Vacation is what we take when we can no longer take what we've been taking...

We have reached the end of physiology. It culminated in a week of test hell - Monday was respiratory, Wednesday was the cumulative class final (40 pages - I'm pretty sure several forests were killed in the making of that test) and this morning the NBME exam. The saturation point has been reached, and I'm pretty sure that if we'd had one more I may not have even shown up. Oh yes, it was that bad.

Funny thing about med school - from day to day, it seems like we're dragging, like we're never getting anywhere. And then you turn around and M1 year is almost gone. I stand in awe at the work God has created in me and around me this year, thanking Him for the amazing people He's put in my life along the way to make things just a little bit easier... and thanking Him for his grace. Grace enough for one day at the time. To somehow be able to look back and say "we did it". No matter what the grades are at the end of the week, the month, the year - we survived. And in the midst of it all, maybe even grew.

Spring break plans? Almost non existent. Lots of visiting with friends and family, catching up, getting the taxes done before I don't get financial aid next year, and getting a haircut. I plan on sleeping a lot and eating a lot more, living in the moment, and soaking up every hour I'm given.
.....however, I'm kind of ill that we're "given" one hour less than we should be due to Daylight Savings Time. Of COURSE we'd have spring break the one week that you lose an hour *roll eyes*.

I'll spend the next week preparing myself mentally for the last 8 weeks. I hope everyone thoroughly enjoys their breaks!

Let it be, Let it be, Let it be..

The title - Just an old song that came to mind earlier today as I was headed home from M's and our epic study extravaganza..

It's been another interesting (or not so) week in the life of a few M1s. We've been knee deep in respiratory physiology and PFT's.. the lady that taught us the PFT stuff was cool for about the first hour, but after 4 add'l mandatory hours, it wasn't so cool anymore. The respiratory test is on Monday, followed by the phys comp on wed and the phys national board on friday. The blessing in all of this is that there's no class this week - so it's just study time in between tests. Which is good, since about 60% of our averages are determined this week.

I found out that I'll be working in Pediatrics this summer doing research and clinical stuff, and I'm very excited about the opportunities this brings, both for this summer itself and for my future career in Peds. I'm not sure exactly which department I'll be in, we'll find out in 6 weeks or so... but I have my top choice for sure... and I'm sure more than one of you could guess it ;)

We had two tests last week, the Histo board on monday which went much better than the histo last practical & written - however, those scores came back friday and, much to my surprise, my average is not totally down the drain. If the board went well I'm looking at a happy grade in there :). Genetics was our other "treat" last week. Although Genetics counts for like 1% of our year average, its still nice to have something else completely done. Another class over. Another step closer to M2. M3. M4. MD.

At this point, we're all getting a little antsy for spring break and what it brings with it. I'm planning a trip home - both to my "northern" home and to the coast, and I hope to spend as much time as possible with friends and family. M's going on a cruise (just SLIGHTLY jealous about that one). N's going to be relaxing about like I am, as is RA. K & B are going skiing. Yup, it's going to be one good week. I've so learned to appreciate my breaks now, something I never did quite as much as I should have. I'm learning to absolutely love vacation more than ever.

May God give us the strength, focus, and encouragement we all need to make it through the next week unscathed. Take my unspoken prayers and do Your will, my Lord.

Another week in the life of an M1... Pretty routine early in the week. Class, PBLs, CORs, all the usual. I'm really not a fan of nephrology. Had a frustrating start to the renal unit (too many biochem memories), but as usual, M fixed it and helped me pull it all together in the end :)

Thursday was the renal test (which went much much better than expected), followed by Histo lecture (that no one attended - also known as nap time at home to me personally), followed by a trip in the monsoon to our first patient visit. The whole "white coat = dr here to talk to you about life, not medical problems" was slightly confusing to even our very sane patient. This was good, because we were slightly confused too. Anyway, she was really, really sweet - and it was cool to have a little interaction with somebody on the premise of learning.... (whatever they seem to think we're learning). Sadly for us, our wonderful little patient may be leaving the home soon as her rehab is going well and her family's ready for her to come home. Great for her, sad for us. Means we'll have to get another one... But M and I can handle it. We always do. :)

Yesterday... Histo lab (joy, my favorite part of life */endsarcasm), followed by two hours of phys lecture (with Dr. L - hormones, this is gonna be a treat), then home to get ready for Dear John girls' night out! We did dinner at O'Charley's, then went to see the movie... Without giving away any details since most of the world hasn't seen it yet, I'd say 6 stars for eye candy but straying from the book - that always irritates me. Bop's afterwards. I love these girls. Med school = so much better now that we've got a core group, and lots of friends outside that group as well. I remember HemOncDoc telling me a long time ago as I prepared to start med school that it wouldn't be long and these people would be my best friends. It's happening, and it's lovely.

Slept in this morning (always great), now it's time to study for histology since we have a test on Monday and I've got fun plans for the rest of the weekend. Slumber party tonight (oh yes, complete middle school style with 4 giggling girls, Rock Band, and endless hours of girl talk), followed by church, group studying, and SUPER BOWL tomorrow. And somebody in the histo dept had the nerve to tell us not to party too hard. HA. My Saints are in the Super Bowl. It's on. Histo - I'd like to beat you up, but if it's a punt and my Saints win, it's still worth it.

I've put off studying long enough. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Prayer Requests:
Baby Kate - beginning her BMT workup (prayforkate.com)
NICU babies
CB kiddos
**Unspokens**

New background

I looked at my blog today and noticed the background was still from Christmas... and it's a month after Christmas. So here we go. One of my favorite mottos.. "live, laugh, love".

Got my cardiac physiology test back today and was very happy with the results. I'm not quite as fond of renal phys as I was of cardiac, but perhaps it'll still grow on me.

We had our Deans' breakfast meeting this morning.. that went really well. I really like Dr. J, C, and W - and Dr. W updated us on the vice chancellor search, the current life and times of the M4's (and what to expect), some exciting things that will be happening by the time we get to M3 year, and the STEP. It was nice to get a perspective on "life after pre-clinical years", even though it was at 7 a.m.

After the Deans' breakfast, I decided to skip out on the day's renal phys lecture and head home to study. It was a very productive study day and run day. I ran/speed walked by first 3.5 miler today and actually feel great instead of horrible. Tomorrow's my "off day" (laundry, errands, Mom time) and then I'll hit it again on Sunday. The 5k is coming up two weeks from tomorrow. I still am not sure I'm 100% ready, but I think I can get there in two weeks.

I have many spoken and unspoken prayer requests tonight, but those that I can think of off the top of my head include:
Baby Kate (prayforkate.com)
All my CB kiddos
The NICU babies
God's guidance and assurance in the lives of those who are searching
Test week for the M2's
Our renal test on Thurs
**Unspokens**

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

Semester 2, Test 1.

Last week was a good one, but busy. We had our physiology pig lab. I enjoyed it a lot.. putting in lines comes fairly natural for me, and I don't freak out over blood spills. We hit a bleeder or two in the pig, and besides wanting suction so I could see what was going on, I was calm, cool, and collected. I still say I'm not feeling surgery in my future, but it's nice to know I can do it when I have to. It's amazing how different it is working on a living, breathing animal instead of a cadaver. Skin and connective tissue is much tougher in real life.

Yesterday was our first test of the semester. Cardiac physiology. I really liked learning this last unit. Everything we're doing these days is actually applicable to practice, and that's a nice change. I've been taking it easy and having a lot more fun than I was able to last semester. We've had some girls' nights, slumber parties, and movie nights. Yesterday a bunch of us did dinner and a movie (Extraordinary Measures with Harrison Ford and Brenden Fraser - it's a "med school nerd movie" about Pompe Disease). The movie was on the upper side of average (and towards the "good" end for my medical school friends) , but the company and socializing time was wonderful. For the first time in a long time, I managed to fall behind on my reading last night. It was totally worth it. :)

In the not-med-school related (but sort of) arena, I'm training for "Rush to Brush" on February 13th for Batson's dental clinics. I've run a lot at different times in the past, but allowed myself to get completely out of shape first semester. It's been a struggle to get back in the swing of things. But I'm very very excited about my first race. As an asthmatic, 5k is the equivalent of a marathon some days :) In OB/GYN interest group today they mentioned another 5k coming up for Women's Health later in the semester - I have a feeling that race 1 will get me addicted enough that i'll look forward to race 2.

On that note, I'm off to put a few miles on those running shoes... ;)

another week of no complaints...

When we started this journey back in early August, I had no idea the magnitude of the statement "make it til Christmas, then you'll be fine". I heard it echoed over and over - by M2's, M3s, M4s, residents, attendings, physicians at home.. "just make it to Christmas".

Here we are a few weeks into January and I finally am beginning to understand. Life is GREAT these days. Cardiac physiology is so interesting, makes sense, and we have time to study and learn for the sake of learning. There's also time for super fun things (like making cookies with pig faces for PIG meetings, slumber parties, etc).

PIG met on Wednesday and went over summer research opportunities. I'd already talked to a few people in the pediatrics department about this and was very encouraged by their advice, so I filled out the application asap on Wednesday and returned it Thursday. Crossing fingers and praying I get the assignment I want (which obviously is neonatal/NICU) and that M gets in with her first choice too (pretty sure she's gonna be our class HemOncDoc -and on that note, the M3 HemOncDoc needs to meet my HemOncDoc :) - sorry we didn't get to chat on wed, A. You looked slightly busy post-meeting) . I'm very excited about the possibilities - praying that God's will is done and this would be used as a career-furthering experience as well as a great ministry opportunity.

Other random thoughts:

Med school nerd movie of the year "Extraordinary Measures" comes out on Friday. I am SO pumped about this.

Who Dat? :)

Slumber party tonight/dessert party @ study group tomorrow. Studying is much much more fun when it involves silly girls and yummy food!

Specific prayer requests:
The Haiti people
The NICU babies
Baby Kate McRae (www.prayforkate.com)
My CaringBridge kiddos/Batson Cancer Kids
Family, friends, and classmates.

Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Real snowflakes...

Just in case anyone's missed this, Canada weather has settled into Mississippi for the week and weekend. It's absolutely frigid out there. For prosperity's sake for years from now - this is the coldest weather in Mississippi in over a decade. Yesterday we were expecting a bit of a slushy-ice storm mess, so I took the opportunity to stay home in my PJ's and learn EKG's here rather than trekking over to school, finding a parking spot, walking in said rain/ice, and getting sick again (since I'm just recovering from a cold). It was a pretty fun and useless day.

Unfortunately, I couldn't have a repeat performance today because I had QCP lab this afternoon. All worked out well though. Our new phys teacher has apparently also been sick, so we only had one hour of lecture instead of two. With the extra hour that suddenly popped up we went to Keifer's for my first experience with Greek food! Thanks M, RA, and N for that - random lunch trips are the best! The QCP "lab" at 1 was really laid back and I was home before 2, with packages on the door. Online post-Christmas shopping orders and my Christmas present from L & C! LOVE it.

Now we find ourselves at a weekend... a weekend where the temps won't get above freezing, but it doesn't matter. I've got nothing i HAVE to do, a Kindle full of books, and a list of movies I've been wanting to watch. Second semester is heavenly!!!

Goodbye, Christmas...

Vacation is gone as quickly as it arrived. Back to school yesterday, started with a lovely histology lecture. I continue to wonder if that's a "real class" or not... If it's made up, can it please return to make believe land? It's taking too much of my time (especially when it's at 8 AM).

Other than histo, physiology is the only major component of my life that is obsessed with medical school right now. We're right in the middle of cardiac phys and learning how to read EKG's. Pretty cool stuff. Actual doctoring material, as opposed to the day to day facts we normally learn just to regurgitate for a test. Although I suppose we'll use those someday as well.

Today we had intro to physiology lab. Apparently, we're going to work on an anesthetized and intubated pig in the upcoming lab. A 50-60 pound pig. We'll be doing cut downs, manipulating his cardiac physiological states, then cracking his chest and resuscitating him until we're bored (prof's words exactly). Then we will "dispose of them" in the freezer. This is the part that made me slightly queasy. First he tells us, "be careful, this isn't a cadaver", but then at the end, we're going to "dispose of it" which means at some point between point A and point Z, said pig is going to succumb to his demise at the hands of my lab partners. I'm really, REALLY glad I've got a couple weeks to prepare for this.

And we just thought gross lab was eye-opening and shock-worthy. Welcome to med school, year 1 act 2.

The final countdown...

Thursday and Friday were interesting... All of the tests so far have been, for lack of better terminology, hell. They went alright, but nothing like I was hoping for. Phys especially was just super tricky. I've heard it's our current teacher. We'll see next semester I guess. That one was kind of a punt anyway, since we've got months of that class to go. Studied my butt off for Histo, and then it was pretty awful as well... ugh.

Praying that luck changes for Monday's Gross & Development (FINAL block!!). I've got a lot more studying to do before Monday, but I'm getting there. It's amazing how little you can know a week before and cram into your brain.. Of course, this leads to massive dumping of information after the tests, but it's survival skills at this point...

National Boards for Gross & Developmental are Wednesday. Don't wanna talk about that, yet. Must get through Monday first.

On that note, I should get back to studying. Needed a sanity break.. but the cranial nerves are calling.

I heard it said a few days ago that this was the worst week and a half of medical school. I believe it.

This is why I press on...

Friday in the NICU was like coming home... I realized, after much too long of an absence, that I was indeed back where I belonged. Not only is God doing great things in my life now, He's continuing to prepare the way for me to show His love and blessings to those in need. There's something about watching a 500 gram baby cling to life that leaves me awestruck at His creation everytime. Even on the littlest ones, the sickest ones, those with birth defects or infection - the absolute PERFECTION of His plan is amazing. Tiny fingers, tiny toes, tiny eyelashes. It's every bit perfect. And these angels, whether sent to us for a short time and then called Home or sent here to defy the odds - absolutely make my journey worth it every single day.

In boring, med school related news, Friday's phys test went just fine. Biochem is this Friday. I'm seeking redemption following the metabolism (older med students will recognize this as the "Dr. W & Dr. H test") disaster. I've tried a few new techniques this time... and although I'd jump for joy at a really GOOD grade, passing will make me happy. Biochem is OVER in less than 37 days, praise the Lord!