My infatuation with medicine blossomed unpredictably on a day that I still consider equally traumatic and mortifying. Unfortunately, the terms “atherosclerosis” and “myocardial infarction” were foreign to me. The coronary heart disease that led to the death of my beloved grandfather created more than just a desire, rather a fixation, ingrained so deeply within me that I embarked on the journey to become a doctor. The second phase of my journey began in a lecture hall at Kings College London, where I was introduced to the ever-growing world of stem cell research. I was fascinated by how their unique regenerative abilities offer new potential for treating the same diseases my grandfather suffered from: diabetes and heart disease. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay My passion for medicine developed further when I came across “Extreme Medicine” by Kevin Fong. By exploring the limits of human endurance, I learned how it has contributed to significant discoveries in the world of medicine. One chapter particularly interested me because it showed me how the combination of technology and knowledge of the biological processes within our bodies can lead to revolutionary survival. I find it remarkable how hypothermic conditions can be used to preserve life, rather than destroy it. Studying A Level Biology has given me an understanding of homeostasis and how the body regulates temperature, however I am now further able to understand how cold conditions cause a prolongation in the rate at which cells die. This breakthrough in medicine introduced me to how I might be able to remove aneurysms from the thoracic aorta. The fact that, through medical and technological advances, there is the possibility of allowing a heart that had stopped to start beating again, through a lung bypass machine, leaves me more than amazed. Such miracles inspire me to create my own innovative research. Maybe my childhood fantasy of “Finding a cure for cancer” could come true. After recognizing the endless possibilities in the medical field, my curiosity seemed to flourish; turning my infatuation with the subject into an addiction. I let my interest in genetic mutations develop a deeper understanding of the effects that mutations in the LRP5 gene have on bone density. My inspiration from this topic came from watching TV shows like “Mystery Diagnosis” where individuals with rare genetic mutations were documented. I find it amazingly funny how a single change in the base pair of an amino acid sequence is responsible for the difference in DNA between a human and a banana. Attending a clinical skills session at Imperial College London, as part of the WATCCH programme, allowed me to learn the importance of hygiene and the number of steps to minimize infection risks. Practicing blood tests and measuring blood pressure allowed me to see how doctors need to pay attention to detail in addition to having an excellent memory; their key role is to ensure patient safety. The program also assigned me to the Sterndale Outpatient Clinic where I took part in a three-day internship. During this time, I shadowed a doctor and got to see how they interacted with patients. Until then I had a very scientific vision of medicine, however the work experience allowed me to realize the main aspect of a healthcare career: the.”
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