How I Chose Medicine: A Personal Journey
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/medicine-and-a-stethoscope-on-a-wooden-table-top-5407251/
Every journey has a turning point, and for me, it came during a challenging time in my family. When I was in year eight or nine, my grandfather fell seriously ill with viral jaundice, which led to liver failure. It was a heartbreaking experience that not only affected my family but also shaped the course of my life.
In India at the time of the 70s and 80s, liver failure carried a stigma, with many assuming it was linked to alcoholism. This assumption was deeply hurtful because my grandfather was a devout and religious man who had never touched alcohol. Instead, his condition stemmed from tuberculosis and the harsh side effects of the medication he was taking—a complexity not widely understood then.
Watching my family struggle with both the illness and the societal judgment left a lasting impact on me. I adored my grandfather and found myself drawn to understanding his illness better. At school, biology began to make more sense to me as I tried to explain his condition to my family, bridging the gap between medical complexity and their concerns.
My grandfather’s illness and eventual passing were devastating, but they ignited something within me. It was during this time that I realized how much I valued medicine and the ability to help others make sense of illness. His death became the catalyst for a decision that would define my life: the choice to pursue a career in medicine.
In India, major academic decisions are made early, often by the time you finish your equivalent of GCSEs. Despite my family’s history in engineering and the strong focus on maths and physics, I chose biology. It was a significant departure from tradition, but I felt a deep calling to understand and address the complexities of health and disease.
Looking back, I can see how those difficult moments with my grandfather shaped my path. They taught me empathy, resilience, and the importance of understanding the human side of medicine. I didn’t just want to be a doctor; I wanted to be someone who could bridge the gap between medical science and the emotional struggles families face during illness.
That decision set me on the path I walk today. Every patient I meet reminds me of the love I had for my grandfather and the drive to ensure that no one feels lost in the face of medical uncertainty. Medicine, for me, is not just a career—it’s a deeply personal journey born out of love, loss, and a desire to make a difference.