Family Medicine Service

So here I am again, in the Family Medicine Service. FMS. The second most dreaded of all of the services. And it is my last one. And I am over halfway done. So I am not complaining. Because every day done now sets me just that much closer. Closer not only to the end of all of my service months, which is already pretty awesome. But also closer to being done with residency as a whole. This is going to be a huge step!

And in fun news, I have been approved to work shifts at both Proctor and Methodist for moonlighting. I am super excited about this. Its a chance to make some extra cash, and to get some valuable experience. It will mean working a few weekends, which is going to be a bummer, but at least I will be making extra cash. I really do believe however that the greater part of the benefit is the experience. I get to act as an independent physician. This may seem like no big deal to many of you. Especially when compared to the cash. But this is huge. We are talking about the first time in my entire life that I have been able to work without being under the direct supervision of another person in a similar but supervisory position. Alllll the way back to the DQ. I worked grill there, and my manager also worked the grill. At Lil' Porgy's I prepped food, and the manager's and owners did the same, and oversaw me. At Augie in Res Life my supervisors were ARD's, or Assistant Resident Directors... themselves former Community Advisors who also did CA work. Even at Elliott Aviation I worked under other receptionists. Literally, EVERY job I have ever had, I have never been "on top". Of course this has been especially true through Medical School and Residency. It makes a lot of sense with Medicine... new students and new doctors HAVE to be supervised because a mistake could be so dangerous.

But finally... FINALLY I get to work on my own. Its an almost surreal feeling. And somewhat frightening. I have full confidence that I will do a good job, but it would be a lie if I said there wasn't some comfort in having an attending there to bounce questions off of. But for every iota of fright, there is an abundance of excitement. Its going to be AWESOME. I have dreamed of this moment for 24 years. Since I was old enough to dream of being anything I have dreamed of this. And while it isn't the end, it is a taste of the end. It is the first glimmer of the finish of this long road, and the beginning of another, I believe, better road.

Its going to be awesome.

Stay Healthy.

And pray for my former patient Mr. P.. He was recently diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of Cancer. He and his wife, and their Church community can use all the prayers they can get.