One down.....one to go....

I am taking a quick break from studying.....my head feels like it is about to explode!! Too much studying and trying to cram in all the last minute details. I find that medicine has so many details. Little tiny tid bits of info that keep popping up. It is so hard to know it all, and even harder to try and figure out which detail is more important to know (at least according to the USMLE). My final preparation for Step 2 CK has been going over all the practice questions I got wrong and hoping that this information will not only stay in my head, but will help me navigate my test on Tuesday. Here's to hoping my plan works :)

In other news, I had my Step 2 CS exam on friday in Chicago. I did study for this test going over the USMLE book twice and practicing my interview/examination skills. I was really confident Friday morning.....I got up, had a great breakfast, and told myself that this test would not be a problem for me. I know myself....I am great with patients....great at getting relevant information....and great with thinking up differential diagnosis. What I found I am not great with is a time limit!!! You only get 15 minutes to interview and examine the patient and an additional 10 minutes to write the note. I found myself running out of time while in the room, unable to complete necessary physical exams. And my notes, well....lets just say I forgot many, MANY things (pertinent negatives and positives). I came out of the test feeling like shit!!! Of course, so did some of my fellow classmates who joined me at the Chicago site. But still.....my earlier invincibility was long gone. I spent most of the night thinking how I could have done better. How could I have asked the questions better?? How could I have done my exams better?? And the most important question of all....was I empathetic enough??? You see, this test really has nothing to do with medicine. It is a weed out test for two groups of people: those that are foreign born and don't speak english well....and those that do not show empathy towards pts. I keep asking myself over and over in my head....was I empathetic enough?? THIS is what I am worried about!!!! Because I could have nailed the exam...nailed the patient note, and yet, still fail on empathy. It sucks knowing that you could have wasted $1200 and your career because an actor didn't think you cared enough.

I will officially know my results on June 16th. I am trying hard to not think about it (since I can't really do anything about it now), and focus on Step 2 CK....but believe me, it is very, very hard!!! I'm thinking that medical school should throw in a course or two on acting!!

I will be home in 3 days.....can't wait.....:) :)

3rd year.....officially OVER!!!!

Today marks the day where I am no longer a 3rd year medical student and I can officially say, I AM A 4TH YEAR!!!! I walked out of Coney Island today with a huge smile plastered on my cute face :) I can't believe I have spent one entire year at Coney....it seems like I just started. I can only imagine how nice I will feel next year when I will be done with 4th year and starting my life as a doctor. I guess you will all just have to wait a year for that post :)

I have fallen off the face of the earth....literally!!! I have been so busy preparing for my upcoming Step exams that I have had little time to do anything. Of most significance....I finished my 1/2 marathon on April 25th!! I ran 13.1 miles in 2hr 11min 29sec. Unfortunately it was a wet and cold morning in Central Park....I was soaked even before the race began. Because I was so cold, I ran incredibly fast....and most of my body was completely numb, which at the time was great. However, I think I over extended myself just a little bit. I spent most of last week hobbling around, my right knee completely unhappy with my accomplishment. I tried to run this past Tuesday (only 3 miles) only to be in a lot of pain the past 2 days. So, running may be on the back burner for at least this next month while I give my knee a chance to heal. I'm thinking of buying some rollerblades or bringing my bike down from upstate so I don't completely lose my endurance, or my figure ;) Here are some pics of me:

Before the race: I think I look cold here....that or I need to poop (just joking, I did that already)

Here is me after the race: food in hand and my medal!!!! Actually, I cared more about the free food at the finish line

Now that 3rd year is over, what will I be doing?? Well, I have Step II CS in Chicago in one week and then Step II CK on May 18th....so I have alot of studying to do in the next 11 days. Then, I am heading home to see my family, friends, and most imporantly....my puppies!!!! I hope everyone is having a great May....the weather is gorgeous here in Brooklyn. I will see some of you really soon!!!!