Real Stories #withVIRTUE: Emily Hedley, Plastic Surgery PA and Dermatology
Emily Hedley is a Plastic Surgery PA with a background in Dermatology at Great Lakes Plastic Surgery Center, and a real Virtue user. Emily talks with patients about skin and hair issues, which is why she was initially drawn to Virtue's Alpha Keratin 60ku™. This is a day in the life of Emily as a professional and as a real woman #withVIRTUE.
5:00am
Wake up, workout. Shower. Virtue hair products. Start the day out right.
7:15am
On the way to work. Wonder if it's worth leaving my family for the day. Maybe I should've been a stay at home mom.
7:45am
Charts piled up from the day before. I'll knock these out before the first patient arrives.
8:30am
First patient is here. Only got two charts done. Will have to stay late to keep up.
8:30am to 12:00pm
See patients.
First patient. I tell them they have melanoma, the deadly form of skin cancer. They cry and I console them and tell them the facts to try to empower them. I leave wondering if they heard a word I said. They will be in my prayers tonight.
Next room, baby with eczema. A very itchy rash made worse by dry skin. Spend a great amount of time with the mother ensuring her we will tackle this as aggressively as we can. But it will take time to improve. Mom wants instant results and is frustrated. I don't blame her, I would do anything to relieve my kids suffering. I leave the room emotionally spent.
Shake it off. Smile on face. Now vanity. Or is it? Patient has wrinkles. Self-esteem is suffering. We discuss options, Botox is the treatment. Patient leaves happy. That went well.
Adolescent with acne. No eye contact. Hunched shoulders. Low self worth. "This is my kind of patient" I think. We have a lengthy discussion on the different types of acne and the proper treatment regimen. There is hope. Eyes look up. We have a plan and I'm on your side. In six weeks the demeanor will change.
Facial fractures. Alcoholic. Young lady. Driving too fast. Will need extensive surgery consisting of plates and screws. Permanent scars. Painful recovery. I hope it's a wake up call, statistics say otherwise.
Spent extra time with the last one. Missed lunch. I'm exhausted. And it's only noon....
2:00pm to 5:30pm
Repeat in the afternoon. Stay late doing charts. Sometimes miss family dinner.
6:00pm
Drive home. Welcomed by kids in footed pajamas with wide smiles. Change gears to mom mode. Heart is full.
Bedtime
Reflecting. It's in these moments that you realize it's not just about the science, the physiology, and the long hours you have put into this. It's the changing of lives that makes it all worth it. You keep going because it's what you've worked so hard for. It's what gets the baby through the day without itching. It's the mom whose hope is restored because she sees her son's confidence improve as his acne disappears.
It's saving a young girl's life by finding a melanoma in its early stage. It's seeing the face of a patient that has been with you since the beginning tell you about her new great-granddaughter.
#withVIRTUE
It's setting an example for your family of hard work and dedication.
It's the medical life. And it's SO. WORTH. IT.
During these busy days, the last thing that I have time to worry about is bad hair. Finding Virtue products has been a lifesaver. With all the cancer I treat, I am always looking for products that are sulfate, phthalate and dye free. Not only are Virtue products safe, the results are magnificent! Saving lives is the priority.
But having good hair while doing it makes it even better!
Products Used
OUR BRAND IS FREE OF SULFATES, PARABENS, PHTHALATES, SYNTHETIC COLORS AND DYES. GLUTEN FREE. CRUELTY FREE. VEGAN.