That's right folks, it's official... I am now an M.D.
Wow, that's scary even to me.
Sorry I've been so sparse in updates lately, I've had so many ideas and just never got around to blogging... I've been traveling and enjoying my last few months of school (or lack thereof). That being said, here's an update in 5 parts (I'll try and post pictures later, as I'm currently stealing my mother's computer).
1. The Last Official Day of Rotations
Let me preface this by saying that Wayne State has a program called Co-Curricular, it is an program during first and second year that is comprised of a total of 150 hours of volunteering and 50 hours of additional lectures (related to medicine, but not in the medical curriculum). This program, if completed, grants a fourth year student a free elective. That along with the fact that Wayne State has only 8 months of electives out of the possible 11 months of fourth year, means that I had 4 months off this year. I didn't take time off for Step 2 CK, but I took 2 months for interviews (December and January). All that means is that my last day of medical school rotations was March 25th... and I was doing radiology that month.
The day itself was really low key. I can't even remember what I was rotating through that day, although I'm almost positive I was the only student who actually came in that day. I went to the mandatory lunch lecture and then was released.
I went and returned my pager and my badge and walked out of the hospital, for the last time as a student. It was all very surreal... no pomp, no circumstance. Just me walking away on a beautiful spring day, by myself.
And I hate to admit it, but I did cry in my car on the way home, excited to be done, but so sad that it was over. No more, "I'm just a student." It's kind of like taking your last test of high school or college, but at least then you're with all your friends... It does not feel right to just walk away and be done, but that's how it is apparently.
2. San Francisco
A few days after walking away, I got to start a 2 week vacation seeing friends. I started my vacation by visiting one of my best friends from college while he was on business in San Francisco. I spent the days walking around and exploring, while he worked. I walked around Fisherman's Wharf, walked down Lombard Street, and went to the Museum of Modern Art. It was awesome.
On Friday we both headed down to the Golden Gate Bridge and then headed to Napa for the weekend, where we had a great time catching up on old times, drinking fabulous wines, and exploring amazing vineyards.
I was so great to catch up with him, since I hadn't really spent much time with him since college.
3. Austin
From San Fran, I hopped on a plane and went straight to Austin to visit another wonderful friend, Lindsay. I met Lindsay through my mother, as Lindsay, before moving to Tejas, was active in the theatre community in Lansing.
I spent that week learning and exploring Austin. I went to the LBJ library and we went to San Antonio and the Cathedral of Junk together. But most importantly, we spent the week celebrating her birthday and just having fun!
4. Memphis
A couple weeks ago I headed down to Memphis with my mom to find a place to live. And, as fate would have it, the Mississippi was cresting the day I arrived. That being said, let's get the following outta the way: Memphis is on a bluff. While there was really bad flooding in Tunica and Dyersburg, there was little flooding in Memphis - a small section of Riverside Drive and a few homes on Mud Island (which is an island in the middle of the Mississippi). Yes, no flooding is good... but it wasn't the apocalypse everyone seems to think happened.
Anyways, I found an apartment within the first few days (it's great and I cannot wait to live there) and spent the rest of the week playing tourist with my mom. It was so much fun! I also got a lot of the business stuff out of the way -- fitted for my white coats, ID picture taken, paperwork turned in, and bank account set up. It's weird to actually be starting a life in a new state... I've been so tied to Michigan my whole life.
5. Graduation
For the past few weeks I've not really been doing much, besides hanging out at my local coffee shop with my mom and seeing some theatre. And then Sunday arrived... which meant Baccalaureate.
Baccalaureate at Wayne is when we get our doctoral hoods placed. It's a ceremony where we are introduced by specialty ad where we are going and two people of our choosing place our hoods over our heads; I chose my mom and dad. It was great.
Tuesday was the actual ceremony. It was a the Fox Theatre downtown and gorgeous. And just like the last day of rotations, completely surreal. It's really hard to believe that medical school is over and that I actually finished it. Wow.
Anyways, in sadder news, on Thursday of last week we got a email stating that one of our classmates, Francis Dossou had passed away unexpectedly. Although I did not know Francis very well, he was an amazing individual, originally from Togo, who had gotten political asylum in Germany and then the US, worked his way through SUNY as a cab driver and security officer before coming to Wayne. He had matched ophthalmology at Howard, and was so excited to start his career. As one of my classmates said at graduation, you could not walk away from a conversation with Francis without a smile on your face. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and prayers to his family and close friends.
Finally, as this part of my life is about to end, so too must this blog. I have set up another one for residency... and although I hope to maintain it, I cannot make too many promises right now. But I'll do my best. There's nothing yet on the blog, but I'll post an official move notice once I do.
Thank you to all my faithful readers over the past 4 years and your lovely comments and emails. It's truly been an amazing adventure and I'm glad that others found some enjoyment.
