Just finished third year, and quite happy to be done. Altogether, though, quite happy in general. Lindsey and I are doing well halfway through our sixth year together, I’m doing reasonably well in school and on the wards, and I’m about to get started in surgery again—quite a relief after having been out of the OR for almost 3 months.

Surgery was a surprise. A big surprise. Since before starting medical school, I had practically assumed I was going to be an emergency medicine physician—then I got to my surgery rotation. Outstanding. Work under pressure, excellent procedures, but also great decision-making and seeing your patients through to discharge. At this point, I honestly couldn’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life. For the first time ever, I’m not looking forward to retirement.

It’s been a hard year, the third year of medical school, and I’m sure there will be plenty of trying times coming.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.