Latest stuff

Busy just happens.  Finished the third test this year.  Did better than I thought I would.  It's odd to go into these tests feeling so unsure of how well I know the material.  We just cover such a great deal of information.  So, here's a heads up to future students:  Assimilating vast portions of the knowledge base is an unavoidable part of the rite of passage.  All med schools need to present the material, and we then must engage it with vigor.  And, although it seems impossible at the time, the vast majority of us seem to be able to do it.  Do try to remain focused and motivated.  Find your groove.  Gather this knowledge like a harvest in summer.  Consider it food for a good life.  It will be part of your training to learn how to learn well.  It will need to be a mastered skill you use as a doctor.

Been planning the birthday run and the VA walk again this year.  Have some help from the Dean's office this time.  Will build a web site for the run.  Hope to raise a little scholarship money for the school.   Will be fun and will try to do a good deed at the same time.   Hopefully the legs will hold out...  :0)

Almost completely settled into the new place. Just a couple more small tasks to finish up and will call it home, I think.  It really has made a difference in reducing distraction and allowing me a sense of peace.  Has been a great change.  Am very thankful for this new space to be.

Want to look over the new syllabus before bed and get a bite to eat.  Maybe can add a few thoughts when I have more time.

Settling in

Pretty much was moved in last weekend and am now feeling fairly settled in the new place.   Am remembering the major life events that cause stress in people's lives and that moves are high on the list.   So is divorce.   Am wondering if med school is on the list...  So, this is my 5th move since starting med school.  Hopefully, it will be the last until residency (not counting rural and away rotations...).  Maybe this will help me connect with the stress that folks are facing every day as I meet them in clinic, as they lay in hospital beds and hope for recovery.  I am reminded of how good it felt to relax tonight - for my feet to get warm and to drift off into a deep slumber in a quiet room where no noxious smoke drifted into my awareness.  I hope I can remember and recognize and appreciate the deleterious effects of stress in our patients' worlds.  I hope I can find ways to minimize it for them, so they can get on with more productive efforts.

I was reading today about the wild horse auction here in Oregon.  Noticed an article about a fellow with cystic fibrosis who went out and bought himself a gentled mustang after a good experience with a friend's horse.  He said taking his horse on a trail ride was the most amazing thing he had ever done.  He said it made him forget about his wife who had just died of cancer and made the long-term pain in his back disappear.  He said doctors don't know everything.  I confess that's true, but I'm learning as fast as I can, so I won't be so clueless when I get there.  Maybe I could acquire a few of those horses and use them as therapy horses.  I do like that idea.  Would be pretty amazing, actually.

Spent some time today thinking about a rural practice that I might be able to do eventually.  Looked at the WY maps again.  Really think I'm falling in love with the state and that it truly belongs at the top of my list.  I have created a weighted spreadsheet with about 20 criteria, so I might compare apples to apples for the various residency programs I am interested in.  Have it narrowed down to 8 or 9.  Definitely a solid list.  It gives me a frame of reference and a sense of direction.  Was well worth the time putting it together last summer.  Now, it's just nice to pull it up for a reminder and to tweak it from time to time.

All is good.  Kind of digging the kidney.  Amazing organ, it is.  Will have another look at it tonight.

Hello, Blog.

Moved some stuff to the new place today. Measured some rooms and furniture to see if everything would fit. Had to sell a couple of things since the new place is pretty small. Took the bed all apart just to get that painful task out of the way. Decided to turn it the short way to have access to one side of drawers. Got a flu shot yesterday, so have been feeling a bit achy and tired, but overall a good day. I did take a nap... Will hit the books tonight and go to bed when I get sleepy.

Tomorrow will see if I can get the storage moved over to the new storage areas in the roof spaces. Pulled a muscle in my back today, though, so may not get too far. Exam on Friday, so will need to stay focused on that as priority.

Bought a dozen donuts yesterday. Felt somewhat guilty after all the nutrition lectures in our cardiovascular classes. But, not that guilty… Been going to the gym more and getting in some runs. Think I will do a run through downtown and see if I can’t raise a little money for the school to celebrate my 50th. Am thinking 7 miles will be plenty doable and a distance that might be short enough to allow others to come along and celebrate with me. Will work on that after I’m settled into the new place.

Am finding the material much more interesting this year. It’s as hard or harder than last year, but has much more of a clinical focus, and we are learning the pathology now. I confess there are still frustrations with contradictions in the material and never really being sure what will be relevant to our practices, but the journey is definitely becoming more engaging. Spending time soul-searching and focusing on a specialty this summer was a productive effort. It has given me a clearer vision and energy for the race. Am curious to see what lies around the bend. Good adventure, I think.

New Year, School Year

Finished the first test. Passed with plenty of room (as though there is much...). Southwest Clinic and the Geriatric and Palliative Care Interest Group seem to be pretty much organized and plugging along now. Am going to try to get focused more over the next couple of weeks and prepare well for the next test. The courses we are now taking are much more relevant to what we will be doing when we get into the clinic. Really enjoying that aspect of this year.

Going to move again. Too many smokers and disrespectful folks in this complex. This, of course, is in spite of the fact that my lease says this is a non-smoking property. Go figure. Found a fantastic house nearby that is owned by an amazing lady and managed by her good-hearted son. Definitely a blessing in disguise as these houses don't come available much here on the hill. Am crossing my fingers it will be a place I can stay until school is out.

The rain and cool weather have begun in earnest. Summer started halfway through August and lasted til mid-September. When people ask if I will be staying around here, I just laugh.

It sounds crazy but I'm really looking forward to learning more about the kidneys and fluid and electrolyte balance. It's really very interesting and critical in patient care. Really want to master this stuff. I know it will make a difference for many people down the line.

Let's see... a confession... I tried to go to a get-together downtown last night. Went to the address and could hear folks up on the rooftop, but couldn’t figure out how to get in. Kind of bizarre, but was unable to figure it out. Went home and got some work done. Could have been worse. :0)