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Monday, November 17th, 2008
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8:27 pm
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I am not sure what I want to write at the moment, so here goes the free flow...
Things are good here in Kansas City. I like the town. It's the right size, great character, good eating, and winter weather! Gorgeous autumn, too, by the way. It's nice to be in a place with seasons again. I'll be happier when I can figure out the heat in my new place. The previous tenants/owners set their own program for the heater, and I can't figure it out. There also seems to be no guide to it. Lately I have just kept it switched on all the time. It gets quite comfortable after a while. I'm still sleeping with three blankets though.
The rotations are going well. I finished my first month of medicine, which was awesome. I had great attendings and a good resident. I started the OB part of OBGYN in Nov 1 and I am realizing now how much I miss medicine. Women's health and medicine and labor and delivery is obviously awesome, but the scope is pretty narrow. General medicine is a large part of the care, but I feel its so limited. There's so much cool stuff out there - and I miss it. My first delivery was amazing, though... It was such a rewarding feeling to catch that first baby. It's comforting how primitive childbirth can be.
Next month I start GYN, which basically means I'll be in the OR all day. Speaking of ORs, I am an idiot when it come to surgery. It's not really my fault, to be honest. All the residents like things done in a certain way - and all of them have different preferences - which they don't communicate to you. My job is to hold retractors, bladder blades, mop blood, and cut sutures. The timing surrounding each of these tasks is different per surgeon. Since I haven't assisted all of them yet, I don't know their preferencea. I think I am bit sensitive about it and I am trying my best not to internalize it. Surgery is a stressful time and I think the tension rises quite frequently in the OR. I guess it's something to get used to. I am thankful that I am doing OBGYN before general surgery becaue I imagine it will be worse with a increasing number of a variety of procedures. I just hope that I don't have this one super bitch chief resident on that service.
I'm doing my surgery rotation at the VA hospital here in KC and gosh am I thankful for that. The surgery rotation here is insanely intense. 4am to 6am work days plus calls and most weekends. They work you into the ground, and most students who don't want to go into surgery avoid doing it here like the plague. I've also heard that students get to assist more in the VA surgeries. It's fun to get your hands inside the bodies, and it's a lot better than standing gurney side like a bump on a log for 6-12 hours. OH, and with this rotation there's NO CALL and ALL WEEKENDS! I love my weekends.
Speaking of weekends, I am have the Thanksgiving holiday off! I am on call Tues night before Thankgiving, so that means basically I am out by 9am on Wed and have the whole rest of the week and weeeknd! I am flying into Dallas and John and I are going to my parents :) I am pretty exited, I must say. Everyone will be there. Mom, Dad, Kaneez y husband Chuck) and Sarah y husband Adeel. AND of course my little monster of a niece who is the best of the bit.. I WANT TO EAT HER. I never thought I could be so attached to a little one. :) Usually I don't do well them.. Kids that is.
I am in love with True Blood. It's getting toward the end of the season. Sad. :( This show is _awesome_ and I think it's probably the best thing on TV lately. Dexter, too. Mondays are my favorite because I DL those two shows from the night before, then I look forward to Grey's on Thursday. America's Next Top Model and Stylista on Wed tie me over in the meantime.
I lost my engagement ring and wedding ring. :( The first week I started OB, I went to scrub in for a surgery and was reminded that I had my rings on.. (AFTER I SCRUBBED, ugh). I left the room, took my rings off, put them in the shirt pocket of my scrubs, and scrubbed again. Then, later on that day, because of the clumsy goof that I am, I spilled coffee all down my front. I changed into new scrubs in the call room, forgetting to take out my rings, and threw my dirty scrubs in the laundry bin there. Didn't realize it until the next day when I went to put my rings on and they weren't there. Realized I didn't even take them off that night. Everything clued in. Houseskeeping didn't find anything. Nothing for laundry services. Security, nothing. Turns out the hospital sends all the scrubs to a second company off site, they clean it, and send it back to the hospital. I called the company and of course they didn't find anything. It's been two weeks and I am assuming at this point they're gone forever. I've been pretty depressed about it. The rings weren't expensive, but John spent ever last penny he had on my engagement ring before coming to the states. It was my first ring - huuuuge sentimental value. I don't have a replacement and probably won't for quite some time considering our financial situation. :( Also the first ring I ever bought in Ireland was lost among the wedding set. It was a pretty special ring... Ugh. When I go home, I am going to dig up my Claudagh ring that John gave me on our first trip to Ireland. It's special - and will have to do for now....
I suppose I have written quite the rambling mess. I wouldn't be surprised if anyone is left reading this line :P So with that, I'm going to try to get some sleep. Busy busy work day of ahead of me! I only have to work 3 days this week, though which is nice! Was on call Sun, so I had today off and I am on call Thur so I have Fri off.. :) Woo, then the whole weekend. I can't wait to sleep in two days in a row! Ah, the good things in life....
Hope everyone is well.
current mood:  lonely
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
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9:14 am
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So... It's been a while since I wrote here. Not sure anyone even reads this anymore.
BUT for the couple that might - Things are going well.
I did well on my first board exam. My score is well within the range to get me into a competitive residency for Internal Medicine. I hope that my second exam goes up and even betters my chances.
I've finished one rotation in Psychiatry in a small psychiatric hospital in Shreveport, LA. It was a great experience and a good rotation to start with. The staff at the hospital were wonderful. My attending was amazing. It's funny because I chose this rotation because it was laid back, with short hours. I thought it would be a good transition into the clerkship world. Ironically enough, the attending I ended up with was the _one_ physician in the entire hospital who 1) carried the most patients 2) was the only pain management specialist 3) worked very slowly -- and as a result of the above, I worked the longest hours of any student there. I carried on average about 15 more patients than my colleagues and was there on average 6 hours later than everyone. I surely was not expecting this. It was pretty frustrating seeing my colleagues leave between 9am and lunchtime when I was there until at least 5 every day and often later. But overall, it was a great learning experience. I hope that the long hours helped me prepare for what is to come.
So what is to come? Well I loved to Kansas City (Kansas, but the hospital is in Missouri) about 1 week ago. I stayed with great friends while looking for an apartment and finally moved into a cute little house on Sunday! If anyone is wanting to see pictures, I will gladly invite you to the album :)
I start Internal Medicine at St. Luke's Hospital tomorrow. I am meeting with the clinical coordinator today. I'm pretty nervous. When I first was scheduled to come to this hospital - it was mentioned that it will be a slower rotation that included Geriatrics for 4 weeks, Nephrology for 4 weeks, followed by Infectious Disease for 4 weeks. I think the latter two are still scheduled but my first 4 weeks will be with the "Hospitalists". Basically - it's those physicians who do not have private practices and purely work as clinicians in the hospital. It means that I will be carrying more patients and also have longer hours. I will probably also have overnight call, which was not expected. I am still not positive about this - I guess I will find out more today about that!
Either way, I am scared to start, but also excited. I hope medicine is everything I am expecting it to be. For the most part, my colleagues have had wonderful experiences here and enjoy it very much. Here's to hoping it's the same.
I have surgery scheduled for the Kansas City VA Hospital on February. I have 1 1/2 months off in between IM and Surgery and am hoping to schedule some electives during that time. I won't know that until the middle of November, but it seems like there should be no problems.
So, for now, I am headed to my initial meeting.
I hope all is well with everyone.... :)
current mood:  nervous
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(3 comments | comment on this)
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| Friday, July 25th, 2008
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6:42 pm - Dammit !
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How are you gonna make a cherry limeade without no cherries ?!?!?!
current mood:  irritated
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(comment on this)
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| Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
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10:33 pm - Awww
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I <3 my Antigone....
[22:27] antigoneargyriou: i just saw a wildebeast give birth
[22:27] antigoneargyriou: im on a role today
[22:29] sceptique22: which one is that?
[22:29] antigoneargyriou: those buffalo lookin things
[22:29] antigoneargyriou: lions love to eat them
[22:29] sceptique22: lol
[22:29] antigoneargyriou: unless im around smellin liek chicken broth
[22:29] sceptique22: I have no idea
[22:29] sceptique22: hahhahaha
[22:30] antigoneargyriou: http://www.blackeagleranch.com/images/600_Wildebeast.jpg
[22:30] sceptique22: oh
[22:30] sceptique22: isn't that like pumba??
[22:30] antigoneargyriou: is it???
[22:30] sceptique22: on lion king
[22:31] sceptique22: maybe not
[22:31] sceptique22: haha I don't know
[22:31] antigoneargyriou: noo he is a warthog
[22:31] antigoneargyriou: LMAO
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(comment on this)
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| Saturday, July 5th, 2008
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11:05 am - Ugh
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I can't wait for all of this to be over.... :(
current mood:  stressed
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(comment on this)
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| Friday, June 6th, 2008
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5:56 pm - Ugh.
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I suppose it's been a while since I updated.
I'm back stateside - have been since mid April. I am about 2 weeks why of finishing my Falcon Review program for the USMLE Step 1. It's been a rough 5 weeks. Lots of material to go over and studying 24/7 it seems.
I am scheduled to take my exam July 20. It's later than I had wanted, but when I registered, unfortunately it was the first date available.
I am doing my first rotation at Brentwood Hospital in Shreveport. I'll be living with my sister and her new husband for the 6 weeks. An adventure at the very least. It will be good though. It's supposed to be a low key rotation, with weekends off. Also, I am rotating with upperclassmen, and it will be nice to have that guidance during my first rotation. Dare I say this... But I am glad that I will be spending some time with my sister. We've really lost touch lately and hopefully this time will help on that matter.
Anyway. Back to doing practice questions.
current mood:  tired
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, May 1st, 2008
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10:32 pm - CanUCK for SUCK!
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Canadians are irritating - at least the ones I've been in contact with for the last 2 years or thereabouts. (Disclaimer: All but my beloved Crystaly)
They don't take exams.
They "write" exams.
Even if the "writing of an exam" involves USING a FUCKING MOUSE TO CLICK ANSWERS ON A GOD DAMN COMPUTER.
Shut the fuck up stupid Canadian motherfuckers.
Get out of my fucking shitty country and go back to your own. Assholes.
current mood: angry
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(comment on this)
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| Sunday, April 13th, 2008
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9:45 am - The moment of truth......
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Tomorrow is my exit exam out of the Basic Sciences and my ticket off the island of Saba.
I am extremely anxious, nervous, and excited to finish this exam tomorrow. Kaplan has come out with a new test this time around, and it's supposedly harder than ever. There are reports from AUC students who have taken the exam - where only half of them have passed. Two of our professors (a married couple) actually came from AUC a few semesters ago. They know a bit more about the situation because they are still in touch with faculty from the school. They invited a group of us over to their place on Friday night for a goodbye celebration (where we polished off 7 bottles of champagne between 6 of us... yeah interesting night :). Anyway, they said that some of the faculty actually took the exam and failed as well. Not too promising for tomorrow. We'll see what happens I suppose. I took a simulation exam yesterday and did pretty well, so if that's any indication, I _should_ be okay.
I have 4 more nights with my girls. Sad. :( The past 20 months has been a snap shot in time that will never be captured again. It sucks to leave such a wonderful place in my life. But, the future is ahead of me... I am curious to see where it will take me.
current mood:  indescribable
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(comment on this)
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| Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
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2:30 pm - CSA's... Done!
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Took my last clinical skills assessment test today. I faired pretty well :)
On Monday, I have my oral examination and interview with the clinical coordinator.
Then I am DONE. DONE DONE DONE.
Well I gotta take my exit exam on the 14th. But.. Monday will be a huuuge achievement :)
John is coming next week :)
I am absolutely exhausted. I have no idea how I can get through all the material I need to in just a little over 1 day. We have 57 possible topics that we have randomly draw and talk about 2 topics. Oh the possibilities!
Maybe some wine will shed some light on this situation....
current mood: but hopeful
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, March 15th, 2008
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12:23 pm - Ugh
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I don't know how much longer I can keep going.
4 weeks from Monday I will be done with Saba, considering everything goes okay.
It's so close, and I have so much to do in between. I am losing motivation and am completely exhausted. I just need life to slow down for a moment so I can catch my breath.
I am sort of having a breakdown. I am ready to move on, spend more time with John, and start a new chapter in my life.
Sitting in a classroom has very comforting for the last 20 months. I know exactly what is expected of me, and I know the routine of things. This is going to change very quickly.
I feel like there is sort of an unknown darkness ahead of me. I suppose I felt the same way upon coming to Saba. Who would have known 20 months ago that I would feel apprehensive about leaving.
I am going to miss my girls. They have been my family since I stepped foot on this island. I know I will see them throughout the years, and hopefully have a chance to do a clinical rotation with them. They're lifelong friends. I don't imagine I could have gone through the hell of medical school without gaining them. :)
My life is about to change - and it will be good. I am just trying to get ready for it while in this whirlwind.
God, I sound melodramatic.
current mood: I have NO idea.
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, March 6th, 2008
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4:44 pm - word
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| Friday, December 7th, 2007
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9:58 pm
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This song makes me sad.
I'm sorry I didn't sound more excited on the phone
I'm sorry that after all these years
I've left you feeling unrequited and alone, brought you to tears
I guess I never loved you quite as well as the way you loved me
I guess I'll never really be able to tell you how sorry I am
And I don't know what it is about you
I just know it's not what it was
I don't know why red fades before blue it just does
and I don't know what it is about me
that I just can't keep still
I keep thinking someday I will make this all up to you
and maybe someday I will
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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10:13 am
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Show me the way to go home....
I'm tired and I wanna go to bed....
current mood: exhausted
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(comment on this)
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| Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
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6:41 am - Omg
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| Sunday, November 4th, 2007
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10:47 am - I'm jealous of you bitches.......
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..... that you got to sleep an extra hour ! :P
I could have used that extra hour.
Fuck the NA for not "saving" he "daylight."
current mood: cranky
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Friday, November 2nd, 2007
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5:02 pm - Weirdness.
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It's been *almost* 4 weeks since I've had a cigarette. How novel.
In fact, here are my stats from quitnet.com:
Time Smoke-Free: 26 days, 10 hours, 59 minutes and 34 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 794
Lifetime Saved: 6 days, 1 hour
Money Saved: $136.50 (This is not really accurate because cigarettes are cheaper in the Caribbean, but anyway.....!)
My friend Vipul smokes. He'll come around right after having a cigarette. It's strange. He smells comforting, but if he gets too close, it's almost nauseating.
I am not an anti-smoking (non)smoker. I miss it... quite a lot. A lot of my relaxation time has been compromised because of this. You might think there are other things to do - but really..... there's not. Nothing I really want to do anyway. :P
All in all, I am happy... and I really hope to keep this up.
current mood: tired
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Thursday, November 1st, 2007
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5:41 pm - Spooky Halloween, indeed....
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21571040
Yesterday, while in Physical Diagnosis lab, the dean of our school practically burst into our classroom and asked to speak to Vipul. He's a new guy (and a new friend to me) who tranferred from a different school this semester. After about 15 minutes he came back into the class, all disheveled. He pulled me aside and was practically shaking. He asked me where Wells Bay was - and asked if I could take him there. I can't because my car doesn't have the power to make it back up the hill. Anyway, he started rambling about how his roommate, Paul, went missing on Tuesday and they want him to come down to Wells Bay. It turns out that that the first semesters went down to Wells Bay for a swim after their exams. Paul stayed behind, which he often does (?) to swim/snorkel/train for the triathalon that is coming up in December. His car was still at the beach on Wed morning, with all of his belongings still inside and no word of him since the other first semesters left the beach on Tuesday evening. The reason Vipul was called downn to the bay was to identify Paul's snorkel and mask that was found 70 feet underwater way off the shore of Wells Bay. Divers were out all day yesterday and all day today, still with no sign of him.
The same morning, my classmate's husband was hiking the sulfur mines with 2 of his buddies that were visiting. They were in the mines for about 30 minutes when the bulbs on their hats went out. The only light they had was from a keyring flashlight. They were trying to find their way out of the mines. I have never been to the mines but they say that it's basically a huge, dark maze. Apparently, the heat, humidity, and fumes become unbearable after about 45 minutes. Anyway, they got turned around while they were trying to work their way out and stumbled across a body that is presumed to be a tourist that went missing last December. After Christmas break of my first semester, we came back to all these stories of a tourist who had disappeared after attempting the Sulfur Mines trails. They had people down for days looking for this guy but could not find him. Apparently they weren't looking hard enough.
So yesteday was a really strange, surreal day..... All on Saba. Who knew.
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Saturday, October 13th, 2007
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2:17 pm - Blah
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It's block weekend. I am not ready for Tuesday.
Yesterday I was talking to my friend Vera. I asked her if she was going to Grand Rounds and she said that she had too much work to do before sunset. I asked her what was so special about sunset. She does the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening. I just sort of looked at her amazed, wondering how anyone could do that on block weekend. She must of noticed my gaping mouth. She made me laugh with her response: "Girl, if the Lord needs a day of rest, I figure I need one too!" I obviously never EVER would have thought of this, considering my religious-ism (or lack thereof), but nonetheless I am in awe.
I was going to wait until I was in the clear.... Maybe another couple of weeks, but I'll go ahead....
I haven't smoked in 6 days! Aaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!
Just kidding. It's not that bad. Well, it's getting better anyway.
Ok. Study. Now.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
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7:04 pm - Blah
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I am just about burnt out.
I want to go to the beach and then get a pedicure.
current mood: exhausted
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(comment on this)
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| Saturday, September 22nd, 2007
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1:02 pm - I don't understand.....
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The Glasgow Coma Scale.
Max score = 15
Min score = 3
You get 1 point each if you do not do anything of the following in response to a stimuli (ie: sound, light, pain, etc)
1) open eyes
2) verbal response
3) motor response
You can be completely comatose and score a 3 on the exam.
A 14/30 is mild to moderate brain damage.
That's less than 50%.
If I get less than 50% on an exam, I FAIL. LOSER. Pack your shit and go home. You can't become a doctor.
I was debating that one *could* argue a score of 0 indicates the person is dead. But what's the point in that? They're dead. You don't need to know their level their consciousness!
It's dumb.
And basically I am just bitching about this because I don't feel like studying :P
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(comment on this)
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