Written by Dr. Sandra Miranda, ND
Today is my birthday! I’m 52 years old, and like most birthdays, it has naturally become a moment of reflection for me.
This past year brought an experience that felt both deeply personal and professionally humbling. A few months ago, I experienced post-menopausal spotting. Even though I have supported many patients through this exact situation, it still brought up fear and uncertainty when it happened to me because of the small chance that it could be uterine cancer.
I went through the same process I often walk patients through—ultrasounds, biopsies, waiting for results, and the emotional space in between. I want to share first and foremost that I am grateful to say everything is fine. The results came back clear. But I won’t pretend the process wasn’t scary. Even when you understand, clinically, that most cases turn out to be benign, it can still feel overwhelming when it is your own body and your own health on the line.
What stood out most to me during this experience was how important it is to both trust your knowledge and respect your emotions. I found myself thinking about my patients who sit in that same uncertainty, doing their best to stay calm while waiting for answers. It reminded me, in a very real way, what it feels like to be on the other side of those conversations.
One of the biggest lessons I took from this year is that listening to your body is a skill that can be learned and strengthened over time. I often say this to my patients, but experiencing it firsthand reinforced it in a new way. Had I ignored the spotting or delayed getting it checked, I could have created more risk or more problems later on. Paying attention early matters!
Another reminder that came forward strongly is that small daily habits matter far more than big, dramatic changes. Health is not built through short bursts of perfection; it is shaped through consistent, steady care over time. The way we eat, rest, move, and manage stress adds up in ways we often don’t fully see until we step back.
This experience also reaffirmed something I believe deeply as a naturopathic doctor: being healthy is not a sprint, it is a marathon. There will be moments of concern, moments of uncertainty, and moments where we are reminded of our own vulnerability. But there is also resilience, support, and the ability of the body to heal itself. I truly believe this!
Today, I feel grateful—for my health, for the lessons of this past year, and for the privilege of walking alongside my patients in their own health journeys.
