It's Over!!!!!

I can't describe how I am feeling, but I will try. Disbelief -I am shocked. Relief - so glad it is over. Elated - I am so excited by the outcome! Yes, it is true. I have looked on the Royal College Website and discovered that I passed my exams! We found out last night, after dinner. We went for a lovely dinner with friends, and a classmate phoned to say the results were up (at least for her). I wasn't sure if mine would be as she wrote in the morning and I wrote in the afternoon. I also wasn't sure what would be the outcome.
Every room I was the first person out of the room. That is either really good, or really bad, I wasn't sure. I was sure the first time it happened, it was because I had done really well on the questions. The next three times, I wasn't sure. I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was missing something, that I just wasn't getting at what they wanted. Actually, as soon as the exam was over, I bolted. I wanted to just get out of there. Jurgen was there already waiting for me (a big grin on his face), but I didn't give him the reaction he wanted. I started to cry. I was so worried. I couldn't tell how it had gone. The examiners are given explicit instructions as to not show any emotion, and they sure didn't. That was hard.

In the end, it doesn't matter any more! I was successful! I even sent the email to myself and checked it again today. Last night when I read the computer screen, I couldn't believe it. I had to read it over and over. As the realization hit me that I had passed, tears started streaming down my face. I was laughing and crying all at the same time. I just grabbed Jurgen and held him and told him how much I loved him. I kept laughing and laughing. Jurgen bought a bottle of pink champagne and we drank the whole thing! I phoned all my family members, and Jurgen sent out an email to his department. I didn't send out a mass email or put it on Facebook, because 2 of my classmates still have to write. I don't want to presume.

I can't believe it's true. I can't believe it's over. I can now start a new chapter of my life. Who knows what that will bring? The world is my oyster!

Joelle McBain BSc, MD, FRCPC