Hello,
I?m the parent of a son who is also pursuing his dream of becoming a surgeon in Orthop(a)edics. I?ve been following your trials & tribulations, just to get an idea of what he might be going through at this time. I don?t even know if he?s found this site.
I just wanted to wish everyone good luck now that you are in crunch time & need to make your final decision on how you will rank & where you will match. Ultimately in the end, this is what it comes down to...YOU! You are the one who has done all the hard work that has led to this point. You will be doing this for the rest of your working life, right?
Taking all your factors into account, this is the one time in your life you need to be selfish on a decision?because you need to be happy with your passion. There?s too many Salty Dogs my age who?ve made concessions on our career decisions, only to kick ourselves in the butt later. We have a mortgage, children, bills ($$$ student loans) & realize we don?t like where we live, don?t like where we work?well, you get the drift!
If you love doing surgery, go for the choice that gives you the most opportunities. If you?re into academia, pick the best teaching hospital. If you?re like research, go for the Daddy Warbucks of grant funding. If you love a location, pick for the lifestyle you wish to have. Even if you don?t match to your best choices, at least you will know you tried & have no regrets. If you didn?t plan on being a Nobel Peace Prize winner, then enjoy the journey wherever you are. If you did plan on being one, then be a big fish in a small pond & someone will notice you?re a special Nemo. Go with your gut, your loved ones should only want you to be happy. And since I?m not a poet, there is one more inspiration below that says it better than I.
Again good luck everyone!!! You only have to put up with the stress for awhile longer and then it will be just hard work for a few years! I look forward to your postings & results after match day.
(Unsigned to prevent possible mortification to son)
Follow your Star
Follow your star, and hold to it, wherever it may lead
The voice within which calls you is the only voice to heed:
It may not bring you affluence but this you?ll surely find ?
T?will bring you life?s most precious pearl ? the gift of peace of mind
Live your life regardless of what other folks may say
There always will be those who think that you should live their way
But if, within yourself, you feel there?s something you should do ?
Don?t hesitate! The only one to live your life is you.
Do your own thing. Just you alone can make that thing come true:
No-one else in all this world can share your point of view.
So don?t hold back in deference to someone else?s whim
The world needs you for what you are yourself alone ? not him
Dream your dreams: Imagination is a priceless gift to hold,
The pictures in your inner mind are worth their weight in gold.
Don?t see them as just idle thoughts to while the time away,
But rather as the blueprints for what you?ll achieve one day.
W Gray 1905-1989
