N
NAVY DDS 2010
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
The first thing I want to say is NEVER GIVE UP.
Some of you who have been on this site for years know some or all of my story. About 17 1/2 years ago, my heart was set on being a surgeon. I had the opportunity to slip into ERs observing many surgeries while in undergrad. I was hooked. That is what I wanted to do. But, I didn't forsee one thing. I fell in love with a gal with twins. To make a long story short, family life became more important to me. So, after submitting my med school applications, I withdrew them and quickly took the DAT and applied to dental schools without knowing anything about dentistry other than what I saw when I was at the dentist for treatment.
I knew I wanted to be in a profession treating people. At that time I didn't care what it was just as long as I had a family life. That is where my downfall began. I was fortunate to get accepted to all schools in which I applied. I decided to accept San Antonio (Dec 1995), which at the time even though the ranking systems had stopped a couple years prior, was considered one of the best schools to attend. Started in Fall of 1996. This was 2100 miles away from my home where I had never left. My fiance and I broke up shortly before our wedding. I ended up going to San Antonio a broken hearted young man who had never been alone going into a profession he knew nothing about. I was lonely and had no passion for dentistry. I ended up dropping out of d-school in my 2nd year after realizing I was more interested in going to the riverwalk and partying than going to class and learning. C=DDS had become my motto. I knew I wasn't doing anyone good being there.
I began trashing dentistry because it was easier to admit dentistry sucked than to admit I had made 2 mistakes - breaking up with my fiance and going into dentistry without knowing anything about it. I decided to join the Navy. I ended up becoming friends with several of the dentists I was stationed with. They started harassing me. They wanted me to give dentistry a chance especially since they knew I didn't really know anything about. I began to observe them when I could. After having a clear head, I actually starting thinking positively about dentistry. It began to spark my interest. So, I decided to give it another try. After my committment was up, I got off active duty and moved back to San Antonio to set up residency there. I was fortunate enough to meet up with the director of the Air Force dental residencies who asked me if I would like to help out in the residency programs so I could learn more about dentistry. I agreed to do it and ended up volunteering there for 1 year full time for no money. It was the best thing I did for my career. Everyone there helped me get excited about dentistry. As I began to become more and more interested in dentistry, I began to feel like a kid in a candy store. I could see the goodies, but I couldn't touch. That was when I knew I wanted to be a dentist.
I applied to d-schools again. Luckily for me, the schools I applied to didn't look at the previous withdrawal from d-school as a negative thing. Again, I had my choice of where to go. I chose Houston in Dec 2005 and started fall of 2006. First year went OK. First semester was a struggle since I hadn't had any formal college courses since I withdrew from d-school previously in 1997. I figured out my study pattern and did much better in the spring. That is where the easy life stopped for me.
During the summer of 2007, I began to experience tremors which started affecting my hands. In August 2007 (2nd year of d-school) - my good friend whom I sat with daily was murdered (which 9 to 10 months ago I found out was partially because her husband thought she was cheating on him with me). By September, my tremors had spead to my legs all the time and were uncontrollable. By OCT 15th, I could no longer keep up with coursework and studying was almost impossible (try concentrating on reading just this post while moving your head back and forth rapidly.) I withdrew on OCT 16, 2007 to receive treatment. That same day, my wife and I found out my mother-in-law was found dead in her home which after putting info together we narrowed he death to an 8 hour window 15 days prior (she was very reclusive.) I am sure you can imagine the horrible scene at the house. After most of her body was removed, I had to deal with the house along with cleaning up the rest of her body. That was before I knew there was bihazard teams available to do it for me. By JAN 2008, I could barely walk due to the tremors. Fortunely, with treatment, my tremors were able to be controlled and 3 days prior to the dealine the school gave me, I was cleared to go back to school.
I started 2nd year over again in AUG 2008. In SEP 2008, Hurricaine Ike hit Houston. My house was severely damaged - $85,000. I had to live in an apartment for 14 months while dealing with contractors and getting it fixed.
The day I took NBDE part I, we found out we were expecting a child. Three days later, we found out it was twins. In MAR 2010, they were born. One of my children had a severe cardiac arrthymia which at 1 1/2 weeks of age made us have to transport her to the ER at 2 am while I did rescue breaths due to her aginal respirations. 1 1/2 weeks later, my wife came down with a cardiac problem. I could not concentrate on school at that time. It was almost the end of the 3rd year at this point (APR 2010). The school told me to take time off and start 3rd year over in AUG when things got better for us.
I started school again AUG 2010. Life issues still occurred, but not enough to affect my schooling while I repeated 3rd year again. 4th year started off with a bang (AUG 2011). My wife had a miscarriage on the first day of 4th year. We were devistated. She got pregnant again right away and had another miscarriage at 5 weeks. We got pregnant again right away. Fortunately, this time, we had a child as a result of this pregnancy. But, the pregnancy was horrible. She was hospitalized 12 times. I had to be the sole caretaker for the kid, plus take care of her. I was not able to concentrate on getting things done at school. I wasn't able to finish my essential experiences (requirements) as most everybody else. Finally, my son was born in Jul 2012. No longer did I have to worry about my wife being hosptialized (or so I thought). Fortunately, my mother is retired and was able to come down and help out. My wife ended up being hospitalized a couple more times and had to have a couple surgeries (with another scheduled this Friday). Severe life issues have still plagued us.
Luckily, I have finally finished my requirements and am a dentist as of DEC 2012. 16 1/2 years after I started d-school and 6 1/2 years after starting d-school this time through, I am a dentist. The whole point of me telling all of you this story is that no matter how hard you think life is at any given moment, NEVER GIVE UP! If you really want to pursue something and you have a passion for it, then never give up on your dream. I fought so many thoughts that I was a failure. I almost gave up many times. But, I knew I was meant to be a dentist this time through. I am so glad I never gave up. No matter how diffult a procedure, how difficult a patient is, how bad my day is, I do not regret my decision to stick with this career. Now, I am a dentist and very proud that I made it this far. Hopefully, if you find yourself in a difficult situation, the ending of your story will turn out like mine!
Please NEVER GIVE UP!
Some of you who have been on this site for years know some or all of my story. About 17 1/2 years ago, my heart was set on being a surgeon. I had the opportunity to slip into ERs observing many surgeries while in undergrad. I was hooked. That is what I wanted to do. But, I didn't forsee one thing. I fell in love with a gal with twins. To make a long story short, family life became more important to me. So, after submitting my med school applications, I withdrew them and quickly took the DAT and applied to dental schools without knowing anything about dentistry other than what I saw when I was at the dentist for treatment.
I knew I wanted to be in a profession treating people. At that time I didn't care what it was just as long as I had a family life. That is where my downfall began. I was fortunate to get accepted to all schools in which I applied. I decided to accept San Antonio (Dec 1995), which at the time even though the ranking systems had stopped a couple years prior, was considered one of the best schools to attend. Started in Fall of 1996. This was 2100 miles away from my home where I had never left. My fiance and I broke up shortly before our wedding. I ended up going to San Antonio a broken hearted young man who had never been alone going into a profession he knew nothing about. I was lonely and had no passion for dentistry. I ended up dropping out of d-school in my 2nd year after realizing I was more interested in going to the riverwalk and partying than going to class and learning. C=DDS had become my motto. I knew I wasn't doing anyone good being there.
I began trashing dentistry because it was easier to admit dentistry sucked than to admit I had made 2 mistakes - breaking up with my fiance and going into dentistry without knowing anything about it. I decided to join the Navy. I ended up becoming friends with several of the dentists I was stationed with. They started harassing me. They wanted me to give dentistry a chance especially since they knew I didn't really know anything about. I began to observe them when I could. After having a clear head, I actually starting thinking positively about dentistry. It began to spark my interest. So, I decided to give it another try. After my committment was up, I got off active duty and moved back to San Antonio to set up residency there. I was fortunate enough to meet up with the director of the Air Force dental residencies who asked me if I would like to help out in the residency programs so I could learn more about dentistry. I agreed to do it and ended up volunteering there for 1 year full time for no money. It was the best thing I did for my career. Everyone there helped me get excited about dentistry. As I began to become more and more interested in dentistry, I began to feel like a kid in a candy store. I could see the goodies, but I couldn't touch. That was when I knew I wanted to be a dentist.
I applied to d-schools again. Luckily for me, the schools I applied to didn't look at the previous withdrawal from d-school as a negative thing. Again, I had my choice of where to go. I chose Houston in Dec 2005 and started fall of 2006. First year went OK. First semester was a struggle since I hadn't had any formal college courses since I withdrew from d-school previously in 1997. I figured out my study pattern and did much better in the spring. That is where the easy life stopped for me.
During the summer of 2007, I began to experience tremors which started affecting my hands. In August 2007 (2nd year of d-school) - my good friend whom I sat with daily was murdered (which 9 to 10 months ago I found out was partially because her husband thought she was cheating on him with me). By September, my tremors had spead to my legs all the time and were uncontrollable. By OCT 15th, I could no longer keep up with coursework and studying was almost impossible (try concentrating on reading just this post while moving your head back and forth rapidly.) I withdrew on OCT 16, 2007 to receive treatment. That same day, my wife and I found out my mother-in-law was found dead in her home which after putting info together we narrowed he death to an 8 hour window 15 days prior (she was very reclusive.) I am sure you can imagine the horrible scene at the house. After most of her body was removed, I had to deal with the house along with cleaning up the rest of her body. That was before I knew there was bihazard teams available to do it for me. By JAN 2008, I could barely walk due to the tremors. Fortunely, with treatment, my tremors were able to be controlled and 3 days prior to the dealine the school gave me, I was cleared to go back to school.
I started 2nd year over again in AUG 2008. In SEP 2008, Hurricaine Ike hit Houston. My house was severely damaged - $85,000. I had to live in an apartment for 14 months while dealing with contractors and getting it fixed.
The day I took NBDE part I, we found out we were expecting a child. Three days later, we found out it was twins. In MAR 2010, they were born. One of my children had a severe cardiac arrthymia which at 1 1/2 weeks of age made us have to transport her to the ER at 2 am while I did rescue breaths due to her aginal respirations. 1 1/2 weeks later, my wife came down with a cardiac problem. I could not concentrate on school at that time. It was almost the end of the 3rd year at this point (APR 2010). The school told me to take time off and start 3rd year over in AUG when things got better for us.
I started school again AUG 2010. Life issues still occurred, but not enough to affect my schooling while I repeated 3rd year again. 4th year started off with a bang (AUG 2011). My wife had a miscarriage on the first day of 4th year. We were devistated. She got pregnant again right away and had another miscarriage at 5 weeks. We got pregnant again right away. Fortunately, this time, we had a child as a result of this pregnancy. But, the pregnancy was horrible. She was hospitalized 12 times. I had to be the sole caretaker for the kid, plus take care of her. I was not able to concentrate on getting things done at school. I wasn't able to finish my essential experiences (requirements) as most everybody else. Finally, my son was born in Jul 2012. No longer did I have to worry about my wife being hosptialized (or so I thought). Fortunately, my mother is retired and was able to come down and help out. My wife ended up being hospitalized a couple more times and had to have a couple surgeries (with another scheduled this Friday). Severe life issues have still plagued us.
Luckily, I have finally finished my requirements and am a dentist as of DEC 2012. 16 1/2 years after I started d-school and 6 1/2 years after starting d-school this time through, I am a dentist. The whole point of me telling all of you this story is that no matter how hard you think life is at any given moment, NEVER GIVE UP! If you really want to pursue something and you have a passion for it, then never give up on your dream. I fought so many thoughts that I was a failure. I almost gave up many times. But, I knew I was meant to be a dentist this time through. I am so glad I never gave up. No matter how diffult a procedure, how difficult a patient is, how bad my day is, I do not regret my decision to stick with this career. Now, I am a dentist and very proud that I made it this far. Hopefully, if you find yourself in a difficult situation, the ending of your story will turn out like mine!
Please NEVER GIVE UP!
Last edited by a moderator:
