Island Med Student

First of all I just want to give a big “THANKS!” to all the readers of my blog. It’s amazing that so many people have any interest in reading my random musings. Secondly, I wanted to thank you all for the kind emails and comments that you’ve sent over the past two years. While it sometimes takes me a million years to respond, please know that I read them all and do my best to respond to every email. Speaking of, if you’ve sent me an email and are awaiting a response, please do wait patiently. I promise to respond to all of you in my “spare” time.

My last post was particularly weepy, and I really wanted to thank all you commenters. It seems like I get a comment just when I need it the most. And when I read your words, I am touched. It’s so damn kind of you to send good wishes to a total stranger (and some not strangers). Seriously, it means so much to me, you could never imagine!

Also, I wanted to give an update on my current situation. I have good news to share. Today’s work at the wound care clinic was SO MUCH better. The shift was only 11 hours long, and I had time to eat, pee, and even sit down. I also had some lectures and actually learned a few things. Looking back, I am realizing that night call is very taxing. Combine that with the fact that I had no idea what I was doing, or how to get around the hospital, and a heavy patient load, and you have my pity party story of a hard time.

While I’m still not 100% in love with this rotation, I at least think I can get by. I still don’t think surgery is for me, but I’m at least having a little more fun. Also, before I forget, I will list some of the things I learned today.

But again, thank you everyone! I hope to return the favor someday.

1) How to evaluate a wound (size, color, type, characteristics, etc.)

2) All about PSA, and how to evaluate a person with urinary complaints.

3) How to evaluate and manage a patient with an electrolyte or pH imbalance.

4) Stage 4 sacral decubitus ulcers are horrific and incredibly sad.

5) I am goddamn lucky to be in good health.

6) I am lucky that nurses exist and are willing to clean up a patient’s bowel movement so that I can clean their wounds.

7) How to use a vacuum to suck out all the pus and badness from an ulcer.

8 ) Wearing a plastic gown, face mask, and double gloves can make for one hot Kendra…especially when I am also lifting a very heavy patient at the same time!

9) I have a very strong stomach for grossness, and my extensive experience with poop is a blessing in med school!

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Even the most floridly psychotic patients have many important things to say. Sometimes, their words are profoundly wonderful.

Today reminded me of this fact.

To protect confidentially, I’ll change the words, but the gist is this.

Today, I sat in on a music therapy group.

After listening to the Bill Withers song, “Lovely Day,” a patient said, “that’s a biscuit song.” When asked why, the patient responded, “because it’s fluffy and has lots of layers.”

That remark is one of the millions of reasons why I really do love my job (that I pay to have).

The abbreviated lyrics are below:

When I wake up in the morning love
and the sun light hurts my eyes

And something without warning
love
bears heavy on my mind.
Then I look at you and the world’s alright with me

Just one look at you and I know it’s gonna be -

A lovely day - lovely day

When the day that lies ahead of me seems impossible to face

And someone else instead of me always seems to know the way
Then I look at you and the world’s alright with me

Just one look at you and I know it’s gonna be -

A lovely day - lovely day

When the day that lies ahead of me seems impossible to face

A lovely day - lovely day

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Check out my post on Medscape about my renewed passion for psych.

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Dear Mom and Nana (my grandmother),

I wanted to wish you the happiest of mother’s days! I’m sorry that I was unable to visit on that day. Mom, you are by far the best mother on the planet. You have been there for me whenever I needed you, and have taught me how to truly love. You give the best back and foot massages, and are always there to mend my clothes or mend my heart. I love you! Happy Mother’s Day!

This is my mom, and me, I think! It could also be my older sister, Julena. Turns out we shop at the same baby clothing store…

This is my grandmother (Nana) and my three sisters, Julena, Briana, and Corina. Can you find me?

When you have three sisters and a mom who makes her own clothing, these are the consequences! Can you find me in this one?!

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“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”
-Henry David Thoreau

“When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.”
- Bill Clinton

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

“They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. In their grey visions they obtain glimpses of eternity.”
-Edgar Allan Poe

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A curious fact about Dominica: it’s a rainbow factory. I don’t know if it’s the weather or location, or the leprechauns, or what, but Dominica sure does have a lot of rainbows. And by a lot, I mean like pretty much one every day. I’ve seen up to 10 in one day. I’ve seen single rainbows, double rainbows, triple rainbows, big rainbows, half rainbows, and everything in between. It’s an amazing fact that never stops making my spine tingle. It never grows old. They always make me stop and smile. They fill me with colorful pleasure. I really do love the rainbows.

The pic above was taken a few days ago out my back balcony. Actually, if you look really closely, you can tell that it’s a double rainbow. Though I’ve definitely seen some way better ones. Soon I will be back into the bustle and gloom of the States. I’m gonna try and hack off a piece of rainbow to take home with me. I hope the leprechaun doesn’t catch me.

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Check out my post on Medscape my silly desire to save the world.

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I just accidentally came upon some of my old blog entries. I’ve had more than one blog in my time on this planet, but closed them all down when I started this one. I still do miss the more creative writing style that I used to have with some of my older, more personal blogs. Anyway, I came upon this entry, and it made me smile, so I thought I’d share it with all of you. It was written over 3 years ago. Here’s to art!

Two weekends ago, my friend Circus Boy bussed from NYC to DC to visit my friend Katie, and they invited me to join them in their festivities. Friday night we started at a posh and trendy gay bar called Halo where I randomly ran into my banker, and we then migrated to another gay bar, Apex, to get in some much needed dancing. We ended up dancing on the Karaoke stage and began an avant-garde dance routine which involved tossing around a bar chair. Right at the pinnacle moment of our performance, Circus Boy tossed the chair in the air for me to catch it, but since I wasn’t quite ready, the chair flew to the floor, breaking a glass on its way down. We were promptly escorted out of Apex.
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Check out my post on Medscape about finding inspiration.

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I have a million things I could do right now. I could respond to emails. I could watch Kaplan videos. I could practice physical exam skills. Yet I don’t feel like doing any of those things right now. I can blame the weather. I can blame the island. I can blame apathy. But really, it’s just my fault. I’m just so unmotivated to do things I should do. I’d rather do things I want to do. I’m trying so hard to not get pulled into this cycle, but I just can’t sharpen my nails quite sharp enough to dig them deep into the walls and get out of this pit of despair.

I just went through my photo library to find a pic to post with this entry. I couldn’t find anything relevant, so here’s a random pic of me years ago. I’m driving along in my Honda Del Sol, on the way to NYC. I miss that little car. It doesn’t start (you have to pop the clutch). It doesn’t pass inspection. It sometimes smells funny (especially when I leave the top off in the rain). It’s got different sized wheels. It’s got a lot of junk in its trunk (actually, it’s an art collection…long story). It’s got a million dents and bruises. But I love it anyway. It has character. It has spirit. It gets a lot of strange looks (especially when I blare my loud opera music). It eventually makes it up the hills. It’s seen a lot of things and gone a lot of places. Sometimes I feel like I am just like my little car.

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