When it Rains.....

I begin this by stating that I love my medical school. I know on previous blogs I have said this, but it bears repeating here: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) is an incredible place. I have learned so much there already and, the more I have learned, the more I have fallen in love with medicine. I have met incredible people: professors, staff, and students who have taught me much about professionalism and humanity. I remain in their debt.

As many of you know, I have been struggling to pass my COMLEX Level 1 medical boards exam. Most of my classmates passed this difficult test last summer and are now half-way through their fourth year (mazel tov to them!). I am still technically an OMS-II (Osteopathic Medical Student - 2nd year) because of my failures. Three attempts have ended in crushing disappointment - close but never quite enough. Despite the fact that I am now nearly two years behind my peers, LMU-DCOM has expressed continuing interest in seeing me pass.

Recently, their interest has taken a more zealous turn. They informed me that I need to make my final attempt at this test no later than January 31st of 2018 (the end of next month) or I will be kicked out of medical school.

I understand where they are coming from: they feel that I have had more than adequate time to take this test and that I should do so and move on. Also, each student is expected to pass medical school in no less than six years. For my situation, I may graduate no later than May, 2020. In accordance with how the COMLEX system works, as long as I pass this COMLEX before June 2018, I will be on track to graduate by 2020.

I explained to the school that my studies for this final attempt have been going slower than anticipated. Because LMU-DCOM cut off our school loans after my first boards failure last July, I have had to find a job. I love working, but work does take away from study time. Additionally, to keep my job, my employer has told me I need to pass two national certification exams. The last of these exams is in two weeks. Most of my study time has been filled with this task. It is my earnest desire to pass my COMLEX but putting food on the table and taking care of my large family is a bigger priority. I feel confident that, if given to the end of March next year, even with the above responsibilities, I would be able to pass my boards.

I shared with the school these concerns. Though they appreciate my dilemma, they told me that the January 31st deadline is non-negotiable.

So, now I have a choice to make: do I provide for my family so we do not end up starving on the street or do I try to cram an effective review of two years of medical education into five weeks? (The final test date for COMLEX Level 1 in January is the 23rd, thus cutting a week off of their deadline).

I love my school and I really want to be a physician. I have desired this and planned for this for 40 years. I have run up over $250,000 in student debt for this. Serving God and man as a doctor is, to me, one of the highest joys this life has to offer. But, and on this I will be clear, if becoming a physician means I must put my family at risk, then I will surrender this life-long dream: my family is more important.

As with all problems, there is a solution. In recent days God has reminded me of His gentle Presence and comforted my anxious heart with His Peace. I know that, in the end, God's Will will be done.

Dear reader, thank you for your time. I am not giving up hope. Please pray for us. I will keep you posted.

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