Easier Said Than Done

So project new kitten isn't going so well. I was prepared for the hissing and growling from Gryffin. I wasn't prepared for catatonic kitty depression, personality changet from best friend to antisocial doesn't want anything to do with anyone, or go up to people and instead of being friendly start biting for no reason. So we're trying to see if I can help out my Fashionista friend by finding kitty a good home. We've come close twice. One couldn't because her roomate is allergic. Apparently nosebleeds are associated with kitten dander? Didn't learn about that one in immunology. And the second one, his wife basically came up with a list of excuses so he can't take her either. Both fell absolutely in love with the kitten. She is adoreable, sweet, and very VERY cute. But I have to say my first priority is Gryffin and he's just absolutely miserable. It breaks my heart. If we can't find a home we may just keep her and make her outdoor/indoor kitty.

Aside from feline household drama medicine, well medicine blows. I don't want to do that for a living. Studying the molting patterns of penguins in the south pole sounds like a better plan to me. I definitely realized I don't enjoy patients at all. I don't like the questions and the explaining or the complaining. You're in the hospital because we're trying to make you better. Not like you're going to do anything about it after you go home anyway but at least we're trying. So basically unless I somehow 1. change my mind 2. decide neuro doesn't still give me PTSD or 3. I can handle surgery on an OBGYN basis then I'm doing pathology. For realz. No questions, no medicines, no notes. My idea of a perfect job. Plus 8-5 days, at home call, and no weekends. Win. Also, I won't be responsible for calling up some stupid medical records at some office clinic just to get some voicemail recording on how the lady that does medical records is busy. I mean, I did medical records for 4 years. I always answered calls. And at least my stupid recording would have included "If you wish to fax a request, our number is blah blah blah, blah blah." Instead of me leaving some stupid voicemail for you to call me back ASAP (luckily I spared her the thought of "i'm post call and would like to go home. this number is separating me from my bed and it could end badly for you if I ever meet you in real life) just to wait 20 min for NOTHING. So I search more, get what looks like a fax number, and just send it. If you're going to have voicemail, but down pertinent things LIKE PHONE NUMBERS.

Honestly, hasn't nature found a new way to employ natural selection? Now the dumb people are just breeding together causing a new super breed of moron.

Easier said than done, I suppose.

Upside Down

My Fashionista friend brought over a very cute black and white kitten for me today. I took her straight to the bathroom for her "safety room" so she can get adjusted and get a vet visit in. Gryffin went from "hey what's going on" to "HEY! WHAT THE HELL.IS.GOING.ON". Needless to say, he went from a confused/curious to pissed. Very quickly. He bit me when I picked him up (he never does that-shows you the degree of angry he is currently occupying) which is usually his favorite thing ever. Right now he's on the other couch glaring at me. He's spent the majority of the day outside the bathroom staring down the door. When I'm in the bathroom playing/bonding with kitten (to be later named. I think she's a girl so suggestions welcome!) he sits outside and occasionally growls. It's actually really funny to me. What was even funnier was when my parents got home. the kitten heard my dad and started growling herself. Priceless!

So I'm doing the introductions slowly. I can't really put them in the same room until vet on Tuesday (kitten appears to have tapeworms. Don't want Gryffin getting it). So hopefully he'll get used to the idea/smells by then. Kitten seems to be doing just fine. She's a little skiddish, but took to the litter pan immediately (yay!) and to her food bowl. She doesn't like toys too much-she prefers fingers. And she's gotten close to meeting the squirt bottle as she likes to attack and bite legs.

So that's the newest and most exciting thing. Thanksgiving went well in a very crowded way. I got to talk to my cousin's brother in law for a while. We talked on healthcare and the justification of the FDA. It was good, I didn't get overstimulated with all the company. Now I'm just really enjoying my break before 3 straight weeks of house medicine. Not entirely looking forward to it. I'm apprehensive about my partner. I woudln't be surprised if I end up going in early monday morning because he won't want to use the "our break officially ends at 8 am" cop-out. Ugh.

I'll have to post pics as soon as I get them. I'm sure the cat drama will be occupying my time for the next few days. Poor Gryffin-I realize his world has been turned upside down. As well as my official declaration that yes, yes I am now the cat lady.

Weighing In

Just FYI: it's really hard to type on a computer when your cat refuses to get out of your lap.

So...finished up psych. It wasn't that bad really. I was scared at first, then got used to it. By the end I was tired of feelings, but for a while I could have seen myself doing it if I didn't already have a fancy toward path. I'll still have to think about it. I know that it's noncompetitive and there's a massive need. So two good things toward getting into a residency far, far away.

On to medicine next. I'm not completely pumped mainly because I remember how much a 3 month rotation sucks. Because after about 2 months nothing seems too exciting. Especially if you don't like it. The rotation is all split up due to the holidays so my long needed vacation should spread it out better than the 3 straight months of surgery I had to endure.

In recent news, we've been voted the fattest state. Again. It never ceases to amaze me how people act all surprised. And it's not because I believe we're all fat and lazy marrying our cousins and not wearing shoes. It's because honestly people-look around and see the facts.
1. We're one of the poorest states. High calorie density foods are the cheapest and most convenient. So it makes sense that a family on a budget is more likely to buy a bag of chips for $2 than a single sweet potato for $1.99 (estimated costs of course)
2. We're rural. Seriously think how long it takes to go to your house to the grocery store. In the car. 5-10 min? 10-20? Think if you had to walk that. We're not like a lot of the "healthier" states that rely on walking/biking as a major way of transportation.
3. Has anyone seen sidewalks? Yeah, me either. Even if one wanted to walk (I live about a 10 min walk from Kroger), I'd get killed in traffic. Lack of sidewalks+people who drive like a driver's license is a prize in the cracker jack box=no walking.
4. It's hot. Really hot. Walking out the door to your car elicits profuse sweating. Now try walking 30 min somewhere in about 200% humidity and 101 degree temps. Yeah, not so much.

So add all that together and what do you have? Obesity. Lots of it. Not to say that it's possible to stay healthy and maintain a level of appropriate activity. But for the most part a lot of people that live here can't/won't do that. Sometimes they just don't care because it's culture of frying food and eating too much "meat on your bones" and a general acceptance of big body image as a good thing. That's just all my opinion.

Anyway, instead of studying for my psych board I'm updating my much neglected blog. I guess a lot of it has to do with the fact that I haven't had much to say over the past month or so. I figured out how to avoid Borderline questions and can tell the difference between narcolepsy and schizophrenia prodrome (unlike an attending on 7W). And now I'm dreading Medicine and ACLS (did I mention the BLS review course today was crap and she could tell I was in a hurry even though the dummy was apparently DEAD?). I'm ready to get to 4th year and eventually get to do what I love every day. Already halfway through, I can make it, right?

Oh, and don't even talk to me about STEP 2. I'm sure I need to sign up for the test soon. BLAH.

Wanted

Male, aged 26-36, employed, educated, independent (not clingy) that understands that lying and cheating=no.

If anyone out there knows of anyone like this, please let me know. I'll even ask him out myself.

This whole single thing has got to stop soon because it's getting ridiculous.

That is all.

Code White

So my first week on psych has been interesting to say the least. Well, once we got the psychotic patient transferred to the other unit (he tried to follow me an another med student out of the ward) and all the bipolars were well controlled on their meds, it's really not that bad! I'm curious to see if the ward has filled up over the weekend. By Friday we were down to 3 patients and most of them were ready to go home.

Also, I got voted "no" on wearing my vampire fangs near halloween. We don't want me getting tackled by some schizo that's trying to tell people aliens really do exist. boo!

I've been a bit down on myself as of lately, don't know how much that's a result of psych (I guess all my serotonin is being sucked out of my body without me knowing). All I have to say is this: if a guy wants to be with a girl, he will make it happen, no matter what.-He's Just Not That into You.

That movie made sense. I don't know how accurate that is, but it seems like the truth. I'd recommend it especially if you want to hate on men and call them pigs. And I've found that quote to be especially helpful.

Another thing is that I LOVE the fact that it's getting cold. I love the hot tea and curling up with blankets and hoodies and coats and mittens and and and....Maybe it'll SNOW! Although I'm getting worried about medicine. Partly because I'm already spoiled between family medicine and psych schedules (get in at 8, go home between 12 and 3), and partly because the flu will be in full swing. Now I'm sure I won't be seeing a ton of swine flu (I've most likely already caught it) but having it almost in a saturated state worries me. I don't feel the need to get the shot and even though I have seen many articles stating that many children/adolescents have died, I haven't been able to find an article stating exactly WHAT caused death. Was is pulmonary due to secondary pneumonia? Or something else? Granted, I haven't been looking too hard either. Sigh.

Back in the Saddle

So after a full 3 or so weeks on the coast, I'm back. It feels good. I enjoy being in my bed and having my Gryffin around and I'm enjoying spending time with my dad without my mom. Although I'm hoping she'll stay safe in Italy. That's another long story and most people know what happened. But I do have to say I'm enjoying my break from her.

So I start Psych tomorrow. I know it's going to be an...interesting rotation. I hope I get a really good group. Although I don't think anyone in Group 5 isn't completely awesome.

Not much to say. I haven't been up to much.

Now a funny, but true, caption:

Catlady

Embracing my future. Provided for your viewing pleasure.