Outpatient Oncology

Clearly, recently my priorities have not included keeping up to date with my experiences on the blog. There are just so many other things I'm doing instead of this! haha

Oncology is still amazing. I still love it. I'm a little frustrated that I don't actually feel like I get to make a difference...some attendings allow me to interview a patient on my own, which is when I get the opportunity to learn about their story and get to connect with patients on a real, human level. That's what I love most. But other attendings just have me follow them around all day, then ask me random questions that I could not possibly ever answer while in front of patients ("could you explain to the patient what Dr such-and-such discovered regarding the seed-and-soil hypothesis in his paper written in the New England Journal of Medicine in October of 1975?" - ok the questions aren't that bad, but you get the idea. Might as well have been asked in a different language, I would in no universe know the answer off the top of my head to such obscure medical history or trivia). But all in all, I can't complain because no matter how the interaction occurs with the patients, I still love their stories, their presentations, their treatments, their prognosis, and most importantly, how they are handling life in general as a cancer survivor / someone battling against cancer.

It's that time of year when fourth year medical students are busy flying all around the country for interviews. I have several lined up, and I'm excited (and a bit nervous) to learn about different programs where I might end up working for the next 3 to 5 to 6 years.

I'm also keeping busy with enjoying life as much as I possibly can. I'm spending a lot of time with my fiance, my pup, my family, and my friends. I have a "fourth year bucket list" which I am happily completing. I'm also working towards competing in my first half marathon, tentatively scheduled for January 6th in the north of England. Also busy with wedding plans and other crazy things. Life is so busy when you are doing more than just "work".

I am so incredibly lucky to be where I am, doing what I love, with my soul-mate by my side. Life is incredible.

There's a saying which has been stuck in my head lately, which I think clearly summarizes how I feel at this point in medical school. Looking back to the beginning, to the early days, when I thought I would never see the end of medical school come, to now, having all of my exams finished and merely awaiting graduation day to get my MD. "At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable." 

Please send positive thoughts my way for my interview this week - I'll be interviewing with a program which I will likely rank in my top 2 choices. And I'll do better to keep you all updated. :)