For the past week I've been neglecting about everything not having to do with school, which is also why it's been so silent over here. The workload right now is just crazy. Papers to hand in, tests to prepare, and then some more important essays. Luckily it's weekend now, so I've allowed myself a day to catch up with everything outside of school and studying. Med school is approaching so quickly right now and it's worth the effort.
In a month I will hear the topic I need to prepare for a test which could get me university entry (if this sounds unfamiliar, it's probably because you live in another country, you're not missing out on some secret test). In two months I will take the test and my final exams. In three months I need to do... nothing. In three months I'm going to prom and have my graduation ceremony and I will hopefully hear about my admittance to med school and I'm going to enjoy three months of freedom.
Although most of the times I'm not thinking about anything but the very near future, it's been nice thinking about the summer break. I'm not the person to do nothing for three months (or for that matter, a week), so I will probably be working quite a bit. I am considering getting a job at a local hospital, besides my job at the nursing home. Decisions, decisions. Also, I've been looking into the possibilities of being an exchange student. That would be such a great experience. Al this semi-planning gives me energy. I think I will be needing it to survive the next three months.
By the way, I would like to welcome my new followers. I can't believe my blog has already received over a thousand pageviews! It's so energizing to know that anyone is interested in my (often not so) medical stories ;) If you have any questions, you can always contact me.
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Random Talk
I am currently sitting in between piles of homework, most of it not very useful. I came home on Thursday from a great vacation. It was a much-needed break, because the next three months will probably consist of a lot of stress and a lot of work. That's OK, though. In three and a half months, I will have finished my exams and all that will be left is waiting for the results. I don't consider planning to be one of my strong suits. Three months is just short enough to make me realize that I do need to start working and as a result, this is the most productive I have ever been.
Of course, I am never too busy to spend some (too much) time online. Lately, I've been loving this blog. A physician with a great sense of humor, the type of doctor we need more of. Another source of inspiration is this blog. I love reading about his random acts of kindness and I support his initiative. Also, I spent so much time online I decided to change my layout. I kind of like it!
A few days ago I talked about death and how it's currently affecting me. I got an interesting response:
"To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise: for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?" - Socrates
Good point. Still, I've not been able to get over this weird feeling - reading a lot about cancer has not helped this. The positive aspect is that it reminds me to enjoy life now.
Of course, I am never too busy to spend some (too much) time online. Lately, I've been loving this blog. A physician with a great sense of humor, the type of doctor we need more of. Another source of inspiration is this blog. I love reading about his random acts of kindness and I support his initiative. Also, I spent so much time online I decided to change my layout. I kind of like it!
A few days ago I talked about death and how it's currently affecting me. I got an interesting response:
"To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise: for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?" - Socrates
Good point. Still, I've not been able to get over this weird feeling - reading a lot about cancer has not helped this. The positive aspect is that it reminds me to enjoy life now.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Judgment
This week I noticed a lot of judgment. A few days ago, this article was published in an online university newspaper. I came across the article by coincidence, as neither I nor anyone I know has tattoos. It is an opinion column harshly judging any woman who would choose to tattoo her body. The argumentation behind the writer's opinion is rather weak. Basically, there is no argumentation. According to Khoury, a woman is supposed to have class, by going to the mall and getting her nails done and wearing high heels, and according to her, tattooed woman are classless by definition. That's a lot of judgment.
Not surprisingly, a lot of people were offended by this opinion column. What did surprise me was the large amount of hate mail sent to Khoury, calling her "Stupid Cow" or "Fat and ugly". A day after the original article, Khoury wrote a response called The Day I Met the Internet. After reading the response, I understood her. I still do not agree with what she said, but that could have been me, enthousiasticly writing an opinion piece without thinking it through. Which is why I'm happy to stay anonymous while blogging. Still, it's a reminder. Medicine is a sensitive topic and I need to be very careful in not sharing any sensitive information.
The second article about judgment is a little more medicine-related. It is a blog post from the perspective of a sick girl's mother. She has written before about doctor experiences, which were often negative in terms of attention and respect - those are supposed to be bullet points at any doctor's priority list. After reading some doctor blogs, she comes to a few conclusions. Most of them have to do with judgment. It sounds all too familiar. I judge people too. I sometimes catch myself judging classmates and now that I think of it, I judge patients, too. I judge the patient who complains of bloating but always asks for a third portion during dinner. I judge the patient who pities herself and does nothing to make her life better. I guess it's human, and I try to hide any preconceptions. But still.
Do you recognize being judgmental? Do you think it harms anyone and if not, why not?
Not surprisingly, a lot of people were offended by this opinion column. What did surprise me was the large amount of hate mail sent to Khoury, calling her "Stupid Cow" or "Fat and ugly". A day after the original article, Khoury wrote a response called The Day I Met the Internet. After reading the response, I understood her. I still do not agree with what she said, but that could have been me, enthousiasticly writing an opinion piece without thinking it through. Which is why I'm happy to stay anonymous while blogging. Still, it's a reminder. Medicine is a sensitive topic and I need to be very careful in not sharing any sensitive information.
The second article about judgment is a little more medicine-related. It is a blog post from the perspective of a sick girl's mother. She has written before about doctor experiences, which were often negative in terms of attention and respect - those are supposed to be bullet points at any doctor's priority list. After reading some doctor blogs, she comes to a few conclusions. Most of them have to do with judgment. It sounds all too familiar. I judge people too. I sometimes catch myself judging classmates and now that I think of it, I judge patients, too. I judge the patient who complains of bloating but always asks for a third portion during dinner. I judge the patient who pities herself and does nothing to make her life better. I guess it's human, and I try to hide any preconceptions. But still.
Do you recognize being judgmental? Do you think it harms anyone and if not, why not?
Monday, January 30, 2012
The First Month
I can't believe it's already a month since I started my blog. The month went by so soon, yet I can barely remember not having this place to type out my thoughts and experiences. I never kept or even considered a diary, but strangely enough, I love blogging. I love being involved in a community that has so much valuable information an experiences. I think I will like looking back at my first month of something that will hopefully last much longer. In my first month I:
-Received 484 pageviews from 175 visitors
-Posted 13 times
-Welcomed my first 6 followers
-Submitted my very first entry to Grand Rounds
Why should this matter to you? It shouldn't, and probably doesn't. Just wanted to get it out ;)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Vulnerable
Today I found an email in my inbox. It seemed normal, guessing by the title and sender, but I did not know the sender. I opened the email and found a very offensive photo with a text that's just... creepy. Even if I would desire to share its contents, I'm pretty sure that's illegal.
But that's not the worst part. It was adressed to all students of my school, and there was a discussion going on on Facebook. At least five teachers were jokingly mentioned as potential senders of the email. I was (and still am) shocked. How could someone do that? It also made me realize once more how vulnerable everyone is since the invention of internet. There's no way to reach over 200 people by letter in one night. Still, as opposed to with conversations, information is saved much too easily. These are teachers who did not ask to be online and certainly did not ask to be accused of sending these horrible emails. I sincerly hope that the sender of the email and the people rudely accusing teachers will be punished.
So why am I sharing this here? I'm not sure. I guess in a way (being completely egocentric, I know) I realize how vulnerable I am, purposely writing about myself on a blog, for everyone who wants to read about it. I did make a very conscious decision to remain anonymous and still blog as if everyone knew who I am, but still. Only one person has to find out your real identity and do the wrong thing and a lot of people know who you are. Your co-workers. Your future boss. What I am writing now might be totally inappropriate in ten years so I do wish to remain anonymous. Or am I overly concerned? I do of course keep in mind patient confidentiality and I only write about what I don't mind telling virtually anyone.
I would like to ask my current 3,5 readers (I love your support!) a question. How do you think about blogging and anonimity? Do you worry about your blog affecting your life in negative ways? What do you think about privacy and social media in general? Please leave a comment below!
But that's not the worst part. It was adressed to all students of my school, and there was a discussion going on on Facebook. At least five teachers were jokingly mentioned as potential senders of the email. I was (and still am) shocked. How could someone do that? It also made me realize once more how vulnerable everyone is since the invention of internet. There's no way to reach over 200 people by letter in one night. Still, as opposed to with conversations, information is saved much too easily. These are teachers who did not ask to be online and certainly did not ask to be accused of sending these horrible emails. I sincerly hope that the sender of the email and the people rudely accusing teachers will be punished.
So why am I sharing this here? I'm not sure. I guess in a way (being completely egocentric, I know) I realize how vulnerable I am, purposely writing about myself on a blog, for everyone who wants to read about it. I did make a very conscious decision to remain anonymous and still blog as if everyone knew who I am, but still. Only one person has to find out your real identity and do the wrong thing and a lot of people know who you are. Your co-workers. Your future boss. What I am writing now might be totally inappropriate in ten years so I do wish to remain anonymous. Or am I overly concerned? I do of course keep in mind patient confidentiality and I only write about what I don't mind telling virtually anyone.
I would like to ask my current 3,5 readers (I love your support!) a question. How do you think about blogging and anonimity? Do you worry about your blog affecting your life in negative ways? What do you think about privacy and social media in general? Please leave a comment below!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Contentment
Right now I am watching Mystery ER. I watch a lot of medical shows (both fiction and non-fiction) and I absolutely love them. Figuring out what's wrong, absorbing as much information as possible, but also dreaming about the future. Medical professions are known for their popularity. Ever seen a TV series about garbage men? For some part I consider the general enthusiasm naive. Medicine, for reasons I mentioned before, is not equal to dreams, and not everyone realizes this.
That said, I look forward to med school so much. Because of course, the general dream of being a doctor is not completely unjustified. I look forward to learning how to use a stethoscope. I look forward to assisting in the emergency room. I look forward to growing personally and professionally. I look forward to learning everything related to the human body, and even wearing a white coat to symbolize it all.
Another thing I love is preparing to get into med school together with others. It is just motivating to talk about how you want to achieve the same goal. It fuels the desire to try just a little harder, work just a little more. Med schools are very selective, and however frustrating it can be at times, it is also a game. A very important one, which makes winning the game even more crucial. A very long game, as the preparation can last for over a year.
That's why it is so important to have a community to remind you of your goals when needed. I love my blog for this: it allows me to structure my thoughts and get useful responses. I also love forums: they allow me to interact with people in different stages of the 'doctor process'. But most of all the friends who critically listen to what you say and support you. Even in the pre-medical school part, I learn so much. I feel very content knowing there is so much more to come.
That said, I look forward to med school so much. Because of course, the general dream of being a doctor is not completely unjustified. I look forward to learning how to use a stethoscope. I look forward to assisting in the emergency room. I look forward to growing personally and professionally. I look forward to learning everything related to the human body, and even wearing a white coat to symbolize it all.
Another thing I love is preparing to get into med school together with others. It is just motivating to talk about how you want to achieve the same goal. It fuels the desire to try just a little harder, work just a little more. Med schools are very selective, and however frustrating it can be at times, it is also a game. A very important one, which makes winning the game even more crucial. A very long game, as the preparation can last for over a year.
That's why it is so important to have a community to remind you of your goals when needed. I love my blog for this: it allows me to structure my thoughts and get useful responses. I also love forums: they allow me to interact with people in different stages of the 'doctor process'. But most of all the friends who critically listen to what you say and support you. Even in the pre-medical school part, I learn so much. I feel very content knowing there is so much more to come.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Welcome
Welcome to this blog!
It is the result of my passion for both medicine and writing. I hope to start med school in september. After that I probably want to become a pediatrician, but there are many options so I want to keep an open mind. I currently work in a nursing home as a patient care assistant. Basically it means I am responsible for and provide care to 6-8 patients. This is my story about life, death and everything in between. About great days and not so great ones. About both small and important moments in a soon-to-be med student's life. Thank you for visiting! If you have any questions, please leave a message in the 'comment' form and I will get back to it.
It is the result of my passion for both medicine and writing. I hope to start med school in september. After that I probably want to become a pediatrician, but there are many options so I want to keep an open mind. I currently work in a nursing home as a patient care assistant. Basically it means I am responsible for and provide care to 6-8 patients. This is my story about life, death and everything in between. About great days and not so great ones. About both small and important moments in a soon-to-be med student's life. Thank you for visiting! If you have any questions, please leave a message in the 'comment' form and I will get back to it.
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