Six weeks after taking Comlex, I learned that I passed!!

The best explanation of the pain scale ever.

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

Ouch!!

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?

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

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.

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.

Took Comlex step 1 today. My brain hurts

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

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