Small Victories

Some large tasks are best thought of in small steps....no, I'm not talking about becoming a doctor, I'm talking about setting up one's home. This week I had several exciting small victories:

After two weeks of phone calls, some requiring syrupy sweetness and all requiring undying persistence, I finally have fully functioning appliances in my home:


I made mac n' cheese to celebrate.

Some of my favorite art pieces are finally hanging on the wall.

And the pièce de résistance....drumroll....a dining room table!

(yes, I put the whole thing in my little car!)

It is a steal from the Salvation Army and needs a small amount of cosmetic work, but it is very useful, you know, like for eating a meal I have cooked....on my new stove!

I also started another large endeavor this week, residency. For those of you who are still confused, residency is post-graduate training for medical graduates so we can actually learn how to be a doctor (which does beg the question...what have I been doing for the last 5 years? It's better just not to ask). Most residency training is fairly general and you can continue on after residency to do fellowship in more specialized fields. ANYWAY, I'm doing my residency in Internal Medicine AND Pediatrics, which means I will be trained to be an internist and a pediatrician. Sort of being a double major in college, after this is over, I hope to be board certified in both fields. The way we accomplish that is by alternatively rotating for 3 months on Pediatrics and Medicine.....for 4 years (straight Internal Medicine or Pediatrics residencies are 3 years).

BUT to start residency, you must be trained to resuscitate patients who are having trouble breathing or getting their heart to pump. Due to my combined program, I had to get certified to resuscitate neonates (newborns), children aged 1 mo-18 years and adults....whew! PLUS there is a ton of paperwork, logistics and social functions. I've been busy!

My favorite activity this week?!? Well, beyond being served BBQ about 12 times (a little tough for the veggies), I intubated (put a tube down the trachea of) a ferret. Yes, a ferret. They are actually a very good replica of the neonate respiratory system, so it was pretty cool. (they were sedated, no animal cruelty, promise)

My least favorite activity of orientation? Thinking about June 24th, my first day of working as a real doctor AND my first night on call, when I will spend all night in the hospital, admitting patients and answering nurses call (and hopefully not using ANY of that advanced life-support training).

Andy also made his venture into the South this past weekend....and that will be the next post! Come back soon to see it!