When I grow up...

A big focus in life at the moment is answering the question: What kind of doctor do I want to be? Unfortunately for me, I am currently undecided. Here's where I am:

Internal Medicine (likely fellowship in cardiology or critical care)

Pro: Some patient continuity, variety, acute care, flexible lifestyle

Con: Not heavily procedural unless I go into the cath lab

Total time: 3 years residency + 3 years fellowship

General Surgery (likely critical care fellowship)

Pro: Very procedural, the OR is fun, prestige, variety, some patient continuity

Con: Not sure I love GI problems, tough lifestyle, required lab year

Total time: 7 years residency, with fellowship as one of my research years

Pediatrics (likely fellowship in cardiology or critical care)

Pro: love the patient population, patient continuity, flexible lifestyle

Con: not procedural (again, unless cath lab), limited places to practice

Total time: 3 years residency + 3 years fellowship

I've ruled out anesthesiology for lack of patient continuity. Plus, if I'm going to be in the OR, it's going to be my OR. I would likely match in any of these, though surgery would be toughest. Current plan: subi in each, await my surgery grade and see where we stand.

ps note the M4 schedule has been posted on the sidebar, for those who are curious.

Everyone else is doing it...

Apparently I'm the last person to jump on the lets-get-back-in-shape bandwagon (but at least I jumped on). I tried going for a run this evening and tried is the correct word. Since a full length run is still a bit of a struggle, I've decided I'll do a short run in the am and a short run after work. I've further decided to declare this publicly so that I am motivated (by humiliation).

And yes, those are my running shoes.

Postscript to Mr. Jobs

My computer was returned to me, however it was not fixed. Additionally, there were four notches on the optical drive that were not there when I brought the computer in for servicing. While the return invoice lists two "parts or services used," the optical drive needed three attempts to eject the first disc I put in.

I must now send my MacBook back in. Since I cannot do this at the moment (I need it for school and work), I have opened a case with AppleCare and will send it in April. How many times I must I send it in before you either a) successfully fix it or b) replace it?

Regards,
S

Oh, the things we loathe

Tomorrow morning, first thing, I will go to the dentist. I would rather walk naked through the freezing streets of Philadelphia, but no, I will go to the dentist. I would rather receive ten tetanus shots, but no, I will go to the dentist. I would rather give up ice cream for a month, but no... I will go to the dentist.

They will pick and scrape and drill and I will squeeze my eyes and fists shut. I will repeat (to myself) over and over: it's a few hours, it's only a few hours.

Freshly numb, yet somehow still in pain, I will walk the six blocks west and lie down again. My mouth will stay shut, but my legs will spread as another doctor will poke and prod inside.

Sore on two ends and probably still drooling, I will go to work.

Help.

The personal statement

This is a slightly unusual post. Rather than telling you a story, I am writing you a request.

It is recommended that as many people as possible read your personal statement and give you feedback and so I say - if you are willing to read my personal statement and send me feedback, I would be glad to send it to you. Provided you are not also applying to medical school and plan on stealing it if it's good.

Interesting tidbit - our advisor adminished us to not make our personal statements too self-centered. It's a personal statement, how can it not be self-centered?