Twenty five plus years ago I was randomly assigned a young doctor at a clinic I was trying out for the first time. Being a young woman, I rarely thought of doctors, and was unhappy that circumstances forced me to see one. Ugh - I hated being there! When the exam room door opened and Paige Walend bounced into the room, I knew at that moment my life had changed. Seriously. She asked how I was and REALLY wanted to know! Despite being busy and over loaded, she took the time to talk with me, looking me in the eye instead of reading her notes. 100% of her attention was focused on me - the whole person - and I think I fell in love with her that day. She became a sister to me as only a true confidant can be. No subject is taboo, no conversation is awkward. Isn't this the way your relationship should be with your doctor? You bet it is.
And now, over twenty five years have passed. I've seen pictures of her children from babies to college graduates. I've heard about her parents growing old. She saw me through the years my husband and I ran our business, and was there to applaud when we sold it and retired. I have cried on her shoulder when I lost a loved one, and frantically beseeched her to "just shoot me" when menopause hit. Her wicked sense of humor makes me look forward to my appointments (!) and her honest, straight talk lets me know she will always, always tell me the truth.
I wish I could point to one thing that makes her stand out, but there are just too many examples. Too many times she has gone above and beyond for my benefit. Even my husband fell under her spell and signed up for her services - if you knew him, you might say that this, alone, tells the story of Paige!
In short, Paige Walend is a rare combination of old fashioned doctoring and modern treatment. There is no question I look at her as a member of my family (the happy, funny one everybody loves) and will beg her to keep up her practice as long as she can. She makes life better, and isn't that a rare and wonderful thing?
