Tag:

medical school

Almost There

{as a not-so-stylish intern during a 30-hr night on-call}

Rough day today. Sometimes when I get a second to relax at work, I wonder where time has gone. Four years of college, one year of academic research, four years of medical school, four years of residency training — 13 years of life devoted to a career. Thirteen years of life spent accumulating knowledge and learning how to best care for others. Thirteen years of life spent possibly neglecting loved ones, events, activities, experiences, and myself. Balancing priorities in life is necessary, but definitely challenging. Anybody who has mastered the art of balancing priorities receives my respect. I’m slowly getting there…finally, after 11.25 years filled with sleepless nights, feelings of self-defeat, confidence-boosters, and affirmation that sacrifice is worth achieving the ultimate goal. One year and eight months left until freedom.

September 30, 2010 4 comments

therapy

Writer’s Block

written by freudandfashion

On the day I graduated and officially became a doctor, I wished that my grandfather could’ve been there to see it. I’ve noticed my tendency to get teary-eyed during therapy sessions, specifically when the issues are related to grief. I’ve told patients to write letters to their loved ones to aid in processing their emotions and work towards resolving issues associated with their loss. Now, if only I could get myself to write that letter…

September 16, 2010 1 comment

Food

Memories in Home Cooking

written by freudandfashion

{Strolling with my aunt in Pasadena}

I miss home-cooked meals. There’s nothing better than coming home from a long, exhausting day of work and being greeted with a table full of your favorite dishes. Fortunately, during med school I lived next to my fabulous aunt who would call me almost every night and ask what I wanted for dinner. We recently had brunch at Roscoe’s though as delicious as chicken & waffles can be, I wished I could’ve eaten homemade food instead. Today, I came home to frozen pizza and leftover spaghetti, but I dreamt of pancit and lumpia (filipino dishes) with every dreaded bite. I suppose it’s time to expand my repertoire and learn to cook more than eggs and ten variations of spaghetti.

September 15, 2010 2 comments

Psychiatry

You’re Crazy

written by freudandfashion

{My sister, aunt, and I on Christmas 2008}

The idea of giving a fake cell phone or earpierce to a person with Schizophrenia who can’t control talking to the voices inside their head in public seems like an ingenius idea. I have an aunt diagnosed with Schizophrenia and I get extremely defensive when people stare at her in public. Perhaps that’s why I get mad when people gauk at people they don’t know on the street and immediately label them as “crazy.”

I encourage you to think twice before you call a random person “crazy” or “psycho.” You don’t know what they’ve been through and you probably don’t care where they’ve been, but technically you care enough to immediately judge them for not fitting in with social norms.

What’s the definition of “normal” anyway? I think the more important term to look up and utilize is empathy.

September 14, 2010 3 comments

Psychiatry therapy

Analyze This

written by freudandfashion

Everyone has something they’re thankful for. I spent the week struggling to help patients find the tiniest glimmer of hope…a reason worth living even when death seemed like the only option. Medical school doesn’t teach you the art of psychotherapy, so I found myself extremely overwhelmed compared to times when I cared for patients experiencing a heart attack or stroke. But, after a tough yet rewarding week of analyzing my patients’ lives, I realize I have to analyze myself. I need to acknowledge my own fears and unresolved issues (otherwise, it may interfere with my patients’ therapy), which can be a scary thing for anyone. No wonder so many mental health professionals have their own therapist. Cheers to a relaxing weekend of self-reflection!

March 20, 2010 5 comments

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