I was called as the first student of today's series of exams.
This is the last day of these exams and I was the 8th student to be tested.

It was done in a semi-long hall with seats on either side, kind of like a church, if you've ever been to a real one.
Anyway towards the front there were a few seats in the middle and a long table with three seats behind it and some bottled water in front of each seat.

After waiting awhile, three people came in.
A specialist in the field of microbiology/pharmacology, another in head and neck anatomy and finally a specialist in internal medicine and emergency response.

It began, very formal, with a fourth guy, some intern kid, couldn't be over 25, announcing my entry and the beginning of the exam.
Each member of the panel introduced him/herself and I was given some instructions before we began.
This was done in a "closed door" fashion, so no public/witnesses aside from the panel and myself...except for the kid who came and went(that's what she said).

To say that I was nervous would be a colossal understatement, it felt like I was sweating blood sitting in that empty room with three people looking at me like they hated my guts and wanted me to fail(NOTE: I didn't sweat).

The first person to ask me questions was the specialist in micro/pharm.
I was asked to talk about/explain the Candida type fungus as much as I could.
So I went on explaining it's etiology, locations, treatments, factors, etc.
After some time, I was told that was enough.
It was pretty simple... but my heart felt like it would explode.
These people don't tell you if/when you make a mistake, they just make observations and notes. So you never know how well you are doing or if you are giving them the responses they want.
But I got a very positive vibe from them... based on their body language at least.

So anyway the next series of questions was from the specialist in head/neck anatomy.
This is the only moment when I fumbled.
I was asked to describe the veins in the head and how the anastomosis of each collects the tainted blood till it reaches the heart.
I described it as best I could but failed.
I wanted to punch myself for not brushing up on veins a lot more.
It was easily my weakest subject.

Next I was asked about arteries, which I easily aced.
Then I was asked about the trigeminal nerve and it's three branches.
Neuroanatomy isn't my forte at all, but I was far more prepared than with the veins.
I began to describe the innervations and pathways of the 5th cranial nerve, but slightly failed towards the very end.

That was the last part from the head/neck anatomy person.

Finally, the easiest one. The last guy.
I was asked about the heart's electrical circuit, which is easy potatoes.
Depolarization/Repolarization that kind of thing, purkinje fibers... etc.

Anyway, after a couple of more easy questions, I was asked to stand up and they implied that I did very well, better than anyone so far.

I was told to sign something and walked out feeling extremely pleased.
Then I rushed to the bathroom to splash some water on my face and hoping I wouldn't pass out.
Fortunately, I didn't.

The next exam will be with a larger panel of specialists, with much harder questions, in front of an audience of people with zero room for error.

I will try to have someone record it so you guys can see me succeed/fail.
Huehuehue.

On the way home I felt massive relief... but the story is not done yet, the next exam will be harder and is more important.
I have only one fear, and most of you probably don't remember what it is.
My fear is not knowing.
And to be grilled by a panel of specialists is quite possibly the most nerve wracking experience I've ever had.

More so than that girl who claimed was pregnant with my child(She was, Lol).
More so than when I almost died in an accident.
More so than when I had nearly no food to eat or water to drink for an extended period of time.

For now, I can rest, knowing that I blew away the competition... or at least the guys that went before me.
My nerves are still shot, but fortunately, with some chemical aid, my memory is in peak fighting shape.

Will return in the future.