As cliché as it may sound, time really does fly. I can still vividly remember how excited and, of course, nervous I was the night before starting my first day as an FY1. Now in less than a month, I will be moving on to FY2. It has been quite a rollercoaster ride for the past year, but I am glad that I did it with this bunch of people in Dumfries.
It’s never a smooth sailing for foundation years as understandably, we are transitioning from medical students to junior doctors, with all the new responsibilities, workload and pressure that we are expected to withstand. However, I am proud to say that we are blessed enough to have many senior colleagues who are very helpful and approachable.
To be honest, never could I ever imagine that I would brave through the first year with much joy and sense of satisfaction. Not going to lie, there were times when I doubted my decision to study medicine (especially when I had to speedtype dozens of IDLs (Immediate Discharge Letters) while trying to finish off other ward jobs, and all the weekends and late shifts when I had to run around the hospital like a madman). But now, looking back, it has definitely been an enriching and life-changing experience. Being a doctor is a privilege. Witnessing someone who was really ill initially getting better and eventually being discharged is really satisfying, especially when you were part of the team who made that possible. Nothing beats a simple thank you from patients. It is worth everything.
Just when I thought I have found my feet in this new career, Covid-19 happened. Everyone was worried, me included. No one in this world knew exactly what to expect, or really, what to do. However, hardship always brings people together and that is what happened here in Dumfries. We came together and had each other’s back, and I am glad that I have made great friends along the way as well.
Personally, I love travelling and felt ‘trapped’ initially because of the lockdown, but thanks to the lockdown, I have picked up cycling and have grown fonder of Dumfries every day. Dumfries and Galloway is indeed an undiscovered gem in Scotland with so much to offer. I never get bored exploring this beautiful region on my bike during off days and weekends. It is always nice to escape from work and hospital once in a while, just to keep oneself sane.
All in all, it has been a very fruitful and interesting year for me and this is just the beginning! There will be more challenges and hurdles ahead of me. I am sure there will be time and time again that I feel like giving up, but I will always ask myself this, “Why did I choose to be a doctor in the first place?” I’ll hold on to that and hopefully, I will not be lost along the way.
Dr Kan Ka Hou is a Foundation Year 1 doctor going into Foundation Year 2 at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.
