Waiting and worrying

I’m scared, no I’m terrified, as I wait for the results of my latest attempt at Comlex level 1.  This is my third and final try to pass a test that every other D.O. in the world has passed.  I know that I’m not an idiot, but this test has really gotten the best of me.

My stomach is tied in knots.  I get nauseous every day when I check the NBOME website to see if my score has been posted.  I haven’t slept good in a week.  I’m tired.  My blood pressure is out of sight.  I don’t know what to do.

It’s been two weeks since I took the test.  It’s your standard computerized test.  Others get their results immediately.  The NBOME takes about a month to get the results out.  I don’t know why.  The test is no standard test.  There was not one straight forward question on the exam. For example, a patient has these symptoms, what is the disease?   No, Comlex questions are more like the patient has these symptoms, what was the name of the dog of the scientist for whom this disease is named?

I don’t know what I’m going to do if I get thrown out of medical school.  I’m 40 years old with a family that needs my support.  I’m over $100,000 in debt for an education I may not be able to use.  What are the career options for someone dismissed from medical school?  I see myself managing a McDonald’s or a grocery store, if I don’t pass.

The painful part is that I almost passed the second attempt.  A score of 400 is needed to pass and I scored a 397.  Yeah, that’s right, a 397! Do you believe my luck?  A few days before that attempt I became a grandfather for the first time and a niece that was born 3 months premature died.  So, I keep telling myself that I was off on that attempt.

I studied for this last attempt.  I put in hours every day of answering questions that mostly made sense.  I got to take Comlex and found the questions not so straight forward.  The student is allowed to comment on each question if they wish.  I commented on one question that was very obtuse that it must have been badly translated from a foreign language.

So why am I telling you about my plight?  Because I needed to tell someone.  I just needed to vent so I don’t explode.  My wife is supportive and I love her, but I don’t know if she fully understands the situation.  She probably does, she just doesn’t want to add to my anxiety.  I’m freaking out here.  I want to run away but have no where to go.

I thought finding out that I was accepted to Medical school was the biggest moment of my life.  Man, was I wrong!!

God Bless

Ron

So you think your day was bad

Ouch!!

Consumer Driven Health Plan?

Most people agree that our health care system is broken.  Insurance companies are covering less and refusing to cover more people.  Is putting more responsibility on the patient a better way or just another way for insurance companies to increase their profits?  I noticed that this video was made by an insurance company, so I’m not sure that I buy that this is the answer.

I think that something needs to be done, but I haven’t found an answer that I like.  What do you think?

Only the Good Die Young

Billy Joel sang this sentiment many years ago, but today many people in Huntington, WV and Roanoke VA would agree.  Dr. Jeffrey George and his lovely daughter, Hannah, were killed in a tragic accident near Roanoke VA on Wednesday, December 3rd.   Dr. George moved his practice to Roanoke a little less than two years ago from his hometown of Huntington WV.

He was well-respected and admired throughout each community that he served.   Dr. George was an exemplary surgeon and thousands of people in the Tri-State are of WV, KY, and OH owe their very lives to his skill and his compassion.

Our community felt the loss when he elected to move his practice to Virginia to be close to his wife’s family, that loss feels even more deep with the news of this tragedy.

If you are a person of prayer, please take a few moments to remember Dr. George and Hannah and to lift up his widow, Theresa, whose grief must be unimaginable, and remember their family and friends as they struggle to understand this terrible news.

Link to news story: http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=9452823

I just got “rick rolled”

There is an Internet phenomena called “rick-rolling” where a video of Rick Astley’s “Never gonna give you up” is inserted into another unrelated video. The point is to catch you off guard. NBC just rick rolled everyone watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade when Rick Astley interupted a song by a bunch of puppets on a float to sing his song. It was very cute.

Getting used to a new title

Zoey Izabella Deanne Hayes

This is Zoey Hayes.  She arrived in the world just a few days ago.  She is my first grandchild.  Yes, this beautiful, little, bundle of joy has made me a Grandfather. I couldn’t be happier.  It’s taking me a little while to get used to the title of granddad.  I’m not old enough to be one, but I guess my daughter is old enough to be a mom.

Zoey weighed in at 7 lbs even and 20 inches.  Mom and Zoey are doing great.

Comlex

Took Comlex step 1 today. My brain hurts

Guy opens hood and finds a pit bull.

This story is hard to believe but true.  Click on the link below to read more.

http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=17703

Funny truck

Funny truck, originally uploaded by ron.lemaster.

You’ve got to love a business with a sense of humor. This sewage sucking truck was sitting in front of WV School of Medicine in Lewisburg, WV.

Can we vote none of the above?

I have to admit that watching the current candidates for President has left me uninspired.  I tend to vote for the GOP, but John McCain worries me a little.  I have seen speeches were his sabre rattling could draw us into a much larger war.

Obama wants change.  Ok, but what kind of change and how are you going to do it.  He has far too few details in his change agenda.  Change without a good plan is crazy.  I’m not buying into the hype.  He has very little experience and often voted “present” instead of making a decision one way or another.  One last thing, as President, he will have precious little power to change anything.  Obama’s endorsement by Senator Teddy makes me certain that I don’t want him to be President.   

 I had enough of Hillary during her husband’s administration.  She wants universal healthcare at whatever the cost.  I wonder how many people would be willing to have universal healthcare if they had any idea of how much their taxes are going to rise to pay for it.  Are you willing to pay half of your salary in taxes to pay for healthcare?  She acts as though because she was married to a President, she has presidential experience.  Monica Lewinski might have a claim there as well. 

Ron Paul sounds crazy and Mike Huckabee spent too much time with his hand out for donations as Governor and releasing killers from jail.

So as of right now, I vote for none of the above.