The waiting area for my clinic has a big-screen television, and it was of course* broadcasting the inauguration ceremonies this morning while I was seeing patients. I called a new patient into my examination room just as the swearing in was about to start, and as we were walking away from the waiting area she said:
"Oh thank God you came when you did. I can't stand to watch that vile man become president!"
My patients are awesome.
*By "of course", I in no way mean that I "of course" chose to show the vile man becoming president. I share my waiting area with multiple other physicians and sadly have no say over what is played on the tv.
Showing posts with label Why I am a Doctor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Why I am a Doctor. Show all posts
Friday, January 20, 2017
Thursday, July 30, 2015
What I Have Learned About Money - Part Two
Continuing on from yesterday, here are two more things that I've learned over the past ten months.
Money can buy freedom:
When looking towards my future, I had always just assumed that I would follow the traditional path of working until I'm 65. It didn't occur to me that there was any other option. But then I started reading the frugal blogs, and I realized that there is a whole group of people out there who are saving enough money to retire much earlier, often in their 30s. And while the really early retirement boat has clearly sailed in my case (I'm 38), it is encouraging to think that I could reach the point where I'd be able to retire well before the age of 65.
Not that I necessarily would. I like my work, and I get a lot of my meaning in life from helping other people, so I don't feel any urgency to get out of the working world. But it would be nice to have that option, in case my feelings about my job change in the future or (god forbid) I become unable to work before I'm 65.
Even now, I can see ways in which having money and living frugally increase my choice and satisfaction related to my job (and therefore my life as a whole). Part of my new position, which starts in mid-August, will be to work at an inner city clinic treating residents of the area. When this job opportunity became available, I was ecstatic, because I've spent a lot of time working in that clinic, and I think the work they do is incredible. I want to be a part of that clinic. But when I discussed the job opportunity with other attendings, many of them pointed out that I would make less money there than at a more conventional clinic. Some even suggested that I turn the position down.
Which is ridiculous. I've worked hard for 16 years in order to do work that I enjoy and that fulfills me, not to suck every penny I can out of the medical system. Living below my means lets me make that choice.
Sometimes it is still better to spend money than to save it:
NOLA commented on my previous post that she has "always been frugal but willing to splurge". After all of my talk about the benefits of being frugal, I think it's important to point out that I'm the same way; I still spend (probably way too much) money on things that are not absolutely necessary but that make my life better. I still get my apartment cleaned every week, even though it's the largest single variable expense in my budget, because without it I would live in squalor. I recently bought a new storage unit and ottoman tohide organize the clutter essential items that I couldn't get rid of in my recent apartment purge. My second largest variable expense in my budget is still eating out, because it's the easiest way of getting together with my friends, and I value my relationships with them more than most other things.
For me, living frugally isn't about constantly saying no to myself or living a life of deprivation. It's really about being conscious of my spending and eliminating unnecessary things (like bland cafeteria food) so that I can become more financially secure and create more choice for myself. Because I never want to turn down a job that I love just so that I can make a few more dollars.
Money can buy freedom:
When looking towards my future, I had always just assumed that I would follow the traditional path of working until I'm 65. It didn't occur to me that there was any other option. But then I started reading the frugal blogs, and I realized that there is a whole group of people out there who are saving enough money to retire much earlier, often in their 30s. And while the really early retirement boat has clearly sailed in my case (I'm 38), it is encouraging to think that I could reach the point where I'd be able to retire well before the age of 65.
Not that I necessarily would. I like my work, and I get a lot of my meaning in life from helping other people, so I don't feel any urgency to get out of the working world. But it would be nice to have that option, in case my feelings about my job change in the future or (god forbid) I become unable to work before I'm 65.
Even now, I can see ways in which having money and living frugally increase my choice and satisfaction related to my job (and therefore my life as a whole). Part of my new position, which starts in mid-August, will be to work at an inner city clinic treating residents of the area. When this job opportunity became available, I was ecstatic, because I've spent a lot of time working in that clinic, and I think the work they do is incredible. I want to be a part of that clinic. But when I discussed the job opportunity with other attendings, many of them pointed out that I would make less money there than at a more conventional clinic. Some even suggested that I turn the position down.
Which is ridiculous. I've worked hard for 16 years in order to do work that I enjoy and that fulfills me, not to suck every penny I can out of the medical system. Living below my means lets me make that choice.
Sometimes it is still better to spend money than to save it:
NOLA commented on my previous post that she has "always been frugal but willing to splurge". After all of my talk about the benefits of being frugal, I think it's important to point out that I'm the same way; I still spend (probably way too much) money on things that are not absolutely necessary but that make my life better. I still get my apartment cleaned every week, even though it's the largest single variable expense in my budget, because without it I would live in squalor. I recently bought a new storage unit and ottoman to
For me, living frugally isn't about constantly saying no to myself or living a life of deprivation. It's really about being conscious of my spending and eliminating unnecessary things (like bland cafeteria food) so that I can become more financially secure and create more choice for myself. Because I never want to turn down a job that I love just so that I can make a few more dollars.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Moments When I Love My Job
It has been an absolutely perfect weekend here, which of course means that I have been on home call and working on a presentation that I have to give on Wednesday. (Grumble, grumble) To make sure that I didn't completely miss out on the beautiful weather, I made plans to take a break from work this morning to meet my Mom for breakfast and a walk through the largest park in my city. Unfortunately, while I was showering in preparation for my outing, my pager went off.
"Hi, this is (Surgery Resident who is surprisingly cheerful despite working at least twice as hard as a Hepatology Fellow). We just admitted (Very Medically Complicated Liver Patient), who is going for emergency surgery today. We need you to come see him."
(Grumble, grumble)
After phoning my Mom and telling her to delay our plans, my empty belly and I drove to the hospital, staring glumly out the windows at all of the happy people frolicking in the sunny, 25 C weather. Arriving at the hospital, I went into my best doctor mode, pretending that there was nowhere in the world that I would rather be on a beautiful day than inside a dimly lit hospital ward that smelled of harsh disinfectant mixed with bodily fluids.
When I walked into the patient's room, prepared to re-introduce myself with my standard line of "You may not remember me, but I'm Doctor Solitary Diner", I was met unexpectedly by the most enthusiastic of greetings.
"Solitary! So good to see you!"
What followed was part medical interview, part in-depth discussion about our respective plans for an upcoming music festival. Despite not having seen the patient in a number of months, he remembered that I was planning to attend the same music festival as him, and he was eager to confirm that I'd purchased my advance tickets. (I'm actually volunteering at the festival, so it's free!)
It seems like such a small thing, but this brief interaction was a major bright spot in an otherwise tiring weekend. It was so nice to feel like I'm not just another random face in a patient's medical team, but that I'm seen as a real human being with my own interests outside of medicine. And it was important for me to be reminded that the patients for whom I care are distinct people with lives outside of the hospital, not just a collection of lab reports and physical exam findings. This is why I do what I do.
Not bad for an early Sunday morning page.
"Hi, this is (Surgery Resident who is surprisingly cheerful despite working at least twice as hard as a Hepatology Fellow). We just admitted (Very Medically Complicated Liver Patient), who is going for emergency surgery today. We need you to come see him."
(Grumble, grumble)
After phoning my Mom and telling her to delay our plans, my empty belly and I drove to the hospital, staring glumly out the windows at all of the happy people frolicking in the sunny, 25 C weather. Arriving at the hospital, I went into my best doctor mode, pretending that there was nowhere in the world that I would rather be on a beautiful day than inside a dimly lit hospital ward that smelled of harsh disinfectant mixed with bodily fluids.
When I walked into the patient's room, prepared to re-introduce myself with my standard line of "You may not remember me, but I'm Doctor Solitary Diner", I was met unexpectedly by the most enthusiastic of greetings.
"Solitary! So good to see you!"
What followed was part medical interview, part in-depth discussion about our respective plans for an upcoming music festival. Despite not having seen the patient in a number of months, he remembered that I was planning to attend the same music festival as him, and he was eager to confirm that I'd purchased my advance tickets. (I'm actually volunteering at the festival, so it's free!)
It seems like such a small thing, but this brief interaction was a major bright spot in an otherwise tiring weekend. It was so nice to feel like I'm not just another random face in a patient's medical team, but that I'm seen as a real human being with my own interests outside of medicine. And it was important for me to be reminded that the patients for whom I care are distinct people with lives outside of the hospital, not just a collection of lab reports and physical exam findings. This is why I do what I do.
Not bad for an early Sunday morning page.
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