Single Mom and Med School?

[reesie0726]

Are there any single moms who have made it into med school? Does anyone know any single mothers in medical school? I have a friend who is wondering if med school is really feasible while being a single mother. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Chadleez1]

I can tell you Dr. Laura would say you are awful and it shouldn't be done, because there was a somewhat similar call like this the other day on her show...but for the love of God, PLEASE don't let your friend call that woman for advice!

 

[locitamd]

Hey Reesie,
There was a recent post about a single mother who has just been accepted into medical school. Her post/success story was entitled, "You Can Do It!" and the link follows.

<a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009368" target="_blank">Single Mom Story</a>

Best of luck to your friend.

 

[reesie0726]

Thanks, locita. I will email that link to her. I was hoping that some people on sdn would be able to give her a little encouragement while she thinks about trying to go through the application process.

 

[vyc]

dr. laura is crazy.
i can't believe she's still on the air.

that said, i also can't believe that i grew up in a house previously owned by her! scary.

 

[Dr. Dad]

I am not a single mother , but I am a single father .

I sure hope single parent's can make it, because I am going to make it or die trying!!

 

[Dr. Dad]

oh yeah, and I agree that Dr Laura is crazy. I listened to her show a few months ago and she actually said that she cannot understand why the federal government does not outlaw halloween! I mean come on, it is so much fun to be a kid and dress up as your favorite character and go get candy. Why would anyone want to outlaw that??? Its not for adults, its for kids!

 

[double elle]

On a serious note....I have three single mom classmates!!! They are both doing fine, although it's hard for them during illness and such. One of the women has a 12 year old daughter and the other two have daughters who are about 3. I go to KCOM where we have an ungodly amount of contact hours...so if it's possible there...strictly speaking regarding time..it's possible anywhere. Now, as far as feeling guilty and all that...yes, they do. However, they know they are single and this is the best way to ensure a good future for their children, as well as themselves.

I hope this helps. If your friend wants more information, you can email me with her address and I will pass it along to the three women in my class. They would be more than happy to offer suggestions.

 

[Chadleez1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Dr. Dad:
•oh yeah, and I agree that Dr Laura is crazy. I listened to her show a few months ago and she actually said that she cannot understand why the federal government does not outlaw halloween! I mean come on, it is so much fun to be a kid and dress up as your favorite character and go get candy. Why would anyone want to outlaw that??? Its not for adults, its for kids!•••••What is really frightening to me is the people who call in to her, and ANY radio opinion show, and take what the host says and CHANGE THEIR LIFE with that information! I can't imagine making a major life decision based on what some radio freak says!

 

[katiep]

I'm not a med student yet, but here's my opinion. I'd say the biggest problem I'm facing is that I'm going to go to med school with a one year old and another one on the way in a few weeks. I really hope that I will be able to spend time with them. It's very important to me. I am already feeling guilty. Fortunately, I'm married, so I have a support structure in place. I hope your friend hase one too (parents, grandparents, for example), because I predict it's going to be difficult to give them the attention they'll need or she'll want to give them and study as well as possible and meet all obligations. But then again, my mother did it with me, and I turned out alright...some say.

So my advice is, she should make sure she has the support in place to feel that her children are well-provided for while she cannot be there, or else I think she will always feel torn that she cannot spent sufficient time with both. If she's studying, she'll feel guilty for not being with her kids, and vice versa.

 

[LaCirujana]

There's a woman in the class behind me who started med school married, with an 18-month old son. Less than a month into school, her (a**hole) husband disappeared, filed for divorce a couple of months later, and left her to struggle her way through (her family lives in another state). She's an M3 now and has somehow managed, (lots of classmate support, FABULOUS dean's office at our school), despite everything--so yes, even under the worst of circumstances, single moms can do it!!!

 

[Dr. Dad]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by surg2002:
•even under the worst of circumstances, single moms can do it!!!•••••Hey what about us single dads...we always get left out in the cold !

 

[Drako]

Tell your friend to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, if that IS her dream. If she matriculate at my school while I am still there, she will get my help with whatever she needs.

I am certain that her classmate will help her when she needs it. Isn't helping people the main reason we all want to be doctor? Might as well start with your classmate.

 

[Cerberus]

I can't stand that fruitcake Dr. Laura. Here is an open letter i found funny:

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice to
people who call in toher radio show. Recently, she said that, as
anobservant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to
Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident,
which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I
have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge
with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual
lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly
states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other
specific laws and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They
claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in
Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price
for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her
period of menstrual cleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is, how do I
tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend
of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you
clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2
clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill
him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I
don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have
a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my
vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.
19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me
unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two
different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments
made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also
tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to
all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? -
Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family
affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws?
(Lev.20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and
unchanging. Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

 

[Jamier2]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by double elle:
•I have three single mom classmates!!! They are both doing fine.•••••Both of those three are doing fine? :wink:

 

[double elle]

Jaimer2
..haha...I saw that after I posted it..At first, I was only thinking of the two with the little children, then I remembered the lady with the 12 year old daughter. I was too lazy to go back and change it!!! Usually, I don't never make mistakes like that when I'm righting. Seriously, my punctuation is almost perfect; as is my grammer; no matters what I'm a righting. How ever, thank you for pointing this out to me. I appreschiate it as there are always rooms for improvement! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[Kimya]

Hi,

It is possible to do it. The question is can you do it the way you want to. It's important to think ahead to residency, too, as this usually requires both relocation and a lot of stress and hours worked on the mom's part. I think this depends a lot on the mom's personality and support system. Some moms are OK with it- some aren't. It's good to give it careful thought beforehand because you can get "locked in" to a certain path due to the time spent in school and debt.

There's a good website that you might want to direct your friend to- it's called mommd.com, and is for mothers in medicine.

Good luck.

 

[Sarena]

Anything is possible if you want it bad enough. I am a 39 year old divorced mother of 5 children, and I have been accepted to Penn State and Pitt. I'm awaiting decision by Yale (my 1st choice of course).

While it can be done, it is not easy. I have had to make a special effort to make sure my children do not feel left out in this process. For example, I take them out individually on a "date with mom." They get to choose dinner, movie, shopping, etc,. We have a great time and it affords me the opportuniy to keep up with what is going on in their lives.

Tell your friend to keep striving for her goal. Don't let anyone (including Dr. Laura) convince you to give up. You will always look back and wonder "What if.."

 

[EUROdocMOM]

I am also a mom (not single, but) going to med school this August, and of course you can do anything you set your mind to, HOWEVER...
Once you have kids your decisions are based on more than just what you WANT to do. You have to think about what is best for your family.
I am faced with this right now and it really does throw additional factors into your decisions.
Personally, and please don't everyone go crazy... Katiep:I would wait until your child is a little older. Med school will be there in a few years, but your baby will only be this age once.
It was tough for me to wait, but now I'm going in with no guilt and less stress.
I also only applied to schools near family, so when school holidays, illnesses, and the like come up I have back up!!
Just my opinion and good luck with your decision!