New Hope

The month of September denotes a new season of uncertainty for graduate doctors as well to fourth year medical students. It's the month were we collectively apply via the Internet using ERAS application program for residency training of our choice at medical programs across America. There is alot of time spent to research programs,collecting letters of recommendations and the most demanding is the soul searching, mind boggling time spent writing up personal statements to express your attributes, aspirations and why they need you ... the better you present yourself in the PS the better it may act as an advocate for you to get the golden prize that being An invitation. I personally found writing the PS was the most demanding mostly because I come from a culture were we don't sing our praises, the more timid or considerate you are the better.

Once all your documents are uploaded by the system, you've filled out your online CV and CAF(Common Application form)and certify that what you have written is the truth you can officially apply to programs. Which poses another problem, how many programs can you afford to apply to? depending on the number of programs you apply to the cost differs. It's no cheap process and not for the faint hearted. Last year I applied to 61 programs I paid around $1200. This year Ive applied to Family medicine programs and Internal medicine programs total of 61 programs I spent $675, price got split because I applied to different fields of medicine but in the end it's still alot of money. I haven't added the costs for the token, USMLE transcript, NRMP .... which is approx $200.

After making the payment and pressing the SUBMIT BUTTON that's when all the fun begins. You check your Inbox twice or thrice daily, check your cellphone frequently you don't want to miss that phone call from a program coordinator. You check online forums frequently to know which programs have sent invitations and rejections while your inbox is dry. You read forum members comments regarding phone Interviews gone bad and sympathise with them as they receive the rejection. You read about people getting rejections because they applied to programs which don't offer visas but on the programs website such information isn't posted. To be honest apart from being stressful it's also been a humbling experience. I still haven't heard from most of the programs Ive applied to but I'm grateful Ive received my first Interview which has given me hope in the system. There is still time to hear from others.

PS.Would like to share an article created by usmlepatient on USMLEFORUM regarding this years match and the way we feel aka the Match 2010 syndrome. Enjoy!!

MATCH 2010 SYNDROME
Frustration with Malignant hypertension and excessively raised Intracranial tension. Frequent palpitations with occasional skipped beats. Unresponsive to therapy.

Associated symptoms: Lack of concentration, hyperphagia (I wish anorexia would be a symptom), mood swings, feeling of guilt, (no suicidal ideation....!)
Excessively peeping into "2010 match" community and not to mention the number of times opening 'My ERAS' for new messages. Occasional night terrors.


Associated risk factors: Step 3 in the very near future.

Aggravating factors : Rejections. Lots of IV calls for fellow IMGs...that too with same creds.
Alleviating factors : at least acknowledgements.

Defenses employed: Denial and rationalization after seeing the rejections. Introjection after seeing IV calls for the fellow IMGs.

Vitals : seemingly normal.
General examination : the patient is disheveled , unkempt and a bit agitated.
Execessively drowsy (even after daily long sleeping hours).


Management:
High doses of IV calls for induction.
Good interview performances for maintenance.
and a Prematch for remission.

Innate immunity : Being an American med graduate.

Acquired Immunity

Active immunity : a)naturally acquired - by doing some USCE
b)artificially acquired - by having some contacts.

Passive immunity : a) naturally acquired - Green card or Citizenship
b) artificially acquired - no more than sheer luck.

P.S. chances of relapse at the time of getting into a fellowship.

Eid Mubarak

Ramadhan Kariim

I received this poem in Swahili and I would like to share it as it reflects on Ramadan. I wish everyone a Ramadhan Makbul.

YA RABBI UTUNUSURU

Ninaanza kwa salamu, Baraka nizifaidi
Nashika yangu kalamu,Kusema imenibidi
Enyi ndugu isilamu, Umati wa Muhamadi
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Mikono naifungua, Na kwa moyo mkunjufu
Mgeni ameshatua, Mwezi mwema mtukufu
Naupokea kwa dua, Na furaha sufu sufu
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Mwaka huu mtihani, Si rahisi ni mgumu
Kuifunga Ramadhani,Mchana kutwa saumu
Kwa kweli sio utani,Yapaswa kujilazimu
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Daku msilisahau, Mkatafuna vitende
Ugali au pilau, Msipokula ni mbinde
Mujipige angalau,Saumu isiwashinde
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Mchana jua ni kali, Lazima kuvumilia
Magharibi nayo mbali,Adhana kusubiria
Ukahisi huna hali, Na ari kukuishia
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Sio matumbo pekee, Nafsi pia fungani
Macho msikodolee, Maovu kuyatamani
Ubora ni mtembee, Mkitazama angani
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Tena nchi za ulaya, Mazingira ni hatari
Watu wamekosa haya, Kwa kupenda ufahari
Tabia zao ni mbaya, Kwao kufunga hiari
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Hiyo miji ya likizo, Msimu wa kiangazi
Ndio kuna matatizo, Wanawake wote wazi
Kuvaa sio kigezo, Vimini ndio mavazi
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Tumuombe Maulana, Ya Allah ya Karimu
Tusijeipata lana, Kwa mambo yaso muhimu
Tutendeni ya maana, Isitupate hukumu
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


Tamati nimefikia, Imepita alasiri
Magharibi meingia, Namalizia shairi
Wenzangu nawakimbia,Nenda tafuta futari
Ya Rabbi utunusuru, Pepo tusijeikosa


by Hamza A. Mohammed

The Match is over. Starting from square one again

So, as I predicted 2008 will be a year of challenges. Sure was in every aspect !! I did get to to pass my exams on first attempt though not as well as I had anticipated. Travelled to Chicago to do my cs exam and enjoyed a few days seeing the attractions of the city. Applied for the residency match on time and got to volunteer with local doctors. It was a tough year but rewarding in its own way. Learnt more on my limitations and developed new strengths. Made some good friends through this trial and got time to volunteer with the community and play an active role. I'm human so I am a bit disappointed that I didn't get to Match into an Internal Med or Family Med residency program but believe if I put some more effort in it...try some new venues e.g research God willing I will match next year.

Health wise except from a bad flu I picked up from NYC trip I was healthy as a horse, Mashallah. Been working out and dieting managed to lose the extra pounds I added while studying. I still love my chocolates but there is no harm with treats,, now and then !!! Having fun with cooking... been bedazzling friends with my talent. Hope I can keep it. I miss alot of things especially food and I try to fusion the different cultural experiences I have had and create a taster recipe. I love my Swahili-Turkish-Indian-Somali-western infused creations... there is so much you can make in the kitchen. And there is so much more to learn if only I had the extra time...

Friendship and relationships have prospered. Learnt alot from others and shared what I knew or had experienced. Ive learnt more of my own temperament and how I relate to others. Ive come to know who are my real friends and I appreciate who they are. As for my "false" friends I pray they will have patience and learn that giving or helping others isn't so hard. In life we all go through stages of giving or taking, life is dynamic we are supposed to adapt and change with the course. And make the most of the challenges we face either good or bad but still holding true to our core ideals and integrity. One idiom which has rung true to my trials and tribulations has been "actions speak more than words". It has helped me to differentiate friends from acquaintances.

I still managed to travel and have some fun :) Wonder where I will go next? Its always nice to get out of the routine and appreciate nature or the man made beauty around you. Experienced the tastes and flavors of pumpkins at the 101st Circleville Pumpkin festival, enjoyed the view from Sears towers and from the top of the rock, had some great pizza in NYC, enjoyed the beauty of African sunset in Tanga & the busy streets with bicycles . Enjoyed the walks in the various parks in Columbus in fall and the beautiful picturesque change of the seasons. Winter as usual was cold and white but beautiful in its own unique way. And now we are in spring again can hear the chirping of birds all around me. Life is beautiful... there is so much to see and experience. I'm grateful to be alive and breathing. Thank you God, I will be patient, I know you have greater plans for me. After pain and tribulations comes ease. I will actively try to achieve it. Amin.

A little reminder of Home... Taarabu Music Titled Najiamini - I beleive or trust in myself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEIa-b5qpeo

Enjoy!!!

A New Era

Times have changed a new wave of hope has crossed the world, again. The first time I felt this way was after Nelson Mandela's release when he visited Tanzania. I was still in primary school we were mobilised with our teachers to head to Ocean Road near the white house in Dar es salaam thousand of school children, myself clad in my blue and white school uniform waiting to see the Noble man, a son of Africa who fought an apartheid system for equality for all. I remember the excitement, the pushing and shoving just to get a glimpse of Nelson Mandela when he passed in the motorcade waving at us, free atlast. The tears flowing down our eyes, waving back franticlly, the singing and clapping;the euphoria was overwhelming. A new Beacon of hope for fellow African's and especially for South Africa and a living proof that facing adversity, determination and fighting for justice was a noble cause. A lesson alot of us learnt and wanted to hear more off, stories of our brothers and sisters in South Africa, how did he survive in seclusion and how the New South Africa will forgive their past and reconcile as a Nation. And the rest is History.

Yesterday, again I re-lived that moment. A son of a Kenyan father, the first AfroAmerican was elected by the people of America to hold the highest position in office in the western world. I am used of the Idea of seeing African presidents leading but this was different because the history was occuring in America and not the African continent. More than 200 years history after abolishment of slavery and 40 something years of the Civil right movement the first man of colour was heavily elected by the people to rule the people with a total of 137 million votes !!!. Atlast, the spell was broken . It wasnt a question of luck, he too, Barack Hussein Obama was determined, faced adversity, bet the odds and laid down a plan to succeed. His excellent grassroot networking, his vision in pushing a positive theme energized people to fight for change in unity for the better good of the nation.

I am lucky to be in America to see the unfolding of the election process the primaries, nomination and later the presidential election. I learnt alot of the American people, the media effect and the uniqueness of the contestants running . I have experienced how politics was practised back home and in Turkey. There was a stark difference for once I saw transparency, honesty, integrity ... not the usual hoodwinking and making the people feel as fools, people of affluence lost their footing and lost, good speeches were delivered and an genuine effort to include the people into decision making. The Obama's movement will definitely be taken as a role model by other nations especially with the efficient usage of technology, committed community work and the grassroot fundraising. And most importantly committing themselves to their message, uniting the people and not going negative which would have been the easiest way to do. I admire the foresight in establishing this system and which later brought about the realisation of the dream.

Elected President Obama has a tough job awaiting him as we all well know. May God help him be a healer and give him the strength do his job well . I strongly beleive he will play his A game. I pray that the world and America will be patient with him so that we can all overcome. And let peace, global stability and prosperity prevail again.

Mungu Akubariki

2008 and 1428 buyrun,welcome!!!

Recently Ive been in a coccoon keeping my thoughts to myself. Ive currently relocated to Columbus Ohio. And Ive started to study seriously for my licensure exams intend to do my first exam, the USMLE step 1 in march inshallah. Im taking things slowly this time juggling with my books t home or barnes & nobles or public library, visiting mosques, the occasional shopping and going to the movies or visiting galleries.

2007 has been an exciting year for me, got my african medical experience , met incredible people and heard their stories, met my better half, had wonderful holidays at home(Arusha, moshi,zanzibar, Dar es salaam, Tanga and also neighbouring Nairobi(kenya)) . Travelled and met relatives (Abudhabi -UAE, London, Southampton, Northampton, Milton Keynes Uk and Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara falls Ca) and now in the states in pursuit to fulfil a dream Inshallah; to gain my postgraduate education

My 2008 forecast

I see myself more positive,healthier, happier and religiously more grounded. Passing all my 3 exams and Inshallah getting some good interviews at recognisable medical institutes. I miss treating patients but Ive still got to do some observerships/USCE that will be sometime in the middle of the year, so thats something Im looking forward to. Inshort 2008 Inshallah will be my year of personal growth where my strength and weakness will be tested to the maximum especially academically to place me for the 2009 match.

2008 will also be a very long year in comparison to the Islamic calendar. Today is 21st dhul hijjah 1428, dhulhijjah is last month in the Muslim calendar and we will be celebrating our new year soon on the 10th of January Inshallah. Also as we base our calendar on the moon sightings this year is a leap year so we will live through 1429 and also 1430, as the new Islamic year is estimated to commence on the 29th of Dec 2008. Amazing, having to celebrate 3 new years while still in 2008. Subhanallah.God is Great!

Mt.Kilimanjaro seen from Moshi, Tanzania -a view I used to wake upto.

Happy new year!!! Peace on earth.

Salaam

Salaam means peace, Asalaam aleykum - I wish you peace. Ive been away for so long feels like eternity. Reading my thoughts of the past brings good memories and also amazement. Did I really write that? In this last 1yr Ive been writing-phobic if such words exists. Grown more and more verbal than usual. I had expectations when I left for home some of them with time became a reality and a majority didnt work out as I anticipated. I learnt alot; great hands on experience, bonding with people regardless of their religious or social ties, compassion though I also lost myself inthe day to day slavery. The idea of me, my needs, my existance was being erased slowly and totally in such away I wanted out. Away from work, away from this world and the never ending wants, I needed time for "me". A 2 week holiday to Zanzibar saved me, I almost had a nervous break down. At the beach house, I would sit and watch the changing tides, the dawn and sunset, children play. I enjoyed the evening and morning walks barefooted on white sand which could take 1 to 3 hours long with a family member or alone. I could sleep with the sound of the waves crushing the shore and the beautiful sounds of the coconut trees swaying to the breezes. I am grateful noone was dependant on me, I could do what I willed. I had the best of fruits, seafood and company. Also a small collection of magazines and novels to divert my thoughts. I learnt to play Bao for the fun of it, ah, the child in me was allowed to play again. My life needed this simplicity and serinity and my body needed to rejuvenate. Those two weeks were like 2 months to me, I put on weight, felt good and got a tan; most importantly I was in peace again with myself, the environment and my Creator. I was ready to go to work, finish what I have started and be me the ever so positive person.

I completed my contract and left with anger and resentment again. Bureacrasy wins again, my papers werent completed. After 3 weeks of dillydallying things werent rolling, truth is they didnt want me to leave. Still dont, "you should do your postgrad now I will vauch for you personally" and other promises. I instead have other plans would like to go to greener shores again and do my postgraduate there, then consider giving help back home or anywhere in Africa. If my plans fail after 2years of effort I may change my mind. Postgraduate back home is poorly on academics, you work as a laborer for example 102 patients can attend clinics on a day once I single handedly saw 35 patients from 9am to 430pm I was exhausted. still had a smile and kind word to say to them and the night call was still awaiting me. The living standards are still unsatisfactory and the pay unrewarding. And there are so many unnecessary frustration.

Im currently at home giving my father company.Though he complains I talk alot these days. I still havent got my papers but Im recupareting and thanking God Ive still got my head screwed on and wired properly. I will go back to get the document but as for now Im planning for new adventures and beginnings which are keeping me busy. Though I miss my patients and friends dearly. I miss the social talks we had as they were my real family, they made life bearable and made me understand that my efforts even if it meant a smile during the rounds was appreciated.

I also miss seeing the Kilimanjaro every morning and the calmness of surroundings in Moshi.


As God said in every beginning there is an ending. Mine for now has ended a new one has begun.
Fiamanillah.