Sucked In

I started my new rotation on Monday, pediatric radiology. It was the compromise I reached with my mom since she desperately wants me to become a radiologist... and I like genetics.

Since Monday, I have had several radiologists sit me down and tell me why I need to go into radiology. The pediatric radiologist went on and on about how great pedi rads is and how there's a desperate need for pedi radiologists and how I would make bank in private practice.

The neuroradiologist told me how she was just like me... not a memorizer, engineer, etc... I would totally understand the brain and how it would look when diseased (let me tell you, I still don't know what a normal brain looks like on imaging).

And then there is O. O did his residency and fellowship at my mom's hospital. O tracks me down everyday with a new reason why I should do radiology. Yesterday was only day 3 and he dragged me around a cocktail party to introduce me to all the important department chairs and heads.... and the residency director.

I'll admit I'm getting sucked in. I may not get the patient contact I love as a radiologist, but I have seen some really cool cases. My favorite (yet painful for the patient) was the story of the kid who got testicular torsion after his friend chucked an onion at his package... and well... his balls twisted from the impact.

Ok reality check. I have kept my step 1 board score a secret because I'm embarrassed by it. I am tired of being judged by a number every four years. I know a major reason I have avoided radiology is because many hospitals have a cut off board score... and mine is way below it. I don't have the confidence in my application to get a residency in that field, so I found genetics... an up and coming field that will accept me because they "need" me more than I need them.

Last night I reached a new compromise with my mom. She will talk to the chief of the department and ask him what he thinks my chances are. If he says I may apply to my mom's hospital, I will and rank it first... but the rest of my applications are for genetics.