Why are you really into medicine?

[smuwillobrien]

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I ask myself this question every single day. I'm still only a freshman, but sometimes it just seems like this dream of being a doctor is just that; a dream. I work hard, I get little sleep, and I've got a crumbling five year relationship. I think I've sacrificed a lot to keep things together this first year (I've been busy with biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, and english). My girlfriend sees it as me ignoring her, and I'm not sure what to do; do I worry about a career, or do I worry about my girlfriend?

Anyways, back to my original question why medicine? I know that I don't want to end up like my sister moving from job to job having no sense of security. I know that I want to make a good living, and I know I want to be compensated well. I was watching Trauma in the ER last night and I got that sudden little flick of "this is why I want to do this": There was this 50 year old guy who had been in a car accident. His two arms and leg had to be amputated. They were literally holding on by a thread of skin, and they were so mangled. It's the first time I ever felt sick. I saw the skin torn and sickly wounded; it looked like this guy had got stuck in a meat grinder. However, it amazed me the way the doctors handled it. They were all panicky and scared, but they held it together and did what they had to do to save him. Then, they went and spoke with his family. It's such an intimate process (being a doctor), and I think it's so amazing to have that kind of ability.

I don't know what the point of this message was. A hybrid vent and rant. I'm interested to hear all of your opinions on why medicine.

 

[Fermata]

Kid Rock regarding the enterainment industry:

"The music? Of course, we all love the music. But why are you realllllly here?

The money."

Seriously, though. Medicine is a pretty cool profession however you dice it. It's a lot better than a job pushing paper everyday.

 

[smuwillobrien]

That's how I feel too. Last summer I worked a menial job at a grocery store. It was the most degrading experience of my life, but it was what I needed to get my stuff together. There is no way I want to spend the rest of my life mopping floors, getting no respect, and barely making minimum wage. I feel bad for everyone who has to do that, but I don't want it to be me.