The Realization

The second year of medical school resembles drown proofing. Drown proofing involves taking someone beyond their fears into the realization of drowning. The 'training' involves many methodologies, but ultimately it involves a 'swimmer' (combat swimmer or rescue swimmer) inhaling water while being forced to perform a series of maneuvers such as treading water with your hands in air or correcting scuba gear while being harrassed. Anybody who as had the pleasure of experiencing drown proofing or has come close to drowning for any number of reasons can tell you that the experience is pretty much a full-up conversion with God. Those who survive such experiences have a will, a desire, a drive to go beyond their fears in the name of something more important than their fears. But, along the way, the individual learns many valuable lessons, to name a few:



1) Life is precious and can be taken away very easily. Therefore, respect life at the highest of all levels.

2) Fear will always be there, but it can be overcome.

3) Believe in yourself.

4) Swim. Sinking is not an option compatible with life.



Although the second year of medical school is riddled with time on the books, my thoughts often drift heavily in the direction of one overriding realization: All this stuff I am learning is not just to be learned; it is to be applied, where mistakes can have ultimate consequences.



I work in the ER/ED from time to time with a physician, a mentor. He will hand me a chart and off I go into the unknown, into the world of patient's complaints, worries, pains, illnesses, and that damn dark shadow breathing down the backs of some patients. Death has a certain way in the Emergency Room. Sometimes, it strikes with such gestalt to the point that there is no arguing with death. But, other times, he rears his ugly head when we are not ready, and in those moments the continuation of life relies heavily on the action of the team, i.e. of those who can. In such times, all that stuff one learns in textbooks, in training, in practice becomes a sobering reality. In the blink of an eye, life can come to a screeching halt, while those who can try their best with focus, hope, and a silent prayer in the middle of a battle.