I had written out this whole long story about how today I diagnosed my first fetal demise--- which basically means I noticed poor growth and then no fetal heart tones, which means fetal death--- at first I didn't believe it and assumed it was just my med student skills throwing things off but an US confirmed the absence of heart beat or fetal ( Read more... )

 I spent the last six weeks in Peru.  Now I'm sitting on my floor eating a handful of cheerios and sipping stale coffee while waiting for AAA to come jump start my car--- whole new world?   I will probably write about Peru at some point-- it's a beautiful country, met some interesting folks, had lots and lots of quality time with my classmates ( ( Read more... )

 So last night I helped a classmate edit an article for the Saginaw monthly newsletter (yes very lame concept in general)-- she decided to write about how easy it is to get sucked into the daily grind and forget about the surrounding community we came here to work with in the first place.  We both worked at the downtown hospital Sat morning and got ( Read more... )

Lots of conflicting thoughts per usual--- it's weird to be in a place in my life where I have doomed myself into one path. Not a location, or a person, or a family, or a normal life of course but like it or not in a very short time my name can be shortened to doc. I'm kind of amazed by this for a multitude of reasons. I feel some sort of pro ( Read more... )

Hola mi amigos--- per usual it has been awhile.  Made it through my last domain exam (renal/urinary tract) which definitely wasn't my thing.  Starting to hunker down and think about boards (coming up in June) which is intense and starting clinicals in July (which is exciting).  Feeling a little more doctorly-- moved through prostate and urinary ( Read more... )

It has been a long time. So exhausted right now-- starting a new project with central Michigan refugee resettlement agencys to pair medical students (and potentially other types of students) with refugee families.  Basically establishing a health mentor opportunity- helping the family navigate the system, get the care they need, work out issues ( Read more... )

One more week 'til the end of hell month+! Psyched and had a little mental readjustment this afternoon, decided to go for a hike, found a link a wilderness medicine elective (thanks Harvard) for year 3 or 4 (let's see if I can sell my school on this one), and cruising to the finish ( and getting some sleep!! hurray!)  Ready to be free from the ( Read more... )

It has been a hell of a time eh? Tonight's been one of those nights when every song I listen to just sounds good... these are my favorite kind of nights. Survived half of "hell month" only 3 weeks and 8 exams to go.  So tired and have been feeling pretty sick lately but will try to recover over break.  Would like to bust out of Michigan for a few ( Read more... )

Made it- one step closer to being a doc, one step further away from knowing what I'm doing with my life (backwards- you better believe it).  My mom told me today she'd be happy if I became a ridge runner for the rest of my life- I'd walk the trail, repair shelters and get paid for it?? Rough life- I miss that freedom- weirdly  I miss being homeless ( Read more... )

I miss the trail- really I'd be excited for some natural light in general (lecture all day and the med school study area is really nice and plushy but in a basement so zero windows).  I also wish I had more time for walking/running/working some other part of my brain than the hippocampus (memory processor of the brain?!- hurray for practical ( Read more... )