So I spent a total of 8 hours in the department today. I almost forgot to eat lunch. I didn't realize my back hurt until I sat in my car. I kept yawning due to an unfortunate 5 am wakeup (long story, the house phone kept ringing) but never felt tired. I got excited every time we moved on to a new case. I was sad to leave and I'm excited to go back in the morning.
Guess where I was.
If you said pathology, you were correct. As scary as it sounds to me right now, I think I may have found my calling. I'm not ruling anything out. I am still very excited about family med, and medicine, and maybe OB. Maybe. But if none of those can make me stand on my feet for 8 hours and still have a huge smile on my face I may just have to end up doing that for the rest of my career. At least I know that I have one specialty in medicine that I absolutely love. Maybe one of my friends is right. Why am I fighting it? Because I don't want to be close minded. I really hope the faculty likes me. I hope they don't take offense when I say that I want extra exposure before 4th year so I can make up my mind. That I am interested but want to keep my options open. half the time I think I open my mouth and moron diarrhea comes flowing out my mouth in the form of words. Ugh.
I need to chill. Just be myself. They're cool like that.
Another WOOT for surgery being OVER!
I was reminded of my friend HemeOnc Doc today when we looked at bone marrow aspirates and biopsies. Woot hematopathology!
And going with the trend: Boy, what a softshell I'm turning out to be-Sebastian, The little Mermaid
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Stop Playing With Your Balls
So today was my last day of surgery. That noise you heard around 1pm central time was the heavens opening and angel choir singing "Hallelujah" as HemeOnc Doc and I walked away from the trauma surgery room.
I've been thinking a lot about my surgery rotation. Here's a list of reasons why surgery just isn't for me:
1. I like to sleep. Overnight call was never fun for me. I hated every minute of it. Plus, I don't like waking up at 3:30 every morning and getting home over 12 hours later (some, but not all rotations).
2. I hate the OR. I hate scrubbing. I hate getting yelled at when I touch something without thinking. I hate not being able to scratch my nose when it itches. And I don't give a damn about your sterile field (aimed at a particular nurse in the Batson ORs).
3. The type A personality I just don't understand. Whether the bandage is changed now, 10 minutes for now, or after rounds it'll still get changed. Calm down.
4. I hate anatomy. I don't care about nerves. I don't care about blood vessels. I don't care about it looking pretty. And I definitely don't care about the 700 different procedures that end up doing the same thing. Pick your favorite and stick with it.
5. I don't have the compulsion to tie knots over and over again so I get really good at them. I'd be happy if I never tied another knot ever again.
Unfortunately, I'm not 100% decided on OB. Although there is surgery involved, I'm wondering if it'll be an entirely different surgical environment when compared to general surgery. Although I don't know if I'll ever be able to do pelvics and pap smears on a regular basis. Or cough up $200,000+ for malpractice.
So, I have tomorrow off to study, my test wed, then two days of pathology shadowing before starting family medicine. I'm so pumped I don't think words can explain.
Oh, the title is a quote from HemeOnc Doc. It made me laugh really hard.
SURGERY IS OVAH!
I've been thinking a lot about my surgery rotation. Here's a list of reasons why surgery just isn't for me:
1. I like to sleep. Overnight call was never fun for me. I hated every minute of it. Plus, I don't like waking up at 3:30 every morning and getting home over 12 hours later (some, but not all rotations).
2. I hate the OR. I hate scrubbing. I hate getting yelled at when I touch something without thinking. I hate not being able to scratch my nose when it itches. And I don't give a damn about your sterile field (aimed at a particular nurse in the Batson ORs).
3. The type A personality I just don't understand. Whether the bandage is changed now, 10 minutes for now, or after rounds it'll still get changed. Calm down.
4. I hate anatomy. I don't care about nerves. I don't care about blood vessels. I don't care about it looking pretty. And I definitely don't care about the 700 different procedures that end up doing the same thing. Pick your favorite and stick with it.
5. I don't have the compulsion to tie knots over and over again so I get really good at them. I'd be happy if I never tied another knot ever again.
Unfortunately, I'm not 100% decided on OB. Although there is surgery involved, I'm wondering if it'll be an entirely different surgical environment when compared to general surgery. Although I don't know if I'll ever be able to do pelvics and pap smears on a regular basis. Or cough up $200,000+ for malpractice.
So, I have tomorrow off to study, my test wed, then two days of pathology shadowing before starting family medicine. I'm so pumped I don't think words can explain.
Oh, the title is a quote from HemeOnc Doc. It made me laugh really hard.
SURGERY IS OVAH!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I Can't Do This All On My Own
I know that I'm no... superman.
I love Scrubs. I always get asked if med school/medicine is really like scrubs. In a way it is. In a way it's not. The drama and inbreeding occur. But always having something witty and coming up with a diagnosis in 30 min doesn't necessarily happen. Although I think deep down us fans strive to make every day a bit more like Scrubs.
I officially have 5 more days of surgery left. Then a test. I am so unbelievably pumped no one has any clue!!! I move on to family medicine and I'm so excited. Today I had my first clinical skills assessments. Apparently I'm not too shabby at a history and physical, but thanks to surgery I don't document ANYTHING. Pretty much meaning it didn't happen. Ugh. I'm sure Fam Med and Medicine will remedy that very quickly. I just had no idea to write down in her HPI her sexual history, or whether she was using contraception, or what her pain was like. ARRG! that's points people! I'm almost worried I failed the damn thing due to documentation.
I also realized that the path interest group will be getting to a very very slow start this year. I'll be gone for some of september and a week or so in october. So our earliest meeting will be mid october at best. I need to start getting the ball rolling, but it's so hard with surgery being down my neck and taking up all my time. I suppose I'll start gathering my minions as soon as this rotation is over.
And Just a random vent: DO NOT CALL ME PAST 8 pm! Most likely I will be asleep. I have a friend who has consistently been calling around 9-10 pm. Now, I wouldn't be so angry if a lot of her calls didn't follow with the text "can you come watch the kids while I go to the store". Let's not get started. I know you're a single mom now, but go on the way home like everyone else. I am asleep because I get up at 3:30 every morning. I think if she does it again I'll be calling HER when I wake up. You would think between me TELLING her and not answering my phone she would have stopped by now. Ugh.
PIG meeting thurs. SO EXCITED (mainly for Chic-fil-a. I've already realized peds=not for me).
Until next time! stay dry!
You can find me curled up at 7 pm in my bed with my very own Scrubs marathon.
I love Scrubs. I always get asked if med school/medicine is really like scrubs. In a way it is. In a way it's not. The drama and inbreeding occur. But always having something witty and coming up with a diagnosis in 30 min doesn't necessarily happen. Although I think deep down us fans strive to make every day a bit more like Scrubs.
I officially have 5 more days of surgery left. Then a test. I am so unbelievably pumped no one has any clue!!! I move on to family medicine and I'm so excited. Today I had my first clinical skills assessments. Apparently I'm not too shabby at a history and physical, but thanks to surgery I don't document ANYTHING. Pretty much meaning it didn't happen. Ugh. I'm sure Fam Med and Medicine will remedy that very quickly. I just had no idea to write down in her HPI her sexual history, or whether she was using contraception, or what her pain was like. ARRG! that's points people! I'm almost worried I failed the damn thing due to documentation.
I also realized that the path interest group will be getting to a very very slow start this year. I'll be gone for some of september and a week or so in october. So our earliest meeting will be mid october at best. I need to start getting the ball rolling, but it's so hard with surgery being down my neck and taking up all my time. I suppose I'll start gathering my minions as soon as this rotation is over.
And Just a random vent: DO NOT CALL ME PAST 8 pm! Most likely I will be asleep. I have a friend who has consistently been calling around 9-10 pm. Now, I wouldn't be so angry if a lot of her calls didn't follow with the text "can you come watch the kids while I go to the store". Let's not get started. I know you're a single mom now, but go on the way home like everyone else. I am asleep because I get up at 3:30 every morning. I think if she does it again I'll be calling HER when I wake up. You would think between me TELLING her and not answering my phone she would have stopped by now. Ugh.
PIG meeting thurs. SO EXCITED (mainly for Chic-fil-a. I've already realized peds=not for me).
Until next time! stay dry!
You can find me curled up at 7 pm in my bed with my very own Scrubs marathon.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Tweet Tweet Tweet
Today has been full of rumors, gossip, and somewhat drama. And it's only monday.
The biggest ::whew:: moment was the long anticipated email stating our test was indeed on Wed. So we have a room and a time. So the gloves can come off...for now.
The only thing that can trump that is the realization that this friday is the back to school party. I happen to be on call this friday. What I didn't realize is that the SOM officially releases us at 5 pm friday and we don't have to be back until 8 am Sat morning. Basically meaning I get out of being on call. And we all get out of writing notes in the morning. Now, before everyone decides to beat me up in the back alley, I'll say that if our call doesn't go to replace Chasing Zebras and her partner's unfair 5th call night, I will replace one of them. So we can all have a fair 4 nights of call.
Also, some internal M3 drama involving Chasing Zebras came to light. Apparently two people on Peds decided they wouldn't get enough time to "study" for our test and decided to switch to transplant. However shady and wrong, none of the departments seemed pleased. Peds needs more than just one student, and transplant was scratching their heads going "wth" when 4 med students showed up for their service. Momma medschool warned me long ago that people would be coming out of the woodwork, ditching responsibility in order to go study or something.
So there have been many little birdies floating around UMC today spreading the good stuff around. Now, if I could just peel myself off the couch and get something done that would be marvelous.
The biggest ::whew:: moment was the long anticipated email stating our test was indeed on Wed. So we have a room and a time. So the gloves can come off...for now.
The only thing that can trump that is the realization that this friday is the back to school party. I happen to be on call this friday. What I didn't realize is that the SOM officially releases us at 5 pm friday and we don't have to be back until 8 am Sat morning. Basically meaning I get out of being on call. And we all get out of writing notes in the morning. Now, before everyone decides to beat me up in the back alley, I'll say that if our call doesn't go to replace Chasing Zebras and her partner's unfair 5th call night, I will replace one of them. So we can all have a fair 4 nights of call.
Also, some internal M3 drama involving Chasing Zebras came to light. Apparently two people on Peds decided they wouldn't get enough time to "study" for our test and decided to switch to transplant. However shady and wrong, none of the departments seemed pleased. Peds needs more than just one student, and transplant was scratching their heads going "wth" when 4 med students showed up for their service. Momma medschool warned me long ago that people would be coming out of the woodwork, ditching responsibility in order to go study or something.
So there have been many little birdies floating around UMC today spreading the good stuff around. Now, if I could just peel myself off the couch and get something done that would be marvelous.
Friday, August 14, 2009
This Is Me Flipping My Shit
You can find me in Dr. Medschool's office along with Momma Medschool Monday morning as I revolt against the fact that the surgery secretary has admitted to not doing her job and having to "find time" to give our test.
Funny, that test has been scheduled for Aug 26 since our syllabus was sent out on June 8th. And there's still no room, or definite date?
No, I have made plans after email confirmation we won't have anything to do after the 26. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'LL be taking my test Aug 26. Or she can personally explain to the pathology director of residency program why I can't come shadow in the department. And to Momma Medschool and Dr. Medschool as to why our test doesn't have a definite date.
Yeah, because you didn't do your job.
I thought people got fired over shit like this. Just a thought.
Funny, that test has been scheduled for Aug 26 since our syllabus was sent out on June 8th. And there's still no room, or definite date?
No, I have made plans after email confirmation we won't have anything to do after the 26. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'LL be taking my test Aug 26. Or she can personally explain to the pathology director of residency program why I can't come shadow in the department. And to Momma Medschool and Dr. Medschool as to why our test doesn't have a definite date.
Yeah, because you didn't do your job.
I thought people got fired over shit like this. Just a thought.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Misery With a Side of Fries
I'd like to preface this post with the realization that there are officially 11 days of surgery responsibilities left. Less than that if you're not counting weekends.
The last 2 days of my general surgery rotation will be horrible. Today was mundane until they decided to to an ex lap at 4 pm. Usually, I've been home for over an hour by this time. So we go, I'm shooting bullets out my eyes, and then we can't see anything. It was a complete clusterfuck in the OR. So The Big One decided that it was too crowded and we couldn't see. Instead of telling us to just go home, she sent us off to study. Eventually, an hour and a half later, she comes and finds us in the surgery student lounge and tells us to go home. Ugh. HemeOnc doc and I decided that if it was anything else, it wouldn't have been as pissy. Like, if I was waiting to do a frozen section on some massive tumor, or she was waiting to do some bone marrow thingie. But the fact they wanted to open up someone and just go looking around at 4 pm was downright pissy. So I went to McDonalds and got some fries to make me feel better. It only worked for a couple of minutes.
I've also been fighting an internal/family battle. I've decided that my life may be made simpler with a blackberry. Downside: it's an extra 30 bucks a month. Something my mother (who pays for the phones now) refuses to pay. So it's either I don't get the phone or I pay the extra cash from my allowance I get every month. Wow, does it sound like i'm in high school? Because at first, that's what it sounded like to me. Now, being as I'm NOT in high school, I simply can't get a job to make up the extra money. Nor can I take out loans because that will result in a monthlong bitchfest starring my parents. Although I'm sure I'm going to have to take out a good chunk next year with residency costs and I'm GOING to do away rotations whether they like it or not. So I'm trying to battle it out if it's going to be worth it or not. I'll have until november to decide.
Otherwise, I'm absolutely PUMPED about starting family medicine. I just have about a week of surgery left, then the surgery test, then some path shadowing, then Family Med! Oh, and for those who aren't in the loop/not on surgery the secretary apparently "can't find a room" for us to have the test on Wed and may postpone it until thurs or friday. Seeing how I've made advance plans to shadow after emailing her stating i was going to make plans thurs and fri and double checked to make sure we didn't have any responsibilities after our WED test (she confirmed), I will raise all un-Godly hell if she decides she'll just have it another day. She's had it scheduled for Wed for 3 months. And "not having a room" or "it's not ready" is as good as an excuse as "i didn't get my notes done because I was tired and wanted to sleep in".
Bring it.
The last 2 days of my general surgery rotation will be horrible. Today was mundane until they decided to to an ex lap at 4 pm. Usually, I've been home for over an hour by this time. So we go, I'm shooting bullets out my eyes, and then we can't see anything. It was a complete clusterfuck in the OR. So The Big One decided that it was too crowded and we couldn't see. Instead of telling us to just go home, she sent us off to study. Eventually, an hour and a half later, she comes and finds us in the surgery student lounge and tells us to go home. Ugh. HemeOnc doc and I decided that if it was anything else, it wouldn't have been as pissy. Like, if I was waiting to do a frozen section on some massive tumor, or she was waiting to do some bone marrow thingie. But the fact they wanted to open up someone and just go looking around at 4 pm was downright pissy. So I went to McDonalds and got some fries to make me feel better. It only worked for a couple of minutes.
I've also been fighting an internal/family battle. I've decided that my life may be made simpler with a blackberry. Downside: it's an extra 30 bucks a month. Something my mother (who pays for the phones now) refuses to pay. So it's either I don't get the phone or I pay the extra cash from my allowance I get every month. Wow, does it sound like i'm in high school? Because at first, that's what it sounded like to me. Now, being as I'm NOT in high school, I simply can't get a job to make up the extra money. Nor can I take out loans because that will result in a monthlong bitchfest starring my parents. Although I'm sure I'm going to have to take out a good chunk next year with residency costs and I'm GOING to do away rotations whether they like it or not. So I'm trying to battle it out if it's going to be worth it or not. I'll have until november to decide.
Otherwise, I'm absolutely PUMPED about starting family medicine. I just have about a week of surgery left, then the surgery test, then some path shadowing, then Family Med! Oh, and for those who aren't in the loop/not on surgery the secretary apparently "can't find a room" for us to have the test on Wed and may postpone it until thurs or friday. Seeing how I've made advance plans to shadow after emailing her stating i was going to make plans thurs and fri and double checked to make sure we didn't have any responsibilities after our WED test (she confirmed), I will raise all un-Godly hell if she decides she'll just have it another day. She's had it scheduled for Wed for 3 months. And "not having a room" or "it's not ready" is as good as an excuse as "i didn't get my notes done because I was tired and wanted to sleep in".
Bring it.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Weekend Wedding
So my friend's wedding was awesome. I got to see some friends that moved away recently and got to spend the whole weekend with them. I was proud of myself because I kept it together during the ceremony. I came close to loosing it once when A was saying her vows and you could hear the shaking in her voice that meant she was crying. But it held it together! I'm glad she had a good wedding experience. The reception was awesome complete with custom beer labels. We all had a great time and consumed way too much ethanol. I won't go into the details here, but everyone including myself got into some trouble. The best had to be the 3 am fire alarm (probably due to the fact that some genius groomsmen decided to smoke in their room).
I did note that I will never be getting a manicure or pedicure ever again. The whole push on your cuticles hurts and I don't want to ever do that again. I'm looking forward to getting back to the routine. I'm even more excited about finishing surgery. Right now I'm making some veggie soup to freeze and blueberry muffins to thank those that covered me friday.
Now, I've got to go look up some stuff about gastric cancer for a very impromptu presentation that apparently will take place in the next week. blah.
Until next time.
I did note that I will never be getting a manicure or pedicure ever again. The whole push on your cuticles hurts and I don't want to ever do that again. I'm looking forward to getting back to the routine. I'm even more excited about finishing surgery. Right now I'm making some veggie soup to freeze and blueberry muffins to thank those that covered me friday.
Now, I've got to go look up some stuff about gastric cancer for a very impromptu presentation that apparently will take place in the next week. blah.
Until next time.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Ooey Gooey
I learned a very valuable lesson today. Whenever in the OR wear gloves at all times. I learned this because one of the residents asked me to move the patient's arm while he tried to get subclavian access. It's just the patient's hand and arm, right? Well, apparently they put in an IV and I didn't see and it was kinda oozing since they didn't hook it up yet. So what did I do? Stick my finger in some of the oozing blood. Ugh. So I move the arm and go outside and immediately wash my hands a couple of times. It wasn't a big deal really. I don't have any wounds on my hands and it wasn't a needlestick. so I didn't panic or anything or felt the need to rush to student health. It was just annoying. sigh.
Other than that I'm completely pumped about my friend's wedding this weekend. I have to go in and write my notes on my two patients then I'm leaving to apparently come pack and head to the city of choice.
it seems like this surgery rotation will never end. 2 more weeks.
Other than that I'm completely pumped about my friend's wedding this weekend. I have to go in and write my notes on my two patients then I'm leaving to apparently come pack and head to the city of choice.
it seems like this surgery rotation will never end. 2 more weeks.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Alpha, Bravo, Foxtrot Charlie!
So I just realized I have call monday night. Good thing I looked at the schedule. That could have been a big "oops". I really hate call. There's always some crap you have to deal with down in the ER. And me really not liking surgery, it's a bigger pain in my ass than it should be. ::beep beep:: bravo ::beep beep:: bravo ::beep beep:: shit hit the fan alpha. Ugh. Luckily I'll only have one more after monday.
So I'm excited about going back to UMC. I think the pissiest thing about VA is the constant back and forth. although I left my very nice big umbrella in the resident's cubby. So it looks like I'm going to have to make a trip back in order to retrieve it.
I start general monday and have a lack of information. We talked to one resident who didn't give us much information. I'm not even sure if we're supposed to see patients on monday morning before rounds. I would think not, since we don't know the patients and barely know the residents that will be there.
Oh well. We asked. if they just forgot to tell us then it's their problem. Although, I know good and well by now it'll actually be MY problem. But it's their fault.
3 weeks of misery left. woo!
So I'm excited about going back to UMC. I think the pissiest thing about VA is the constant back and forth. although I left my very nice big umbrella in the resident's cubby. So it looks like I'm going to have to make a trip back in order to retrieve it.
I start general monday and have a lack of information. We talked to one resident who didn't give us much information. I'm not even sure if we're supposed to see patients on monday morning before rounds. I would think not, since we don't know the patients and barely know the residents that will be there.
Oh well. We asked. if they just forgot to tell us then it's their problem. Although, I know good and well by now it'll actually be MY problem. But it's their fault.
3 weeks of misery left. woo!
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