A few weeks ago my rotation schedule was falling apart before my eyes. Boston was canceled for reasons unknown to me, NY was no longer a possibility and I received the dreaded email from Tracey (my clinical coordinator) saying she was going to be reworking my rotation schedule. I was holding myself together but was pretty nervous. I trust Tracey, she is amazing at her job and truly cares about ensuring we receive a great clinical experience. Tuesday I received my rotation schedule with a few changes and one hole. This hole is my next rotation... thats right, I am moving in one week and I have no idea where I am going. There were a few changes to my schedule, rotation four will now be cardiology in San Francisco at a Sutter clinic, where it looks like I will receive inpatient and outpatient exposure, and I am no longer going to Las Vegas (unless of course that is where I am going next). I am happy with the changes in my schedule but wish I knew where I will be moving next, mostly so I can find a place to live...
On a lighter note. This week I saw a patient who was menopausal, her last period was over two years ago (by definition menopausal is when a female has not had a period for 12 consistent months). She had a laundry list of complaints, but her entire physical exam was normal. The most amusing part of the visit was when she decided she might be pregnant and that is why she hasn't had a period in TWO YEARS!!!! She also had no other signs or symptoms of pregnancy... I might have had a good giggle when I was a safe distance from the patient room. Sometimes I cannot comprehend where patient complaints come from, but the majority of the time they are warranted complaints that need further investigation. We did order a pregnancy test and several labs to confirm she was menopausal and canceled her procedure because of the possible pregnancy. Patients keep medicine interesting in many ways including, but not limited to the following: when they present with a condition that is not common, when they present with a common condition but in an uncommon way, when they have absurd complaints that are normal physiology (these usually require a lot of patient education) and when they let their minds wonder and come up with very unlikely explanations for symptoms they may have.
My last day with Dr. Lickness is Tuesday, I drive back to the bay Wednesday, call backs and end of rotation exams are Thursday and Friday. Block two is under my belt, time to pick up and move on again!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Quantum superposition
My homework for the weekend from Dr. Lickness consisted of many things including Schroedinger's cat, a thought process based on quantum superposition. Which states something like this... a physical system, such as an electron, exists partly in all is theoretical states simultaneously, however when measured it gives the result of only one of the possible states. So bring in Schroedinger's cat. A cat is placed in a room (or a box) with a radioactive element (these are unstable and likely to breakdown), and a Geiger counter (a particle detector that measures ionizing radiation) that is connected to a device that will release cyanide gas when radiation is detected. In this state the cat is dead and alive until the experimenter opens the door to determine which state the cat is in. However, by opening the door the experimenter has interfered with the experiment. Therefore the expriment must be described in reference to the actions of the experimenter. Schroedinger's motivation for this paradox was to criticize Copenhagen's interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Mind blown...
Mind blown...
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Yoga
On saturday afternoon I attended my first yoga class since my departure from Austin in July 2011. It felt so good to be back. I took a gentle class to ease back in to my practice. I had a great instructor that played music by many of my favorite artists. In the middle of the class I was in a deep twist and one of my favorite songs came on. I started to get emotional. I have had many profound moments in PA school but nothing compares to caring for yourself. I bought an unlimited package and have been back to another class. I forgot how at ease I can be with stress when I am taking yoga classes. I feel a sense of balance that I have been missing in my life. My mind and body are happy and calm!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Transitions
As I begin to do exams in the specialty of obgyn there are a lot of things I am reflecting on. Each specialty is different, each practice is different, each specialty requires different history questions and physical exam skills. Sometimes something as small as pulling out the foot rests for a pelvic exam can be challenging and take three times longer than it should. I am hoping as my clinical year continues these small challenges become fewer and far between and I am able to use my time more efficiently. Until then I will continue to clumsily find my way to the table controls, the light switch, the speculums and the stirrups. I guess I would rather have issues with these things and perform a good physical exam than vice versa.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)