The Good, the Bad, the Crazy - Part I

I shouldn't be blogging right now. In two days we have our final final (think about that...) for the semester. This test covers MFM (Molecular Fundamentals of Medicine - essentially biochemistry on steroids) and Histology (structures of the body studied on a cellular level.) It promises to be a big test. We are being given over 2 1/2 hours to complete it. I should be studying for this beast of an exam and I will resume studying in a moment. I recall, though, that I promised you an update, so here I am, if not briefly.

First, it is difficult for me to grasp the reality that our first semester in medical school is over. How did that happen? How can 18 weeks go so fast but feel so agonizingly slow? How is it possible that we completed over 27 semester hours of work (almost a year's worth of studying in an undergraduate university) in four short months? I look back on this first part of my former medical training and questions fall into my head like pebbles in a jar: am I in over my head? Am I crazy for trying this at this point in my life? Will I be able to handle 3 1/2 more years? Will I remember what I need to know when treating a patient? What if I forget something essential and hurt someone? and the list goes on.

I hope, dear reader, that you don't misunderstand me. I love (LOVE!!) what I'm learning. I am so grateful to have the privilege, the honor, of being here and being transformed slowly, painfully, into a physician. I know many people who haven't made it this far. Indeed, we have already lost, in this first semester, nearly 20% of our class for sundry reasons. I love Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM for short), the faculty and staff here, for the nurturing and concern they have showered upon me in order to ease my transition from civilian into health care provider. I feel a great debt to them for their teaching an mentorship.

www.nocoastbias.com

Knowing all of this, it has been a difficult journey. I have missed out on so much time with my family. I have spent hours (and hours and hours and hours) staring at power point slides and flipping through books. I have felt (and feel even as I type this) the pressure of pending exams. Medical school is not for the faint of heart. I'm becoming increasingly convinced, however, that this race is not designed for the fast or strong as much as for those who endure, those who possess that almost supernatural stick-to-itiveness that drives so many to accomplish so much. I love it. It's killing me, but I love it.

More after this coming Monday and our final.

Back to the books.

Checking In

Can it be the last time I posted anything on this blog was September?! Like a tsunami, medical school swept me away, carrying me careening through a rocky canyon of anatomy labs, written tests, and patient-simulated practicals. The time that I enjoyed at the beginning of the semester quickly evaporated as more and more information was crammed aggressively down my throat with the hope that some of it might stick. The jury is still out as to whether these efforts were successful...

The semester is winding down. We are in the midst of finals week and, as such, my time even now is limited. I wanted you to know, dear reader, that I haven't forgotten about you. There is so much to share, so much that has happened. My goal is to provide a more extensive post this coming Saturday (the day after tomorrow).

Be well. Be healthy. Take care. And I will chat with you in a couple of days. Meanwhile, for me, it's back to the books.  :)