That’s what you say in Japan when you return home from being gone somewhere. It is typically followed by someone at home saying, “Okaerinasai”. That means literally that, “You must enter”, but in effect simply means welcome home. It’s been a while (OK, a year and change) since I posted anything. Frankly, I was surprised that my blog was still active. Seeing as it is, I guess I should use it again.
Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that the past year of school was long, hard, confusing, trying, exhausting, depressing, and fattening. However, in retrospect, it has flown by. Last week I finished finals and now have about 3 weeks to complete preparing for my first board exams.
Being a DO student, I have the option of attending either an allopathic or osteopathic residency. I am intent on becoming an orthopedic surgeon. However, currently there are no orthopedic residencies in Phoenix. Good Samaritan is planning on opening one, but it is not running yet. There are two different board examinations available. The USMLE, is required for MD physicians and the COMLEX examination is required for DOs. However, DO students wishing to compete for an allopathic (MD) residency also need to take the USMLE. Long story short, I am taking both so that I can apply to whichever programs I choose. First, I take the USMLE and then one week later, I take COMLEX. I have a long way to go before I will be ready for the exams, but much like the Grim Reaper and April 15th, regardless of what I do, the exams will come. I guess that I should use my time wisely. Therein lies the challenge. It’s like trying to review and relearn the equivalent of a 4 year degree (we have accumulated 136 credit hours in 2 years) in 3 weeks. Granted, I have been reviewing over the past 2 months also, but now it’s crunch time. I just keep telling myself, thousands have done it before me and passed. I will, too.
Hopefully……..
