How I’ve Decided My Path: OB&GYN
By: Eden Kunter
Tags: Doctors, Women In Business, Life Lessons, Life, Medical School

I have matched a program in the obstetrics and gynecology department as a resident doctor. This article is my overall journey to make a dream come true.

Photo by Anna Civolani on Unsplash

Medical School

I started medical school when I was 17 without any clue about the future. I was raised by two well-disciplined parents who provided me everything I need while studying. Yet, there has always been a lack of emotional support. Therefore, I usually had to make the big mistakes and learn from them by myself.

In my opinion, the educational system has various open points to question in Turkey. How could a 17-year old make a life-long decision without any regret while growing? Isn’t it obvious it is better to make this decision switchable into something else by reorganizing it to cascade?

Anyhow, in Turkey, you have to make this decision while you aren’t even able to vote. So, I did. I have decided to be a doctor, got into medical school, thought that was it. But that was not even the beginning.

After Graduation

New grads have to do compulsory work for 600 days in a field (emergency rooms, local health authorities, ambulance services) that the government will choose based on a list they create from ten places. In Turkey, your medical school graduation diploma is invalid unless you complete your days. I made my list from 10 different cities all around Turkey, and luckily, I have matched my first choice, which is the children’s emergency room.

Photo by Tai’s Captures on Unsplash

The Anxiety Of What Is Coming

After completing my 600 days, it was time to choose my real path in life. Yet, in a few months, the pandemic has started; I had to go through a break up with my 7-year old relationship while dealing with depression and anxiety. The future seemed even more blurry than ever back then. I had no plan, no savings, not even a healthy life above all. My anxiety has been screaming louder than ever. I had no choice but moved on, so I did.

I consulted my psychiatrist in our therapy sessions.

I said,

I do not even know WHO I AM; how am I supposed to choose the best path for myself?

“Take a deep breath. Focus on little moments while working. Focus on what makes you happy, what feels merely right. After your shift, take a rest, grab your coffee and write them down.”

The Relief Of What Is Behind

I have always been a good student, so I did my homework after every shift, even after I sobbed myself to sleep. After a few weeks, I had the results and a differential diagnosis:

Children make me happy.

Seeing powerful women makes me happy.

To help people makes me happy.

A little drama to take over makes me feel worthy.

The trauma room reminds me of why I am here.

To staunch tears makes me understand why I chose this path.

Proving The Stigma Wrong

You can’t match in a residency unless you finish your psychiatric treatment, they said.

I did.

You can’t be a surgeon once you have been diagnosed with anxiety; it would be too much for you, they said.

Once I figured out what my path is, I have learned how to manage the anxiety day by day.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

I started medical school when I was 17 without any clue about the future.

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder when I was 23.

I have learned from my mistakes.

I loved every piece of this journey, even where things were getting sharp.

I suffer from the crisis.

Yet I survived.

Today, I feel proud to say I am here to save lives.