tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42900305037302971312024-03-13T08:19:36.729-05:00Chasing ZebrasMusings of an Ob/Gyn Resident in the Deep Southchasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-24188374580136699382012-07-18T10:45:00.001-05:002012-07-18T10:45:29.957-05:00Intern Year - checkVery happy to announce I officially survived intern year! And even happier to announce that 2nd year is infinitely better. Okay, so I'm only 3 weeks in, but so far it has been amazing. This month I'm on clinic/research which translates into clinic Monday-Wednesday, 3 hours of call during the week, and 2 weekends off this month. Thursday and Friday I'm supposed to be doing my research. Emphasis on the "supposed to" part. So far I've been brainstorming. But mostly I've been sleeping late and catching up on all the television and neglected household chores I've been doing over the last year.
Speaking of which, have you seen New Girl? With Zooey Deschanel? It is hilarious. Finished season 1 of that and have started watching Smash now. I've also had time to cook a few meals this month. That happened approximately twice during intern year.
I still get nervous before call but it's only because I feel a little rusty on L&D. Hadn't done a section in 4 or 5 months before my 1st 24 hour L&D call this month but it's just like riding a bike. Came back instantaneously. So far the transition from "baby intern" 12 hour shift call (which honestly always turned into 16 hour shifts for me) to "big girl" 24 hour call has not been bad. I think that's because my schedule has been so light during the week that I go into call pretty well rested.
Enough of work stuff... Other exciting things that are happening:
Signed up to run "The Color Run" in New Orleans this fall. It's a 5k where you are required to where a white shirt and at each kilometer you are splashed with a different color corn starch. There's about 12 of us from our residency going (including some attendings!) so it should be a good time seeing everyone look ridiculous.
Also signed up to run the MS Blues 1/2 Marathon in January. Nervous about this one! Have a lot of training to do before then.
I ran probably 4 times my entire intern year. Time to get back on the wagon. Started back this week. Ran 2.0 miles Monday and walked/ran 3.0 miles yesterday. Planning to do some either yoga or pilates tonight. Weight is essentially the same as when intern year started (lost 13 lbs, then gained 10 back), but now I'm just flab all over instead of muscle!
The most exciting thing going on right now is that my sister is expecting :) She's just over 34 weeks now and we are all so pumped. 1st grandchild for my Mom. This will make my 3rd niece, but the first one from my sister. Also expecting my first nephew this August as well. (sister-in-law). Very very exciting time for our families.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Planning to update this thing a little more this year.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-39747147104243526552012-02-04T20:23:00.004-06:002012-02-04T20:31:37.919-06:00Oh Hello!I must get more clever wih these titles but just wanted to check in and let everyone know I'm surviving! I just finished my fourth consecutive month of my alarm going off at 3:00 AM and carrying the call pager during the day and I am so excited. On call tonight, get off tomorrow morning and will get to spend time with my family watching the Super Bowl. <br /><br />Monday starts my second rotation on Labor and Delivery. I am excited and a little scared all at once. It feels like so long ago since I've been there! It was just August but feels like 2 years ago. Here's the rotations conquered so far:<br /><br />OB Receiving - days<br />Labor and Delivery - days<br />OBI - 3:00 AM rounding, scheduled c-sections<br />HO I - 3:00 AM rounding, carrying call pager<br />HO I - again<br />OB I - again<br /><br />Next up is L and D, then Gyn (the sweetest rotation), then Clinic/Ultrasound, then OB Receiving days again and intern year is finished! It gets better every day. Most of the attendings trust you to do the things they know you're competent at. We did lose an intern at the end of August and it really increased the workload. He quit without much warning and threw our schedules into a tizzy - specifically the call schedule. Most of us get one weekend off a month. And it is a glorious weekend. <br /><br />But enough about work. Otherwise things are fabulous. Kris and I bought new cars back in November and are in love with them. The animals are as good as ever, and we are still hanging in our little yellow house by the reservoir. Counting the days until intern year is over but happy to be where I am.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-47944969638437740992011-08-06T10:54:00.003-05:002011-08-06T11:17:55.364-05:00Oh HiOh hello... Did you think I'd forgotten about my little blog? <br /><br />I haven't. Things have just been as crazy as I'd predicted they would be. I just finished my month of OB Receiving (aka pregnant lady ER) and I am so glad it's over. To give you an idea of how busy it was - I ate food 2x last month while at work and subsequently lost 8lbs in 31 days. I don't recommend this diet but at least I can fit into my clothes a little better on the 1 day off a week that I get to wear them!<br /><br />Speaking of that one day off... Today is that day. You think I would be overjoyed, excited, thrilled but instead I am anxious and a little sad. Because I know it all starts over tomorrow and the clock is ticking. K is at work so I'm all alone. I have a million articles and book chapters I need to read, anatomy I need to review, etc... And of course a dirty house and fridge that need to be cleaned. I'm having a hard time shaking the "day off blues." So far I've found that certain bible verses as well as getting outside in the sunshine help so that's what I plan to do today. Clean a little, cook a little, go out for a walk or to work in the yard, and do a bit of reading. I've never been so inspired to read medical literature in my life. Mostly because the fear from being called out by an attending either in front of 30 people (this happened to me this week) or being kicked out of the OR or compromising patient care. Now journal articles about which antibiotic prophylaxis is best prior to surgery are absolutely thrilling to me. Because it helps me understand why we do what we do and alleviate any fear of not knowing about it when asked. <br /><br />Earlier this week at board sign outs (where the night team tells you whats going on with each laboring patient on the board) there was an HIV+ patient. The attending then turns to me and asks when we usually induce these patients, what maneuvers we avoid, what dosage of medicine and for how long they need it prior to delivery, the vertical transmission rates, etc... I did not know. It was painful for everyone. I was encouraged to read the article. Which of course I went home and did as I was falling asleep. The next day I got asked what the transmission rates are without treatment and BAM! I spit it right back out at her. 25% thankyouverymuch :) So that was a good day. <br /><br />But the thing is there's always another complicated patient, another article to read, another muscle to know the exact innervation and blood supply to, and that is why I have the day off jitters. Instead of enjoying today I'm worried about what I will be asked tomorrow. <br /><br />Now that that pitiful rant is over, here's highlights from last month:<br />1. Seeing several women come in between 30-35 weeks desperately hoping to be in labor. I gave them each a serious talk on how their baby could be impaired if it was born this early. I don't think most of them cared.<br /><br />2. Checking a cervix on an above-mentioned patient (around 34 weeks pregnant) and noticing something pink and rubbery and prophylactic in my hand when I withdrew it. Of note, the attending was in the room with me which made it even more hilarious and awkward. <br /><br />3. Getting to show several women in their first trimesters who were worried they were miscarrying their cute little healthy babies with heartbeats right where they should be.<br /><br />4. Getting frustrated with patients who keep going back to abusive households.<br /><br />5. Having a baby born in OB Receiving my 2nd week. (I had checked her an hour before and told the nurses to get her up to Labor and Delivery, just so you know...)<br /><br />6. Having a G11P10 (gravida 11 para 10 - she's on her 11th pregnancy with 10 living children) labor silently and almost have a baby in OB Receiving<br /><br />7. Doing several circumcisions on cute little baby boys. I really enjoy these!<br /><br />Highlights from this Week:<br /><br />1. Delivering several babies!!! (4 or 5?)<br /><br />2. Scrubbing c-sections and getting to sew fascia and skin :) <br /><br />3. Scrubbing into 1 placental abruption section and 1 uterine rupture section. The rates of uterine rupture are less than 1% and I got to see it in my first week on Labor and Delivery<br /><br />I suppose I'm off to clean, read, get outside, and try to cheer up. Hope the rest of you are having a marvelous Saturday!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-86206391162956453722011-05-25T14:36:00.002-05:002011-05-25T14:36:57.638-05:00This Time Next Week...I will be a doctor and I will be in Mexico. And hopefully I will be very relaxed and happy! That's all :)chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-53800526967172279452011-05-14T12:16:00.003-05:002011-05-14T12:40:11.303-05:00Oh DearIt's starting to hit me that I will in fact be a real life doctor person very, very soon. Technically I will be a doctor May 27th once I am handed my diploma but I will not see any patients until July. So in my mind it doesn't really "count" until then.<br /><br />I am on plastic surgery this month and just happened to be in the Women's and Infants' hospital yesterday for some oncoplastic breast reconstruction cases. Of course I ran into several of my soon to be fellow Ob/Gyn residents and attendings. PS - this is much more fun now that I know they like me - they really, really like me! *spoken in the voice of Sally Field winning the Oscar.* As I've said before - when you're working with these people and trying to make a good impression it's difficult to enjoy your time with them. At least that's the case for me anyway. I was always trying to appear eager but not annoying, helpful but not overbearing, funny but not inappropriate, etc... It's a tight-rope act and you never quite know what small move can make you lose your balance - and influence people's opinions about you. <br /><br />Anyway, it was all happy times and "hey, what are you doing here?" type conversation and then one of the residents asked if I had my schedule yet. They were in the lounge. <br /><br />THE SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT YEAR OF MY LIFE WAS IN THE LOUNGE!!!!!!!!! 10 FEET AWAY!!!!<br /><br />So of course I run in and pick one up. Here is what our intern year will consist of: <br /><br />2 months of Gynecology (clinic, hysterectomies, post-menopausal bleeding, fibroids, etc...) <br /><br />2 months of Labor and Delivery (12ish hour shifts of delivering babies :))<br /><br />2 months of Clinic (clinic M-F, different every day)<br /><br />2 months of "Dober" (this means Days OB Receiving aka the "pregnant lady ER", also is shiftwork)<br /><br />1 month of OB I (scheduled c-sections, high risk clinic, rounding on PPROMers and postpartums)<br /><br />1 month of HO I (house officer I - you carry a pager that beeps ALL THE TIME. You also do circumcisions, round on postpartums, etc...)<br /><br />1 month of ADU (this means antenatal diagnostic unit. It's where they do the high tech fancy ultrasounds and amniocentesis)<br /><br />1 month of ER (this is the regular adult ER. All OB residents love this rotation because you get 2 weeks off this month.)<br /><br />Now that you know what those months are like, I will tell you that I was most terrified of starting out on Days OB Receiving. It's a busy, busy place. Essentially any pregnant lady that comes into the hospital starts out there. Also, not pregnant ladies, but ladies that think they might be pregnant. And gyn patients. Pretty much any Ob/Gyn patient starts there. Then I have to see them and decide if they go up to the Labor and Delivery Suite to deliver, go back home, get set up in clinic, get worked up for an operation, etc... It gets very busy and it gets backed up. And people can see how many patients you have even in the lounge 2 floors up. It's on a computer monitor. And they say things like - "Wow, OB receiving is really filling up." Oh dear. So without further ado, here's my own personal schedule:<br /><br />July - Days OB Receiving (cue the screaming lambs)<br />August - Labor and Delivery Days<br />September - OB I<br />October - Gyn A<br />November - Clinic<br />December - HO I<br />January - ER<br />February - Labor and Delivery Nights<br />March - Gyn A<br />April - ADU<br />May - Days OB Receiving<br />June - Clinic<br /><br />So I thought that was bad. Then I looked down at my dear fellow intern who I'm closest to in our class and she starts out on Labor and Delivery!!! In the past they didn't let interns run the L&D unit until we'd been doctors for a full 6 months. They're throwing us into the fire this year though. <br /><br />And because I got so scared once I saw this schedule I did something I thought I wouldn't do. I started studying last night. For intern year. Just the things I knew I would use - like the first line of treatment for UTIs in pregnancy, and exactly what tests to order when you suspect Gonorrhea or Chlamydia. And steps to ruling out preterm labor. <br /><br />Overall I'm pretty thrilled with my schedule. The "easier" (ha ha) months are interspersed pretty well with the more challenging ones. Now I am just anxious to see the call schedule. And wondering if the hours will change for any of these blocks...chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-89028864219806821352011-04-22T19:52:00.011-05:002011-04-22T20:24:54.912-05:00Easter and WhatnotHey peoples - just got back from a 4 mile run with my fabulous Cousin A (we walked and talked more than we ran though). We also went straight from the trail to a Mexican restaurant where margaritas were imbibed so you know - keep that in mind while you read this post.<br /><br />I am about to get started on a little cooking for the Easter weekend. Am planning on making some cheddar biscuits that I've made a few times before and some chocolate chip cookie dough truffles that I've never made before but are sweet and therefore can't be screwed up too badly - by me anyway - sugar loves me. The biscuits have chunks of cheddar cheese in them and use heavy cream instead of butter or Crisco aka lard, so what's not to love? So much easier to stir and they come out all light and fluffy once they're baked. Here's the recipe for truffles and a link to the blog:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ourlittlebeehive.com/2011/02/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-truffles.html?spref=bl">our little beehive: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles</a>: "When I worked in my company's main office I used to bring baked goods to work all the time. When I announced that I was moving and (very tha..."<br /><br />And here's a link to the recipe for the biscuits: <br />http://www.cooklikeachampionblog.com/2011/01/cheddar-cheese-biscuits.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cooklikeachampion+%28Cook+Like+a+Champion%29&utm_content=Google+Reader<br />(copy and paste that one - not sure why it's not working)<br /><br />And here's a few pictures from Easters past:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6nqBYydonSQMF9aKNqW63104Bl-EfA_9ZUdzQ8iIj1BnL_QnQpQb_wFlfgsEpM88M3qO-u8F6SDAC9xf0BKtoecAstvVphkLLPivkkLrYj4XgQSbqJDyCkPYV4YpXXjUHU5Jp3T6wcc/s1600/easter2006.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6nqBYydonSQMF9aKNqW63104Bl-EfA_9ZUdzQ8iIj1BnL_QnQpQb_wFlfgsEpM88M3qO-u8F6SDAC9xf0BKtoecAstvVphkLLPivkkLrYj4XgQSbqJDyCkPYV4YpXXjUHU5Jp3T6wcc/s320/easter2006.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598580077059669234" /></a><br />That's from Easter 2006 and is me, my sister, mom and grandmother. We inadvertently color-coordinated pretty well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGwGdKv6wdpA7JxOLnbnS_zccobso4YiGDKuXfpnAPG0mmHAgc5vMt2IAHXqTOOGOwX0VKnpeI8ymB-znWc6v8YIuDbo_v2b6JEzWAQcQbHl3mXy16hjtW1JD3Jvs96QZPNqUYNlEo1k/s1600/eastereggs.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGwGdKv6wdpA7JxOLnbnS_zccobso4YiGDKuXfpnAPG0mmHAgc5vMt2IAHXqTOOGOwX0VKnpeI8ymB-znWc6v8YIuDbo_v2b6JEzWAQcQbHl3mXy16hjtW1JD3Jvs96QZPNqUYNlEo1k/s320/eastereggs.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598580823976425346" /></a><br />And those are the Easter eggs we made and subsequently hid.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIovxOZ2JZ608GLo-DpRFgbPJ6vpJnzXGXgG_H7r-UonE5BHWDiltFwr63JXD7i7A-ws7jDN45EY-7wpKToqGxOfryBAo9joyKaBJ3W4JszEM8CwlV_InCyYtcf4ybkjl7NJowK4mwi0/s1600/eastergirls.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIovxOZ2JZ608GLo-DpRFgbPJ6vpJnzXGXgG_H7r-UonE5BHWDiltFwr63JXD7i7A-ws7jDN45EY-7wpKToqGxOfryBAo9joyKaBJ3W4JszEM8CwlV_InCyYtcf4ybkjl7NJowK4mwi0/s320/eastergirls.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598581074489574642" /></a><br />One of my favorite pictures of me and my sister and mama. We are such "in the moment" type people that we usually forget to take pictures so I am glad for the few we have together.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuxoZA2nx7r3KnkE_F4vKQ0pigAomg5XSwRM4W0kNbkTx058v5od9n1K6BJHHjNOEpRGPjS8PQG3-wzPyQqht0rBZzTu72Qpzr0125J0QKjbyPxcIJEwZpVhBtsMKKVeDIXNkEyPJ0GQ/s1600/familyeaster2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuxoZA2nx7r3KnkE_F4vKQ0pigAomg5XSwRM4W0kNbkTx058v5od9n1K6BJHHjNOEpRGPjS8PQG3-wzPyQqht0rBZzTu72Qpzr0125J0QKjbyPxcIJEwZpVhBtsMKKVeDIXNkEyPJ0GQ/s320/familyeaster2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598581409258486418" /></a><br />One of the whole family.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjMn1OoWhGC_5k-DaZqk2G1nCp7xJOR1tBtM2kpbP39-Dzfbwcs3XYv5DwxFZIRc7AknT_M8LKG0WjVYtIVCa5ooz5DVMtHEzptUN7M8Ndfykl6E3EsB5Vu317oOHX4UpFHGgqqb0fQ0/s1600/mejenbunnies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjMn1OoWhGC_5k-DaZqk2G1nCp7xJOR1tBtM2kpbP39-Dzfbwcs3XYv5DwxFZIRc7AknT_M8LKG0WjVYtIVCa5ooz5DVMtHEzptUN7M8Ndfykl6E3EsB5Vu317oOHX4UpFHGgqqb0fQ0/s320/mejenbunnies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598581589035555410" /></a><br />And me and my sister aka "Seeser!" with our Peter's pottery bunnies. Also - holy shiny T-zone. I swear I own powder and will not let this happen again. <br /><br />That's all. Happy Easter everybody!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-13196236266386104122011-04-19T22:07:00.005-05:002011-04-19T22:26:48.580-05:00Lazy DaysYou think with all this time I've had off I would be posting every single day, but I've found much more fun ways to fill my time. <br /><br />For those who read and don't know already, Match Day was great! I got my first choice (although I wasn't tacky enough to say that while up at the microphone). It was such a great day. I couldn't be happier with our intern class. There will be 6 of us - 5 girls and 1 guy. 4 of us trained here during med school and are staying for residency. 1 girl is from Arkansas and another from Florida. Arkansas girl and her husband are really nice. They stayed at our house one weekend while they apartment-hunted. I haven't met Florida girl yet, but I hear she's expecting a big surprise. Due the first week of July. Oy. Wondering how much that's going to suck not only for her, but those of us who will have to be there to pick up the slack. <br /><br />I was on a high for about a week after Match Day. Later that week was the annual Hal & Mal's St. Patrick's Day Parade and I had nothing else in particular to do so I went to the parade for the first time ever. Here's a picture for proof: (Yes, I'm wearing a red shirt - but my shorts were GREEN! And this is the only sleeveless shirt I own since I'm now in the 25-34 age group and I didn't want tan lines. Phew. Is that enough explanation of a very straight forward picture for you? Now enjoy the picture:)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZIM7FDy3w73mqwGpqKdcK_QNWxHBGevqUGVd0y8E_6GHkiD3NJl-mbIUqRjl_MGDV6kIW5e9XHGbfMC8LTj0PmCNXDqQ33DlvfX4o_8e7JmfsJdLkPWStRe2Qljrg0ISLoFJpHAz3yo/s1600/Yearbook5meaust.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZIM7FDy3w73mqwGpqKdcK_QNWxHBGevqUGVd0y8E_6GHkiD3NJl-mbIUqRjl_MGDV6kIW5e9XHGbfMC8LTj0PmCNXDqQ33DlvfX4o_8e7JmfsJdLkPWStRe2Qljrg0ISLoFJpHAz3yo/s320/Yearbook5meaust.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597499472111293842" /></a><br /><br /><br />The parade was pretty much what I thought it would be, but I'm not sure if I'll be going back any time soon. Crowds aren't really my thing... It was nice to hang out and enjoy some nice weather with friends though. Felt like I was on the "med school street" seeing as how I kept seeing residents and med students all along our sidewalk. Too funny. <br /><br />Speaking of school, I'm in the process of applying for my medical license. I've already sent in all the paperwork once, along with a check for $50 (natch), but have received a request for even more documents. Yay. At least this marriage license is getting to see the light of day for once. Ha ha. I went to UMC a few weeks ago and signed my contract, got drug tested, poked, prodded, and had an incredibly unfortunate i.d. picture taken. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll redo it during Orientation. One can only hope. <br /><br />Our Ob/Gyn Interest Group has a lunch meeting tomorrow for the M1s and M2s about how to do well on the rotation and I'm going and might have to speak. I'll also get a chance to see my program director for the first time since matching. Wonder if I'll still be nervous around her? Before Match Day I was always careful to mind my Ps and Qs around all the staff, but now they're stuck with me :)<br /><br />Anyway, this is probably the most boring blog post ever, but just felt like I needed to update. I start my Plastic Surgery rotation in 2 weeks so I should have some good stories for y'all then :)chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-23902780238609007932011-03-10T17:27:00.006-06:002011-03-11T18:04:51.175-06:00Good Food, Good Meat, Good Lord Let's EatThe title of this post was my daddy's trademark "blessing" before family meals when he was asked to pray. Short and sweet!<br />Since I've had this month and basically last month off I've had a good amount of time to cook. I sort of found, sort of created a crockpot stew recipe that I've already made twice since February and I can happily report that it tasted just as good the 2nd time around. Don't tell my mother-in-law but my husband said it was just as good as hers. That means a lot coming from him. Without further ado, here 'tis:<br /><br />BEST STEW EVER<br /><br />1 small package stew meat<br />1/3 cup flour<br />1 small can V8<br />1 can English peas<br />1 can corn<br />2 potatoes<br />1 small onion<br />Tony's, salt, pepper<br /><br />Put crock pot on low. Grab a pan and put it over med-high heat on the stove. Dump a little flour, salt and pepper in a bowl and toss the stew meat in it to coat. Melt a little butter or fat of your choice in the pan. My mother would say to use Smart Balance or whatever because it's GOOD for you. Not good within reason for a fat, but actually the butter is GOOD for you. I prefer Brummel & Brown's butter-like product but that's because it says it has yogurt in it and yogurt is GOOD for you. Anyway, then saute your meat until it's all brown and mostly done, or all the way done, whichever you prefer. While the meat is browning chop your onions. I chop them real big because Kris doesn't like them and that way I can easily fish them out of his bowl. Throw them on the bottom of the crockpot. Then chop your potatoes and throw them on top. Now dump the corn and English peas on top, juice and all. Sprinkle all those veggies with a little bit of Tony's. Then throw the cooked meat on top, then the V8 on top of that. Leave it on low for 6 hours. It's so, so good. If you don't keep V8 in stock pretty sure you could use a can of tomato sauce and a little water. It's not an exact science. <br /><br />This makes a dense, hearty stew. If you like yours more soup-y I suggest you put some broth or something in it but I can't guarantee it'll taste as good.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-47754935270182089832011-03-02T13:49:00.002-06:002011-03-02T13:53:37.306-06:00Just a Few Things1. I had a very scary dream last night. It was Match Day. I was somehow in my old college dorm, but it was in Pennsylvania. I saw several members of my class walking around in the snow saying how relieved they were that they had matched in Pennsylvania where they wanted to. Cue some confusion since I didn't even interview there and a mad search for where they keep the envelopes containing where we did match. I found my envelope, ripped it open, and it said.... The absolute last place that I ranked on my list. Oh dear...<br /><br />2. Serena Williams had a pulmonary embolism. This does not make much sense to me medically. That's all. <br /><br />3. Goals for today include recycling some super old electronics I cleaned out from my Mom's house, wrapping wedding presents for a dear friend of mine, cleaning out my car, and mounds of laundry. It's nice to be a stay-at-home-mom with no kids sometimes :)chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-65808782545747671662011-02-28T00:54:00.004-06:002011-02-28T01:21:57.225-06:00Time Flies...I was just shocked and amazed to realize I haven't posted in 2 months. Since Christmas Eve y'all. That's a long time. Here's what's been going on:<br /><br />January - finished up interviews with different residency programs. Ended up doing 12 total. Probably should have just gone on 9 or 10 but hindsight is 20/20. Also did Ob/Gyn clinics this month. Got to spend a little more time with the residents and faculty and learn about digiChart - the new digital charting system they're using. <br /><br />This month (February) I am technically taking review of pharmacology. Here is why the 4th year of medical school is wonderful: On Feb 1 the teacher sent me an e-mail basically saying he didn't want to see my face this month. Just wants a submission by Feb 28th of the drugs I'll be using most during residency, dosages, mechanisms of action, etc... Since Ob/Gyns don't use too terribly many drugs this shouldn't be too difficult. Of course I haven't started on this yet. Planning on hunkering down at Cups and banging it out over the next day.<br /><br />Other fun things I've done this month: gotten fitted for my real life official white coat, turned in my words of wisdom and picture for the yearbook, attended a fun engagement party for my best med school friend, attended financial aid counseling - okay, not so fun. Found out how much $$$ I owe for all these loans. (Hint: <$100,000 but >$50,000) On the upside, found out you can defer loans until after residency. We might be doing that. Not sure yet. <br /><br />I've also started running again after a 2-3 month hiatus from about October-December. This is partly due to the fact that I missed it and partly because interview season was not kind to my mid-section. Must've been all that pasta and king cake they fed us. <br /><br />So for now life consists of finishing up various projects around the house that I haven't had time to tend to over the last 3.5 years and waiting for Match Day. Match Day is March 17th and the day that me and all of my fellow classmates find out where we'll be for residency during the next 3+ years. But truly March 14th is the day that really matters. This is the day that you find out whether or not you "matched" at all. If you didn't then you can either "scramble" to find a job for the next year or just decide to try again the next year. Needless to say we're all hoping to match and not scramble.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-49959736057513101992010-12-24T12:28:00.007-06:002010-12-24T13:02:12.569-06:00Oops He Did it AgainThe husband, K, is a notoriously amazing gift-giver. He has already given me an early Christmas present before my last few long interview trips. And what was it you ask? Well just a Chi travel set complete with straightening shampoo, conditioner, styling creme and silky stuff along with a mini CHI hair straightener and mini hair dryer. It came in this nifty little bag that has a ton of compartments and rolls up all nice and compact. It even has a little hook to hang from towel racks. I got so much use out of that little sucker over the last few weeks and know that I'll use the heck out of it during residency. I'll be able to get some sleep on call not worrying about what my hair looks like the next day. Ha. Honestly I see myself throwing it in my bag to have on call and being very, very lucky if I get to use it. <br /><br />Anywho, all of this to say that by the melieu of small packages that have been arriving on our doorstep I can already tell that he has WAY outdone me once again this year. We always set a budget and I'm pretty sure he exceeds it by 2-3x every single time. And I stick to it! Now who gets the crappy end of that deal might I ask?<br /><br />Oh yeah, Merry Christmas Eve! Let's not forget the real reason for the season - to outdo your significant other in gift giving therefore making them feel incredibly guilty for not blowing the budget on your happiness. <br /><br />As for the rest of life, things have been going great the last week since I'll be getting a few weeks of rest before my next set of interviews. I've finished 9. 9! and have 3 more. There's pretty much nothing they can throw at me now to make me nervous during these interviews. Sometimes I get angry when they don't ask really random or behavioral questions. Where's the challenge? I've got my life story condensed to a 1 minute shpiel from birth to present day. <br /><br />Here are the highlights so far from interview season:<br />1. Showing up to the wrong hospital 10 minutes before my interview (but you already heard about this in an earlier post)<br /><br />2. All the interviewees crowding into a shuttle to go to an interview and having the driver ask us "So where y'all work at?" There was a collective "SERIOUSLY!!!???" Only 1 girl knew the actual address we were going to. The rest of us had heard "We'll shuttle you to the interview" and mentally checked out.<br /><br />3. Getting a flat tire and then sideswiped (notice a theme? People love to hit me. I must be super attractive in a magnet sort of way.)on the way to an interview at a place I probably won't even bother ranking.<br /><br />4. Getting ready for an interview and on the verge of running late when the electricity goes out WHILE I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF BLOWDRYING MY HAIR.<br /><br />5. Getting caught in a snowstorm crazy blizzard, having panic attacks in the car while watching huge trucks swerve and wreck all around me and trying to remember to breathe. Making it to the interview to find that only ONE other applicant toughed it out. And her ass was from Washington. She had what she called "snow gear" whatever that is. Then seeing all my hardcore girl surgery buddies at the same snowy institution that had closed for the day! PS - only the FEMALE applicants toughed it out for these interviews. Not a man in sight. How typical.<br /><br />6. Seeing said Washington applicant at my next interview and watching her anguished face as she actively passed a kidney stone during the pre-interview Powerpoint, ran down to the ER to get checked out, and then back up to complete her interview. She is TOUGH. These are the women I'm up against. What the hell? <br /><br />7. Listening to nearly all the Sweet Potato Queen's books and making it my life's goal to have as much fun as Jill Connor Browne. I laughed out loud all by myself a few times in the car. Passed those hours so well. I also recommend any of Greg Iles' books on tape/CD.<br /><br />8. Following my mapquest directions to a hotel only to end up 20 miles away at someone's house in a nice subdivision by the same name as the street the hotel was on. Hmmm. Yeah, I might be your doctor one day. Be afraid. And Merry Christmas. I'm thanking the sweet baby Jesus that I've survived this year so far.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-83924425047201234132010-12-04T13:41:00.003-06:002010-12-04T14:14:09.375-06:00Breathing a Sigh of Relief***Warning - incredibly boring post ahead***<br /><br />Made it through November and House Medicine. There were some days that were touch and go though. Had an average patient load of 16 throughout the month, only finished rounding before 11:30 1x the entire month. That doesn't mean we finished work at 11:30 for the non-medical people. The real work begins after you finish rounding. And of course you can't get anything done from 12:00-1:00 because everyone you really need to talk to (ahem, specialists...)is at lunch. Several of our patients were of the chronic "fill in the blank" pain variety which really try my patience. Kept reminding me of Law #8 of Samuel Shem's The House of God. Also, #5 was a recurring theme. Here are the laws, in case you aren't familiar:<br /><br />Laws of the House of God<br />1.GOMERS DON’T DIE.<br />2.GOMERS GO TO GROUND.<br />3.AT A CARDIAC ARREST, THE FIRST PROCEDURE IS TO TAKE YOUR OWN PULSE.<br />4.THE PATIENT IS THE ONE WITH THE DISEASE.<br />5.PLACEMENT COMES FIRST.<br />6.THERE IS NO BODY CAVITY THAT CANNOT BE REACHED WITH A #14G NEEDLE AND A GOOD STRONG ARM.<br />7.AGE + BUN = LASIX DOSE.<br />8.THEY CAN ALWAYS HURT YOU MORE.<br />9.THE ONLY GOOD ADMISSION IS A DEAD ADMISSION.<br />10.IF YOU DON’T TAKE A TEMPERATURE, YOU CAN’T FIND A FEVER.<br />11.SHOW ME A BMS (Best Medical Student, a student at the Best Medical School) WHO ONLY TRIPLES MY WORK AND I WILL KISS HIS FEET.<br />12.IF THE RADIOLOGY RESIDENT AND THE MEDICAL STUDENT BOTH SEE A LESION ON THE CHEST X-RAY, THERE CAN BE NO LESION THERE.<br />13.THE DELIVERY OF GOOD MEDICAL CARE IS TO DO AS MUCH NOTHING AS POSSIBLE.<br /><br />My residents and attendings were really nice thank goodness. That helped move the month along some. <br /><br />Other fun things that happened in November - a few residency interviews, including the one at UMC. It went well, as far as I could tell. I left there in a great mood and feeling pretty relieved so I think that's a good sign. Have 5 more scheduled for December and 4 in January. I finally got them all scheduled how I want them and am quite relieved to have a few days to relax in between each of them. <br /><br />I finally got my car back. It looks better than it has for the last several years thanks to the new paint on parts of it and fancy clean and wax job. At one point during the month we had 4 cars in our driveway everyday. It's a long story, but basically Kris's car quit. He bought a new one before sending the old one away to get fixed up. Then we had the milieu of rotating cars for me to drive while mine was being repaired. <br /><br />Also in November - we now have 2 nieces! Kris's youngest brother and wife had their first baby. She's quite the cutie. I wish I could say this was taking the pressure off us to have one for a while, but lately it's turned into "Now it's y'all's turn!!!" and "You're the last ones without a baby!!!!" Oy vey...<br /> <br /><br />Now it's December though. The 1st was such a great day. We had been on call Nov 29th and didn't leave the hospital until 2:30 pm Nov 30th with no lunch break. This was pretty much par for the course our entire month on call and post-call days, so I can't say I'm surprised. Just exhausted. The one good thing about that many patients is it teaches you to be efficient. By the last morning I saw 6 patients in a little over an hour, a personal best for me. Anywho, December 1st is my sister's birthday so after sleeping in until 10:30 or so I ventured out with her and my mother on a little shopping trip. Or vicarious shopping trip? I managed to keep my purchases down to $30, which included her birthday present. I'm incredibly broke right now, so every dollar counts. These hotels and interviews don't pay for themselves!<br /><br />As for the December 2nd, Kris had the day off so we ventured around town together running errands. It was nice. We haven't seen each other that much for the past few months so even getting to hang out doing mundane things like getting a new car tag was a treat. Seems every time I was getting off work the last 2 months he was heading in. We grabbed a bite at 5 Guys over at Renaissance, always delicious. Then we came home and played the Kinect for the XBOX. Not gonna lie - I broke a sweat. It's really fun though. It's like any other game except your body is the controller. If your character needs to jump, you have to jump. Pretty cool. <br /><br />Yesterday was my grandmother's 82nd birthday so I spent the morning baking her a diabetic-friendly egg pie. Sounds gross, but was pretty tasty. Drove down to Durant to visit with her a bit and then came home for my sister's "Totally 80s 30th Birthday Party." It was so fun. Everyone's outfits were great. She even had slap bracelets :) <br /><br />And that has been my November and December. Heading out to South Carolina tomorrow morning for an interview and have a few books on tape/CD to listen to on the way. While Kris and I were running errands we finally went and got library cards and learned all about the local library. I was pretty impressed. They now have books on mp3 online that you can download to your iPod/iPad. Also have a wall of books that people have read 1x and donated that they sell for $3. Great Christmas gifts if you're as broke as most of us are right now. Happy December and Happy Interviewing to my fellow classmates!<br /><br />Also - congrats to my bestie Julz who has just completed Law School at Ole Miss in just 2.5 years. Good job Julz!!!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-50350074471532435542010-10-31T16:55:00.004-05:002010-12-02T22:17:34.452-06:00Oh House Medicine...I've been a bad blogger. I'm aware. A lot of stuff's happened. And I'm gonna put it in list format in an attempt to keep it organized.<br /><br />1. September ended. Mom is making a fabulous recovery from her knee replacement. <br /><br />2. October started - along with Labor and Delivery. I caught tons of babies, didn't drop any, and got to sew up some subQ fat and skin. I had an amazing month. I even made friends with some of the nurses! <br /><br />3. Also in October - I learned how to make scrub hats. This might be part of the reason the nurses want to be friendsies. Ha ha.<br /><br />4. The first Friday in October I got sideswiped by an 18-wheeler while heading home from the hospital. It was incredibly scary. I need to take pictures, but pretty much there's a long green stripe down the L side of my car along with parts of it all dented in and missing and whatnot. The scariest part is the chewed up metal on my hubcap (not the cute, decorative rim, but the actual metal part underneath that that holds the tire). Very scary. Best part - the driver just kept on truckin' so to speak so I get to pay $200 for the repair. Awesome. <br /><br />5. I had my first interview this past Friday at Ochsner in New Orleans. It was quite the experience. I was on nights the last 2 weeks, so I didn't get home until 2:30am the night before I had to leave. We got into town just in time to get checked in and head to the party. The interviewees seem pretty cool. I even met one girl who is doing an away at UMC right now and she's super nice. As for the next morning, it was a cluster! I left the hotel at 6:15, assuming I'd have plenty of time to make it to my interview 6 miles away by 7:30. I made it, but just barely. The New Orleans downtown area is a little difficult to navigate. It doesn't help that there are 2 Ochsner hospitals on the same highway, 3 miles apart. And both have pianos in their atrium. We were told to meet by the piano in the atrium. You can see where this is going. Long story short - here's what I've learned from my first interview:<br /><br />1. Wear a watch. Some hospitals don't have clocks abundant as ours do.<br /><br />2. Take a purse with a pen and some paper. I asked all the girls the night before if they were bringing their purses. They said NO. They all showed up with their purses (those b*tches...). By the end of the day my lips were chapped, I had no pen to take notes with, and felt pretty yucky.<br /><br />3. Do a night before trial run. Drive to the hospital. Find where you're meeting. <br /><br />4. Find out about discounts. After trying to make reservations at the hotel on campus and getting no response, I made reservations elsewhere. Morning of I got a confirmation email from the original hotel. It was too late to cancel hotel #2 at this point. While eating breakfast at the interview the unhelpful secretary announces - "Be sure not to let the hotel here charge you for your stay! Show them my email. That should be enough." And boom. I'm out $130 and pissed. Did she mention anything about that hotel in any of her million emails? No. Of course not. Did she mention it would be free. Well no. That would be logical. So pimp those secretaries about free hotel rooms if they're not upfront about them. <br /><br />5. Don't overdress for the party the night before. I wore jeans, a cute tunic top, and cowboy boots and was on par with the residents. If you show up in a little black dress, heels, and pearls, you will feel really awkward. <br /><br />6. On a similar note - Ann Taylor Loft is having an amazing sale right now. If you need cute shirts for under your suit - go get some. I got one for $14 last night.<br /><br />That's all of my interview advice. I'm glad the first one is over with. I have my UMC interview this coming Friday and am pumped. However, I start medicine tomorrow morning. Already have 3 patients assigned to me and notes expected for in the morning before rounds at 7. We have orientation at 8. Oh how backwards...chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-34352425257451143672010-09-28T15:12:00.003-05:002010-09-28T15:30:37.557-05:00My New Best Friend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRjLovZbNnx3PLnDe1hcmZNZbNph4B6ZCYdp-EovQ_Kg6JJaAw&t=1&usg=__f85uyrRe5UQrCQSXgyWh8AOEuh4="><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 261px;" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRjLovZbNnx3PLnDe1hcmZNZbNph4B6ZCYdp-EovQ_Kg6JJaAw&t=1&usg=__f85uyrRe5UQrCQSXgyWh8AOEuh4=" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My new best friend is this yummy FAGE yogurt with strawberry. This stuff is AWESOME!!! I'm not getting paid to sponsor them, but I wish I was :) It's especially good with graham crackers. Anywho, back to all the important real life stuff...<br /><br />Mom's surgery was a success! The first few days were pretty rocky. She got behind the ball on the pain thanks to hospital staff that put the pain pump out of reach. Awesome. After that you can bet I was on that pain pump like white on rice. I pushed it every 10 minutes, even if she was sleeping, because I'm an awesome daughter and all. 2.5 weeks later and she's back at home after a 2 week hiatus at premier physical rehab location Casa de Bennett. It's really exclusive. You pretty much have to be my mom to get in. <br /><br />I've been on Peds Clinics all month. Lots of achy ears, sore throats, rashes, etc... I haven't really seen anything interesting this month unfortunately. The schedule is ridiculously wonderful. I had time to finally go to the dentist today for the first time in probably 1.5-2 years. Not sure exactly, but it's been a while. I got lucky and had a new patient discount and was really pleased with the staff and service. It's Dr. Burns on Northpark Drive in case anyone needs a new dentist. Got x-rays and a cleaning for $110 today. Woo hoo! <br /><br />I start Labor and Delivery on Friday. Woot!!! Maybe I'll finally get to deliver that 1st baby. Yeah, I know. I haven't delivered a baby yet. I'm an M4 doing OB. I get it. That's bad. That's really bad. L&D was just slower when we were on it and at the time I wasn't really digging the whole delivering of the babies and whatnot. It was really scary to me. I changed my tune about halfway through that rotation and by then it was too late. Alas, hoping to deliver my 1st one Friday. <br /><br />On a related note, I got my first rejection letter today. I was relieved. Is that sad? That's bad, probably, but I'm already worried about scheduling. I'm beginning to think I applied to too many schools. Oh well. I guess better too many than too few. <br /><br />On a slightly related note, I'm now officially poor. I was wondering how this came about since I was more budget conscious than usual at the beginning of this semester and then I figured it out:<br /><br />New air conditioner in July $1100<br />Step 2 CK in June $500 or $550? can't remember<br />Step 2 CS in July $1100!!!<br />ERAS (residency application) in September $600 - yes, I applied A LOT of places<br /><br />So that about explains why I'm coming up 2 months short as far as budgeting. The upside - we're probably gonna get one hell of a tax refund next year since all that school stuff can be written off :)<br /><br />The weather is absolutely gorgeous, so I'm about to thread some shish-ka-bobs and make the hubby fire up the grill in a bit. Hope everyone's having a great week!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-91310880719754262032010-09-09T11:01:00.002-05:002010-09-09T11:02:04.991-05:00Total KneeMy mom's going in for a total knee replacement this afternoon. Please send up some prayers for a safe and complication-free surgery and speedy rehabilitation. Thanks y'all!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-86539926390326830092010-09-01T21:23:00.004-05:002010-09-01T21:39:22.861-05:00Shifting Gears*This update is dedicated to my Cousin A, who likes to send me friendly reminders that she hasn't seen a post in a while. Ahem...*<br /><br />It's September 1st. New month, new rotation. I'm doing Pediatric Clinics this month, aka "Peds ambulatory" aka "if you're an M4 you leave at noon everyday, no questions asked." That's good and all, but it was really hard for me to hang out in clinic and only see 2 patients in 3 hours today. Normally by noon I've seen about 15 inpatients on OB. It's incredibly hard for me to stand still anyway, but after running nonstop for 12-15 hrs a day, nearly every day last month it was next to impossible to just hang out. <br /><br />I'm a little sad my High Risk OB rotation is over. Even though the hours were killer it was so nice to be busy and feel like I was actively learning things I would use in the future. Plus I got to do a few procedures - speculum exams, wet preps, looking at said wet preps under the microscope, Implanon insertions, ultrasounds, cervix checks (I'm getting better; correct about 50% of the time now), etc... Got to scrub into about 20 C-sections and 5 D&Cs. Wish I'd gotten to sew, but my dear intern only got to sew 3 times, so it's not like she was being greedy. (frylime - I'm jealous!!!) I've already decided I'll probably sew every one of my future patients after c-sections anyway, so there's plenty ahead of me. <br /><br />Ran about 2.5 miles tonight. I know I haven't been posting my running in the last few months, but I've been keeping up with it. Ran about 2 miles in June while studying for STEP - embarrassing!. Then about 30 in July while taking that easy computer course. Ran around 6 last month. Anywho, off to watch Top Chef and clean house before I go to bed and get to sleep until 6:30 tomorrow. Score!!!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-22645456977287516892010-08-13T20:27:00.002-05:002010-08-13T20:29:48.886-05:00Quote of the DayPt: "I've been feeling drained lately."<br /><br />Me: after a few other questions: "Are you constipated?"<br /><br />Pt: "Oh yes!"<br /><br />Me: "When was your last bowel movement?"<br /><br />Pt: "Well the 1st one I had today was at about 7 and then I had another an hour ago."<br /><br />*bangs head against wall*chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-12681205497610192712010-08-12T18:17:00.003-05:002010-08-12T18:23:29.529-05:00Quote of the DayBecause I don't want to violate HIPAA at all I'm just gonna tell you we had a very, very young patient come into OB Receiving today after getting a positive pregnancy test at the pediatrician's office yesterday. She's not even in high school yet :(<br /><br />Me: "When was your last menstrual period?"<br /><br />Very Young Girl: *says nothing* Mother tries to persuade her to answer me. They end up telling me it was about 5 weeks ago.<br /><br />The kicker - we do a sono and she's almost 6 months pregnant. <br /><br />It was a really sad situation. <br /><br />P.S. - I've finally adjusted to the hours, gotten in a groove, feel more useful than a burden to the residents, and am 100% sure I've made the right decision about what career to pursue. Thank God! - literally, thank God! I'm having a blast. Even though the days are long, they somehow fly by. It's incredible.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-69307974780052142982010-08-03T21:11:00.002-05:002010-08-03T21:20:18.368-05:00How Do They Do It?I was at the hospital for 13 hours today. <br />My residents were probably there 14 hours. <br />I saw my resident eat 1/2 cup of cereal and a Coke today - that's all. <br />I am literally sore all over and not quite sure how they keep up the momentum!<br /><br />Today was a bit more fun than yesterday though. We had clinic all day yesterday (not my favorite). Today was a bit more scattered. We started the morning out seeing postpartum patients, then ended up in the OR for a delivery and D&C after a very scary miscarriage, then ended up helping out in OB Receiving for the afternoon. <br /><br />I think tomorrow will be more fun though :)chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-30402822532202367252010-08-02T20:09:00.002-05:002010-08-02T20:13:57.514-05:00Quote of the DayToday was interesting. Especially the part where I found out that my team rounds at 4:00AM. <br /><br />Anywho... Best quote of the day from high risk OB clinic:<br /><br />Intern: I'm just going to insert the speculum now. (inserts it)<br /><br />Preggo: (sharply inhales) Woo!!! I hope it doesn't hurt this bad when the baby comes! <br /><br />At this point the intern, nurse, and I just look at each other and laugh.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-56146045818408242242010-08-01T16:36:00.004-05:002010-08-01T17:07:10.649-05:00So ExcitedI start High Risk Obstetrics tomorrow and I've gotta admit - I'm pretty pumped. I didn't think I would be excited to start a rotation but I really am now. What the heck? I guess I picked the right profession after all. Speaking of which, so have 11 other people in my class. That makes 12 of us. There's 6 spots at UMC. Oy. Let's hope everyone else wants to travel, because I really want to stay here!<br /><br />We had a little orientation Friday which lasted about 45 minutes, much better than the orientations we had last year. They managed to drag them out into all day affairs. The funny part was when the secretary looks at me and tells me that the course coordinator really didn't want her to give me a syllabus, but she felt that would be cruel, so she did. (Thank God!) Whenever I see this doctor I'm not supposed to mention to him that I have a syllabus. Everyone else has one. They're all doing the routine courses though - Labor and Delivery, Clinic, Operative Gyn. I think the director was afraid the syllabus might constrain me to situations that aren't conducive to learning, such as sitting around the hospital waiting for women to labor. I get that. <br /><br />Is it terrible to say that I'm glad I don't have a partner on this rotation? It was nice during 3rd year to have partners to split up the work, but I'm afraid that during 4th year when you're trying to do a good job, work hard, and impress the residents and attendings things could get a bit competitive and ugly...<br /><br />From the looks of this syllabus-that-doesn't-actually-exist it appears that I'll be in clinic out at the fancy new building a few miles from campus on Mondays and Fridays, then assisting with c-sections and hospital work Tuesdays-Thursdays. As far as tomorrow goes I'm just supposed to show up at clinic at 8:00, but I have a feeling the rest of the month will consist of much, much earlier mornings. <br /><br />I'm pretty pleased with the schedule though. Mostly Monday-Friday with the exception of working 2 Saturdays for 12 hours each. These are my call days. One will be from 7A-7P and the other from 7P-7AM. I have 7 days off in August, today being one of them. <br /><br />I'm using today to write that dreaded essay for my computer course. I know, I know - I should have done this already, but I just got carried away enjoying this month "off." My goal is to get this stinking essay done before Mad Men comes on tonight. <br /><br />Other updates in the academic world: <br />-Got my Step 2 CK score back. It went up!!! Although I can't really say that's a surprise. I studied a lot harder for this Step and worked hard to figure out what methods worked for me and which ones didn't. Now that it's time to stop studying hard core I've finally figured out what works. Typical...<br /><br />-Got a first draft of my personal statement written. Still gotta do that C.V. Meet with the dean Wednesday.<br /><br />-Switched my schedule around, putting in more slacker courses where possible :)<br />Here 'tis:<br /><br />July: Computers in Med<br />August: High Risk OB<br />September: Peds Clinics<br />October: Labor & Delivery<br />November: House Medicine<br />December: OFF<br />January: OB/GYN Clinics<br />February: Review of Pharmacology (slacker course)<br />March: Review of Anatomy (slacker course)<br />April: OFF<br />May: Plastic Surgery (this will only be for ~2 weeks since we graduate during the 3rd one :) ) <br /><br />I think I'm finally happy with that schedule. It's slightly front-loaded with alternating heavy and light schedules. I think that'll work well for me. <br /><br />Anywho, back to this stinking essay. Hope everyone who started their August rotation today has been having a good one so far.<br /><br />*** As I was reading this post I realized I can drop another one of the electives I have scheduled. Score! Now which one gets the axe - review of pharm or review of anatomy? Hmmm... Decisions, decisions. Wish I could drop Computers in Medicine!chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-19754903141893689012010-07-27T19:37:00.001-05:002010-07-27T19:38:20.339-05:00Turning Into My MotherI just heard a phone ring on tv and wondered if Kris had somehow installed a house phone while I was away shopping today...chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-86683879460473925572010-07-25T13:05:00.003-05:002010-07-25T13:45:18.289-05:00What's Been Going OnHere's a LONG overview of what's been going on lately. It's mostly for myself, so I can remember what the heck I've been doing the last 2 months. When I'm not at the hospital all the days just run together. <br /><br />I finished up my M3 year sometime in June. It was painful and tiring most of the time, but I learned a lot and had some fun thrown in there too.<br /><br />My best friend got married in the middle of June. Here's proof:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs044.snc4/34558_716490929336_6512325_38582048_518834_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs044.snc4/34558_716490929336_6512325_38582048_518834_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I spent most of the month of June prepping for Step 2 CK (clinical knowledge. They ask us pertinent questions about patient care - diagnosis, treatment, what test to order next, etc... It was an all day test which I took on June 28th. June 28th also happened to be my 25th birthday. I came home to find this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs018.ash2/34266_123211624388497_100000989816678_132290_8092991_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 241px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs018.ash2/34266_123211624388497_100000989816678_132290_8092991_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I wish I'd thought to take pictures but I was a little brain dead due to the 9 hour long test and surprise waiting for me when I got home. There was quite a spread. Most of my immediate family was there plus a few friends from school. It was a great way to spend a birthday. Kris worked really hard on this one. <br /><br />About a week after that Kris and I journeyed to Houston, TX so I could take the 2nd part of Step 2. It's called Step 2 CS (clinical skills) and judges how we work in a clinic situation. There's actors who act like patients. We have 15 minutes with them to talk, get the history, do a physical exam and a little counseling. Then we write a note in standard format summing up the visit, what tests we want to order, and our top 5 diagnoses. The test is very expensive $1100 and is only given in 5 major cities in the USA. I'm really hoping I passed for all of these reasons. <br /><br />Unfortunately the test isn't given in a nice area of Houston. Fortunately our hotel was very nice. Kris and I spent 3 nights there. The first night we just settled in and I studied a bit for my test the next day. <br /><br />Day 2 = Test day. It was long and short at the same time, nerve wracking at first, then just monotonous. Spent the night unwinding with room service, beer, and hot tubbing it. <br /><br />Day 3 = the Aquarium, the Galleria, and the Improv. The Aquarium was surprisingly small and for some unexplained reason featured a white tiger. It was huge. I managed to piss it off by pretending to pet it through 6" glass and it lunged and tried to attack Kris. We scared several children. <br /><br />The Galleria is huge! We spent a lot of time looking, but I didn't even buy anything! Pathetic I know. <br /><br />As for the Improv - I highly recommend it if you like comedy. It was open mic night when we went so the tickets were FREE. Even when they have well known headliners the tickets are $22 which is a great deal for several hours of guaranteed entertainment. Even though it was open mic night I only had to break out my pity laugh for 2 of the comics. Fortunately they were on stage 2-3 minutes each so the misery doesn't last long.<br /><br />Day 4 = Time to leave. Before we left we toured the National Museum of Funeral History. Sounds weird, but it was one of my favorite things we did. Tickets were cheap. It was a large open space, and most of the time we were the only 2 people there. They had tons of gorgeous old hearses, the Pope mobile, funeral programs, and lots of interesting coffins. <br /><br />As for the rest of July I've been taking a course called Computers in Medicine. This consists of searching for journal articles pertinent to your future profession on a topic of your choice, creating a Powerpoint, and writing a 3 page paper. Sounds simple enough, but as the teacher is out of town until August 2nd, I have no idea if the assignments I've turned in so far are up to snuff. Just going to keep turning things in. Hopefully when he gets back he'll be so overwhelmed with his inbox he'll just give me a pass. I HATE writing papers. That's one of the reasons I chose medicine as a career. <br /><br />I still haven't written my C.V. (resume) or Personal Statement. I meet with the dean on August 4th to review these things. I'm planning on tackling one or the other tonight. <br /><br />Our air hasn't been working for the last 2.5 weeks. After 4 maintenance calls, 3 box fans, 2 personal fans, and many sleepless nights our home insurance company has agreed we need a new unit and some new ductwork. It should be here by the end of the week. It's about time. Our unit was 25 years old. <br /><br />Also - K and I went to St. Louis last week, but I'll post about that later. This post is already entirely too long!<br /><br />Hope everyone else's July has been going great - and that you all have working air conditioners. It's HOT out there.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-60976364016194828622010-07-20T17:38:00.005-05:002010-07-20T17:44:46.380-05:00DelinquentI know I've been a bad blogger lately. I'm about to rush off to a book club meeting, but I just had to post this picture. Because I LOVE it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/storage/6a0120a5963ce8970c0120a8142001970b.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1279653177243"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 431px; height: 537px;" src="http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/storage/6a0120a5963ce8970c0120a8142001970b.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1279653177243" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Promise I'll post more later. I stole this picture from myfavoriteandmybest.com. I tried to hyperlink that but I'm either too dumb to do it correctly or blogger malfunctioned. <br /> You should check her out. As long as you're not afraid of profanity and pretty design pictures.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290030503730297131.post-30059777709915426602010-06-24T11:19:00.003-05:002010-06-24T11:35:09.301-05:00I Conquered World!Okay, so I didn't conquer THE world per se, but I did finish USMLE World question bank. It's ~2300 questions long, and pure misery. I finished it late last night. I know, I know, I said I was going to finish it before the wedding last weekend, but there were just things that needed to be done before the festivities began. Then I needed a day or 2 to recover it seems like. <br /><br />I take the big test Monday. So what will I do until then? Well I've just used my most OCPD characteristics and made a list of the subjects I did the worst on in World. I'm going to start my review by reading those sections in a review book, then reworking the questions I missed for that subject. Maybe that will help me learn just a few things in the next 3-4 days. Wanna know what I suck at? Here 'tis:<br /><br />WORST SUBJECTS:<br />1. Poisonings - don't come to me if you overdosed. I will likely kill you in the process of trying to save you. Sorry. <br /><br />2. Infectious Disease - don't come to me if you're um, well... sick? But really, if you do come to me and you've got pneumonia I'll likely just look up the most appropriate antibiotic at the time. Or ask my attending. Then I'll write the order for it. Then I will have learned it. I can't learn all this crap by skimming it on a page, but I digress...<br /><br />3. Genitourinary - but Allison, I thought you wanted to be an Ob/Gyn? Don't worry guys. That section is separate. This section is a little more Urology-ish.<br /><br />4. Endocrinology - I just don't think organ systems should exist that have little pieces in the brain, above the kidneys, and in the throat. <br /><br />5. Gastroenterology - I'm kind of surprised about this one. It's one of my favorite subjects (it's just a long tube y'all). I think I've gotten better at it as my studying has progressed and I get really relieved once I realize it's a GI question being asked. <br /><br />Okay, so now y'all know what I suck at. Do you wanna hear what I'm good at? Well I don't care if you do or not. This is my blog and I'll do what I want :)<br /><br />BEST SUBJECTS:<br /><br />1. Psychiatry - I'm betting this is everyone's best subject. <br /><br />2. Dermatology - I'm as surprised as you are.<br /><br />3. Preventive Medicine - I'd rather prevent you from getting sick than have to pick the appropriate antibiotic once you've gone off and gotten sick.<br /><br />4. OB/GYN!!! - See, I told you not to worry.<br /><br />5. Biostats - This makes me laugh. Because we took this class 2nd year. And my grades speak quite the contrary to this being on the list of things I'm good at. I think I still remembered some of this because I had to study so hard for that last test. You know, to pass the class. <br /><br /><br /><br />So that's that. I guess I'm about to study some poisonings and infectious disease. I've already made a list of things I want/have to do once this test is over and I can't wait to tackle some of it.chasingzebrashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445019675031841817noreply@blogger.com2