I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice

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Lorwynn de Leon, registered medical technologist Philippines

MedTech board exams are nerve-wracking! It definitely is the most important exam to take before you start your professional journey. How did I do it?

I am Lorwynn de Leon, a MedTech board exam passer, and I have been working as a Medical Technologist for more than two years now.

Time definitely flies fast when you do what you love. Now during work, I get to practice what I spent so much time studying during college! I still have a long way to go, but whenever I look back, I can never imagine how I even got here in the first place. It just seemed impossible.

Lorwynn de Leon, registered medical technologist Philippines
How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice – Testimonial Story by Lorwynn de Leon, RMT.

Culinary Arts vs. MedTech vs. Teacher

I never even planned to be a medical technologist. It was actually my third and last choice. My heart first belonged to Culinary Arts when I was deciding on what course to take at college. I’ve always loved cooking food (and eating, too, of course).

However, my parents wanted me to become a teacher. I also like teaching, so why not. But what exactly will I teach? Picking your course in college is never easy, so if any of you right now is having a hard time doing so, don’t blame yourself, and take your time.

I had to sit down and contemplate. I don’t want to pick a course that I wouldn’t love doing. Because by then, it’ll be hard for me to learn anything. I also cannot pick a course that my parents would strongly disagree with. I wouldn’t be able to bear the pressure from both home and school. I started searching the internet about what to take in college based on my current interests.

Lorwynn de Leon, registered medical technologist Philippines
How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice – Testimonial Story by Lorwynn de Leon, RMT.

Lo and behold, I found out about Medical Technology

I sat down in that classroom and was just so excited to learn something finally. The science behind laboratory tests, how and why we do them. So exciting! But of course, before I got there, I had to dance in P.E. class. Twice. And mind you, I am not a good dancer.

I wasn’t the brightest student in the class. The freshman and sophomore years were fine! But the third and fourth years of college would really make you think if you made the right decision in spending two good years in the course you took.

I was not a model student. I don’t always listen, nor do I always do assignments and workbook exercises. I don’t even study unless I think the topic is interesting. Please do not be like me.

With those kinds of habits that I took with me until I entered junior college, I was delayed by a year from graduating. I failed some subjects (eight subjects, to be exact), and telling my parents made me weak to the knees. It was hard for me to break it to them that they had to wait an extra year to see their daughter get her degree.

Lorwynn de Leon, registered medical technologist Philippines
How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice – Testimonial Story by Lorwynn de Leon, RMT.

Surviving MedTech

I tried my best to survive during the remaining year I had. I’m proud to say that in the subjects I repeated, I have well understood right after. It was a tough time. But as tough as it was, I had my best friend beside me while I worked on them.

My lovely dog, whom I named Oreo because of my love for Oreos, has been with me since I was in high school. He wasn’t the sweetest there is, but he was very polite and gentle. I always looked forward to going home because I had his paws wrapped around me; he was so excited to see me home! He was indeed the best friend that anyone could’ve asked for.

While I had Oreo beside me, I also met this person who was in the same course but on a different block. We were of the same year, but he was graduating on time. I personally did not mind him being ahead of me because what was important to me was actually to learn and not just “pass” a subject.

When he passed the MedTech board exam, I was so proud of him. I know what he could achieve, and I always believed he deserved all the best in the world. I made sure always to support him unconditionally and to whatever brings him joy.

Going back to me, after all of the struggle and patience I had to put out, the year 2019 was finally at bay. I was supposed to graduate in 2018, so yeah. I can even proudly ask my parents if they were to cry when I graduate. They would tease me into asking if I was sure I was on the list, and for sure I was!

Isn’t it funny how I always believed that the universe always finds a way to balance things? It’s that same belief that gets me scared to be too happy because I might have to cry a bit later on.

Lorwynn de Leon, registered medical technologist Philippines
How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice – Testimonial Story by Lorwynn de Leon, RMT.

MedTech Good News and Bad News

The year 2019 came in, and along with the good news was the bad news.

My mom and dad have been fighting. But I always thought it was just those normal fights that kids do sometimes witness. One day, after coming home from a class, I couldn’t find my dad anywhere. I thought maybe he just went out. It was explained to me, however, that my parents decided to live separately from that day forward. We moved out of that house and found another place.

In that new house, I noticed how my best friend Oreo started to become a little lazy than usual. He was losing hair and was so stressed. I took him to the vet because he was losing weight fast, and the vet told us he was actually sick. Only a few months left until my graduation, I wished every day that he could live until then, but some wishes cannot be granted.

My partner back then tried his best to support me. It was indeed a difficult time. I would cry while at my internship, and my heart was just so heavy.

The day of my graduation is finally here. Students would normally be given two tickets for their guests. My mom and my elder sister were there for me. It was a happy day, and I brought Oreo’s photo with me while we took pictures.

Lorwynn de Leon's dog named Oreo
How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice – Testimonial Story by Lorwynn de Leon, RMT.

My Heart’s Broken Thrice

I was now looking for review centers to prepare for the MedTech board exam. I was also trying to enjoy the freedom I got from all the school responsibilities I was released from. Slowly though, I could feel something changing in my partner then. I was with him for more than two years, but he never acted this way. One day he just dropped his intentions how he wanted the two of us to be no more.

My dad had to move somewhere else, and my best friend Oreo passed; it all happened in March 2019. And I ended a long-term relationship in May 2019. My MedTech board exams that year were scheduled for September 2019.

I was devastated. Heartbroken and alone, all of my friends were busy preparing for the MedTech board exams. It was hard for me to open up to anyone. I just had to carry it all with me.

After numerous days of crying and thinking about why all these had to happen so suddenly, I also knew that I was not going to let myself feel defeated for the fourth time.

I let myself mourn and be sad. But right after, I had to chase what I knew was rightfully mine—my future.

Lorwynn de Leon, registered medical technologist Philippines
How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Broken Heart Thrice – Testimonial Story by Lorwynn de Leon, RMT.

How I Passed the MedTech Board Exams with a Heart that’s Broken Thrice

I had to study at home, all by myself, while my friends had professionals teach them what to study during the MedTech board exams. I couldn’t believe the extent of my brain working itself out to keep me going. I would play PUBGm (Player Unknown’s BattleGrounds mobile, add me in the game!) in the afternoon to keep my mind off of things. My studying habits come at night until morning. Where everything is quiet, and I can peacefully think.

The night of the results, I was just playing. I was so scared of checking because I wasn’t sure if I had done enough. But hey, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t, right? I even joked with my mom that I was crying, saying I didn’t pass. She was comforting me until I showed her the photo with my name on it. On the list of September 2019 MedTech board exam passers. All I heard were screaming and laughter.

To this day, I still can’t believe how I went through all that. Well, could you? It was such a dark time to be in.

I am still mourning Oreo from time to time. He left a huge gap in my heart that is hard to ignore. I miss him every day. My previous partner? Eh. Let’s just say he wasn’t worth all the tears I shed during that time. That’s for another story.

Oh, and I have a baby girl now. Oreo’s sister, Pretzel! She is so outgoing and very affectionate. I’m sure her brother taught her some tricks. And also, my heart has healed. I am currently with someone who gives me peace and makes me feel loved and secure.

There really is a rainbow after the rain.

 

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Lorwynn de Leon, RMT

Registered Medical Technologist. Dog Mom to Oreo and Pretzel. Painter. PUBG Player. Working on a time machine so she can keep a stegosaurus as a pet. Follow me on Instagram @loreweenn