Hi la doctora,

I feel for your situation and can relate to so many of the things you have said. I just want you to know I commend you for sticking to your guns about the phone call. If I have learned anything in therapy it is the super importance of keeping those good boundaries. I feel heartened to know that its not just my dad that does/says these things. I don't know if you can relate but one thing that has been hard growing up for me, and even still today is that my dad has a very "large" personality. He's very social, many friends, loves to be around people. So of course everyone is like, "oh your dad is so great, your dad is so fun." It has only been in the past 3 years that I have been able to say, "yeah, in many ways he is a good person, in many ways he means to be a good father, but I cannot ignore the mistakes that he has made over the years. To be honest, he has not been the greatest dad - mainly do to the ways he has constantly put me down, or just hasn't listened to me." I think this is why those boundaries have been so crucial (especially lately)...
I hope you get back to practicing vetrinary medicine soon, it sounds like you really love it. Don't worry about forgetting too much. I bet after 1 week most of it will have returned to you!
It sounds difficult that you must stay with your parents. (I know this would be hard for me). Have you exhausted all other options?



E