OMS Residency Isn't for Wimps

Seriously. It's a lot of work. Lewis is gone all of the time and when he is here he is exhausted and has to read read read. He leaves at about 5am and gets home between 6 and 7pm when he isn't on call. He has been working over 90 hour weeks and keeps telling me this isn't even the worst of it. He is on his feet all day pulling teeth and on trauma weeks (half the month), and he is on call (every third or fourth night) he is on his feet all night sewing up faces. A lot of what he sees are drunk drivers or people who weren't wearing their seatbelts. I know you're probably thinking this is going to be another one of my rants (I tend to be a little opinionated), but hang in there.

I think all married OMS residents have used the promise of future wealth to convince their spouses that this is a great idea. I have also learned now that OMS residents like to tell each other how much they know this or that OMS makes a year and how many wisdom teeth they can pull in a day. Money can be a great motivator, and when you are living on a resident's salary (or just waiting and waiting and waiting to be paid) it sounds oh so nice. Many oral surgeons do rake in the cash. Remember the "wisdom teeth only" signs in Provo? I do, and believe me, I want Lewis to make some money some day, BUT the great thing about Lewis is that money is truly not what motivates him. He did not choose this profession because of the money. From what I can tell, Lewis chose to become an oral surgeon and spend 10 years in school AFTER college because: 1. He loves it. See the first picture below. When he came home from his first surgery he didn't stop smiling for at least 72 hours. He loves the broad scope of the work and he loves the challenge.
2. He truly believes that his work helps people. Lewis loves helping people. He knows that he will have the chance to help people look and feel better. It is important to him that he spend his life doing something for the better good, and really making a difference.

So, when I hear other dental wives tell me that their husbands LOVED oral surgery too, but they just couldn't imagine 4 or 6 more years of residency, I listen and I see their point of view. Believe me, I see it. But, I am also so proud of Lewis for sticking to it and for following his dream---even to Alabama of all places. I know that he already is making a difference and that is really the most important thing. My friend whose husband is now a 4th year OMS resident recently wrote me a really nice email comparing the first year of residency to giving birth. It is really hard and painful while you are going through it and you don't know how you could possibly make it, but when it's over you sort of forget how bad it was. Let's hope so, and in the mean time, go Lewis!



Lewis the first time he got to help out in the OR.


Lewis and a boy he worked on in Paraguay.


His prodigy.(if she can get over the not liking blood thing and also pursue her tightrope walking career)