It's been awhile since I posted on the forum. I've had a couple of milestones in my career, and since you guys have been there in my deepest lows, I thought it was only fair for you to see my highs too! Anyway, so if you guys don't know the process for medical students to gain a residency, basically what happens is we apply to residency positions and interview in the winter. In February, the programs rank the applicants and we rank programs. Then, on March 21st, we find out where we matched and will be continuing our education.
As a lot of you know, my mom lives alone and doesn't drive. We had many conversations about what I should do, and, unfortunately, everyone else also gave their 2 cents. I loved this program in DC, but didn't want to leave my mom, even though the programs in Michigan weren't exactly my style. With my mom's encouragement and blessing, I ranked Children's National in DC number 1, and on March 21st, found out I matched there! Here's my reaction:
My sister was very happy for me, and my mom was too, but I felt like she was just a little sad that I was really leaving Michigan. I'm still struggling with this, but I hope it gets easier.
Since then, I graduated and went on a 3 week Europe trip with my friends. Graduation was very bittersweet. Ever since the day my dad was diagnosed, he said he wanted to see a doctor. Graduating and knowing he wasn't physically watching killed me. I would have killed for a hug from him that day, for a pat on the back, for his gentle touch that I remember o so well. He would have been so, so proud, and so, so happy. Anyway, here's a picture of my mom, sister, and I on my graduation:
So now I live in DC. My mom came here with me to help me get settled, then she went to Nashville to visit my sister. She keeps telling me she is so happy that I'm doing my own thing and living my life, but I still feel bad for leaving her. Since my life was so flexible this year, I lived at home and took her where she needed to go and kept her company. I'm so thankful for facetime, skype, and standby airline tickets from family, but I'm hoping I didn't abandon her.
Anywho, I wanted to write this post to thank this forum from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for welcoming me when I was terrified those first couple of weeks, thank you for reassuring me and helping me through my dad's illness with medical knowledge and with words of support, thank you for giving me the strength to go on in school and make my dad proud and the strength to know when I needed to go home and be with my dying father. Thank you for making me realize the importance of that family vacation in Daytona Beach that my mom still talks about to this day. Thank you for all your support, love, and courage. I sincerely would not have made it here without all of you.
Also, I dedicate this to KarMel, who told me about her journey through medical school with a mother with cancer and confided in me about her own medical background to give me support. I hope you met my dad, and both of you are proud of me.
What beauty can happen in the setting of an ugly, ruthless disease.
Love,
Angie
