"Don't be a doctor"

I remember when I was in form 5, the principal organized a "Career Day". Three speakers came to give a talk on their profession, what they do, what are the perks, what are the downside of it..

I remember one of the speakers is a doctor. A guy..can't really remember his features.. I have probably told this story to a lot of people..Because that doctor who gave the speech on the stage did exactly what he shouldn't.

His speech went something like this..

"First of all, I'm sorry I was late..I just came back from a 30-hour call. (pause)

Today, there's only one message I need to tell you on this stage......<silence>

Don't.be.a.doctor."

The rest of his speech was a blur now, can't really recall.

And that first part of his speech just did it.

I went back to my dorm..sleep over it..eat..laughed with friends..went to night prep..studied..did my homework..but that first part of his speech was stuck in my head.

"Don't.be.a.doctor."

"Don't.be.a.doctor."

Don't.be.a.doctor."

Don't.be.a.doctor."

"Don't.be.a.doctor."

Don't.be.a.doctor."

Don't.be.a.doctor."

And without me realizing.

.I told myself

 "I am going to be a doctor"

"Houseman!"

There were many days I regretted being a doctor. Every day went by so quickly that it became a blur.

At work, I just want things to get done. Before superiors ask and degrade me from not being fast enough. Heck, sometimes they call me useless. And whenever I try to explain my situation, they call it bullshit.

Before I know it, it's already 6 pm; time to go home. There goes my day, no lunch, no water, no toilet breaks, and my calves are aching from standing and walking so much to and fro from the lab to the ward, to patients, to the procedure trolleys, to treatment room, to the computer desk, to the dietitian office, to the social worker office, to ABG machine..you name it, I have been to all crooks of the hospital.

And when I get home, all I wanted is sleep..some days, I wanted TV..blankly staring on the screen while my mind wandered aimlessly. But most days, I wanted a meal, a shower then straight to sleep.

And the next thing I know, my alarm went off and I'm back at work again. Press replay.

So to aspiring medical students out there......still want to be a doctor?

Think again. Think hard. Think really really hard.

To be continued.