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.
posted by St. Hubbins to MetaFilter-Related at 6:09 PM (132 comments total) 80 users marked this as a favorite

Oh my goddess!! So truly happy for you and your perseverance. Congratulations to you and what an accomplishment to kick off 2020. I have thought of you often and am so thrilled to see you succeed.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 6:11 PM on December 20, 2019


Big congratulations, Doc!
posted by BibiRose at 6:17 PM on December 20, 2019


[flagged as fantastic]
posted by crush at 6:26 PM on December 20, 2019


That is fantastic, congratulations ocherdraco!
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


Congratulations! 🎉
posted by Thorzdad at 6:42 PM on December 20, 2019


Congrats! Huzzah!
posted by Fizz at 6:43 PM on December 20, 2019


Awesome!
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]


Congratulations!!!!!
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


Awesome! Way to go!
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]


Congratulations!
posted by mittens at 7:09 PM on December 20, 2019


*kermit flail* congratulations!!!!!!
posted by ChuraChura at 7:22 PM on December 20, 2019


Congratulations!!!!!
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]


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]


Congrats! This is awesome news. I remember when you were contemplating med school.
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


WOO HOO! Excellent news—Congratulations!!!
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


Yay for happy news - congratulations!!
posted by DingoMutt at 8:33 PM on December 20, 2019


Congratulations!
posted by Dip Flash at 8:35 PM on December 20, 2019


Congratulations!!
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]


Congratulations, doctor!
posted by biogeo at 9:28 PM on December 20, 2019


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


Congratulations!!! *throws confetti*
posted by rednikki at 9:44 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]


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


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


Congratulations!
posted by clew at 10:22 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]


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


Yaaaay !!! Congrats!!!
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]


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


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]


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]


Congratulations! 🍾🎉🎉🎉
posted by halcyonday at 2:12 AM on December 21, 2019


So happy for you!
posted by ellieBOA at 2:16 AM on December 21, 2019


So happy to hear!
posted by huimangm at 2:57 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]


Woooo! Congratulations!
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


How wonderful! Congratulations, doc!!!
posted by okayokayigive at 4:23 AM on December 21, 2019


Congratulations.
posted by sciencegeek at 4:33 AM on December 21, 2019


YESS!!!💐
posted by rjs at 5:01 AM on December 21, 2019


Hooooorraaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!
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


Congratulations, and best of luck to you!
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


This made me smile big. Congratulations!
posted by eirias at 5:42 AM on December 21, 2019


Woo hoo! so happy for you!
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


Do good work in this world, Doctor. Congratulations!
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


Congrats, doctor! ❤️
posted by kwaller at 6:18 AM on December 21, 2019


Congrats, doc! Very happy for you!
posted by jzb at 6:20 AM on December 21, 2019


So amazing. Congrats.
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


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]


huzzah!
posted by Kwine at 7:32 AM on December 21, 2019


Yay! Congrats!
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]


YAY!!!!!! Congrats!
posted by kathrynm at 8:30 AM on December 21, 2019


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]


Yes Doc! Amazing work!
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


Wow that's such good news! Congratulations ocherdraco!
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


Where's your office? Can I make an appointment?
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]


Congratulations Dr Ocherdraco!
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


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


ps. your profile still says med student!
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]


This is thrilling, and inspiring — and wonderful!!

Congratulations!
posted by jamjam at 1:04 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]


So many congratulations! I'm delighted for you.
posted by ambrosen at 1:05 PM on December 21, 2019


Congrats, ocher doctor aco!
posted by zamboni at 1:12 PM on December 21, 2019 [1 favorite]


Congratulations, Dr. Ocherdraco!
posted by Lynsey at 1:54 PM on December 21, 2019


Congrats, Doctor! This internet stranger is weirdly proud of and delighted for you.
posted by palomar at 1:56 PM on December 21, 2019


Congratulations!
posted by smoke at 2:26 PM on December 21, 2019


Hooray!!!!
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]


Big Deal! Go you.
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 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]


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]


Out-freaking-standing!
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


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!
posted by quercus23 at 5:54 PM on December 21, 2019


Way To Go!
posted by theora55 at 6:42 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]


Congrats, ocherdraco—that's a huge accomplishment.
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


Yaaay! Congratulations!
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


Yay! Congrats, Doctor ocherdraco, Docherdraco, Doc och, ocherDoco!
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


Congratulations!
posted by ourobouros at 4:33 AM on December 22, 2019


!
posted by dismas at 8:20 AM on December 22, 2019


Yay, congratulations!!
posted by wellred at 9:16 AM on December 22, 2019


That's wonderful news--congratulations!
posted by box at 11:15 AM on December 22, 2019


That is awesome! Congratulations!
posted by coppertop at 11:51 AM on December 22, 2019


Congrats!
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:22 PM on December 22, 2019


Congratulations, Doctor!
posted by Lyn Never at 2:35 PM on December 22, 2019


Sweetness! Huge congratulations to you.
posted by yoga at 5:16 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


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


YAAD!
🍾
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 5:21 AM on December 23, 2019 [3 favorites]


Much congratulations and well wishes in your new career.
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]


woohoo!! congratulations!!!
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


Congratulations x
posted by billiebee at 4:03 PM on December 23, 2019


Yay! Congratulations ocherdraco!!!!
posted by carter at 2:35 AM on December 24, 2019


Congratulations, ocherdraco!
posted by Songdog at 4:15 AM on December 24, 2019


Congratulations!
posted by klugarsh at 11:55 AM on December 25, 2019


So proud of you! Congratulations!
posted by wiskunde at 5:40 PM on December 25, 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


Congratulations! 😊
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


O goodness!! Big congrats!!! So proud and thrilled for you!! 🥰🥰🥰
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]


So happy for you! Way to go!
posted by advicepig at 7:31 AM on December 31, 2019


Mazel tov!
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


« Older Random Acts of Kindness   |   Metatalktail Hour: Chore list Newer »

You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments