A Pediatrician at Heart

Looking back, I was just happy working as a general practitioner. I am that kind of a person who feel grateful so easily. Along the way, I realized there were something about children's health which caught my interest. When you see through children's eyes, you just could not get mad at them. Their soul are so pure, all you want to do is to help them. So, there I was, finally applied for pediatric residency.

Surviving pediatric residency life was not as easy as 1, 2, 3. There were so many restless days and sleepless nights. The hospital became my primary home and I grew closer with the people inside. I practically slept, ate and took a shower in the hospital. I did not realize that this pediatric residency slowly changed my life.

Entering pediatric residency life was like being pushed into a wild jungle. Problems would always be standing in front of our way. We needed to find solutions in a limited time with zero mistake. As a human being, zero mistake was impossible, especially when our brain was extremely sleep deprived. We had to stay sane when others tried to drive us crazy.

We were dealing with small human beings who could not survive with the role of their care givers. Even when they survived, they could not reach their adult full potential. One tiny mistake may change their future. In other words, pediatricians have an extremely heavy task related to children's health upon their shoulder.

I was working in National referral hospital where children with complicated cases were being treated. The longer I spent my time with my patients, the more I admire them. They taught me how to be grateful with our life. They showed me how to be strong when many obstacles strike. I learned how to be calm when the world was full of anger.

There were so many times I wanted to give up and just leave everything behind. But they always told me to stay. I could not stop thinking about them even when my examination day was near. They gave me knowledge and skill, so I could be a better pediatrician. I always felt like I had an obligation to give something back.

I have graduated now as a pediatrician. I do not know what the future may bring. I may decide to be a full time mother, a writer or an entrepreneur. But one thing for sure, wherever I go, whoever I will be, whatever I will do, I will always be a pediatrician at heart.

The day I took an oath to dedicate myself as a pediatrician