redbeans

It took my mom moving across an ocean, with scheduled emails since my phone couldn’t call her, but I’m starting to realize my parents are the only people I can really tell anything to. They can’t drop me like friends (or boyfriends) and maybe they do have some good advice every now and then. And I’m starting to be ok with turning out like them.

Family Medicine – no. I would hate being an expert at nothing, attempting to cover everything. Way too much maintenance and preventative care, however important, does not interest me.

ENT – earwax. too much clinic, not enough OR. and surgeries of the face have been the only thing that really makes me squeamish (i.e. rhinoplasty). sadly not for me.

Orthopedics. measuring angles and calculating loads? so there’s the too much physics/carpentry aspect. but also they really are jocks, dropping everything to treat athletes like they’re more important than the rest of the world, and “getting big” themselves. but mostly bones don’t interest me, even in trauma.

Neurosurgery – I like brain pathology, but can’t handle the depressing neuro-devestation in the NICU. and spine surgery is way too long and boring.

Internal Medicine – surprisingly more tolerable rounds than pediatrics was, though maybe I know more at this point. However, I don’t get the same thrill from medical management that I did in the OR. And I still don’t like clinic or the bread and butter checkups. And none of the subspecialties really has me excited. NOT CARDS. ugh.

I didn’t get to see much GI, and definitely would not do nephrology, but honestly I’d decided on surgery as I was starting this rotation. I’m more concrete, less cerebral (I know that’s the stereotype). And I do get excited about going to the OR, about abdominal procedures, even I&D’s, because I’m actually doing something and get immediate satisfaction.

General Surgery!

I loved Pediatric Surgery, but several of the other fellowships after general are appealing, so I think 5 years will be enough time to redefine my career further.

Now, I’ve just got to get into residency….

working in the county hospital is certainly helping… or at least I can ask about dolor