Yesterday afternoon, I was privileged enough to attend a wedding shower of a friend of mine from school that is getting married. (Thus the wedding shower... duh.) I've only ever really been to one wedding shower before - one peril of moving all over the country is that you are rarely there when your friends are getting married.
So, there I was, being all wedding-showery and cutesy and girly, when I had a sudden realization: I had, unknowingly, fallen in amongst the girls that drove me CRAZY in college. The cutesy, flirty, girly, cliquey, PERKY girls. There were no sororities at my college, but if there had been, these girls would have been the presidents and social directors. They were nice and all, but as a group, they were quite frightening. With enough energy to power the Twin Cities for days.
And there I was, smack dab in the middle of one of their wedding receptions.
It was okay, really, except that I felt hairy. Yes, that's right. Hairy. Interestingly, being around these cute petite girls doesn't make me feel huge and hulking like it should, it just makes me feel hairy. I realized, as I sat there during the Opening of Presents, that I hadn't even thought about plucking my eyebrows or shaving my legs in much more time than it takes for plucked/shaved hair to grow back.
So, today became Hair Removal Day. I plucked and I shaved. And the result? I am cut and swollen, and you can't even really tell the difference (except for the swelling and bleeding) because I have BLONDE hair.
But at least now I don't feel hairy!
Feb 27, 2005
Feb 24, 2005
Angry Incompetence
As much as I liked my pediatrics rotation (which ends today - well, tomorrow really, after the tests), and as much as I liked the heme/onc week of it, let me tell you HOW relieved I was to leave today. Yesterday I briefly mentioned my 'less than confident' intern. Well, today, I think her head was about to implode.
EVERY little thing was stressing her out today. And when she didn't understand something, or didn't know the answer to a question, she just got louder. I swear, by the end of the day I needed ear plugs to protect my ears from permanent hearing loss. She just sounds angry. Loud, angry and confused.
Along with louder and possibly angrier, she'd get more frantic - stacking papers up, jumping from one thing to another. A question such as: "So-and-so is back from their test. Can they eat now?" was enough to make her jump out of her seat and run out of the room. I don't know why. The answer was clearly yes. Which is just as easily said while sitting calmly with nicely organized papers.
Sigh. Some people really worry me. Because, gentle readers, some day this woman will be a doctor. Wait. She IS a doctor. But some day she'll be off on her own, practicing medicine.
And do you really want to see some one who will hit the ceiling when you ask if your kid is ready to start eating solid foods?
Ahh, but I am too, too harsh. She has time yet to learn much more. Much, much more. But let me tell you this: I will NOT be that way.
Except, perhaps, on Tuesdays.
EVERY little thing was stressing her out today. And when she didn't understand something, or didn't know the answer to a question, she just got louder. I swear, by the end of the day I needed ear plugs to protect my ears from permanent hearing loss. She just sounds angry. Loud, angry and confused.
Along with louder and possibly angrier, she'd get more frantic - stacking papers up, jumping from one thing to another. A question such as: "So-and-so is back from their test. Can they eat now?" was enough to make her jump out of her seat and run out of the room. I don't know why. The answer was clearly yes. Which is just as easily said while sitting calmly with nicely organized papers.
Sigh. Some people really worry me. Because, gentle readers, some day this woman will be a doctor. Wait. She IS a doctor. But some day she'll be off on her own, practicing medicine.
And do you really want to see some one who will hit the ceiling when you ask if your kid is ready to start eating solid foods?
Ahh, but I am too, too harsh. She has time yet to learn much more. Much, much more. But let me tell you this: I will NOT be that way.
Except, perhaps, on Tuesdays.
Feb 23, 2005
Stamping Out Disease, part deux
Okay, they knock the little kiddie out, then they jam a needle thing-a-ma-bobby into his little hip. The needle is surprisingly not all that big. And it isn't really a needle like you'd picture a needle. More like a blue plastic toy contraption that has a two inch sharp metal piece sticking out of one end. I think the blue plastic part is for traction - it must be dang hard(ish) to jam a needle into bone.
Okay, Lindsay, get up off the floor now. I'll stop talking about bones and needles.
Alright. So, doctor gets bone marrow, nurse lady puts marrow into and on top of several different tubes and slides. Little kiddie is then woken up. Easy peasy, no? It is! The parents even stayed and watched.
I assumed my participation would end with the... Well, actually I didn't really participate per se in any of this. I was merely an observer. But, the attending did invite me to travel with her to the lab to check on the results.
Now, I did say that I didn't have the gold touch, but I do have to tell you that, in Medical Student Land, one-on-one time with an attending is tantamount to bushels of gold. Bushels! Especially when the attending is the clerkship director. ESPECIALLY when the attending is the clerkship director of pediatrics. Smashing!
I got a full half hour of walking around with Dr. Attending, asking thoughtful and relevant questions. All the while thinking "Ha! Someone to ask for a recommendation letter! She actually knows that my name is Brenna, not Brenda or 'that student' This is great. Sound smart, sound smart! And stop talking to yourself!!!"
Then, to top it all off, we went to look at the bone marrow smear of the adorable little two year old whose symptoms were all concerning for leukemia. And he didn't have it! He instead has something called Idiopathic (or Immune-mediated) Thrombocytopenia - ITP. 90% of kids with this recover pretty quickly without any problems.
Isn't that great? I think so.
To celebrate, I went home and had a processed cheese and pickle sandwich. With horseradish. It sounds like I'm pregnant, but I'm really just poor and haven't been grocery shopping for a while.
La di da!
HAPPY DAY AFTER YOUR BIRTHDAY, DAD!!! Way to go!
Okay, Lindsay, get up off the floor now. I'll stop talking about bones and needles.
Alright. So, doctor gets bone marrow, nurse lady puts marrow into and on top of several different tubes and slides. Little kiddie is then woken up. Easy peasy, no? It is! The parents even stayed and watched.
I assumed my participation would end with the... Well, actually I didn't really participate per se in any of this. I was merely an observer. But, the attending did invite me to travel with her to the lab to check on the results.
Now, I did say that I didn't have the gold touch, but I do have to tell you that, in Medical Student Land, one-on-one time with an attending is tantamount to bushels of gold. Bushels! Especially when the attending is the clerkship director. ESPECIALLY when the attending is the clerkship director of pediatrics. Smashing!
I got a full half hour of walking around with Dr. Attending, asking thoughtful and relevant questions. All the while thinking "Ha! Someone to ask for a recommendation letter! She actually knows that my name is Brenna, not Brenda or 'that student' This is great. Sound smart, sound smart! And stop talking to yourself!!!"
Then, to top it all off, we went to look at the bone marrow smear of the adorable little two year old whose symptoms were all concerning for leukemia. And he didn't have it! He instead has something called Idiopathic (or Immune-mediated) Thrombocytopenia - ITP. 90% of kids with this recover pretty quickly without any problems.
Isn't that great? I think so.
To celebrate, I went home and had a processed cheese and pickle sandwich. With horseradish. It sounds like I'm pregnant, but I'm really just poor and haven't been grocery shopping for a while.
La di da!
HAPPY DAY AFTER YOUR BIRTHDAY, DAD!!! Way to go!
Stamping Out Disease!
Putting aside for the moment that I am currently tired, hungry and bored and that no one seems to be feeling the compulsion to send me home (I need to study!!) becauss the upper level left and the intern here is... less than confident, I have had a pretty amazing day.
Not in the everything-I-touch-turns-to-gold-I-can-do-no-wrong-and-here's-my-winning-lottery-ticket way, but in the gee-that's-just-pretty-dang-freaking-cool-and-I-got-to-be-a-part-of-it way. [editorial note: typing with a lot of dashes instead of spaces is really hard]
A two year old presented to his peds office yesterday because he'd been bruising all over. He was sent to the heme/onc clinic here for work up. What is the most likely diagnosis with easy bruising (and oh yeah, toss in some petechiae and an enlarged spleen and low white blood cell count) All the little children say: Leukemia!
So, two year old (whose mother, by the way just had a baby a few months ago and is supposed to go back to work tomorrow) is admitted to the heme/onc service for a bone marrow aspirate. I, eager-beaver of a med student that I am, tagged along.
In the bone marrow aspirate, they start an IV and knock the little kiddie out, then
HA! I was sent home. I'll finish the story later.
BAM.
Not in the everything-I-touch-turns-to-gold-I-can-do-no-wrong-and-here's-my-winning-lottery-ticket way, but in the gee-that's-just-pretty-dang-freaking-cool-and-I-got-to-be-a-part-of-it way. [editorial note: typing with a lot of dashes instead of spaces is really hard]
A two year old presented to his peds office yesterday because he'd been bruising all over. He was sent to the heme/onc clinic here for work up. What is the most likely diagnosis with easy bruising (and oh yeah, toss in some petechiae and an enlarged spleen and low white blood cell count) All the little children say: Leukemia!
So, two year old (whose mother, by the way just had a baby a few months ago and is supposed to go back to work tomorrow) is admitted to the heme/onc service for a bone marrow aspirate. I, eager-beaver of a med student that I am, tagged along.
In the bone marrow aspirate, they start an IV and knock the little kiddie out, then
HA! I was sent home. I'll finish the story later.
BAM.
Feb 18, 2005
Diabetes, Schmiabetes
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the “coolest” book you can find. Do what’s actually next to you.
"Patients commonly present with polyuria (including nocturia), polydipsia, polyphagia, and rapid or unexplained weight loss."
From First Aid for the USMLE Step 2
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the “coolest” book you can find. Do what’s actually next to you.
"Patients commonly present with polyuria (including nocturia), polydipsia, polyphagia, and rapid or unexplained weight loss."
From First Aid for the USMLE Step 2
Feb 16, 2005
It Be Done!
Two things are done:
1. I'm done with call for peds, and after our ONE admission last night, I have a grand total of 3 patients that I admitted/saw while I was on call. Two of the interns I worked with woke up the next morning (after an almost page-less night) and called it their 'best call ever.' They call me a white cloud. Somehow, I think I annoyed my upper level, though, who I've never been on call with and who keeps having the world's WORST calls ever. While I'm happy to bring the white cloudness, I fear that it may backfire on me, and I'll develop a big ol' black cloud while I'm a resident... Time will tell.
2. My Valentine's CD! I 'finished' it the other night, but as I'd only put in 6 or so hours of work into it, it just didn't feel right. I listened to the prelim CD on my way home from Susan's (my computer is having more identity issues and doesn't seem to believe that it has a D drive, so I'm borrowing Susan's), and I just shook my head and said NONONO! It was not right. Usually I spend MONTHS planning the perfect Valentine's CD. (Usually, too, I was supposed to be studying and found searching for the perfect song much more rewarding.) Anyway, I think I've fixed it all today, and finally can breathe a sigh of relief for a job well done. And this version won't leave people despondent and suicidal at the end. (KEY: If you choose to include depressing songs - sandwich them with happy ones!)
All that said: who wants a CD? Let me know. I have a list in my head, and if you read this and I know you, you're probably on it. But, heck, even if I don't know you - if you want a CD, let me know. I love to spread musical joydom.
ONWARD! I have a Career Planning Seminar tonight. I'm pretty dead-set on peds, but I want to see what this thing is all about. Plus, free dinner. Yum!
1. I'm done with call for peds, and after our ONE admission last night, I have a grand total of 3 patients that I admitted/saw while I was on call. Two of the interns I worked with woke up the next morning (after an almost page-less night) and called it their 'best call ever.' They call me a white cloud. Somehow, I think I annoyed my upper level, though, who I've never been on call with and who keeps having the world's WORST calls ever. While I'm happy to bring the white cloudness, I fear that it may backfire on me, and I'll develop a big ol' black cloud while I'm a resident... Time will tell.
2. My Valentine's CD! I 'finished' it the other night, but as I'd only put in 6 or so hours of work into it, it just didn't feel right. I listened to the prelim CD on my way home from Susan's (my computer is having more identity issues and doesn't seem to believe that it has a D drive, so I'm borrowing Susan's), and I just shook my head and said NONONO! It was not right. Usually I spend MONTHS planning the perfect Valentine's CD. (Usually, too, I was supposed to be studying and found searching for the perfect song much more rewarding.) Anyway, I think I've fixed it all today, and finally can breathe a sigh of relief for a job well done. And this version won't leave people despondent and suicidal at the end. (KEY: If you choose to include depressing songs - sandwich them with happy ones!)
All that said: who wants a CD? Let me know. I have a list in my head, and if you read this and I know you, you're probably on it. But, heck, even if I don't know you - if you want a CD, let me know. I love to spread musical joydom.
ONWARD! I have a Career Planning Seminar tonight. I'm pretty dead-set on peds, but I want to see what this thing is all about. Plus, free dinner. Yum!
Feb 14, 2005
I'd Rather Be Reading Jane Austen
I believe you belong in Pride and Prejudice; a
world of satire and true love. A world where
everything is crystal clear to the reader, and
yet where new things seem to be happening all
the time. You belong in a world where your
free-thought puts you above the silly masses,
and where bright eyes and intelligence are
enough to attract the arrogant
millionaire/prejudiced young woman of your
choice.
Which Classic Novel do You Belong In?
brought to you by Quizilla
HVD!
When you put Happy Valentine's Day into an acronym, it sounds kind of like an infectious disease. Huh.
HAPPY HEART DAY ONE AND ALL. Much love to all the peeps out there - family, friends, teachers, patients, people who sell me coffee... all those near and dear!
On another note, I've declared today to be National Stair/Stare Day! What happens on NS/SD? Let me elucidate: Today, all day, you either 1. take the stairs whenever you are moving from one floor to another or 2. Stare at someone on the elevator as you move from one floor to another.
I've generally been choosing "stair," and man! eight flights is a lot! Especially after lunch. But I'm not too keen on being that weird girl who is staring at everone on the elevator. But thems the rules, people, I didn't make them up. (oh, wait...I did...)
HVD and NS/SD!!!
HAPPY HEART DAY ONE AND ALL. Much love to all the peeps out there - family, friends, teachers, patients, people who sell me coffee... all those near and dear!
On another note, I've declared today to be National Stair/Stare Day! What happens on NS/SD? Let me elucidate: Today, all day, you either 1. take the stairs whenever you are moving from one floor to another or 2. Stare at someone on the elevator as you move from one floor to another.
I've generally been choosing "stair," and man! eight flights is a lot! Especially after lunch. But I'm not too keen on being that weird girl who is staring at everone on the elevator. But thems the rules, people, I didn't make them up. (oh, wait...I did...)
HVD and NS/SD!!!
Feb 13, 2005
Slow Motion Day
Yesterday, being the proactive person that I (sometimes) am, I made a schedule for today. It looked like this:
9-12: Study at Panera
12-2: Laundry and bills
2-4: YMCA, shower, etc.
4-11: Chill
Here's what has happened so far:
9-12: Sleeping. Every once in a while waking up, with a bad stomach ache
12-2: Up, lunch, watching TV, trying to make stomach ache go away
2-3: Shower, dress
3-3:30: Go to Panera to study, realize that their internet isn't working, leave
3:30-4: Come to school to study, mess around on the internet
Somehow, I haven't even made it onto my schedule for the day! I decided to no work out because my stomach still hurts - I blame it on my diet over the last few days. (Diet here meaning 'the food I've eaten' rather than 'an attempt to reduce caloric intake and improve health')
Sigh. I don't really feel like studying, but I figure I ought to do at least ONE thing from my list. I still do intend to do laundry. And bills. Eventually...
I'm in the Fishbowl right now, because all the private study areas are taken. This place is crawling with little first and second years... They must have a test or something coming up. It is weird to be back in here after so long. To think I used to practically live here! Thank goodness for change.
But right now, to make myself feel a bit better, I'm going to Google people that I didn't like in High School. Tee-hee! It always makes me feel good to find no references to them... Like they don't exist.
9-12: Study at Panera
12-2: Laundry and bills
2-4: YMCA, shower, etc.
4-11: Chill
Here's what has happened so far:
9-12: Sleeping. Every once in a while waking up, with a bad stomach ache
12-2: Up, lunch, watching TV, trying to make stomach ache go away
2-3: Shower, dress
3-3:30: Go to Panera to study, realize that their internet isn't working, leave
3:30-4: Come to school to study, mess around on the internet
Somehow, I haven't even made it onto my schedule for the day! I decided to no work out because my stomach still hurts - I blame it on my diet over the last few days. (Diet here meaning 'the food I've eaten' rather than 'an attempt to reduce caloric intake and improve health')
Sigh. I don't really feel like studying, but I figure I ought to do at least ONE thing from my list. I still do intend to do laundry. And bills. Eventually...
I'm in the Fishbowl right now, because all the private study areas are taken. This place is crawling with little first and second years... They must have a test or something coming up. It is weird to be back in here after so long. To think I used to practically live here! Thank goodness for change.
But right now, to make myself feel a bit better, I'm going to Google people that I didn't like in High School. Tee-hee! It always makes me feel good to find no references to them... Like they don't exist.
Feb 11, 2005
Friday!
I made it! It's officially my thirteenth day in a row. But tomorrow I GET TO SLEEP IN. I'm so happy I could cry.
Oh, yeah, and I'm going to the circus tonight!! What a fantastic day!
Oh, yeah, and I'm going to the circus tonight!! What a fantastic day!
Feb 8, 2005
PMS, a Primer
Assuming that half the world is of the male variety, and that a good number of women manage to control their hormonal ups-and-downs, I believe that I can safely say that more than half of the world does not personally know what PMS is like.
Folks, I am here to educate you.
Lesson One: When you're PMS-y, things annoy you more. Things like... drivers, traffic lights, girls on the elliptical trainer next to you at the Y talking really loud on their cell phone, old men on the elliptical trainer in front of you sweating buckets all over the floor, residents who smile too much, residents who talk too much, unit secretaries who won't answer your questions, and basically just... people.
Lesson Two: When you're PMS-y, you get teary at more things. Things like... little kids, patriotism, sports events, people being happy, people being sad, being tired, being frustrated, reallity television.
Lesson Three: When you're PMS-y, you say things you didn't even realize you were thinking. Usually kind of mean things. And usually when you're annoyed (see Lesson One).
That's enough for now. Maybe I'll write more later, but MAN The Amazing Race is FREAKING me out.
Folks, I am here to educate you.
Lesson One: When you're PMS-y, things annoy you more. Things like... drivers, traffic lights, girls on the elliptical trainer next to you at the Y talking really loud on their cell phone, old men on the elliptical trainer in front of you sweating buckets all over the floor, residents who smile too much, residents who talk too much, unit secretaries who won't answer your questions, and basically just... people.
Lesson Two: When you're PMS-y, you get teary at more things. Things like... little kids, patriotism, sports events, people being happy, people being sad, being tired, being frustrated, reallity television.
Lesson Three: When you're PMS-y, you say things you didn't even realize you were thinking. Usually kind of mean things. And usually when you're annoyed (see Lesson One).
That's enough for now. Maybe I'll write more later, but MAN The Amazing Race is FREAKING me out.
Feb 5, 2005
Back Where I Belong
Well, maybe anyway.
For the first time in over three months, I'm back on an inpatient service. It is easy to forget how different things are. I am on peds inpatient now, which is cool since I've decided that this is what I'm going to do with my life.
Today, however, I'm on call. And it is Saturday. And it is beautiful outside. And it is overnight call, so I'm here until tomorrow. And I have to be back on Monday, which means I'll be working twelve days straight by the time I reach next Friday. AND I'm having an 'I Feel Stupid' Day.
It started because I had no idea what to do this morning. I eventually got to the right place (not late, either), but everyone was SO grumpy! Even a fellow student who I have never, EVER seen even remotely CLOSE to being grumpy before. My team (of which I was the only one present at that time) got chastised for not keeping the list up to date. Then the upper level who had been on call proceeded to bash all of her fellow residents, most of whom I think are wonderful people.
Anyway, that just starts the day off on a bad note.
And then, I didn't have a red sheet done, I didn't know (still don't) what Bicitra is/does, and I just feel all-around incompetent. And this is going to last until tomorrow morning! ACK!
Sigh. Back to doing something... smart-seeming.
Why anyone is letting me be a doctor, I'll never know... Beware!!
(Ha-ha, not really! I'm sure I'll be feeling relatively smart again at some point...)
For the first time in over three months, I'm back on an inpatient service. It is easy to forget how different things are. I am on peds inpatient now, which is cool since I've decided that this is what I'm going to do with my life.
Today, however, I'm on call. And it is Saturday. And it is beautiful outside. And it is overnight call, so I'm here until tomorrow. And I have to be back on Monday, which means I'll be working twelve days straight by the time I reach next Friday. AND I'm having an 'I Feel Stupid' Day.
It started because I had no idea what to do this morning. I eventually got to the right place (not late, either), but everyone was SO grumpy! Even a fellow student who I have never, EVER seen even remotely CLOSE to being grumpy before. My team (of which I was the only one present at that time) got chastised for not keeping the list up to date. Then the upper level who had been on call proceeded to bash all of her fellow residents, most of whom I think are wonderful people.
Anyway, that just starts the day off on a bad note.
And then, I didn't have a red sheet done, I didn't know (still don't) what Bicitra is/does, and I just feel all-around incompetent. And this is going to last until tomorrow morning! ACK!
Sigh. Back to doing something... smart-seeming.
Why anyone is letting me be a doctor, I'll never know... Beware!!
(Ha-ha, not really! I'm sure I'll be feeling relatively smart again at some point...)
Feb 2, 2005
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