Island Med Student

Today was my last day of anesthesiology. I completely enjoyed my 2 week rotation. I learned a lot about anesthesiology and had a lot of fun. I have absolutely no interest in going into anesthesiology, but the concepts and skills I learned are very applicable to medicine in general, especially emergency medicine.

I have a few interviews next week, and a huge gap in my schedule right now. I won’t be starting pediatrics until February (very long story), so I have to plug in my schedule with some more electives.

The weather has been yucky the past few days, but walking home today was great. I figured out a cool new path to get home, which involves taking a shortcut through a park. As a parkophiliac, this is a very wonderful thing to me. Today, on my way home, a young kid asked me if he could borrow my cellphone to call his mom. Of course, I let him do so, and afterwards, he went on and on about how he wanted to get the same phone. He was probably around 7 years old…and he wanted a cellphone! I guess I’m old for even thinking that is strange.

Anyway, I have a bunch of errands to catch up on (including email replies) and other stuff to do this weekend. I’m looking forward to more interviewing next week.

I met a third-year med student today at the hospital cafeteria. She was so in awe that I was a fourth-year student, about to enter residency. I remember when that was me! How quickly things things change. And how strange and wonderful it is that the next step always seems the most challenging and amazing. Such is life!

Please enjoy the photo with this post. My discarded baby stroller addiction continues!

“Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

I enjoyed my day of anesthesiology today. I got to help out on two cases: a TAH BSO and an emergency tracheostomy on an awake patient.

I just got an invitation to Ross University’s chapter of Physician for Human Rights’s (I used to be the president and webmaster) annual Thanksgiving dinner for the Grange Home for the elderly in Dominica. Oh, how I wish I could attend. I am proud to the max that I was the impetus for this event 2 years ago. It makes me happy to no end to know that the tradition is being continued!

Please enjoy the three photos in this post: 2 wall murals taken in Bushwick yesterday, and a pic from the current generation of PHR’s folks at the Grange.

“Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

I woke up this morning from a dream, singing the song “Am-A-Do” by Bob Marley. Very strange. Anyway, I realized that I had not written anything here for a few days.

Nothing too exciting going on lately. I’m totally enjoying anesthesiology so far. I have one more week to go. I like getting practice setting up IVs, and I’m getting much better. Friday I had a really interesting case. I can’t give the details, of course, but I can say it involved a foreign object that had slipped into a patient’s heart. The patient could not undergo general anesthesia because she was too high risk due to her severe COPD. So, we had to use MAC (monitored anesthesia care). The patient was completely awake and alert throughout the procedure. I stayed by her head and gave her a play by play, as she wanted to know what was going on the whole time. I reassured her, and kept her comfortable. It was a very interesting experience.

Today, it’s supposed to get up to 66 degrees! So, I’m planning to go on a nice, long run. I have to finish up some errands as well.

Oh, and if anyone is reading this and you recently received an email invitation from me for some crazy app, don’t click on the link! I sent it accidentally to everyone in my address book because of my crappy French! Long story, but just delete the email. My apologies!

It’s time to go outside for a doggy walk and to check the temperature! Adios!

Note: Photos are more iPhone pics taken on my walk to the hospital. Enjoy!

“Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

Today was a great day in anesthesiology. I actually learned quite a bit and successfully set up three IVs, which made me happy.

Some random tidbits learned?

1) Never give Lactacted Ringers to a patient with renal failure, because it contains potassium and the patient can become hyperkalemic.

2) How to perform a TURP (Transurethral Resection of Prostate), and how to avoid TURP syndrome by properly hydrating the patient (use normal saline, and don’t over-hydrate) and use the right anesthetic (a spinal block is a good option, and is what the doctor used today).

3) All about neuromuscular blocking drugs (actually, I presented the topic).

4) How to set up an IV by sono guidance.

And MUCH much more that I am too tired to write about.

Enjoy the photo with this post, which is yet another iPhone shot taken on my way to the hospital.

“Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

After a long day of anesthesiology, I’m pooped to the max. I have to create a presentation on neuromuscular blocking drugs for tomorrow, so I don’t have any time for sharing wonderful pearls of anesthesiology wisdom with everyone right now.

One random factoid that I learned is that opiates are the only analgesic/anesthetic agents that cause a decrease in respiratory RATE. Other drugs can depress respiration, but they affect the tidal volume or O2 sat, not the rate.

Also, I observed two toes being amputated today. Diabetes does horribly evil things.

Please enjoy all the photos in this post. I took them all on my walk home from the hospital today. A lovely trash pile with baby paraphernalia, and a bed and stroller that bit the dust.

Good night sweet world!

“Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

Sorry, but you’ll only get the title of my post if you were in my ob/gyn group. There was an awesome Jamaican ob nurse who would said “anesTHEESHYA” in her heavy Jamaican accent, and it always made us smile.

Anyway, I started an anesthesiology elective today. I have to get up early in the morning, but I don’t mind, because it’s SO GOOD to be back in the hospital again. Crazy that I actually miss the hospital, but I do. Hopefully will get some more practice at starting IVs and intubating. I could use the practice. Will try and start posting some “stuff learned” in anesthesiology as well!

Note: Photos have nothing to do with this post. I just happened to have some super sexy Scope photos on hand. Seriously? Shouldn’t it be illegal to be that hot?!