Author: Michaella

Married to my high school sweetheart. Going through life as a doctors wife. <3

Living In A State of Uncertainty

Geoff will graduate from his medical school in May of this year – 2019. Let that sink in for a minute. I will be D O N E with the medical school part of this journey in just a little over 5 months. Craziness. The next part, if you know anything or nothing about the process of becoming a doctor, is residency. Residency – in the simplest of terms – is where one goes to further learn their specialty and practice their specialty under the watchful eyes of attending physicians.

It feels like all of fourth year has been this fluid state of uncertainty. Not knowing exactly where your S.O. (and you for that matter) will go for the next part of his training can be quite anxiety riding if you ask me. But trust in the process that is The Match and everything will work out they say. So…you’re telling me that Geoff and I will be putting our lives in the hands of an algorithm. Coolness. The EASIEST way to explain The Match is with the YouTube video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvgfgGmemdA
Source: National Resident Matching Program YouTube Channel

What is even more nuts is that Geoff and I will find out where we are headed in March 2019! That’s roughly only two and a half months away from today – January 4th. Everyone always asks us where we would like to end up, where our #1 choice is. Our answer? Home – Washington State. However, should that not be the case, we’re blessed to have several other great options available. Rest assured that I will share with all of you where we are going upon finding out and that I will continue to share our journey through life in residency!

xoxo

So your S.O. has decided to go to Medical School…

I remember this conversation like it was the other day. Geoff told me that he wanted to become a doctor and go to medical school. All I could think (or say for that matter) was ‘Okay’. In my mind it was a WHOLE different story. I started thinking about all the life changes, the sacrifices, and the unknown. My father was an Internal Medicine physician with a very successful practice. Geoff’s father is currently a practicing Anesthesiologist. Both have shared their experience, advice, and insight into the whole process. My mother-in-law supported Geoff’s father through medical school – so I leaned on her for advice and support. Did I really know what I was getting into? I said I knew…but did I REALLY?

If I could give you any advice this is it – run for the hills! Just kidding, don’t do that. But in all seriousness though, be prepared for a significant change. A change that will shape not just you and your significant other (S.O.) as individuals, but as a couple. It sounds so obvious, and you may roll your eyes, but trust me…when you look back on who you both were at the beginning of the journey and at the end of the journey, you won’t be the same. And that’s okay.

Be prepared to be “essentially single” most of the time. Be prepared for your S.O. to be physically present, but mentally absent (at times). Be prepared to have to plug in when they need you, even though it feels like ages that you’ve had too. Be prepared to to do almost everything. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of the pets, of the kids, the bills, the rent, and them! It will be a lot to handle, but you got this.

Make sure that you and your S.O. talk about medical school, the journey, wants & needs for the other person, wants & needs as a couple, and really make sure you’re on the same page. Medical school will take a lot of effort on both sides and you don’t want to leave things unsaid. You have a long and tough 4-years ahead. It is not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. To see your S.O. pursue their passion is really exciting. To see them grasp a concept or to see their eyes light up when they talk about what they want to do is inspiring. You will then know that the long days and nights were 100% worth it.

xoxo