Welcome to the Wards

Hello again! It's been a while since I last posted, so it seems like it's about time for an update. We're now 8 weeks into rotations, and life couldn't be busier or better.

About two weeks ago, I finished pediatrics, which was my first rotation. I was definitely nervous to start seeing patients at the start of the rotation, but the interns, residents, and faculty I worked with quickly put me at ease. Kids are sometimes a difficult population to work with because they can't always tell you what's wrong, and it can take a fair amount of detective work to determine what is making them sick. However, peds can also be quite fun. I actually really liked the rotation. It made the public health part of me happy because there is such a huge focus on prevention and building healthy habits, and kiddos are just really fun to work with. I was able to be silly and playful, and there were a lot of stickers involved. One of the best moments of peds was when a kiddo told me that I was his favorite "doctor" ever (cue my heart absolutely melting). While the sad cases are incredibly heartbreaking, the majority of issues that bring kiddos to the hospital or clinic are fixable, and that means that peds is a happy rotation for the most part. The interns, residents, and faculty were also fantastic and made the rotation fun for everyone involved.

Truer words were never spoken.
From: http://gomerblog.com/2015/06/medical-specialty-part2/

Two weeks ago, I shifted gears and started surgery. Surgery is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from peds, and the transition was a bit startling. However, once I got over that, I realized that surgery is also really interesting. The OR feels like an incredibly well-choreographed dance in which everyone involved moves around each other like a well-oiled machine. I can now say that I've seen the inside of a living person, and that is a pretty amazing thing. I often stand in awe as the surgeons and residents maneuver laparoscopic tools with ease or suture and throw knots faster than I could imagine. It's clear that they have had years of practice, and that's not at all difficult to respect. There is a certain rush to being in the OR, and I love that I am able to experience it.

How I felt the first day of surgery... From: http://whatshouldwecallmedschool.tumblr.com/post/72672166657/first-day-of-the-surgery-rotation

The start of rotations has been amazing, and I'm excited for what is to come. Each rotation brings new lessons, and every rotation teaches me something that I will one day incorporate into my practice regardless of what specialty I choose in the future. Most of all, I am enjoying my time with patients, and I would take a day on the wards over the first two years of med school any day. I realize that there is so much that I don't know, and I look forward to learning something new every day. I found this hilarious video that explains M3 year in a nutshell. Enjoy!

As always, thanks for reading! Until the next time, happy summer!