I've created a monster!

[FiremedicMike]

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Haven't been posting for awhile, because I gave up on this idea for a third time. Essentially, I took winter quarter off to coach Upward basketball for my daughters, then I took spring quarter off for the girls softball/soccer, and somewhere during that period of time I realized that I liked spending time with my family and it was selfish for me to continue to pursue this pathway.

The problem now is twofold;

1. Everywhere I turn I see reminders of why I want to go to medical school. Two quick examples are the part time job I picked up with a pretty highly regarded critical care helicopter/MICU transportation company, and I am constantly around brilliant minds, nurses, physicians, medics who have forgotten more than I know. Another example is the fact that OUCOM purchased land to build their new satellite campus 10 minutes from my house and I see the building every day when I drive to work.

2. My wife is insistent that it's what I really want, and continues to push me to go with this plan. She assures me we can make it work and I think deep down she really hates the idea that I would sacrifice this dream for our family (odd, I know). After having fully explained my desire to spend more time with the family and to pursue some of our material desires now that we are financially able, she is still trying to nudge me. She has recently registered for some classes to bridge her LPN to RN and said to me a few days ago "so, what classes are you going to take next quarter?".

I'm not really posting this for anything other than to get it off my chest, it is fresh on my mind because upon arriving home from the firehouse this morning I find the Kaplan MCAT practice test book, Barron's MCAT study guide, "Getting Into Medical School" by Sanford Brown, and AAMC 2012-2013 Med School Admission Guide, all of which she picked up from the library yesterday.

Thanks for reading my silly rant, have a great day non-trads!

 

[FiremedicMike]

Yes, I have considered RN, PA, CRNA, and NP, and I just don't think I would ultimately be satisfied and constantly desire more.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Mike, come on... How many threads have you read about people making med school work with families??? How many times do we have to beat this into your head that IF YOU WANT TO BE A DOCTOR AND YOUR FAMILY SUPPORTS YOU F'ING DO IT ALREADY!!!!

Ok... stop wasting time and get to it...

 

[wholeheartedly]

Mike, come on... How many threads have you read about people making med school work with families??? How many times do we have to beat this into your head that IF YOU WANT TO BE A DOCTOR AND YOUR FAMILY SUPPORTS YOU F'ING DO IT ALREADY!!!!

..

yeah.... ditto that.



normally I'd say if you can be happy without it, maybe don't do it. but would YOU really be happy?

my greatest fear is putting it off again, then 5-10 years down the road deciding that no, I still really really want to do it like I always have, except I'll be like 40 then wanting to start medical school....then I'll really be kicking myself, especially since I could have been done by then....

 

[iHawk]

Yup I agree with the posts above. I'm 29 and deciding to go to med school was a tough choice for me too but I decided I wouldn't be happy unless I did. I'm only going to live once (as far as I know) and I'm not letting any more dreams slip away from me. OUCOM huh? OU as in Oklahoma University? I'm in OK as well.

You have motivation and everyone deserves a shot at their dream so get to it.

 

[dmf2682]

Yup I agree with the posts above. I'm 29 and deciding to go to med school was a tough choice for me too but I decided I wouldn't be happy unless I did. I'm only going to live once (as far as I know) and I'm not letting any more dreams slip away from me. OUCOM huh? OU as in Oklahoma University? I'm in OK as well.

You have motivation and everyone deserves a shot at their dream so get to it.

Or Ohio university. Do school in Athens?

 

[FiremedicMike]

Or Ohio university. Do school in Athens?

Ohio University, they're opening a branch campus, again, 10 minutes from my house 😛

Thanks for the encouragement all, it's kinda hard to keep ignoring what seems to be smacking me in the face.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Thanks for the encouragement all, it's kinda hard to keep ignoring what seems to be smacking me in the face.

I've done all kinds of things to dance around it, without actually doing it and it just doesn't work.

 

[Helen Wheels]

normally I'd say if you can be happy without it, maybe don't do it.

Having just finished my first year of med school, I would have to say that if you are happy with your life as it is, don't go to med school. It is a tremendous amount of work and will take most of your time and really limit the time you spend doing other things you enjoy. But if you understand this, and still feel you need to do it, then go for it.

 

[NightGod]

Which is better for your children in the long run? You being there everyday, all day and miserable about the dream you didn't pursue or them only getting to spend half of the time with you but seeing that it's possible to follow your dreams and still be a good parent? My kids are some of my biggest supporters in this process, wholly because they KNOW what it means to me and that the hours they lose with me today mean a future of seeing me happy and fulfilled in the future. Give your children a bit more credit man, they're smarter and more emotionally savvy than you think they are. Honestly, it sounds like you are using this as an excuse to avoid the terrifying step of jumping feet first into something difficult and more than a little bit scary. If you truly want to be there for your kids, show them that dreams can come true and that it's never too late to follow them-THAT'S the kind of lesson that every parent dreams of teaching their kids. In 20 years, they're going to be talking about "my dad who followed his dreams and is now a successful doctor" a lot more than "my dad who gave up his med school dreams so he could coach soccer".

 

[realmeaning]

Which is better for your children in the long run? You being there everyday, all day and miserable about the dream you didn't pursue or them only getting to spend half of the time with you but seeing that it's possible to follow your dreams and still be a good parent? My kids are some of my biggest supporters in this process, wholly because they KNOW what it means to me and that the hours they lose with me today mean a future of seeing me happy and fulfilled in the future. Give your children a bit more credit man, they're smarter and more emotionally savvy than you think they are. Honestly, it sounds like you are using this as an excuse to avoid the terrifying step of jumping feet first into something difficult and more than a little bit scary. If you truly want to be there for your kids, show them that dreams can come true and that it's never too late to follow them-THAT'S the kind of lesson that every parent dreams of teaching their kids. In 20 years, they're going to be talking about "my dad who followed his dreams and is now a successful doctor" a lot more than "my dad who gave up his med school dreams so he could coach soccer".

+1

OP, everything in your post screams med school. It's obvious you have your heart set on it.

Sometimes we ask advice when we already know the answer, but want the support to act on it.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Mike, aren't you the one who interviewed me for your English paper in Nov 2010?? Like the others said, enough already. Just do it and apply. You will only regret it if you don't try.

 

[Ashley1989]

Mike, I want to share that my cousin started medical school at 40 years old and he has an incredible family and beautiful kids. They're all really happy and love each other and the kids are firmly grounded. He had them fairly late, because he waited until mid third year of medical school to have his first, but had his second before he finished residency. 🙂 you can have both!

 

[realmeaning]

Also, going off what NightGod said, my dad left a consulting career at 35 to be a broke Ph.D student. He's now doing what he loves to do and he is constantly an inspiration to me, I am so proud of him.

Your kids will understand.

 

[FiremedicMike]

Mike, aren't you the one who interviewed me for your English paper in Nov 2010?? Like the others said, enough already. Just do it and apply. You will only regret it if you don't try.

A pivotal moment in my studies thus far, and I mean that truthfully.

The overall problem is how far I still need to go. I still have about 12 classes to get my bachelors then start the rest of my pre-reqs(math and English are done). The great thing is the critical care transport company I mentioned has a really active and involved medical director who has set up a research program through our company that is open to all and supported by him.

The cards are stacked in my favor, the nudges keep coming, you guys are right, I need to bear down and make this happen..

Thanks for the encouragement all.