Crunch Time!

It is getting close to the end! Let the countdown begin! Not going to lie. It is hard starting to make myself write all over again. I honestly love telling a story and sharing my words and creativity. But I have been plunged head long into a world of medicine. Which has left me very little time to write, create visions with my words. But I am back and committed to improving this hobby. A few quick updates...First thing, the woman who I love dearly is marrying me approximately 9 months! So we have a lot of wedding stuff going on! It has been great growing together and going through the ups and downs the past 5 years together. There is no one else who I would want to spend the rest of my life with. T-minus: 278 Days! It is going to be a wild ride these next several months for certain. On the medical side of things...I am in my last year of medical school and passed both written portions of my boards. WHICH IS AWESOME!!!!!! (For those who don't know what boards are, they are grueling 8 hour standardized computer exams in which you have to think quickly, concisely, answer questions correctly and get a high enough score to pass the exam) The reason why this form of modern day torture is so important is because medical schools have to prove that they have properly educated its medical students. So that way I can practice medicine without killing people. Otherwise it looks bad. Go figure. But its a hard exam and our future bosses, i.e. Residency Program Directors look at scores to help them assess whether we are worth training or not....And I have thoroughly rambled on enough about this. But I digress, I have passed them (praise Jesus!), and now onto the more pressing matters of applying to residency programs. Which entails taking a month or few weeks to go and work with as many residency programs as possible. To make a good impression so that way you can be granted an interview. In other words, a lot of money will be spent (i.e. gas, dry cleaning, application fees etc) between now and match day (Feb 10, 2014). It is an exciting time, deciding what kind of doctor you want to be. I have decided to pursue a career in Family Medicine and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine with subspecialties in Sports Medicine and Pain Management. It will be a total of 6 years of training after medical school. I will be board certified in 4 specialties of medicine. But thats ok, because its honestly what my vision is for my future practice. But thats enough about that. On a personal note, not that this whole thing isn't personal but I wanted to share about my own struggle. I'm fat. And its a problem I have been striving to work on. I have been steadily exercising for the past several weeks now and I am starting to see some results in inches lost off of my body. I say this not for bragging rights or anything. But to share with you who also may have weight issues that you are not alone. There are a lot of factors that can be hindrance. But I promise you I will share with you what I learn about myself along the way. It is not impossible no matter how much weight you have on you. You can make a difference. You can change your life. You can lose weight too. But the catch is...you have to be the one to do it. I am understanding now more than ever, medicine is a team sport. Not the doctor dictating what you can and can't do, or what you can and cannot eat. We are a team, as a doctor I will help draw up the plays on the sideline and call them out to you. But you are the quarterback you have execute the play. You have to see how the defense is going to blitz and you have to make the adjustment at the line of scrimmage. But we are on the same team and we are striving to win. I promise I will be better so that I can make my patients better also. T-Minus 293 Days until graduation! Until next time. Live life to the fullest! Doctors Orders! Doc Q

Eye of the Tiger

"You fight until you win!" - Bishop McKissick Jr 2012, guess the end of world didn't happen yet. This year had a lot of ups and downs twists and turns. But through it all, I found out a great deal about myself. I have a newfound love for the fields of OBGYN and interesting relationship with the field of surgery. But I still have my passion for the use of OMT in whatever field I practice. As far as my personal life goes, I have made a major step in my life I became engaged to a wonderful woman, met some incredible people, and had some great triumphs in 2012. I did have my share of setbacks also, I still have my struggle with my weight that I have to overcome with proper eating habits. I still have an overwhelming amount of material in the field of medicine to learn. I have my books to finish writing. But through it all I am more motivated now more so than ever because I have learned to fight! I have learned that I do not give myself enough credit for the strength I possess. Even though I am not where I want to be I am excited about the potential I have at my fingertips. As 2012 comes to an end the New Year's resolutions will be rolling in. I would like to propose a commitment to all of you. Its simple really. As you can see from my opening quote. I want us all to be fighters. Fight for your life, fight your future, fight your family. Make 2013 the year of the fight, don't let the naysayers, the haters, the doom criers deter you from your life. You fight through the blocks, because only you can get to your future. Fight the good fight friends. Doctors orders! -- Doc Q

Life under the White Coat

So for all of those who take time to read my blog, I do apologize. My life has been moving in a fast paced direction that I truly did not anticipate losing touch with my love for writing and expression. It has been nearly a year since I have taken the time to punch the keys and express my thoughts. So I apologize in advanced for any and all grammatical errors. I have just kicked off my second year of medical school (no applause necessary). In addition to that, I have taken on some new responsibility including President of my schools chapter of the Student National Medical Association. Now after that digression...here we go!

So after one year of medical school I am utterly convinced our lives should be on tv. Grey's Anatomy doesn't have anything on us! Drama, Comedy, hook ups, break ups, everything that could fill a prime time cable slot weekly (I'm looking at you MTV). But what would you expect when you throw together 265 strangers and put them through a mentally abusive, emotional roller coaster, life defining experience known as Medical School! In 4 short years you go from regular person to a full licensed physician. Of course there is residency, fellowships, etc...all of which are on the job training pretty much and can go from 3years to 7years. Its a whirlwind ride, where you are inundated with so much information that it makes your head spin and you may want to vomit at times (not literally). People from the outside really do not understand what we fully go through, the stress, sleepless nights, the increasing financial hole we will be in, how government's changes can adversely affect our future careers. But, for those on the outside who support us, trust me when I say, thank you and we need it.

After observing my friends and colleagues over the past year, I have witnessed impressive growth from first year medical students to second year medical students. In myself I feel more relaxed not quite as overwhelmed with school and now can focus more on being a normal person sometimes. In fact I feel like I spend more time juggling life outside the classroom than actually what goes on inside the classroom. I know most people think all we do is study, which is also true, but its not all we do.

Today I just completed my first OB/GYN exam, it was an interesting experience. Not because of the physical contact, but because our patient was a firecracker to say the least. She had a slew of jokes and inappropriate comments which I will not repeat on here. But one of my classmates, in particular always has cold hands, and as he began the exam she starting singing "here comes the man with the cold hands". I guess only medical students can find the humor in a gynecologic exam. Actually we find humor in a lot of things most would find strange. I guess its just our way of trying to deal with the ever growing truth in the back of our minds. That in two years we will be responsible for the life of a complete stranger and that they will look to us to make them well.

Life is definitely different under the white coat.

Politricks as usual

Watching the various news networks, it makes me glad I chose the path of medicine. I feel that while there is a lot of controversy in regards to research, and health care reform; the overall field is still held with high approval of the public whom we serve. The political arena which dominates most of our daily lives whether we like it or not truly disgust me. Not because of any particular party affiliation. But rather that one party is more interested in crushing the other party under its heel and winning versus what they were originally intended to do, which was govern and lead. Now I am not accusing all politicians of low-level bickering, but clearly the only true consensus that can be attained is that there is no consensus. Only needless quarreling, lying and anger seems to be in order. Honestly, that disturbs me deeply. With such anger it is hard to see the light at the end of this dark tunnel. In addition the anger blots out the good that has been accomplished: better access to health care for everyone, preventing the jobless rate from jumping to above 10 or 12 percent, financial reform so no more Madoffs make off with people's fortunes, allowing Ford, an American giant, to re-stabilize and grow. And most importantly trying to an end a war that had no business starting off in the first place and ruining so many American's lives. And yet and still people argue about the man at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is not doing enough or nothing at all. And yet there are those dissident voices crying out to take the country back. Back to where exactly? Back to the era of women's suffrage and open-racial inequality? Back to the plantations? Or just back from the one man who got elected less than two years ago, who is leading this ship through turmoil that the previous leader led us into? Let's face it America, the country went down hill in 8 years, that means it will take at least a minimum of 8 years to fully right-itself and not 1.75.

I'm not happy either. I don't believe anyone is, but progress has been made and if we continue to move forward together we will get there. It wont happen over night, it may take 10 years. But America has to be patient and focus on building from the ground up. We must strengthen the nucleus of the country, the family unit. If the family is stable the schools can become more stable, and we can demand better of our government for our educations and strengthen our middle-class. The middle class is the core and true power of the American economy. With the middle class stabilized and growing, so will the rest of the nation for as goes the middle class so goes the nation.

In the end, whether we like the president or not, lets try to lay down foolish notions aside that are distracting from the real issues, i.e. birth certificates. Because the more we fight about nonsense and lie, stasis equals death, the less we are accomplishing and the more stagnant we will be, and watch China and India surpass us. Lets focus on the problems of ending America's never ending wars and rebuild and strengthen our home, protect our borders, take better care of our servicemen and women and veterans, provided better quality teachers, facilities and resources in our public schools and move the country forward into a brighter future. Right wing, left wing, middle, independent, tea party who the hell cares? We all want the same things. Enough of the bullshit, lets work together.

Diary of Medical Student pt 1

*Whew*....It has been a LONG time since I have been back on here. I am happy still remembered my password. But I digress, Life updates: I have recently survived my first term of medical school (WAHOO!!!) I have learned a great deal both medically related and personally. I have a new family and I am truly blessed to meet so many different people who all have a passion to make an impact in health care.

Med school teaches us a lot clinically, academically, socially, professionally etc... However I feel my greatest challenge is time. Never enough of it. Classes, studying, working out, spending time with loved ones outside of school, spend time with my med school family, etc. And when I complain a classmate reminded me that there are 6,000 people who would trade me their best day not in medical school for my worst day in medical school. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and when I am tired and want to complain about there is not enough time I remember I have the same 24 hour clock that Dr. Charles R. Drew had, the same 24 hours that Einstein had. So if they could make due with a 24hour day so can I.

I have two main goals for the rest of my first year. First to remember the things that I enjoy and do those. Second, organize my time more and allow myself time to accomplish my goals for each day. That being said, I plan on starting up my blog full force again.

After that long digression, I want to start up this holiday season with, "What are you thankful for this year?" I am thankful for more than I can address into this blog. But I am thankful for everyone and everything in my life, the ups and downs, the good the bad, and all the challenges that come along with the path of my life. I hope that you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving. Thanks for reading.

Remember Work like everything depends on you. Pray like everything depends on God.

-- Doc Q

Standing on the shoulders of giants

I stand on the shoulders of giants. I recently have been accepted into medical school in Philadelphia PA (PCOM). I am truly grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge. And while I have worked hard to get to this point, I did not make it on my own. I had an army of family, friends, mentors, teachers all who supported me and helped me. But foremost, I had GOD who made this all possible. Without Him, I am nothing, and through Him I will become a great physician.

I stand on the shoulders of giants. My grandfather, whose name I am honored to have, Luther II, who was the son of a sharecropper in Virginia, whose grand parents were slaves. He did not complete the 5th grade but sowed seeds in his children in the value of hard work and education. I reaped the benefit of those principles from my father, Luther III, who earned his college degree. He became one of the first black air traffic controller. His perseverance during the civil rights era, inspires me today, and reminds me I really should not complain when faced with trials and tribulations.

My maternal grandfather, who from my infancy spoke the word into me, that I will become a physician. I guess he knew better than I did back then. But I digress, he is one of my greatest inspirations. He was a Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, he and his fellow airmen helped lead the way for armed forces desegregating.

I am the hope and the dream of the slaves. I stand on the shoulders of these giants and I am blessed to have a strong foundation and from there I will stand tall. Uplifting those who are coming after me.

Work like everything depends on you, pray like everything depends on God. You will not fail.

Big Oil

So before I jet off for a vacation I had to get this off my chest...

I am sure as many of you have already heard that there is a massive amount of oil spilling out into the Gulf of Mexico which is harming a lot of wild life and many different states' industries in fishing and tourism. Overall everyone can pretty much agree that this is a MAJOR problem. Thank you BP!!! (giving them the middle finger)

But honestly, the lackadaisical attitude portrayed by the CEO Tony Hayward is really insulting. At first BP wants to place the blame on the company that was operating the oil rig. Honestly, BP it is your rig, you are responsible. Where did the basics of home training stop applying to real life? Spill your drink, get some paper towel and clean it up or use a mop if necessary.

I think the US should ban or boycott BP. Why? Because this will get their attention, the main way to hurt a company is remove its biggest buyer so it will hit them where it hurts, their wallets! So while it may be futile, as for right now I am not buying BP gas. I hope others follow suit.