a visit to my son, a third-year medical student, and Cleveland Clinic

To my dismay, I am going to write this week’s blog in English because I am away from home and this computer is not

 

equipped with Korean writing software. Next week in LA I will put some translation on this posting.

 

 

 

 

 

I feel free and lucky to be able to travel to Cleveland and

 

spend a few days with my dearest son, Augustine. 

 

 

As a junior medical student, he has training and gathering experiences

 

at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital and several other hospitals

 

in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

 

 

 

During third year in medical school, the students have to rotate through 7 or more hospital departments

as a compulsive course.  Through this hands-on experience with patients and doctors, they soon need to decide

on their narrow-downed career field before applying for a residency to several teaching hospitals across America

where they hope to get trained. To obtain a desired residency, the students need to register in Matching Residency

Program, which provides an impartial venue for matching applicants’ preferences for residency positions

with hospital program directors’ preferences for applicants. After finishing all requirements and taking two board exams

through medical school, they submit the applications in senior year and then they will receive invitations for interviews

from the selective hospitals that are interested in students’ credentials.  Every year in March,

NRMP’s (National Residency Matching Program) computer will match the students with hospitals where the bilateral

conditions are met.

As a matter of fact, my son is doing the last rotation of third-year at Obstetrics and Gynecologist Department.

 

I missed him and he wanted me to come over after finishing one-week long nightshift of Obstetrics and

Gynecologist.  “Mom, this week is a good chance for me to make time." 

Luckily my schedule did not conflict with his.  Without further hesitation, my departure was arranged hastily. 

Due to the economic downturn, the airplane ticket price was very reasonable despite the sudden departure.

That also made the decision easier.

 

Cleveland is very different from LA where greens and flowers are sprouting

all over the place under the warm sun and balmy weather. 

This place looks bleak, gray, and too quiet and it snowed as well.

But people are warm, pleasant and courteous.^^ 

For a few days, I am ready to enjoy this solemn and heavy ambience.     

 

 

 

The state of Ohio is regarded as one of many economically struggling states

in America. According to the news, its unemployment rate is 7.7% and

last week a nonprofit organization called “Feed the Children” distributed foods

to the record breaking number of 5,000 residents in Wilmington, Ohio.

It is said that about 3,000 people out of the 8,000 residents, who live in or around

Wilmington, face layoffs since the delivery giant company DHL would close

its hub there. These grim people, like people in same situation in other parts of

America, appeared not to know to whom they could turn to get help desperately.

It is so sad and powerless that nowadays, only gloomy economic news seems to propagate, and pessimism about

the recession is getting stronger across America.

 

 

 

Last Sunday, to appease my curiosity, Augustine showed me around

 

the Cleveland Clinic. I noticed on walls the hanging signs saying

 

“Cleveland Clinic Heart Care #1 in America.”  

 

I don’t know whether this hospital actually ranks first place in heart care;

but, it is nice to see recognize something proud of one entity, which has been

working hard to become a leader in at least one field.

 

I searched the Internet for information about the Cleveland Clinic.

It is one of the world’s best known institutions of medicine, medical research

with special renown in the field of heart disease and cancer

For the fourteenth consecutive year, it has been ranked No. 1 in the nation

for heart care according to the 2008 U.S. News and World Report survey.

The survey recognized this hospital as one of the nation’s best hospitals overall

ranking No. 4 in the country. 

 

I do remember incredible news that earned a huge interest and fame last year

with the undertaking of a nearly complete facial transplant replacing 80% of

a woman’s face, who was wounded grievously by a chimpanzee, by its 11 staff

members. She is now reportedly able to breathe through her new nose,

to be able to move her facial muscles and to eat by herself.

 

 

 It is pleasing to know that Augustine can learn some critical skills and fundamental 

knowledge at this well organized teaching facility. How lucky he is!

This summer he plans to spend several weeks to learn at a different hospital

in other states as a senior medical student and

will apply for a residency position in other parts of America.

 

I know that he is leaning to become an Internal Medicine doctor and

Pulmonary/Critical Care specialist. Since he highly hopes to use his medical

knowledge broadly and doing some research work, he has a long way to go to receive his training.

But I don’t mind at all, because he will be the one that chooses his life trajectory and decides on his career path.

 

While sitting on a dining table in his room and looking down at the ground, I feel awakened, and I long for

something meaningful. Even from inside the apartment, I know that the wind is blowing

because of shaking branches and small tree trunks and a fluttering American flag on rooftop of a house.

On the frozen grasses, under trees and on corners of streets are some proof of not being in California - snow and ice.      

 

It is an irony that the quiet and serene surrounding of this city evokes the nostalgia of my childhood in Korea where

there was lots of snow to cover everything, many narrow alleys using as the playing grounds for small children and

constant noise of high pitched tone from passing cars. In those days, all my family members were alive, active, young

and caring. From time to time, I miss those good old times and beloved faces beyond description: many fond memories

ebb and flow through my brain constantly.  But, I don’t want to turn the clock back because I know it is impossible.  

I would rather greet the time ahead of me.

 

Coldness and chilliness hit my face and they seem to shake my deep soul searching for the meaningfulness of my  being.  

I hold my breath as long as I can endure and then exhale and inhale this fresh, cold energy into the veins of my body.

As time goes by, my spirit goes up; but, my body is having a hard time to keep up with it.

 

At this moment, I am happy with who I am and where I am.                                                                                                                     

Love and caring mean sharing time together with someone special or making time for him or her.                                               

Having that sentiment, happily I would do anything with him or for him.

 

http://blog.daum.net/la_regina/6487379

(The above is what I wrote during an another visit to my son last year.)

 

 (Little Italy in Cleveland)