Knowing and learning all of this is wonderful. One downside of medical school, though, is the reality that it becomes, by necessity, nearly all consuming. As this first year is drawing to a close (only 74 more school days left!), school builds upon itself and becomes bigger and bigger, a tsunami of "high yield knowledge" for which we are increasingly accountable. This massive wave dominates one's time and threatens to overwhelm every aspect of life - thoughts, dreams, even relationships. It is essential to be able to strike balance in one's life! I'm learning that, at least for me, becoming a physician is not a job - it's a calling. It's a transformation of myself into a new person. I hadn't been warned of this powerful force of change before applying to professional school.
I guess the take home message is this: my classmates and I are becoming healers. Complete strangers will come to us for comfort, answers, healing, hope. This is a profound responsibility and humbling honor. To become this source of skill and knowledge requires a profound sacrifice. For the sake of my future patients this is a sacrifice I welcome.
I love medical school.
courtesy of www.brasilwallpaper.blogspot.com
