It is really by God's Grace and Wisdom that we only are allowed to travel through time in one direction: forward. I often wonder if I knew years ago what I know now if I would make the same decisions. Would I be too scared? Would I have the courage? Naivete is a hidden blessing more often then I think we will ever know. But if I changed my past then I would not be me, as I am so shaped by my decisions and experiences.
I got a phone call tonight from a kid whose parent works with my mom. She has an interview with the College of Medicine in the next few weeks. She sounded so young, so fresh, so excited about the prospect of getting to become a doctor. I remember those days, I remember being that almost child-like enthusiasm for medicine, before years of the forces greater than me grinding away at me, shaping and forming the physician-to-be. They carve away at who you are, chipping out what is unsuitable, making you more and more like them, re-shaping the way you think, the patterns that keep, the way you live, where you live, how you spend your time....and you pray that somewhere along the way you have not lost the essence of who you are. I pray that I have retained the inherent elements that make me who I am.
How do you explain that to the bright eyed hopeful wishing to be physicians? You cant. There is no way to describe to someone who doesnt live through medicine what it does to you, to your life. I dont actually know if I would have chosen it, I thank God He chose me for it. I think I would have been too fearful. I do not regret it, but I wouldn't do it over again--Once in a lifetime is enough. It is a life that has required me to sacrifice more than ever understood before. It has required me to become much more disciplined. Yet, through it God has brought me more joy than I thought possible. And that my friends is the Grace of God.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Best Joke of the Day
While our team was trying to find out how much longer it would be before a patient returned from the OR to the ICU, the anaesthetist poked his head out and said, "Oh a long time. An hour of surgical time, so multiply that by pi..."
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Back in Regina; again
I am back in Regina, again. I think this is the last stint of time here, or rather there is no other big stretch of time where I will be living out of a suitcase. Until my honeymoon that is :)
I don't really have a lot to blog about--I am in the Surgical Intensive Care for this week and next week, which is a cool way for me to hang out with internists during my surgery rotations :) I have been fortunate to have an R4 in internal med in the unit with me this week so I have been peppering him with questions. Other than that I am trying to get ready for my surgery exams that are in a week and a half, and for my surgery presentation that is next Friday. Terribly exciting, I know.
Although what is kind of cool (I know, blogging about medicine is terribly nerdy, bear with me), is I watched the intensivist (the ICU doc) resuscitate a woman who was exsanguinating (had blood pouring out of her). She was completely calm throughout the entire thing, as though it was just a regular day at the office. It was awesome to see how she had her head about her in the midst of a situation that would make A LOT of people high strung to say the least. And the coolest thing was the next morning I went in to examine the patient, and asked her how she was, and she opened her eyes, smiled, and said "I'm a little tired today". I thought that was awesome coming from a woman who tried her best to die the day before.
39 days until I am finished JURSI rotations! I can't wait!
I don't really have a lot to blog about--I am in the Surgical Intensive Care for this week and next week, which is a cool way for me to hang out with internists during my surgery rotations :) I have been fortunate to have an R4 in internal med in the unit with me this week so I have been peppering him with questions. Other than that I am trying to get ready for my surgery exams that are in a week and a half, and for my surgery presentation that is next Friday. Terribly exciting, I know.
Although what is kind of cool (I know, blogging about medicine is terribly nerdy, bear with me), is I watched the intensivist (the ICU doc) resuscitate a woman who was exsanguinating (had blood pouring out of her). She was completely calm throughout the entire thing, as though it was just a regular day at the office. It was awesome to see how she had her head about her in the midst of a situation that would make A LOT of people high strung to say the least. And the coolest thing was the next morning I went in to examine the patient, and asked her how she was, and she opened her eyes, smiled, and said "I'm a little tired today". I thought that was awesome coming from a woman who tried her best to die the day before.
39 days until I am finished JURSI rotations! I can't wait!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Done Interviews :)
I have finished Carms Interviews!! YA!
And Eddie and I have submitted our list of what order we would accept residency positions for next year, so all we have to do now is wait and March 14th we will find out where we are going for the next three years.
Oh and I guess in case you were wondering, I should mention about my U of S interview and how that went. I think it went really well :) The program director started the interview with "you're wonderful, everybody loves you, so tell me about yourself..." and it went on from there. He seemed super understanding of the whole couples matching business, and really pro-resident and pro-resident education, which is always great. It was a really good chat with him, had a really good vibe when I left there. Then my second interview was with one of the faculty who wrote me my reference letter, and the chief resident that I had spent a fair amount of time with over at St. Paul's hospital because she too is interested in nephrology. So yes overall it went well.
Eddie and I celebrated being finished interviews with a date last night. He took me to John's Prime Rib and we had a wonderfully luxurious and languid dinner. It was the perfect way to cap off such a chaotic and hectic period of time! I am so blessed to be marrying such an amazing man.
So now my attention turns to other things--namely gearing up for our licensing exam and the wedding both of which are fast approaching! Never a dull moment in JURSI-land....
And Eddie and I have submitted our list of what order we would accept residency positions for next year, so all we have to do now is wait and March 14th we will find out where we are going for the next three years.
Oh and I guess in case you were wondering, I should mention about my U of S interview and how that went. I think it went really well :) The program director started the interview with "you're wonderful, everybody loves you, so tell me about yourself..." and it went on from there. He seemed super understanding of the whole couples matching business, and really pro-resident and pro-resident education, which is always great. It was a really good chat with him, had a really good vibe when I left there. Then my second interview was with one of the faculty who wrote me my reference letter, and the chief resident that I had spent a fair amount of time with over at St. Paul's hospital because she too is interested in nephrology. So yes overall it went well.
Eddie and I celebrated being finished interviews with a date last night. He took me to John's Prime Rib and we had a wonderfully luxurious and languid dinner. It was the perfect way to cap off such a chaotic and hectic period of time! I am so blessed to be marrying such an amazing man.
So now my attention turns to other things--namely gearing up for our licensing exam and the wedding both of which are fast approaching! Never a dull moment in JURSI-land....
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Montreal and The Rock
I am only posting this now, because I had would have had to pay for internet at my last two stops. So I am back now, and posting now about Montreal and Newfoundland....
Montreal. What can I say about Montreal? It’s a really cool place to visit, I don’t really want to live there. It’s a fun city, but I think it would have the potential to encourage all the wrong things in me---becoming vain and way too into fashion. The shopping in Montreal is unlike anything I have ever seen before. Granted I havent been to Paris or New York, but this place is unreal. Janelle and I found Ogilvy, this 7 storey department store that had boutiques and shops inside from designers like Louis Vutton, and other people whose names I cant pronounce. I have never seen $700.00 shoes in person before. And lingerie that is made of 100% silk, and starts at $200.00 an item, and red carpet dresses that start at 900.00…..Sigh. It is art that can be admired but never to be had.
Yes that’s right, I went shopping in Montreal on St. Catherine’s and didn’t but A THING! I didn’t even try ON a single pair of shoes.
I can say that getting prepared for being married has made me more responsible with my money for sure. Not that I was irresponsible before, but now its as though Eddie and I are a built in form of accountability to each other as to how we spend our money.
So back to the reason I was actually in Montreal. My interview. It went well I thought—they asked me tons of follow up questions from my response “to tell us about yourself….” And then a few questions about a challenging patient encounter, and a rewarding patient encounter, why you want to come to Montreal, how being an internist would be relevant if I ever went back to Africa…etc. Afterward there was tours of the different hospitals and a lunch with the candidates and the residents. I don’t have any CLUE how I got the interview—I was the only one I met from west of Ontario there who was interviewing. I had lunch with eight U of T students and one Ottawa U student. The lone prairie girl interviewing with the “big city” kids. Totally bizarre. And apparently all the other candidates were given a clinical case scenario and asked how they would manage it, but I wasn’t asked that! I cant tell if that’s a good sign or a bad one—I think it must be good.
And now “the rock” aka Newfoundland. I went going from one of the biggest cities in the country to one of the smallest.
Newfoundlanders were super nice--the cabbie who picked me up from the airport called me "duckie" and talked my ear off the whole way to the airport, asked me about how my parents were, etc.
The interview itself was super laid back--they started with, "this is a really informal interview, so you can relax...." The residents there were supper friendly, but I got the sense that they work ridiculous hours there, and they become "senior" residents after six months, while they are still in first year. If we wind up there we will be okay, and we will be able to make right it work, but for us I dont think it would make sense to go there preferentially above staying home....I would rarely see Eddie because I would be working all the time! They do three weekends a month there.
Getting home was a big gong show--my 5:00am flight off the Rock was cancelled, and it went from there. I did manage to get home to Saskatoon by a decent hour in the afternoon. I have decided that flying is a necessary evil to traveling, but that's about it. I really dont like flying!
Montreal. What can I say about Montreal? It’s a really cool place to visit, I don’t really want to live there. It’s a fun city, but I think it would have the potential to encourage all the wrong things in me---becoming vain and way too into fashion. The shopping in Montreal is unlike anything I have ever seen before. Granted I havent been to Paris or New York, but this place is unreal. Janelle and I found Ogilvy, this 7 storey department store that had boutiques and shops inside from designers like Louis Vutton, and other people whose names I cant pronounce. I have never seen $700.00 shoes in person before. And lingerie that is made of 100% silk, and starts at $200.00 an item, and red carpet dresses that start at 900.00…..Sigh. It is art that can be admired but never to be had.
Yes that’s right, I went shopping in Montreal on St. Catherine’s and didn’t but A THING! I didn’t even try ON a single pair of shoes.
I can say that getting prepared for being married has made me more responsible with my money for sure. Not that I was irresponsible before, but now its as though Eddie and I are a built in form of accountability to each other as to how we spend our money.
So back to the reason I was actually in Montreal. My interview. It went well I thought—they asked me tons of follow up questions from my response “to tell us about yourself….” And then a few questions about a challenging patient encounter, and a rewarding patient encounter, why you want to come to Montreal, how being an internist would be relevant if I ever went back to Africa…etc. Afterward there was tours of the different hospitals and a lunch with the candidates and the residents. I don’t have any CLUE how I got the interview—I was the only one I met from west of Ontario there who was interviewing. I had lunch with eight U of T students and one Ottawa U student. The lone prairie girl interviewing with the “big city” kids. Totally bizarre. And apparently all the other candidates were given a clinical case scenario and asked how they would manage it, but I wasn’t asked that! I cant tell if that’s a good sign or a bad one—I think it must be good.
And now “the rock” aka Newfoundland. I went going from one of the biggest cities in the country to one of the smallest.
Newfoundlanders were super nice--the cabbie who picked me up from the airport called me "duckie" and talked my ear off the whole way to the airport, asked me about how my parents were, etc.
The interview itself was super laid back--they started with, "this is a really informal interview, so you can relax...." The residents there were supper friendly, but I got the sense that they work ridiculous hours there, and they become "senior" residents after six months, while they are still in first year. If we wind up there we will be okay, and we will be able to make right it work, but for us I dont think it would make sense to go there preferentially above staying home....I would rarely see Eddie because I would be working all the time! They do three weekends a month there.
Getting home was a big gong show--my 5:00am flight off the Rock was cancelled, and it went from there. I did manage to get home to Saskatoon by a decent hour in the afternoon. I have decided that flying is a necessary evil to traveling, but that's about it. I really dont like flying!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
One down, three to go...
I survived my first interview---whew!
I tried to get a good night's sleep last night. It didnt help the situation when there was a party going on in the room next door into the wee hours of the night last night. At first I wasnt sure, but it didnt take long to realize it was other med students who had obviously didnt have an interview this morning. I tried to wait it out and hope they would go to sleep, but finally when 2:30am rolled around, I decided "this is RIDICULOUS!"
I threw on a fleece, and went and knocked on their door....silence....then a sheepish looking medstudent came to the door. I said in my most sincere voice, "I really hate to break up the party, but I have an interview in the morning..." And instantly the guy looked mortified, and he replied, "I am SO sorry, no really I am so so sorry". I mumbled some sort of response and then crawled back into my room into bed. Thank the Lord they were quiet after that. At that point I didn't know whether to cry or to laugh. Also thank the Lord that I can function reasonably well on little sleep.
I was full of the jitters in the morning, but got myself fed and watered, bathed and groomed, pressed and dressed and to the interview, with time to spare. And interestingly enough, one of the other candidates waiting to interview in the morning turned out to be a fellow CMDS-er from Alberta. That was nice.
The interviews themselves (one with the program director, one with the Chief Resident, and one with a faculty) all went reasonably well. There weren't any questions that I hadnt at least thought about before, and for the most part they seemed quite conversational, and they spent a large portion of the time answering my questions. This was all followed by lunch with a slide show by the residents about why we should come to Dalhousie, and a tour of the hospital. Interestingly enough I was the only female candidate not in a black suit, which made me feel good. I didnt want to feel like a stiff, and I felt like myself in my suit. A more refined, sophisticated version of myself, but myself.
So tonight I am off to the resident social for the candidates at the Good Time Pub. Hopefully it will live up to its name.
Tomorrow, off to Montreal....
I tried to get a good night's sleep last night. It didnt help the situation when there was a party going on in the room next door into the wee hours of the night last night. At first I wasnt sure, but it didnt take long to realize it was other med students who had obviously didnt have an interview this morning. I tried to wait it out and hope they would go to sleep, but finally when 2:30am rolled around, I decided "this is RIDICULOUS!"
I threw on a fleece, and went and knocked on their door....silence....then a sheepish looking medstudent came to the door. I said in my most sincere voice, "I really hate to break up the party, but I have an interview in the morning..." And instantly the guy looked mortified, and he replied, "I am SO sorry, no really I am so so sorry". I mumbled some sort of response and then crawled back into my room into bed. Thank the Lord they were quiet after that. At that point I didn't know whether to cry or to laugh. Also thank the Lord that I can function reasonably well on little sleep.
I was full of the jitters in the morning, but got myself fed and watered, bathed and groomed, pressed and dressed and to the interview, with time to spare. And interestingly enough, one of the other candidates waiting to interview in the morning turned out to be a fellow CMDS-er from Alberta. That was nice.
The interviews themselves (one with the program director, one with the Chief Resident, and one with a faculty) all went reasonably well. There weren't any questions that I hadnt at least thought about before, and for the most part they seemed quite conversational, and they spent a large portion of the time answering my questions. This was all followed by lunch with a slide show by the residents about why we should come to Dalhousie, and a tour of the hospital. Interestingly enough I was the only female candidate not in a black suit, which made me feel good. I didnt want to feel like a stiff, and I felt like myself in my suit. A more refined, sophisticated version of myself, but myself.
So tonight I am off to the resident social for the candidates at the Good Time Pub. Hopefully it will live up to its name.
Tomorrow, off to Montreal....
Monday, February 05, 2007
Halifax, Eve of Interview 1
I flew to Halifax today. Seven hours and two airports later, here I am. The eve before my first interview.
Its a very different feeling, traveling for these interviews. There were six other med students on the shuttle bus from the airport. All of them looked like they stepped off the cover of Vogue (they were from Ontario and Alberta, need I say more?) and they all seemed tense, like a white head pimple, ready to burst.
I must say that not checking bags and being able to print my boarding pass at home the day before greatly lessened the travel anxiety. All I had to do was go through security and board my plane. It helped that I was able to fly WestJet to Halifax.
Halifax is definitely different in the winter than it is in my lush summer memories. Still a unique city with charm, and once we got into the downtown, it felt familiar, putting me at ease. Odd though, for me to be staying in hotels by myself. I don't know if I have ever had a hotel room to myself before. Its quiet, which is good, I will sleep tonight. Yet its almost eerie.
So tonight I am steaming my suit in the bathroom--not being able to hang it up took its toll on it, but I think it will come out fine. Its 'steaming' as I type. And I will review my practice questions, review the Dal program, and my application. Talk to Eddie. Talk to God. Read my Bible. Pray that I speak with confidence and clarity, and that the Holy Spirit will guide me. Ask for the peace that passes all understanding.
Thanks for all the responses to the practice questions--they all made me laugh or smile. One week and this will all be over!
Its a very different feeling, traveling for these interviews. There were six other med students on the shuttle bus from the airport. All of them looked like they stepped off the cover of Vogue (they were from Ontario and Alberta, need I say more?) and they all seemed tense, like a white head pimple, ready to burst.
I must say that not checking bags and being able to print my boarding pass at home the day before greatly lessened the travel anxiety. All I had to do was go through security and board my plane. It helped that I was able to fly WestJet to Halifax.
Halifax is definitely different in the winter than it is in my lush summer memories. Still a unique city with charm, and once we got into the downtown, it felt familiar, putting me at ease. Odd though, for me to be staying in hotels by myself. I don't know if I have ever had a hotel room to myself before. Its quiet, which is good, I will sleep tonight. Yet its almost eerie.
So tonight I am steaming my suit in the bathroom--not being able to hang it up took its toll on it, but I think it will come out fine. Its 'steaming' as I type. And I will review my practice questions, review the Dal program, and my application. Talk to Eddie. Talk to God. Read my Bible. Pray that I speak with confidence and clarity, and that the Holy Spirit will guide me. Ask for the peace that passes all understanding.
Thanks for all the responses to the practice questions--they all made me laugh or smile. One week and this will all be over!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
5 pair of hose, 4 interviews, 3 hotels, 2 black shoes and 1 match
This week I have bought: 5 pairs of nude hose, two pair of knee highs, one leather portfolio holder, travel sized shampoo, conditioner, lotion....Sigh. I hate Carms!
Do you know how difficult it is to fit everything an eczemic needs for skin care, plus the standard hair care and make items that are liquid into:
All containers not to be larger than 100ml, and all containers must fit into a 1L clear ziploc plastic bag that can be sealed
Those are the security measures that must be complied with to take things carry-on. I decided it was worth the effort, so that I can know the wearabouts of my luggage at all times! Next week would be a really really BAD time to have lost luggage!
And now for Interview Practice Questions... Please feel free to post what you think are good anzwers to the following old interview questions (most of these questions I think are ridiculous, but they are actually old interview questions!):
1) Teach me something non-medical in the next five minutes
2) Tell me a joke
3) What would you do if you were the medical student on the team at at a code you saw the senior resident slip a vial of fentanyl (a potent narcotic) into their labcoat pocket?
4)How would you react if you were faced with reviewing an admission while on-call with a senior who had a hint/smell of alcohol to his breath?
Do you know how difficult it is to fit everything an eczemic needs for skin care, plus the standard hair care and make items that are liquid into:
All containers not to be larger than 100ml, and all containers must fit into a 1L clear ziploc plastic bag that can be sealed
Those are the security measures that must be complied with to take things carry-on. I decided it was worth the effort, so that I can know the wearabouts of my luggage at all times! Next week would be a really really BAD time to have lost luggage!
And now for Interview Practice Questions... Please feel free to post what you think are good anzwers to the following old interview questions (most of these questions I think are ridiculous, but they are actually old interview questions!):
1) Teach me something non-medical in the next five minutes
2) Tell me a joke
3) What would you do if you were the medical student on the team at at a code you saw the senior resident slip a vial of fentanyl (a potent narcotic) into their labcoat pocket?
4)How would you react if you were faced with reviewing an admission while on-call with a senior who had a hint/smell of alcohol to his breath?
Friday, January 26, 2007
Finished General Surgery
I am officially finished my general surgery rotation! I still will have to do my surgery exams after my surgical selectives, but no more waking up at 5:30 to be at the hospital for rounds!
And, the most exciting of all--no more call as a JURSI!!!! I dont have call for the remainder of my rotations, so the next time I will have call will be in July as a first year resident. It will be SOO nice to be a little more normal for a few months.
As of today "interview" time has officially started. I am now a little nervous, it seems more real. Tomorrow we are packing up our suitcases and heading off to Saskatoon. I have one week to buy last minute travel sized supplies and to prepare my answers to interview questions. It always seemed so far off in the distance, interviews, and now they are here! I cant wait until they are over!!! By the afternoon of February 12 I will be finished the interview process, and I think that will be a really great feeling. I seriously cant wait for interviews to be finished. Its like a really bad exam week, where the only way out it to get through it, one day at a time, and one morning you wake up on the other side.
Please pray for Eddie and I that we interview well, have favor with program directors and that we match to exactly where God wants us to be next year!
I will keep you posted!
And, the most exciting of all--no more call as a JURSI!!!! I dont have call for the remainder of my rotations, so the next time I will have call will be in July as a first year resident. It will be SOO nice to be a little more normal for a few months.
As of today "interview" time has officially started. I am now a little nervous, it seems more real. Tomorrow we are packing up our suitcases and heading off to Saskatoon. I have one week to buy last minute travel sized supplies and to prepare my answers to interview questions. It always seemed so far off in the distance, interviews, and now they are here! I cant wait until they are over!!! By the afternoon of February 12 I will be finished the interview process, and I think that will be a really great feeling. I seriously cant wait for interviews to be finished. Its like a really bad exam week, where the only way out it to get through it, one day at a time, and one morning you wake up on the other side.
Please pray for Eddie and I that we interview well, have favor with program directors and that we match to exactly where God wants us to be next year!
I will keep you posted!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Overwhelmed
Today I feel overwhelmed. I have felt this way enough times before throughout JURSI to know not to let this feeling consume me, enough to know it too will pass. Nonetheless, today I am overwhelmed.
As I reflect back over the year I see a strong correlation between the rotations where I am sleep deprived and the rotations where I am overwhelmed. Obstetrics, ID, and now Surgery.
Somehow by the grace of God I will get the things I need to get done done, but today I cant even remember basic things that I used to know off the top of my head. Somedays I feel like I my brains ooze out my ears in my sleep.
Nine more days of general surgery to go....
As I reflect back over the year I see a strong correlation between the rotations where I am sleep deprived and the rotations where I am overwhelmed. Obstetrics, ID, and now Surgery.
Somehow by the grace of God I will get the things I need to get done done, but today I cant even remember basic things that I used to know off the top of my head. Somedays I feel like I my brains ooze out my ears in my sleep.
Nine more days of general surgery to go....
Friday, January 12, 2007
The pre-interview scene
So we are officially into the next phase of the long drawn out process that is applying for residency positions for next year. Eddie and I both got several invitations to come for interviews--he got 8 and I got 7, but we only have a few invitations in common cities, so that is where we will be interviewing. So now rather than "we could end up in any of the major cities in Canada", the number of places we could be next year is: four. And they are in no particular order:
Halifax, St John's, Montreal and Saskatoon. There is still a minor possibility that we may get to interview in Winnipeg, but that is slim--one of us is on the wait list for an interview spot there.
It was really strange the way it shaped up---there seems to be no rhyme or reason to which school offered us interviews. Yet, I am happy with my schedule, I have all my interviews in a week, with one day between each to travel between the cities. Eddie's schedule is tougher, he does them all one day after another, so he is travelling and interviewing everyday without a break.
So we will see what happens!
Halifax, St John's, Montreal and Saskatoon. There is still a minor possibility that we may get to interview in Winnipeg, but that is slim--one of us is on the wait list for an interview spot there.
It was really strange the way it shaped up---there seems to be no rhyme or reason to which school offered us interviews. Yet, I am happy with my schedule, I have all my interviews in a week, with one day between each to travel between the cities. Eddie's schedule is tougher, he does them all one day after another, so he is travelling and interviewing everyday without a break.
So we will see what happens!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Surgery
Well I am back in the saddle, in a manner of speaking. This week I started my general surgery rotation. This is definitely coming back from vacation with full steam ahead! I am enjoying that the surgeons keep me busy, and are willing to teach as we plow through the day, this much is good. Man oh man though, I am NOT built to be a surgeon! I am at the hospital by 6:20am and havent left until 6pm so far this week, and after standing in the operating room for a four hour case I was almost dead! Who knew standing perfectly still being a human retractor would be so tiring?!
Ah well, its only four weeks, and I will be able to do it for four weeks, and hopefully learn something while doing it!
And we have new JURSIs, yay! The third year class had their induction, er rather orientation, to being JURSIs this week, and as of Monday they will be on the wards with us. Its always nice to have more bodies to distribute the work load on, and fresh blood will be appreciated --its good for moral. Tim and Erin just moved here as well because Tim is a new JURSI, so I am excited to hang out with them more often.
Thats all for now, I am going to go try to catch up on some sleep after a night of open bellies and holding intestines in my hands.
Ah well, its only four weeks, and I will be able to do it for four weeks, and hopefully learn something while doing it!
And we have new JURSIs, yay! The third year class had their induction, er rather orientation, to being JURSIs this week, and as of Monday they will be on the wards with us. Its always nice to have more bodies to distribute the work load on, and fresh blood will be appreciated --its good for moral. Tim and Erin just moved here as well because Tim is a new JURSI, so I am excited to hang out with them more often.
Thats all for now, I am going to go try to catch up on some sleep after a night of open bellies and holding intestines in my hands.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Orlando Pictures
We are back safe and sound from Florida; and now we are extra plump from two family's worth of turkey dinners! Here are some pictures from our excursions:
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Orlando Update
Well we are safely landed in Orlando. Mark, Ray, Eddie and I are here for almost two weeks, first for the American Society of Hematology conference, then for plain fun and relaxation.
We had our first day at the conference yesterday--obviously Mark and I were way more into in than the other two, but we did manage to find a surgically applicable talk for Ray and a peds talk for Eddie. Mark and I will be going back today for some of the ground breaking research presentations.
Last night however, we managed to make it Tutsiville (which is right next to Kennedy Space Center) to watch the launch of the Discovery Shuttle. It was SO cool. We were right on waterfront across from the launch pad. There were a whole bunch of local people lined up sitting on lawn chairs. When the shuttle took off it lit up the entire sky as though it was daylight. It was really awesome.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Happy Birthday Eddie!
My dearest Eddie is twenty-six today. I am so blessed to have him in my life, he brings me more joy than I could have ever hoped for or imagined! And he's even a bigger nerd than I am--how hard is that to believe! A tribute to the man I love, you are the biggest nerd and I love you all the more because of it. I love your spirit, your compassion, you passion for truth, reason and logic. I love that you always make me laugh, I love your smile, your dimples and the crinkles around your eyes. Happy birthday to the man who won my heart.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Organized Chaos
Okay, I feel as though I need to explain my sort of falling off the earth the past few weeks. Let me say that I really want to be phoning more people and staying caught up in your lives, but I have been consumed.
For example, this week I have:
1) worked one call shift (30 hours in a row) at the hospital
2) I have another call shift on Sunday
3) got passport photos taken for my licencing exam application
4) got my licencing exam application notarized
5) mailed exam app and two other business documents
6) attended RCIA class tuesday night
7) wrote four personal letters for my residency applications (count now 11 done, 1 to go)
8) went to Staples three separate times for invitation printing---they printed them wrong TWICE!
9) went to Costco for invitation printing twice
10) bought groceries
11)went to the pool to swim (only got there once)
12)booked appointments for when I at home in December
13) bought Eddie's birthday gift
14) finished my Christmas shopping (has to be finished before I leave for Orlando)
15) read my research papers for my presentation due in a week
AHG! I cant wait to sit still! I am at the hospital all day, and half the time there is nothing official scheduled for me to do in the afternoons (thanks to the rotation organization), but I am not allowed to leave the hospital. Then when I am finished at five, I am going on a dead run until bedtime. Everytime I cross something off my list of things to do, it seems four more things have been added in the meantime!
Its like I am caught in a frenzied storm and there is no way out, I just have to hold on for dear life and pray I get to the other side. Only nine more days of this rotation, only nine more days at the hospital. I am so READY for vacation!
For example, this week I have:
1) worked one call shift (30 hours in a row) at the hospital
2) I have another call shift on Sunday
3) got passport photos taken for my licencing exam application
4) got my licencing exam application notarized
5) mailed exam app and two other business documents
6) attended RCIA class tuesday night
7) wrote four personal letters for my residency applications (count now 11 done, 1 to go)
8) went to Staples three separate times for invitation printing---they printed them wrong TWICE!
9) went to Costco for invitation printing twice
10) bought groceries
11)went to the pool to swim (only got there once)
12)booked appointments for when I at home in December
13) bought Eddie's birthday gift
14) finished my Christmas shopping (has to be finished before I leave for Orlando)
15) read my research papers for my presentation due in a week
AHG! I cant wait to sit still! I am at the hospital all day, and half the time there is nothing official scheduled for me to do in the afternoons (thanks to the rotation organization), but I am not allowed to leave the hospital. Then when I am finished at five, I am going on a dead run until bedtime. Everytime I cross something off my list of things to do, it seems four more things have been added in the meantime!
Its like I am caught in a frenzied storm and there is no way out, I just have to hold on for dear life and pray I get to the other side. Only nine more days of this rotation, only nine more days at the hospital. I am so READY for vacation!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Three weeks to go...
-Photo by KAGThis is how happy I will be come Dec 8 when I am on a plane for Orlando! Three weeks left of the term, and I can't wait to be done. Pediatrics is okay, not my favorite, but okay. Just have to finish the rotation, pass the rotation exam, finish our invitations, register to write my liscencing exam, finish my residency applications, do four more call shifts, and then I can leave!
We did our marriage prepartion course this weekend. It was okay, but I expected more. I think it was difficult for the presenters because they were presenting to a variety of couples from differing spiritual backgrounds. I would have preferred if the spirituality aspect was more of a central theme, and touched upon in all the different areas. On our Focus inventory (an inventory questionaire that each of us filled out separately), we scored 92% on our "Readiness for Marriage", so that's good! Eddie also accidently checked that he is concerned about how much alcohol I drink, so drinking issues was highlighted as something we need to discuss if further depth with our Priest. We both had a good laugh about that.
On a different note, we saw the new Bond movie this weekend--seriously they missed the boat on the Bond character; it felt more like a Rambo movie, with Bond as a meat head beating everyone up, rather than a smart, cunning Bond who out wits his opponents. Sigh. I would like to visit Montenegro after seeing the movie though!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Babies
I am on call today for the Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU). We attended the delivery of 24 week old baby, and it was all I could do to not burst into tears in the delivery suite. I am much too emotional to be able to deal with children who are sick on a regular basis for the rest of my life. The little guy was doing as okay as can be expected, but something inside of me twists in anguish each time I see his frail itty-bitty body struggling to breath, his tiny chest wall heaving with each breath.
And then there was another precious little doll who came back from Saskatoon today that I had to admit. She had been small for her gestational age, and thus is the most delicate perfectly small proportions. Her eyes were larger than the rest of her face, and she was alert and awake, with luminous blue eyes gazing out at me. I had to stop what I was doing and just cuddle her for a solid 10 minutes. This is the other reason I could never be a pediatrician--I would fall in love with all the babies and then not get my work done, and be an emotional mess when it was time to remain calm under pressure.
They really are the most vulnerable members of our society, these the sickest of our littlest people. It truly is a reflection of the society as to how we deal with and treat these our most vulnerable who most need our protection. It is quite poignant seeing the droves of adults swarmed around one little body all vigourously working to revive it, willing it to live. If we do not retain this drive to protect our little ones, we will on the whole be in big trouble. It is our job to be the voice for those cannot speak for themselves--our youngest and our elderly.
And then there was another precious little doll who came back from Saskatoon today that I had to admit. She had been small for her gestational age, and thus is the most delicate perfectly small proportions. Her eyes were larger than the rest of her face, and she was alert and awake, with luminous blue eyes gazing out at me. I had to stop what I was doing and just cuddle her for a solid 10 minutes. This is the other reason I could never be a pediatrician--I would fall in love with all the babies and then not get my work done, and be an emotional mess when it was time to remain calm under pressure.
They really are the most vulnerable members of our society, these the sickest of our littlest people. It truly is a reflection of the society as to how we deal with and treat these our most vulnerable who most need our protection. It is quite poignant seeing the droves of adults swarmed around one little body all vigourously working to revive it, willing it to live. If we do not retain this drive to protect our little ones, we will on the whole be in big trouble. It is our job to be the voice for those cannot speak for themselves--our youngest and our elderly.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Regina Return
-photo by KAGlubish193 days until the wedding....but who's counting? Eddie and I are both finally back in Regina together, yay! No more long distance phone calls, at least until the dreaded interview period. I have started Pediatrics this week and I am somewhat terrified of the little goobers--I dont want to break them! Give me old people any day.
Ummm so other than that, the next four weeks are dedicated to not letting little people die, finishing residency personal letters (pick me, pick me letters :), marriage prep weekend course, and RCIA classes. I think November will be a blur!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Tim Hortons Horror
Eddie and I walked into Tim Hortons on the weekend to find a young man lying on the floor with blood stains on his head and the surrounding tiles.
For a moment my heart stopped. "We are going to have to resuscitate this man"--flashed through my head.
Two seconds later I realized he was conscious and there was a staff member there controlling traffic and that the ambulance had already been called.
At first we then walked past like regular bystanders--then we said to each other " we are probably at the point where we are obligated to help this guy." So we walked back over and offered our help.
We didnt do much--verified the story, took his pulse and then the ambulance arrived, and they have the gear to actually provide real help. He was acutely okay when he left with EMS.
It got us to thinking--next year we for surely are obligated to help in emergencies in public places. I think we are going to have to carry some sort of minor first aid kit, or at least a mask incase we have to do CPR. It kind of scared the crap out of me! Really without IV fluids, proper airway and ventilation support as well as some cool drugs, we are kind of useless in those situations. Oh well, we decided that after next year for sure when we run into situations with people under 18 Eddie will be in charge and I will be in charge with patients over 18, and that we are going to have to carry some sort of minimal gear.
For a moment my heart stopped. "We are going to have to resuscitate this man"--flashed through my head.
Two seconds later I realized he was conscious and there was a staff member there controlling traffic and that the ambulance had already been called.
At first we then walked past like regular bystanders--then we said to each other " we are probably at the point where we are obligated to help this guy." So we walked back over and offered our help.
We didnt do much--verified the story, took his pulse and then the ambulance arrived, and they have the gear to actually provide real help. He was acutely okay when he left with EMS.
It got us to thinking--next year we for surely are obligated to help in emergencies in public places. I think we are going to have to carry some sort of minor first aid kit, or at least a mask incase we have to do CPR. It kind of scared the crap out of me! Really without IV fluids, proper airway and ventilation support as well as some cool drugs, we are kind of useless in those situations. Oh well, we decided that after next year for sure when we run into situations with people under 18 Eddie will be in charge and I will be in charge with patients over 18, and that we are going to have to carry some sort of minimal gear.
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