Blog 32

Blog 32: 11/17/08-11/19/08

This is my second week in Puerto, it's a bit more relaxed than the first week. Our brigades are officially over, and the program(in Puerto) is mostly lecture based from here on out. However, we're doing something on Thursday. I have yet to find out what it is.

Professora Yvette gave me a book over the weekend called The Man Behind the Mask. It's the memoirs of an orthopedic surgeon who was able to obtain great success and respect in his life. The book was literally sent to me from God because it's exactly the journey I hope to be going through soon. Anyways, from the few chapters I've read, the author had one trait that allowed him surpass his struggle and reach the goals he wanted. It was his love for what he was pursuing. He had a genuine passion for medicine, which permeated throughout his being and allowed him to deal with all his problems (financial, social, and educational). This passion allowed him to survive the rigors of medical school, marriage, children, residency, and his fellowships. I know I have that passion within me, but I want to feel it as he did. I want to immerse myself as he did. He would spend hours moonlighting, rotating, and studying literature in the areas of his interest. With passion, any goal is obtainable; it changes life from being directionless to something with a purpose. I feel that one of the greatest accomplishments in life is to find one's passion, whether it's being an astronaut, race-car driver, doctor, or a chef. It allows one to surpass the struggle, learn from it, and become a better person.

The pursuit of medicine is an amazing struggle. Even this early in the game I've been forced to face faults and inner demons which I never knew existed. I noticed that my drive to become a doctor had the potential to make me a jealous and a bitter person. If I wasn't constantly paranoid about the current state of my character, I may have continued down that path. Luckily, I was vigilant enough to stop any feelings of negativity from entering my soul. I'm not too sure where I acquired this paranoia, however it's extremely beneficial to me. I want to see myself as a person who can carry dignity and respect in interactions with others, as many great physicians are able to. I wish to be a physician who's only concerned for the well being of his patient. I don't want to be going down this arduous path to full-fill my ego, to gain pride, or money because none of those things are worth a moment of my life. Dr. Rene Valesquez, Dr. Flores, and Dr. Soy are all doctors who are free of ego, pride, or greed. They truly care for their patients, and you would never guess they were the experts in their field because they showed no arrogance or superiority to others. They had the respect of their patients, not due to their expertise in surgical skill, but because of their genuine ability to care.