Saturday, May 10, 2014

Please Don't Misunderstand Me

Please don't misunderstand me, I do love seeing my patients even though for every minute I see them I have 5 minutes of paperwork and other "work" to get things done for them.

Please don't misunderstand me, if I can't make it to your bedside immediately it's not that I dislike you or am lazy, I truly am quite busy doing things behind the scenes for you or another patient.

Please don't misunderstand me, as much as I love thinking and taking care of patients, I lie here right now musing over whether I've made the right choices that can sometimes be literally life or death.

Please don't misunderstand me, if I seem beaten down it's because I've worked a 13+ hour shift for the n'th day in a row often without a single heartfelt thank you. And perhaps I was yelled at for something I did or didn't do for you.

Please don't misunderstand me, as much as I could go back in time and undo med school and residency, it is truly a profession of great privilege and honor.

Please don't misunderstand me, when I say I would not redo all this again it's not out of regret, but rather sadness of all the sacrifices I've made - the art I missed drawing, the music I missed playing, the sleep I missed getting, the opportunities for love and travel.

Please don't misunderstand me, when I discourage others from pursuing medicine it's not because I hate my job, but rather I don't want others to make the same sacrifices without truly appreciating what they'll be giving up.

4 comments:

fan of casey said...

The rewards and appreciation will come, just see things through. I don't think you will give up now, it's just you venting your frustration. As long as you have an outlet so you can get to the next day.

Mike said...

You're so apologetic. I can't say I could be that friendly. I would say something to the effect of, "do you not understand that I have to...?"

Mike said...

That just goes to show your good nature ;-)

tracy said...

Hi Aek,

i'm so sorry for the mean things i wrote. There's no way i can ever understand what you are going through or what you have been through.

Please forgive me. i wish you the very best,

tracy