Step 1 - In My Site...

Okay now that I have less than 30 days to complete my biological science portion of my medical degree, I registered for Step 1 exam today.  What a great feeling!  Step one is the first licensing exam for medical students in the USA.  It's probably one of the most important exams of our life. My step 1 score is a gateway to my desired specialty. (Rev 3:8) I know that GOD has opened doors for me, that no man can close, so I have to do my part and prepare accordingly.  I know this is just the beginning and a lot of work is going to have to happen between now and my actual exam date, but it's great to know that I'm moving in that direction.

Sometimes, it may seem like your dreams, goals or pursuits are so far in front of you that you just can't even imagine them really coming to pass.  But, will, if you don't give up.

Don't give up on creating your world and all that you wish it to be.
Don't give up when challenges arise and it seems to be blocking your view.
Don't give up when you feel like if one more thing happens, you are going to SCREAM!

Hold on..change is coming..STAY in FAITH..CONTINUE TO BELIEVE..IT'S WORTH THE FIGHT!  We are fighting not against flesh and blood, but principalities that would cause US to faint...We shall reap OUR  REWARD, if WE faint not.....

I was so excited today that I got the chance to speak to a young man that has a desire to become a doctor, but felt burnt out.  I shared with him some things..then I said, "it is better to let your dream inspire you now to move forward, than to haunt you later."  Let your story ring to the next generation that you strove with all that was in you to push forward and to dare to believe...AND GOD made the difference...I know from where my help comes from..It definitely comes from the LORD....in due season, your dream will manifest.  It can be done...just one step at a time....

I'm not even trying to say that obstacles will not come...the question is what are willing to do to get around them?  Let your actions line up with your words, for know that greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.  Don't look to government, family, friends, although support is nice to have, but look to your Creator, GOD ALmighty that gave you the dream, the desire, the calling.   HE will put you in the right place, right time and right circumstances for all the pieces to the puzzle to come together.  So, endure the long hours, late nights and perhaps the tears..but, if you faint not you shall reap....I'm a witness...

Step 1 exam I'm ready for you...February 2014....

Now, go live your dream!

Recall and Apply...

Today was another exhausting moment doing clinical rounds at the hospital.  I was assigned to geriatrics in the morning session and post- op in the afternoon.  So to my surprise, my experience at a local nursing home was epic.  We round with an attending physician at a nursing home that has be opened for over 50 years.  The facility was not the fanciest as you would find in the US, however, the up keep and dedications to the residents were impeccable.  The workers took great pride in the up keep of each resident.  "There was no smell of odors and facility was nice and clean."  As the attending would put it, "each worker here works above their pay grade unsupervised," meaning they work to a level that of excellence that's way above the amount of money they actually make.  Each resident was bathe and groomed each day.  All beds were made daily.  Each diet catered to the resident's dietary need.  Although funding and finances were not plentious, the caretakers took great pride in how they cared for the elderly.  Job well done I must say.

Now, coming from my perspective as a student learning to use all the information I've gained, being able to recall and apply it is imperative.  We first began with a 90+ female that had a history of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.  So, we were methodically drilled on how would we care for this resident.  What line of medications would be administered and why.  what are some contraindications of these medicines in the elderly, etc.  To my surprise I was able to recall more pertinent facts than I thought I would.  When put on the spot my mind began to race, trying to quickly recall the answer.  I tried to visualize and recall my notes, or things I had written on my whiteboard as if they were right in front of me...Now, somethings were fuzzy, but, for the most part visualization helped me today.  For instance, I was asked what was a side affect of an Ace Inhibitor that I should look out for in our patients.  I recalled my drawing on my white board and was able to locate that side effect: coughing... I'm growing everyday..taking baby steps..but, I'm moving forward.

Then our next case was a spinal injury patient that also suffered from diabetes and had to have his right leg amputated due to diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes.  We had to recall the signs and symptoms of a T12 spinal cord injury, as well as brachial plexus injury that has damaged the radial, ulnar and median nerves in his right hand.  WoW...over the past two years we've learned all this stuff and now right before our eyes..it was time to apply what we've learned.

Another plus for the day, was I was rounding with a top notch group of students which made my day even more enjoyable. Everyone was eager to learn, to help each other gain the knowledge we needed...Team work is so important...

At the end of our rounds, we saw many different textbook ailments.  I was impressed with our agenda for the day.  I thought the attending was just shooting off the cuff...but in the end she actually had a type written agenda of all the cases we saw today..I was really impressed with that. That allow us to really seal in our subconscious mind the learning points of the day.

It feels really good when you are able to see the transition of life right before your eyes, however, big or small the progress, be excited about the progress.  Because as you continue moving forward you will see you labor is not in vain.

Now, GO LIVE YOUR DREAM!