Weekly Blog (11/14-11/20)

As I move forward in the year and on my ISM journey, I am beginning many new chapters and projects. This weeks marks a new chapter in this journey. On Wednesday, I had my first mentor visit with my mentor, Dr. John Mansour. I was both incredibly excited and incredibly nervous for this mentor visit, and it felt much like my first interview when I began this process. Dr. Mansour was, however, both engaging and reassuring. We discussed various expectations for the future and even planned our next mentor visit. On Tuesday, November 22nd, I am going down to U.T. Southwestern Medical Center to shadow him in the surgical oncology clinic. I know that it will not be easy to listen to the several difficult conversations he has with patients, but I also know that this is a part of the job. If oncology is something that I really want to do in the future, and I believe that it is, difficult conversations are inevitable. I think that the most important aspect of these conversations, at least from my early understanding of them, is to be able to portray empathy and sympathy. This good doctor will treat their patients, but will also be able to empathize with them and walk them through the difficult times.