Seriously?

So as I was amputating a guy's foot today (a real bloody case actually) the scrub tech looks down at my feet an asks "do you wear those shoes home?". I replied "yes". She said "then you should wear foot covers. No telling what bugs you're taking home with you from the OR." Yeah, ok, that's great and all, but my first day of surgery I did the whole shoe covers thing and it was a pain in the ass. Not to mention that the other doctors and staff wear the shoes in the OR, around in the basement, Up to the resident cubby, down around the halls, into patient rooms. I figured me doing the same thing while also walking around outside and leaving the shoes right inside the door wouldn't expose me to anything more dangerous than being at the hospital does anyway. So I appreciate the infection control speech, but honestly I'm exposed to nasty all day and will probably pick it up off the floor on the 3rd floor just as easily as I will in the OR.

Not to mention that I get one pair of scrubs at the VA and have to wash them myself until my time there is over. So...that's not a health risk: putting bugs in my washer even tho I wash it with hot water. OOOOOOkay then.

I think the worst part of the surgery rotation has been lack of time off. I'm quickly approaching burnout and I need a couple of days to not wake up at 4 am and do notes for ungrateful interns (I may write on this later, just something pissy that happened this morning). I'm exhausted to the point of insomnia and after 2 hours of sleep woke up shaky and nauseated. Granted, it could be the bean and cheese nachos paired with margaritas (2 for 1!) or the dehydration i'm suffering due to a lack of time to ingest water. It's almost like you're so tired your body is making you sick because it's the only way to get you to slow down. Or it could be the MRSA or VRE or whatever I picked up from the hospital due to me wearing shoes home (ugh). whatever it is, I'm up now and can't get back to sleep. So that's not going to help the getting up, seeing patients (our list doubled today. joy.) then being with it enough at educational rounds (aka pimpfest) to answer any questions. it seems like i'll be something slightly above zombie level.

I love the patients at the VA, but I'm ready to get back to UMC. At least when I get lectured about putting myself and my family into nosocomial dangers at home, I'll know they're at least washing my scrubs for me.

Let Me Tell You About 'Nam

So after a week at the VA I have come to the conclusion that working there is like driving toothpicks under your fingernails. It's extraordinarily painful with all the paperwork and red tape and very angry secretaries. They yell at me at least once a day. Not to mention that HIPAA is disguised as FBI agents. I'm convinced. And the rent-a-cops in the parking lot on their oh so wonderful bikes are a special breed of stupid dressed in ignorance and topped off with the accessory of power trip.

But I LOVE the patients. They make my day better. They all pretty much appreciate that someone cares and someone tries. I had the cutest old man with a gangrene foot due to diabetes, but he just lit up when he talked about his granddaughter and his chee-tohs and little debbie cakes. I know...that's why his foot was falling off due to atherosclerosis and diabetes. But he was just so adorable while doing so. I couldn't help but just find him absolutely precious. I also love the patients with the old war stories. I had one guy tell me about his stint in 'Nam. I love it. I guess that's why I'm considering Geriatrics if I decide to do family medicine or internal medicine.

Although, I miss pathology dearly. I'm going to try to find some time to shadow so I can decide. My ultimate fear is getting to third year and hating everything and not knowing what I want to do.

And I FINALLY got to see harry potter! HemeOnc Doc and I went after we wasted about 5 hours at the hospital just sitting around and "studying". They left out the good fight scenes naturally as well as some of the story line. But it was a good idea. I'm excited to see the next 2 movies.

So today has been full of just stuff. Making bread since I'm out, and tried out a recipe from my new cookbook Cupcake Heaven yesterday. It was so good! It tasted like strawberry shortcake. A real winner. I'm just glad I got the day off. One of the guys that was supposed to come yesterday morning overslept so I did all his notes and he repaid me by doing all the ones I was responsible for this morning.

Until next time.

Out of the Bag

After 6 weeks of surgical experience I can safely say Surgery is not for me.

In fact, I'm starting to tell people this. So the cat is out of the bag. Like today. Where I told them I'm not doing surgery. Actually, I think the exact quote to one of the interns was "I hate surgery" and to the chief in reply to "what do you want to do?" I responded "NOT SURGERY". Does this mean I'm not going to fulfill my duties or pull my weight? No. Does it mean I will count down the days until the rotation is over? yes. I hate the OR. I hate scrubbing and just sitting there. I'd much rather go around doing scut work. I don't mind watching. I just don't like the whole sterile field thing.

I also don't like pediatrics. I didn't get around to telling them I have also eliminated that choice.

What are they going to do? Fail me because I told them upfront I don't like surgery? No. They would have to give me a good reason to fail me if that did happen.

6 more weeks. 6 more weeks of general surgery. Ugh. Is it 4th year yet?

And for the record, I'm jealous of the people who got to go to Destin while I rot at the VA. Enjoy some sand and sun for me! I want pictures and stories when you guys return!

The Rundown

1. the next 6 weeks of surgery seem like they will never end. I've pretty much said I'm not going to do surgery, but I think before I start telling them that I'll have to give general 3 days to impress me. I'm thinking it won't, but you never know.

2. I'm completely jealous of my pediatric partner in crime. she gets to go to destin and I'm stuck with the intern. haha, no, I like the intern ok. he's really nice once you get talking to him. poor thing is so strung out and he's vented a couple of times to me that I just want to give him a hug.

3. I need to just stay away from men in general. especially those who i've never met and come to realize no one i know has either.

4. I need to shut off my phone when i sleep because apparently I answer it, have a conversation, and don't remember. the only way i know this is i find it listed under "received calls" and not having any recollection of the convo. Who called? the place altering my dress. Which i haven't been able to go to due to my insane peds surgery schedule.

5. I don't like my sister's dogs. she hasn't trained them and then while I was asleep one of them ate my flip flop. My very expensive very comfortable my very favorite only pair. ugh.

LOL

Just because it made me laugh out loud. It also is so, SO true.

Everyone read this: Training Grounds:Balls

Enjoy the laughter!

Slowly Ruling It Out

So, even though I'm still waiting on General before I officially say Surgery isn't for me, I have 100% ruled out pediatrics. I started Peds surgery monday and by today I have decided that I don't like it. The NICU creeps me out. I love children, don't get me wrong. But I don't like the sick ones or seeing them in hospital beds. If you need a babysitter, I'm your person. If you need a pediatrician, please call someone else. I have the utmost respect for pediatricians and pediatric workers. But I can't do it. So I'm going to leave that to Cupcake Queen and HemeOnc Doc.

Other than that, surgery has already been a whirlwind and it's hard to believe it's almost halfway done. I'm chomping at the bit to get to Family Medicine because I know after 3:30 am awakenings and 5 am notes 7 and 8 am will seem like heaven. Also the people in the family medicine dept are amazing and I can't wait to work with them. And Baptist is pretty much the shit.

Oh, and America's obsession with Michael Jackson now that he's dead. I'm just glad that everyone is focusing on his music and legend and not the bad parts of his life. I hope he rests in peace, I hope his family finds solace, and I hope to God every station quits airing Michael Jackson specials and gets back to the regularly scheduled programs.