So in case you haven't heard - I got accepted to the Post-Bacc Premed program I applied to! Yay! That is step 1 in the long list of steps that will eventually lead to me becoming a doctor. Step 2 - get good grades in said Post-Bacc program. Step 3 - get a good score on the MCATs. Step 4 - Apply to Med school. Step 5 - Get lots of interviews and really knock their socks off! Step 6 - Get accepted to so many med schools I have trouble deciding between them, but eventually pick one!
That is as far as my brain will take me for now..... there are so many steps after that as well.
I've been giving a lot of thought lately to what I want to specialize in. I've always said pediatrics (obviously) because I really love working with children and I already have so much experience working in children's hospitals. I gave lots of thought to specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which tends to be the doctors who treat patients post-Spinal Cord Injury or Traumatic Brain Injury, but I think I've decided that treating SCI all day at work, and then coming home to my WONDERFUL (future) husband and living with SCI might increase my likelihood of burnout. So back to Peds it is.
Except.... recently it seems that I have come to the stage in my life when all of my friends have baby fever. And not just "Oh, we've been married for a while and now we're trying to conceive" kind of baby fever. One of my good friend from high school did it that way and just had her sweet baby girl yesterday (yay Liz and Brian! Welcome Reagan!), but the rest of my friends with baby fever right now seem to be going about things the non-traditional way. My college roommate just had (healthy) triplets. A good friend from Cincinnati is undergoing artificial insemination to try to conceive and be a single mother by choice (kudos to you R!). A friend of mine who's husband is also a quad just underwent IVF and a miscarriage. I share all of this to get to this point - Babies make me happy. Pregnancy is fascinating to me. I am enthralled by the miracle that is a woman becoming pregnant. And being a woman who dreams of having children and knows that it will not be an easy road for A and me, my heart goes out to my friends who are facing these same issues. And so I consider - could I find a home in Reproductive Endocrinology? I think I would find joy in helping women and couples become parents who would otherwise be unable to. I know I find the female reproductive system fascinating and the process of pregnancy enthralling. And it is sooooo satisfying to me when you finally see that long awaited sweet baby in the arms of a parent who has waited and wept and hoped and prayed for this little life. And to know that I had a part in making that dream come true, that God blessed me with that ability - I think that would be such a blessing. So.... yeah. I'm considering Reproductive Endocrinology. Studying Gynecology is the only draw back to this plan.... As much as I like the Obstetrics part of the female system, I can't say that treating STDs and giving PAP smears appeals to me in the least. And everyone knows the cost of malpractice insurance for an OB/Gyn is astronomical. So I guess we'll see. I have a long time until I have to choose. I just wanted to share a piece of my journey, and see if anyone out there would like to weigh in with their opinion.
Love you, Nikki! I think you'd make a GREAT RE!! And just remember that the gyn part is only temporary... you wouldn't be treating STDs and doing paps forever... So far, my first attempt at alternative insemination is going well - I definitely have some early pregnancy "symptoms", but we'll find out soon if they're all in my head or not!
ReplyDeleteGood luck as you travel the road to MD-hood. I'm SO excited for you!