Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Another Day of Celebrating...STEP 2 CK Results are IN!

This wonderful journey to and through medical school as been very eventful.  It has been the most challenging, yet rewarding task I have set out to accomplish thus far.  I just feel deep down inside that this the beginning of something HUGE, a path that will unfold unlimited possibilities...


This past month has been the most challenging I've experienced in my clerkship experience...but, through perseverance and determination...I made it to the other side of USMLE STEP 2 CK...Sometimes distraction arise, but you have to know that they are just distractions and don't let them stop you...You must be determined to complete what you started. 


Now, back to studying...in surgery clerkship...YAY!



Saturday, July 11, 2015

USMLE Step 2 K - DONE!

Yesterday was my day to SMASH Step 2CK...I was ready to get it over with...prior to taking it I was  an emotional wreck...but, not really realizing the depth of my inner fears, until after I finished the exam...The week prior to the exam I felt stressed, I had a headache every day....my stomach was in knots...and I have never had such bodily manifestations that were overwhelmingly affecting me like this...I've had many challenging days in my life, which I was able to manage well...


On top of all of this, I put my workout regime on hold until after the exam and that was not a good idea...6 weeks of a sedentary lifestyle allowed the stress to build up and to manifest in my body...the last two days before the exam I had the worst thoracic back pain ever...I was in so much distress and just did not have the time to go see a doctor...to get up out of a chair, my bed felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife...the back spasms emerged out of no where, I don't recall any trauma; but, it felt like someone had hit me across my back with a bat.  I did not have a fever.  I could take deep breaths without pain...So, I assumed I just slept in the wrong position...but, the odd thing is the back pain began in the middle of the day...when I woke up on Wednesday morning, I did not have them...I took some anti-inflammatory meds but that did not help...I took acetaminophen with little relief...well, it did help my headache...Well, I pushed through all these manifestations and continued to study...The morning of the exam I noticed that I was able to get out of bed without my calculated positioning of my legs and carefully rotation my upper torso. However, I still felt some pain, but on a lower intensity.  It was Friday, July 10th, 5 am and I was ready to CONQUER this day!  Pain or no pain!


Going into CK, I was more relaxed than on Step 1....I was praying and believing that I did the proper preparation and I would feel good about my performance.  So, after 8 hours and 393 questions, I was done....I even had 9 minutes on the clock for a break...As I sat down with the test proctor to sign out...I noticed my back pain was completely gone...I had no limited range of motion, no limited movement at all...I was quite amazed at how I allowed the stress from this exam to affect my body...


As I look back, I was in a panic mode these past 2 weeks...I started my surgery rotation in a very specialize field that I felt was not giving me the diversity I needed to complete my surgery shelf exam...and on top of that I did not have the down time to study for CK...or my surgery shelf exam that I have to do on August 24th...SO, with all this pressure my body was screaming out for help...


Yesterday evening, I was in the spirit of praises to GOD for seeing me through...I could not believe the pressure I was under and now it was gone...I felt FREE..I felt as if a 10 ton weight was lifted off my back...


So, the learning point for this blog is, though trials may come and go...you have to make sure you take care of yourself emotionally, spiritually and physically...never again will I neglect my body....to be a sound Being we must care for our WHOLE BEING and when one part is in deficit the Being does not function as it should...


Now, Go LIVE your Dreams!


3 John 1:2-4
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Life altering exam...USMLE Step 2CK

I am finally here...the night before CK...I really don't know what to think or feel...I've reviewed 3 years worth of material...I've answered over 3300 practice questions...Watched videos from two different sources...and have taken hundreds of pages of notes, not to mention all the note cards made...Praying that I formed the proper synaptic connections that has stored the information in my long term memory and I am able to recall it when needed.  It will be a long day...8 am to 5pm....350 questions...Not sure if a cafĂ© is in the building, I just finished packing my lunch....Chicken breast, baby carrots and a protein drink.  I'm trying to decided should I drink water...I know that sounds very strange...but, I can't afford to leave the exam to go to the bathroom...lol...Although, I will get 45 minute break to divide how I see fit...I guess can afford to drink a Gatorade....Normally, when I take my shelf exams which are 4 hrs long and no allotment for breaks...I make sure I do not drink anything that morning going into the exam...


I must say, I am much calmer than I was taking Step 1.  I was a real wreck for that one.  Perhaps, I've grown.  I would hope so and like to think I have.  These past years have been trying...challenging...and difficult; to be at the cuff of finishing medical school in approximately 10 months in mind blowing...I am so thankful to GOD and all of YOU that have followed my journey and sent me words of encouragement and well wishes.  So, please tomorrow as you go about your day, doing and taking the necessary actions to manifest your dreams....say a PRAY FOR ME...I will need the Divine direction!  USMLE Step 2 CK, I'm ready for you....


Job 23:10Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous].







Sunday, July 5, 2015

Surgery in the midst of Step 2 CK....UGH!

I know you all are wondering...Hey, where is she?  what is she up to?  Well, I'm on course to finishing my final year with the same amount of enthusiasm as when I first began this journey...perhaps, I am harboring a great deal of excitement and anticipation, too....I cannot believe how fast time is flying by. 


I'm in my last core rotation, surgery, and still prepping for CK...I feel like these two things are my last hurdles I need to jump before Match 2016 opens in September.  And they are the BIGGEST, yet....I had planned on being finished with Step 2 by now...but, just wasn't ready...so, I rescheduled my exam until this Friday...I don't think you can every feel ready for these kind of life changing exams...The many hours invested in studying seems like it's never enough...but, the longer you put it off the more likely you will forget the stuff you reviewed in the beginning...So, I'm praying, believing and hoping for a successful experience with CK...


I started surgery at the end of last month and it has been non stop...OMG...I'm working with an orthopedic surgeon that specializes from the elbow down...very specialized.  So, most of the day we are examining hand and wrist injuries.  I never knew so many people had issues with their hands...from young to not so young...


I chose two fields for surgery: orthopedics and plastics...I didn't get the plastics; but, I was really curious about the new craze of butt injections and wanted to see how it was done by real professionals...Some years ago my sister had a friend that was a plastic surgeon in Laguna Nigel, Ca and when I met him he said, "I can fix your nose." He began to tell me what he would do to improve it...Then I said, "Who said there was something wrong with my nose?"  LOL...


My second have of surgery is general surgery....I could just imagine what I will experience there...It will be all fine because I will have finished all major exams and can focus completely on it....


I've always had an interest in orthopedics, especially hip and knee replacement.  Knowing several people that have had them, I wanted to see how it's all done...I think I could easily work in orthopedics...I know how to use a screwdriver, mallets and hammers...It's a lot like construction and I use to own a remodeling business.  I know how to cut wood, lay tile, etc.  So, far hand surgery seems pretty routine...lot of the same injuries: pins and plates needed. 


I know one thing, this hand surgery rotation has made me more conscious of my hands and wrists while I'm roller skating...I really need to get some wrist guards...Although I have not fallen in years, but accidents are accidents...


So, looking back over this tedious journey...I'm so glad to share this with you...I decided to share my experience in order to show you that with determination, perseverance, commitment, a never give up attitude, you can accomplish what ever you desire to do.  Will you have obstacles? Absolutely!  Will there be days of asking, "Lord which way do I go?"  Absolutely! But, what most of all you must possess is knowing with your whole heart, every part of your being that this is what and where you are suppose to be and you will let nothing stop you from getting THERE....


Now, go live your dreams!


James 1:5-10New King James Version (NKJV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.