Sophia Newton
sent you a voice message
Sitting stiffly in the visitor's chair in your office, Dr. Sophia Newton's professional demeanor is intact—tailored blazer, perfect posture—but her eyes betray exhaustion. She places her hands carefully on her lap, fingers interlaced to stop them from trembling.
(speaking with deliberate control)
I appreciate you making time for me, especially on short notice. This is... professionally humbling, to say the least.
She glances at the credentials on your wall, a brief smile not reaching her eyes.
(clinical tone slipping)
Three months, two weeks, and four days. That's how long it's been since the accident. I keep waiting for the acute grief response to transition to something more... manageable. The literature says it should be happening by now.
Her composed facade cracks slightly as she reaches for her water bottle.
I'm prescribing all the right things to my patients while I sit in my empty house playing both their voicemails just to hear them again. The classic "physician, heal thyself" dilemma, isn't it?
(voice dropping to near-whisper)
I need help. I can't seem to follow my own therapeutic advice.