PAR. 6 weeks to go. Project Pass Physics – Update

I PASSED PHYSICS!

I’ve been dreading this day! I’ve been here before, 3 other times before. For the past 2 years, I’ve been wallowing in my most dreaded place/situation – being stuck in limbo. Even my marathon life mantra ‘everybody runs their own pace,’ was getting a bit annoying as I seemed to have just been running in place.

As before, there was nothing that was going to stop Results Day from coming, for that email to filter through into my inbox.

The last result is still so vividly fresh. The solitude in a clinic room. The ninja-style ‘FRCR Part 1 Results’ email in my inbox. The no frills with mild confidence, ‘let’s get it over with’ impulse to just click it open. The immediate dread and anger and tears and belittling feeling that followed soon after. The solitude in a clinic room. (Not quite as joyful as the solitude of a long-distance runner).

For the past few days, I had been imagining what I would do in 2 scenarios. Well, if I passed, then life goes on, the clock will start ticking again. I was more thinking about well, what if I failed again? I was feeling pretty sure that I don’t wanna do it again, that I would choose to become an Acute Oncology doctor or be in the Oncology ward forever. Why not? Emergency Medicine was my first ever choice to begin with. Or make money teaching Acute Oncology across the country. I was already drawing up a game plan.

In the background, I was also already planning my FRCR Part 2 Study Plan. Also keenly started creating revision slides for Uro-Oncology and Head and Neck. I’ve also decided to re-start with the ICR MSc in Oncology course (Year 2 of 3), which started today, with Head and Neck.

So… I initially did well when I planned to turn off my phone the whole day and not look at my email. And during the morning break, I told my Wessex buddies in the course my plan and everyone wished me Good Luck. Right before the start of the third lecture… lo behold, the long-awaited email. Another buddy was next to me, and like a flash… I said ‘I’m gonna go for it.’ I clicked and it (anticlimactically) wanted me to log on to my RCR Exams Hub account. Lecture 30 seconds from starting… and I let out a ‘I Passed!’ All my Wessex buddies cheered! This was completely the opposite from my solitude in a clinic room 5 months ago.

I’ll the the 3 extra points please, thank you very much.

I paid zero attention to the lecture (Multi-disciplinary support for patients with HNC). I texted everyone I know to let them know – like me, they were eagerly waiting my results. I’m pleased that I did not disappoint them. Now with a new lease in life with a dash of invincibility, as if by instinct, I went straight to the FRCR Part 2A scheduling, and booked myself into the August 2026 exam in Wales. I really know how to celebrate, huh? And tomorrow is my Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)… who knows, maybe they will decide I can now be an ST5.

After the course, I celebrated with Mona who has been a great inspiration these past 2 years!

In other news… the NYC Marathon ballot results were out yesterday. Unfortunately, I was not part of the 1% they accepted. 1% acceptance rate. Ridiculous. Oh well, next time. Can’t be greedy, only one good result a week please.