Interesting stories?

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Any interesting stories out there on why you chose Podiatry?
Or just a simple story!

 

[SLCpod]

Any interesting stories out there on why you chose Podiatry?
Or just a simple story!

I just happen to love helping kids.

 

[BTR1208]

I just happen to love helping kids.

Really?? Me too!! haha

Classic.

 

[Shinobiz11]

^^Classic pre-pods... 🙄 I'm in it for the ladies, everyone knows the way to a woman's heart is thru her kids...feet 😀

This is basically my PS I plan to write....I find it interesting at least.

I was originally pre-med as I went into college. I never really looked at any anything else. I had PA or PT as a backup plan but wasn't sure on either. My dream was to get into the UMich med school lol. My first full semester was superb, for a freshman nonetheless. I actually won a prestigious award....not to brag. My second full semester was okay, but I was starting to go downhill; mainly due to laziness and distractions. I pretty much lost my interest in medicine and wanted to get out of school ASAP so I could get married, have fun, etc.

I was still rolling like a 3.8 at the beginning of my sophomore year, but my laziness once again led me astray. I completely understood the information from my classes, but was just too lazy to actually study. Everyone at my school complains about cell bio(huge weeder course), but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Scraped by with a B- in that class, rest of the semester was ok. The next semester I took genetics and ecology at the same time and for the first half of the semester I was doing poorly; once again the laziness. I just had no motivation. No career ambition anymore. I thought I could just get my Bachelors and work in a molecular lab for the rest of my life. I didn't want to spend another 6 years in school, plus residency. I guess I still enjoyed the aspects of medicine, but my inner struggle to actually perform haltered me.

Spring break came and I went to Chicago to visit some friends. I know a lot of people there and basically just stay in there basements, going house to house. The majority of them happen to be doctors, or very successful individuals. I thought to myself, wouldn't it be awesome to be a rich doctor and have your friends come over and all that. I was never into medicine for the money, but it just seemed so illustrious. I talked to a few of them and they basically told me, the time you spend in school is well worth it, no matter what you do. You don't have to be a doctor, do what you like, but in the long run, laziness will get you nowhere. They all had worked very hard to get to that point in their lives and still work very hard to this day. I looked at the opposite spectrum of people in my life; primarily my brothers and sisters, most of whom are not successful at all and have to scrape by. I knew I couldn't have a life like that, and couldn't subject my future family to that life. I basically stopped thinking about myself, and started thinking beyond the current moment. This instance brought a new breath into my lungs and gave me motivation again.

Came back from my trip and did a lot better in my classes. I probably would have a low C in those classes, but I ended up with B's. I was still questioning whether I wanted to be a doctor though. I came back to these forums for advice and really looked back into the career. Started volunteering at the hospital again and such, but I knew I had to get some first-hand experience. I looked to do some shadowing; and I swear I went to every medical office in my town and some in neighboring towns and asked if I could. A bunch of them took my contact info and still haven't called, the rest pretty much said no, and only one of them already had students so they couldn't fit me in. I started looking into other medical career options as well. Dentistry wasn't going to happen, nor PA (too many pre-reqs), optometry was a no. Then! I somehow by the grace of God stumbled upon podiatry. Checked out these forums, watched YouTube videos, went to the APMA website; it all just seemed so perfect for me. I have flat-feet and had seen a pod for a number of years which I always enjoyed. I guess I just never put 2 & 2 together, what a great career opportunity Also ,while this was happening I was doing molecular bench research with a prof (who I plan to ask for an LOR); and it was soooooooooooooo boring. I would have killed myself if I had to do that for the rest of my life lol.

So I guess this is the most interesting part of my story. As mentioned, I went to all of those doctor's offices (around 20-24) and none of them ever got back to me. I sent an email to the office admin to my local pod clinic, around 1 AM that night, and I swear (I do have pics 😀), the NEXT morning at 10AM, I received an email back, stating

Good Morning Mr. Shinobiz11
Thank you for your inquiry. We are excited to hear about your interest in
podiatry. I spoke with Dr. Badass about having you come in to shade him and he
would be happy to have you here in the office.

Shadowed my local pod, awesome guy, had a great time. Observed some surgeries with him; LOVED it. Podiatry just seems like the best career for myself. Also shadowed another local pod, he is an awesome guy; hooked me up with the pod residents at the local hospital. Doing well in my classes now, extremely motivated, and can't wait to back in the clinic/OR after this semester is over. 🙂

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Good Morning Mr. Shinobiz11
Thank you for your inquiry. We are excited to hear about your interest in
podiatry. I spoke with Dr. Badass about having you come in to shade him and he
would be happy to have you here in the office.

So basically you just walked around with an umbrella over him all day? I wouldn't mind pre-pods doing that to me if I ever had to work outside...

 

[CATSandKILOS]

I am a retired Division 1 athlete who experienced many lower leg injuries during my athletic career. My biggest issue was with shin splints and stress fractures. I noticed when I changed my running shoes and/or orthotics, it would either subdue or agitate my injury. This kinda sparked my interest in the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot.

My major is Kinesiology, and we spend a lot of time studying biomechanics, the gait cycle, and diabetes. I am very interested in working with diabetic patients. My goal is to not only treat my patient, but to also help encourage the patient and their families to live a health lifestyle to prevent health disease. It is astonishing how many health diseases can be be prevented or delayed with regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Hmm, maybe I should get my MPH too?

Anyways, I had an internship in my school's Athletic Training Department and I assisted the Physicians and Athletic Trainers with all sorts of injuries. We learned the special tests to determine ankle sprains, how to tape the ankle, modalities, and a bunch more. It was an awesome time and I saw a plethora of foot and ankle complications. Some include: fractures, some nasty ankle sprains, infections, ingrown toe nails, sick blood blisters, turf toe, and bursitis.

I am currently shadowing a pod and absolutely love it! I am happy that I have found a branch of medicine that I am very passionate about. I am counting down the days to when I apply this August! Still need to take that MCAT though 😱

 

[Shinobiz11]

So basically you just walked around with an umbrella over him all day? I wouldn't mind pre-pods doing that to me if I ever had to work outside...

Hahaha, it was actually a palm leaf. I still got to see what he was doing!