An Open Letter To My Friends & Family

For those of you who are friends or family this letter is for you,

I wanted to say thank you for trying to understand what I've been going through while in medical school. I know it's kind of complex and I tend to have to explain the journey multiple times but don't apologize for asking me to explain it to you 'one more time'. It's tough to follow! Sometimes I don't even know the answers to your questions and I have to look them up myself.

I know I've been here, but not really here. Home, but not really home. Textbooks and question banks have taken over my life. I used to be so great at responding to text messages and remembering special events but all of those have been slipping my mind. Trust me, when I do remember them I feel HORRIBLE about forgetting about them on their proper day.

Thankfully, every time I do pop up from my little study hole and apologize for taking ages to respond you always understand and tell me not to worry. You don't even realize how much that means to me.

I can't even describe how much I wish I could go to all of the birthday parties, get togethers and events but studying has consumed my life right now.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL BAD FOR ME.

I made the decision to go into medical school and go through the rigorous training to become a Doctor. I knew there would be some social sacrifices that would come along with it. I fully accept that - but because of that little internal "Doctor" instinct of wanting to be there for everyone, I know I have to be selfish.

I guess a part of me wants to apologize for putting you through this too - because we are going on this journey together.

You help keep my sanity. You help when I'm stressed. You help when I've had a horrible study day. You help to lighten my mood when a test is coming up. You remind me that I am supposed to be here. You tell me I will be a great Doctor one day.


Even though you attribute this to "just being a good friend" know to me it means so much more than that. I wouldn't be where I am today without you so any of my wins are just as much yours.

Thank you for joining me on this wild ride. I promise to keep the good stories coming,

Jen

M2 here we go!

Hello my friends!

I am writing this post from an amazing villa in St. Maarten - on my first day where I can actually take a breath and relax (minus my 3:30 am wake up for my 8 am flight). I'm here with my mom and my good friend Jackie. It's been a long four months not seeing my mom so there were some tears when I saw her. She also surprised me with birthday cards from friends and family back home so that had sleep deprived me back into a sobbing mess.

I wrote my final on Tuesday and that was probably one of the hardest tests I've written on the island so far. Within one week we had our fourth mini, a practical exam and our final. That week was honestly the hardest I've worked in my student career thus far. I knew going into this semester that physiology was not my strongest subject and I needed to work a little harder to get the material... and even harder once the semester was coming to an end because I could feel myself getting burnt out. That week leading up to the final were some of the longest, most frustrating days I've experienced as a student.

While I'm going through this I would check my Timehop app (it's my morning routine) and I realized I began MERP a year ago. Reflecting back on how stressed I was I realized how far I've come both academically and mentally over the past year.

Two days later...

Alright I've been slacking on this post but I WILL FINISH IT NOW

Our MPeL and MPS was released today so I can officially announce that I am a M2 student!!!

*cue the largest sigh of relief*

Starting September I will be a 3X student and I will be the Prime Minister of the Canadian Club on campus - I'm doing a little happy dance right now.

As I mentioned earlier I've pushed myself harder than I've ever pushed myself in my life. And it's been paying off - I tell myself every evening "want it more than you're scared of it". Some days are rough, and it's so incredibly difficult to motivate myself - but I look around and I am inspired by every single one of my friends. They all work so hard and will always put a smile on my face.

See you all on the flip side starting 3X!

Jen

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Hi friends!

Just thought I’d throw in a blog post before I go into an intense month filled with exams, finals, practical’s and classes. If you want to know what I’ve been up to – I’ve just been studying away in my cubicle in the library. I will take some time off and enjoy the outdoors (the beach) or go for a work out.

The reason I’m writing this blog post is to thank all of the beautiful people I have in my life.

For those of you who don’t know my father is going in for a third heart catheterization on Monday and it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. But there is no way I could be where I am mentally without the amazing friends I have in my life both on and off the island. From the moment I found out that my dad was going to have to go in for another surgery I have received nothing but total love and support from everyone around me. From a hug, to a “I’ll send prayers to him”, to a smile, to any other kind words that have come out of my friends mouths I just want you all to know how grateful I am to have you all in my life.

There is nowhere I’d rather be than at home with my family but being here is the second best place I could be. I could have never imagined the support and family like vibes I would receive here (after only a month). But it brings me to tears… I’m trying to hold mine back as I write this in the library.

After going through all of this and being on the receiving end of such kindness, it really solidified to me that a smile can make a persons day. You never know what people may be going through in their personal life. I always try to keep a smile on my face and share kind words with friends and acquaintances but I am making sure that no matter how stressed out or frustrated I am – I will always share a smile, or a hug with my friends around me.

There is no way you can get through this program alone. Use your friends for support, guidance and love. They’re not family – but they’re the closest you’ve got to it on the island.

Love you all,

Jen

The First of Many Lasts

Hey guys,

Today marks one of the many lasts I have before I embark on my journey to medical school in Dominica.

My last day of work...

Call me crazy but I wished this day would never come. Starting back in June I never imagined how much of an impact the people who make up this amazing sports clinic would have on me. I started this job with a hope of working my butt off for the summer to make some money and then calling it quits before I started MERP. Soon that turned into me looking forward to going to work every day, then me saying I'll work weekends while in school, then me pushing my end date as late as possible to me crying on my last day.

I've been told that you're very lucky if you get along with the people you work with let alone have them make such a dramatic impact on you. I've been so very fortunate to work with 18 phenomenal human beings who have showed me more kindness and understanding than I could ever dream of.

From the Doctors who are the kindest and most generous people I've met. They put up with my many questions and clarifications with the biggest smiles on their faces. I can only hope to be half the doctors you are once I get my MD. I look forward to being your colleagues one day in the future.

To the physiotherapists, Rick, Andrew, Karen, Jessi and Susan. For all of the booking shenanigans I have put you guys through you always deal with my frantic questions and patient inquires with a breeze. You're all some of the funniest and knowledgeable people I've met. I know I could trust all of you to take amazing care of me if I ever needed it - you're some of the finest physios in the field and I am honoured to have met all of you.

To the amazing massage therapists, Louise and David. You two are more amazing than words can explain. Two of the greatest massage therapists I've met in my life. I can say you two do your job with so much ease and with an extreme amount of skill - if I could bring you both in my suitcase to give me massages through medical school I would.

To the beautiful chiropractors, Pamela and Christina. The both of you take being a chiropractor to a whole new level. Your kind hearts and high level of knowledge make you impossible to dislike. You both put so much dedication into you work and it's very admirable. I only hope that when I become a doctor my clients will think of me the same way your clients think of you.

And last but not least to the rock of this whole clinic, Shelly. If you've met this beautiful human you would know what I'm talking about. Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have you as my boss. You've been more than just a manager to me. You've been a support system. Not only within my work life but within my academic life. I know I can always turn to you and you will always have a kind, supportive word for me to help pick me up. From day one you've made me feel a part of your Beaches family. I know whenever I come back I can come back to my work family and you will all welcome me with open arms. It takes a special person to be the kind of manager you are... you're irreplaceable.

Thank you all for an amazing seven months. You will all see me back in the clinic whenever I'm back in the city!

Jen

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Thank you everyone for the love you've given to my blog! It means the world to me!