And I run

I run so far awaaaaay.

I'm doing better after my little rant. I think people just get too wound up with stereotypes and their own personal opinions and don't see the forest for the trees. I'm sorry for anyone who was in the wake of my rage. No worries, I'm still doing pathology no doubts.

Anywhoo, clinic has been entertaining this week. My favorite was the Dilaudid druggie who ran (literally RAN) out of clinic when security was called. We just wanted him to leave, but I suppose he thought he was going to be arrested. his story as to why he's had multiple doctors write him Rx's and had them filled at multiple pharmacies was that his identical twin brother stole his identity. Priceless. I have a deep, seething hate for drug addicts. At the same time I have a pity for them as well. Mainly, we'll get you help, but I don't appreciate your crap. Give it up. I also have the power of a very confrontational personality on my side.

I'm looking forward to next month. I'll be back in the path dept. i'm not looking forward to sending my application (it's almost Sept ALREADY?!) and asking for the last few rec letters. My meeting with the dept chair went well, and he enthusiastically agreed to write me a letter. I really do love the path chair. He's an amazing teacher and so supportive. I wanted to give him a hug, but I feel that it would have made the whole meeting awkward. I'll be getting my second path letter sometime next week, and I need to find someone to get me a letter from another dept. My medicine attending hasn't answered back, but I may get one from the family medicine people. I've got 26 places on my list right now. I think I exhausted all the places where I'd be ok living for the next 4 years.

Enough of talking about things that make me want to drink.

Joined a local gym (again) today because 1. the school gym stinks and 2. school gym parking stinks worse. I didn't like the fact I had to wait until 5 pm every day in order to park by the gym. Or anywhere near the gym. I'm pretty disgruntled by the parking situation at UMC anyway. Although, I'm excited about Spin class. I've always wanted to try it, and they have one at 530 pm on weekdays. I'm definitely going to try to go tomorrow. Hopefully I'll survive! haha. I gotta get more serious about my whole new year's resolution to run a 5k this year. Maybe the Blues 5k in December?

Catch you on the flip side.

Pity Party

I'm just going to take a minute and whine about my life. Why is it that the ONE year I'm applying for residency everyone and their mother wants to freaking do path? I mean, NO ONE did it last year. Now there's a guaranteed FOUR people doing it. WHY ME? And I'm getting pretty fed up with people telling me that I'm too not socially retarded to do path. I should do medicine. Ugh. Fine. I'll tell patients how I really feel, sit and look at you with a "you're an idiot" face and then fail to respond appropriately to any questions. Will that make everyone ELSE feel better about me doing path? ugh. And don't get me started on my residency application. My CV is as fluffed as it's going to be. No, I didn't win who's who for medical school, or get some fancy award. I'm a vanilla (literally) average run of the mill student. I'm sure the same 5 people are getting all the awards, just like it was in high school and undergrad. And I'm sorry I didn't make a 270 on Step 1. And  score still isn't good enough and puts me below average for pathology. Meaning I should apply for 30 or so programs, to make sure I can rank no less than 8 (preferably 11) programs. Which, if EVERYONE didn't decide to do path, I wouldn't be in this situation anyway.

F my life.

Can you tell my dean's meeting wasn't what I expected?

In other news, I'm still chugging along with my Family Medicine clinic rotation. It's my last week at one clinic, then i'll be switching and going to the other. I'm also in the business of trying to get rec letters. I have a meeting with the dept chair tomorrow, and I'm kinda freaking out about it (and not in the good way). I still have to decide who all I want to ask within the path and other depts. My personal statement is crap and my personal life is crap.

More importantly, I need a vacation.

Hope all is well with everyone else. About to head to preggo's shower then out with some friends for mexican. Margaritas fix everything.

And, before I leave, let me just share something with you all that never fails to leave me smiling:

KITTY ALMOST IN A BAG!

KITTY IN A CAVE!

KITTY IN A CHAIR! (about to attack)

On Fire

It's hot. Like, you walk outside and burst into flames type of hot. I think I'll pull up weather channel and apply to every program in any state where the temp is below 90 degrees. This is ridiculous. Heat index was 113 with an actual temp of 105. Seriously? ugh.

However, I finished my anatomic pathology month. Freaking loved it! I only got to see 1 autopsy, which was disappointing, and didn't get to see any limbs grossed in the lab but it was amazing. I seriously miss it. I was so sad I didn't get to go today. Instead I went to family medicine clinic. It was ok, just clinic. And not path. However, I told them if they could get me some quick stains and a microscope I'd read all paps in house. They just thought I was kidding....

This week will be full of meetings. I have my dean's letter meeting (um, still gotta do that personal statement) and a meeting with the chair of the path dept. I need to start asking people for recommendation letters, so I'm sure I'll have to miss a bit of clinic here and there. Hopefully it won't be a big deal.

I also got to see my amazing friends this past weekend. It was kinda lacking since one of the original gang is all married and living elsewhere and couldn't come :( She was there in our thoughts, however. we did stupid stuff like watch Jurassic Park and made dinner and went to the pool. It was a "boys are crap" weekend as well, as me and a friend of mine got screwed over. We didn't let that ruin our fun! And my friend M has two kittens. Tiny tiny, probably 4 weeks old! One of them even peed on me (too young to hold it for long) which caused a very long laughing fit by the 3 of us. Good times, I miss my girls! I'll be going  back and seeing them soon.

Anywhoo, everyone seems to be chugging along with rotations and such. I'm sure I'll have great stories. My story of the day was a 16 yo with chronic pain, needing lortab, who mysteriously disappeared (along with his mother) when we asked for some urine for a drug screen. At first he "couldn't pee" and when they realized he'd be given all the water he could stomach, they systematically disappeared. Ahh, life of direct patient interaction.

I'm Home

I take my Step2 CS on Monday and there's a mixed feeling of anticipation and excitement. I'm so terrified of failing this stupid thing, mainly because it's another grand I don't have. I'm excited to get it over with and not have to think about it ever again and have it behind me. I'm jealous of those who have already completed the exam, mainly because I've been having to study during my rotation.

All I have to say about my Path rotation is that I now know, with 100% conviction, that THIS is what I'm supposed to do with my life. I don't think anyone has seen a student squeal in excitement when a limb gets brought in fresh from one of the OR's. I of course cannot do what any of the residents do (what happened to all that histology I used to know? alas), but I just get so excited over everything. I love tumor board. I love unknown conference. I love biopsies. Just so awesome. I haven't done any autopsy or surg path yet (they organized us all it's funny) but I will after this week. So far I've had cytology and hemepath. I haven't enjoyed heme path quite as much as I wanted, but it still is fun. Such a fun game! "is this a blast, mono, or gran?" hahaha. yes. I have found my niche. Finally. Everyone keeps remarking on the stupid happy smile that has permanently adhered to my face. I just can't wait when I get to do it all day, every day. AND get paid.

Well, suppose I'm off to go and study some stupid cases. Can't wait for Monday to be over with.
Hope everyone is as happy as I am :)

Drumroll

The number one reason why to NEVER move in with your parents:

I am 25 years old and just got a "because I said so" as a reason to why I can't have a dog "in our my house".

I mean, seriously?

Take it from someone who knows. Move out as soon as you can, and NEVER go back. I don't care if you have to live out of your car. You'll forever be 10 in any decisions you make. You have to do what they tell you. Because they said so.

Happy point? I get to go back to the path lab tomorrow. Absolutely loving every minute of it. Now to just get apps, interview, and match day over with. So I can get a goddamn dog.

Adventure, or Lack Thereof

So I've had several days of whirlwind since my step2 ck.

Thurs: Step 2 CK. Long, long, long test (9 hours!) that wasn't as bad as I was thinking but not as easy as I was hoping. NBME has some type of psychic powers to put what you don't know ALL.OVER. the test. For me? about 10-15 acid/base disturbances and various questions that involved a baseline interpretation. Ugh. I suck at acid/base. When ph, CO2, O2 and Bicarb are all wonky and nothing makes sense (low ph, low CO2, low Bicarb I have NO IDEA what is going on) I just shut down. Hopefully I have improved my score (my goal is unrealistic like always and I'll be very happy to be at least 20 points higher than my step 1)

Friday: Relax/rehearsal dinner for my friend's wedding. Everything went swimmingly except my dad's best friend died. He was cherished by our family and we all felt as if he was part of the family.

Sat: Friend's wedding with an awesome reception! I think I spent about 2 hours on the dance floor, and sweat about 30% of my total body fluids. Fabulous time! I woke up sore on sun morning (and thirsty!)

Sun and Mon: wake and funeral for Papa. He will be greatly missed. I don't think my dad knows quite to do with himself which makes me sad. He was a wonderful person and I know that I will miss him (he was the best 80 year old smart ass on the planet :) )

Tues: hang out with cupcake queen who is back from Honduras! Just chillin and got some groceries

Wed: yet to be decided

Thurs: I START MY PATHOLOGY ROTATION! sooooooooo excited!!!! Kinda nervous knowing I need to make a good impression and work to get some letters. But finally so happy to be doing what I want.

So, unfortunately, I never did go on an adventure. I didn't want to miss saying goodbye to Papa. I have August off, so there will be plenty of time for adventures then and later in the year. I plan on going to St. Louis and Boston for some fun times. Or wherever I will float.

It's going to be a great year!

352 to go

25 y/o G0 female presents to clinic with intermittent palpitations, diaphoresis, stomach pain, SOB, dizziness, and feeling of impending doom. She has had 1 similar episode 1 year prior. BP registers 180/70 and 112/57 on two separate times during the visit. Patient appears anxious and continuously looks around the room nervously. PE is unremarkable. What is the best next step in management?

A. 24 hour urine metanephrines
B. TSH, free T4 levels
C. Prescribe Bupropion and schedule a f/u visit in 2 weeks
D.Frequent follow ups
E. no further management

352 questions to go (8 blocks of 44 questions each I believe) and it'll all be over! Then for an adventure, destination still unknown.

Good luck to all those that have yet to take Step! I'll be done at about 6 pm tomorrow. Mix of can't wait and OMGI'MNOTREADYHOLYHELL!!!!

Ready or not! T-17 hours.