This afternoon, I’m thinking about where I’ll find myself in another year. My current situation is drastically different from my previous life, just one short year ago.
One year ago, I was still waiting to obtain my New York state psychology licensure. Although I had previously been licensed as a clinical psychologist for many years in Illinois, I had to apply for licensure in New York.
The process took a very long time, close to an entire year. There were multiple forms to fill out, of course.
Thankfully, my employer, CHE Behavioral Health Services, was willing to hold my position until I obtained my license. I’m currently in the process of adding a second facility in working for them, an assisted living home.
One year ago, I wasn’t teaching college. I had sent out multiple applications for adjunct teaching positions.
Thankfully, in June I was offered the opportunity to teach Abnormal Psychology for a local university. In January of this year, I was offered the opportunity to teach General Psychology for a nearby community college.
One year ago, my ENT surgeon was optimistic about a more conservative approach to the management of my highly recurrent subglottic stenosis. He theorized that in-office steroid injections would be effective in increasing the interval between my dilatation surgeries.
Unfortunately, this approach has not been effective. Consequently, next month I’ll be headed to the Cleveland Clinic, for a second opinion regarding a tracheal re-section.
I can’t help but wonder where I’ll find myself in another year. Will I have undergone a tracheal re-section? If so, will I have experienced any complications from this much more aggressive surgical procedure?
Will I be teaching? If so, which psychology course? At which campus?
There are so very many unanswered questions about my future. For now, I’ll simply focus on finishing teaching my General Psychology class.
I’ll be having another throat dilatation surgery next Tuesday. In just one month, I’ll be headed to the Cleveland Clinic, for a second opinion regarding a tracheal re-section.