A chest protrusion is a frightening thing for a child to have to deal with. The process of setting it right is a tricky and painful one—especially when the patient is just a scared little girl. But the experience shaped the way I saw the world and my place in it.

 

“It could possibly be a tumor. But to be honest we just really aren't sure at this point,” the doctor explained, looking over my chart. That’s a scary thing to hear when you're only 14 years old. The doctor hadn’t meant to be unkind, but his nonchalance only deepened my concern.

 

Fear is a funny thing. I consider the overall experience of what followed to be a good one. Most people probably wouldn’t look at an undiagnosed medical condition that results in a noticeable physical deformity as a positive aspect of their life, but what happened during my time in the hospital changed how I saw things from that point on.

 

I didn’t feel that way initially. As my parents and I talked next steps with the doctor that day, I knew I was in for some rough months. 

 

The problem was I had developed a chest protrusion. The doctors weren’t sure what to make of it at first. I underwent multiple surgeries just for them to better understand the issue. The good news was I didn’t have cancer. But the rest of the news…

 

It turned out that I had what they called a pigeon chest, in which my breastbone was pressed outward. It was incredibly noticeable, and I felt curious glances at me whenever I left the house-not to mention my awkwardness in my swim team bathing suit. To fix it, they would need to put two bars across my chest to hold it in place. To put the bars in, they would have to break eight of my ribs.

 

“They’re breaking my ribs on purpose? …But they’re doctors! I thought they weren’t allowed to do that sort of thing!” My young mindset was a bit shortsighted, but I was appalled. As the doctor assured me they would be clean breaks and heal quickly, I choked out a sob. (It turns out my surgeon was the future US Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop!)

 

I was in and out of the hospital for about six months, spanning my first couple years of high school and missing a lot of schooling, which was difficult timing. Because of my age, I was admitted to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, otherwise known as CHOP.

 

During my surgery and recovery, I spent a lot of time with the other children. What I saw them going through shocked me. The girl who was in the bed next to me had swallowed lye. It had burnt her vocal chords, and she would never be able to speak again. Another girl in my wing  had cancer in her leg. One day I saw her walking down the hall, the next day her leg had been amputated. 

 

As I lay in bed one night, my chest heavily bandaged with ribs broken, I suddenly felt incredibly grateful. I surprised even myself by that, but I was seeing children coming into the hospital, and they were leaving transformed...changed forever for the negative. They would never be the same! This was true of me as well, but my change would be a positive one. My broken bones would heal, my deformity would be gone. I’d walk out of this hospital into a better, stronger life. From that moment on I realized that if you have your health, everything else will follow, and a wave of intense gratitude washed over me, which remains to this day.

 

That gratitude, along with the reality of how delicate life can be formed a new mindset which became a roadmap for the rest of my life. It made me hungry for new places and experiences. I’ve gotten to live in several different states and to try my hand at a few different careers. I rode those waves to their peaks. Real estate is the career I stay in simply because I love it! Life is too short and

precious to live your days doing anything less than your absolute passion. I bring that passion to each and every client and transaction.

 

I love getting to know neighborhoods. There’s more to them than location. Just like people, they have character and personalities. I’ve lived in rural areas and bustling cities. My favorite part of moving is always getting to know my new town or city and discovering new, exciting places. I know what I’m good at. I have a mind for math and numbers, and I have a background in economics, sales, retail and marketing that have served me well in the real estate industry. Most of my relationships in life are long lasting ones. Business is no exception. The whole process is fun for me...going into a new house and assisting people in making a fully informed decision as to whether this house will be their next “home” is exhilarating. I’m helping them shape their future! Whether it’s buying or selling, I enjoy it all! My enthusiasm has proved infectious when it comes to my clients. I not only help them navigate through communities, but I spread that sense of excitement when we get to work together, and I’m looking forward to sharing these new experiences with you!

 

With gratitude,

Connie Hudson

of The Bernal and Hudson Team                                            

Broker-Associate

LIC# BK3218739

(561) 445-4003

Connie@ConnieHudson.com 

www.ConnieHudson.com