White Coat in Training
When asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The answer doesn’t seem to evade my mind anymore. Around the age of 12, I came to the realization that I had not only dreamed but had been called to be a doctor. At that age, I didn’t quite understand the amount of different specialties there were, and I really truly didn’t understand the perseverance it took to attain a medical degree. However eight years later, I still feel called to be a doctor, and the closer I get to my dream. The quicker life seems to happen.
Lately, my life has changed. From what I would have called “my norm,” it now ceases to exist. I would say that in a matter of six months, I’ve had to readjust my life to now fit this new “norm” that is occurring. It’s been hard, well difficult. I guess, so I haven’t really focused or entertained the idea of becoming a doctor lately. I would focus on my studies yes, but I didn’t pursue with all my heart the goal of becoming one. Until I realized, I was happiest and felt the most normal when I chased after my dream.
This past week, I started to shadow an ER doctor. My expectations were extremely high, since it’s the one area where I feel like I could someday work in. As I sat waiting for the doctor to arrive on my first day, I thought about my life, and laughed at the fact that even when everything else is changing. My dreams and pursuant of an education remains the same. Apparently, the doctor was in a meeting, and never came, so I had to ask them to let me in. They did. As the nurse opened the doors, a rush of emotions came over me. My body nearly jumped in excitement when I saw nurses talking about patients, when I saw hospital personal directing traffic, but especially when I saw residents climbing the ladder.
I had been told that the residents would be in the hospital, but seeing them first hand made me realize that it truly was possible. There stood two male doctors, who were much younger than the other doctors and were so hungry to learn and treat patients. They were the residents, in their glorious white coats. Man, I want to be one so bad already. Finally after a few minutes more like an hour, the doctor walked in. He is a fast paced and a focused man. He doesn’t mess around, and expects to have everything done properly. He’s my kind of teacher. Just as quickly as he walked in, he walked right out and started treating people. Gosh, these doctors must drink coffee 24/7, because they were on their feet going.
In a matter of two days, I saw an array of different patients. Some needing minor assistance and others in which brought tears to my eyes. I had never seen pain the way I did, until I witnessed it in so many different people at the same time. When I was there shadowing the doctors, I stood in the back and listened to their way of treatment, and stood astounded at the respect and warmth they brought to their patients. They made the environment feel more like a home, and less than a hospital. The ER taught me a lot, so I figured I’d show you the top 10 things I learned.
1. Always wear comfortable shoes.
2. “There are a bunch of attendees, and they’re all trying to teach you something in their own way. You’ll always be wrong. The goal is to be less wrong.” Dr. Lewis
3. Assumptions are for criminals. Facts are for professionals.
4. The definition of pain varies with each gender, race, religion, age, and person.
5. Sleep whenever or wherever you can.
6. If you plan to practice medicine in the Rio Grande Valley, know, understand, and speak Spanish.
7. Focus. Listen…don’t hear. Speak. Focus.
8. You’ll learn to love coffee.
9. There is power in the White Coat.
10. Medicine might fail sometimes, and when it does (because it will). Pray.
I still have a few weeks ahead of me to shadow in the ER, and I look forward to the many more experiences I will face. However, I thought it would be nice to document how treating patients healed me. Being in that environment, healed and repaired my dream of becoming a doctor, and made me realize that no matter how fast life seems to be going or life seems to be changing. One should always focus on their dreams, because they truly do bring a sense of normal to everyday chaos. I know the journey will be difficult, but it surely isn’t impossible. I will be a doctor one day, even if that means learning Spanish, sleeping less, and drinking coffee. In fact, I could also be a kick butt FEMALE doctor, since I failed to see a single FEMALE doctor while shadowing in the ER. Yeah, let me be the stepping stone for others to come.
Sincerely,
A Hungry Future Doctor