Posts Tagged ‘family’

Debt sucks. And if you’re like me, you probably chose to sort of ignore it at first. That’s what I did… early on anyway. At first, I bought into the fact that doctors were higher wage earners, in general, so I assumed that I would have no problem conquering my debt after residency training.

Well, in my third year of medical school, I began to overhear occasional conversations by attendings and upper level residents complaining about their debt. I saw some of my non-medical friends from college begin to buy houses and cars. And I thought… if the debt burden is already going to be huge, how is that new doctors are able to buy homes right after their training? Do they just add more on top of their already large mountain of debt?

What would happen if there were a life-changing event? A chronic disease? A severe accident? Or a delicate family issue that needed tending to? There’s no way they could leave their jobs, even for a short while, with all of that debt… right?

Well, I saw something horrible happen. A third year resident in internal medicine had begun to develop strange neurologic symptoms. After extensive testing, it was discovered that she had multiple sclerosis. I watched her deteriorate in typical step-wise fashion from a fully functioning resident… one of the best, in fact… to the point where she needed braces to walk. I hear that after I left that hospital that they allowed her to complete her residency even though she couldn’t really finish all of the rotations. Although she probably had several options after her training – consulting, writing, etc – I couldn’t help but think… what if that were me?

What would happen to my wife and kids if my debt came due and I couldn’t work? Anyway, I digress. Let’s get to the next video.

In this video, I show you how I rapidly… and I mean rapidly… got out of debt. This is Part 1 of a two-part video. Even though Part 2 is only available to members, this one gives you the exact step-by-step plan I followed. Click this video’s image to get started. (It might take a few extra seconds for the video to start. The file is a little large.)

Ultra-important lesson from a dying patient. Watch this farewell lecture from Randy Pausch…

Actually, he died today… here’s an article about it… his mission and his message.

Okay, I just spent almost the entire day putting some finishing touches on something that will really help you out… but indirectly.

It’s really cool, but in a way, it’s sad that I had to do it.

The fact is that because of your career path, and because of the current stage in that path, your relationships are in for a change – a shake-up. You are going to face stress from angles you never really thought of. Although it is all manageable, it is not easy. And unfortunately, our family and friends are usually the ones that bear the brunt of it.

So, I created tips and strategies for them – for your friends and family. No charge, no gimmick, no catch.

Very simple… They sign up with their name and email. Then every so often, I send them a little message – audio and written – only a few minutes long – but full of great info and ideas for maintaining your relationships (and sanity).

They can sign up here:

Or, better yet, send them to the main RookieDoctor.com site, to the Family & Friends section. Here’s the direct link: Audio Tips for Loved Ones and Friends of Interns and Residents.