Doctor, it hurts when I do this... December 20, 2019 6:09 PM Subscribe
After an unbelievable sequence of events that went “beyond tragedy to farce,” and after personal hardships only worth mentioning if she so chooses, and even more than four years of med school study, and after more extra science study because she had already had an established career in a completely different field...
...and after a metric crapton of MeFite support for a beloved member...
I am thrilled to introduce M.D. ocherdraco, M.D., who graduated today.
That is fantastic, congratulations ocherdraco!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 6:27 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by ActingTheGoat at 6:27 PM on December 20, 2019
Congratulations! Well done!
posted by loquacious at 6:40 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by loquacious at 6:40 PM on December 20, 2019
Awesome!
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 6:46 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 6:46 PM on December 20, 2019
THIS IS AMAZING NEWS
for me, because I have this weird bump I want you to look at
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:52 PM on December 20, 2019 [12 favorites]
for me, because I have this weird bump I want you to look at
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:52 PM on December 20, 2019 [12 favorites]
Congratulations!!!!!
posted by mogget at 6:54 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by mogget at 6:54 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Huge congratulations!
posted by sallybrown at 6:56 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by sallybrown at 6:56 PM on December 20, 2019
Awesome! Way to go!
posted by jenkinsEar at 7:02 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by jenkinsEar at 7:02 PM on December 20, 2019
(M.D. being her actual first and middle initials, because it was MEANT TO BEEEEEE)
posted by St. Hubbins at 7:03 PM on December 20, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by St. Hubbins at 7:03 PM on December 20, 2019 [8 favorites]
*kermit flail* congratulations!!!!!!
posted by ChuraChura at 7:22 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by ChuraChura at 7:22 PM on December 20, 2019
Congratulations!!!!!
posted by theappleonatree at 7:26 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by theappleonatree at 7:26 PM on December 20, 2019
YAY! Congratulations, Doctor! Set the gearshift for the high gear of your soul!
Great job, everybody!
posted by bondcliff at 7:33 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Great job, everybody!
posted by bondcliff at 7:33 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
I am so happy for you, I am so proud of you, I am so warmed thinking of all the good you will be doing in your new vocation.
posted by brainwane at 7:39 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by brainwane at 7:39 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Congrats! This is awesome news. I remember when you were contemplating med school.
posted by angiep at 7:46 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by angiep at 7:46 PM on December 20, 2019
So exciting! Congratulations!!!
posted by Mouse Army at 7:48 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by Mouse Army at 7:48 PM on December 20, 2019
WOO HOO! Excellent news—Congratulations!!!
posted by bookmammal at 7:56 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by bookmammal at 7:56 PM on December 20, 2019
Whoooo-hoooo!!!! The world is officially a better place with Dr. ocherdraco in it!
posted by dancing_angel at 8:16 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by dancing_angel at 8:16 PM on December 20, 2019
Congratulations!!
posted by mustard seeds at 8:48 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by mustard seeds at 8:48 PM on December 20, 2019
Doctor.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:19 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:19 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
Oh wow, that’s exciting! I know you’ve worked super hard. Congratulations Doctor!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:32 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:32 PM on December 20, 2019
Nevertheless, she regenerated.
Hi Doctor ocherdraco. I am so happy for you. I remember those days when you had a different career! Although it's been a long road, I hope that it makes your accomplishment sweeter.
And I'm happy that the world gets a new doctor in you: smart, curious, mighty, empathetic, kind. Any community would be lucky to have you and your skills.
Congrats! Huzzah! ♥
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 9:49 PM on December 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Hi Doctor ocherdraco. I am so happy for you. I remember those days when you had a different career! Although it's been a long road, I hope that it makes your accomplishment sweeter.
And I'm happy that the world gets a new doctor in you: smart, curious, mighty, empathetic, kind. Any community would be lucky to have you and your skills.
Congrats! Huzzah! ♥
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 9:49 PM on December 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
Woo hoo! That is fucking awesome! Onya for all the hard work you put in, you legend you!
posted by b33j at 9:50 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by b33j at 9:50 PM on December 20, 2019
Yay and congratulations!! I'm so happy for you and for your future patients!
posted by bookdragoness at 10:06 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by bookdragoness at 10:06 PM on December 20, 2019
Psst, ocherdraco, come over here... take a look, does this look normal to you?
posted by Meatbomb at 10:23 PM on December 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 10:23 PM on December 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS! You made it! So proud of you! So happy for you!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:48 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:48 PM on December 20, 2019
Yaaaay !!! Congrats!!!
posted by Sparky Buttons at 10:49 PM on December 20, 2019
posted by Sparky Buttons at 10:49 PM on December 20, 2019
Mazel tov, Dr. ocherdraco! It's hard to believe it's been nine years (and two weeks) since we ate together at a MeFi meet-up at Taco Mamacita in Chattanooga. You've done yourself (very, very) proud. Hugs!
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:24 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:24 PM on December 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
CONGRATS!!!
So amazing and inspiring that you made this career change happen.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:11 AM on December 21, 2019
So amazing and inspiring that you made this career change happen.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:11 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations Doctor.
By the way, I have this funny twinge in my back. Can you fix it? :-)
posted by Cranberry at 12:27 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
By the way, I have this funny twinge in my back. Can you fix it? :-)
posted by Cranberry at 12:27 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
I hope to be among the first to say this -
“So, uh, what’s up, doc?”
Congratulations!
posted by From Bklyn at 1:28 AM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
“So, uh, what’s up, doc?”
Congratulations!
posted by From Bklyn at 1:28 AM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Congratulations! 🍾🎉🎉🎉
posted by halcyonday at 2:12 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by halcyonday at 2:12 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations! Now go out there and do some doctoring. Doctor the hell out of the place.
posted by Stanczyk at 3:40 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Stanczyk at 3:40 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Woooo! Congratulations!
posted by hydropsyche at 4:07 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by hydropsyche at 4:07 AM on December 21, 2019
amazing! congratulations!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:16 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:16 AM on December 21, 2019
How wonderful! Congratulations, doc!!!
posted by okayokayigive at 4:23 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by okayokayigive at 4:23 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations.
posted by sciencegeek at 4:33 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by sciencegeek at 4:33 AM on December 21, 2019
Hooooorraaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:06 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:06 AM on December 21, 2019
Whoot, congrats, that's fantastic!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:07 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:07 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations, and best of luck to you!
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:14 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:14 AM on December 21, 2019
well done!
posted by some loser at 5:26 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by some loser at 5:26 AM on December 21, 2019
Woo hoo! so happy for you!
posted by MichelleinMD at 6:03 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by MichelleinMD at 6:03 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations!!! This is the best news.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:07 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:07 AM on December 21, 2019
Do good work in this world, Doctor. Congratulations!
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:14 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:14 AM on December 21, 2019
Yay! Congratulations!
I do hope the farce becomes something that can be laughed about in the future.
posted by hoyland at 6:16 AM on December 21, 2019
I do hope the farce becomes something that can be laughed about in the future.
posted by hoyland at 6:16 AM on December 21, 2019
So amazing. Congrats.
posted by octothorpe at 6:44 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by octothorpe at 6:44 AM on December 21, 2019
This is great...um, I got this pain in my elbow... congrats
posted by clavdivs at 7:08 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by clavdivs at 7:08 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations! Now I'm extra happy I drew your name for this year's Secret Quonsar.
posted by maurice at 7:23 AM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by maurice at 7:23 AM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yay! Congrats!
posted by Twicketface at 8:00 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by Twicketface at 8:00 AM on December 21, 2019
Yay for Dr. Ocherdraco!
(M.D. being her actual first and middle initials, because it was MEANT TO BEEEEEE)
This week I invigilated a nursing exam and noticed that one of the students had the first and middle initials R.N. It's an obscure subvariant of nominative determinism.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:27 AM on December 21, 2019 [7 favorites]
(M.D. being her actual first and middle initials, because it was MEANT TO BEEEEEE)
This week I invigilated a nursing exam and noticed that one of the students had the first and middle initials R.N. It's an obscure subvariant of nominative determinism.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:27 AM on December 21, 2019 [7 favorites]
Yaaay!
p.s. don't forget to update "occupation" in your profile
posted by XMLicious at 8:45 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
p.s. don't forget to update "occupation" in your profile
posted by XMLicious at 8:45 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Yes Doc! Amazing work!
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 8:58 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 8:58 AM on December 21, 2019
Aw, what excellent news - congratulations!
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:36 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:36 AM on December 21, 2019
Wow that's such good news! Congratulations ocherdraco!
posted by slidell at 9:37 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by slidell at 9:37 AM on December 21, 2019
I'm so excited for you, MD, MD! Congratulatons!
posted by mochapickle at 9:55 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by mochapickle at 9:55 AM on December 21, 2019
Where's your office? Can I make an appointment?
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:41 AM on December 21, 2019
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:41 AM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations!! A welcome bit of news on the shortest day of the year hereabouts.
seeks medical attention for jaw after it struck the floor following shock that there isn't a stethoscope emoji
here, doc, just turn this uh party noisemaker around for auscultation 🎉
posted by miles per flower at 11:03 AM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
seeks medical attention for jaw after it struck the floor following shock that there isn't a stethoscope emoji
here, doc, just turn this uh party noisemaker around for auscultation 🎉
posted by miles per flower at 11:03 AM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Congratulations Dr Ocherdraco!
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 11:15 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 11:15 AM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Congratulations!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:05 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:05 PM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations, Doctor Ocherdraco, MD.
What a journey.... so glad to be here to watch you succeed in your dreams.
posted by Mrs Potato at 12:21 PM on December 21, 2019
What a journey.... so glad to be here to watch you succeed in your dreams.
posted by Mrs Potato at 12:21 PM on December 21, 2019
ps. your profile still says med student!
posted by Mrs Potato at 12:22 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by Mrs Potato at 12:22 PM on December 21, 2019
Congrats. You can now officially say 'I am a doctor not a _______.'
posted by Splunge at 12:40 PM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Splunge at 12:40 PM on December 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
This is thrilling, and inspiring — and wonderful!!
Congratulations!
posted by jamjam at 1:04 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Congratulations!
posted by jamjam at 1:04 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Congrats, ocher doctor aco!
posted by zamboni at 1:12 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by zamboni at 1:12 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Congrats, Doctor! This internet stranger is weirdly proud of and delighted for you.
posted by palomar at 1:56 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by palomar at 1:56 PM on December 21, 2019
Hooray!!!!
posted by obfuscation at 2:49 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by obfuscation at 2:49 PM on December 21, 2019
That is so fantastic! Congratulations! Also Dr. Ochedraco, will I be able to play the violin after the operation?
posted by Mchelly at 3:46 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 3:46 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Big Deal! Go you.
posted by pipoquinha at 3:49 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by pipoquinha at 3:49 PM on December 21, 2019
Well done, ocherdraco! All the best to you and yours in your future! :D
posted by Alterscape at 3:59 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by Alterscape at 3:59 PM on December 21, 2019
❤️
posted by ferret branca at 4:17 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by ferret branca at 4:17 PM on December 21, 2019
Awesome news. Congratulations, and get out there and make people healthy!
Do you make house calls? To Japan?
posted by Ghidorah at 4:41 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Do you make house calls? To Japan?
posted by Ghidorah at 4:41 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Aw, thanks everyone! I’ve been with family since yesterday evening and barely online, so I’ve just seen this.
I appreciate all the support y’all have given me so so much. MetaFilter has helped me innumerable times on this journey, and you warm the cockles of my heart.
You can trust me on that. After all, I am a doctor.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:16 PM on December 21, 2019 [36 favorites]
I appreciate all the support y’all have given me so so much. MetaFilter has helped me innumerable times on this journey, and you warm the cockles of my heart.
You can trust me on that. After all, I am a doctor.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:16 PM on December 21, 2019 [36 favorites]
Out-freaking-standing!
posted by shiny blue object at 5:25 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by shiny blue object at 5:25 PM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations!
posted by NoraCharles at 5:38 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by NoraCharles at 5:38 PM on December 21, 2019
OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!
Congratulations, ocherdraco!
I am SO PROUD of you, and SO VERY VERY PLEASED for you!
Congratulations on starting the new year as a DOCTOR!
Congrats, congrats, congrats, congrats, congrats!
posted by kristi at 5:49 PM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations, ocherdraco!
I am SO PROUD of you, and SO VERY VERY PLEASED for you!
Congratulations on starting the new year as a DOCTOR!
Congrats, congrats, congrats, congrats, congrats!
posted by kristi at 5:49 PM on December 21, 2019
I have a friend who became an RN, I remember him telling me that he had to not only memorize the names of all of the (206?) bones of our bodies but also the names of little nodules scattered about each bone to hook ligament and/or muscle to.
I knew then and there that a medical career did not lay in my future.
And that was in A&P1101, probably six years and a hundred brutal courses in your past.
I literally owe doctors my life. Thank you very much for doing what you are doing for us all. We need you.
So -- thank you. And, of course, huge congratulations!
posted by dancestoblue at 6:55 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
I knew then and there that a medical career did not lay in my future.
And that was in A&P1101, probably six years and a hundred brutal courses in your past.
I literally owe doctors my life. Thank you very much for doing what you are doing for us all. We need you.
So -- thank you. And, of course, huge congratulations!
posted by dancestoblue at 6:55 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Congrats, ocherdraco—that's a huge accomplishment.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:40 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:40 PM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations!!!! I knew you were going to knock that exam out of the park back in August.
posted by selfmedicating at 8:24 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by selfmedicating at 8:24 PM on December 21, 2019
Yaaay! Congratulations!
posted by gingerbeer at 8:39 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by gingerbeer at 8:39 PM on December 21, 2019
Congratulations! Wishing you the best.
posted by AugustWest at 8:41 PM on December 21, 2019
posted by AugustWest at 8:41 PM on December 21, 2019
Yay! Congrats, Doctor ocherdraco, Docherdraco, Doc och, ocherDoco!
posted by Mister Moofoo at 10:09 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 10:09 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
Wow! Congrats!
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 1:51 AM on December 22, 2019
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 1:51 AM on December 22, 2019
Congratulations!
posted by ourobouros at 4:33 AM on December 22, 2019
posted by ourobouros at 4:33 AM on December 22, 2019
Congrats!
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:22 PM on December 22, 2019
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:22 PM on December 22, 2019
M.D. ocherdraco, M.D.
Wait, you got two degrees, or I've had enough celebratory drinks since the start of the thread that I'm seeing double?
posted by vrakatar at 9:49 PM on December 22, 2019
Wait, you got two degrees, or I've had enough celebratory drinks since the start of the thread that I'm seeing double?
posted by vrakatar at 9:49 PM on December 22, 2019
vrakatar, her first name starts with an M and her middle starts with a D.
posted by St. Hubbins at 10:17 PM on December 22, 2019
posted by St. Hubbins at 10:17 PM on December 22, 2019
Much congratulations and well wishes in your new career.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:50 AM on December 23, 2019
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:50 AM on December 23, 2019
Welcome to the field. From one physician to another, my unsolicited advice is this:
Find your mentors and keep them.
Find your friends and keep them. I have friends from residency who, but for residency, we would never have crossed paths. My life is undeniably richer for these friendships that were forged in the battlefields of life and death.
As you go through training, realize that your plans might change. Be open to this, as it may open doors for you that you didn't know about, or would have never considered.
Let patients feel all of their feelings in front of you. Let them cry and let them process. Be a safe space for them.
But most importantly, this: Listen. When you don't know how to answer a question, say so (but also tell them that you will find out). When you feel the urge to interrupt, don't. Learn to lean into silences, to get comfortable with them, even the uneasy ones. Don't feel the need to fill a silence with noise to heal your own discomfort with silence.
posted by honeybee413 at 8:14 AM on December 23, 2019 [9 favorites]
Find your mentors and keep them.
Find your friends and keep them. I have friends from residency who, but for residency, we would never have crossed paths. My life is undeniably richer for these friendships that were forged in the battlefields of life and death.
As you go through training, realize that your plans might change. Be open to this, as it may open doors for you that you didn't know about, or would have never considered.
Let patients feel all of their feelings in front of you. Let them cry and let them process. Be a safe space for them.
But most importantly, this: Listen. When you don't know how to answer a question, say so (but also tell them that you will find out). When you feel the urge to interrupt, don't. Learn to lean into silences, to get comfortable with them, even the uneasy ones. Don't feel the need to fill a silence with noise to heal your own discomfort with silence.
posted by honeybee413 at 8:14 AM on December 23, 2019 [9 favorites]
woohoo!! congratulations!!!
posted by supermedusa at 10:19 AM on December 23, 2019
posted by supermedusa at 10:19 AM on December 23, 2019
Congratulations! I also remember your old career, from reading your comments and advice back when I was also starting out in that same field. It's very cool to see you achieve this!
posted by sunset in snow country at 11:44 AM on December 23, 2019
posted by sunset in snow country at 11:44 AM on December 23, 2019
This news has made my day. This Internet stranger is thrilled and happy for you. Congratulations and all the virtual hugs you like!
posted by Bella Donna at 2:05 AM on December 26, 2019
posted by Bella Donna at 2:05 AM on December 26, 2019
Congratulations! 😊
posted by ursus_comiter at 7:22 AM on December 26, 2019
posted by ursus_comiter at 7:22 AM on December 26, 2019
Yay! YAAD, YANOD!
posted by deludingmyself at 7:15 AM on December 27, 2019
posted by deludingmyself at 7:15 AM on December 27, 2019
O goodness!! Big congrats!!! So proud and thrilled for you!! 🥰🥰🥰
posted by pearlybob at 12:20 AM on December 28, 2019
posted by pearlybob at 12:20 AM on December 28, 2019
My daughter is just starting undergrad, aiming to Be an MD. I’m going to share your story with her... look for an Askme for advice (getting into medschool) in four years!! So thrilled!!
posted by pearlybob at 12:24 AM on December 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by pearlybob at 12:24 AM on December 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Mazel tov!
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:09 AM on December 31, 2019
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:09 AM on December 31, 2019
Congratulations!!
posted by cendawanita at 10:00 PM on January 1, 2020
posted by cendawanita at 10:00 PM on January 1, 2020
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by fairlynearlyready at 6:11 PM on December 20, 2019