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.
