the rest of my life

Day one of the rest of my life

or so that’s what I’ve always been taught! 

 

You go to kindergarten with a smile knowing you will meet your new best friend.  You survive performing in the fourth grade graduation.   You suffer through Chapter One and hours practicing reading during middle school.  You enjoy creating science fair projects.  You almost perished at the thought of slicing open a cow’s eye for biology lab.   You beam when you are awarded the “Most Likely to become Physician” scholarship.  You are dreaming of  ‘greener grass on the other side of the fence’ after finishing school.  You are thoroughly terrified as college graduation approaches.  You are ecstatic and shout for joy after receiving an acceptance into graduate school.  You dread the numerous days of overwhelming material, bookwork, and lectures.   You wonder how the years flew by because Day One of what you always dreamed about is here!

 

After many days of wondering what my future entailed, I got the blessed phone call saying everything was in order for me to start work.  And start I did.  That very afternoon my schedule was booked.  My first patient remembered me from rotations which indirectly put me at ease.  I survived, and I even liked it.  I thought, “Now this is what the rest of my life is going to be like.”

 

Day two of the rest of my life

was not quite like I expected.  I thought I’d have more formal training on the office flow, computer system, etc.  Nope.  My schedule filled right up.  And I still liked it.

 

Day three of the rest of my life

was the day I really doubted myself.  I felt very incompetent and wanted to cry by midday.  I don’t think I had ever been so happy to see a patient with an earache.  Something I knew.  And then I was okay.

 

Day four of the rest of my life

was the day I actually saw more than “same day appointment” patients.   In my short time as a healthcare provider, I have already saved two lives, plus helped a few more along the way.  I may have forgotten a few minor paperwork details, but overall, it was a very good day.

 

I think I will go back tomorrow to see what "day five of the rest of my life” has in store for me.