Rotations: Surgery

So don't laugh when a fresh new face walks into your room at the hospital/clinic/etc and introduces themselves as "Student Doctor ___" and PLEASE don't laugh if the only thing they mess up on is their name...it's hard to spit all that gibberish out, it's even harder to hear our name behind the title "doctor"...

And so I have begun the third year of medical school. I finished my boards three weeks ago, it was a hellascious experience to say the least. Our testing center had computer problems and we didn't get to start our 9 hr exam until close to 12:30...needless to say we got there when it was dark and we left when it was dark. We were just excited we actually got to take the exam, they were threatening that we might have to leave and reschedule. I'm sorry though, you don't study for 12 hrs every day for the last 5 weeks: eat, drink, and dream of medical shit for them to say "too bad guys, come back later" Talk about a moral killer. Brent had told me when we got out of bed the morning of our exam, "You know how good it's going to feel getting back in this bed with the exam behind us?" I REALLY didn't want that to not be true. Anyway, after the exams our parents flew in and helped us pack up all of our belongings, and then Brent and I started our roadtrip north. We had a great time camping at Big Sur, Redwood National Park, and Crater Lake. They were all places we had never seen before (with the exception of Crater Lake for me), but we definitely need more time in each place.

Then, last Monday I started my surgical rotation for the next month at Good Sam. The hours are early, but not always long, which is nice. Since I doubt I will go into surgery, it was probably the best place I could have chosen to do my rotation. I love it, love it, love it. The doctors are really down to earth and the residents aren't all trying to stab each other, and me, in the back. I'm learning a lot while also not having my confidence shot down at every turn. And believe me, there are plenty of times I SHOULD have been yelled at, and plenty of times in which I was being "pimped" and didn't know the answer, but no one seems to care...they are all about teaching. This, believe it or not, is a rarity. I'm exhausted though, but it's the kind of exhaustion that is exhilarating, I feel like every sec (literally) I'm learning new things, it's amazing.

With that said, it's almost nine and I need to read for the next 30 min before I fall asleep. Thinking of all your girls, can't wait to get together. Oh yeah, that's the other freaking awesome thing about my rotation, NO CALL and NO WKNDS!! Yay :)

Incorporating Taren's latest post. One thing to never ask a third year medical student: "So, what specialty are you thinking?" Umm, the only thing going through my head is, what profession are you so I don't insult you by not saying yours? Yeah, right now everyone wonders if I'll be another surgeon, I just keep saying "I'm not sure" to keep it simple. But seriously, we are just getting out into the real world, we really don't know what we like, we still have a year to decide, throw us a bone and stop asking us. We ask ourselves that same question about 1,000 times a day (probably more even)...

Okay, that's enough. Sorry my thoughts were so scattered this evening. Love you girls.
Ash

Never ask a pregnant woman BLANK...

Ok,

In lieu of a traditional post I've decided to publish something I'd like to call, "Never ask a pregnant woman BLANK"

I've decided that this will provide you all with insight into the daily arsenal of questions I face working in customer service with what looks like a beach-ball smuggled under my shirt, and though I know none of you would ask these questions, some seem rather benign so it's possible you could without realizing what a pregnant-mind would think if you did.

Numero uno: "Are you pregnant?"

Why Not?: Ok...if you have to ask; DON'T. After being asked this questions SEVERAL times before I was pregnant, I came to the resolution that unless a woman is wearing a Brittany-Spears-esque shirt that says "I've got the Golden Ticket" with a giant arrow pointing to womb, or the umbilical cord is hanging out...I'm just not going to go there. At this point in my pregnancy, it also just seems like a no-brainer. I'm getting to the cranky trimester, and this question is just annoying. I feel like saying "Nope" and walking away.

Number Two: "Were you trying to have a baby?"

Why Not?: I was asked this awkward little question by a much older man, and wasn't quite sure how to answer. There are really two possible answers; option one: "Yep, we were getting busy on a nightly basis hoping one of those little guys would make it past the goalie" (totally inappropriate) option two: "Nope.....bummer, right?" (also, totally inappropriate). Granted, if one of you girls were to ask me this, I wouldn't have the slightest problem explaining our intentions (or lack thereof) But really? Grandpa wants the low-down on my sex-life? No comment pops.

Number Three: "Is your husband happy about it?"

Why Not?: Ok, I'm blessed enough that Gabe is thrilled to be a daddy, is reading all the books, talks to Rokstad nightly, and can't wait to meet our son in September...but what if he wasn't? I've been asked this question so many times and I would love to come back with "Oh no...he is pi-issed! I've been pulling the whole M&M's for BC trick for months and he never caught on!" Then what? Talk about uncomfortable silence.

Number Four: (Ok...this isn't a question, but a statement) "Wow! You sure look pregnant!"

Why Not?: When I hear this (which is at least 400 times a day), I feel like saying "Really? I feel so svelte"

Trust me, I am FULLY aware of my weight...to the pound...because those sadist doctors make you step on the scale almost as often as they make you pee in a cup. I am also FULLY aware of the fact that I can't see my feet anymore in the shower, that I waddle when I walk, and that despite my best efforts, that middle button my shirt is clinging on for dear life. And while I am fully aware of all these things, I get through the day by telling myself that nobody else will notice; that I have found a way to effortlessly blend in with my surroundings with true grace and style like no other pregnant lady has done before. This comment hurls me back into reality.

Ok....this post is coming off as HIGHLY hormonal. I swear that I am actually a very pleasant pregnant lady, and for the most part have a good sense of humor about the high-jacking of my body. I've learned to laugh as I wake up for the fourth time to go pee in the middle of the night, and I've embraced the ever-so-sexy bra extenders that I bought from Walmart which allow me to squeeze the last bit of life out of my bras before I cross over into the dark-side of the nursing bra...(Imagine that in the font of 'The Creature From the Black Lagoon'...way more appropriate than italics)

I wish that I could share in this journey with all of you on a daily basis, but I hope this post shed a little bit of light on this new part of my life.

I love you all and can't wait for our reunion.

I swear I do more than just go to weddings

Although this picture doesn't do much to prove that. It's from David's sister's wedding on Friday, where we caught the one nice weather day of the week. That's me closest to the bride (Mia), and I'm wearing her best friend's maternity dress (on to you next, Taren) that happened to fit me so I could stand in for Claire, who's on bed rest. They asked me to join them on Thursday night at the rehearsal, and by Friday mid-day I had my nails painted, hair done and was ready to party! All the fun and none of the bridesmaid drama...love it!
Hope you are enjoying the first real day of summer, whereever you are in the world.
xoxo

Another Hawaii moment

Happy Thirsday! Here's a pic from my friend's wedding in April. Good times!

Baby Shower/Reunion July 16th?

Hey y'all!

Just wanted to see if the date we've settled on is July 16th?

It seems like everyone is available for that date but not the others...

I'm just trying to request time off for work, etc.

Oh, and I'm assuming we mean July 17th which is a Saturday? I know I'll have to work the 16th which is a Friday, but Saturday I can get off.

T.