"To a degree, medicine is a science...but I would argue that it's also an art."

"To a degree, medicine is a science...but I would argue that it's also an art. The doctors who see medicine as a science only, you don't want them by your side when you're bleeding won't stop or when your child is screaming in pain. The clinicians go by the book. The artists follow their guts. The artists feel your pain and they go to extremes to make it stop. Extreme measures. That's where science ends and art begins."

It's almost time to start practicing the "art" of medicine. I, for one, cannot wait. Making third year schedule requests was a little stressful and anxiety producing, but it absolutely could not have turned out better. I've always been excited about the clinical years of med school but now I just can't wait to get started!

Next year's schedule is as follows:
OB/GYN
IS/ACLS
Medicine
Psych
Elective 1
Elective 2
Peds
Surgery
Neuro
Family
Elective 3

We don't know electives yet, but my top choices were Genetics, Peds Palliative, Behavioral/Developmental Med, Peds GI, Peds Surg, Peds Allergy/Immuno, ENT, and SICU.

It's VERY exciting to finally be here. It's a struggle to continue studying... another block of tests are next week, then Spring Break - yay for STEP Study week instead of a real SB :(.

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's the light of a penlight, and it's still at the end of the tunnel, but it is no longer a train!!

In non-med-school news, I've almost completed the Harry Potter series for the first time. That's pretty exciting as well. It's taking a while to finish 7 due to these upcoming exams, but I'm definitely a fan of the literary genius of JK Rowling.

I also found out last week that I'll be having a NEPHEW in July. We're super excited about Baby S's arrival, and I've already been shopping - that's going to be one spoiled little dude... and I can't wait!

"What's important is that we never stop believing we can have a new beginning..."

"What's important is that we never stop believing we can have a new beginning, but it's also important to remember amid all the crap are a few things really worth holding on to."

So, it's a new year. Practically February, and I'm just finding myself with the time (albeit in total procrastination) to update. It's really hard to blog this year.. primarily because I started this blog to be an insight into the parts of medical training that I may forget someday, and the little events that actually make things worth it. As we get closer and closer to May, wards are feeling farther and farther away. On the flip side, it feels like the fourletterword is coming up like a high-speed train. We've got exams starting again next week. It never ends. Some days are a drag just to get through. I am SO TIRED of the classroom. I'm tired of studying too much, sleeping too little, and feeling like it's never going to end. /endrant

In the midst of all my grumbling and complaining, I remind myself daily how blessed I am to be here, how much a difference my medschool friends have made in my life, and that we are truly only four full months away from being actual student doctors. Which leads me to the interesting topic of the week:

Monday we had something affectionately known as the "Male GU Demo". Now for those of you who are not in medical school or the medical professions, this is a time when we can all gather and learn what the male.... nether regions... are supposed to look like, as well as learn how to do the dreaded DRE (digital = finger, rectal = butt, exam = ...you get the picture). I really don't want to say much more about this, I just had to get it down so that one day I'll look back on it and laugh ;)

M's fiance finally came home from deployment, so I've managed to fit some fun hang out time in with them... other than that, it's just the usual school boredom. 3 more months in the classroom, then thefourletterword.

Come onnnnnnnnnnnn summer/Disney/June/wards/July/baby/therestofmylife...

"Buenas dias senorita, my siestas are getting shorter and shorter." - Jose, Tropical Serenade

A bit of a different quote this time - direct from Walt Disney World's Tropical Serenade (formerly known as the Tiki Room). Jump start to the exciting parts of the last month that can finally all be blogged:

1 - My sister and brother in law are expecting! I'm finally going to be an aunt in July!! As you can tell, I'm not excited AT ALL about this prospect.

2 - Another really good friend from college is also expecting, due in late April. Babies everywhere... I can't wait.

3 - Walt Disney World will be happening at the end of May/early June with my best med school buddies as we celebrate the end of an era/error (the culmination of two CRAZY years) and have some fun before wards start.

4 - Christmas, of course. I love spending time with my family :)

It continues to be a wild ride. I have set a date for the fourletterword - May 23. The only thing getting me there is what's coming after.... Disney, M3, and baby. In comes the quote of the title - my siestas must get shorter and shorter, and my study hours longer and longer. As usual, there's only One who can get me through the next few months. I rely fully and honestly on His grace, assurance, and comfort.

"When was the last time a stranger took off her clothes in front of you, pointed to a purple splotch on her back, and asked,"what the hell is this?"

"Question- when was the last time a complete stranger took off her clothes in front of you, pointed to a big purple splotch on her back, and asked,"what the hell is this thing?" If you're a normal person,the answer is hopefully never. If you're a doctor the answer is probably about five minutes ago." - Meredith Grey

So I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. In fact, I haven't even fallen out of the state. It's just been busy enough, and boring enough, that I've found myself with little to document. However, assuming the role of a true historian, I must break the silence and catch up - primarily with this week's events.

Thanksgiving at home was wonderful, I really enjoyed the family time and catching up with M and S. I miss her a lot some days... okay, most days. Having a sister, whether by blood or heart, is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

As far as school goes, it's basically one and the same. I'm entering a period of extreme "M2-itis" (extreme loathing of the classroom, studying, and the fourletterword coupled with intense procrastination, lack of motivation, and lots of dreaming about being on wards). Thankfully, it's almost Christmas break - which means a few extra days away, and one more test block down. Leaving us with only three to go before M3. :D

In other school related news, I'm pretty sure M and I got THE best preceptor on the planet. We've had a good time with her both times we've met, felt very at ease and stress-less over the situation, and are learning bits and pieces to incorporate into our own clinical practices. With that said, yesterday I did my first completely solo H&P (emphasis on the "H") - as in, grabbed the chart and walked in the patient's room on my own. Dr. M had previously informed the patient I was coming, but there's a first time for everything right? I'd done history-taking before, but announcing my own arrival was a new step... and it still amazes me what the White Coat does. The experience went well (except for the fact that I've yet to actually write up the final) and I'm looking forward to next week :)

Last night I went to my first Christian concert - Chris Tomlin and Louis Giglio. It was fabulous. Definitely helped me stay in the Christmas spirit with the reason for the season.

Tomorrow's going to be pretty crazy - Mississippi Children's Museum is opening, and I (and several PIG members/officers) am slotted to help with some of Batson's activities there. Should be a fun day. Tomorrow night is the Claus Ball, if I've got one iota of energy left. And then it's almost time to do it all again.

Lord, hold me... and help me cherish these (stressful) days before Christmas in the midst of the craziness.

"There are days that make the sacrifices seem worthwhile. And then there are the days where everything feels like a sacrifice.."

The key to being successful is what we give up: sleep, friends, a normal life. We sacrifice it all for that one amazing moment, that moment when you can legally call yourself a doctor. There are days that make the sacrifices seem worthwhile. And then there are the days where everything feels like a sacrifice. And then there are the sacrifices that you can’t even figure out why you're making. - Meredith

Test block two is complete. On average, this one was a little more stressful than the last. I'm not sure if that's because of the way the material was arranged (lots of classes didn't overlap very well, so it was literally like studying five weeks of material for five different tests in five days), the way the tests were arranged (with the big ones spaced out MWF), or that I just didn't pace myself quite as well during the block - but as usual, M and I made it through together, and I'm fairly happy with the results.

Things I learned this week: 1) Getting news of any great magnitude - be it good or bad - is not conducive to productive studying. 2) I can't cram for anything except Micro... but I'm an awesome Micro crammer. 3) My best friend and M2 "other half of my brain" is pretty much amazing - and I'm beyond glad that God put us in each other's lives at just the right moment... definitely couldn't make it without her.

The weekend was lovely. Friday night, I went to Mistletoe Marketplace for the first time... so much fun. I see a new annual tradition headed my way! Saturday, Mommy came up and we went shopping (Mistletoe again... and some other places). Yesterday, just football and lots of relaxation... followed by Girls' Night, the Grey's Anatomy we missed Thursday (stupid test block).

There were grand master plans to go to school today, but those fell through when the bed was just waaaaay too comfy. And after looking at the schedule for tomorrow, I'm calling a repeat. Four day weekends? Anytime. Thanks med school. It's nice of you to "play nice" after last week. :)

De Nile. It's not just a river in Egypt, it's a freakin' ocean

Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. And when the dam bursts, all you can do is swim. The world of pretend is a cage, not a cocoon. We can only lie to ourselves for so long. We are tired, we are scared, denying it doesn't change the truth. Sooner or later we have to put aside our denial and face the world. Head on, guns blazing. De Nile. It's not just a river in Egypt, it's a freakin' ocean. So how do you keep from drowning in it? - Meredith

So it's been two weeks already, eh? The title of this post about sums it up. Finally got to a "non-denial" place about this test block, just in time thank goodness. I had too much fun (is that even possible?) being normal and just had no desire to return to the mundane world of M2 year.

Highlights from the last couple of weeks:
NICU day last Monday - lots of cool cases around right now, also super cool to see some of my last on-call deliveries from the summer "all grown up". A few long-term kiddos have even gone home. It was so nice to be back, but one day is just a tease.

Starry Starry Night - very cool. I'm getting the hang of the Easely Amused experience.. and getting addicted.

FAIR!!! It was my first trip to the fair, and it was lots of fun. Ate a huge turkey leg, a funnel cake (complete with strawberries), and rode 'til I almost (literally) threw up. Thanks M for a fun time, and not laughing at me toooo much when we had to stop that one ride...

"Life As We Know It" - Very very cute, very much a chick flick, very much recommended.

Church- as much as possible. Having a home place of worship is great!

There was, of course, lots of studying in between that and this past week and I'm finally beginning to feel caught up. I'm no where near ready and it's going to be an insane 10 days or so before the next block starts. But I'm totally looking forward to week-after again. This M2 thing? It's pretty cool.

"....To stop thinking like a doctor, and remember what it means to think like a human being."

"They say that practice makes perfect. Theory is– the more you think like a doctor, the more you become like one, the better you get at remaining neutral, clinical, cut, suture, close - the harder it becomes to turn it off. To stop thinking like a doctor, and remember what it means to think like a human being."

It's been a lovely two weeks. Renaissance was AMAZING. I don't know why I waited so long to play that game - I'll definitely be doing some Christmas shopping there. That was Tuesday... after that I guess I went to school for a couple days, it's been a very "non school" type of couple weeks. I needed the break, but I suppose it's time to get back on the horse. I didn't realize how much break I'd need after the test block - the M3's warned, but since I didn't spend 20 hr days studying the week of tests I honestly figured I'd be alright. Guess the exhaustion kicks in no matter what.

This week has been very sluggish. Today we did ENT exams on each other, that was kinda fun. My partner played "kid" since I was the only self-proclaimed pediatrician to be in the room. She whined, moaned , and pulled her ears away from me. Fun times in M2 land. We also had our second PIG meeting today - I think it went great!

Also, M and I have secured a preceptor for ICM, even though the ICM people haven't told us a thing about when this is all going down - which is funny, seeing how it's supposed to happen in less than two weeks. As is med school - we never REALLY know what's going on.

Studying still hasn't come back full force.. but it will tomorrow. I've got a long weekend due to a lucky break on the path/ICM schedules, and I plan on catching up and getting ahead (if possible). Monday I'm playing in the NICU. Can. Not. Wait. It's been a long nine weeks not in there. We have one mandatory at two oclock, but I'll be in baby land until then :). Easely Amused after - where I'm painting "Starry, Starry Night" . I'm sure it'll be WAY better than VanGogh. Hahahaha.