Scars Remind Us

Today marks the nine year anniversary of the day I was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had my first surgery. Now that all the lists are in I thought I would share my personal statement that is required as part of the residency application.

March 10, 2000, is a day I will never forget, as this is the day I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I had felt the mass almost two years before that day, and now the pain had finally become too much to bear. I went to the doctor that morning, and later that day I had an orchiectomy to remove my cancerous testicle. I was eighteen years old and finishing my senior year in high school at the time. I would spend the rest of my summer having a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and undergoing four rounds of chemotherapy.

The emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that accompanied this event led me into the medical field. My urologist and oncologist were amazing mentors who served as great examples of caring, compassionate doctors and influenced me greatly. If not for this life changing experience I would probably be sitting behind a desk as an accountant at this moment. That was my major in college, and at first I fought against the tug on my soul telling me to pursue medicine. Having cancer changed my outlook on life and made me realize that I could use my talents and abilities to care for others who suffer in the same way I had. I have been cancer free for eight years now and take pride in my status as a cancer survivor, knowing that there was a purpose and that I would not be the man I am today without enduring the hardships I experienced through cancer.

Upon entering medical school I didn’t have much of an idea about what specialty I wanted to go into. I had thorough experience in the fields of urology and oncology, but I tried to keep an open mind as I started my clinical rotations. I soon learned that I liked the clinical setting and the relationships with patients that it allowed. I also enjoyed the action and interaction of the hospital, including taking care of sick patients, providing comfort to families, and learning about the satisfaction of making someone better or the anguish of losing a patient.

Pediatrics was one of my first rotations and I immediately enjoyed not only working with the children, but providing reassurance and comfort to their parents. In the same way, I felt like the pages of my medical textbooks were coming alive through the variety of diagnoses I saw during my internal medicine rotation. I found that I loved taking care of people young and old, providing parental guidance during well child visits, preventive medicine during health maintenance exams, and all of the opportunities available in both fields.

My medical history, as well as my drive, perseverance, and determination for my future all have me motivated to pursue medicine despite the time and commitment that I know lie before me. I am excited about what the future may hold for me in the practice of medicine and pediatrics, as well as the future of the field of medicine itself. I look forward to helping people and I am possibly interested in pursuing the field of oncology down the road, but remain open to all possibilities at this point.

I have a passion for community service and would like to serve on various boards, such as my past experience with the American Cancer Society and their Relay for Life event. My wife and child are most important to me and any endeavor I undertake I will always know that they are my support and strength. I will remain a husband and a father first, and will work hard to ensure that I am a devoted physician with an appropriate sense of balance in my life.