One Eighth of a Doctor!!

It has been a long time coming. (Christmas break that is)  I did not think that it would get here quick enough!  Retrospectively, I learned two very important things to carry with me through what some may call an evolution:  A. I discovered that the reason as to why my heart beats uncontrollably and I some how pick up “see-through” wall vision is because I add sugar to my coffee!!  B.  I have got to stop second-guessing myself.  My first guess is 90% of the time correct.  I have always had a bad habit of doing this (mostly due to the fact that I am a risk taker or as I like to call it….an adventure on wheels—ask my lab group!)  However, I am now seeing where it at times determines whether or not my B can become an A.  It is in the details that we find out who or what we really are.  Whether or not we are punctual, risk-takers, careful, arrogant, or afraid, it all comes down to that one question that can turn your A into a B or your B into an A.  (I’m an optimist, so I wish a C on NO ONE!)

Since this is the time of year that people usually spend with their loved ones (or in my Grandfather’s words “it is the time of year when you all (the grandkids) rob my pockets…insert a four letter expletive here!!), what better way to end our semester with just that.  I have four great posts that somehow touch on these relationships that we celebrate during this season.  The first is by Student Dr. Washington-Plaskett who talks about the number one man in her life…her dog!! (Well it may be either a tie or a close second because she is definitely a daddy’s girl!)  Following is a break-up letter by Student Dr. Jayanthan that well, I will let this letter speak for itself because he obviously has some things to get off his chest!!!  The last two are juxtapositions of life before and after marriage in medical school by Student Dr. Stephens and Student Dr. Hannam. 

Oh and by the way, one of my best friends just reminded me that I am officially 1/8 of a doctor……mmmmm..that just sounds and smells sooo much better (now that gross is GONE)!!! JJ!!!!

With utmost appreciation,

Best wishes in your endeavors,

Student Dr. Glawson

Medical School...in Dog Years

Do you ever wonder why some people in medical school seem to have such tight schedules and have to rush home at the end of a day full of classes?  Most of the time it is because they have a child (hats off to all the parents in medical school!!!) or a needy dog (like me), often times the two coincide.  As much as I love my 65lb, 7 year old, Black Labrador, he does NOT seem to understand or even care that I am a first-year medical student struggling with this new schedule!!  He is very well trained and has successfully been potty-trained so there are never any accidents in my house.  However, the amount of time I spend walking, feeding, engaging, and playing with him can add up and as a medical student, time is a precious commodity.  I sometimes envy my non-pet owner classmates with twice as much time on their hands to study, go out to eat and drink right after a long day of classes, or just relax after getting home from school.  I simply do not have these luxuries!!  It might seem as though I resent my precious pup, but this is quite the contrary.  The excitement in his eyes after I come home from being at school all day (usually from 8am-5pm), and the companionship I receive with him always by my side outweighs all of the setbacks I may have taking care of him while I am a medical student.  The positive aspects of having a pet in medical school are that you are always on a timed schedule, you are never alone, and at least have someone that appreciates you even if they can’t say it!  Even though he can’t express how he feels, I will always know he loves me.  Nothing can compare to the unconditional love from a pet…..well maybe a parent’s unconditional love and in that regard….I am glad he can’t talk back!!!!

Avid pet owner,

Student Dr. Washington-Plaskett

Dear Gross

Dear Gross,

I need to get some things off my chest. Look, you and I have been at this for what, over five months now?  Yet, I still feel like I don’t really know you. Sometimes, when I think I do, you test me and then I realize I don’t……..

I guess I just feel like this has been a one-way relationship. I do almost everything you ask, Gross. You want me to study your muscles, so I study your muscles. You want me to study your nerves, so I study your nerves. You want me to know that I can palpate a man’s prostate if I give him a rectal examination, so I know that too. But despite all my efforts, you still give me mediocre grades. I even went out and bought BRS (Badass Relationship Suggestions) hoping to get a few pointers on how to handle you. But no, the tips they gave me still did not work much on you…

Don’t get me wrong, Gross. We’ve had our okay times. I won’t lie. I enjoyed learning about your upper and lower limbs and some of your random fun facts. (Like when I hit my “funny bone”, I’m actually hitting my ulnar nerve! WOW!) See, I sometimes like you… BUT I STILL MOSTLY HATE YOU! Have you even noticed that it’s been five months and we still haven’t said “I love you” to each other?! I texted my friend Abby who IM’d her friend Jessica who said that we were on the path to breaking up! Don’t you care, Gross?!?!?! Huh?!?!?! I don’t think you do…

…Which brings me to the main reason I’m writing you this letter today. I’m through trying to understand you, Gross.  I’ve tried, I’ve tried, and I’ve tried. But I shall try no more. I’m breaking up with you!!!!!

As of this week, I will be changing my Facebook status to ‘Single’. Hmph!!!!

You suck,

Student Dr. Jayanthan

So...I'm Involved...with Med School..and Her!!!

As many of you all may know, I recently became engaged shortly before I started medical school back in June.  My fiancé and I have been together now for a little over three years, and we will be married in June of 2012.  This semester has proven to be challenging, yet rewarding for a number of different reasons.  This is the longest that we have ever had to be apart from one another.  Many say that long distance relationships usually don’t work out.  Some of our own friends even said this.  I have learned over the past six months that I can see why one would say this.  Let’s face it, a long distance relationship has proven to be difficult, and I can see why many fail in this area.  My fiancé and I faced many of the same challenges that anyone would go through in a long distance relationship.  The only difference is that we chose to handle them a little differently.  Not only did this time make our relationship even stronger, but it has made us both stronger individually.

Simple things that I used to take for granted while we were still physically together started to surface after I moved.  I realized that I spent so much of my time with her, that I forgot what it felt like to not be around her.  This took some getting used to.  When I was down or struggling with school or any other type of issue, I remember her being only a phone call away, and she would be at my apartment in ten minutes.  That doesn’t work too well when we are apart.  Sometimes I really just want to be held while I run my mouth about my problems, just like she wants the same.

           

I have, fortunately, been able to see her once this semester during our fall break.  It was quite refreshing, and I realized how much I could sometimes take the time that we spent together for granted.  I also got a snapshot of what being a married medical student is going to be like.  While I was with her, my study schedule was very strict, not because of my own diligence, but because she knows how to crack a whip.  I guess I can’t complain!!!!

           

One of the biggest stresses of this experience has also been planning a wedding.  As a man, this is not an area of expertise nor is it an area of extreme interest; but I have learned to put up a pretty good front!!!  To date, we have changed the location of the wedding three times, deposited and removed deposits from four different reception venues, and we are on our third wedding planner.  On top of this, I am studying biochemistry, PPM, and gross anatomy at the same time.  Don’t get me wrong, Brittany is no bridezilla, but the woman knows what she wants (or does she?????).  Either way, I look at all of these things as a way of building character for the both of us and I cannot wait until June, because the wedding and first year of med school will be over!!!!  Oh, and because I am getting married too. JJJ

-Student Dr. Stephens

The WHOLE Truth and Nothing but the Truth!!

You know how when you’re applying to medical school, and all your mentors tell you that it's hard, and you quietly say in your head, “It cannot be that hard if soooo many people have done it.” Well, let me just say that they were right.  As a matter of fact, they underplayed how hard it was. I have never worked so hard for a C in my life!!! I have classes from eight a.m. to three p.m. on a good day, to five p.m. on a full day, and if there are extracurricular events, then maybe to six or seven.  Let’s remember I have not yet studied, or relaxed, or EVEN used the toilet. (Oh yeah, time to use the toilet has to be on your planner.) Being in medical school already accounts for all of your time and most of it is scheduled for studying.

Yet with all that busy to and fro, the favorite part of my day is when I get a chance to sit down with my beautiful wife and rambunctious son. I try my best to give them 2 hours of my time daily. Yes, I know, they deserve more but it is all that I can afford. Medical school is no place for a married man.  It is very inhospitable to the betrothed.  My wife is very good at dealing with the neglect, because it is nothing short of that.  She is at home all day with our son and she does all the necessary doings to keep a home fluid and peaceful. Thank God for her!!! My son, he keeps us smiling as much as he keeps us cleaning.

My mentors tell me that I need to keep a balance between school and my home but this is hardly a balance. It is a blatant robbery of personal and family time. Most nights, by the time I go to bed my wife is already sleeping. Some days when I finally come home my son is already sleeping and I don’t get to play with him.  

So the Truth is that there is no balance between med-school and home, one just has to steal enough time from studying to keep his family intact!!!

Sincerely,

Student Dr. Hannam