Um... I have a lot of questions. Unfortunately, on my current rotation, I am not even capable of forming the sentences to ask the questions that are in my head. This would be okay except for the fact that the attending (doctor) invariably asks me these very things.
Here are some examples of questions to which I am supposed to know the answers and the types of things that come to mind when asked.
Doctor: "So his residuals are increasing. I want you to refeed the residuals back through his NG tube and then we're D/C-ing the trophic feeds and the sodium benzoate. Why not continue his feeds?"
Me: "... ... ... " (blank stare + absolutely nothing)
Doctor: "ABGs are 7.43 / 20 / 100 / 24 / -2 / 70 and the vent's set on 55 / 25 / 60. We're going to decrease the respirations as well as the tidal volume. What is the most common cause of VALI?"
Me: "Your mother. I am out of this lame unit."
Doctor: "This baby is 3 days S/P failed R heart cath for HTCM. During dye injection he coded with v fib, desat-ing down to 30. (Insert four more sentences of confusing information here.) He's now on diltiazem, propranolol, fentanyl and prn tylenol. What do you want to do with him?"
Me: "Sounds like a hard day. Does he like ice cream?"
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thanks for the Painless Times
There's one really great thing about being around sick people all day, and that is The Moment. I have begun cherishing this hundred and twenty seconds more and more as my first rotation wears on. Its something I have experienced many times in life but I didn't start truly soaking it in until a few weeks ago...
I have to wait for It the entire day. Which is good, because I really have something to look forward to. I wake up around 5:30, cuddle with my sweet kitten, and begin getting ready. After some Ensure, a run and a shower, its onto work. Eight to twelve hours pass in which all kinds of sick people come in and need help, and very often are in some kind of physical pain or mental anguish. Work gets over, and the evening passes with its various activities. I sweet-cuddle the kitten again, brush my teeth, and get back into bed.
The lights are off, my eyes close, and It arrives. The moment in which I lie in the darkness, and relish being 100% pain free. My physical body wallows in utter comfort and contentment, and my mind lays down to rest. Its taken a couple hundred sick people in pain for the last three weeks to remind me of how precious and rare this moment is. Who knows how long it will last? A minor neck injury in a wreck or a friend's death tomorrow could mean tonight will be my last pain-free Moment for a long time. But every night (for now at least) that precious moment is cherished until It, and I, slip away into peace-filled sleep.
I have to wait for It the entire day. Which is good, because I really have something to look forward to. I wake up around 5:30, cuddle with my sweet kitten, and begin getting ready. After some Ensure, a run and a shower, its onto work. Eight to twelve hours pass in which all kinds of sick people come in and need help, and very often are in some kind of physical pain or mental anguish. Work gets over, and the evening passes with its various activities. I sweet-cuddle the kitten again, brush my teeth, and get back into bed.
The lights are off, my eyes close, and It arrives. The moment in which I lie in the darkness, and relish being 100% pain free. My physical body wallows in utter comfort and contentment, and my mind lays down to rest. Its taken a couple hundred sick people in pain for the last three weeks to remind me of how precious and rare this moment is. Who knows how long it will last? A minor neck injury in a wreck or a friend's death tomorrow could mean tonight will be my last pain-free Moment for a long time. But every night (for now at least) that precious moment is cherished until It, and I, slip away into peace-filled sleep.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The Past, Present and Future
The past: Finishing school was really hard, and really wonderful. Every time I remember that I never have to go to class ever again, a seriously warm and wonderfully fuzzy feeling washes over me and bathes my soul in pure contentment.
The present: Rotations are going really well, and Obama was elected to the presidency. I could not be more ecstatic that God chose to raise him up for this time, knowing also He will depose Obama in His time. Its all up to him. (For anyone interested in reading Obama's stance on faith and politics, jump on over here.)
The future: Well, I've been thinking a lot about the future. My preceptor for this first rotation is pretty dang amazing, a wonderful doc to work with, and he has already offered me a job more than once. Also, some good friends of mine are moving to Colorado Springs, and- having just taken a super fun trip up to the city in the shadow of Pike's Peak- I am thinking about going up there, too. They are opening up a couple new hospitals, which would probably have something open.
Or, there are lots and lots of Afghan refugees in San Francisco and a lot of HIV clinics. One of my favorite things is infectious disease so that is also an option. And, my sis only lives 7 hours from there.
I've also been thinking about going back overseas. Thinking about it a lot. I am considering applying with the Department of Defense to go work with them in a hospital in Germany that treats wounded soldiers on emergency flights coming from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I'm sure there are many more opportunities that may arise. I just like to dream about the future. If you could choose, what would you do and why?
The present: Rotations are going really well, and Obama was elected to the presidency. I could not be more ecstatic that God chose to raise him up for this time, knowing also He will depose Obama in His time. Its all up to him. (For anyone interested in reading Obama's stance on faith and politics, jump on over here.)
The future: Well, I've been thinking a lot about the future. My preceptor for this first rotation is pretty dang amazing, a wonderful doc to work with, and he has already offered me a job more than once. Also, some good friends of mine are moving to Colorado Springs, and- having just taken a super fun trip up to the city in the shadow of Pike's Peak- I am thinking about going up there, too. They are opening up a couple new hospitals, which would probably have something open.
Or, there are lots and lots of Afghan refugees in San Francisco and a lot of HIV clinics. One of my favorite things is infectious disease so that is also an option. And, my sis only lives 7 hours from there.
I've also been thinking about going back overseas. Thinking about it a lot. I am considering applying with the Department of Defense to go work with them in a hospital in Germany that treats wounded soldiers on emergency flights coming from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I'm sure there are many more opportunities that may arise. I just like to dream about the future. If you could choose, what would you do and why?
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