Graduation Banquet

The other day, I attended the school of graduate medical education's graduation banquet. A night to honor those of us who will be graduating from training, from the 'mothership' this coming June.

Being in that hall and looking at the crowds of colleagues and consultants, I couldn't help but to reflect. It has been a long journey which is now only coming to an end, with another chapter to begin very soon. After all, I began medical school in early 1996. If someone had told me I'd be training for the next 12 years, I'd probably have told him to go straight to hell and packed up my bags and gone into school for something else.

Even now, when I lecture to the starry-eyed medical students in IMU, I wonder if they have any idea what's in store for them. I know I didn't.

But now, 12 years later, when I'm not so young anymore, when I'm a PGY-6 (in many's opinion, that's considered really senior. A career trainee), knowing what I know now, what would I have told myself, if I could travel back in time? What pearls of wisdom might I impart?

It's going to be a sacrifice

Thinking back, I've worked insane numbers of hours, missed out on so much in life, left behind loved ones, been so far away from my dear family, studied hundreds and hundreds if not thousands of hours. To this day, I feel guilty if I don't spend a few hours reading something medical. Nothing great comes without a price- only that person can decide if it's going to be worth it. But you have to know going in, that you're going to let go of a lot of things, even parts that make you more human.

It's okay to be weak

To have moments when one has to cry. I know I've done it. Numerous times as an overworked, exhausted intern, when my patients die, or when I make a mistake on rounds, or when I get dressed down. To survive, I've used the 'hide in the bathroom/phonebooth and cry' trick. Me, a 25 (then) year old. But, with every tear, one learns to be stronger.

Have faith

That the Lord will provide. I don't consider myself overly religious. But I do believe in a Higher power. And I do believe He took me, a homesick, shy kid from a tiny country in Asia, and put me here, for a reason. When you're on the verge of exhaustion and have been on your feet for 32 hours, have faith that you'll find the strength to go on. One of my favourite quotes:

"When you come to the edge of all you know, you must believe in one of two things. There will be earth upon which to stand, or you will be given wings to fly".

I've leapt off so many edges I've lost count. And yet, somehow I'm still here.

Only you can sell yourself
One handicap I've always faced was, coming from Malaysia I tend to be more reserved than my counterparts here. And often, you meet people who speak a lot, and loudly, without actually saying much in substance. You realize that it's sometimes sadly not what you say or do, but really how you sell it. In a competitive world such as this, there is a fine balance between humility and losing out.

Never forget your roots

Though I've been away for so long, and will likely settle down here, I never forget when I came from. Undoubtedly, neither my grades nor luck put me here; my family did.

It's alright to make mistakes

After all, doctors are human too. And it's hard realizing mistakes often involve people, and can result in harm and lawsuits. But as much as I hate to admit it, we do make mistakes. And we need to forgive ourselves, and learn from it.

Never regret, never ponder

Never look back and wonder about lost loves, family and career opportunities left behind. There was a time I tortured myself with this. But I finally learnt: it's hardly relevant. You picked a path, you stick with it until you complete the journey. No point wondering about 'what ifs'.

Your patients will hate you. Your patients will love you

As with all relationships, some patients you can never please. Some patient will always complain and be dissatisfied, and you can't let that get to you. Instead, remember the gratitude and friendship from those who genuinely appreciate your help and use that energy to sustain you.

Give back

As you learn from patients, give some back. Volunteer; you get back so much more than you give, really. My most memorable and fulfilling experiences have been related to volunteering.

Patients die

No matter what. Whether it's of old age, or of that acute pulmonary embolism that caused a cardiac arrest that made your resuscitation efforts futile. Such is the circle of life. And yet, death isn't always a failure, and even in death, you often can provide comfort and care as a physician.

Officially, I close this chapter June 27th. 2 more months as a fellow. Unofficially, we're all board-certified endocrinologists and have already signed up with our respective employers. The next chapter will be an interesting one.