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!

Raising the Standards

Today was my last day on Psychiatry service at John G Stroger Hospital of Cook County.  And all I can say is what a great experience though I half think students are required to do a psych rotation to receive a full psych evaluation themselves.  Needless to say after several awkward conversations with preceptors over my 4 weeks there I think I passed.  (this was questionable after one talk I had with one of the docs about what makes people happy in life.....)  It just seems like exit day from rotation sites keeps getting better and better.

Site 1:  Infectious Disease at SJOF --> I volunteered myself for an extra weekend shift to ask for a rec letter.  Successful tactic!

Site 2:  GMF at LGH --> I got the last day off to study for my Shelf exam!  Ok... so the real last day my rotation pal and I brought mexican themed treats in for rounds (guac/salsa/chips) and it was so sad to leave but we made friends with our medicine team and better yet her and I have become close!  It was wonderful to have the chance to celebrate her wedding day with her.

Site 3:  Cardiology at Res --->  For a whole month is was me, a wonderful resident, and four cardiologists. Did I ever feel like I was in over my head at first.  Last day the docs let me go early so I could beet the traffic out of town and they offered me a recommendation letter and said please come up for lunch whenever you are back here for OB, we know you'll be hungry.  Yay! more free catered lunches for 6 weeks. (except this is over the holidays and the last thing I need is extra food then)   This med student gig isn't half bad. 

Site 4: Psych at Stroger -->  This exit takes the cake.  My delightful partner Mark and I take the last hour of our day to talk to our favorite psychiatrist there.  As an aside she LOOVVVEEEDDD Mark.  And I can't blame her.  Turns out the Southerner's have it right saying ma'am and sir.  So we sit there and talked about life, other students, and our romantic relationships or current lack there of.  Dr. T seems to think at age 25 someone like me should have no problem finding a man and at first asked if I needed therapy.  (uh oh, failure on my personal psych eval!)   But then wait, when we are getting ready to leave she tells me to write down my number and email and she will be on the lookout to set me up with any potential suitors she comes across.  She then offers Mark and myself her contact information so we can write recommendation letters for ourselves and she'll sign them.  CLEARED by psychiatry

Really how often do you get an offer by your attending to hook you up with any educated potential suiters that happen to come along.... :)  

Forward to Surgery....!  I'm dreading what is about to happen to my daily life (no workouts, no cooking, no sleeping, no socializing) but so excited for the opportunities I'm certain to have!  It really is an 8 week in a lifetime opportunity.  

Rainy Days

Is Chicago ever going to see the sun again for more than a few minutes?  I'm really starting to wonder, rain again tomorrow possible!  I want to ride my bike!!!!!  And not worry about getting stuck in thunder during my runs.  2 outdoor runs this week and I got soaked both times.  It looks like I might have to be making my way back to the gym soon.   After paying for all May, June, July, and August, and now September and only actually setting foot in Exsport about 6 times I suppose I have some ground to make up.  To overcome my rainy day mood, some sunshine thoughts :)

Apple Cider Century bike ride was this past weekend.  No longer sore from riding distance in the cold and rain.  I'm not going to lie, I felt like a bad ass out there.  My sister even commented "you look so intense with your bike leg warmers" and "you really are granola."  Plus we found a lovely coffee house to warm up in after our ride

2.  Derm appt yesterday with a new doctor (Dr. Ronald Wise, you are missed) regarding my paranoia about two relatively new moles on my left cheek.  I was calmed as I was told they are probably only intradermal moles and simply need to be watched for now.  I have never been so scared about a doctor appointment before, I really was afraid I was going to walk out with plans to make a surgery date for Christmas break.  There will be no butchering of my face this year.  I'd probably have made a psych appointment with that surgery appointment had it been needed.  Call me vain that's fine

3.  Fresh Flowers sitting on my table :)

4.  A tasty beer sitting next to my computer

5.  Ahi tuna prepared to be seared and all sorts of fresh vegies and fruit to accompany it

6.  My bananas are finally ripe enough to freeze!!!!  That means plenty of frozen nanas from smoothies and banana "ice cream" the next several days.  Maybe I'll mix some of it with some pumpkin and cinnamon for a tasty fall treat!  And perhaps through in a handful of choco chips :)

7.  Tomorrow is my last day on psych.  I loved the hours and everyone and I've worked with and the physicians and the patients with the absolutely insane lives but as I've stated before, the practice of psychiatry is not my future

8.  Weekend plans with two lovely ladies!  (and the sun should be coming out!)

9.  A new free workout download from Lindsay Luv!  Here's the link courtesy of Tone it up!
http://toneitup.com/blog.php?Motivation-Monday-New-Music-Mix-5191
I promise the link somewhere in their blog entry for the day

10.  Biking tights for just 16.50 from Steep and Cheap!  So glad I didn't buy the Pearl Izumi's last week for 90!  Looks like I'll be enjoying my road bike outside instead of a trainer for another couple months.  Now if they'd just post some all terrain board bindings and/or boots as well as some all terrain skis I'm all set with my athletic gear cravings for the time being

Hi, my name is ______ and I'm addicted to ______. I've been clean for ____ days/months/years

Hi, my name is Caroline and I'm addicted to diet coke.  I've been clean for 26 days.  My longest time clean was up until age 23.  Since that time I spent about 4 1/2 months clean.  At my worst I would drink a MickeyD's XL.

Now this is something I take somewhat as a joke but half seriously too.  I really am addicted to Diet Coke.  I just hear someone opening a pop can and I itch for and crave a dc so badly.  It's not just the caffeine or being thirsty.  I've tried replacing it with other beverages with no success.  Sure diet coke might not be so bad for you, though it is far from good.  Entirely synthetic, all fake sweeteners (no wonder I can't tone my lower abs.... jk)  And like a true addict I try to make excuses like... two of my best friends drink a lot of it, or I'll just have one after a long run as a reward for getting through 14, 17, 19, etc miles (I was marathon training), or I'll just have one a week to keep me satisfied.  Let me tell you folks, it is a blessing that it is not something more serious that I crave or I might be in big trouble.  Sometimes that one a week is enough and yes it was always as a study reward to a study break to go get one.  I never keep it in the house.  Well I severely relapsed while on my cardiology rotation.  The kitchen in the office was stocked, I could have as many a day as I wanted although I never exceeded 1.  Or I could get fountain cokes from the cafeteria because my wonderful resident always put my meals on his card.  Aside, he also encouraged my habit!  rude!  But enough about my silly minor addiction.  Diet coke may make me run slower, feel not so hot, and have to burp but there are far worse things in life

I'm currently rotating at Cook County Hospital in the outpatient psych clinic.  I'm sure you can imagine the crowd drawn to a county psych unit.  Yes its exactly what you think and yes, I am very thankful for my sheltered and safe life.  I've never personally known real abuse, extensive drug addictions, real killings, real shootings, real violence, etc.  Some of the patients I've seen hardly bat an eye as they tell me about the time they tried to kill their best friend or how growing up their mother would give them Valium telling them it was a vitamin and then proceed to sexually abuse them.   This is only skimming the surface.  While I well know drugs and alcohol are never the answer and never have been for me I can almost empathize with why these people turn to drugs.  And this is coming from someone who is sunshine and flowers half the time and have a list of "coping" / "de-stressing" methods that could fill pages.  While I want to run away from my situation temporarily here and there (and so physically run I do) I've never NEEDED to find a true escape and an altered mentality just to face the pain of the day.

Please don't mistake this for approving in anyway shape or form the drug habits of the people in this country and abroad.  Instead next time you meet a druggie or start to gossip about someone using a substance consider for at least a moment the WHY behind the use.  I've come to realize that only about 1 in 15 of the people I've seen have started using drugs just because they were there.

While psychiatry is not where I see myself ending up in just about 21 months I have to say I will be taking a lot away from the second floor of the Fantus building.  I think some of the strongest people I know are the patients I've met who have remained clean from their drug of choice and all others for years and years and are day by day working to continue to beat their addiction despite the world many of them are surrounded by practically encouraging them to fall back into old habits.  I never actually want to walk a day in any of their shoes but I value immensely the insight each pt has given me into my own life and the appreciation I have for where I have come from, what I am doing, and where I have the potential to get to.