What a Family Means

Recently, I have been researching different residency programs and possible locations that we might call home in the next year and a half. Medically I look at the number and types of procedures, the number of hospitals in the system, the number of beds in those hospitals, the professional reputation, the resident reviews, the laws that affect podiatric practice, and even the on-call schedules. There is a lot to compare. Socially I consider only one thing. . . how will my family be physically, spiritually, and emotionally? I don't have to choose the residency tomorrow, so I have some time to debate with myself. October is when I decide where to extern, and where you extern is where you apply.

How do I make the best choice? I don't know. I don't even know that there is a single best choice, or that I'll have the complete choice in the end (a.k.a. "the match"). Yes, I want the best training I can get, and yes I want my family to be happy. In this research, one thought has continually crossed my mind. What my family means to me.

"Portneuf River in Lava Hot Springs. They came, they saw, they conquered,

and hated every minute of it, but DID IT TOGETHER!"

(We only dumped the kids in the water once.)

Natalie, Kelton, Taylor, and Crew, they are my world. I cannot ever give back the amount of happiness they have given me. I think of all the times I have been gone and missed certain things, and unfortunately it will probably get worse before it gets better. Fourth year podiatry students spend the year traveling month by month to different externships across the country, and then as residents, as far as a can gather, you are like well trained golden retrievers. Always on-call and at the beckon call. My point is that although the decisions and situations that are certainly upcoming will be difficult and possibly not ideal. With the support of my family, we can do ANYTHING and still be happy! I love them all, and I feel we work well as a team. So whether we end up in Seattle, or Boston, we will make it. We will keep you all posted on what happens, but I thought I would share what I had been thinking about.

Ryan