Just finished a 2 week urology rotation at CAMC and interviewed for the slot. Worked some late hours during the rotation. As I was doing this rotation, I swear that everyday I kept thinking about IM residency back in Wilmington (for you new readers, it’s where I grew up). Patty has really changed my life in alot of ways since I met her a year ago. I’ve gone from thinking about myself to thinking about someone else more than myself.  This is why I have switched career plans to from surgical to medical.   At first I had mixed feelings about this but I sat down and prayed that God would make the choice clear for me.  I found out Friday that CAMC was not approved for 2 spots for urological surgery and that they had already had their mind made up back in September on another candidate before I even rotated there.  Pretty much a wasted 1.5 months but I can’t really say that.  I got to do alot and learn alot while I was there.  At least I’ll know what to order when my IM patients need a urological consult

To be honest though, I’ve struggled with the whole medicine vs. surgery idea since 3rd year.  Medical school is cruel in the sense that you have to have your mind made up while you are still sampling the universe in your 3rd year.   As a board certified internal medicine physician, you can apply to fellowships in many many things.  Fields that interest me currently are:  Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Cardiology,  Infectious Disease and Pulmonary/Critical Care.  Then again, I have over a year to really figure things out in that regard.  Plus, doing so on familiar territory back in Wilmington would be a breath of fresh air.   Anyway, match day is February 11th so I will find out then what will go on.  My rank list is certified now so it’s just waiting, which is the hardest part.   I feel pretty good about my decision though…like a weight has been lifted off of my chest.

When I look back at my almost 4 years of medical school, I’ve had many moments like this.  I am sure my residency years will provide even greater challenges for me to tackle.  But with a renewed drive, a loving wife and my family/friends behind me, I feel like the odds are stacked in my favor.

Maybe I will write more tonight but I just rolled back into town and my town house looks like the Tazmainian Evil lived here in my absence!