Ever since childhood, I realized how fortunate I was in life, and I knew that whatever career I chose, I wanted to do what I could to "give back" to a world that offered me so much. At first, I thought I would accomplish this through writing, my real (only? 🙂 ) talent; but I wasn't at all PASSIONATE about writing. In addition, it didn't offer me the intellectual challenges that I constantly sought. Still, stumped as to what else I could do, I settled for that goal for years.
During my senior year of high school, my father, who has suffered from kidney disease (focal glomerulosclerosis) since before I was born, suffered a heart attack and underwent triple bypass surgery. I'd seen my dad in horrible states before - hooked up to dialysis, recovering from his kidney transplant, wincing in pain from his gout...but that time in the hospital, before his bypass, for the first time in my life I was truly frightened that he wouldn't come home to us. I'd never seen him so pale before.
Four years later, he's doing beautifully; back at work teaching students, even running on the treadmill every morning. When I first realized the gift his physicians had granted us, I knew that THIS was my niche. I was taking AP Chemistry and AP Bio at the time, and had fallen in love with the sciences...I realized that, as a field, medicine offered the perfect blend of science and humanity, coupled with the ability to enhance the lives of others. The challenges, the problem-solving...returning a father to his family....
Honestly, I can't imagine a more exciting career path!
