Radiation Oncology Week One

Last week I had my first ever opportunity to spend time learning about radiation oncology. It was super informative! Monday I spent the day in the control room of the treatment rooms learning how treatment plans are delivered. I also learned about the simulation and masking process. On Wednesday I spent time with a radiation dosimetrist to learn how targets outlined by a radiation oncologist are translated to a plan in the planning software. I learned how a dosimetrist carefully outlines critical structures near a treatment target so that they can be protected from the radiation treatment beam. Thursday I learned how follow-up and new consult care works in the radiation oncology clinic. A radiation oncologist gets many referrals, but has to use his/her knowledge to decide who is appropriate for treatment and then how that treatment should be delivered. Friday I spent my morning in the multidisciplinary clinic learning how the medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and surgeon work together to plan treatment for complex head and neck cancer cases.

On Monday the radiation oncologist I was working with took out a very well worn edition of Cecil's Essentials of Medicine and asked me to memorize and internalize the first paragraph on the page below in the chapter called "The Physician and the Patient." He originally trained in India in the 1970's, and I could see his original underlining in the book from when he was a student. This text really spoke to me. I think it's an incredible honor to be a physician and care for others. Even on my hardest days, I remind myself how lucky I am to work in the health field as a doctor. I truly believe it takes a combination of courage, humility, wisdom, and character to do this job well. I aspire every day to do the best I can. I am a first generation college student and the only physician in my family. My parents, especially my late father, were so proud of this achievement and they made so many sacrifices to help me get me here. When I was learning about radiation oncology this week, I kept thinking of my dad. He spent his whole career repairing radiation equipment, and I felt closer to him this week by learning about the machines he kept running safely for his 33 year career.