Sunday, August 31, 2008

Addendum
I guess my fears were unwarranted because my evaluation actually went really well.

Next week Neurology; a rotation where I would really like to make a good impression. I don't think the neurotic self doubt is going to end anytime soon.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

(~) 3 weeks to go

I just passed the 37 week mark until my due date. At least from my one of my due dates. It depends on if you go by my ultrasound (at 18 weeks; not very accurate), my last menstrual period, or my ovulation date by body temperature. Either way my baby is pretty much considered fully incubated at this point, but could still chill in the womb for up to a month yet. I will post another belly picture when/if I have time for a mirror photo shoot.

On the med school front, today was my second to last day on ICU. I picked ICU as a selective during my internal med rotation so that I could get a little more comfortable with really sick patients and some more complicated problems. I also heard that it was a good place to get a few procedures under your belt, that the days were long and tiring but that, generally, people don't do call.

I haven't done as well as I would have liked on this rotation. 4 weeks later and I have only done a few central lines and attempted one intubation. I have stayed late a bunch of days (I drew the line at over night call at 33 weeks) and I did some weekend call. Despite what I think has been my best efforts, I haven't learned as much as I would have liked or done as much as I think I should be able to do. It doesn't help that one of my most recent patients has plateaued, refusing to get any better for the past four days no matter what we do, and the other failed her extubation yesterday even though I was sure she was doing better.

Today I rushed off to my doctor's appointment (they fit me in extra at the end of the day) and only realized on my way home that I had forgot to finish the note on one of my patients. Not the best way to finish off the rotation. I went back to the hospital to finish it but the attending had already been there to do it for me. I feel like a total schmuck. I guess I will find out at my evaluation if my staff thinks I am as big a failure as I feel.