There's No Homework Like No Homework

Rotations are finished. Residency is on the horizon. I am basking in the space between...vacation-land. Although there is plenty to do in preparation for the next steps, this time is just as precious as it sounds. Letting go of the time schedule, burdens of major responsibility and trivial concerns is more relieving than I imagined it would be.

Recapturing Lost Time

While I could have been intently studying for my next board exam, reviewing the pharmacokinetics of anti-microbials or rehashing the Kreb's cycle, I chose to rest the organ I've exercised intensely for the last four years. Traveling here and there, sometimes without a phone or computer to really dive into the organic "R and R" so badly needed. Mother's Day was no exception. With no prior commitments and time to spare, I made the trek to surprise my mother even though it was the week before graduation where I would see her again. Why would I do it? Because I could. Time allowed and it makes for a better story than going to the arcade for a day.

With only one week remaining before graduation the obvious excitement has somewhat worn off since starting vacation. As it stands now, only time is between me and a degree. No more exams, interviews or documents need my attention. My vacation time seems more valuable at this point than a 4 hour meeting of name-calling and black robes. Yet we are required to attend the event, perhaps for the school to maintain its public appeal of graduating x number of doctors this year. Attending graduation will be the public culmination of all this hard work put to rest. An opportunity for close friends and relatives to say, "I know that guy, how on earth did he become a doctor?" I suppose deep down inside I want to be there too, because it is a proof-giving ceremony validating the last 25 years of my life. Something few events can do.

Here is to a lifetime of dreams, four years of hard work, relationships made and kept, mothers and fathers who support, being a medical student who experiences bipolar highs and lows, and most importantly to the years ahead. The next time I post here will be as a doctor, not that far removed from the student, but across the line a marathon winner.

Question of the Week

Was it hard?

Answer & Explanation