Practicing Intern

Well to expose myself to other residents I have been picking up extra call on L&D. So after working a full day in clinic, I spend the next 15 hours on L&D. Its exhausting no doubt but I am seeing what this program has to offer. While this program is rich in high risk I am also being exposed to the intensity of the resident working enviornment. For the past two calls, I have witnessed 3 residents cry. Yes, grown women doctors run off to cry, pull themselves back together and get back to work. I'm starting to think this is typical behavior...which scares me. I don't want to cry...why are they crying? Lots of factors; the hours are horrific, the work load is intense, upperlevels are demanding, you miss your family, you've been asked to do something you've never done before, you're starving to death and the cafeteria is closed, and finally you have a patient hemorrhaging that you're not sure what to do with. July is notoriously the worst month because you are still gaining your bearings at a new hospital, but its not something I'm really looking forward to. While yes, I can't wait to graduate but along with that is serious responsibility. Initially I reflect that if all the residents are crying then this is not the program for me, but I ponder a bit more and realize that they will most likely be much better physicians because of the intensity and exposure. Do you really want a doctor who went to an "easy" residency and then can't handle the complications in the real world? So theoretically one should interpret the crying as a better program with more experienced future doctors.

My rotation in S Carolina

For starters, I have been dead set on the idea of returning to California for Residency, but I have several electives to fill up. So afte meeting a pretty cool doc at a conference I decide to rotate with him.....i mean why not? I'm on REI- reproductive endocrinology and infertility, which is fabulous. After the first two days I realized I'm working with the smartest obgyns that I've ever worked with. The dept head has over 100 publications- which is a very big deal. Every night I read an average of 10 articles myself and am on the verging of proclaiming myself as the endometriosis expert, medical student level. Its intense. Everyday my brain is stimulated beyond any other rotation. In fact, I have fallen in love with academics and now this program. I did not realize beforehand that I am at the elite obgyn residency program of the South. These are the smartest guys in the country on certain subjects! I am no longer so closed minded with where I want to spend my next four years. Obviously, Billy is a HUGE factor, and this place would allow his job to transfer....lots of pluses building up. This process and decision gets more complicated everyday.

4th of July

Well, time to catch up. The last week of June, Billy and I flew to California to meet the entire Ebner gang for a week of fun in Newport Beach and it was a lot of fun. Billy had not met most of my brothers so I was looking forward to the opportunity of Ebner bonding time. Additionally I wanted Billy to get a feel for Southern California as I am looking at the Residency Programs in this area. Fortunately he fell in love- whats not to love about El Ranchito tacos, the beach, palm trees, perfect weather everyday, etc...We spent a day to drive out to see my old lab, meet my old PI (aka researcher boss), and see the modern hospital that I'm drawn to. That was our "work day" the rest of the time we hiked on the beach, went to Universal Studios, went to an Angels Baseball game, and hung out with family. Jody did our hair which looks fabulous by the way!!! While I enjoyed my time with everyone I cherished my time with Miles and Maisy. Awh, they fuel any spark I have to have my own children, which is later reversed after a long night on call in L&D!! Regardless, it was pleasant experience in California and we look forward to upcoming family vacations.