Meaning In the Madness

“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.”
— Dr. Seuss

Last week, I took a break from studying for Step 1 and took a road trip to present my research at a pediatric conference in Baltimore. Attending my first national conference was so exciting and I loved learning about the work people are doing to improve the health of patients. Being on the other side of things, as a future physician, was nothing short of surreal.

I had amazing physicians growing up who took the time to explain things in a way I understood and who were excellent role models in so many ways of what a physician should be. As a little girl, I would crane toward the ultrasound screen so I could get a glimpse of my heart beating during an echocardiogram. I remember listening intently as my cardiologist described to me how blood flows through the heart and what they were watching for in each image. I still feel the pure excitement radiating from my endocrinologist as he explained each patient’s story when I shadowed him as a college student. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be like them. I want to be that person for other children. Attending the various sessions at this conference, surrounded by so many individuals with the same goal, made it feel all the more real that this dream I’ve had so long is coming true.

There are days when we are hard at work studying (which feels like every day now during dedicated am I right?) that our goals seem far away. I know I certainly have lots to learn and I’m trying to soak up everything I can for my future patients. It’s these moments though, whether at a conference, in clinic or relaxing with friends, where we are able to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of life and realize how far we’ve come. I hope in the midst of whatever stressors we might be facing, we can find a moment to stop and remind ourselves where we’ve been, enjoy where we are and look forward to the adventures to come.