Bridging Boundaries

A Student's Determination

By Kristine Gordon, RMT

"Ef  you don push dis baby out by 4 tonight, I do see-section."  No, this wasn't another dreaded ESL dictator giving my poor, straining student ears a major workout, but rather my teddy bear of an OB in his endearing (and thick) Spanish accent.  Forget looking up the dictionary definition of determination, simply visit the delivery floor of any nearby hospital.  And trust me, don't sweetly offer one more cup of those darned ice chips because it just might get "returned" to you in a not so polite manner from an exhausted, starving, and about-to-pop Mommy….  Determination.

Admittedly, I first stumbled into the career of medical transcription as a way to be a working stay-at-home mother and also to give my worn out body a break from my previous career as a physical therapist.  After receiving my big box of books and other transcribing essentials in the mail and thumbing through the seemingly endless syllabus, I suspected that I might have my work cut out for me.  Then I did my first practice dictation with a big head filled with medical knowledge from PT school.  I promptly swallowed my pride as my ever-so-patient instructor returned my assignment with more footnotes than I thought humanly possible for something that only took a minute or so for the physician to dictate.  I then attended my first AHDI Annual Convention & Expo in Orlando, FL, and although I was extremely excited to get into my new career, I was also quite intimidated…. Determination.

After 3 miscarriages, considerable soul-searching and extended breaks from my study schedule, I finally planted a tree in honor of a tiny fallen hero, brushed away my tears and resolved to finish school so that I could give motherhood my all when it finally became my time.  As it turned out, our miracle boy was very determined to meet us as well, whether Mom was done with school yet or not.  I took another 2 months off from my studies to study for the RMT knowing that I would not want to leave my newborn son for the entire day to sit for the certification exam.  No big head this time with my medical background -- I was terrified but still managed to pass the RMT despite practiced Lamaze breathing through Braxton contractions brought on by a tiny bit of stress…. Determination.

So now I've finally made it to the finish line.  After countless hours tapping my trusty foot pedal and rubbing sore ears from excessive "headphoneitis," I am working through the last session with M-TEC.  I am not sure who will be more relieved when I finally graduate, my family or my wonderful teacher who continually humors my panicked e-mails that usually start something along the lines of "Shouldn't I be 98% accurate on ALL dictations by now?"  Of course, that is sort of the point of MT school from what I hear.  As one of my favorite quotes goes by Robert Kennedy, "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."

And by the way… my darling son was born at exactly 3:58 p.m….. Determination.