Written By Victoria Johnson, MD
Through the 20 plus years that I have been an aesthetic medical doctor, my patients ask me how I do what I do. I really didn’t know the answer. So, I decided to write it down.
I spend about 50-60% of my time counseling patients and staff. When a patient comes to see me, they already have something that they are unhappy with. I feel that is my most rewarding challenge. To get to the bottom of why they are seeking aesthetic treatments.
Patients confide in and are usually a little embarrassed. They say things like, “I really want to tell you something but I’m afraid that you won’t be able to understand.”
After a while as I was writing my book, I wanted to share some of the many difficulties and misery that I suffered in my quest to break free of abuse.
I thought to myself, everyone has bad memories or situations that they are currently in or have experienced. I wanted to share my struggles.
My motivation to change came with the extreme emotional pain that I suffered at the hands of my husband. I realized that I had become a nobody! I felt like an empty shell. My husband would just say your job is the shut up and look good!
The pain became unbearable, and I turned closer to God and Jesus Christ. I went into a period of devout fasting and prayer. I told the Lord that I was going to hold onto his robes until he healed me like the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible did.
My devotion and prayers were nonstop. I was not going to live in this pain any longer. There had to be something that I could do.
Then one night I was awakened and went into my living room. I felt the need to kneel and pray. I heard the Lord say, “you are going to be a doctor!” I was amazed and in disbelief. I only had a high school diploma ten years earlier. Nonetheless, I thought that I had no other choice, so I began to explore the possibility of going to college.
The struggles continued for four more years with my husband, but I was so rock solid in the faith that I had a calling on my life. That knowledge gave me the strength to endure his abuse which was considerable.
I began to get emotionally stronger and was able to fend off his attacks. He slowly eased up as he saw my resolve, but he was still quite abusive.
I began to not only believe in the message from the Lord, but to believe in my own growing emotional and spiritual strength.
I share my story with my patients as I feel it might help them. I love my patients and my staff and find ways to help them with their daily lives.
I love asking myself, why this patient is here about their outer appearances.
I believe that all that I have endured and thrived through could help others have the faith and confidence in themselves to keep going. Keep pursuing your goal, no matter what.
Fear is the greatest liar! I learned as it would come over me, that if I just walked straight forward through it towards my goal, the victory would be mine!
I have also become quite confident and fearless. I want to impart that to others. Take risks!
Just take a deep breath and jump!
Keep your hearts and minds close to God and His Son and you will have help beyond belief!
I want people to look at me and say that if I can do it then so can they. Stand up to abuse and fight for your independence. Believe that you are worth it!
As I continue my journey, I feel a rocklike stillness and strength in my spirit. It’s almost as though the Lord has placed a protective shield around me.
I had to write my book. I wanted to share the struggles I went through but also the love and joy that is in my life now. I want my story to hopefully help others who are downtrodden to have hope.
If I can do it, then so can they!
