The Most Memorable Patient
I intended to just record a short note about a really incredible opportunity that I had over the past month to care for an unusual patient.
First, though, I want to add that the summer and transition into autumn was particularly eventful.
In June, we got engaged. The week after, we went to Pensacola to the beach with both of our families; a house right on the water.
Cousin at Case graduated with engineering degree, now in east Africa for Peace Corps, was able to come to the beach; her brother working in San Diego also came with his girlfriend. My brother and sister-in-law moved to Chicago; my brother came to the beach. Two of three future brothers-in-law came as well, one brought his girlfriend.
In July, I started my year as chief resident. Memory clinic, acquired brain injury clinic, taking care of the interns, participating in leadership group meetings, working on research with a large data set and a sizable team, teaching medical students, the list goes on and on.
In August, we completed an application for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy, who has since been born and is now almost 11 weeks old. His name is Augustus, and he is the sweetest puppy that has ever lived I'm sure of it.
In September, I have completed my applications for fellowship and have been offered 4 interviews. I will hear back from a 5th program today, which leaves 3 more -- they are perhaps the most competitive and the most desirable of the set, so I'm hoping to hear from them soon too. Interviews will be in October and November.
For October, I am starting as the administrative chief and will be doing our recruitment for our program with the program directors. There are hundreds of exceptional applicants to screen and more than 150 interviews will be conducted for 10 slots.
The real treat this past month was taking care of an inpatient who was admitted to a special unit of the hospital for patients whose treatment requires more privacy and discretion -- royalty, political leaders, billionaires, celebrities, etc. I was asked to be the resident on the team for such a case; patient was admitted for one month, and it was just the most unusual experience. The psychiatric aspects of the case were straightforward enough, but because of the life that this patient has led, it was an extraordinary glimpse into another world completely. I got to know the patient and their family, staff, and security quite well during this time. I met several of their friends, some of them high-profile themselves. Doing hour-long psychotherapy sessions, meeting with all of the other people, staying on call 24/7 for any needs, putting in orders as appropriate -- when it comes down to it, though there certainly was a supervising psychiatrist who is outstanding, I had the opportunity to be very present and got to know them all very, very well. This patient will continue to see me as an outpatient, interestingly enough. There are many questions about the case that I continue to have, particularly related to the ethics of care of patients who are accustomed to extraordinary power or luxury. The psychiatric problems are the same, but the techniques you accomplish the same goals...just requires a different sort of finesse.
That's what I have for now. Usually it would be time for service rounds, but instead we have a 'track activity' that I will be headed to. Change, transition; excitement in the air.
First, though, I want to add that the summer and transition into autumn was particularly eventful.
In June, we got engaged. The week after, we went to Pensacola to the beach with both of our families; a house right on the water.
Cousin at Case graduated with engineering degree, now in east Africa for Peace Corps, was able to come to the beach; her brother working in San Diego also came with his girlfriend. My brother and sister-in-law moved to Chicago; my brother came to the beach. Two of three future brothers-in-law came as well, one brought his girlfriend.
In July, I started my year as chief resident. Memory clinic, acquired brain injury clinic, taking care of the interns, participating in leadership group meetings, working on research with a large data set and a sizable team, teaching medical students, the list goes on and on.
In August, we completed an application for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy, who has since been born and is now almost 11 weeks old. His name is Augustus, and he is the sweetest puppy that has ever lived I'm sure of it.
In September, I have completed my applications for fellowship and have been offered 4 interviews. I will hear back from a 5th program today, which leaves 3 more -- they are perhaps the most competitive and the most desirable of the set, so I'm hoping to hear from them soon too. Interviews will be in October and November.
For October, I am starting as the administrative chief and will be doing our recruitment for our program with the program directors. There are hundreds of exceptional applicants to screen and more than 150 interviews will be conducted for 10 slots.
The real treat this past month was taking care of an inpatient who was admitted to a special unit of the hospital for patients whose treatment requires more privacy and discretion -- royalty, political leaders, billionaires, celebrities, etc. I was asked to be the resident on the team for such a case; patient was admitted for one month, and it was just the most unusual experience. The psychiatric aspects of the case were straightforward enough, but because of the life that this patient has led, it was an extraordinary glimpse into another world completely. I got to know the patient and their family, staff, and security quite well during this time. I met several of their friends, some of them high-profile themselves. Doing hour-long psychotherapy sessions, meeting with all of the other people, staying on call 24/7 for any needs, putting in orders as appropriate -- when it comes down to it, though there certainly was a supervising psychiatrist who is outstanding, I had the opportunity to be very present and got to know them all very, very well. This patient will continue to see me as an outpatient, interestingly enough. There are many questions about the case that I continue to have, particularly related to the ethics of care of patients who are accustomed to extraordinary power or luxury. The psychiatric problems are the same, but the techniques you accomplish the same goals...just requires a different sort of finesse.
That's what I have for now. Usually it would be time for service rounds, but instead we have a 'track activity' that I will be headed to. Change, transition; excitement in the air.