One Eighth of a Doctor!!

It has been a long time coming. (Christmas break that is)  I did not think that it would get here quick enough!  Retrospectively, I learned two very important things to carry with me through what some may call an evolution:  A. I discovered that the reason as to why my heart beats uncontrollably and I some how pick up “see-through” wall vision is because I add sugar to my coffee!!  B.  I have got to stop second-guessing myself.  My first guess is 90% of the time correct.  I have always had a bad habit of doing this (mostly due to the fact that I am a risk taker or as I like to call it….an adventure on wheels—ask my lab group!)  However, I am now seeing where it at times determines whether or not my B can become an A.  It is in the details that we find out who or what we really are.  Whether or not we are punctual, risk-takers, careful, arrogant, or afraid, it all comes down to that one question that can turn your A into a B or your B into an A.  (I’m an optimist, so I wish a C on NO ONE!)

Since this is the time of year that people usually spend with their loved ones (or in my Grandfather’s words “it is the time of year when you all (the grandkids) rob my pockets…insert a four letter expletive here!!), what better way to end our semester with just that.  I have four great posts that somehow touch on these relationships that we celebrate during this season.  The first is by Student Dr. Washington-Plaskett who talks about the number one man in her life…her dog!! (Well it may be either a tie or a close second because she is definitely a daddy’s girl!)  Following is a break-up letter by Student Dr. Jayanthan that well, I will let this letter speak for itself because he obviously has some things to get off his chest!!!  The last two are juxtapositions of life before and after marriage in medical school by Student Dr. Stephens and Student Dr. Hannam. 

Oh and by the way, one of my best friends just reminded me that I am officially 1/8 of a doctor……mmmmm..that just sounds and smells sooo much better (now that gross is GONE)!!! JJ!!!!

With utmost appreciation,

Best wishes in your endeavors,

Student Dr. Glawson

Medical School...in Dog Years

Do you ever wonder why some people in medical school seem to have such tight schedules and have to rush home at the end of a day full of classes?  Most of the time it is because they have a child (hats off to all the parents in medical school!!!) or a needy dog (like me), often times the two coincide.  As much as I love my 65lb, 7 year old, Black Labrador, he does NOT seem to understand or even care that I am a first-year medical student struggling with this new schedule!!  He is very well trained and has successfully been potty-trained so there are never any accidents in my house.  However, the amount of time I spend walking, feeding, engaging, and playing with him can add up and as a medical student, time is a precious commodity.  I sometimes envy my non-pet owner classmates with twice as much time on their hands to study, go out to eat and drink right after a long day of classes, or just relax after getting home from school.  I simply do not have these luxuries!!  It might seem as though I resent my precious pup, but this is quite the contrary.  The excitement in his eyes after I come home from being at school all day (usually from 8am-5pm), and the companionship I receive with him always by my side outweighs all of the setbacks I may have taking care of him while I am a medical student.  The positive aspects of having a pet in medical school are that you are always on a timed schedule, you are never alone, and at least have someone that appreciates you even if they can’t say it!  Even though he can’t express how he feels, I will always know he loves me.  Nothing can compare to the unconditional love from a pet…..well maybe a parent’s unconditional love and in that regard….I am glad he can’t talk back!!!!

Avid pet owner,

Student Dr. Washington-Plaskett

Dear Gross

Dear Gross,

I need to get some things off my chest. Look, you and I have been at this for what, over five months now?  Yet, I still feel like I don’t really know you. Sometimes, when I think I do, you test me and then I realize I don’t……..

I guess I just feel like this has been a one-way relationship. I do almost everything you ask, Gross. You want me to study your muscles, so I study your muscles. You want me to study your nerves, so I study your nerves. You want me to know that I can palpate a man’s prostate if I give him a rectal examination, so I know that too. But despite all my efforts, you still give me mediocre grades. I even went out and bought BRS (Badass Relationship Suggestions) hoping to get a few pointers on how to handle you. But no, the tips they gave me still did not work much on you…

Don’t get me wrong, Gross. We’ve had our okay times. I won’t lie. I enjoyed learning about your upper and lower limbs and some of your random fun facts. (Like when I hit my “funny bone”, I’m actually hitting my ulnar nerve! WOW!) See, I sometimes like you… BUT I STILL MOSTLY HATE YOU! Have you even noticed that it’s been five months and we still haven’t said “I love you” to each other?! I texted my friend Abby who IM’d her friend Jessica who said that we were on the path to breaking up! Don’t you care, Gross?!?!?! Huh?!?!?! I don’t think you do…

…Which brings me to the main reason I’m writing you this letter today. I’m through trying to understand you, Gross.  I’ve tried, I’ve tried, and I’ve tried. But I shall try no more. I’m breaking up with you!!!!!

As of this week, I will be changing my Facebook status to ‘Single’. Hmph!!!!

You suck,

Student Dr. Jayanthan

So...I'm Involved...with Med School..and Her!!!

As many of you all may know, I recently became engaged shortly before I started medical school back in June.  My fiancé and I have been together now for a little over three years, and we will be married in June of 2012.  This semester has proven to be challenging, yet rewarding for a number of different reasons.  This is the longest that we have ever had to be apart from one another.  Many say that long distance relationships usually don’t work out.  Some of our own friends even said this.  I have learned over the past six months that I can see why one would say this.  Let’s face it, a long distance relationship has proven to be difficult, and I can see why many fail in this area.  My fiancé and I faced many of the same challenges that anyone would go through in a long distance relationship.  The only difference is that we chose to handle them a little differently.  Not only did this time make our relationship even stronger, but it has made us both stronger individually.

Simple things that I used to take for granted while we were still physically together started to surface after I moved.  I realized that I spent so much of my time with her, that I forgot what it felt like to not be around her.  This took some getting used to.  When I was down or struggling with school or any other type of issue, I remember her being only a phone call away, and she would be at my apartment in ten minutes.  That doesn’t work too well when we are apart.  Sometimes I really just want to be held while I run my mouth about my problems, just like she wants the same.

           

I have, fortunately, been able to see her once this semester during our fall break.  It was quite refreshing, and I realized how much I could sometimes take the time that we spent together for granted.  I also got a snapshot of what being a married medical student is going to be like.  While I was with her, my study schedule was very strict, not because of my own diligence, but because she knows how to crack a whip.  I guess I can’t complain!!!!

           

One of the biggest stresses of this experience has also been planning a wedding.  As a man, this is not an area of expertise nor is it an area of extreme interest; but I have learned to put up a pretty good front!!!  To date, we have changed the location of the wedding three times, deposited and removed deposits from four different reception venues, and we are on our third wedding planner.  On top of this, I am studying biochemistry, PPM, and gross anatomy at the same time.  Don’t get me wrong, Brittany is no bridezilla, but the woman knows what she wants (or does she?????).  Either way, I look at all of these things as a way of building character for the both of us and I cannot wait until June, because the wedding and first year of med school will be over!!!!  Oh, and because I am getting married too. JJJ

-Student Dr. Stephens

The WHOLE Truth and Nothing but the Truth!!

You know how when you’re applying to medical school, and all your mentors tell you that it's hard, and you quietly say in your head, “It cannot be that hard if soooo many people have done it.” Well, let me just say that they were right.  As a matter of fact, they underplayed how hard it was. I have never worked so hard for a C in my life!!! I have classes from eight a.m. to three p.m. on a good day, to five p.m. on a full day, and if there are extracurricular events, then maybe to six or seven.  Let’s remember I have not yet studied, or relaxed, or EVEN used the toilet. (Oh yeah, time to use the toilet has to be on your planner.) Being in medical school already accounts for all of your time and most of it is scheduled for studying.

Yet with all that busy to and fro, the favorite part of my day is when I get a chance to sit down with my beautiful wife and rambunctious son. I try my best to give them 2 hours of my time daily. Yes, I know, they deserve more but it is all that I can afford. Medical school is no place for a married man.  It is very inhospitable to the betrothed.  My wife is very good at dealing with the neglect, because it is nothing short of that.  She is at home all day with our son and she does all the necessary doings to keep a home fluid and peaceful. Thank God for her!!! My son, he keeps us smiling as much as he keeps us cleaning.

My mentors tell me that I need to keep a balance between school and my home but this is hardly a balance. It is a blatant robbery of personal and family time. Most nights, by the time I go to bed my wife is already sleeping. Some days when I finally come home my son is already sleeping and I don’t get to play with him.  

So the Truth is that there is no balance between med-school and home, one just has to steal enough time from studying to keep his family intact!!!

Sincerely,

Student Dr. Hannam

Gross Anatomy.....The Triple Entendre

I like to think that I am a pretty NORMAL individual (if such a thing exists).  School will definitely challenge this idea and cause you to do some major reassessing, re-evaluating, and self-introspection.  Now, this one class, duly noted as Gross Anatomy, has become the forefront of this “What am I doing with my life?” peril.  I will use this time to explain why/how it manages to do this.

For starters, GROSS is partially an understatement.  Fortunately, I for one do not have a weak stomach nor am I a self-proclaimed member of the “faint of heart” crew.  However, gross lab is still gross.   I have a phobia of smelling badly, but it is impossible to prevent this during gross lab.  Hours after leaving gross lab the smell is trapped in my nostrils and randomly pops up in my nose at VERY undesirable times i.e. when I am eating (this is probably due to some neuroscience/olfactory nerve phenom that I am currently not up to speed with).  Not to mention that many of my classmates do not wash their lab coats, so they tend to smell and look like……well there is no better way to say it…..the remnants of bodies full of formaldehyde, excess fat (your worse nightmare in gross anatomy!!!), and the remainders of what has not been probed nor scalped out (I actually have a fondness for the scalpel……deep sigh).  This reminds me, if you are reading this and you are not in medical school yet, the day you get your gross anatomy cadaver, if you open that body and it’s larger than necessary, RUUNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!  DO NOT be an OVERachiever!!  It is not worth it!!!!  You do not get EXTRA points for having EXTRA body mass!!  Sabotage or con another group into trading or something!  (As a disclaimer, I am not a proponent of disorderly conduct, but you have to do what you have to do!)

The next aspect of gross anatomy that makes it GROSS is the amount of information that you are expected to learn.  It takes soooo many hours of dedication (we already do not have that many in medical school) in order to learn or master the information in Gross anatomy.  Not only are you expected to learn and perform in lab, but you still have to attend lecture.  It is just shy of what some (including myself) would call misery.  Now, I have been informed that some medical schools have bodies that are already dissected, but that is not my story or experience.  Eventually you come to the realization of the fact that there is no way to know every single detail (unless you live under Fraggle rock of course and never come from under) and you just look for those high yield points.  This is not to dissuade anyone from trying to know everything from a Netter plate or a Moore textbook—better you than me.

Last is a weird admission of my Gross Anatomy experience.  Initially I thought that I was the only unfortunate sufferer until I actually spoke with a number of my classmates who suffered from the same side effect.  I would like to call it the “I wasn’t Hungry until I got to Gross Anatomy….Eeel Syndrome.”  For some odd reason (maybe that scalpel and probe expend a great amount of ATP), I am always hungry around these dead bodies!  I promise you I am not one who eats dead bodies (I fear prion diseases!!) and I am nooooowhere near being a necrophile, but it is something about that cadaver that throws my hormones off balance.  One hour into it, I just want to eat something!  The irony is that nothing on that table is mouth watering nor is this uncooked meat anything close to looking delicious.  Most of us would not even consider eating in gross lab (My gross professor has bragged about the many nights spent eating dinner in gross lab…..awkwarrrrrrd).

Fortunately, my gross anatomy days are coming to an end.  I was once excited about it, but now I am tired of it.  Some of my classmates may still possess that zest, but from my seat, the thrill is gone!!!  I just want to wear regular clothes and not to have to worry about going home to immediately shower due to fear that the formaldehyde or anything else I was exposed to in lab may penetrate my skin and result in some unwanted rash or skin problem that as a medical student, I DO NOT have time to go to the doctor’s office to figure out what’s going on!  Soon, I will be laying gross anatomy to rest—that’s a double entendre for your triple entendre!!

With utmost appreciation,

Best wishes in your endeavors,

Student Dr. Glawson

New Voices!

So, of course I am not in medical school alone, and more importantly, all doctors DO NOT think alike. (I guess that makes us special huh?)  I thought this would be a great opportunity to introduce some of my classmates, who are also great friends, and allow you to hear their voices.  The following three posts are written by a few of them.  The first is from what some may call a rebel. (I prefer to think that Student Dr. Francois just marches to the beat of his own drum lol).  He brings us his perspective on why he may just be missing in action from time to time.  On the contrary, we have Student Dr. Partridge who I vehemently commend because she makes it to EVERY thing. (I just do not know how she does it!) She is a great example of a scheduler as she speaks about how she manages to make it to EVERY class.  Lastly, Student Dr. Hinson (who will be an absolutely fantastic doctor one day) brings us up to speed on his not-as-imagined transition to medical school.  I think his story is a story that many will share as they navigate the terrain of medical school.  I am just thankful that they offered their insight.  Since they have taken the time out of their busy schedules, please feel free to comment and let them know what you think!!  I have to get back to some work now!  Enjoy!

With utmost appreciation,

Best wishes in your endeavors,

Student Dr. Glawson

A CLASSless Med Student.....

A Typical Day in Medical School:

Biochemistry 8am to 10am

Embryology lecture 10am to 12pm

Gross Anatomy Lecture 1pm-3pm

Gross Anatomy Lab 3pm-5pm

There are many who believe keeping a religious adherence to class attendance is optimal to success in medical school, and I tend to fall outside of that faction.

But don't judge me.

I tend to take a practical approach to things in life. Constantly questioning the utilitarian purpose of my actions.

For the first few weeks of medical school I often found my mind wandering in lecture, half asleep, and disengaged. The funny part about it was that while the professor saw that half of the class had laptops and were furiously typing away, little did he or she know that they were actually chatting on Facebook and not at all focused on how the descending branch of the occipital artery gives off a superficial branch and a deep branch which are separated by Splenius Capitis and form an important anastomoses with the superficial branch of the transverse cervical artery and the deep cervical artery, respectively.

I quickly began to realize that I was losing roughly 8 hours a day passively learning lecture material.  It donned on me to ask the question:

"Why?… Why am I here?"

Was it to appease the professors? No, they would not have noticed if I were present or absent in a room of 160 students.

Was it to better learn the information? No, I could more easily sift through the material at the pace of my understanding if I were to study the lecture materials on my own.

Was it to make sure I had the appropriate information from the exams? No, all lecture notes are posted online. Furthermore medical education is fairly standardized—meaning that there are dozens of review materials in the form of textbooks, review books, and review websites which detail all the information that is required for a given topic.

The more I asked these questions the more I came to the realization that if I was not actively learning from 8am to 5pm then I was simply wasting the majority of my day to inefficiency. With that realization came the conscious decision to actively avoid lectures, which I did not find myself learning. Instead of wasting precious hours daydreaming and barely paying attention, I could study the material more efficiently on my own and maybe even get an extra hour of sleep. After about a week of this new technique I found myself with a deeper understanding of the information.

I am well aware that missing lectures can come with certain downsides. For example, the lecturer may verbally emphasize certain bits of information in class that are not found in lecture notes. While missing lecture certainly comes with certain issues, I find that spending 5 to 7 hours a day actively studying the information on my own more than makes up for these relatively minor downsides.

Throughout all of our educations we have ALWAYS gone to class, listened intently, taken notes, and followed all of the traditional rules of “the student.” Having done so in elementary school, middle school, high school, and college one would think that it would only follow for us to continue doing what we've always done. But, the most important concept that I have learned from this experience is that doing something just because you've always done it that way many times is NOT the most efficient way to go about things. And in this case it happened upon me that class was not the best route for me personally.

The basic question is: does it work for you? If it does, then by all means make the most out of those 8 long excruciating hours of class time per day. But if you find yourself barely awake, passively attentive, and disengaged in class, for the sake of efficiency, take the time for self-introspection and figure out how to make the best use of your time.

And if you are a medical student I’m sure you are well aware of the fact that there are definitely NOT enough hours in a day to study!

With all due respect and hope that you find YOUR way, 

Student Dr. Francois (the S is silent people!)

Hip HIP HOORAY!!! I make it to class EVERY DAY!!

Going to class every day IS NOT an easy task, especially when classes last from 8am until 3 or even 5pm.  After being in class all day, I am expected to study for 2 hours for each lecture hour, but I want to be in bed by midnight, which only leaves a good 6 hours for studying, eating, working out, and relaxing.  I often ask myself, “How in the world do I manage to go to class every day and then study while still trying to have a life?”  I have not quite figured it all out yet, but I am managing. I can admit that there are many mornings when I would rather lay in bed and watch TV (those who know me know how much I enjoy watching TV) and then spend my early afternoon and evening studying—I would definitely then be able to watch my Monday night TV lineup without a book in my hand!! But then I realize that missing class IS NOT an option for me—I learn best by being in class. We are bombarded with so many reading assignments that I know I will not fully understand what I am reading, so I go to class to figure out exactly what I need to focus my studies on.  Also, I feel like our professors put an emphasis on what we need to know, which is not always covered in our textbooks or explained to the greatest detail.  I feel like if I don't go to class, then I'm going to miss out on something important. I will be honest though, even though I am sitting in the classroom, I am not always focused.  Sometimes Facebook may take over my attention, but I do try and at least listen to the professors and pay attention at least 75-85% of the time. Everyone learns differently, and sometimes going to every class is not helpful for some people—I completely understand and by no means would I ever judge someone for not attending class (until they start asking for my class notes every day lol). Although I would love some extra study hours and TV time, I know that I have to attend class because that is just how I am, and it works best for me.  Now I am NOT perfect Bettye or anything. I know there will be some days when I decide not to go to class, and I am okay with that too.  Besides when I think about how much money I spent on each class per day, I want to occupy my expensive seat EVERY DAY :)!!!

Sincerely,

Student Dr. Partridge

GROWING Pains.....Caveat Emptor

Caveat Emptor -

For those of you who have successfully lived your academic lives in peace and relative isolation, allow me to introduce the concept of "the gunner"; the aggressive, "smarter-than-thou", Type A personality who must be the first - or best at everything s/he undertakes. They can usually be found by following the trail of annoyed faces formed as they marched into a room with an air of self-importance....trust me, I know—I used to be one.

My header - "Buyer beware" (in Latin) or as I have figuratively translated - "Gunner Beware" - refers to the reality of Med School academics and the fact that they should not be underestimated—by me, by you, or by anyone else with any hope of success. In the days leading up to the start of classes, we students received numerous speeches about how we must work hard, "for work will make the stupid among you bright, the bright among you brilliant, and the brilliant among you steady.”  As any self-respecting Gunner would, I nodded earnestly, taking care to write down every word that came out of the lecturer's mouth –as I’d already convinced myself that I'd repeat this phrase to my awed classmates while delivering my valedictorian (read: victory) speech 4 years from then.

I cannot tell you how distant that dream now appears.

I graduated with a double major in Chemistry and French from some "great school" in the eastern time-zone...frankly, I could care less right now as in three weeks they (Med school profs) covered every chemical thing I took four years to learn (in greater detail) - and I have learned so much other stuff that I can't even remember my French - despite the presence of a very attractive Togolese girl who could have definitely appreciated it.

I think a visual aid might help:

Every Bone has about 10 parts...usually the attachment points for a muscle.

Every Muscle has an origin and insertion, a nerve that supplies it, and a blood vessel that feeds it.

Every Nerve has a series of spinal roots that create it, as well as a series of vulnerable points along its course and about 5 more nerves it creates.

Every Blood vessel has about 7 branches (or tributaries if you have veins) - their own vulnerable points, and a complicated series of relationships with the muscles, bones, nerves and (other junk) around them.

You have 13 muscles in the space between your knee and your ankle.

Go.

Not convinced? No problem - I understand, I was a Gunner too - and one year ago, I held my mortar-boarded head up with my four roommates - A Stanford bound-engineer who had developed a bike that could stand up on its own, a Rochester-med bound Economics major off to learn neurosurgery, and a Tehran-bound photographer with dreams of starting a non-profit......

Today well,...Today, I just prayed to pass.

Beware what you get yourself into - Med school is a beast that should not be toyed with.

Caveat Emptor!!

Student Dr. Hinson