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At the time of writing this article, I am on Day 365 since I’ve started my housemanship journey.
The place that I practice in is Sarawak General Hospital also known as Hospital Umum Sarawak and it was exactly a year ago today when I was nervous, unsure, somewhat excited and anxious to start my first day as a House Officer in the Department of Orthopaedics.
One year later, here I am, still anxious, nervous, unsure and somewhat excited about starting my fourth posting the next day in the Department of General Surgery.
A fourth poster now? How fast time flies.
During this time, I have completed Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics. Thankfully in time as well without any extensions. However, did I pass out with flying colours?
I highly doubt so. I was mainly trying my best to enjoy the journey while surviving.
One year later, I have made good connections and friends along the ways. Both among my house officer peers, the medical officers as well as the specialists. Many of them have taught me a lot in the posting and some have even turn out to be good friends.
The anxiety is still there but the attacks are less. Somehow I am able to keep myself calm and to separate myself between work and personal life.
This is extremely important because as much as we are guilt trip during our work, we have to remember that at the end of the day, there is a clear line between work and personal life. This will keep us sane.
I’ve learnt to eat again which is a good thing. The downside of it though is that I’ve started gaining weight.
Before I know it, I am slowly climbing back to my original weight of when I first started my housemanship journey.
Many of my seniors have now turned into junior medical officers and some of them happened to be serving in the department that I was working in or going to next which is a joy.
Looking back, had I been able to talk to myself, I would have given myself a big hug because at that time, that was what I probably needed the most and to commend myself for sticking out and pushing myself forward everyday even when I felt like quitting.
I also would’ve advised myself to take it slow and not to be so hard on myself because I’ve just started and although a lot is expected of me then, it is not as bad as I am just a junior but instead to try to enjoy the process.
If you’re about to start your house officer journey or going about it, stay strong, keep calm, hold on to the good souls around you and keep showing up everyday even when you don’t feel like it.
You’ve come quite far and it is not an easy nor a straightforward journey. Be kind to yourself as well to others and keep pushing through.
Related Posts:
- Another Good Advice I Will Remember For The Longest Time – Housemanship Diaries
- The Time I Turned A Baby’s Hand Blue – Housemanship Diaries
- My First On Night Experience In General Paediatrics – Housemanship Diaries
- My First On-Night Experience In Nursery Ward
- My Experience In General Paediatrics (Paeds 2B) – Housemanship Diaries
- Enjoying The Journey – Housemanship Diaries
- The Paediatric Wards In Sarawak General Hospital
- Housemanship Diaries: Surviving the Tagging Period in Paediatrics
- Tagging Day 1 In My Third Posting – Day 498 | Housemanship Diaries
- The Benefits Of Working During The Weekend / Weekdays As A House Officer | Housemanship Diaries
- The Joy Of Working The Night Shift As A House Officer
The Theoretical Doctor 