Wow. Baptism by fire seems to be the rule as a third-year medical student. I've been on my surgery rotation for one week now. Generally, a day now consists of getting up at 4 so I can get ready and walk to Children's by 5:30, review charts and calculate I&Os till about 6:15, rounds with the chief resident or the fellow until a little after 7, then meeting with all of the on-service residents, fellows, and attendings to go over the flow for the day before heading off to the OR a little after 8. Of course, some days the flow is a little different -- there may be pathology conferences or morbidity and mortality (M&M) meetings to attend, or grand rounds, or some other variation. In any case, once everything else is done, the vast majority of the rest of the day is spent in the OR. Most days I spend 8 or 9 hours in there, and I consider it all time well spent. I usually end up leaving between 6 and 7 PM, picking up a new set of scrubs for the next day, and heading back home to eat, sleep, and get ready to do it all over again. The days are long, but the surgeons are beyond terrific (and I'll be honest, I never expected to make that comment about surgeons) and it's been a wonderful experience so far. Funnily enough, the best part of the whole thing (at least to this point) didn't even happen at CHP. After I finished at Children's on Friday (about 11:30 AM), I headed over to Presby for 3 hours worth of lecture. Note to whoever is in charge of the lecture sessions: turning the light off during a lecture filled with sleep-deprived medical students is probably not a good idea. For most of my classmates, once lecture was done for the afternoon, they had to go back to work for a couple of hours before the day ended. Not me. Instead, I faced one of the many rites of passage of the third year medical student and a true "defining moment": my first overnight call.
Next time: notes on my call night. Till then, peace and God bless!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Excuses
Been a while since I've updated...suffice it to say there's been a lot going on and this has been one of the things that taken a back seat. Also, don't expect it to start up again to any serious extent in the near future...boards are coming up, to be followed by the beginning of third year and some serious time on the wards. From what I've been hearing from friends who are already there, it's gonna be intense. So I'll update when I can, but it will most likely be few and far between. Just so you know (whoever happens to stumble across this blog...)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Antiochian Village, Part II
Sorry. Med school has this tendency to get busy. Especially with all the other fun stuff I'm trying to do. Anyhow, Part Deux...
So from the zipline we moved over to a high element called "Ship's Crossing." This one is moderately ridiculous. Basically, there's a thin cable strung between two large trees. Maybe ten or fifteen feet above is another cable that has two long ropes hanging down, one near each tree. The only way to complete this challenge is two at a time. Both people have to use their ropes to get out near the middle of the cable -- which is about as far as those ropes will stretch -- and switch ropes, simultaneously crossing past one another to continue on to the other end of the cable. Of course, the cable you're standing on isn't taut, and with two people on it at once...well, it bounces around a fair bit. Also, it helps if the two people trying this thing are wildly different sizes...makes the whole "crossing over" bit a tad less awkward. I'll let the photos tell the rest of this story...
That one didn't go quite as planned...the reason there's no picture of me up there is that I wiped out within a minute or two of stepping on the cable. Bah. Oh well, still fun!
The last "high element" of the day has two names. Officially, it's called the "Leap of Faith"; the name most often used to refer to it is the "Pamper Pole" (diapers optional but often recommended). Basically, it's about a 30 foot telephone pole with hand/footholds for climbing that has a trapeze hanging several feet out from the top of the pole. The idea is simple: climb the pole, stand on top of it (diameter is probably about 12 inches), and jump off the pole grabbing the trapeze in the process. I went up the thing last time I was at the course and my nerve totally failed me. It was all I could do to sit on top of the pole for a few minutes without puking all over everyone standing below encouraging me. Memories of that experience flooded back as I sat looking up at that pole. Despite relatively warm weather, I was freezing -- mostly because I was terrified. But I knew that the others weren't going to let me escape without even trying (for which, by the way, I'm incredibly grateful -- I would have been really upset with myself had I wimped out). So I found myself on belay, with my helmet perched on my epinephrine-addled head, staring up at my old nemesis. Small steps, I decided -- my goal would be to get a foot on top of the pole. With that in mind, I started to climb up the ladder to the handholds above. I got up onto the metal staples, climbed a little further, and froze. My body simply refused to keep going. I might have given up at that point but for the friends who surrounded me. They each had their own ways of encouraging me. Steve called for me to pretend that a certain person was there watching ("You're not helping!"). Jen wanted to know if I just wanted everyone to shut up so that I could concentrate on beating the pole into submission ("I don't have a competitive bone in my body...keep talking!"). Beth Ann, of course, reverted to her camp counselor role, constantly suggesting new approaches and intermediate goals, and simply wouldn't let me give up ("I think I'm done." "Come on, if you're going to fall off, don't you at least want to fall off trying?") Everyone chimed in, everyone offered support, and I clung to that chorus of friendly voices as if my life depended on it. And while I did fall off in the end (gravity and I aren't friends), I did so after having planted a foot on top of the pole and while struggling to get the second foot up there. So, thanks to the support of my friends and the grace of God (and no, I don't think the two are actually separate...) I did what I set out to do. When I came down, I was thoroughly exhilarated. I was also shaking uncontrollably and in moderately severe sinus tachycardia -- my heart rate, as near as Natalie, Steve, and BA could tell, was somewhere between 160 and 170. My extremities were freezing and the tips of my fingers were blue but I had (and have) no regrets. I gave it my best, and next time, I'll make it to the top. Anyhow, pictures...
Anyway, that's all I've got time for tonight. The saga will conclude with a wrap-up and random pictures from the day in my next post, and then we'll return you to your regularly scheduled blog.
Peace and God bless!
So from the zipline we moved over to a high element called "Ship's Crossing." This one is moderately ridiculous. Basically, there's a thin cable strung between two large trees. Maybe ten or fifteen feet above is another cable that has two long ropes hanging down, one near each tree. The only way to complete this challenge is two at a time. Both people have to use their ropes to get out near the middle of the cable -- which is about as far as those ropes will stretch -- and switch ropes, simultaneously crossing past one another to continue on to the other end of the cable. Of course, the cable you're standing on isn't taut, and with two people on it at once...well, it bounces around a fair bit. Also, it helps if the two people trying this thing are wildly different sizes...makes the whole "crossing over" bit a tad less awkward. I'll let the photos tell the rest of this story...
That one didn't go quite as planned...the reason there's no picture of me up there is that I wiped out within a minute or two of stepping on the cable. Bah. Oh well, still fun!
The last "high element" of the day has two names. Officially, it's called the "Leap of Faith"; the name most often used to refer to it is the "Pamper Pole" (diapers optional but often recommended). Basically, it's about a 30 foot telephone pole with hand/footholds for climbing that has a trapeze hanging several feet out from the top of the pole. The idea is simple: climb the pole, stand on top of it (diameter is probably about 12 inches), and jump off the pole grabbing the trapeze in the process. I went up the thing last time I was at the course and my nerve totally failed me. It was all I could do to sit on top of the pole for a few minutes without puking all over everyone standing below encouraging me. Memories of that experience flooded back as I sat looking up at that pole. Despite relatively warm weather, I was freezing -- mostly because I was terrified. But I knew that the others weren't going to let me escape without even trying (for which, by the way, I'm incredibly grateful -- I would have been really upset with myself had I wimped out). So I found myself on belay, with my helmet perched on my epinephrine-addled head, staring up at my old nemesis. Small steps, I decided -- my goal would be to get a foot on top of the pole. With that in mind, I started to climb up the ladder to the handholds above. I got up onto the metal staples, climbed a little further, and froze. My body simply refused to keep going. I might have given up at that point but for the friends who surrounded me. They each had their own ways of encouraging me. Steve called for me to pretend that a certain person was there watching ("You're not helping!"). Jen wanted to know if I just wanted everyone to shut up so that I could concentrate on beating the pole into submission ("I don't have a competitive bone in my body...keep talking!"). Beth Ann, of course, reverted to her camp counselor role, constantly suggesting new approaches and intermediate goals, and simply wouldn't let me give up ("I think I'm done." "Come on, if you're going to fall off, don't you at least want to fall off trying?") Everyone chimed in, everyone offered support, and I clung to that chorus of friendly voices as if my life depended on it. And while I did fall off in the end (gravity and I aren't friends), I did so after having planted a foot on top of the pole and while struggling to get the second foot up there. So, thanks to the support of my friends and the grace of God (and no, I don't think the two are actually separate...) I did what I set out to do. When I came down, I was thoroughly exhilarated. I was also shaking uncontrollably and in moderately severe sinus tachycardia -- my heart rate, as near as Natalie, Steve, and BA could tell, was somewhere between 160 and 170. My extremities were freezing and the tips of my fingers were blue but I had (and have) no regrets. I gave it my best, and next time, I'll make it to the top. Anyhow, pictures...
Anyway, that's all I've got time for tonight. The saga will conclude with a wrap-up and random pictures from the day in my next post, and then we'll return you to your regularly scheduled blog.
Peace and God bless!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Antiochian Village, Part I
Finally, as promised, the long-delayed review of the day at the ropes course! Antiochian Village is a wonderful place that reminds me a great deal of the Benedictine abbey at Still River. It has the same sense of peace about it, but it also inspires a certain awe.
At the start of the day, we did some nice team-building activities to get everyone warmed up. Of these, the favorite had to be what the experienced counselors call "Turning Over a New Leaf." This involves standing on a tarp that's been folded to the size of maybe 12 square feet (3x4). We had to do two things. First, we had to get everyone -- all nine of us -- onto that tarp. That's the easy part. Then, with all of us standing on it, we had to flip the tarp over. Those of us who had been to the course before had tried this on a prior visit, but despite our best efforts, we hadn't managed to figure it out. This time, thanks mostly to Jen, we emerged victorious. However, there aren't any photos of it and the movie is currently too big to upload...I'll work on that.
At the start of the day, we did some nice team-building activities to get everyone warmed up. Of these, the favorite had to be what the experienced counselors call "Turning Over a New Leaf." This involves standing on a tarp that's been folded to the size of maybe 12 square feet (3x4). We had to do two things. First, we had to get everyone -- all nine of us -- onto that tarp. That's the easy part. Then, with all of us standing on it, we had to flip the tarp over. Those of us who had been to the course before had tried this on a prior visit, but despite our best efforts, we hadn't managed to figure it out. This time, thanks mostly to Jen, we emerged victorious. However, there aren't any photos of it and the movie is currently too big to upload...I'll work on that.From there, it was a short walk through the woods to the next element. Except that the short walk had a twist: half of us had to close our eyes and be guided through the woods by a partner. And this wasn't a nice, wide, flat path. It was narrow, rocky, and had plenty of ups and downs. It also had a plank, probably 18 inches wide and 8 or 10 feet long serving as a bridge across a small creek. Needless to say, this was quite a challenge. Unfortunately, we were all a little too focused on making sure no one went for an unplanned swim to take any pictures, so you'll just have to use your imagination here.
The walk through the woods led us to the zipline. Basically, you climb a ladder up to a series of staples (they look kind of like small horseshoes) and up the staples to a platform that's about 30 feet off the ground. From there, you're hooked up to the line itself which runs a couple hundred feet through the forest. Then you take a deep breath and either scoot, walk, or jump off the platform and go on an awesome ride through the trees. The scenery is amazing and the rush is incredible. Getting down requires some assistance: a couple of volunteers haul a ladder over to a wooden platform, unhook you from the line, and run the rope back to the platform for the next crazy, amped-up individual to grab it. Also, someone occasionally needs a little help stopping. If you end up in the position of having to do this, allow me to give you a piece of advice: F = ma. Thus, even if you're trying to stop a relatively small person, you're stopping them cold from probably 10 or 15 mph. It's a little harder than you'd think... Anyway, the pictures...
All right, that's about all the room I have for this installment. I'll work on the next one and get that up as soon as possible.
Peace and God bless!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
At long last!
I finally have [most of] the pictures from the ropes course!! ...Unfortunately, I still have to sort through them, but hopefully within a day or two there'll be a complete retelling of the events of that wonderful, wonderful day:-)
Here's a preview...
Here's a preview...
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Quick update
Spent the day at the ropes course. AMAZING. More details tomorrow; for tonight I'm falling asleep at my computer.
Peace and God bless!
(EDIT: Details will be forthcoming once the photos are available. Much easier to explain with pictures.)
Peace and God bless!
(EDIT: Details will be forthcoming once the photos are available. Much easier to explain with pictures.)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Deep breath
Well, cardio is done. Hopefully. I'll know for sure in a couple of days. Really good class, an incredible amount of knowledge crammed into my poor little brain...and then a test that made the proverbial ton of bricks seem like a friendly pat on the back. Ouch. Anyway...let's focus on the positive.
Finished up with my pediatric mini-rotation today. Summary: I love pediatrics. Although that may change when the kids don't want anything to do with me and the parents decide to make my life miserable. I'll deal with that when it happens. The kids I've gotten a chance to see over the last couple of weeks (sorry, no stories...HIPAA, you know) have been phenomenal and it's been a true blessing to be able to work with each of them. The preceptor was tough, very tough, but a terrific teacher who really cared about making all of us better clinicians. Small hit to the ego, big boost to everything that really matters (clinical skills, approach to peds patients, interacting with parents, presenting patients, writing H&P / A&P, etc.). Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Another blessing, no question. Bonus: more clinical time on Friday, this time in Infectious Disease. That promises to be a whole new experience. I should review the adult exam though, huh...probably don't need to ask them about their birth history.
Anyway, there's plenty of other blessings in my life right now, and one of them is the fact that I can go to bed now and not worry too much about getting up at any specific time tomorrow -- I just need to make sure I get to the student lounge before the first-years get out of their exam. Hence, I am going to take full advantage of this particular blessing and get to sleep before I fall over. For any of you who read this, prayers for a couple of special intentions would be very much appreciated.
Peace and God bless!
Finished up with my pediatric mini-rotation today. Summary: I love pediatrics. Although that may change when the kids don't want anything to do with me and the parents decide to make my life miserable. I'll deal with that when it happens. The kids I've gotten a chance to see over the last couple of weeks (sorry, no stories...HIPAA, you know) have been phenomenal and it's been a true blessing to be able to work with each of them. The preceptor was tough, very tough, but a terrific teacher who really cared about making all of us better clinicians. Small hit to the ego, big boost to everything that really matters (clinical skills, approach to peds patients, interacting with parents, presenting patients, writing H&P / A&P, etc.). Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Another blessing, no question. Bonus: more clinical time on Friday, this time in Infectious Disease. That promises to be a whole new experience. I should review the adult exam though, huh...probably don't need to ask them about their birth history.
Anyway, there's plenty of other blessings in my life right now, and one of them is the fact that I can go to bed now and not worry too much about getting up at any specific time tomorrow -- I just need to make sure I get to the student lounge before the first-years get out of their exam. Hence, I am going to take full advantage of this particular blessing and get to sleep before I fall over. For any of you who read this, prayers for a couple of special intentions would be very much appreciated.
Peace and God bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
