USMLE Step 2 K - DONE!

Yesterday was my day to SMASH Step 2CK...I was ready to get it over with...prior to taking it I was  an emotional wreck...but, not really realizing the depth of my inner fears, until after I finished the exam...The week prior to the exam I felt stressed, I had a headache every day....my stomach was in knots...and I have never had such bodily manifestations that were overwhelmingly affecting me like this...I've had many challenging days in my life, which I was able to manage well...


On top of all of this, I put my workout regime on hold until after the exam and that was not a good idea...6 weeks of a sedentary lifestyle allowed the stress to build up and to manifest in my body...the last two days before the exam I had the worst thoracic back pain ever...I was in so much distress and just did not have the time to go see a doctor...to get up out of a chair, my bed felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife...the back spasms emerged out of no where, I don't recall any trauma; but, it felt like someone had hit me across my back with a bat.  I did not have a fever.  I could take deep breaths without pain...So, I assumed I just slept in the wrong position...but, the odd thing is the back pain began in the middle of the day...when I woke up on Wednesday morning, I did not have them...I took some anti-inflammatory meds but that did not help...I took acetaminophen with little relief...well, it did help my headache...Well, I pushed through all these manifestations and continued to study...The morning of the exam I noticed that I was able to get out of bed without my calculated positioning of my legs and carefully rotation my upper torso. However, I still felt some pain, but on a lower intensity.  It was Friday, July 10th, 5 am and I was ready to CONQUER this day!  Pain or no pain!


Going into CK, I was more relaxed than on Step 1....I was praying and believing that I did the proper preparation and I would feel good about my performance.  So, after 8 hours and 393 questions, I was done....I even had 9 minutes on the clock for a break...As I sat down with the test proctor to sign out...I noticed my back pain was completely gone...I had no limited range of motion, no limited movement at all...I was quite amazed at how I allowed the stress from this exam to affect my body...


As I look back, I was in a panic mode these past 2 weeks...I started my surgery rotation in a very specialize field that I felt was not giving me the diversity I needed to complete my surgery shelf exam...and on top of that I did not have the down time to study for CK...or my surgery shelf exam that I have to do on August 24th...SO, with all this pressure my body was screaming out for help...


Yesterday evening, I was in the spirit of praises to GOD for seeing me through...I could not believe the pressure I was under and now it was gone...I felt FREE..I felt as if a 10 ton weight was lifted off my back...


So, the learning point for this blog is, though trials may come and go...you have to make sure you take care of yourself emotionally, spiritually and physically...never again will I neglect my body....to be a sound Being we must care for our WHOLE BEING and when one part is in deficit the Being does not function as it should...


Now, Go LIVE your Dreams!


3 John 1:2-4
² Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. ³ For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.