Do Doctors Have Web-Slinging Powers?

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I was bitten by a rare spider in Central America last summer, and while I didn’t gain web-slinging powers or superhuman strength similar to Spiderman, I did gain far more valuable information—practical life lessons that will shape my future in medicine. 

In July 2023, I joined a mission trip to San Ignacio, Belize, where I contributed to building a church, a playground, and a soccer field across several villages. At the construction site, I worked with Belizean locals to assemble rebar cages, build walls, and mix and pour concrete. One day, our team—some locals, the missionary group, and I—loaded onto a trailer hitched to a small pickup truck to collect tree trunks to use as scaffolding. We ascended a hill in the Belizean jungle just as it began to rain, turning the ground beneath us into thick mud. Later that night, while cleaning off the mud, I noticed an unusual dark spot on my left leg. I dismissed it until the next day when a painful red rash began spreading around the mark.

Over the next few days, the red rash expanded, despite my efforts to track and contain it. Concerned, I visited La Loma Luz Hospital, where I met Dr. Jeff, an American physician on a medical mission. Over the following days, I returned to him for additional treatment, as the bite worsened and my reaction to the medication caused an intense, full-body rash. Gradually, the pain and itching subsided, though a lasting mark on my leg serves as a vivid reminder of the experience.

My medical experience in Belize, however, became more than just a story about a spider bite. My time at La Loma Luz opened my eyes to healthcare in an underserved rural setting, broadening my empathy for patients facing limited resources. I learned firsthand how to navigate discomfort and serve others despite my own challenges, which helped me fully appreciate Belizean culture and the struggles many communities face daily. Shadowing Belizean doctors, nurses, and hospital staff gave me insight into how healthcare providers persevere with limited resources—a reality that deepened my respect for the profession.

Observing the rural Belizean doctors as they managed patient care with limited resources in austere conditions was both humbling and inspiring, highlighting the resilience and adaptability required in such settings. Seeing the impact they had on their community despite these constraints deepened my desire to pursue a career in rural medicine, where I hope to bring similar dedication and adaptability to underserved areas.

At home, I frequently shadow doctors and nurse anesthetists to learn about their roles, but witnessing the challenges in Belize profoundly reinforced my commitment to a healthcare career. This experience solidified my aspiration to be a doctor who can adapt and overcome adversity, equipped to serve in difficult situations.

Despite facing health challenges, my faith encouraged me that serving in Belize was important in my personal development. Christianity teaches us to endure trials with grace and to see challenges as opportunities for growth. My experiences in Belize taught me that perseverance, service, and empathy are not just qualities that make a good doctor—they are important in living a fulfilling life. 

While Spiderman’s bite equipped him with supernatural abilities, mine endowed me with resilience, adaptability, and a reinforced passion for rural healthcare. Doctors don’t have spidey senses or web-slinging powers, but they definitely possess the dedication and insight I gained during my mission in Belize. This mission trip affirmed that saving lives—and caring for others—truly is a superpower worth pursuing.