Crunch time..........
7:37 am - 23 minutes until test time! Approximately 1/2 hr pre-test I quit. I try to give my brain a little relaxing time before the test actually starts. I didn't used to study right before a morning exam, but now I review briefly a few things - hoping that the mechanism of action of one or two more drugs might stick. And I think it's a warm up for my brain prior to the test. I will be done in less than 5 hours! woo hoo.....
I know I'm not the only one who has a pre-test day ritual. Mel reads a book for fun prior to the exam. Me... I wake up, put on my lucky underwear (they are only lucky because I think they are cute and declared them to be lucky ), study until 1/2 hr pre-exam time, then do something relaxing (today writing in my blog), and then I have a song I listen to on my ipod by Yurima, entitled Maybe. It's piano music and it relaxes me. I sit in the lecture hall with the notes floating into my ears as I watch everyone find their seats, lay out their pencils, coffee, snacks, etc - doing their pre-test ritual thing. I enjoy sitting there in my own little musical world watching everyone else moving around me. I feel like an observer and not a participant in this crazy jumble. I'm calm from the music, yet anxious, and excited to get the test started. The sooner we start the sooner we're done!
Ok, I'm off.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sounds Like Me?
"He developed a tendency to speak rapidly, explosively and unintelligibly when excited, and on several occasions became lost in familiar surroundings."
Random pic - just for fun!
I came across this statement while studying for my exam. And hmmm...sounds familiar. Me? Just need to add the expressive hand motions that tend to accompany my moments of rapid fire speech. And those of you who know me - know that I have the worst sense of direction.
If you are curious to what the above description is in reference to - it went along with a description of a patient presenting with Alzheimer's Disease.
Short entry today - lots of work to get through and hopefully some relaxing for me tonight pre-exam!
If you are curious to what the above description is in reference to - it went along with a description of a patient presenting with Alzheimer's Disease.
Short entry today - lots of work to get through and hopefully some relaxing for me tonight pre-exam!
Random pic - just for fun!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A peek into test week
Oh what fun.... it's test week. We have an exam this Friday. Neurology - this test spans 5 weeks of information, over 40 lectures + lab + pbl cases. I think this is the most info we've had on a single exam since anatomy.
Life tends to change during exam week. Everyone is a little bit tenser, stress fills the air, the library and study rooms fill with people. We tend to hide ourselves away in our own little worlds - either a cubby in the library or wherever your little space may be. Small groups here and there reviewing.
For me - it means more time at school. These are the weeks where I feel like I live at school. These are the days where I pack up all of my food for the day. Lunch, snacks, and dinner - all get thrown into my awesome lunch pail (not really a pail, but more of a bag), because I know I won't be making it home until probably around 10 or 11.
But it's not all bad. It's these stressful days or review sessions when things seem funnier. When we make up the most random pneumonics or make idiotic connections hoping we'll remember it for the exam.
(ex. Benzodiazepines - mechanism of action is by increasing the frequency that Cl- channels are open. BenzOdiazepines - O - for open, open, open) - yup that's how I remember what Benzos do)
And how do we remember what Kallmann's syndrome is? - well in class our prof informed us it is a guy with small balls, who can't smell - that's right - that's what I remember
- the problem is X-linked and due to a mutation in cell adhesion molecules that guide the development of axonal growth. It causes problems in nerves growing to the olfactory bulb and those cells that secrete hormones relating to gonad development to migrate to the correct places.
The coolest thing I learned yesterday, which of course will most likely not be tested is... Capsaicin which can be used medically as a non-opioid analgesic (decrease pain) - is found in hot peppers and pepper spray. The way it works is it causes the release of all of this painful neurotransmitter - Substance P and by depleting the stores of this painful stimulus it thus stops pain. The original release of Substance P is very painful (which is why it works for pepper spray). So if it is given as an analgesic medically - they first would use a local anesthetic so the patient would not feel that initial pain. The cooler part of this whole lesson is that plants that have Capsaicin in their fruits have their seeds distributed by birds. If mammals eat these fruits their digestive tract digests the seeds, so they are unable to grow - this is why these plants produce capsaicin, because it is painful and hopefully this will deter these animals that will digest the seeds from eating their fruits. Whereas birds find capsaicin to be an analgesic - so birds should be more likely to eat these fruits and thus distribute the seeds.
If you managed to stay with me throughout this entire post - congrats. This is where my mind lives during test week. I can't help it. 2 more days.....
Life tends to change during exam week. Everyone is a little bit tenser, stress fills the air, the library and study rooms fill with people. We tend to hide ourselves away in our own little worlds - either a cubby in the library or wherever your little space may be. Small groups here and there reviewing.
For me - it means more time at school. These are the weeks where I feel like I live at school. These are the days where I pack up all of my food for the day. Lunch, snacks, and dinner - all get thrown into my awesome lunch pail (not really a pail, but more of a bag), because I know I won't be making it home until probably around 10 or 11.
But it's not all bad. It's these stressful days or review sessions when things seem funnier. When we make up the most random pneumonics or make idiotic connections hoping we'll remember it for the exam.
(ex. Benzodiazepines - mechanism of action is by increasing the frequency that Cl- channels are open. BenzOdiazepines - O - for open, open, open) - yup that's how I remember what Benzos do)
And how do we remember what Kallmann's syndrome is? - well in class our prof informed us it is a guy with small balls, who can't smell - that's right - that's what I remember
- the problem is X-linked and due to a mutation in cell adhesion molecules that guide the development of axonal growth. It causes problems in nerves growing to the olfactory bulb and those cells that secrete hormones relating to gonad development to migrate to the correct places.
The coolest thing I learned yesterday, which of course will most likely not be tested is... Capsaicin which can be used medically as a non-opioid analgesic (decrease pain) - is found in hot peppers and pepper spray. The way it works is it causes the release of all of this painful neurotransmitter - Substance P and by depleting the stores of this painful stimulus it thus stops pain. The original release of Substance P is very painful (which is why it works for pepper spray). So if it is given as an analgesic medically - they first would use a local anesthetic so the patient would not feel that initial pain. The cooler part of this whole lesson is that plants that have Capsaicin in their fruits have their seeds distributed by birds. If mammals eat these fruits their digestive tract digests the seeds, so they are unable to grow - this is why these plants produce capsaicin, because it is painful and hopefully this will deter these animals that will digest the seeds from eating their fruits. Whereas birds find capsaicin to be an analgesic - so birds should be more likely to eat these fruits and thus distribute the seeds.
If you managed to stay with me throughout this entire post - congrats. This is where my mind lives during test week. I can't help it. 2 more days.....
Monday, February 25, 2008
3rd year!
Excitement and disappointment filled the air this afternoon as we were given our cohorts for next year. A cohort is the order in which we will do our rotations for 3rd year. There are a total of 16 cohorts and you rank these 16 in the order that you would like the rotations. We are required to do 8 rotations and 1 or 2 selectives. A selective can be a vacation month, because this will be the first year that even though I am in school - I won't have a summer :(
I'm happy with my cohort. It was probably my 5th or 6th choice. The reason it matters what order your rotations are in, is because next year we are supposed to narrow down what field within medicine we think we want to work. The general rule of thumb is what you think you want to do - don't do it first or last. If you do it first you don't know anything and if you do it last - well then they expect you to know more.
Right now I'm not sure what field of medicine I want to go into. I am leaning in the direction of Family Practice or OB/GYN (yes, I know when I cam into medical school I said I would never do it) and there's the possibility of internal medicine (but thats #3 on the list).
Family Practice and primary care in general is so important. I view it as prevention a person from getting diabetes or having a heart attack is 10 times better than treating the problem once it has happened. I realize that I am very idealistic and that getting people to make lifestyle changes is one of the hardest things to do, but I think it would be so rewarding. I have big plans that could be implemented into a primary care practice that would help people make some of these changes, but I will save that for another blog entry. I also like the idea with family practice that you can see a variety of patients throughout the day. It's not just one patient population - even though I do worry with the baby boomers that the possibility for nearly all elderly people does exist. Family doctors can do so much if they have the training - they can perform colonoscopies, assist in surgery, deliver babies, etc. It's just a matter of getting the training, having the drive, and being in the right place that will allow you to do all these things.
As for OB/GYN - I find it appealing because I do really enjoy women's health. I know some of you are wondering how could I stand to look at women's hoo hoo's all day. But it becomes part of the job. Right now I'm looking forward to delivering my first baby next year - I just think it will be soooooo cool. Watch a few months from now I'll write and comment on how disgusting it is and that I never want to do it. Who knows? The other big appeal for OB/GYN for me is that it is a surgical residency -I would get to do surgery. I really enjoyed anatomy when I was in it and that's used in surgery. Doing actual surgery as a residency isn't for me - I think it's too specialized and I don't want to be in school FOREVER.
Returning to my schedule for next year I have listed below the order of my rotations:
July-August: Primary Care (this is a rotation I can do in a rural area of PA)
Aug - Sept: Elective
Sept- Oct: Family Medicine
October - Nov: Pediatrics
Nov - Dec: Ob/Gyn
winter break
Jan-March: Internal Medicine
March-April: Elective/ Vacation
April - May: Psychiatry
May-July: Surgery
I'm so excited for 3rd year. I can't wait to actually be working with patient's everyday!
I'm happy with my cohort. It was probably my 5th or 6th choice. The reason it matters what order your rotations are in, is because next year we are supposed to narrow down what field within medicine we think we want to work. The general rule of thumb is what you think you want to do - don't do it first or last. If you do it first you don't know anything and if you do it last - well then they expect you to know more.
Right now I'm not sure what field of medicine I want to go into. I am leaning in the direction of Family Practice or OB/GYN (yes, I know when I cam into medical school I said I would never do it) and there's the possibility of internal medicine (but thats #3 on the list).
Family Practice and primary care in general is so important. I view it as prevention a person from getting diabetes or having a heart attack is 10 times better than treating the problem once it has happened. I realize that I am very idealistic and that getting people to make lifestyle changes is one of the hardest things to do, but I think it would be so rewarding. I have big plans that could be implemented into a primary care practice that would help people make some of these changes, but I will save that for another blog entry. I also like the idea with family practice that you can see a variety of patients throughout the day. It's not just one patient population - even though I do worry with the baby boomers that the possibility for nearly all elderly people does exist. Family doctors can do so much if they have the training - they can perform colonoscopies, assist in surgery, deliver babies, etc. It's just a matter of getting the training, having the drive, and being in the right place that will allow you to do all these things.
As for OB/GYN - I find it appealing because I do really enjoy women's health. I know some of you are wondering how could I stand to look at women's hoo hoo's all day. But it becomes part of the job. Right now I'm looking forward to delivering my first baby next year - I just think it will be soooooo cool. Watch a few months from now I'll write and comment on how disgusting it is and that I never want to do it. Who knows? The other big appeal for OB/GYN for me is that it is a surgical residency -I would get to do surgery. I really enjoyed anatomy when I was in it and that's used in surgery. Doing actual surgery as a residency isn't for me - I think it's too specialized and I don't want to be in school FOREVER.
Returning to my schedule for next year I have listed below the order of my rotations:
July-August: Primary Care (this is a rotation I can do in a rural area of PA)
Aug - Sept: Elective
Sept- Oct: Family Medicine
October - Nov: Pediatrics
Nov - Dec: Ob/Gyn
winter break
Jan-March: Internal Medicine
March-April: Elective/ Vacation
April - May: Psychiatry
May-July: Surgery
I'm so excited for 3rd year. I can't wait to actually be working with patient's everyday!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Memories from the road
It snowed about 4 inches or so the other day. As I was walking outside either to or from my car - don't remember which, I noticed the salt scattered on the ground to prevent people from slipping and falling. Don't as me why - but I was thinking in my head I wonder if the salt on the ground tastes just like table salt. No, I did not try it and I'm pretty sure it does taste the same. But this reminded me of my road trip out here with my two cousins, Colby and Taylor. The salted ground specifically took me back to a hot morning/afternoon on the Salt Flats of Utah. There we were pulled over on the side of the road (even though there are many signs telling you not to stop) standing outside on the salt flats. We search for rocks, an alligator (the tread off of a tire), and attempt to spell our names. Then Taylor and I convince Colby to lick the ground and tell us if it tastes like salt. Colby of course does it and it does taste like salt. Naturally, now that someone else has done it - I want to to do it too. Colby has salt stuck to her hand from being on the ground - so I lick her hand and yup - tastes just like table salt.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Adam's New Place
Congrats! Mr. Adam Kennedy bought a house yesterday! It's official he signed the papers and joined me in sinking further into debt. Only difference as he said is that he can sell his house - I can't really sell my brain.
The new house is definitely a move up from 158 1/2 Fern St. It even has a guest bedroom for me!!! I'm hoping that when I stay he'll bring me b-fast in bed! Love you Adam!
I'm happy to say that the new house is in a better neighborhood - I won't be afraid to spend the night there and Marianne & Conway will no longer be able to park on the front lawn :(
Old house:
Please note the van seats as couches.
New House:
The new house is definitely a move up from 158 1/2 Fern St. It even has a guest bedroom for me!!! I'm hoping that when I stay he'll bring me b-fast in bed! Love you Adam!
I'm happy to say that the new house is in a better neighborhood - I won't be afraid to spend the night there and Marianne & Conway will no longer be able to park on the front lawn :(
Old house:
Please note the van seats as couches.
New House:
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Lab Rat
So I did it. Today I became the equivalent of a lab rat. All for the high price of a whole $20. A nice, new, clean, crisp $20 bill will buy you about 5 vials of my blood! Heck - I'll even let you stick me twice!
This morning I woke up and went and had my blood drawn for a research study here at the medical center. I am acting as a healthy control that is looking into Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Chron's disease). They just needed a few vials of the blood. I have great veins - I'm sure some of my classmates are looking forward to practicing on me for blood draws and IV's when clinical skills week rolls around. I had to be stuck twice because my first vein didn't give enough blood to fill all the needed tubes. It's probably because I was somewhat dehydrated at 7:30 this morning. I could have stopped there and still made my money, but I let them stick my other arm and finished the job! If I'm going to be a lab rat - I at least want to be a good one.
This is what they do at the medical center if you need young healthy control subjects. There is a huge pool of poor in debt medical students at your finger tips - willing to do just about anything to make an extra buck. There are tons of studies going on, but obviously the line must be drawn somewhere & you have to find the studies. Some will pay big bucks.
I called on a study once that wanted to perform a spinal tap on healthy patients for I don't remember what. I was really curious to see how much they would pay - I'm thinking in my head I wouldn't do this for much less than a few hundred bucks and I still probably wouldn't do it. When I called and asked the lady on the phone said the compensation was $50!!!! I'm thinking you're crazy!
So there ya go - medical student/ lab rat. Awesome!
This morning I woke up and went and had my blood drawn for a research study here at the medical center. I am acting as a healthy control that is looking into Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Chron's disease). They just needed a few vials of the blood. I have great veins - I'm sure some of my classmates are looking forward to practicing on me for blood draws and IV's when clinical skills week rolls around. I had to be stuck twice because my first vein didn't give enough blood to fill all the needed tubes. It's probably because I was somewhat dehydrated at 7:30 this morning. I could have stopped there and still made my money, but I let them stick my other arm and finished the job! If I'm going to be a lab rat - I at least want to be a good one.
This is what they do at the medical center if you need young healthy control subjects. There is a huge pool of poor in debt medical students at your finger tips - willing to do just about anything to make an extra buck. There are tons of studies going on, but obviously the line must be drawn somewhere & you have to find the studies. Some will pay big bucks.
I called on a study once that wanted to perform a spinal tap on healthy patients for I don't remember what. I was really curious to see how much they would pay - I'm thinking in my head I wouldn't do this for much less than a few hundred bucks and I still probably wouldn't do it. When I called and asked the lady on the phone said the compensation was $50!!!! I'm thinking you're crazy!
So there ya go - medical student/ lab rat. Awesome!
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