I just ended week #2 of Psych. The experiences are getting better and better as this rotation moves on. This week, I had the pleasure of meeting a 31 year old gentleman. He is very intelligent and goal oriented. He is a writer of screen plays for theater and movies. During the interview he spoke well and there was rarely a hint as to what this young man's troubles were. Until he was asked "Who brought you here?" Then the floodgates opened and he started spewing out delusions of a secret government conspirarcy against him that involved the military, how he had lots of proof and was prepared to go to the Civil Rights Court....but then they found out and started teleporting razor blades to his eyes, mouth, and rectum and eventually they found him....beat him up (this is partly true considering he resisted NYPD arrest, attacked an officer and they had to subdue him; he had some bruises and cuts on his face)....and placed him in this maximum security facility (the Psych floor he is currently on) where he has no access to the outside world. I had a chance to read some of his writings and they were quite amazing. He also has a blog which clearly shows his delusions and train of thought regarding those that are after him. Unfortunately for this young man, he has suffered from mental illness since 14 and refuses to take his medications because he firmly believes there is nothing wrong with him. It seems his only option now is to be placed in a state mental facility for long term treatment and care.
Disappointment this week as the women's USA hockey team could not beat Canada and settled for a silver medal. I was very upset. Although, I will say that those Canadian women sure know how to party....beer and cigars!!! Hey, its hockey and a gold medal. If I won an olympic gold medal I would be out there doing the same exact thing!!!
Alison left NYC :( and headed back to California. With the snow storm that came through NYC on thursday/friday it looked as if her timing was really good. Except now the temps are pushing into the 40's (great running day today), so she may have left a little too early. But, hopefully she will be back in the summer and the fun in the city will continue. The best part about Alison leaving the city.....her, layne, and myself had dinner with a doctor who was our neighbor in Grenada. This doctor is now doing a residency at Maimonides. The dinner (Indian food) was fantastic and it was really great to catch up on everyone's lives....especially Layne since I haven't seen her since December!!!
Today is February 28th!!! Tomorrow starts March!!! The time is flying and I have so much to do. I am busy studying for Step 2 and the test is fast approaching (only 5 more weeks :( I also have to work on my personal statement for residency programs....which is a work in progress ALWAYS!! I loathe writing about myself....and just when I think my statement is good, I end up re-reading it....hating it....and starting over. So, I am on draft 43!! LOL
Did I mention it snowed her in NYC??? Normally, snow here is like a few inches or so....that doesn't even compare to what we get upstate. But betweeen Thursday and Friday night, this massive Northeastern storm dumped about 2-3 feet on NYC and for here, that is alot!!! There were so many cars/trucks/buses trapped and stuck in the snow. I of course managed to make it to work on Friday only to find out that all of our lectures were cancelled and we could go home. Getting to work only took me 30 minutes but getting home was almost an hour and a half!!!
Okay, back to some studying. I was going to watch the men's hockey final....USA vs. Canada, but I am still disappointed about the women's loss and I have alot of work to do. I do hope the men can win the gold though!!! Everyone have a great night :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
:)
Yes, that would be a smiley face.....because I just watched USA beat Canada in an Olympic grudge match!! (men's hockey) It was a great game, made better by 2 beers and some potato skins. Dane was gracious enough to invite me and several others to his hood (Bay Ridge), to watch this game at the Salty Dog.....an old firehouse turned bar. Awesome place!!! Good food!! Lots of tv's!! I even got my pic with the resident Dalmation:
Today was an overall nice day. I woke up and decided that since I had spent the entire day yesterday in my apt studying for the Step, that I was going to do something fun today. So, I called Daniel up to see if he could come out and play.....he could, so away we went.
Then, Daniel and I headed into the city for some comfort Japanese food....and hot chocolate at The City Bakery (its the hot chocolate festival). It was a very rich hottie, but super yummy!!
Today was an overall nice day. I woke up and decided that since I had spent the entire day yesterday in my apt studying for the Step, that I was going to do something fun today. So, I called Daniel up to see if he could come out and play.....he could, so away we went. First stop, Chelsea's to see the new addition to the family...LOLA!!! Matt and Chelsea rescued this adorable Pit bull mix and she is the sweetest, most lovable dog ever. We took her out for a walk....went to the pet store.....then to the dog park. Every step of the way, she was adorable. 
Sadly, Daniel and I had to part ways as he was off to a pool party and I needed to watch some hockey!!!
I know you are all interested in how my first week of Psych went....it went well. The program is very structured, which is nice. I get to sit in on interviews with patients, and some have been down right entertaining!!! This week's recap of interviews include:
- the lady who thinks her stepmother is hiring people to rape and kill her, and therefore tried to "get her first".
- the young man who says jesus is telling him to "get his lithium NOW" and that he will die a horrible death without it.
- the middle aged man who tried to slit his wrists, but after the first attempt realized he is not very good at it and became extremely depressed, thus voluntarily admitting himself into the hospital. With all honestly, looking at the wound on his left wrist, my cat could have scratched deeper. We also learned that he spent his entire disability check of $1900 for this month on crack.
Overall, I really like the resident I am assigned to and my supervising attending is great too. And, there has been a lot of study time which I have been utilizing for Step 2. I will be sure to post a more "play by play" of the psych day later in the week. Right now, I am off to bed.
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Take care. :)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
End of Ob...trip upstate....Psych!!!
Recap of the last week:
So last wednesday was my final call in Ob/gyn and was I ever busy!! I had the pleasure of sharing my call with Dane (fellow medical student extraordinaire). We took turns scrubbing in for c-sections which by the end of the night totalled 5. The highlight of the night was my lone vaginal delivery. Dane was scrubbed on a section and I decided to help the midwife who was very busy (side note: big storm the night before caused alot of snow and icy conditions which in turn led to alot of people calling in and the unit being very short-handed). The pregnant mother was a russian woman who was about to have her 1st child (2 prior pregnancies were miscarriages). So, the midwife, nurse, and myself all helped deliver the baby....A GIRL!!! The mother and her family were so happy. About an hour later, while I was eating dinner and the midwife calls me and says "I have a surprise for you, come down to the unit." So, I go downstairs and she hands me a 750ml bottle of Cognac VSOP and a box of Godiva chocolates. Apparently the family of the above woman bought me, the midwife, and nurse celebratory alcohol and chocolate . I was completely stunned. This was by no means a cheap bottle of alcohol (or chocolates). I went to the woman's room and thanked her which got me numerous thanks in return. I was very surprised and humbled by the whole experience.....and very grateful. Of course, I shared my good fortune with Dane....I don't drink Cognac so I gave him the bottle to take on his ski trip. Hopefully, he enjoyed it :)
After my written exam on friday (no need to explain because I am sure I did well), I packed my things and headed to Albany courtesy of Mit and Roberta who bought me round trip train tics for my b-day. Friday night I attended a Hawaiian party (great food)!! Saturday I drove with Mit and Roberta to Ithaca to see some hockey, and then drove back to Albany (6 hours is a long time in the car, but the DP dough made up for it). I had breakfast with Alana and Cynthia on Sunday morning. Enjoyed a nice Valentine's day dinner of meatloaf with Mit and Roberta on Sunday night. And relaxed on monday until my train left. It was a very nice break from the city and I am thankful to Roberta and Mit for the wondeful weekend!! Can't wait to see you both in Vermont!!!
Yesterday started Psych at Maimo and the day was filled with running around getting IDs, and computer training and meeting with our teams. I am assigned to the 6th floor which is an inpatient floor. Today I arrived at 8am for morning rounds. At 9am, I sat in on a group discussion with about 7 patients (very interesting conversations and opinions shared). At 9:30 I was able to sit in on a patient interview. This patient was admitted the evening before. His story on how he ended up at Maimo was very interesting. By the end of the 30 minute interview it was clear that this gentleman was severely bipolar and currently in a manic episode. After the interview, I sat with the resident and discussed his diagnosis and treatment plan. At 10:30 we had grand rounds followed by 11:30 medical clearance rounds. I ate lunch and then headed to the library to read up on Bipolar as well as schizophrenia. Lecture was cancelled, so I was able to head home a little early (or so I thought........)
I have to catch the bus to Maimo which is nice because it picks me up right in front of my building. However, waiting to return from the hospital can be annoying and at this time of year, very cold. So, I left the hospital and headed to the bus stop and.....missed the bus by 20 seconds (it was pulling away as I turned the corner). So, I had to wait 15 minutes for the next one which really turned into 25 minutes because of traffic. Finally on the bus, I thought I was almost home free. But, about 10 minutes into the ride the bus driver pulls over and tells us we have to disembark and wait for another bus. No explanation is given by this driver. WTF??? So about 20 of us pile off and wait.....and wait.....and wait. Finally a bus comes and this one makes it to my apt building....about 65 minutes after I left the hospital (normally should take 15 min). I was so chilled to the bone that once home I jumped into a steaming hot shower for 30 minutes and then proceeded to climb under my electric blanket!!!
I am done typing for tonight...have to get back to my studying. I hope everyone has a great night! :)
So last wednesday was my final call in Ob/gyn and was I ever busy!! I had the pleasure of sharing my call with Dane (fellow medical student extraordinaire). We took turns scrubbing in for c-sections which by the end of the night totalled 5. The highlight of the night was my lone vaginal delivery. Dane was scrubbed on a section and I decided to help the midwife who was very busy (side note: big storm the night before caused alot of snow and icy conditions which in turn led to alot of people calling in and the unit being very short-handed). The pregnant mother was a russian woman who was about to have her 1st child (2 prior pregnancies were miscarriages). So, the midwife, nurse, and myself all helped deliver the baby....A GIRL!!! The mother and her family were so happy. About an hour later, while I was eating dinner and the midwife calls me and says "I have a surprise for you, come down to the unit." So, I go downstairs and she hands me a 750ml bottle of Cognac VSOP and a box of Godiva chocolates. Apparently the family of the above woman bought me, the midwife, and nurse celebratory alcohol and chocolate . I was completely stunned. This was by no means a cheap bottle of alcohol (or chocolates). I went to the woman's room and thanked her which got me numerous thanks in return. I was very surprised and humbled by the whole experience.....and very grateful. Of course, I shared my good fortune with Dane....I don't drink Cognac so I gave him the bottle to take on his ski trip. Hopefully, he enjoyed it :)
After my written exam on friday (no need to explain because I am sure I did well), I packed my things and headed to Albany courtesy of Mit and Roberta who bought me round trip train tics for my b-day. Friday night I attended a Hawaiian party (great food)!! Saturday I drove with Mit and Roberta to Ithaca to see some hockey, and then drove back to Albany (6 hours is a long time in the car, but the DP dough made up for it). I had breakfast with Alana and Cynthia on Sunday morning. Enjoyed a nice Valentine's day dinner of meatloaf with Mit and Roberta on Sunday night. And relaxed on monday until my train left. It was a very nice break from the city and I am thankful to Roberta and Mit for the wondeful weekend!! Can't wait to see you both in Vermont!!!
Yesterday started Psych at Maimo and the day was filled with running around getting IDs, and computer training and meeting with our teams. I am assigned to the 6th floor which is an inpatient floor. Today I arrived at 8am for morning rounds. At 9am, I sat in on a group discussion with about 7 patients (very interesting conversations and opinions shared). At 9:30 I was able to sit in on a patient interview. This patient was admitted the evening before. His story on how he ended up at Maimo was very interesting. By the end of the 30 minute interview it was clear that this gentleman was severely bipolar and currently in a manic episode. After the interview, I sat with the resident and discussed his diagnosis and treatment plan. At 10:30 we had grand rounds followed by 11:30 medical clearance rounds. I ate lunch and then headed to the library to read up on Bipolar as well as schizophrenia. Lecture was cancelled, so I was able to head home a little early (or so I thought........)
I have to catch the bus to Maimo which is nice because it picks me up right in front of my building. However, waiting to return from the hospital can be annoying and at this time of year, very cold. So, I left the hospital and headed to the bus stop and.....missed the bus by 20 seconds (it was pulling away as I turned the corner). So, I had to wait 15 minutes for the next one which really turned into 25 minutes because of traffic. Finally on the bus, I thought I was almost home free. But, about 10 minutes into the ride the bus driver pulls over and tells us we have to disembark and wait for another bus. No explanation is given by this driver. WTF??? So about 20 of us pile off and wait.....and wait.....and wait. Finally a bus comes and this one makes it to my apt building....about 65 minutes after I left the hospital (normally should take 15 min). I was so chilled to the bone that once home I jumped into a steaming hot shower for 30 minutes and then proceeded to climb under my electric blanket!!!
I am done typing for tonight...have to get back to my studying. I hope everyone has a great night! :)
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
"You are pretty...and the boys, they are only after one thing....SEX!"
I am not even going to apologize for not posting in weeks. It really is no use considering I am a crappy blogger. I try to remember to post, but then I get sidetracked. Tonight, I just happened to be looking at another blog and thought "maybe I should post to mine"...thinking it had only been a week or so. No, not even close....try 4 weeks :( I have alot of catching up to do. So here is the short version:
This is the last week of Ob/Gyn....YAY!!!! It seemed only slightly shy of 6 weeks ago I started this rotation. I have my last overnight call as a medical student tomorrow. Overall, the calls were okay. I got to deliver a few babies....scrub on some c-sections....and spend lots of time reading and learning (considering it can take hours from the start of labor until the end). The past 3 weeks I have been in Ob clinic. Lots of checking the position of the baby, measuring the fundus, finding fetal heart sounds on portable dopplers. I also was able to do a dozen pelvic exams with specimen collection...have to protect those babies from Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Group B strep!!!
Today I had my oral exam with the Director of the Department. Hard to prepare for an exam from someone you have not formally met. She is a very busy woman!! The oral went well though. Her questions were thorough without being ridiculously hard. She also explained and did some mini teaching during the exam. I got the impression that she loves to teach and I think we would have benefitted from having more exposure with her. Overall, my oral exam went really well. I have the written portion on Friday and then I am officially done.
My caption for this blog entry is courtesy of Dr. L, one of the funniest Ob doctors I have met. He tells it like it is. One of his favorite words is Bullshit and he uses it alot!! Here is a play by play of his interaction with one patient today:
Dr. L: What are you planning on using for birth control after the baby is born?
Patient: Ummm.....not sure
Dr. L: You know, you are a pretty woman and the boys, they are only after one thing from you....SEX!! Trust me, I know.
Patient: (just giggles)
Dr. L: I won't even suggest Depo Provera....you know why??
Patient: No
Dr. L: Because it will make your ass fat!
Patient: (giggles more)
Dr. L: How about an IUD....there is no way you will get a fat ass from that.
Patient: Can I think about it?
Dr. L: You want to think about getting a fat ass or using an IUD?
Patient: The IUD
Dr. L: Of course, think about it and get back to me.
How I will miss following that man!!!
Before I go, I would just like to post the following:
This is the last week of Ob/Gyn....YAY!!!! It seemed only slightly shy of 6 weeks ago I started this rotation. I have my last overnight call as a medical student tomorrow. Overall, the calls were okay. I got to deliver a few babies....scrub on some c-sections....and spend lots of time reading and learning (considering it can take hours from the start of labor until the end). The past 3 weeks I have been in Ob clinic. Lots of checking the position of the baby, measuring the fundus, finding fetal heart sounds on portable dopplers. I also was able to do a dozen pelvic exams with specimen collection...have to protect those babies from Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Group B strep!!!
Today I had my oral exam with the Director of the Department. Hard to prepare for an exam from someone you have not formally met. She is a very busy woman!! The oral went well though. Her questions were thorough without being ridiculously hard. She also explained and did some mini teaching during the exam. I got the impression that she loves to teach and I think we would have benefitted from having more exposure with her. Overall, my oral exam went really well. I have the written portion on Friday and then I am officially done.
My caption for this blog entry is courtesy of Dr. L, one of the funniest Ob doctors I have met. He tells it like it is. One of his favorite words is Bullshit and he uses it alot!! Here is a play by play of his interaction with one patient today:
Dr. L: What are you planning on using for birth control after the baby is born?
Patient: Ummm.....not sure
Dr. L: You know, you are a pretty woman and the boys, they are only after one thing from you....SEX!! Trust me, I know.
Patient: (just giggles)
Dr. L: I won't even suggest Depo Provera....you know why??
Patient: No
Dr. L: Because it will make your ass fat!
Patient: (giggles more)
Dr. L: How about an IUD....there is no way you will get a fat ass from that.
Patient: Can I think about it?
Dr. L: You want to think about getting a fat ass or using an IUD?
Patient: The IUD
Dr. L: Of course, think about it and get back to me.
How I will miss following that man!!!
Before I go, I would just like to post the following:
A new addition to the other 4 :) :) And I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!
Take care everyone. Have a great night!!!
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