THE MOMENT

[RL@UT]

---

Members do not see this ad.

There are many individual reasons for going to medical school: Wanting to save lives, loving science and family traditions are just a few of the touchstones we claim as our motivations for beginning and sustaining this journey. What was it that finally convinced you to go for it? I'm looking beyond academic prowess and aspirations to a personal WOLTENSCHAUNG (sp?) as motivators: Did you experience something or meet someone or read something that convinced you? For me, the most inluential factors affecting my choice of professional life goals include reading the works of Lewis Thomas, the bravery and dignity of a former (deceased) patient whom I met in the hospital and the desire to have answers to questions about saving lives and improving the quality of it. Let's hear from you!!!

 

[Trek]

Money. Power. Respect (the key to life). --Trek

 

[NineSixteen]

Hmmm...too deep for me today, no thoughts. Just wanted to post to tell Trek how much I enjoy the quote, so dumb it's actually hilarious! Gave me a hearty chuckle-o-the-day. Thanks, Trek!

 

[oldman]

i was contemplating suicide, but was saved by my classmates.

 

[Papa Smurf]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Trek:
•Money. Power. Respect (the key to life). --Trek•••••I believe my man 2pac once said, "All I want is money; F!ck the fame. I'm a simple man." 😛 :wink:

 

[Wahoo]

• •••quote:•••This is one of the most offensive, insensitive, and ignorant comments I have ever seen! Suicide is nothing to joke about, so please, before you do it again, go into a corner and f- yourself.

Joe•••••How do you know he was joking??? From what I could tell, your comment is the offensive and (horribly) insensitive one.

 

[megkudos]

I second Wahoo's comment.

You have absolutely no reason to assume that oldman was kidding. You are the one being insensitive eagle.

 

[eagle26]

Oldman, I apologize to you since I made a gross assumption about the intent of your comment without asking...but to the others, don't jump on me if you don't know either!!!!!!!!

Joe

 

[analu]

I've worked the past several years as a nurse's aide in a clinic and have had wonderful experiences helping people. The appreciation patients show you when helping them through life-and-death situations is remarkably fulfilling (we worked with cancer patients).

However, what really "drove it home" for me was when my daughter needed surgery for a life-threatening ailment. Everything went perfectly, and I was filled with such a profound sense of gratitude for those health professionals who saved her life. I then realized that the cancer patients shared that same sense of appreciation with us in our clinic every day. Medicine affords one the ability to make a positive impact on people's lives, like my own, my daughter's, our cancer patients...

A career in medicine is how I choose to give back.

 

[oldman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by eagle26:
•Oldman, I apologize to you since I made a gross assumption about the intent of your comment without asking...but to the others, don't jump on me if you don't know either!!!!!!!!

Joe•••••that's ok. i didn't read your post until someone told me about it.

i actually did want to kill myself. i had access to guns and tried putting one to my forehead before. it was during a confusing time in my life, perhaps there were too many hormones running through my teenage body. some of my classmates noticed i wasn't doing so well and i ended up having one of those...i forget the term, but my teachers and parents all tried to help me figure out what was wrong with my life. because of those caring people i realized i had so much to live for. i feel stupid now for having even thought of giving up this wonderful gift i have. ever since then i have dedicated my life to giving others the same gift. the gift of a second chance.

i had my first test of this about a month ago when young athlete was critically injured during my emt shift. unfortunately, i could not do for him what others have done for me. his injuries were too severe.

 

[oldman]

that feeling of giving back is like no other. even my simple job (i am a full-time phlebotomist and volunteer EMT) of drawing blood can get appreciation from patients especially when i do a good job (95.52% blood/stick ratio and 1808 draws since august!)

•••quote:•••Originally posted by analu:
•I've worked the past several years as a nurse's aide in a clinic and have had wonderful experiences helping people. The appreciation patients show you when helping them through life-and-death situations is remarkably fulfilling (we worked with cancer patients).

However, what really "drove it home" for me was when my daughter needed surgery for a life-threatening ailment. Everything went perfectly, and I was filled with such a profound sense of gratitude for those health professionals who saved her life. I then realized that the cancer patients shared that same sense of appreciation with us in our clinic every day. Medicine affords one the ability to make a positive impact on people's lives, like my own, my daughter's, our cancer patients...

A career in medicine is how I choose to give back.•••••

 

[Hallm_7]

oldman,
That's a really good batting average for drawing blood. I wish you would come and draw my blood when I'm donating. Last two times the nurses have butchered my arm with all the attempts to draw blood. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[oldman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Hallm_7:
•oldman,
That's a really good batting average for drawing blood. I wish you would come and draw my blood when I'm donating. Last two times the nurses have butchered my arm with all the attempts to draw blood. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> •••••ouch. how many pokes?
what kind of needles did they use?
straight/butterfly?

 

[Hallm_7]

I have no idea what kinda needle or anything, not that educated yet. They probably poked me 3 or 4 times and then decided to dig a little deeper and twist some to find the vein. 😡 Had a nice bruise for the next week or so.

 

[oldman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Hallm_7:
•I have no idea what kinda needle or anything, not that educated yet. They probably poked me 3 or 4 times and then decided to dig a little deeper and twist some to find the vein. 😡 Had a nice bruise for the next week or so.•••••yeah, sometimes i leave bruises, especially for patients on coumadin.

but if i missed 2x on a patient, i'll stop. i feel like i have lost my right to continue to torture the patient.

 

[oldman]

I wrote about some of my feelings on the calling of medicine a month ago. I was writing it while I was going through the grieving process. It probably sounds very emotional.

if you want to read the whole thread: <a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008996" target="_blank">original thread</a>

"...for those who have gotten in to places and might be stuck up about it. I'm not saying people aren't grateful. But the important thing is to realize what you are doing. You are going to be a medical doctor. Someday you might see a patient come in and YOU are the one who will, must make the difference. You will either save the person's life or you will watch the person slip away. Medical school is not all fun and games. It is giving your life to a calling. You are giving of your total mind, body, soul. You sacrifice everything you've got, even a bit of your humanity, to save these people. If you are not ready to face the situation, than give your slot in medical school to someone who is ready."