Merry Christmas 2009

This year Billy and I had his kids the week of Christmas. He took the week off to spend quality family time together. He scheduled a whole week of activities for us including ice skating. This year we got almost everything in advance which was really helpful. He's not much of a planner so this is great progress. It was exciting to have the kids wake us up and be sooo excited that Santa came. Santa spoiled them and me for sure, so I must have been a good girl this year :)

I used this free time to brush up on my cooking skills. I mastered homemade organic choc chip cookies, lots of cassaroles, etc. I'm making progress in the kitchen, slowly the Southern lifestyle is rubbing off. I'm proud to say I can make a better Shepherd's Pie than his mom!! I think we overcame a milestone when he said I can cook better than his mom!!

I got to operate with the Robot!

So on my last day of this rotation I was itching to get out of there. We only had 3 surgeries scheduled but everything about the day was slow, but it was ALL worth it. In the middle of the first robotic surgery he asked me if I wanted to take the controls and suture up the vagina...Calmy I said, "Sure" Inside I was so excited that I thought my bowels would burst. I got to do the same thing in all three cases and it was well worth staying until after 6pm. I love robotic surgery and I want more of it. I probably won't get to operate with the robot for another 2 or 3 years so it really was a big deal. Its the DaVinci robot and its amazing, truly amazing. I really love gyn oncology and would seriously consider a career in it. They are the best surgeries for sure. Billy didn't like the sad stories every day, but it has to be done. I was surprised that I was able to tolerate dying people but no big deal...its about dying with dignity...we're all gonna go someday...its a true talent to balance living life and peacefully dying. I believe you can live life while dying and hopefully I don't wait until that point to live a little!!

More Interviews

So, the interview trail continues. I'm a little less stressed about it, but I still have my moments. I about freaked out when a girl told me she applied to 53 programs...yeah, thats about 45 more than I applied to (and its too late to send out more). I recently hit up both the Carolinas. North had a program that seemed to be fertile..aka 3 residents just had babies in the past 8 weeks. I'm a little scared to match there and get bit by the baby bug...Billy joined me for an interview in south carolina. He had dinner with all the residents and spouses. He TOTALLY got into it and asked a bazillon questions..."Do your program have the robot for charlotte?", "When will charlotte get to operate?" "How many weekends a month does she get off"? Etc...I was really happy that he was so involved. Just one more interview next month and then we'll wait and see where I or we go!

Interview in California

So, I flew to California for a long weekend...such a long flight but necessary because of those fun interviews. This interview was difficult...some programs just want you to ask questions but other program ask very diffcult questions. This particular program rapidly fired complex ethical questions...fun times let me tell you!! I did get to drive to Santa Maria and hang out with the family, which was fun. The kids are growing up so fast and Maisy was so much fun and filled with such energy. My dad laughed so hard at me while in the jacuzzi because I was physically and mentally drained and looking forward to a nice soak in the jacuzzi. It was relaxing for about two nanoseconds when little Maisy came splashing along. I still wouldn't trade time with her for peace though because she is so freaking cute and happy. It's contagious.