sure it's old, but still great

Dr. Granola's quotes of the day

"Oh sure they were shooting last night, just aiming lower than usual."
In reference to his "boring" on call night in trauma at County.  He only had one abdominal surgery, the rest of the bullets hit people's legs and were thus not concerning to him.  No big.

"F* Dr. ____, I'd hate for him to get shot in the hilum of his kidney and expect me to reconstruct it.  The @$$hole just wanted to rub in that my procedure from Friday didn't adequately put back together a renal hilum that had a bullet shot straight through.  He can take his note and shove it."

"wait, who else do we have on the schedule for Thursday?"
my response "Mr. ____, the pinky finger amputation.  He came in last Wed for surgery, shot up heroin in the hospital and pulled a knife on...."
(interrupts) "What? That really doesn't tell me anything.  That could be anyone here.  Who?"

I love Stroger

Some running posts I found today....

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon was last Sunday morning.  Like last year I was present walking through runners village before sunrise.  It's quite a sureal feeling, almost everyone around has put in extensive amounts of dedication for at least 3 months if not 6 and are in just about the best shape of their lives.  Yes I especially love that about endurance races, so many people focussed on their health and taking care of themselves.   Unfortunately this year I did not have on a pair of good running shoes and spandex set to run the 26.2 miles.  Rather I had yoga pants, comfortable sneakers, a tanktop, and a clearance badge saying "medical."  To be honest, this year I'd probably just barely be able to manage 13.1 on a good day.  Needless to say I felt a part of me was missing.  Not that I didn't go for a 60 mile bike ride the next day, or train over the summer for a long open water swim, or pick up both my 5K and 10K paces by over a minute / mile.  It just all doesn't compare to the dedication and training that goes into preparing for a marathon... physically and mentally.   So today I was browsing marathon clips and running pics and pulled a few of my favorites from one site.   I'll be back next year Chi town 26.2... October 7 (I'm guessing), 2012.  

I'm putting it out there.... I will be running a marathon within the next 365 days :)  Hold me too it 

Me (obvi...) running on the beach

truth, sigh  (obvi not me in the beach running pic)

I want to make this quote into a button to wear around work.  
Whenever I tell patients they should exercise they reply "I'm just too busy"  .... please....

All the docs / volunteers in the medical tent at the marathon were saying how crazy they thought all the runners were.    Meanwhile I sat there checking IV's, checking and replacing electrolytes, and taking vitals jealous even of all the runners who landed in the main medical tent pre or post finish line

Any comment I'd add to this might be considered fairly rude so I'll refrain....

yes!  Must track that pace!

HAHAHAHA too true!!!

Ditch the zoloft / paxil / effexor / etc... besides, they causes weight gain

This picture is my hope for my lovely biffle Kate Christopher who is running her first 5K Nov 5th :)    We're both running the Hot Chocolate race (her the 5K, me the 15K) and meeting for choco fondue and hot coco at the finish!

My workout for tomorrow (thanks TIU!)  + another 3 miles :)... pending recovery of  this head-cold/illness I have

Welcome to the Burn Unit

This past Monday I started my surgery rotation.  To say the least I was incredibly nervous thinking my life as  know it was about to end.  No more time to workout and cook and sleep and just kind of chill a little bit every day.  I'm happy to say that is not the case at all (though I am one of the lucky ones)  I've started out on a specialty service, burn.  We are part of Cook County's trauma team :)   And most days don't round with the docs until around 8 or 9.   So sorry for my friends on other gen services and specialties at county who need to get there by 4 to get notes written to round by 6... suckers!  I'm usually there from only about 6am til 3 or 4.  Plenty of time to live life.  Plus its scrubs and ponytails or braids all day everyday.  I never thought I'd be happy about scrubs 'til this past week

Now I can't say I've seen anything that would your socks off yet, we have no huge burns right now either acute or that have been in the unit for some time.  But between inhalation injuries (these are bad!), some chronic ugly suppurative HUGE unhealing wounds, and some small skin grafts, bilateral knee amputations, and chemical burns I've learned a lot and it's only been 1 week.  And its not only knowledge I've learned its small procedures.... suturing, ABGs, blood draws, Naso-gastric tube placement, central lines, dressing changes :)   I will admit to grabbing a few butterflies to practice drawing blood quickly on myself --> sans turnicate and successful!

Everyone is so chill and relaxed, even in tough situations.  Regarding our two main surgeons; I don't think they are afraid of anything that could be thrown our way.  One is a huge teddy bear and the other I've heard referred to as "Dr. Granola"...appropriate assessment.  While I still have no desire to be a surgeon, I respect that.  The other students and I are actually treated as part of the team and included in pt care and pushed to learn and be one step ahead.  Great lectures during rounds, great formal lectures, great presentation and note writing tips and lots of laughs all day.  I LOVE IT!

Last night I took my first 30 hour call.  Ok so it actually came out to 29 hours and 32 minutes (but who's counting).  I got a bit of sleep and nothing crazy came in.... unfortunately.  All I can say is I'm thankful for the new laws that keep interns from taking these calls.  While we still do as students in some places (some friends taking call every 4th night!) it won't necessarily be my future.  I can honestly say that when I got home around 12:30 today I felt like I'd beaten myself up.  My feet, my legs, my head, everything hurt.  I've heard others describe is as feeling like they just ran a marathon.  Speaking from experience... that is not nearly accurate but maybe a half marathon when not in ideal shape.  I was so hungry when I got home and, let me tell you, I couldn't eat a bite after finishing the full until about 7 hours later.  (yet another marathon reference, I'm so bummed I'm not running tomorrow, I'm looking for some good April/May marathons, I could use recs!)  But to be honest regarding call... I feel like a baller and legit medical student now.  While I just said I'm glad these calls are for the most being phased out, I have both positive and negative feelings about their worth.  I do think we all should experience them.    

BICU work station

The old building, closed now

The new Stroger!