Choose Life

Choose life.
I didn’t choose life:

I chose the MBBS,

I chose no job security,

I chose a career in medicine,

I chose the e-portfolio,

I chose mini-CEXs, DOPs and CBDs

I chose audit,

I chose annual re-validation,

I chose to have the GMC forever

looking over my shoulder.

I chose 14 years of intense study,

I chose membership fees,

I chose post-graduate exams,

I chose ALS and ATLS certification

and re-certification paid for by me.

I chose long-shifts, convenience food,

stuffing junk food into my mouth,

high blood pressure and cholesterol,

I chose sleep disruption,

I chose on-calls wondering who I am

on a Sunday morning.

I chose not to have a big television, washing machines, 

compact disc players, and electrical tin openers, 

because I have to move house too often to own them,

I chose to be frequently ripped off by estate agents

I can’t choose a three piece suite on hire purchase

in a range of fabrics.

I have little time for DIY.

I can’t choose a starter home with 

fixed-interest mortgage repayments.

I can’t choose my friends

because I am moved around the country,

I chose not to have children or pets

because the landlords won’t approve

I chose disrupted family life,

I chose a disgruntled spouse

who resents my work and

fears for our future.

I chose to let life pass me by,

while I save other people’s lives,

for an ungrateful media and public 

who think I’m overpaid 

and owe them something

because of the study I’ve already done.

Choose your future. 

Don’t chose the MBBS,

Choose life.