Thursday, June 28, 2012

Who's watching you?

After a relative long, but normal day in medical school, my son and I were on our way home,and to my surprise a young lady called out my name and asked if she could talk to me.  I'm not sure how she knows me or even knows my name, but I said, "absolutely...what's going on?"  She began to cry...Oh my gosh, Im thinking to myself.  I just knew she was going to say something about school, our course load, etc.  But, I was shocked when she said, "Joyce, I'm so lonely."  My heart dropped. 

I know I talk a lot about being in pursuit of purpose and not letting anything get in your way from getting what you want.  But, how do you respond to I'm lonely? We sometimes forget that the person next to us is a human being with feelings and desires.  We all are just trying to make it through the next exam, the next block, and to the next semester.  But, some of our peers are not only fighting that same fight, but, they are dealing with other emotional factors, too. 

We are all away from our friends and family.  Im sure loneliless is an issue alot of us face from time to time.  It is so important to build a support group. Call home as often as possible.  Hang out with friends when you can, even if it's just for lunch.  Take a minute to talk to someone walking pass you. Study in groups.  Do not isolate yourself.  Thank GOD I managed to build a support system here and I rely heavily on those in the US.   Moreover,  no matter what you are dealing with right now, it is temporary.  Focus on your promising future.  See yourself with your mate.  See yourself having everything your heart desire.  Cry if you must.  But, Keep believing.  Keep pushing...and before you know it...You will have what you desire. 

I dont believe her days will always be filled with loneliness.  But, she has to believe it, too.  As I began to console, comfort and exhaust her.  Her spirit got lighter.  Her hope was restored. She even was able to laugh...laughter is the best medicine.

We are here to help and encourage each other.  Why do you know the people you know?  Why are you in the work environment you are in?  Why?  Because you have something within you that someone around you needs. 

Note to self:  Be more aware of those around you.  Everyone that is smiling is not happy.  Show geniune concern.  You just might change a life in a big way...

2 Cor 4:16 - 18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Let's GO!!!!!

Okay, literally in two days, I will be taking my last two exams for this block.  I have a Gross Anatomy Practical and my first mini exam of the semester and for some reason I am not motivated to study my normal 12 days...Like right now, I have been on a 3hr break watching tv for the first time in weeks. 

I think I am going to call it an early night and get up early tomorrow morning and start afresh...or should I take a nap and get up in 45 min and start studying?  Well, I will see....I definitely should do practice questions before I retire for the night.

Today, was a nice break from studying.  I  had an Airway lab, where I practiced how to intubate a patient whose airway is obstructed.  I have to strengthen my left hand and arm in order to hold and insert the laryngoscope.  I could not get the scope in Larry the Heads mouth without cracking his teeth.  So, I must go back to lab and practice before the final exam in 8 weeks...It's pretty neat that  by inserting these tools, I was able to see down the manikin's throat and saw the vocal cords...

Laryngoscope handles with an assortment of Miller blades
So, I am quickly approaching the Gastro/Renal module which by the consensus, it is probably the most challenging of them all.  So, I really have to get my batteries recharged.  My mind focused on the outcome I desire.  And get ready for the swift landing...Just 8 weeks til finals...and two more blocks to go...

So, between now and Monday I have to get with it...I have to try to go over all the materail at least twice more before the exams...

So, my message to self.."And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal 6:9

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

NeuroScience Practical Over and done with...

WOW...As we all pushed to excel on this Neuroscience practical...I left the exam last week feeling pretty good...I Thought I absorbed as much information about Basal Ganglia, Diencephalon, Cerebrellum, Motor Systems, CNS Blood Supply, NeuroPharm, etc, etc....to answer any questions thrown my way on the practical...Results should be out today....All in all, I must keep pushing forward.  I can not let one ocassion on this journey paralysis my progress to the next phase. 

We have three weeks until our first mini exam and first gross anatomy practical for the semester....Yes, they are one day apart....We just started Endocrine yesterday..So, I know the time is going to fly by...The major task in medical school is managing your time.  Being able to take in more information, while you review the past 4 weeks of information as well.  We learned in our class on Memory, repetition is the way to get information stored into our Long Term Memory: Long Term Potentiation, the long lasting enhancement in signal transmission between neurons = informatino stored into memory banks.  So, coming up with a schedule to reveiw weekly (sometimes multiply times within the week) all the material is key to success. 

It's quit interesting how we have some much control over the things most feel that have no control over.  It has been scientifically proven that we can potentiate our gene expression by our thoughts. I learned that in undergrad in my cell biology class.  And now, Im learning that we can increase our capacity to handle complex information or store more information, through our thoughts by repetition.  Isn't that what the scriptures state, "whatsoever a man thinks, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

So, this all boils down to YOU. What do you want?  How far are you willing to go?  How bad do you wanted it?  How many opportunies are you going to let slip by you? How many excuses can you come up with why you CAN'T do it, NOW?  As the late Rev. Ike says, "GET YOUR BUT out of the way."

 The majority of us can accomplish our dreams and goals, etc in life through STRONG PURSUIT....Set your mind, thoughts, beliefs and energy towards the course in life you want  and pursue it.  Go for it...It's yours...I see it...Do you?

Now, go live your dreams....

Six Degrees of Separation..

Good morning world...this just may be my shortest blog..I just wanted to say...My deepest condolences to all those that lost love one in the plane crash in Logos, Nigera.  Several of my fellow classmates lost love ones in that crash..My deepest condolences to all..My prayers are with you in this horrific tradegy....