Chapter 1: A Life-Altering Decision

At the age of 43, I faced a pivotal choice: to leave my established career as a nephrologist. This decision stemmed from a persistent feeling that had plagued me for over ten years—I was destined for a different path. That path, it turned out, was writing.

While this transition wasn’t as fairy-tale-like as one might hope, it marked a critical point in my life. It didn’t guarantee that I would excel in writing, nor did it assure any immediate success. It simply represented a calling that I could no longer dismiss.

My writing journey commenced in January 2021. I didn’t completely abandon my medical career; I continued practicing eight days each month, primarily to maintain the support of my wonderful wife.

Initially, I channeled my efforts into seeking freelance opportunities, where I made some modest progress. However, after nine months, I found myself questioning the choice of serving clients instead of patients, especially when the financial returns were considerably lower.

Realizing I had taken a brave step into the unknown, I decided to fully embrace the inner voice that had guided me. I aimed to use writing as a means to comprehend the world around me, irrespective of whether my insights fit established norms.

Since then, I’ve produced around 160 articles, some of which are quite good, while others may not be as noteworthy. Despite the challenges, the experience has been incredible, though it requires a strong mindset to cope with the reality of writing largely unnoticed—aside from my supportive wife and, of course, my mother.

Monitoring the traffic on my personal website felt akin to observing foot traffic at a Blockbuster Video store—if you catch my drift. Spending countless hours writing without monetary compensation can be disheartening.

Enter Medium. Initially, I struggled to navigate the platform, but what I eventually uncovered was remarkable: a community of talented writers, built-in audience engagement, and the possibility of monetization through the Partner Program.

It was on the morning of May 30, 2022, that I experienced a truly exhilarating moment. Here’s the screenshot.

Without a doubt, I can say that this represents the most significant $0.09 I’ve ever made in my life.

A quick note of appreciation goes to China Pavilion, the Paugusset Club, Orange (CT) Little League, that lab I worked at in college, various hospitals, and my neighbor from 1992. You all compensated me—often more than $0.09—but this particular moment holds a special place in my heart.