This is just an aside. A short note to say that I really appreciated the folks who took time to send comments and emails my way in response to my last post.
It pleases me greatly that people still read this blog (which is...ok maybe not in asystole but certainly a life threatening bradycardia - forgive me, I had to). It also is humbling and thought provoking and reality checking to hear the thoughts of people who have been reading this blog (or who know me / are related to me). I appreciate that I can be (somewhat) candid and honest. Which is what I would want if I was reading story of someone who was chasing a dream.
I think that too often we get to the goal and the story is over. Happily ever after. But really, everyone knows, deep down inside that this isn't true. My mother reminds me that what doesn't kill you makes you piss on your shoes and that the people who got their dream residencies in their dream specialties are pissing on their shoes for many reasons as well.
So thank you all, for your thoughts and notes and perspectives and wisdom. I had intended to end the blog after graduation but it seems there are still people out there who read it, and even enjoy it! And I think I still have a lot to say about medicine and this journey which continues to unfold in strange and challenging ways.
In a completely unrelated note: today while the pediatrician was listening to the lungs of my 3 year old patient the kid gave his mum a thumbs up. I swear I am laughing as I type this. Even though I am looking forward to my next rotation (anesthetics) I will miss certain things about peds. Though, I will not miss the daily cough in my face routine that occurs.
It pleases me greatly that people still read this blog (which is...ok maybe not in asystole but certainly a life threatening bradycardia - forgive me, I had to). It also is humbling and thought provoking and reality checking to hear the thoughts of people who have been reading this blog (or who know me / are related to me). I appreciate that I can be (somewhat) candid and honest. Which is what I would want if I was reading story of someone who was chasing a dream.
I think that too often we get to the goal and the story is over. Happily ever after. But really, everyone knows, deep down inside that this isn't true. My mother reminds me that what doesn't kill you makes you piss on your shoes and that the people who got their dream residencies in their dream specialties are pissing on their shoes for many reasons as well.
So thank you all, for your thoughts and notes and perspectives and wisdom. I had intended to end the blog after graduation but it seems there are still people out there who read it, and even enjoy it! And I think I still have a lot to say about medicine and this journey which continues to unfold in strange and challenging ways.
In a completely unrelated note: today while the pediatrician was listening to the lungs of my 3 year old patient the kid gave his mum a thumbs up. I swear I am laughing as I type this. Even though I am looking forward to my next rotation (anesthetics) I will miss certain things about peds. Though, I will not miss the daily cough in my face routine that occurs.
7 comments:
I do hope you continue the blog.
Even if you can't write very much about the medical side of it, I'm looking forward to hearing about life in rural Canada.
Thanks for your work and your stories,
Greg
I second your hope that you continue your blog. You have such good stories. Eventually, something that you want or wish for will come out of being at this residency. I hope you keep blogging about it so that we can see that happen for you. Plus, your stories are awesome.
Yay. Do love reading the blog, and would find stories from the life of a resident fascinating.
I think just about everyone I know had an epiphany in the first year of residency along the lines of, "Why on earth did I go med school, what was I thinking when I put this residency program on my match list, how am I ever going to get through this, and do I even want to?" Certainly I had a bout of major depression that year. And I well remember my surgery intern friend searching the newspaper want ads in January for something, anything else.
You WILL get through this and look at all you are learning. Just do one day at a time. Write when you can. I'm with you!
please please do not quit
I just wanted to add my voice to the "please continue the blog brigade". I came across it by accident last week and read most of it through with a great sense of nostalgia. I am an Irish graduate who worked as a locum consultant in MWRH from 2009-2012 and have left to take up a job in the UK. Having lived in Limerick during the time you were there it was great to see a different perspective and good to get a reminder about stopping to smell the roses. You packed so much in to your time there it put me to shame. I am glad you have gotten to go home but you will find this blog a useful way to orientate yourself in the years to come. So much of your life is structured that it can come as a bit of a culture shock when you finally reach independent practice - a little like an institutionalised prisoner being set free - you've spent so much time thinking about it you don't quite know what to do with it when you get it. This blog will help remind you of where you're coming from and hence where you're headed. I wish you the very best of luck.
"Go n-éirí an bóthar leat"
Thanks again and again for all the words of encouragement and support. :)
How could I stop now?!?
@RuralOB/Gyn- Yes, I think depression is not uncommon in residency (our program director told us it is 5X more likely than in general pop but I wager those stats are low balling it). I also can appreciate the want-ads surfing...I have certainly been staring enviously from time to time at the personal trainers in my gym or the produce section employees in Safeway. :) Thanks for your thoughts.
@David -- Thank you SO SO much for your comment. I have revisited it several times and appreciate the thoughts that you shared on all this. Crazy that you were at MWRH while I was in the wings...I think you have hit the nail on the head with the institutionalized prisoner sentiment and I agree that the blog can be (and has been) a compass for days to come. I hope your UK post is going well. Thanks again for your comment. Sláinte!
Post a Comment