Kathryn Bumgarner experienced symptoms of poor circulation, cognitive issues, and extreme weakness at age 12, leading to a difficult diagnosis process. She learned three important lessons that shaped her identity. She discovered the importance of empathy from instances of disbelief from doctors and a lack of understanding from others. She realized the importance of support from family and friends to one's physical and emotional health from a lack of support during her illness. Finally, she had an epiphany that she could use her experiences and appreciation for understanding patients to become a compassionate doctor.

1. Finding my Identity
By Kathryn Bumgarner
Standing up, the world went black. I had fainted from a circulatory condition. At
the age of twelve I started experiencing symptoms of poor circulation, cognitive issues,
and extreme weakness. The years that followed were spent attempting to get a diagnosis.
Though the time was difficult, it was also educational and enlightening in regards to who
I am. I discovered I am someone who faces adversity and learns from it. Three
realizations during my diagnosis process that shaped my identity are my discovery of the
importance of empathy, the presence of support from family and friends, and my
realization of how I can use my life lessons to become a great doctor.
I was taught the importance of empathy throughout my health journey. Instances
such as disbelief from doctors and a lack of ability to put oneself in another’s place
showed me how crucial understanding is to medicine. When symptomatic, I was unable
to add the simple equation 6+10 and was chastised by my doctor for faking my
symptoms. I believe that if physicians take the time to contemplate varying possibilities,
both patients and doctors will benefit. This applies to medicine in the practice of thinking
of a person’s diagnosis in different ways and letting the patient feel that their situation is
valid. In my experience, a lack of empathy in social interactions is discouraging. The
discouragement that I felt from these unsympathetic interactions urged me to have a
determination for being a more understanding person and doctor.
Another valuable lesson learned was how essential support from family and
friends is to both physical and emotional health. With my health issues came a lack of
supportive family. The fact that my illness is not visible makes understanding it difficult.

2. Some family members showed a lack of support, even getting mad when I was unable to
lift a box while moving. My grandparents have not been able to understand why I see so
many doctors and why I am now homeschooled. Friends are a necessary support structure
that I also saw fade. When I had to stay home from school for days on end, it was hard
for my peers to grasp the situation, and they eventually pulled away. Personally, when
my friends stopped supporting me and pulled away, I felt lonely and stressed, which
exacerbated my condition. There are many people I know of through online support
communities that experience the same lack of help, which is ultimately detrimental to
their health. All of these different events have shown me how important showing support
is for everyone. As a doctor I will implore families to support my patients through.
The last shaping realization during this ordeal is my epiphany of how I can use
my unique skills to help people as a doctor. I have an appreciation of the importance of
thinking of patients as people and not just names on a piece of paper. When going to
doctor’s appointments and constantly talking to doctors as they type and sit
disinterestedly it is hard not to feel cared for. I once had a special test called a tilt table
that was done in an effort to diagnose me with POTS. During this test I was in pain and
panic while the doctor performing it simply told me to stop reacting. When one goes to a
doctor that is both understanding and engaged, it can change one’s life. I am determined
to be that doctor for people.
In the end, my identity was determined the moment I first experienced a fainting
episode due to POTS. I am a woman who, through a challenging diagnosis process, is
determined to benefit others with the unique lessons I have learned. I am blessed with my
influential life lessons in empathy, support, and what bright possibilities lie in the future.