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Here's hoping that 2010 is the best year yet!!!!

10 Things I've Learned

10 Things I have Learned About Myself this Semester:

1. I am capable of learning much more than I had ever thought possible
2. I am more outgoing than the average medical student
3. I am capable of cleaning up after myself (in fact, I feel like I am turning into my Mum)
4. I am capable of withstanding the smell of anatomy lab (since I really truly thought that I wasn't going to make it through the semester at the beginning of school)
5. I like biochemistry (despite my horrible undergrad experience)
6. I dislike immunology (memorizing Th2 cytokines is not my idea of fun, clinically-relevant information)
7. I am abnormally close to my family (p.s. haven't missed calling home a single day)
8. I can survive off of less than 6 hours of sleep and still go to class all day and study all evening
9. I learned that I need to be proactive and make sure that I do what is right for myself to maximize my education
10. I KNOW this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life and am super happy that I have made the right decision to go to medical school

P.S.....
I am 1/8th of a doctor!!!!!! :)

So Happy I Pre-Prepared!!!!!!

Right now I have to say that I am SUPER happy that I worked my butt off these past couple of weeks to prepare ahead of time for my anatomy exam.

Tomorrow morning is going to be my 5th exam in one week. Which is insane (if you didn't already figure that out...lol) But when I came back from Thanksgiving, I was scared that I wouldn't be prepared for my anatomy because I knew how hectic my schedule was going to be, so I studied a whole bunch of anatomy before; and now it is paying off.

Not that I know more information, nor will I guarantee that I will get a better grade on this exam, but my stress levels are within manageable limits and I hope to get at least 6 hours of sleep tonight (which sounds glorious at this point).

Well, enough procrastinating, now off to learn about the leg and foot!

The next time I post I will be DOOOOOOOOOOONE my first semester of medical school!!!!

Here I'll Be

When you think of me for the next couple of days just think of me here:




...sitting on my butt, sipping on coffee/Mountain Dew, sucking back vast amounts of anatomy into my brain :)

Phew!

Well, I just finished by oral examination on my manual therapy class. Man that was stressful! I mean, REALLY stressful! But it turned out alright and now I am on my mission to study for the next exam that is tomorrow morning.

So I can't waste anymore time here, and will post something tomorrow to prove that I am still alive after this immunlogy exam :)


4 days until I'm home :) :) :)

Ah, the life....

4 cups of coffee + 2 showers (to wake up) + 10 Facebook breaks + 5 lectures + 14 hours of studying = one tired, yet smart(er), medical student.

Ah, the life of a medical student.

6 days until home :)

yay!

Now to bed...

zzzzz............

Still Cramming

Yup, still cramming some histology into my brain. I feel like my brain is going to explode!

Sometimes I wonder why God made us and our cells so complicated?!

Frustrating and fascinating at the same time.

I have just one question...

Why can't roommates just do their own dishes?!

I don't think that is too difficult for a medical student to handle.

Snow Day

Today is officially my first snow day of medical school! Yesterday we got some pretty insane snow, but nothing that I hadn't seen before. Then they closed the school yesterday around 3PM. I thought they were just overreacting. Last night around 11PM they closed the school for today. Again, I thought that they were overreacting....that is, until I woke up!

We have snow drifts outside our apartment that go up to my waist. It is blowing like crazy and there is no way anybody could get their cars out of the parking lot to our apartments.

Furthermore, the temperature has dipped to a chilling -13*C ....but it feels like -26*C. Brrrrr!! I just checked the Weather Network and our county is still under a blizzard warning.

Well, no school = more studying today! :)

The Small Victories Count

After my dreadful post prior to my immunology exam I thought that I should follow up on the outcome of the exam. I ended up doing 1% of above the class average! I am absolutely ecstatic about this. I couldn't have been more happy with an 85% in my life! Honestly, just imagine if I had covered all of the lectures how well I would have done! (not to toot my own horn, but I think that this is pretty impressive!)

So it is the little victories like this that make all of the cramming, late nights, coffee, etc. worth it.

I have been studying histology slides for hours on end and thought that I would take my break by writing here. I have been EXTREMELY productive these past couple of days. I hope that it starts to pay off by alleviating some of the stress of the next week and a bit. I have five exams coming up and all of them seem pretty difficult. I am trying my best to prepare ahead so as to reduce stress levels, allow myself a bit of sleep, and, most importantly, allowing myself to kick all of the exams in the butt!

On another note, we are under winter weather warning / blizzard warnings until Thursday. We got a couple of inches of snow last night, but apparently there is a lot more to come. At least it makes it feel more like the holiday season. I have a hard time seeing the Christmas-spirit right now since I am so darn busy. Ah well, it will come soon enough...soon enough :)

Thank Goodness for Coffee

Thank goodness for coffee! Honestly, I never thought that I'd miss coffee so much. My coffee maker broke two days ago and I haven't been able to get to Walmart to pick up another one. That is, until today. Although I have walked over to the coffee shop at school and across the street, it still isn't the same as being able to have a cup anytime I wish.

I just finished drinking the majority of the pot I made. I am quite surprised that my $14.88 coffee maker makes such good coffee. I didn't even know they sold coffee makers that inexpensive!!!

Just think, trying to do medical school without a coffee maker is analogous to trying to play hockey without a hockey stick....almost impossible! :)

Freaking Out

So I had to take a break from studying because I was starting to get worked up. I know that this is only one stupid test, but I am really ill-prepared and it will be a miracle if I pass. I don't know why this has blown up in my face, but it certainly has and I have to deal with what I've got.

I have an immunology test tomorrow morning and I still have 2.5 lectures that I haven't been through. I don't normally feel this stressed about tests but this time it feels different. I feel like I simply stare at the words and it isn't going in. It has felt like this all week and now it is the night before the test I feel like I don't know enough to pass. :(

So I am on here to simply put it down in writing. Here's hoping that this has helps!

Also, I apologize for this seeming so down and depressing. I really do enjoy what I am doing, but at the moment, I'd rather not be in this predicament.

Shocker in Lab

Despite the fact that I am in the midst of cramming copious amounts of immunology into my head I thought I would just procrastinate for a while by posting here.

Yesterday in anatomy lab we opened up our cavader to find that he has only one leg and the remaining leg is detached from the rest of the body. Talk about a shocker. He doesn't even look human anymore.

Poor Riggy :(

Safe and Sound @ School

I made it back to school all safe and sound. Mind you, I am extremely tired but I am here and getting all geared up for an extremely challenging homestetch of my first semester of medical school.

The drive was decent and I got in about 11 hours after I left. Phew, I am glad that is over and that I am flying home for Christmas. :)

Since I've been home, I managed to get through a whole chapter of immunology (while eating left over pizza from home and "Mumma-baked" butter tarts), do two loads of wash, set up my mini-Christmass tree, and put all of my clothes, food, and other random paraphernalia away. I am extremely exhausted and am ready to get some sleep.

Despite being this tired, I am so thankful that I could spend a couple of days with my family. Although it seemed sort of like a tease, it still was just what I needed; get out of my medical-school-bubble and see everybody at home again.

Now I get to look forward to Christmas vacation to see everybody again (in a less rushed fashion I hope!)

xoxo

I am still alive...

I am officially on my mini-break from school and home all safe and sound. I managed to get through the busiest week of medical school too. And I didn't just survive, but I did surprisingly well!

Now I am home for a couple of days and trying to take it easy. I am still going to try and do some school work but I am not going to kill myself over it. Just simply catch up from the stuff that I have neglected to do while studying like a mad-woman for my exams.

....ah the life sleeping in, making a big breakfast, and sipping on coffee.....

So Close Yet So Far

I have three days until I get to go home for a 'mini-vacation' away from school.

YAHOO!!!!

I am incredibly excited to see all of the family and friends and pets! and just as excited to get out of my 'medical-school bubble' :)

Until then, I have two exams to write. One Cell & Tissue Biology / Histology and OMM. Oh I will be so happy when Tuesday at noon comes!!!!!

I have been studying like a man-woman trying to cram massive amounts of information into my head. Although I am learning lots, it still is a bit stressful trying to get everything done is such a short period of time. I feel like I am learning so much, but still, I really don't know anything at all (compared to a full doctor). It is incredible.

Anywho, I should hit the books again!

xoxo

Drowning in Information

I am really having a difficult time staying motivated. These days it seems like I wake up tired, am tired all day, and then go to bed tired, to get up and do the same thing the next day.

I am entering a very busy week (...well, actually, 10 days) and I am getting kind of stressed. I have been doing pretty well in all of my classes, and I hope that I can keep it up without burning out. All I have to do is last 10 days and then I can come home for Thanksgiving break. I am so thrilled that in 10 days I will be able to see my family and get rested up a bit. I miss my family so much that I can hardly wait to come home. (All I have to do is survive another anatomy exam - written and practical, a cell and tissue biology exam, and an OMM written exam). No big deal ! haha! That is something like 42 lectures, each with about 40 - 50 powerpoint slides. That's at max 2100 slides that I have to learn within the next 10 days. Oh man, when I do math it does not look pretty. But slow and steady wins the race.

Like the old saying...when the going gets tough, the tough get going!

16 Days Until HOME!

Only 2 weeks and 2 days until I can come home. It is so close, yet so far away.

Will post a real post after my cell exam on Tuesday...

Nice Week of Studying

This past week was my only week during the entire semester that I did not have a test. Although I did not have an exam, I still have managed to study to about midnight every single day this week. So I am just about as tired as I would have been had I written an exam. Ah the life of a medical student!

I am currently procrastinating on my studying because I have to attack 10 lectures of cell and tissue biology this weekend for my upcoming exam on Tuesday. But before I begin my studying, I have a funny story.

Today in gross anatomy lab, we dissected the inguinal region. And the lab focused on the male anatomy. All of the guys in my lab group refused to cut into you-know-what! so, me being the 'surgically-inclined' individual I am decided that I could dissect the entire inguinal region....all the way down to the testes. (By the way, if you didn't notice the sarcasm I thought that I'd point out that I am pretty sure that I don't want to be a surgeon of any kind!) And I was a pro. The professor even complimented on the beautiful dissection job! :) In all reality, it was pretty interesting to see the structures today in lab. I certainly would much rather learn about this than stupid little arteries, nerves, and veins of the head and neck!

Well, I should get moving now. And guess what?!?

18 DAYS UNTIL I COME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhh, the weekend....

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit, things have been extremely hectic. This past week I had an anatomy test on Monday and a Cell and Tissue Biology test on Thursday. Needless to say, it was a week (and the week before) of studying and not sleeping. My anatomy test went alright. It is definitely the most challenging course for me. I don't understand how I can study so hard (harder than my other classes) and still do worse. It is frustrating. One exciting thing is that I am more than half way done anatomy. This rocks! I will be so happy when it is over.

My other exam in Cell & Tissue Biology went extremely well. In fact, I surprised myself how many questions I got right on the exam. I studied, well, no...let me correct my self...I CRAMMED so much for this exam that it is good to get a reward for my hard work and lack of sleep. The night before the test I managed to get between 3 and 4 hours of sleep. This was NOT cool, but it had to be done.

Having had an extremely busy few weeks I am taking three days off of school work. I have already taken two of them, and I should actually do some stuff today, but my birthday present to myself is to not do ANY school work on my birthday. Ha! You know you are in medical school if you give yourself a day off as a present to yourself. :P

Last night I had so much fun. The family medicine club, (plus some other clubs) went around in the neighbourhoods and trick or treated for canned goods for the local food pantry. It was really fun. I was in a group with four other medical students and we went and collected 126 cans in 1.5 hours!! It was awesome. And after, we had hot chocolate (with marshmallows) and cookies- which was much appreciated since we were cold to the bone. We also won first prize for the group who collected the most cans and got a t-shirt and work-out bag for our efforts.

So today it my birthday and I am going to do some fun stuff. I am going shopping this afternoon, then out to dinner, and then out to a Halloween party. One of the guys in my anatomy lab group is hosting a party and invited me. So I have a sweet costume and will have a great time tonight. Talk about being social - going out 2 nights in a row!

Well, I think that is it. I am going to make some coffee and lounge on the couch for a bit before I get going. Ahhh, I love the lazy mornings! :)

My Utmost for His Highest

I have been making my way through this book and am finding it very good. Each page in this book has the day's date, a Bible verse, and then a brief description of things to reflect upon. I really like it because it makes me think and helps me reflect on God's role in my life.

I thought that I'd share a portion of today's reading:

"My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36

You have no idea of where God is going to engineer your circumstances, no knowledge of what strain is going to be put on you either at home or abroad, and if you waste your time in overactive energies instead of getting into soak on the great fundamental truths of God's Redemption, you will snap when the strain comes; but if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in God on the unpractical line, you will remain true to Him whatever happens.

715 Pages Later....

715 pages, 77 days, 67 lectures, 6 exams, 1 full year of biochem/genetics, & surviving first year medical school biochemistry....priceless!

I am officially done biochemistry and genetics courses for medical school. I am so happy that it is done. I studied my butt off and learned so much information that it is almost ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome too! Although much of the information may not be clinically relevant, it is good to know. Who knows, maybe one day, something from this course will help me diagnose a patient with a rare metabolic disorder or something. All I know is that I have tried my very best to learn as much as I could stuff into my brain.

The thing that I like about medical school is that I am actually learning. During undergrad, I would simply memorize the material for which I was responsible. I don't really think that it amounted to learning much for the long run. But here, I am making more connections with the material and trying to learn how this might integrate in medicine. Which makes for an extremely rich learning experience.

So now that biochemistry is done, I am going to nap, get groceries, clean, and even paint my nails :)

Bye for now!!!

Challenging Week

This past week or so has been extremely challenging. I had to write my last biochemistry exam (before the cumulative final) and I decided to get the flu right before. I was sick for 24 hours up to (and including) the day of my exam. It was extremely difficult, but I made it through and actually did really well. Go figure!

I have been taking it easy all week. I have been able to get enough sleep and still try to keep up with my studies. I have my cumulative final in biochemistry on Monday (which I am kind of scared for) and then an anatomy exam the following Monday. Needless to say, I am going to be one busy person.

Right now I am in the library and I should be studying anatomy, but I decided to post here to procrastinate and to update because I know it has been a while since my last post. As I look outside the window at the campus' landscape, for some odd reason it makes me homesick. I wish I could just snap my fingers and go home right now. I don't usually get these feelings, but it sucks when they come because it really makes me sad that I am so far away from my family and friends. I know this is really where I want to be and I know that I really want to be doing this, but sometimes being so far away from home is hard and I miss it TONS :(

I think that I might move away from the window now so that I can focus on my anatomy drawings.

Bye for now!

*sighs*

Today we had our first snow! Can you imagine? It's October! I don't think that I've ever seen snow stay on the ground in October, I guess that's what I get for moving here :)

On another note, yesterday and today has been extremely difficult to get myself motivated and study. I have my last biochemistry exam (besides the final) on Monday and still have not even learned one half of the information. Needless to say, I have a late night and very busy day tomorrow.

My lack of motivation has been coupled with a nice little bug that I have acquired from my roommate. Besides general malaise, I have a tight chest, chills, and body aches. This is a perfect combination to get a lot of biochemistry into my brain, right?

Needless to say I am trying my best to plough through the material so as to absorb enough while still letting me get to bed before midnight. If I should accomplish this goal I must stop writing and go and learn some stuff.

Ciao!

P.S. I have officially started a countdown until I can come home. As of today....
45 days (words can't describe how excited I am to see my friends and family....and yes this includes pets too!)

Is it wrong when....

Honestly....is it worrisome that I ate an entire sleeve of crackers while I studied and didn't even realize I had done so until I went to reach for yet another cracker???

Oh man....

1/16th of a Doctor

Yup, I am officially half done my first semester of medical school. Which makes me 1/16th of a doctor. I have to admit, that sounds pretty neat. Although I am still a 'baby' in the field, I feel like I have been in medical school for such a long time. I have written so many exams and learned so much; and it is only the tip of the iceberg.

I've come to the realization that I am not here to simply shove information into my head to get good grades on my exams. But rather, I am here to learn vital information that will ultimately help me make sound clinical decisions. I used to be so focused on learning things for the test, but now what I learn has even greater importance because not only do I have to learn the information to do well, but also for my future patients. In fact, the later is the most important. It is scary to believe that one day I will be treating patients and I will have to make the big decisions. But I can wait for that day to come bc I don't have enough stuff in my head to be able to do that.

And on the quest of learning massive amounts of information....I am going to go to my anatomy lecture :)

Medical School = Business

I feel like I am in finals every single week. For the last three or four weeks I have written an exam; and today was no exception. I wrote my fourth biochemistry exam. I studied a lot and thought that I knew almost all of the concepts but the exam seemed to ephasize grey areas in many concepts which made chosing the correct answer more difficult. But I know I passed and basically that is what matters (although I really do want to do well).

I have to say that learning all about genetics and various medically related diseases / drugs was interesting to learn. I might even go as far as saying that cramming with my roommates until 2AM was slightly fun. I mean, I've gotta get enjoyment out of life some how, right??

I think that one thing that I have to try and figure out is how much I really have to study. There is so much information that I could study 24/7, but that is not humanly possible. I want to find a balance to figure out how much I have to study to learn enough and get grades that I am happy with without burning out. I think that'll take a bit more time than 2 months to figure out. But that is my next goal on my journey here. (that is besides mastering the nerves, arteries, and veins to the superficial and deep face) lol

...well, off to gross anatomy lab now! (Which should be extremely enjoyable on four and half hours sleep) :)))))

Sleepy Weekend

I've had a fairly relaxing weekend; which is nice compared to the insaneness I have experienced this past week. I was able to get more than 9 hours sleep each day this weekend. It was glorious! I feel rejuvenated and ready to work hard again. Which is good since I have yet another exam this upcoming Friday. I am going to do my best not to procrastinate so that I don't have to cram too much before the exam. I've had enough cramming for a while; thanks to Mr. Anatomy.

I still can't believe that I am 1/3rd done this semester. Time certainly does fly! I have learned so much! More than I ever thought possible. In my 8 short weeks of medical school I have gained a new respect for all physicians. Honestly, every time I go to a physician now, I can partially understand what they went through. Although I have many years of training to go, I now understand what 'hard work' really means. I love working hard and learning so....I guess medical school is the place I am supposed to be.

Now, enough procrastinating, I should go and study some more. :)

Until next time....

Do you care what a Syncytiotrophoblast is???

I love saying syncytiotrophoblast. It's fun! Not that I really care about it. But incase you were wondering, this structure forms the outer cell mass of the chorion that eventually becomes the placenta. I knew you always wanted to know about that, right? :)

Anatomy has officially overtaken my life. I have so much to learn in the next two days that it seems overwhelming. The professors / doctors that lecture tell us not to leap-frog from course to course, but it is inevitable. I don't ever go to my biochemistry lectures but I manage to keep up at the same rate as they lecture. Well, yesterday and today I have neglected to do my notes for biochem, so now I am going to have to spend all weekend 'catching up' on my notes. But you've gotta do what you've gotta do to survive. So I am studying anatomy until my eye balls fall out or I fall asleep - whichever comes first (lol)

Man oh man, I can't wait until Friday comes and goes. Life will be glorious without the stress of an impending anatomy exam worth 190 marks.

Anatomy Week

I haven't written much because I haven't been experiencing anything worth writing about. But now I do! This week I am devoting my life to anatomy. I have a written and practical test on Friday....and I am no where near being ready. I am still feeling overwhelmed by the fact that I have to know so much. It seems daunting, but I can hope and pray that things will come together in time for the exams.

I spend two hours in lab today then I decided that after supper I'd head on over to the gross lab on my own to get some one-on-one with a cadaver. I had the idea that this would help me identify structures. Well, I don't know what was wrong with me, maybe it was what I ate for supper, but my stomach (and gag reflex) was NOT digging being in anatomy lab. Honestly, I am usually pretty good about the stench of enbalming chemicals and mould prevention substance, but I couldn't hold back my gagging and tears. Yes, they were even making my eyes water! Needless to say, I packed up my stuff and headed back to my apartment where I am (well should currently) be going through some essential nerves (ie brachial plexus) so that I learn something. Ugh, how I hate the smell of anatomy lab!!!!!!!!

Well, off to learn brachial plexus nerves. Heck, I always wondered about the brachial plexus, how it branches, what it innervates, etc. hahahaha :)

Lets Try Again

So I started to write this post last night and then realized that I could barely formulate a coherent sentence; at which point I headed to bed and thought that I'd write it in the morning. ...talk about being tired!

I officially am done the 'biochem' portion of my biochem / human genetics course. Yahoo! On Thursday I studied from 8:30AM until 1:15AM with limited breaks for necessary functions. This also included going to the corner store to get a 24-pack of Mountain Dew. All I can say is thank goodness for the Dew! I love it because it tastes good and it contains enough caffeine to keep me going. Yuuuuuummy!

With biochemistry done, I now can set my attention to anatomy. I have a written and practical exam this upcoming Friday. I think that it might be good to start preparing because there is SO much to know. I am a bit excited to start figuring out all of the details of the back, neck, and arm. I think it will be tough but it will be good to have that information in my head.

I frequently think about how much I am learning, and gosh it rocks! I remember going to the doctor in the past and thinking about how much information the doc had in his head....and I am getting a chance to get all of that information into my head. Maybe I am just weird but I still think that it is super cool that I am studying to be a doctor. Like one day I am going to be an actual physician. How incredibly sweet is that?!?

Talk soon,
Me

Another Course - Check!

I now have another course under my belt. Behavioural medicine is now done. Yahoo! I studied my butt off for this exam and the questions seemed so ambivalent that it was difficult to determine what the correct answer was. But, it is over and I am happy about that! :)

Now onto Biochemistry. My oh my am I not looking forward to these next two days. I have until 8AM Friday morning to learn 12 chapters of biochemistry. Protein/AA synthesis & catabolism, purine and pyrimidine synthesis/degredation, diabetes, heme, nutritional states, free radical oxygen, special products of AA....doesn't that sound like a joy to learn?! hahah....not!

But I should get back at my studying since I have anatomy lab this afternoon and still have a ton to get through before then.

Take care and I'll probably post after my biochem exam because I'll be cramming until then.

Going to bed smarter than when I woke up

Today's theme is that I am actually smarter than when I woke up this morning. I did hours upon hours of school work, and although I feel like I can't recall much, I know that I have to have learned something, and that makes me feel like I've accomplished something.

Good night!!!!

Finished First Medical School Class

Part 1:

I am officially done my first medical school class. This was the History of Medicine; and it was painful. I am definitely not a history / social science person. Going to the lectures were boring, taking notes was boring, studying was like eating sand, and writing the exam was not any better. Do you honestly think that knowing that Vesalius was opposed to Galen and supportive of Hippocrates is clinically relevant? I highly doubt it, but it's done, it's over and I NEVER have to take another history class again. Yipee! All I can say is that I am happy this class was only one credit and that I am done with it! :)

Part 2: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

We were required to fill out a survey before classes started on the MBTI - a personality assessment survey to determine what personality best fits my responses. I found that the results were astoundingly accurate so I thought that I would share them.

Result:

- Introversion (slightly): People who prefer Introversion tend to focus their attention on the inner world of ideas and impressions.

- Sensing (moderate): People who prefer Sensing tend to take in information through the five senses and focus on the here and now

- Feeling (moderate): People who prefer Feeling tend to make decisions based primarily on values and on subjective evaluation of person-centered concerns.

- Judgement (very clear): Peopel who prefer Judgement tend to like a planned and organized approach to life and prefer to have things settled. Note that in this section I scored the highest possible value. Hence I am a very organized and planning-type of person. Ha, go figure....:)

Type Description: This is what my specific personality type is described as:
- Practical, realistic, considerate, and responsible
- Focused on the needs of others: takes responsibilities seriously and expect others to do the same
- Respectful of established procedures and authority; value harmony and cooperation
- Likely to see facts clearly and accurately, especially those that have a personal meaning to them
- Likely to make decisions based on personal values and concern for others
- Sympathetic, tactful, and supportive of others
- Usually seen by others as quiet, serious, conscientious, and traditional

Suboccipital Triangle & History of Medicine Day

The title explains my entire day (minus the four hours of class I had).

In anatomy lab today we dissected the Suboiccptial Triangle. It was actually fun! Our cadaver (Mr. Riggy as we named him) has GREAT muscle tone and not a lot of fat. We are pretty sure that we lifted weights or something well into his 80s because he has amazing muscles. It makes for a beautiful dissection. We had a perfectly formed triangle in the back of his neck with all blood vessles and nerves extremely visible. Definitely the best in the class (hahaha, or so we think!). We had about 30 other student come over to look at our amazing dissection skills- actually, no, it was to look at the well developed muscles of the neck.

The above picture is an example of what muscles we dissected / learned. On the right hand side there are three muscles that kind of outline a triangle. That's them! Now I realize that the textbooks don't really lie and that the anatomy described in it is really what the good Lord put into our bodies. How neat!

Now I am studying history of medicine. Oh man this is NOT FUN! But I am plugging away at it hopefully learning something.

Another quick update is on the way...

Lake-Studying

Today I studied at the local lake. It was lovely outside! I guess I should rephrase this, I TRIED to study at the lake. I was trying to learn the muscles of the deep back, but I was largely unsuccessful. I had previously made flash cards but I had a difficult time concentrating in the beautiful weather. So I gave up on my painful attempt to study and decided to catch up on my vitamin D intake. Laying in the sun felt so much better than cramming my brain full of origins, insertions, actions, blood/nerve supply to oddly named muscles :)

And one awesome thing is.....I DO NOT HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW!!! I don't think that I've ever been so happy to have a day where I won't be given new information to learn. I can almost get all caught up on classes. And start studying for my History of Medicine final which in this coming Friday.

Caio for now,
Me

Gross Anatomy

On Thursday I survived my first Gross Anatomy lab. It was pretty darn neat! After I got over the lovely smell and the fact that this person was actually a living person, it went well. I can just think about the fact that the cadaver that I am cutting up with my scalpel was actually a real person; ugh. I hope I'll get over that real quickly.

One great thing is that I have an amazing lab group. All four of them are really neat and smart people. Hopefully this will help make it a wonderful experience!

The only time I had a difficult time was at the end when I had accumulated a bunch of fat from the cadaver and I had to dispose of it in the tissue container. It's not every day that you grab a handful of adipose tissue that was residing in a human body! I didn't gag but boy was I close!

So that was my first gross lab experience. It was interesting and 'gross' (pun intended). Hopefully it will help me learn the muscles, nerves, bones, blood supply, etc, etc, etc!

I know that we have only been in school for a month, but I absolutely couldn't imagine myself doing anything else with my life besides medical school. :)

First Diagnosis

Yup, you didn't misread the title, today I was able to give my first 'diagnosis'. Well....sort of. In lab today I was partnered up with (luckily) a super skinny guy. This makes feeling the bones and joints so much less painful on my part. I was supposed to be checking for scoliosis of his spine by running my hand down his vertebral column when I felt something sticking out that was not supposed to be there. I subsequently called the attending doctor over to check to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. And thankfully I wasn't. The doctor helped me figure out what was wrong and it ended up being an extended vertebrae. How cool is that?! I wasn't even looking for it and I found it. It's really the small victories that count :)

Also, today I had a meeting for the OB/GYN club. We get to do some pretty amazing things. There is a surgery lab where we learn the mechanical steps associated with doing an episiotomy, vasectomy, and some another gynaecological procedure that I can't pinpoint the exact name. But it is pretty interesting. Another part of the program is to be matched up with a local woman who is pregnant and go into the office prenatal visits with her and also to give her support during the delivery. How amazing is that? It will most likely be with a single mother in need of some social support. So I get to interact with patients and learn something really interesting in the process. Another neat thing is that every couple of weeks we have a guest speaker come in to talk to us about certain issues in obstetrics and gynaecology. I think it is going to be a very rewarding educational experience outside of the classroom.

Until next time......

:)

Third Test-Check!

I am finally done my third test in medical school. Oh man am I happy to still be breathing (jj). In all actuality, although it was super, uper, duper hard, I could still keep up and do well. I am well above the mean in biochem (and in behavioural med); this is good. Enough bragging.....

I have learned more this last week studying for my metabolism exam than I learned in all biochem / metabolism related classes put together in undergrad, isn't that amazing?? Scary, but amazing! Although it isn't fun to be sleep deprived or constantly have a sore brain from the massive amounts of information I stuff into it, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with my life. In fact, the 30 hours I spent studying this past weekend (this includes Friday mind you) was so beneficial to my basic science knowledge that I can barely put it into words. Quite amazing!

Since I put everything I had into preparing for this exam, I gave myself an evening free of any schoolwork whatsoever. After classes finished I had a lovely nap (I caught about 45 winks....if ya know what I mean) :) And then I went out to supper with one of my roomies. Afterwards I went to a pub with this same roommate and another guy from our class. He was super nice and great to hang out with. I tell ya, medical students after an exam leads to pretty amazing partying. Actually, NOT!!!! We all met up around 9PM and we had a drink then we all had to go home because we were so incredibly tired and we have mandatory class at 8AM. So here I am in bed getting ready to consume some oh-so-needed zzzzz's..

zzzzz...................^infinity

Successful Week

Well, the week is drawing to a close. Actually, let me rephrase this, the week is over only to reveal an even more hectic 'weekend'. I can't officially call it a weekend because my Saturday and Sunday will definitely be filled from morning to night with biochemistry. I can hardly wait to tickle my brain with a hundred-billion metabolic pathways. Doesn't it just sound like a joyful way to spend a weekend? :) Actually, I hope that I can stuff all of the pathways (and the associated material) into my brain by Monday morning at 8:30AM. Then I will be able to have my 'weekend' and take the rest of Monday off from studying. I can hardly wait!!!!

Now to the point. I have had a successful week. I managed to survive my first (standardized) patient experience. We have these labs called SPAL (for Standardized Patient Assessment Labs) where we are paired with an actor patient and we have to learn how to respond as a physician. It was fun to play doctor! I felt so professional in my new white coat :) Awesome. Except for the fact that my patient decided to uncontrollably cry for my entire 15 minute appointment with her. My initial reaction was to get up and give her a hug. Can you just imagine your doctor jumping out of his/her seat and hugging you when you are crying? So yeah, it didn't happen. But I fumbled around for words and could barely think of what questions to ask. It was pretty stressful. I was all sweaty after! Hopefully I did alright. I have to watch my video that the coordinators taped and assess myself within the next week. That'll be good to see myself and see where I went wrong and what I did well.

I wrote and got my second exam back today. I had a behavioural medicine exam this morning. I was really nervous about it but it ended up alright. I was 10% above the class average so I am pretty pumped! Well, I should go head on over to campus to get some studying in before I crash and reach my maximum-amount-my-brain-can-handle-get-me-into-bed point.

Until next time,
Me

Palpation

The title of this blog basically explains the major highlight of my day. That is above and beyond the hours of biochemistry and behavioural medicine studying I had the pleasure of doing today.

Here at my medical school we get additional training in manual manipulative therapy. I have never had any exposure to this before and am quite amazed at how interested I am in this course. It is great to get into the lab and do things with my hands. It gets my nose out of a textbook and away from the computer.

Today was our second lab and we were learning how to palpate specific anatomical landmarks. There are A LOT of them! I haven't taken anatomy for a number of years so I think that it might be easier if my anatomy knowledge was a bit more sharp (thank goodness anatomy starts tomorrow morning at 8AM!!) Anyway, back to my original point, I learned how to find so many different anatomical structures; it was really neat. When I say anatomical structures, I mean everything from head to toe. That's right, we even got to feel our lab partners ishial tuberosity and pubic symphysis. If you don't know those exact boney structures, it's all good....let's just say we got real close with our lab partners. Luckily for me, my lab partner couldn't find my coccyx (tailbone) and she had to get help from the fellow who proceeded to find my coccyx then guide my partner down there too. Great fun! lol

I am learning so much that I can barely keep up. But I am managing alright. We'll see how the next two tests go (this Friday and upcoming Monday) and then I'll be able to tell you more about how well I am managing. But I've put a long day of classes and studying in so I am off to Neverland...

.....zzzzz......

P.S. There are way more landmarks than the picture shows, I just thought the picture was appropriate :)

White Coat Ceremony

I have been officially inducted into the medical profession via the White Coat Ceremony.

It felt so great to don the short white coat, walk across the stage to sign the student honour code, and recite the oath to publicly accept the respect and responsibility that comes with entering the medical profession. I was overwhelmed when I was reading the oath; I gave myself goosebumps from head to toe. Amazing. I think that it was so amazing for me because it felt so official - I have actually made it here and know with every fibre of my being that I want to be the best doctor I can be. The future seems so unknown and so exciting that I can hardly contain myself :)

I spent the entire day with my parents who drove all 11 hours from home to see me. They are absolutely the best! I couldn't ask for a greater support system. They have been nothing short of perfect! I definitely don't deserve such great parents. Both Mum and Dad are my best friends and saying good bye today was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Just knowing that I won't be able to see them for three whole months seems like an eternity. But, almost every other physician had to, at one point, leave home. It is a natural process and it is what the Lord wants me to do to be able to follow my dreams. With hard work, determination, and His help, I know that medical school is going to be an amazing educational experience and am looking forward to what the future holds.

1st Medical School Exam

Yup, yesterday I had the pleasure of experiencing my first medical school exam. Sarcasm is difficult to detect in writing, but to clear things up I wouldn't say that taking a biochemistry exam was at all pleasurable. It was doable, but not fun.

I had studied soooo much. Probably spent way too many hours on my preparation because my notes were all over the place because I took a good majority of the first week of classes figuring out how the heck to take notes. So I had to get things organized in a manner in which I could study.

Despite the difficulties in preparing, I got a good mark on my first exam. It wasn't super, duper, awesome, but it was above the class average and I am absolutely thrilled with that :) I can't wait to take a look at my exam and see where I made my mistakes. I am certain a couple of the questions I guessed on were incorrect. As well, I betcha any money that I made some stupid mistake on a concept that I actually did understand. Oh well, as long as I learn from my mistakes and am able to build upon my knowledge in the future, then this learning experience has been a success.

Well, now it is off to the university to study some more biochemistry. I am trying to keep up with my school work so that I can take all day Saturday off because my parents are coming here to see my White Coat Ceremony (which I am super excited for). I picked up my very first white coat two days ago. It even has the school's emblem on it!! I feel so professional! :)

Bye for now!!!!

Figuring Things Out

I am still surviving my medical school courses so far. Needless to say, I have to figure out real fast what does and does not work for the way I think. I feel like I have to learn how to study again, learn how to take notes again, learn how to keep my attention on one thing for more than five minutes again, basically learn how to do everything over again. Yup, that's what I am dealing with now.

It is pretty overwhelming to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I love that I am here learning information that will help me to become the best doctor I can become, but man it certainly is a lot to swallow. Having EVERYTHING in one's life changed is quite an adjustment and I am doing my best.

I have a biochemistry exam on Wednesday. Eeek! I don't think that I am as ready as I could be yet because I wasted the majority of last week figuring out how to take notes and what works for me. So I've been trying to catch up, but it's so darn hard when things are put into fast forward.

Aside from biochemistry, the behavioural medicine class that I am taking is pretty interesting. We have physicians lecture on how to treat a patient with respect and get the most change and action from a patient as possible. It is so doctor-ish and I love it. It's just a hint of things to come!

Now tomorrow I have my first lab. Maybe I'll write about it here (that is, if I am not cramming too much tomorrow night for my biochemistry exam in the morning).

Peace out!!!!!!!

4 Days of Medical School

Well, I have officially survived 4 days of medical school classes. I still have a several hours of studying ahead of me for today, but I guess I should just get used to it. Because the life of a med student = studying all of the time.

I am knee-deep in biochemistry right now. I can't believe how much material is covered in such a short time. It is barely fathomable. It is pretty intense. I've been warned how difficult it was going to be, but there is no way that one can prepare for this except by experiencing it first-hand.

I have yet to find a study group that I feel like I can benefit from. My roommates are biochemistry majors and supposedly already know all of the information that we are being given. I find it hard to beleive, but maybe they are extremely gifted and remember everything they studied in undergrad. I know I am not one of those lucky people who remembers everything I see. So, I guess that parking my butt in the library is the only way to get through this. I hope that I find somebody who has to do the same so that we can motivate each other. But for now, it is just me, myself, and I sitting here in the library learning about enzymatic allosteric modulation. Sounds so much fun, right?

Orientation-Check....Classes-to begin

I have officially been orientated into medical school. Meaning, I have had lecture after lecture on professionalism, responsibility, honour code, study skills, etc. What I found amusing was that when each person got in front of the class to speak, each and every person said congratulations and welcome to medical school. I bet that each day of orientation I was congratulated 5 times by different speakers. Haha, go figure. But it is kind of a big deal, I mean, we are the healthcare providers of the future.

One instance that I will always distinctly remember from orientation, is when I gave myself goosebumps just thinking that I am actually here in medical school, sitting amongst my fellow students. I have worked my butt off to get into medical school and it is about to start. Sweet!

I am sure that my excitement and naivety is amusing to some, but I am pretty pumped to be here. I am aware that fear and stress will quickly come to head once things start rolling. I got my biochemistry handout that includes 40% of the information we are responsible for, and this package is only 290 pages. eeeek! That's a heck of a lot of information!!!! But, if there's a will, then there's a way, right???

Another update is soon to come.

Cheers!!!

Orientation

Well, it's official...I've started medical school. Although classes don't start until next week, we have started orientation and now I can say that I am officially beginning my journey to become a physician. How cool does that sound??

Yesterday there were many boring lectures on professionalism and social responsibility. As well, we had our computer training for hours upon hours. Not extremely informative but necessary none the less. Today we all got registered and got the final documents signed. I even got my medical student badge! It looks so cool with my name, picture, and underneath my picture it reads "Medical Student". That is pretty sweet! I've planned so long to get into medical school and now it is actually here. Scary and exciting!!!!

Looking forward to the rest of orientation week and to starting biochemistry lectures on Monday. (Well, more nervous than excited about biochemistry since I picked up my course package and, whoa, there is a TON of information!!!!!)

Pre-Orientation

I have two days until orientation starts. I am getting pretty excited and nervous. I would say that I am experiencing equal amounts of each. On one hand, I am almost excited to start learning again (yes, I am a freak!), while on the other hand, I hope that I my best will be good enough. I've heard time and time again that people who get into medical school are so used to being at the top of their class and when one gets to medical school that it is often hard to adjust to not being the best. All I truly want is to do my best so that I can learn enough material to not only pass the classes but to help me become the best doctor I can be. Sounds simple, right?? lol

I now have my roommate moved into the townhouse while the other roommate has her stuff in her room but isn't officially moving in until she gets over her cold/flu that she has acquired. It is better that she stay at home until she gets better so as not to share her illness with me or my roomie!

Well, that's the scoop. Nothing terribly exciting. It feels as if I am waiting around for orientation to start so that I can start on with this process. I've been looking forward to starting medical school for more than half a year now, and now that I am here, I'm ready to start!

Fairly Boring

Well, this past week has been fairly boring to say the least. I feel like I moved all of the way out here to be busy and learn so much and now I am just sitting around waiting for school to start. Boring. Plus it gives me way too much time to miss my family.

Don't get me wrong, I've done some things like pick up my computer for school, get my last immunization from Student Health, checked out the campus, bought an amazing hoodie that says "School's Name: Medicine" on it, met one of my roommates, done some pre-readings, etc. I guess maybe it is because I am living all alone right now and I am so used to being in contact with people that I feel bored. I am sure that this is simply the calm before the storm. I betcha that I should be cherishing my free time, but I didn't come here for free time.

One good thing is that I have been involved in the pre-orientation events. I went Rock'n'Bowling on Tuesday and there is a gaming night this evening at a local coffee shop. It is great to meet my future classmates!

Well, today I begin to blog my experiences as I begin my medical education. Throughout this blog I intend on remaining anonymous as I document my life from this time forward. My intentions are to write in this blog every so often to keep family and friends updated. As well, this is the place where I will release my thoughts and write about the good, the bad, and the ugly that I, as a medical student, will encounter during my four years of medical school. I certainly hope that I am able to make time to write in this blog so that I can keep a written record of my experiences while (hopefully) providing some interesting reading material for others in the process.

Cheers!