“Give Up” or “Get Through”

To say that 2019 was rough would be an understatement. We had difficulties that I never thought were possible, although all companies go through times of trials and tribulations, this I do understand. As is the life of many business owners and those born with that entrepreneurial spirit. The “business” of medicine can be difficult due to its highly litigious (and regulated) nature, coupled with the notion that the field of medicine should be altruistic and not industrious, as if the two are mutually exclusive and can not possibly co-exist.

That said, there are many things that have gotten us through the rough patches. There’s the standard pat answers such as: hard work, determination and...good old fashioned...stubbornness, but if I had to pin-point one salient factor, it would be “consistency.” Pure, simple, unadulterated... consistency.

Throughout the years, regardless of any obstacles that we’ve endured, Dr Steven Cyr, as well as our other providers in the practice, have treated patients with the utmost care and respect, following techniques and algorithms learned from top-notch institutions such as the Mayo Clinic. For his part, Dr Cyr has consistently treated his patients the same since the day he left Mayo after completing his Spine Fellowship. A quick google search will yield hundreds, if not thousands, of glowing reviews, accolades and awards that speak to my point. Our providers, mid-levels and staff are taught that “we see people, not patients.”

Every person has a story, something they have had to “give up” or “get through” because of the accommodations their back pain has forced them to make in their lives. They all want their pain to go away, but first and foremost, more than anything, they want to be clearly and consistently heard. In my opinion, listening well is one of the key factors to Dr Cyr’s success. He is a consistently great listener, on top of being a consistently outstanding surgeon.

America Is Not Perfect

Although I’m technically Eurasian, I was born in Vietnam, grew up in various parts of Asia and identify strongly with my Asian roots. Being raised for the most part overseas until I was 13 years old, I learned to really appreciate my mother’s Asian culture, but, more importantly, I learned to see the world from a different perspective growing up in a third world country (now known as a developing country). I was exposed to things that most people only get to see through the cinematography of film. Although my Dad was an American, we lived “off base,” which meant that although we lived in a relatively nice neighborhood, if you walked two blocks to the right and jumped over the 20 foot cement wall, you were literally in the barrio. If you have never seen a barrio, watch Slum Dog Millionaire for a very accurate illustration of what a third world country barrio looks like, but you will fortunately be spared from the pungent smells.

Coming to mainland America at 13 years old, I remember being blown away by two things specifically; 1) it was January in Washington DC, so it was really cold and 2) the grocery stores had an unbelievable amount of “options,” something I was not accustomed to.

I grew up watching my mom struggle trying to take care of her aging parents stranded in Vietnam; sending supplies, vitamins and money to the extent possible. The availability, access and, again, options, for good healthcare were scarce and limited, at best. Here, options and access are like the grocery stores I marveled at when I was 13 years old...unlimited.

I think that’s one thing we really take for granted in America; the access, the availability and the options we have. America is not perfect by any means, but coming from someone who has lived and been in many other parts of the world, it’s got its perks.

That said, I’ll be forever grateful to my parents for giving me this perspective and allowing me to see the world through a “different” world view.

What Motivates You…

Years ago our nanny, Ashley, who is very near and dear to us was diagnosed with PCOS. There are many side affects with this condition, but the most devastating for her was the inability, or very limited ability, to have children. Children are Ashley’s world; she is actually responsible for bringing this beautiful child pictured here into our lives. This was, undoubtedly, the worst thing you could tell someone who has a natural love and affinity for children.

Subsequently, Ashley struggled with her health and weight for many years post diagnosis. Then, about 2 months ago a serendipitous encounter with a lovely woman who had struggled with PCOS gave her new hope as she explained that it IS possible for Ashley to have biological children...IF she changed her lifestyle and diet drastically. This woman was a living example as she was given the same diagnosis and now has children of her own.

With specific instructions in hand, Ashley went cold-turkey the next day and cut out all sugar, limited her carb intake and started exercising. Within 2 weeks, she lost 20 pounds and is scheduled to see the PCOS specialist that was recommended to her. -

I have never seen Ashley happier, healthier or more optimistic.

The possibility of having a child motivated her like nothing else prior was able to.

The moral of the story is that EVERYONE has something or someone in life that motivates them to do better. Maybe it’s a child, maybe it’s your faith or maybe it’s a significant other.

Figure out what motivates you to do better. If you do better, you live better.

“Nobody loves no one” - Chris Isaak -

Everyone Has a Story, This is My Mom’s...

Mom was born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam. She was the oldest of 5 children; being the oldest she bore the lion’s share of the responsibility, but, being a female, very little of the respect.

Mom had a difficult upbringing in a war torn, divided country. From the time that she was a little girl, she felt a strong sense of responsibility to take care of her family. Her father, my grandfather, fought in the French Army, which would become an issue later after the fall of Saigon.

After mom and dad met and married, they had two children, my brother, John, and me. Our family left the country in 1972, when I was 2 months old, for Hawaii; it was during that time that Saigon was overtaken by the communist regime. Despite my father’s efforts to extricate mom’s family, they were stranded in Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Out of fear for her family’s life due to her father’s allegiance to the French and her being married to an American, she ceased communication with her family. This was devastating for mom who cried every night fearing for their safety.

Years later when she got word that it was safe to correspond, mom continued her mission in life to provide for her parents and siblings. I grew up watching mom work odd jobs as a seamstress, waitress and later becoming a business owner opening her own restaurant and wholesale business. She sent money to Vietnam every month, religiously, every single year of my life, supporting her parents and siblings to the point that they were all able to buy their own homes and start their own businesses (yes, the country’s economic policies became capitalist over time).

Today, many of my mother’s nieces and nephews are college educated and work all over the world. This, the result of my mother’s hard work, love and sacrifices.

I will always respect and admire my mom for this. This is an example she set for me that you don’t see much in this day and age. I have to give my father props too. He took care of our family so she could take care of hers.

SA Monthly Magazine Feature!

What an honor it was to be featured on the cover and inside for the current September 2019 issue of SA Monthly Magazine.

“I think every doctor gets into medicine for altruistic reasons and the desire to do good. But now medicine has become such a regulated and…” [READ MORE–page 188] right here!

Education vs Intelligence

With my first child Alexa getting ready to start the college application process, higher education has been on my mind. Clearly, Steve and I are big proponents of education. Ironically, Steve never actually graduated traditionally from college because he went to medical school as a Junior, then found out years later he was valedictorian of his college class; his education culminated with a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Concurrently, I earned a Masters in Education, specializing in Higher Education Counseling & Human Development. Although I did not stay in the Education field, I have used my psychology studies every day of my life.

So, yes, I’m all about education...but I’m not about “indoctrination.” I have never subscribed to the notion that I have to adopt another’s ideology to get along in a classroom, relationship, or life. I have my own philosophical underpinnings that make me who I am and are based on my own unique circumstances and experiences, just as we all do. People ask me if I worry that my kids will go off to college and become “brainwashed.” I say, absolutely not, because I have taught them to be the architect of their own thoughts, ideas and opinions. However, I do hope that they learn to argue for the opposite side of their beliefs, however they develop, as well as they argue for their own. It’s only then that they will really know if what they believe are truly their own ORIGINAL and true convictions. I’ve never taught my children by shielding them from the whole reality of life. I teach them that, yes, education is important, but intelligence is what matters. Education is what you have learned, but Intelligence is how you are able to apply what you have learned.

You can be educated and not intelligent; you can be intelligent and not educated.

Or you can be both educated and intelligent. #YouDecide

Is Perception Reality?

I was inspired sitting in an auditorium the other day... What you worship (ie, your priorities) determines the lens from which you filter and perceive your life... How you perceive your life determines your reality... Change your priorities; change your reality... We’ve all heard the old adage “perception is reality,” but I want to take it a step further. It’s not just about perceiving. It’s about about worshiping. You can perceive passively, but to worship requires affirmative action on your part that gets you to that place to begin with.

What do you worship in your life?
What lens are you filtering your life through?