Sunday, April 5, 2015

Obstetric and Gynecology...A great adventure...

First week in OB/GYN clerkship off to a fast and exciting experience...I think I was the most excited about starting this clerkship to get the experience of bringing little bundles of joy into the world...However, I never thought about the down side to this choice...A 29 year old female presents to clinic with complaints of lower abdominal pain and had gone to the Emergency room and was told that her baby did not have a heartbeat...So, she came in to us for another opinion. And after an exam and ultrasound..it was confirmed...there wasn't a heartbeat...You should have saw the tears flowing...not only her face, but mine as well...I didn't think about this side of the pregnancy...the complications that can occur...Although, I know that approximately 30% of pregnancy end with miscarriages...I just wasn't expecting this on my firs day in the clinic...So, due to this loss, we had to perform a dilation and curettage in which I scrubbed in on and assisted the doctor. I wanted to experience the operating room, but not like this...Well, the upside of my day, I did get to see a cesarean delivery that day...And a circumcision. Since Friday was Good Friday, we were told we could leave a 1 pm...We all decided to go for lunch...and then we received a text that we needed to report back to the hospital for an emergency C-section at 6pm...So, I was at the hospital Friday for 13hrs...The life of an OB/GYN...LOL Just within the first week, I realized that the lifestyle of an OB/GYN is hectic crazy...the babies are in charge... Although I love the atmosphere and playing such an amazing role in women health and being a surgeon, I can see a very demanding lifestyle...and having a teenager by the time I get into residency...I just don't think I can justify that time away from my son, his high school years. I want to be available to participate, attend his games, etc.... However, I noticed that around the nursery and seeing the babies, brings me a lot of joy.... I'm just wondering if I should go into pediatrics or neonatology...Perhaps, I can do critical care for neonates... Well, the beauty of exploring is the adventure...you are challenged...you will see growth...you will find your place in the world... Have you explored new territory lately? Have you stepped out on Faith to find your fertilized soil? In order to grow into your true self, must be planted in well fertilized, well nourished soil...Seek out your soil...I pray that you find your place... Mark 4:3-8 NIV “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Now, Go live your dreams...

7 comments:

  1. I'm so glad I found your blog. I will be almost forty by the time I apply to med school. You have given me hope. Thank you.

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  2. I'm so encouraged to find your blog!!! You are an amazing woman, and I look forward to following your journey.

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  3. Wow !! Love this post !! Hello I am a subscriber and just want to thank you for letting the world be part of your journey !!! This is an awesome oppurtunity to see what doctors in training go through and as a witness for God and all his Glory !!!����������thank you God Bless Liza

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  4. Hi ther, love your blogs, i just came across them yesterday. I was wondering if you could answer some of my questions. I am starting at ross come september and was a little curious about certain things.
    How did you study during the first couple semesters ? what study habits did you adopt to be successful ? for rotation, did you try to rotate through some texas hospitals ? the reason i ask this is because from the little i have read of your blog, i am assuming you are from houston. I work as nurse here in hospitals affiliated with UT and baylor , and would like to do go through surgery and ER rotation here, to make a good impression and get recommendation letters from the attendings. Would love to hear back from you Thanks.

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    1. My first couple of semesters were very challenging. You will have access to Student Services that will discuss style of studying...take advantage of your resources....I was big on logging my daily activities...I log every subject studied, every break, every nap and for how long...KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR STUDYING...Normally, it is recommended that you switch subjects every 2 to 2.5 hrs..,THe log will help you keep track of your rolling schedule. It's said that you must see the material at least 7x before the exam...so, you have to be diligent and very organized in order to do so.

      The use of study products are huge in medical school. Study products are a snapshot of all the listed objectives for each class, they can be charts, draws, narrative in form....I made it a habit to answer each class objective stated on class notes given to you be the professor...Also, do practice questions daily...you will get questions from instructors, Center for teaching and learning...Don't worry you will have enough resource to keep you focused 24hrs/day..the biggest part is will you use them? Most people come to medical school with the notion of what they used thru undergrad or graduate school and they quickly find out this is a different beast..BE OPEN..LISTEN TO WHAT THEY ARE SUGGESTING...and try it.. it works...alter it to fit your style but you will need the coaching...unless you are just a genius...

      As far as elective rotations...I have not decide if I am going to rotate in Texas yet...The application fees at UT Houston is expensive ($350 each elective with a max of 2), plus the cost of moving....I'm processing the expense versus necessity. I have friends that have match at UT this last season that never rotated in Texas at all...So, I'm weighing the benefits.

      In order to do ER electives you must have all your core rotations complete first...But, it is a great plan if you have time in your schedule...If your plan is to match in ER you must have at least 2 electives in ER from schools that have residency programs...

      You have a long journey ahead of you, however, there is nothing wrong with planning for the future...By the time you get to electives..you will have gathered enough information to make the best decision for yourself.

      Focus on you successfully completing your basic sciences..It's no walk in the park...Use your resources: peer tutoring, small group sessions, professor help...Do not underestimate medical school..the information piles up higher than the Empire State Building and you must stay in control of it and how to process it all...Ask for help...I cannot stress that enough...make friends, help each other..You cannot do this alone..

      Best wishes on our journey...keep in touch...
      All things are possible to them that believe!

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  5. Thanks for answering all my questions. You are awesome. I would really love to rotate through UT Houston's general surgery and EM rotations, i work them and one day i would really like to be a resident there. I can see how this medical school can be a totally different beast and i want to go in with a plan but all the while willing to tweak my study habits according to the situation. Thanks for your inputs, i really appreciate you taking time to reply. I wish you all the luck with your future endeavors. Blessings.

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    1. Sounds like you are ready...

      FYI surgery is a core and UT only let you do electives there..you have to find your own preceptor to sponsor you for electives..

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