The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.
-William Osler
From my three years in medical school, and five years as nursing student, I somehow understood those words. A good physician is focused on the disease, while a great physician is focused on the patient to put it into simpler terms. It is more on finding your focus and building your relationship to your patients.
The long wait is finally over! Let us skip that part first because I sound so serious! I really waited for weeks to introduce myself to everyone.
Now, shall I formally introduce myself to you?
A pleasant day to everyone around this community! My name is Kenneth James Chavez Belga. I recently turned 24 years old last February 12. I live in the magnificent dreAMLANd. Like I mentioned earlier, I am a third year medical student from Silliman University located in Dumaguete City.
College of Nursing and Medical School
I was admitted to College of Nursing on June 2010. At first, Nursing was not really my first choice. There was an entrance exam before in Silliman University called SUAPE. When I took it, there was top three courses written on the application form. My first choice was Civil Engineering, then MedTech, and the last was Music Education.
During the entrance examinationtest, there was an announcement that there would be an examination for Nursing. In the afternoon, I decided to take it since I have nothing to do. Luckily I passed and was scheduled for an interview after few days.
Aspirations and Frustations in Nursing and Medical School
The main issue that I had during college was that, it was not the course that I was really hoping to venture. My line before in high school is mathematics and then I shifted to physical sciences. I was not prepared for it.
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. - Charles R. Swindoll
On my first major subject called Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, I really had a hard time memorizing on the theories. I cannot get hold on my self and so I failed on the subject. I was considering to shift on the courses I wanted to take before, but then I also thought that I wanted to take the challenge. I decided to continue.
Will it be easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely. - Elite Daily
I spent endless nights studying and learning new things. The duty was so tiring. No paper, no duty since we need to make nursing care plans for our patients. It should also be hand-written. I also experienced seeing patients who died in front of me. It was really sad that I was not able to do anything, but then I also put in my mind that it was already their time.
Five years had passed. It felt so wonderful especially when it was near graduation. It felt really great that I was able to achieve one of my goals.
This graduation photo was taken for our yearbook. My smile was so geniune because finally, I was able to finish my course.Medical School
If nursing is like walking in a haunted house, medical school feels like walking inside a Jurassic park with all the dinosaurs uncaged.
The first three years was very difficult. Medical school was too much because you cannot relax. Your patterns and habbits will change in medical school. I still did not give up. I should not give up. Although it was hard, it is something that I love. I cannot say no to what I want.
If I have the chance to give advice to those who wants to know what they should take in post-grad, I would advice them this:
Med school is not for you if you have a weak heart. You do not have time to grief.
Despite of all the hardships, medical school brought me closer to the communities. We had given them lectures and voluntarily attended medical missions. Being in the community is different being at the hospital. We managed patients that try to live on their own. We managed patients who choose to suffer their medical conditions rather than visit the hospital.
It was very fulfilling.
Contrary to what some people believe about medical students, a number of us has an array of interest outside medical school.
I love being active during free time. I play basketball, swimming, volleyball, and badminton. Basketball and swimming are top two of my favorite sports.
This was taken during our university intramurals in year 2016.In both 2016 and 2017, somehow we managed to organize our team and won a game. We know we lacked a lot of time to practice because the demand in the medical school is very high, but we managed to create a team that is going to make an impact.
We are small and old, it is true but we showed them that we could keep up.
On the same year, I also joined the swimming competition.
Sometimes at night, I play basketball to relieve stress. Every step that I make takes away my frustrations. I had been using my brain a lot and not much of my body so I need to balance.
Aside from my love for sports, I also love music. Music makes me calm. Whenever I play or sing, I do not think of anything. It is a way of me to get away with everything. I play violin, guitar, cello, and other instruments in rondalla.
I am currently in relationship with Johanna Gail H. Tongco (@gailbelga).
Many would say, it won't work but you just have to believe in yourself and believe in your love. They say girls will be there once you become a doctor, I do not think that way though. Dating is just the same as being in Medical School, if you are brave enough you just have to endure everything.
What can you expect from me?
I believe that information is free especially when it is medical related. In my future blogs, it would be about medical and other science-related posts. References will be added for authenticity.
I will try to make it reader-friendly as much as possible.
Have a great day!