I probably am not alone in my general dislike of pain.  In the book, "The Gift of Pain",  Dr. Brand recounts numerous stories of patients with leprosy who consequently lost sensation in their hands, feet, eyes, etc... (ie, the cooler parts of the body where the leprosy causing bacteria tend to reside).  As a result, injuries occured without the patient knowing it, infections set in, and finally fingers and toes began falling off.  Blindness crept in due to the patient not sensing that his eyes were dry and therefore not blinking.  These patients would have LOVED to have even a faint twinge of legitimate pain. 

So, the next time you get your fingernail pulled out by the roots, or you step on a nail, (or someone pours tabasco sauce on your eyeball)....Thank God you can feel it! 

I know.  It takes a mature style of thinking.

Anyway, this book should be a good read for anyone interested in missions, medicine, good biographies of world changing people, or just broadening their philosopy of pain.

In other news, the last few months have been very busy for us.  We are both working full time, we bought another house, took a trip to PA to see family, sold our old place, and are excitedly preparing for the arrival of baby #1.... of 25 (I think....wait... I should probably ask her first before throwing out too large of numbers).   No seriously,  I am really looking forward to being a father.  Medicine can only minimally explain this wonder.     

...you must have been a slow learner!  - Amish man to Dr. Lehman

Last weekend marked the end of my 21st year of formal education.  Granted, after 18-19 yrs, it becomes mostly a job.  Probably more stressful than other jobs at times, but nevertheless, it is possible to train one's mind to shut out most of the stress when one needs to.

Last weekend I officially accepted the title of Wesley Bryan Schrock, M.D.  Someone asked me if it has completely soaked in that I am now a doctor.  I don't know.  What does "soaked in" mean?  Is that when a doctor gets his inflated ego?  In some ways this degree feels sort of like my 16th birthday.  I didn't feel a whole lot different than I did the day before my birthday, but the car keys in my hand signified a whole honkin-big load of responsibility.  Hopefully, with this degree the responsibility "soaks in" without the all-to-often associated big ego.

The weekend was great!  On the eve of May 22, we had our Long Coat Ceremony with guest speaker Deanna Favre (yes, Brett's wife) giving a wonderful speech.  My entire family, my wife's parents, and my wife's sister and brother-in-law were able to attend.  Graduation took place on the 23rd, and a party was held in my honor on the 24th at my parents place.  It was a wonderful, humbling weekend with lots of friends and family wishing me well.   

After the Long Coat Ceremony

Graduation

My biggest fan!  I'm so thankful for my lovely wife!

My only tangible proof of the last 4 years of my schooling!

At my graduation party, I had my wife, her mother, and her sister and brother-in-law sing "How Deep the Father's Love for Us".  It was beautiful!

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

-Wes

Well, dear readers, It looks as if we will be living in Jackson, MS for at least the next 5 yrs!

As I anticipated, Match Day was an emotional ceremony.  I know of only a few of my classmates who were disappointed with the results of the Match.  There may have been others, but those were able to at least appear pleased with their Match result.  The statistics tell us that this has been the most successful Match in 30 years.  Of the 15,242 medical students across the nation who participated in the Match this year, 94.2% successfully matched in a residency program, with 84.6% of those matching in their top three choices.

For the record, Heidi and I are very pleased with our match.  We have for the past year or so been hoping and praying to get a Radiology residency, and the Lord has given us our desire.  We were matched in a 1yr preliminary Internal Medicine year followed by a 4yr Radiology residency here in Jackson, MS.  This will be at the same hospital where I have studied for the past 4yrs.  There are quite a number of Radiology programs that require their residents to complete a preliminary year before starting Radiology, Jackson being one of them.  Therefore, I will not actually start Radiology until the Summer of 2009.  I will be getting a better foundation in general medicine until then. 

I have thought recently again of how Hannah must have rejoiced when she found out she was with child.  She had prayed so fervently for a son!  In the same way we are exceedingly happy to have been given our desire for a residency, and like Hannah dedicating her son to the Lord, we have dedicated this specialty and opportunity to the Lord's service. 

 -Wes

Life is very slow pace for us right now, yet somewhat stressful at the same time.  The stress mainly stems from waiting.  Waiting for the unknown....to happen.  Come March 20th, we will know the results of our application for medical residency. 

The day we get these results is called Match Day.  On this day all U.S. senior medical students who are applying to residency find out where they will be spending the next 1-6 years.  It's complicated to say the least.  We rank the programs in which we have interviewed from most to least favorite, and those programs rank us in the same manner.  All of our rankings are kept confidential and are submitted to a big computer that starts grinding out a formula for matching all of the applicants to a residency program. 

One huge stressor surounding this day is the manner in which we get the results.  On March 20th of this year, we will walk up on stage in front of all of our classmates, open an envelope and read to the entire audience our result for the Match (this is also the first chance we get to see the results as well).  To put it mildly, it is a very emotional ceremony.  As told to me by some who have been through it already, there are usually some students pleasantly surprised while some are surprisingly displeased with the results of the Match.  However, most applicants get their first choice (I think around 70% last year got their first choice).  This is dependent on many factors, a major one being the level of competetiveness of a chosen specialty.  Some programs rank their applicants more by grades and some focus more on letters of recommendation and whether or not they know the applicant.  There are sooo many variables.  Thankfully God is in charge of this entire process and He already knows what the results will be.  We have faith that He will.give us a residency spot that will best further his kingdom. 

My last three months have been UNBELIEVABLY laid back.  There have been a few necessary meetings at school, I've been reading stuff just because I want to, and we have undertaken revamping our guest bathroom.  Weekends are most often spent with my family about 2hrs away.  Tomorrow I start a month of Emergency Medicine which will be a little more intense than the last three months. 

My lovely wife is currently working in the Surgical ICU at St. Dominic's Hospital about 2mi. from our house. Even though she is at work 3nights/week, I still get to be with her a lot, thanks to my very slow schedule.  She is considering moving to day shift as there have been some recent openings.  She is enjoying work, has been getting along very well with her fellow workers, and is sharing her faith with them.  I am so blessed to have her as my beautiful wife.  No matter the results of the Match, we will be together.  And I am very thankful for that!

Blessings,

Wes