D&D for Dummies!

 

Nopes, this is not about Dungeons and Dragons- this is about something inherently linked to my own existence- the Doctors & Dollar disillusion (and the life plan for the new generation of aspiring doctors).

Ah, becoming a doctor—the fool-proof route to owning yachts, private jets, and possibly an island or two. If you believed that nonsense, let me prescribe you some bitter pills: Medical degrees come with a treasure map- one that never ever pinpoints the location of the gold stash. Being a doctor is rewarding, yes—but financially? Let’s just say that by the time you will be able to afford that Ferrari, you will be having difficulty wiping your own ass due to the arthritis kicking in or imagine having meals, where the pills on your plate scared all the real food away. That’s being a doctor nowadays.

The misconception that doctors automatically become millionaires maybe stems from watching Grey’s Anatomy, where Dr Derek Shepherd drives luxury cars, sips artisanal coffee, and still has time for a dramatic love life. Most are us are more like Dr House- a malfunctioning body and unlike him, a zombie brain that hammers you with: Enough with that medical lingo, now show me a nice bimbo (or himbo)!

Between student loans, years of no earnings (a total of 9 years for me- just saying so, dedicated to all those lovely people who find 2 months without salary an ordeal), and the long, expensive training, most doctors don’t see a healthy bank balance until their 50s. And no, buying textbooks and journal subscriptions doesn’t count as an "investment".

Well, how did I survive? No, Drug dealing isn’t my thing (Snort). So how? Well, when your Indo-Mauritian parents whack the hell out of your brain (Age 0 to age 26) with the concept- Always save up more than you spend, you do end up living a modest and goal-directed life.

Or as Warren Buffett advises- “Do not save what is left after spending; instead spend what is left after saving.” A great quote, if only there were something left after spending on board exams, medical licenses, rent, food and insurance. Oh, and let’s not forget the tax rate that bites your ass harder than a Florida gator!

By the time a doctor finally earns a stable income, most millionaires are already attending yacht auctions. Imagine working 32-hour shifts while that 16-year-old influencer probably tweets, “Work harder”? Yeah, I guess, farting through your nose is probably something that is harder and more remunerative than a professional degree nowadays.

Here's the kicker- Some knowledgeable doctors did choose this profession for the money and a little bit for the purpose, and for the Dr prefix. Well, ain’t life a bxxch?  You might charge less for saving one life than your next meal at KFC!

Despite the financial hurdles, there’s a wealth that comes from medicine, just not the kind you deposit in a bank. It’s in a patient’s “thank you,” a life saved, or knowing you’ve made a difference.

For me, the hardest part of being a doctor wasn’t the constant studying, or the initial financial meltdown—it has been maintaining humanity. It has been maintaining empathy when everything inside you is just blowing into bits and pieces.

And well, we burn out at some point then, not because we care- rather because we are tired, and we forget why we care.

Dr. Atul Gawande (Surgeon and author of Being Mortal) said- “You cannot work 24/7 and be your best. It’s a lesson medicine is still learning.”

Well, it’s been 27,000 years since the original physicians used plants for medicinal purposes. It is quite a long learning curve it seems.

So, learn to set priorities early on- that ‘me’ time, the family time. Learn to put up boundaries and recognise your limits.

You are not Dr Strange or Superman. Dr. Atul Gawande laid it out well- The best systems are not dependent on the heroism of the provider. In simple terms: you do not get paid for jumping off the plane like Tom Cruise. You get paid for being realistic. And well, while you are saving lives, millionaire influencers are casually adding zeroes to their bank accounts by tweeting like a little bird.

Well, let’s not be anti-tweeters please! Some of those guys do post nice meaningful stuff.

Now, after reading this, you do know- doctors may not be the millionaires people imagine, but they are rich in other ways—like gratitude, purpose, and a lifetime supply of free pens from pharmaceutical reps!

Medicine is a calling that demands sacrifice, resilience, and an endless supply of caffeine.

So, aspiring doctors (and D&D dummies)- If you’re hoping for meaning, welcome to the team. As they say, “It’s not about the money, it’s about the journey.” Just make sure your scrubs have pockets deep enough for those debts!

And well, if you are hoping for millions, better marry a Richie Rich oldie having no next of kin with a diamond-hard prenup! Hint: movies are quite the go-to resource for whatever ‘ventures’ you might plan after that wedding. Well, that was a joke. Do not dare to blame me if the police come knocking at your door after your ‘goldstash’ died in their sleep, supposedly as you said- out of natural causes!

In short, Remember the why- It will get you through all the hard parts of training. And accept it- The ‘Work-life-money’ enigma in medicine is like spotting a unicorn—everyone wants to see it, but few can say they truly have. You might find it to be more of a conundrum at the end of your training, yet there will always a bright light shining at the end of the tunnel- whether it is better days ahead or time to nail the coffin down, rest assured, you will find solace at last!