Hello everyone, I'm currently a MS3. Due to extenuating circumstances, shortly after the end of my second year, my dad was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer; a few months prior, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor was experiencing severe neurological effects. As a result, I took a year and a half off from school to care for them and also to manage several aspects of the household (financial, helping look after my much younger sibling, etc.).
I recently came back to my 3rd year. However, just a few weeks in, my dad's sickness took a severe turn and he decided to end his life. The aftermath that followed has been nothing short of indescribably devastating for our entire family. With the added weight that is MS3, I find myself suffering daily from severe depression / multiple panic attacks daily and my insomnia has reached a level where I stay up for days at a time. I'm also afraid - I don't want to end up like my dad. I know I desperately need help, but I feel as if I'm stuck in my position, unable to leave school. But at the same time, I know that I need to take time off - both for my own well-being and for my family's - before things become worse past the point of no return.
I am aware that this will hurt my application for residency, but I was wondering how badly this would affect it and would love to hear any of your thoughts/advice on the matter. I go to a medical school that is supposedly ranked in the top 4, although I'm not sure if this helps clarify anything or not?
A huge thank you to everybody!
I recently came back to my 3rd year. However, just a few weeks in, my dad's sickness took a severe turn and he decided to end his life. The aftermath that followed has been nothing short of indescribably devastating for our entire family. With the added weight that is MS3, I find myself suffering daily from severe depression / multiple panic attacks daily and my insomnia has reached a level where I stay up for days at a time. I'm also afraid - I don't want to end up like my dad. I know I desperately need help, but I feel as if I'm stuck in my position, unable to leave school. But at the same time, I know that I need to take time off - both for my own well-being and for my family's - before things become worse past the point of no return.
I am aware that this will hurt my application for residency, but I was wondering how badly this would affect it and would love to hear any of your thoughts/advice on the matter. I go to a medical school that is supposedly ranked in the top 4, although I'm not sure if this helps clarify anything or not?
A huge thank you to everybody!
