My Fight, and the Family I Found
“At PNWU, we’re a family.”
I heard some form of that phrase countless times during my first week of medical school, and I must admit: Just about every time, I rolled my eyes and thought, “How original…” What institution doesn’t claim that?
Five months later, and now a member of that “family,” I’ve learned firsthand the power of those words…
Israa Alshaikhli, PNWU OMS II
I was full of mixed emotions as I walked out of my last final as a first-year medical student. Mainly, I was grateful. I had no doubt that the first year of medical school would be challenging, but I thought I was ready.
I started medical school with so much joy. I was motivated to ace every class, join every club, and spend countless hours studying on campus. I even scouted my favorite studying spots, both on- and off-campus, during my first week at PNWU. I envisioned it all, and then life offered me a different plan.
My mom, who moved with me to Yakima to support me throughout medical school, started to become sicker and weaker day after day. Soon, our supportive roles switched, and I was taking care of both of us while trying to get through my first year.
Four weeks before the end of my spring semester, and just two weeks before my finals, she was diagnosed with Myeloma, a blood cancer that makes the body’s bones fragile and at risk of fractures. It felt like my dream was becoming a nightmare. I was terrified. I knew that medical school wouldn’t pause for me. There was no time to explain, I thought. I just need to get through the motions.
Overwhelmed, I finally decided to reach out to one of my faculty members to share what had been happening with me all year. It was the best decision I made.
“I envisioned it all, and then life offered me a different plan.”
This faculty member, who I will refer to as Dr. X, responded with tremendous support and understanding. Dr. X encouraged and empowered me to reach out to the rest of my faculty members while advocating for me to explore all my options.
As more of my faculty members, staff, and classmates started to know about my situation, I found myself surrounded with a support system I did not know I had. From professors scheduling meetings to go over course materials and studying strategies, to classmates who helped me study for the lectures/labs I missed, shared notes, offered to take my mom to medical appointments, got us groceries, and even stayed with her as I studied for my finals.
I’d found a family in a city where I thought I had no one.
As hard as this year has been, I am grateful that I am at PNWU, where I not only have an opportunity to become a physician, but have found a community that believes in me every step of the way.
Life will not pause while we go through our hardships, but we can pause for a moment to regroup, recharge, and tackle it all over again. There is nothing we cannot accomplish when we have resiliency, determination, faith, and a strong support system.
It truly takes a village of support to get through medical school, and as I go into a summer of innumerable uncertainties, I have learned that uncertainties mean endless possibilities. I have faith that I am put in this situation at this time in my life for a reason, and I will continue to be my mom’s biggest advocate and support her in this battle until we get through it.
“As I go into a summer of innumerable uncertainties, I have learned that uncertainties mean endless possibilities.”
Israa Alshaikhli, OMS II
SOMA Developmental Medicine Liaison
External Affairs Chair, Muslim Medical Student Association (MMSA)
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences