Page 39 - ACTL Journal Win24

Radiology; Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology; Chief of Diag- nostic Radiology and Vice Chair of Clinical Radiology; Director of Breast Imaging in the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology; and Professor of Clinical Radiology. After nearly thirty years of service with UCSD, in 2011, Dr. Olson reached the status of Professor Emeritus in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology.
According to Dr. Olson, persevering leads not only to success but to having fun along the way. Her vivacious spirit led to close bonds with different physical therapists who have assisted her. One imagines these therapists have gained inspiration from Dr. Olson, who shared a video of what she calls a ‘butt race’ between her and her current therapist, Caroline Jordan.
“Wish me luck,” says Jordan as the race begins. Dr. Olson darts off and out of screen leaving Jordan in the dust, laughing uproariously as she is hopelessly unable to keep up with her patient.
Dr. Olson and her husband are now retired, still living in San Diego County and still enjoying the great outdoors. Dr. Olson is now a pub- lished author and motivational speaker. Her autobiography entitled, Gone: A Memoir of Love, Body, and Taking Back My Life should be required reading for anyone who is struggling to find the strength to move forward in the face of great adversity.
Sadly, life continues to throw challenges at Dr. Olson. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. With her characteristic humor, Dr. Olson described Parkinson’s “Oh no, it’s another amputation, but this time it’s part of my brain that’s missing.” Yet she perseveres. With a smile. And the night before she spoke to us, her husband Dave “came from the hospital last night with a new diagnosis of devastating bone cancer.” He nevertheless urged her to keep her speaking engagement, “because that is what we do.” They persevere. With a smile.
In her closing words, Dr. Olson urged everyone when faced with chal- lenges to “have the wherewithal to accept, adapt and innovate to your circumstances so you’ll be able to . . . live life to the fullest.”
It is no surprise that Dr. Olson awed the doctors in Austria who over- saw her initial recovery. As they assembled to send off their remarkable, young patient, Dr. Olson described them as these “vastly experienced, gray-haired trauma surgeons (who) had saved my life.” The one En- glish speaking doctor delivered a message from all of them.
“You’ve shown us what we believe is the American spirit.”
A spirit and zest for life that not only inspired those doctors but contin- ues to inspire everyone who learns about Dr. Olson’s remarkable journey.
Hilary Potashner Los Angeles, CA
WINTER 2024
JOURNAL 38