Examinaciones

Oral exam down (went well!), written to go. Friday's the big day. Then Jackie P's gonna be in town this weekend. :)

When I Grow Up

After each clerkship is finished, I usually have to reassess my thoughts on just where it is I'm headed on this medical map. After nearly 7 weeks spent in the crazy, bloody world of general (and this week trauma) surgery, my feelings need some sorting through. Rather unexpectely, I really enjoyed surgery. I wouldn't say I thrived in it (yet), it felt like a constant uphill trek. But I liked it. I loved the challenge and I loved the hands-on healing aspect. And I got some good feedback from residents and attendings that let me know I'm at least not too clearly ill-suited for a career in surgery. Last week, I even dared to check out some prospective surgery residencies at Vandy online for giggles. Problems I have with surgery? Very demanding residency, leaving little time for my new family and my kid(s). Difficult to be pregnant as a surgery resident, as I most likely will be again if not a few times during the next 7 years. So for those reasons, it falls a distant second to peds at this point, but I can't rule it out either. Next up, ob/gyn and babies, babies, babies!

Top 3 Olfactory Adventures, First Week of Surgery

3. Stagnant hospital air punctuated by fresh poop vapors
2. Electrocauterized blood and leg fat
1. Thigh ulceration oozing brown pus

I'm sure that's just the beginning. I'm sure there's a lot worse to come.