Several times in the past month, I have wanted to post about my excitement at seeing new things -- for instance, the youngest people I have ever met (1-day-old boy, 2-day-old girl), a lady with a huge but symptom-free uterine fibroid that she is treating with non-western medicine.
But now, I'm being invaded by bugs and had a crappy day. Fleas, spiders, mayflies and who knows what else. This morning there was conflict in class, this afternoon I got hit by a door (no, really), we had embarrassingly poor attendance at a radiology lecture where the radiologist took time after work to teach and provided dinner, and a spider bit me as I was getting out of the shower. Ick.
However, I did find Gen mai cha at my local Whole Foods after months and months of searching.
The only medically-productive thing I've done is print a paper about end-stage diabetes pathogenesis. Sigh. I hope I can sleep without fear tonight.
Good night!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
When I grow up to be a (wo)man...
That old Beach Boys song is stuck in my head, but luckily, I love it. I've had a chance lately to pause and try to figure out where I'm going professionally -- okay, so I still want to be in medicine. That's a good sign. I have a loooong time until I have to decide what kind of medicine -- until the end of my MS3 year -- but I figured it couldn't hurt to have a peek at the different specialties out there and what they entail, right? Wow. Um. There are 125 specialties and subspecialties. I also found an article that did a huge national survey and found that: internal med geriatricians, pediatricians, and 'other' were among the most satisfied with their careers, rehab docs were neutral, and OB/GYNs, opthalmologists, and ENTs were among the least satisfied.
That said, here are my flavors of the week:
Pediatrics
Medical Genetics (maybe peds+ this)
Geriatrics
Meds-Peds (internal med + peds)
Endocrinology
Rheumatology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Family
OB/GYN
This is a pretty diverse crowd. But many of them have certain things in common: transitional life stages (peds/family/geriatrics/OB), bone/immune stuff (rheumatology, geriatrics, rehab), or they have to do with genetics and metabolism (genetics, endocrinology).
Of course, the lifestyles, hours, working environment, and compensation for each of these varies quite a bit, too. But one thing I like is that I think every option here can be done in five years of residency post-MD (OMG I'm going to be AT LEAST 30 when I'm finally out there practicing on my own).
Which brings me to another often-mentioned topic: family and medicine. As in, how to have a family while practicing medicine. We get told all the time now that our biological clock for childbearing is about 35, and while I certainly do not harbor any maternal yearnings at the moment, that's no guarantee that they won't suddenly materialize in five years' time.
Hmm... right now I'm just sort of not thinking about it and hoping it will all work out somehow. Is there some sort of miraculous work/life balancing method that I should be aware of? I guess, now that I force myself to think about it, there are two things that are crucial:
1) Pick a specialty that is as family-friendly as possible while also being as fulfilling as possible (I have a feeling those two are related).
2) Make sure my future family knows what they're in for :)
Right now, I'm leaning towards peds-genetics. I seriously heart genetics. But who knows? That may be different next week.
That said, here are my flavors of the week:
Pediatrics
Medical Genetics (maybe peds+ this)
Geriatrics
Meds-Peds (internal med + peds)
Endocrinology
Rheumatology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Family
OB/GYN
This is a pretty diverse crowd. But many of them have certain things in common: transitional life stages (peds/family/geriatrics/OB), bone/immune stuff (rheumatology, geriatrics, rehab), or they have to do with genetics and metabolism (genetics, endocrinology).
Of course, the lifestyles, hours, working environment, and compensation for each of these varies quite a bit, too. But one thing I like is that I think every option here can be done in five years of residency post-MD (OMG I'm going to be AT LEAST 30 when I'm finally out there practicing on my own).
Which brings me to another often-mentioned topic: family and medicine. As in, how to have a family while practicing medicine. We get told all the time now that our biological clock for childbearing is about 35, and while I certainly do not harbor any maternal yearnings at the moment, that's no guarantee that they won't suddenly materialize in five years' time.
Hmm... right now I'm just sort of not thinking about it and hoping it will all work out somehow. Is there some sort of miraculous work/life balancing method that I should be aware of? I guess, now that I force myself to think about it, there are two things that are crucial:
1) Pick a specialty that is as family-friendly as possible while also being as fulfilling as possible (I have a feeling those two are related).
2) Make sure my future family knows what they're in for :)
Right now, I'm leaning towards peds-genetics. I seriously heart genetics. But who knows? That may be different next week.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Boy, when it rains
So a week or so went by quietly during exams, and then BLAM! Everything happened at once. On Friday, I got some test results back from the doctor and they were all normal, so that was good news. I did end up seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and they were fabulous. I had a frustrating ride Thursday morning on a horse whose sweet spot I just couldn't find -- maybe I'll get another chance with him next week. Then on Saturday, I went Indian clothes & food shopping with my friends, and we attempted to make a South Indian sambar. I picked up an adorable deep orange kurti -- even though I almost never wear orange. One of my friends got a black embroidered shirt that looked really cute on her. It was funny -- we hadn't really found anything we liked, and then one of the places we tried had this basement full of clothes we could relate to at relatively reasonable prices. I was glad.
The sambar took way longer than I thought it would, but it actually came out pretty well -- it wasn't soupy enough, but the spices tasted pretty accurate (I have had a LOT of sambar)! So that was super exciting. My friends were so nice and did all the dishes so my kitchen looks like nothing ever happened!
On Sunday, I ran in a 5k -- my first time ever -- and actually ran the entire thing without stopping! That finisher's ribbon made me so proud. And it was a beautiful run in the park, with trees and fresh air and a little bit of rain. That evening, we had a medical school tradition where the junior students cook dinner for the older students. I wore my new shirt and we all had a blast.
Monday was back to school, so I was studying and working. And then today, I had a meeting downtown and I was rushing to get there on time, when I got completely sidetracked. There was a man riding a bicycle with his small daughter on the handlebars (no helmet). They were riding on a busy road. I glanced over and thought how dangerous it looked -- and then, when I turned again, they had fallen and the girl was crying. A car stopped when he saw them. I crossed the street and when I got closer, it was clear that the girl had fractured the foot. There was a bloody gash in it right down to the bone, also. I told them that there was a pediatric clinic nearby, thinking that maybe the car man wouldn't drive them to the hospital and we should wait for an ambulance in a safe place. We got to the clinic, where they said, "Is she a patient here?" And I was like, "Um, I highly doubt it." Meanwhile, the father, who didn't speak English, was a mess, crying and upsetting the little girl, who was obviously yelling in pain and then getting more upset when she saw Dad crying. I asked her if I could hold her (she was like 5 or 6) and then we sat down and read Snow White together (apparently magic princesses stop people from remembering that their feet hurt like hell) while everyone figured out what to do and the man called her mom. So the clinic people wrapped the foot in gauze and then the car man offered to take them to the ER. There was no room for me in there, so I let them go off and offered up a prayer.
And then I went to my meeting, came home late, and am off to do my homework.
Sigh.
The sambar took way longer than I thought it would, but it actually came out pretty well -- it wasn't soupy enough, but the spices tasted pretty accurate (I have had a LOT of sambar)! So that was super exciting. My friends were so nice and did all the dishes so my kitchen looks like nothing ever happened!
On Sunday, I ran in a 5k -- my first time ever -- and actually ran the entire thing without stopping! That finisher's ribbon made me so proud. And it was a beautiful run in the park, with trees and fresh air and a little bit of rain. That evening, we had a medical school tradition where the junior students cook dinner for the older students. I wore my new shirt and we all had a blast.
Monday was back to school, so I was studying and working. And then today, I had a meeting downtown and I was rushing to get there on time, when I got completely sidetracked. There was a man riding a bicycle with his small daughter on the handlebars (no helmet). They were riding on a busy road. I glanced over and thought how dangerous it looked -- and then, when I turned again, they had fallen and the girl was crying. A car stopped when he saw them. I crossed the street and when I got closer, it was clear that the girl had fractured the foot. There was a bloody gash in it right down to the bone, also. I told them that there was a pediatric clinic nearby, thinking that maybe the car man wouldn't drive them to the hospital and we should wait for an ambulance in a safe place. We got to the clinic, where they said, "Is she a patient here?" And I was like, "Um, I highly doubt it." Meanwhile, the father, who didn't speak English, was a mess, crying and upsetting the little girl, who was obviously yelling in pain and then getting more upset when she saw Dad crying. I asked her if I could hold her (she was like 5 or 6) and then we sat down and read Snow White together (apparently magic princesses stop people from remembering that their feet hurt like hell) while everyone figured out what to do and the man called her mom. So the clinic people wrapped the foot in gauze and then the car man offered to take them to the ER. There was no room for me in there, so I let them go off and offered up a prayer.
And then I went to my meeting, came home late, and am off to do my homework.
Sigh.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Dreaming about my pillow
Dreaming about my pillow during an exam is never a good sign. But now that it's over, I can finally crawl under the nice, warm covers and get the good night's sleep I missed out on last night. Honestly, the daylight savings-ending weekend is not the best one after which to schedule an exam. Monday morning came an hour sooner than it was supposed to.
I have a case presentation tomorrow, a meeting with my professor in the afternoon, a thesis project due tomorrow night, and then the final exam on Wednesday. And then various projects and deadlines until the end of the week.
There is fun interspersed, though: I will soon get to go see Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a group I've wanted to see for years. I'm excited! I wonder if I can get a CD autographed or something.
I saw Sweet Honey in the Rock last year, so I am on an a capella roll. Also, I am going Indian clothes shopping and Indian food making with the girlz this weekend. That should be fun, too. And I almost forgot -- on Sunday, I am doing a 5K!! Who says med students never have fun?
I am a little nervous about the 5k. I am so out of shape that for me, completing a 5k, pathetic though it may sound to all the real athletes out there, is a big deal. So I will try. And I will wear green, because it's a St. Patrick's Day Run! I am not taking any friends because I don't want them to see me puffing and panting. Not yet, anyway. If my boyfriend were here I would take him, but he's got a big paper due soon and a bunch of other stuff, so he can't visit for a while.
I am also debating entering a horse show. There's a fun one at my barn every summer, and I don't know if they have easy adult classes to enter, but if they do, I might give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe I'll learn something! Besides which, I am also doing horse camp! One week of horses, horses, horses. Ooh, which reminds me. I need a summer job to support this horse habit.
But first I am going to sleep.
I have a case presentation tomorrow, a meeting with my professor in the afternoon, a thesis project due tomorrow night, and then the final exam on Wednesday. And then various projects and deadlines until the end of the week.
There is fun interspersed, though: I will soon get to go see Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a group I've wanted to see for years. I'm excited! I wonder if I can get a CD autographed or something.
I saw Sweet Honey in the Rock last year, so I am on an a capella roll. Also, I am going Indian clothes shopping and Indian food making with the girlz this weekend. That should be fun, too. And I almost forgot -- on Sunday, I am doing a 5K!! Who says med students never have fun?I am a little nervous about the 5k. I am so out of shape that for me, completing a 5k, pathetic though it may sound to all the real athletes out there, is a big deal. So I will try. And I will wear green, because it's a St. Patrick's Day Run! I am not taking any friends because I don't want them to see me puffing and panting. Not yet, anyway. If my boyfriend were here I would take him, but he's got a big paper due soon and a bunch of other stuff, so he can't visit for a while.
I am also debating entering a horse show. There's a fun one at my barn every summer, and I don't know if they have easy adult classes to enter, but if they do, I might give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe I'll learn something! Besides which, I am also doing horse camp! One week of horses, horses, horses. Ooh, which reminds me. I need a summer job to support this horse habit.Saturday, March 7, 2009
More Exam Prep...
I've realized I actually have to shut down my computer when I'm studying, or I inevitably waste hours on the Internet. Bad, bad me. So it's 11:15 pm on the Saturday night before my Monday morning test, and I've done 2/7 of my work. Hmmm. This does not compute. Oops. Now I have the special type of panic that can only occur the night before the night before your exam...the one all the articles say is the crucial one for getting enough sleep before a test. Oh, well. When will I ever learn?
Yay!!
Now I have good news to report and friends to appreciate! I am officially 1/7th of the way through my studying. For someone who is not a procrastinator, this may not seem like such a big deal; for me, it's huge. I never, ever, ever actually get any work done the Friday before a Monday exam, but now I can tell you all about Wilson's disease and portal hypertension. Woo hoo!
Also, my friends are so awesome. A while ago, we had dinner together, and they cooked real Ethiopian food, and a real King Cake (it was Mardi Gras)!! I was completely lost in admiration. Plus they are funny and brilliant and flexible and understanding at the same time?! I am super lucky. We were going to go out for a dinner/music thing tonight, but we postponed hanging out till after the exams.
While I'm appreciating people, my mom and dad have each called me (they don't live together) to wish me luck on the exams, and my boyfriend is giving me personal study skills assessments so that "you can be less stressed out." Awww... and my cat is being elegant and fluffy and shedding everywhere, as usual.
I was thinking of moving from this apartment, because it's getting expensive, but I might just get a roommate (bf) for the summer and a summer job instead. Plus, I'm two blocks away from the girls and I like it!!
Now that I've actually done something with my day, I might go to bed. Hopefully, this productivity will continue into tomorrow. Long live the liver.
Also, my friends are so awesome. A while ago, we had dinner together, and they cooked real Ethiopian food, and a real King Cake (it was Mardi Gras)!! I was completely lost in admiration. Plus they are funny and brilliant and flexible and understanding at the same time?! I am super lucky. We were going to go out for a dinner/music thing tonight, but we postponed hanging out till after the exams.
While I'm appreciating people, my mom and dad have each called me (they don't live together) to wish me luck on the exams, and my boyfriend is giving me personal study skills assessments so that "you can be less stressed out." Awww... and my cat is being elegant and fluffy and shedding everywhere, as usual.
I was thinking of moving from this apartment, because it's getting expensive, but I might just get a roommate (bf) for the summer and a summer job instead. Plus, I'm two blocks away from the girls and I like it!!
Now that I've actually done something with my day, I might go to bed. Hopefully, this productivity will continue into tomorrow. Long live the liver.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Yikes.
So now I'm having the kind of exam crisis that can only come at noon the Friday before a Monday exam. I have NO desire to study at all. I want to go for a run, and play, and blog, and sleep, and eat, and repeat. I need to turn off this computer. Then maybe I'll get something done.
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