It is getting to be that time of year. The time of year that one reflects on the months and days past and those yet to come.

I began this year, like all of us with a lot of hope. And, like all of us, some of the things I hoped for came true, while others didn’t. I wanted to start a home for those who need free treatment. A haven where people can come and stay a while and learn how to change their life, a place for those who could not otherwise afford to get treatment at all.

I nearly achieved that, and was so excited, but, it looks as if that dream will get pushed into the next year of things to hope for. But, that’s OK, because, in my mind, if we envision something with great intensity and work hard towards it, it will happen.

Some wonderful things that did happen were several of my patients who thought they would never have a baby, let alone ever have sex again became pregnant and delivered in this year. What a wonderful gift to be a part of those women’s lives while they were able to fulfill those dreams. I saw women become wives and then become mothers. An amazing transition that just a few years before felt unattainable to them.

And what a wonderful thing to see the chain of poor bonding mending from the lessons learned through this experience of IC. To see new mothers loving and caring in a way their mothers didn’t give them. To see new mothers feeding their children wholesome food and pure water, and helping their children to understand the complexities of their tiny bodies. How many lives does one life mended in turn change. That answer is, countless.

I have had some amazing experiences with people I have been working with that were life-changing for me. With every year that passes these things happen, but, this year was particularly challenging. I stood by the sides of many who struggled to get through their very difficult journey and most of them are ending the year in a much more positive place. A few sadly, are still fighting to get to where they need to go.

Thank you for all of those who have given me your hands in trust and allowed me to take part in your journey. I am honored each time that someone allows me into his or her life and shares with me his or her pain and suffering and most vulnerable feelings.

I want to say thank you for those of you who have given back by opening your hearts to others and by giving of yourselves in the ways you can. Many of you have. I want to thank each of you. Those acts do not go unnoticed.

I am another year wiser and another year more fulfilled from this road that I myself am on. I hope that we continue this path together. 

Dr. Brizman