A Polish Patient

Somedays I have certain patient interactions that remind me of why I love medicine. Last week I had one such encounter that sticks out in my mind. He was an elderly gentleman, and he spoke with a thick Polish accent that immediately reminded me of my relatives. When I asked him how old he was when he got married, he said "44--thats when I got to old to chase the ladies anymore".

At the end of the interview he asked me when I finished medical school. Next spring I told him. "Next spring eh," he replied. "Well can you be my doctor then? I'd love to have you as my doctor." I had to tell him that it would be at few more years before I could be a specialist, so it would be a bit of a longer wait.

It is so gratifying when patients give you positive feedback. Sometimes that is more rewarding than good feedback from a preceptor.

Stolen from, again.

My car got broken into tonight. Yes it was locked. No they didnt break a window. No, I dont know how they got in. Yes they stole stuff--my lab coat, my id badge, my palm pilot, some of my text books, and a notebook that I have been writing in all year on rounds. They didnt take my pager. And yes my contact information for my reference letter referees was in my palm pilot.

Why is it that in Alberta of all places, where money is literally flowing out of the ground, do people have to steal? It is such an inconsiderate, selfish thing to do. Because someone else is lazy and corrupt I have to replace my palm pilot, track down my referees contact info, and some how replace all of the hard work that went into my clinical notes. I am so infuriated I could scream.

This is the third time my car has been broken into. That will teach me never to leave anything of value in an automobile.

On the road again...

Destination this time.... Edmonton!

I was not excited to be living out of a suitcase again, but it came upon me quickly like a thief in the night. Sunday I drove out here. I am staying with my mom's cousin and his family in Sherwood Park. Man is there a LOT of money in Alberta! The hospital here is outrageous. Oh well, I will learn lots I think.

I did have some fun adventures while at on my rural family med time. Eddie and I went to BC for Tim and Erin's wedding...
















and we went to play in Vancouver on Sunday...







Grenville Island














Stanley Park...

I also went camping with Arleen and Jenn on the Church Hill River, and narrowly survived the worst thunderstorm I have ever been in. That was quite the adventure.

Tin is in Edmonton at the same time I am here, so hopefully we will get some sweet shopping in...