Friday Afternoon Musings.....

Remarkably, today marks the end of the fifth week (counting "zero week". See the earlier post) in medical school. I know that there is a very l-o-n-g road in front of me, but this milestone gives me pause.

It's a strange place, medical school. On one hand, five weeks have literally whizzed by, as every day is filled with exponentially greater amounts of information to digest (more about this in a minute). On the other hand, these past five weeks have been the longest in my life, as there are exponentially greater amounts of information to digest....

I've learned that "becoming a doctor" is much more than memorizing facts or sweating out tests. Becoming a doctor also involves learning how to deal with stress, manage time wisely, and function well under pressure. Medical school is not simply an academic exercise, it's a behavioural one, teaching us how to live lives that are focused and disciplined. After all, one day we will have human lives in our hands. I am learning to love the heat and pressure of school, knowing that it's preparing me for the future.

Thus far we have finished two written exams and two practical anatomy exams. During the practical exams we are asked to identify various structures (and sometimes their function or surroundings) that have been marked on the bodies of our generous donors. Interestingly, none of the information over which we are being tested is particularly difficult. The challenge remains the volume of information.

Despite all, I'm having a marvelous time. I relish not only my current experiences but also the hope that, one day in the not-so-distant-future, I will be able to do a great deal of good for my patients.

Just for fun, below is our class picture. Believe it or not, I am in there. A virtual gold star to anyone who can find me!

Until next time, God bless you, dear reader. For me, it's back to the books.

So It Begins......

Today marks the end of the first 2 weeks of medical school. Now, technically, we've only had "one" week of schooling, as the first week, orientation, was counted as "zero week" (It sure didn't feel like a "zero week" to me). Regardless, so much has happened....

From what I'm told through the Class Rumor Mill (CRM for short - a VERY formidable force in medical school) we began on July 29th with 264 students. By the end of the first week (again that ignominious "zero week") we were already down to 258. Apparently, after a week of orientation, six folks already decided that this was not for them. 

A few days into "zero week" (I mean, seriously, who does that?) we had already begun our formal studies into MGA (Mean Gross Anatomy and, yes, it can be very gross) to include working on our donors. A quick note about these amazing men and women who have dedicated their bodies for our learning: God bless them. In the couple of short weeks we've been working with them, they have taught us so much, not merely about the human body, but about humanity. I wish there was some way I could thank them. I will do my best to be express my gratitude by honoring their memory by becoming the best physician I can be.

Already, only two weeks in, the amount of material we are being given to digest defies comprehension. This week alone we will be digesting more Mean Gross Anatomy (MGA), Foundations of Modern Health Care (FMHC), Molecular Fundamentals of Medicine (MFM), Essentials of Patient Care (EPC), and Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP). We spend all morning (8:00 am - noon) in the lecture hall and most of the afternoon (1:00 pm to 4:00pm or 5:00pm ish) in labs. 

So, what's a typical day like? Its different for everyone but for me, I get about six hours of sleep a night, awakening early. My lovely wife and I have coffee together, I leave for school at 7:30am to arrive to class early. After morning classes I change for lab (usually wear scrubs to most of the labs) and make it home about 5:00pm. I study until it's time to eat, the family and I have supper, the kids are put to bed about 8:00pm and I spend the next four hours or so studying.  I go to bed around midnight or 1:00am. The next day rinse and repeat. Fortunately there is no class on Sunday, so I have all day to study (a good 10-12 hours). 

Today we had our first day of testing, being measured over MGA both in written and practical forms. Yes, I was nervous, but I think I passed. We should get the results by Thursday.

I guess I'll leave you, dear reader, with this: I love medical school. Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM: say that fast 10 times....) is an amazing place. Already I've met incredible people, both in my colleagues and in the faculty and staff at the school. Every place has its ups and downs certainly, but this is a special place. Who gets to become a doctor nestled in the bosom of the Appalachians of Eastern Tennessee? I am so grateful to God who brought me here and to my family who is supporting me. I look forward to what the future holds.

Now....back to the books......