06-15-07

06-15-07

Well, my main follower of this web blog is now gone, and I contemplated stopping writing here, because, really, what’s the point. But… the truth is that I like writing here, and there are a few other people other than my mom who read this blog. As this is also a censored journal (you’ll notice that up to this point there has been zero mention of how sick mom was) and is mainly about school, I think I am going to continue writing here.

So. I returned here from Israel, very angry and very sad, but I called school right away so I could start catching up. This has been a wonderful decision on my part, as it allowed me to be insanely busy and not have way too much time to think. On the other hand, I really could have used some time. But… I returned to work two days after I landed.

I had to complete one last week of internal medicine. It was… awful. I don’t like internal medicine, I don’t like the rounding. I don’t like it. That sums up that week. Glad it is done now.

Then… Surgery!!!!!!!!! I LOVE surgery!!!!!! It is the hardest rotation anyone can ask for; the hours are terrible, the work load is phenomenal, but, it is so much fun! I have learned tons in this rotation.
The main things I learned are:
1. Always work hard. It pays off.
2. Listen to those who know more than you… they can teach you. --> I learned from the attendings, the residents and especially from the nurses.
3. Learn skills fast (for example, yesterday I closed with staples, and one of the residents asked me if I have done it before. I told him I saw it done, and will now listen to him tell me how to do it, and just… learn fast. It works—when you put your mind to it, you can do anything)
4. Be insistent—if you want to learn something, keep asking to learn it until you are taught. I’ve learned I am responsible for what I get taught… I wanted to learn how to tie sutures with one hand, but no one had time to show me… I kept asking until they showed me. Then I mastered it! The other thing was putting in Foley catheters. I only done male Foleys, but on my next hospital rotations will make sure to do female ones.
5. Let stuff roll off, have tough skin and don’t take things to heart…. (Because there are people out there who take their frustration on anyone who passes in their path)
6. Always be professional—it makes a wonderful working environment
7. Lastly, the road to success usually involves failure--> meaning: becoming good at something takes a lot of work; it is unlikely you’ll be good at it right away. It is okay to make mistakes, but fix them and don’t repeat them. And if you don’t make these mistakes you’ll never learn.

I’ve learned a whole lot more, but this was just what stood up in my head as I was writing it… I guess I was surprised I loved this rotation as much as I did, but the person who wasn’t surprised it dad.

My friend who just finished this rotation before me, told me what horrid time she had and how much she suffered, but… now I know—don’t listen to others, form your own opinions!

Well, that’s that for now.

Reut
PS—heartfelt apologies for my non school friends who had no idea I’m back. Sorry. I really should have written you an email, but it was just too much. You’ll forgive me this time around.