The Envelope Please.....

After everything, comes the truth....

I take some pictures with my parents, beaming with happiness.

I listen to the dean talk bout our statistics....

I run to the table, and grab my letter....

Starting July 1, 2008, you can expect to see me here....


Howard University Hospital, in Washington, DC.

I am thrilled....

This is going to be one heck of a year.

Dedrum..... What Have You Done?????

So, a few hours after the immediate excitement of passing another hurdle, it hit me....

I am going to be a ...... Surgeon....... [Holy Implausible Scenarios, Batman!]

It happened as I was talking to a close friend. And as those words came out my mouth, I started to choke up.

All those years of struggle.
The sleepless nights.
The long days.
The times when I questioned myself, and questioned myself, and questioned myself.
The times when I came this close to quitting.
The times when I came this close to leaving.
The times when I felt my sanity slip...

And now this...

Now, there's a program that said "Yes Dedrum, we like you. We think that you have the right stuff, and we want you to have OUR coat, wear OUR name on your shoulder, and learn from OUR teachers as you heal OUR patients...."

Introducing DeDrum, Surgeon-in-training.

See why 2008 won't be like anything you've seen before.

Black Monday - Part 2

I MATCHED!!!!!

The news was simple: 'Congratulations. You have matched to a one year position.'

And with that, I at least knew that I'd be somewhere this July...

It isn't exactly what I wanted, but it's still gonna be all right....

Tune in Thursday for the rest of the Saga.....

Black Monday

Black Monday...

That's the day, for you non-Medical types, where we find out IF we matched...

Once that happens, all that's left is to wait until the big day...

Black Monday falls in just over 12 hours.

And to be honest, I'm feeling all right. I'm looking forward to it.

After all, once Monday passes, the worst case scenario, I'm learning surgery SOMEWHERE.

But to be honest, it's funny to think that somewhere, in this country, SOMEBODY knows where I'll be.

Until Thursday, that somebody isn't me.

9 Days....

In a week and 2 days, I find out where I spend the next 5 or so years of my life.

In six days, I know if I can sit pretty for the remaining 3 days, or if I'll be feverishly making calls for open spots.

If I get the "Congratulations" email on Monday, I may take the day off on principle....

This part of the wait is killing me.

The sensation of 'fait accompli' that accompanied the certification deadline is gone....

This is different.

Nothing I can do but wait. But, I swear, I've got a nagging desire to eat TUMS like they were tic-tacs....

Now, We Wait....

The certification deadline came and went.

With the exception of me throwing info on the programs that I ranked onto the floor, and pacing the room like a trapped Sith, I made it to the 9 pm deadline without incident.

At this point, all I can do is wait...

... wait for march 18th, and hope to God that I hear nothing from my dean
... wait until March 20th, where I find out where I'll be "living" for the next 1 - 7 years...

The peculiar thing is this.... once the certification deadline came, I was calm... After all, at that point, all I can do is wait. There is absolutely NOTHING I can do until then.

CORRECTION: I can freak out whenever members of my family insinuate as to what my future location will be.... :-)


And this is a little something I found whilst searching for a Sith image... I couldn't let it pass....

When I grow up....

So, I know what everyone must be thinking...

How on EARTH did you pick surgery?

Well, my friends, the answer on this the eve of the certification deadline, is simple.

Med School is about flow charts. And choosing your future career is no different.


As you will see to the left, is how it all works out.

I will say this much though. I am not too sure about the peds people...

But then again, that's just my opinion.

Obviously, we don't really pick our careers this way. But you'd be surprised how close to accurate this little flow chart is.

It would be nice if it were this simple....

Now, for some added fun, you should see how we put rank lists together.

It makes the NFL draft look like a walk in the park.