-mail interviews compiled by Heidi Lake, staff writer.
Joe Howard, internal medicine, Brainerd Medical Center;
Lynn Howard, emergency medicine, St. Joseph's Medical Center
Children: Meagan, 16; Rachael, 13; and Jillian, 2.
The best part about being married to another doctor: "I think we have a good understanding about what the other one is going through and can relate when one has a good or bad day," Joe said.
The worst part about being married to another doctor: Having jobs that sometimes need to come first.
Family matters: "I have had patients come see me in the clinic after seeing my wife in the ER and they have been disappointed when it wasn't the same Dr. Howard they saw in the ER," Joe said. "I have heard that I am not as smart and not as good looking. Other patients have found it interesting when my wife takes care of them in the ER, then I admit them, and my little brother Dennis takes care of them in the ICU."
Scheduling: Joe usually works daytime hours during the week and occasional weekends; Lynn's ER hours vary greatly and sometimes include weekends and holidays.
Chatter: "We talk shop at home all the time," Joe said. "Our areas of strength are different so (Lynn) makes a great consult. I will even call her while seeing patients for her advice. The kids don't like us to talk shop at the dinner table."
Ted and Janelle Trueblood, family practice, Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
Children: Grace, 2 1/2; and Hannah, 4 months.
Years married: Five.
Their first date: "We never really had a first date. The intense hours residency required left little time or energy for dates," Janelle said. "We would typically hang out at each other's houses or go for walks in the parks in and around Duluth, outside of the many hours we spent together at work."
Best part about being married to another doctor: "Being able to share so many parts of our lives and who we are," Janelle said.
Worst part: Getting vacation time together. "We have altered many a vacation idea, including our wedding reception, because we could not get time off of work together," Janelle said.
Chatter: "We frequently discuss unnamed cases both at work and at home. It is not uncommon to pick up the phone either at home or work with one or the other of us starting the conversation with What do you think about this,'" Janelle said. "We have to limit our discussion to the first 15 minutes of us both being home, otherwise we could absorb hours talking shop."
Doctors as patients: "I don't think we make real bad patients," Janelle said. "It is hard to be a patient sometimes and to avoid adding my own thoughts on things. Being a patient is a great learning experience."
Relationship advice for other couples: "Communication is key. I think you also need to share interests in things that you do together at least once a week," Janelle said. "Sharing your faith really strengthens a marriage. It is also important to occasionally take some time for yourself. Doing this once in a while allows us to give more energy to our relationship overall."
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