Dr Glenda-Kay Caballero: A move to Medicine

Mandeville, Manchester:

From as far back as age five, Glenda-Kay Caballero had every intention of becoming a medical doctor, but she never knew her journey would take her to as far as Japan and back before she could make that dream a reality.

“My parents bought for me a toy medical kit, and I would examine all of my friends and give them injections and send them off all better. I’ve always wanted to have and hone the skills that could help me to help people who can’t help themselves,” she began.

The second of three children, Caballero was born in Kingston but grew up in Mandeville and lived in Spanish Town and Montego Bay for short stints.

She grew up in a nurturing, supportive home with both parents but had to learn quickly that living the life she desired meant leaving the comfort of family.

“It has been quite a journey, one that I needed to take in order for me to know my purpose and be justified in self. When I was leaving high school, I decided to attend the university in my home town. Circumstances led me into nursing, but the real goal was always to do medicine. Somehow, after finishing school and becoming a registered nurse, I realised that if I wanted to go back to school, I couldn’t stay in Jamaica and work as a nurse and save any money to even start.”

That was when she made the decision to travel thousands of miles to Japan on a teaching programme.

“I saw the opportunity to live and work in Japan, applied (for the position), and forgot about it because I never ever expected to even get through. Before I knew it, I was on my way, not knowing the language [or] anyone there – only a little of where I was to be placed.”

She said the first six months were the loneliest, most depressing time of her life and that her routine became 12- and sometimes 24-hour shifts at work with no sign that her dreams would ever be realised.

“I was discouraged and frustrated. Not many medical schools would accept a nursing degree, and many of the things I needed to apply were not accessible to me where I was. I kind of gave up on that quest. But I can tell you, I had so much time to think, to meditate, to sing, to lose and find myself that eventually, I knew my purpose.”

Grateful for family

Caballero praised her family for not only being there but eventually buying into her vision and seeing her receive credentials to be a medical practitioner.

“The support from my family is second to none. They prayed for me constantly, encouraged me, and used every avenue to help me with whatever was needed. My mother stressed out every time I had an exam, and they needed a breakdown of my first days of any clinical rotation I commenced. They always ask me if I’d got enough to eat and let me know I need to get enough sleep. I’ve been very blessed with such a strong support system of people who really love me and just want what’s best for me.”

The 29-year-old said that outside of being qualified to practise medicine, her most fulfilling moments often include patients walking out of the ward almost brand new.

“It could be seen as selfishness because I get immense pleasure now when I discharge a patient who is fine and well when only days before, they were not even able to breathe and/or walk initially. I knew my purpose was to serve and be used as a tool for others, and the best way I could do it was through medicine. I realised I had a purposes that is why I am still alive.”

Her main aim now is finding out how she can work and travel and enter into emergency medicine/surgery, making the two work.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com