I love "switch weekend"

Switch weekend is the glorious weekend that would be almost the equivalent of the "golden weekend" of residency. The Golden weekend is that weekend that residents get about once a month... a weekend that is 2 days, instead of the usual 1 day off per week.

Now I've been lucky through my year thus far (but I have a feeling that luck will be spent come November) and have only had to work 1 weekend per month (gasp! I know! how does that happen?!)... Last month I got even to go to Texas for a wedding. But the difference is that even though we may have the weekend off, we're still required to catch up on all the studying we didn't have time to do during the week (meaning studying in airports/on planes/in the random down moments).

But we have this great thing called "switch weekend." Switch weekend is the weekend at occurs at the end of each rotation, which means that it comes once every 1 to 2 months. It is a guilt-free, no study, do whatever you want weekend, and if it's the right rotation, it can actually be a 3 day weekend. Glorious right?!

Well, I just finished my second rotation, neurology, and took my test on Friday. After turning in my exam and running around the school trying to accomplish a very random errand, it started: Switch Weekend.

I went home and did those things that I don't do during the rest of the month (because it means feeling guilty for not studying): projects for Aesculapians, putting away the laundry that's been sitting in a basket for the last 3 weeks, doing the laundry that's accumulated over the past month. And then I left... and went home-home to spend time with my family.

Going home means a few things: 1) hanging out on my mom's bed watching TV and playing with my dog, 2) getting my hair done , 3) going to see some theatre with my mom (who judges and directs local theatre... and is AMAZING!), 4) catching up on sleep, etc.

This weekend I did a few other things as well... I read a book (Match Day) and mom, a family friend, and I went to a fall festival.

The Book:

Match Day is a quick and informative read about 3 women going through the process of getting into residency. Most people outside medicine might not realize it but applying for residency is not as straight forward as just applying for a job. Matching involves submitting an application and then getting interviews (pretty straight forward)... but after that the 4th year student makes a list of their favorite programs, places they want to go. At the same time the programs make a list of which people they want to work with them. Both parties submit their lists to the NRMP and then on the 3rd Thursday in March everyone finds out where they'll be for the next 3-7 years.

The whole thing is fraught with tension and anxiety... what happens if your first choice doesn't want you? What if you match at a place isn't ideal for whatever reason? What happens if you don't match?

Match Day did a great job of explaining the anxiety that all 4th year students experience, as well as following the 3 individuals through their intern year... reflecting on how the match had served them.

All in all, I thought it was a good book, and definitely spoke to some of the anxiety that is starting to build in 3rd year students as we watch our 4th year friends start the process. I recommend that any one thinking about going to medical school pick it up and give it a read... it explains a little more about what to expect.

The Festival:


Fall is one of my favorite seasons... so I was super excited when my mom said we'd be able to go to the Fallasburg Fall Festival. It was a quaint little fall craft festival complete with live folk music. Mom and I both walked away with some fun new jewelry (which I might be wearing right now). We all had a great time... but then again, how could we not.

Anyways, it's time for me to get to my 2nd orientation of the day... Hope you all are enjoying the wonderful fall weather!

Please Pray for Grace

Below is an urgent update from the school that I worked at in Thailand... Please read... and Please pray!

Grace International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, offers affordable, high quality education to the children of Christian workers in Southeast Asia. One-third of the world’s population, more than two billion people, live within a three hour plane flight from Chiang Mai, making it a strategic location. Grace has been in existence for 10 years and has served more than 1,500 students from more than 20 countries. The ministry of GIS enables hundreds of missionaries to minister in SE Asia.

A recent lawsuit brought against Grace International School has jeopardized the future use of the current school facilities. This suit was filed by the Nittibukon, a neighborhood association legally recognized by the government, charging that GIS had purchased the current property and facilities illegally.

When Grace purchased the property, all papers were properly filed in government offices and the title deeds were legally transferred to the school. All proper due diligence was taken to ensure the legality of the purchase. Due to the enactment of a recent law regarding consumer protection, the Nittibukon claimed what they believe is their right to have the property given to them.

In August, 2009, the court ruled against Grace International School, requiring the school to:

• Abandon the facility and turn the land deeds over to them
• Restore the facilities to their original condition
• Pay a fine in excess of $140,000

Grace will appeal this decision and is working to pursue a just resolution in this case. Should the appeals courts not rule in our favor, GIS will be forced to vacate the facilities in the next year. It is therefore vitally urgent that the school acquire/obtain a new facility. However, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, it is clear that GIS needs to relocate in order to continue to grow in the coming years. The current facility is bursting at the seams and admittance of new students has been limited/restricted.

We ask for your prayers! Please pray for God’s provision for GIS, as well as wisdom for school administrators as they guide the school during this challenging time. GIS must raise $10 million dollars to purchase property and build a new campus. But we serve a GREAT GOD who goes before us! We are thankful for God’s provision these last ten years, and we look forward to seeing how God will provide for the coming years.

And here's a little video for you all to check out:

Maybe...

Just bought some new music from some of my favorite artists... Thought I'd share this from the new Ingrid Michaelson CD...

Social Commentary

I have had many stories over the past few months that have left me shocked, sad or laughing but I thought I'd take time to at least share 2 that have really stuck with me... one because it was completely awkward... and the other because of the sadness of it all. I'll start with the sad one... cause the awkward one will at least have you leaving laughing in disbelief. ;)

Story #1
The other day we had a little old lady (LOL) admitted for stroke (which is the most common neurology admission by far). It quickly became apparent that she would need a good family support upon leaving, besides the fact that we needed to notify her family of her admission. When we asked who to contact she basically told us the only person in her life was her grown son, who she supported. We asked her how we could contact him, she said that we wouldn't be able to, since he never answered the phone at their house.

Eventually we told her we needed to admit her for a little while, at which point she said she had to leave to give her son money for food. She said he wouldn't be able to get food if she didn't give him his $2.52. We all quickly looked at each other. She went on saying that he's daily meal cost $2.52 from Taco Bell and described some sort of burrito. She then added that her daily meal cost $2.42 and was a salad and hamburger.We all left the room and looked at each other and comment on how sad it is that this lady was living on one small meal a day from a fast food restaurant.

Story #2 (warning, somewhat graphic in nature)
About 1/2 way through my Ob rotation I was helping out with triage and admissions histories. My resident sent me down to one of the rooms to take an admission history of a lady that presented to triage in active labor. I went down and started taking the history. About half way through taking the history and trying to calm the lady down something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I looked over to where the lady's finance was sitting and was a little shocked to say the least. The guy was laying down on the window bench with a blanket over his head. That's not what caught my attention... what caught my attention was the way he was moving... and the fact that his hand was down his pants. When I realized what was going on I quickly turned my back on the guy and finished the history as fast as I could.

When I told the nurses what had happened one of the nurses said if it happened again she'd be sure to "set the boy straight." Needless to say, we had a laugh at my completely awkward situation.

My friends are kinda a big deal

Firstly, thank you too all you who commented on the blog. I was worried I'd lost all my blog-friends and followers in my almost 2 month absence. So... thanks for still reading. And watch out, cause here's one of two posts from today (SURPRISE! 3 posts in 2 days!)
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I've been very lucky to have some very talented friends throughout the years. I can't get into my best friend (Simple Fair), but let's just leave it at she's awesome and a pretty big deal. But when it comes to other friends from childhood.... Well, more than 1 of my high school friends are either acting in NYC and/or have been on Broadway. 1 kid I did theatre with in high school had a small cameo role on Gossip Girl a few seasons back. And another 1 of my HS friends is pretty much a celebrity blogger in the theatre blogosphere. And while these are all pretty awesome, I'm going to have to put in a plug for one of my other friends at this point.

During my senior year one of my friends and I lived in the only off-campus apartments (yes, my school was super small... and no one lived off campus until senior year... that's why the Taylor Community is so strong and so amazing, but I digress...). We lived next to an apartment of 3 guys. I didn't know them at the beginning of the year, but over the year we hung out at their apartment quite a bit... having dinner parties, watching Sunday football (Go Colts!), and breaking the school rules a little bit. Well... one of these guys is making a name for himself in the music world.

A few weeks ago he won VMA Breakout Artist of the Year in Chicago! And he's starting a tour soon... so I thought I'd drop one of the rehearsal videos for you all to watch, leave you his websites, and of course share the tour dates. If you are around any of these locations, I HIGHLY recommend checking it out. Cause Drew is pretty talented.

Here's the video:


The Ten out of Tenn Tour Dates:
Sept 17 - Square Room - Knoxville, TN
Sept 18 - Workplay - Birmingham, AL
Sept 19 - Chelsea's - Baton Rouge, LA
Sept 20 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Sept 22 - Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Sept 23 - Eddie's Attic - Atlanta, GA
Sept 24 - Visulite - Charlotte, NC
Sept 25 - The Hat Factory - Richmond, VA
Sept 26 - Iota - Arlington, VA
Sept 27 - World Cafe - Philadelphia, PA
Sept 29 - Cafe 939 - Boston, MA
Sept 30 - Canal Room - New York, NY
Oct 2 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH
Oct 3 - The Basement - Columbus, OH
Oct 4 - Schubas - Chicago, IL
Oct 5 - Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN
Oct 6 - Southgate House - Cincinnati, OH
Oct 7 - Cannery Ballroom - Nashville, TN

The Websites (to check out more):
Youtube
Ten out of Tenn
Myspace
Twitter


Anyways... that's enough shameless promotion of my friend... Listen and enjoy!

Clearly I'm Failing at Blogging

My mom pointed out to me about 3 weeks ago that I hadn't updated my blog in awhile. My response: I don't have time. Her response: Yes you do, just find it. So here I am trying to invent time in an effort to at least send out a little update for those of you who are interested.

OB/GYN ended about 3 weeks ago and my thoughts this far are that I liked it, which I was completely NOT expecting. I thought I'd die having to look at vag all day and was pretty sure I was going to drop a baby at some point. But, it wasn't bad... I think I was just intimidated by what I'd be expected to do. I really liked the team I was on and enjoyed being able to help with deliveries. But what I really enjoyed the most was being able to scrub in on surgeries. I learned how to suture and tie knots, got to see some sweet laparoscopic surgeries (including the removal of bilateral mature teratomas) and during one sterilization I got to cut one of the fallopian tubes.

Before starting OB/GYN I was pretty sure that I would be quickly crossing it off my list of potential career options. But as of right now it's at least still on the list. We'll see how surgery goes... but I'm thinking I'm going to like it a lot. At least I'm hoping to.

After the rotation I went up north camping with my mom, dad and dog. It rained all weekend, and our campsite got flooded. But mom and I did get a chance to do the Winery Tour on the Leelanau Pennisula and spent some nice time hiding from the rain while shopping in Traverse City (I finally got the Wellies my mom promised me, they're pink!). I also got a few nice bottles of wine to add to my collection. It was a great break before neurology started.

Since the beginning of the month I've been doing neurology, which I really thought was going to be depressing (and can be, but not as much as I thought). At my location we get to choose our own schedule for the month, so during my first week I chose neurosurgery... and LOVED IT! I got to see a living brain, touch a spinal cord, and see the pulsations of CSF underneath the meninges. It was awesome! I want to consider neurosurgery at this point but I'm not sure if I have the necessary scores or the endurance for a 7 year residency. We'll see.

Last week I spent in the neuro-ICU. The high point of my week was Friday, when one of the patient's I saw in the ER during neurosurgery (who came in comatose due to an interventricular hemorrhage) started talking! However, it wasn't all kicks and giggles... I also performed my first brain death exam and saw a few other patients that would not make it through the next week.

The sadness of last week was GREATLY contrasted by this weekend, which was spent in San Antonio for the wedding of one of my good friends from Thailand. I got in late on Friday, spent Saturday morning running around seeing the sites (The Alamo, the Riverfront, and the San Jose Mission), and went to Staci's wedding in the afternoon. While there, I got to see my roommate from Thailand, who was the maid of honor, and stayed with 2 other close friends that I worked with at Grace. Pictures to come....

This week has already been busy... I'm on the inpatient side of neurology and was "on call" yesterday till 9, after which I had to prepare a presentation for today. A few things about neurology:

• Neurologist are on the few specialties where it is common to take a VERY LONG time interviewing a patient... The histories are super detailed, and so are the physical exams.
• Rounds can last all day... no joke. Yesterday we rounded on patients from 8 till 5. Today was a little better, I think they were done around 2 or 3 (I had lectures to attend/present so I got to skip out).
• Aspirin and CT/MRI are the answer to everything.

For the most part it's been okay so far... I'm just starting to stress out a bit because I've not had anytime to study yet and my test is next week (and word of mouth says it's a pretty difficult exam). That being said, time for me to get back to studying.

Hope you all are doing well!