Hey Reader,

I know it's been a long minute. Let me tell you why.

You ever get your mind and spirit ready for something hopeful, only to have the rug pulled from under you? You ever start feeling like you and Life must be beefing, because you keep getting your behind handed to you while doing everything as right as you know how? Chile… I'm working through that one. LOL.

This summer, my mother had a medical emergency that almost took her from us. I dropped everything and spent two months going to hell and back: one battle after another, in a level of spiritual warfare unlike any I have ever known. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life.

And through it all, Victory was ours. I witnessed miracles. I witnessed the Power of Village Prayer, Divine Wisdom (trust your gut), and what it means to hold onto Faith even when you're being told to let go. Never let go.

When the Case Doesn't Add Up

As a doctor, science is the paradigm I was trained to lean on. There are labs, imaging, and procedures, and if you apply the treatments, you expect results. But what happens when the case doesn't add up? When the tools stop giving answers and the treatments aren't working?

My Beloved wasn't saved by science alone. She was saved by science and Spirit: Energy, Intention, Faith, and Love working alongside medicine. I'm grateful to be a child of both worlds.

Love hijacked my life for two months.
Love also prevailed.
And Love is restoring us now.

I'm back and seeing patients. If I seem different, it's because I am: a little wiser, more humbled, even less tolerant of foolery, and far more compassionate toward my fellow Caregivers.

To My Caregivers 💛

As a doctor, I thought I knew this kind of sacrifice. As a Mom, I knew it deeper. As a Caregiver, it hits a different note. If you know… you know.

And to everyone who loves a Caregiver: go easy on "take care of yourself." I've said it too, meaning well. But from this side, it can land as one more thing you're failing at. Some days you can. Many days, you're just making it through.

📖 What I witnessed inside the hospital system this summer is becoming a patient-advocacy series on Dr. Ray UnFiltered: what to do when you or a loved one is hospitalized, who's really in charge, and how to use your Patient Bill of Rights. Subscribe now to get the alert when it drops →

Porch Talks: Tell Me What You Need 🪑

I'm considering free virtual gatherings for the Village. I won't be doctoring in these circles; they're just space to show up, share energy, and exchange experiences. Tap the one that speaks to you:

Womb Struggles = chronic, painful reproductive conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and recurrent vaginitis.

Even if it's just two people, I will make it happen.

What This Season Taught Me About Care 🌿

Sitting in those hospital rooms, I watched so many people moving through the system alone. Nobody knew their history. Nobody was championing them. Nobody was asking, "What does this person actually need?" Every few hours they faced a new face, a new plan, and a new decision to consent to.

It reminded me why I built this practice the way I did. Healing doesn't happen in fragments. It happens in relationship, with someone who knows your story, stays with you through the hard seasons, and doesn't make you start over every time you need help.

So I'm restructuring how we walk together.

Open Enrollment: November 1 – December 31 ✨

Starting in 2027, I'm retiring the current menu of memberships and simplifying into two unlimited-visit plans. During open enrollment only, you can lock in at these founding rates:

Village Resources: Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis 🤍

A cancer diagnosis touches every part of a person: body, mind, relationships, and spirit. My partners at Wellness Within Cancer Support Services are hosting a 5-week series facilitated by Kristin Kozlowski, MA, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist and cancer survivor herself.

The series covers stress and anxiety, self-advocacy, relationship shifts, caring for your body, and building resilience. You can attend in person or virtually on Zoom from anywhere.

Reserve your spot at Wellness Within

Or call 916-788-0333

Call and Response. 📣

If this stood out to you, hit reply and say a few words. Let's get away from "likes" and "hearts" and actually use words with each other again. I will reply back. There are no followers here. Just People and Village.

Thank you for reading!

Blessings 🙏🏾

Dr. Ray — Revée Barbour, ND, MS

www.DrRayND.com

Licensed in California, Maryland, and New Hampshire