2 months and counting...

ABOUT THE JOB

I'm sitting here on my last call night of my pediatrics rotation. And thus far, I have managed to survive with only a few minor breakdowns. I knew coming into this that it is impossible to know everything, but I didn't realize that not knowing everything was more like knowing close to nothing. I've come to realize that I really do learn by doing rather than by having someone tell me/lecture me/rattle off the thousand tests I have to do to figure out how to fix the sickle cell kid. I did have a great experience of doing my first spinal tap (lumbar puncture in doctor terms) on a 2 week old baby. I got it first try. Yay me! And my upper level resident gave me a bottle of white wine since it was also a very clean "tap" meaning little trauma. The tradition is actually that you get a bottle of champagne, but alcohol is alcohol in my world.

For the month of Oct I will be doing Obstetrics. Yup, delivering slippery little babies from the warmth and padding of their mother's womb. I am so glad that I don't remember that experience for myself. It just doesn't seem like it would be a good memory. I liken it to having to crawl out of a nice warm bed in the dead of winter as the shade draws up and instantly brightens a once darkened room.

ABOUT MY HOUSE

I had my RED SUEDE couch, chair and a half and ottoman delivered to my den a few weeks ago...oh so compfy. MUCH, MUCH better than the futon that has been retired to the formal living room til I figure out what decos and color of paint (besides the current powder blue) that I want to have in there. The wall paper is still pretty U.G.L.Y. I started taking some of it down, then realized that I don't really like taking wall paper down. Oh well, it will happen one of these days.

ABOUT DATING

Things with Dwayne and I are going great in general, but...

I am selfish...not like "it's all about me" kind of selfish (although if you think it's all about me, I won't try to change your mind), but more like a I am an only child who has mostly lived on my own for the last 13 years and is pretty independent and not used to having someone else around that likes to spend time with me. It has been an adjustment. I have no complaints other than that.

Dwayne is the best. He knows I have long nights at the hospital and will often swing by my house and have dinner when I get home. He even mowed my lawn and cleaned the house while I was working overnight at the hospital so I wouldn't have to worry about it and could sleep the next day. He is even doing weight watchers with me to help me/us lose weight. He has gotten flowers for me for no particular reason and understands my need to have time to myself. Might be a keeper...We shall see.

ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL

Things are good. I will be walking/running in a women's only 5k on Oct 1. I have been swimming at the YMCA and bike riding. I hope participate in the YMCA's winter indoor Y-Tri triathlon. I went mountain biking for the first time about a week ago. It was a blast til my handlebars came loose. We had to abandon the days fun a little early. But, handle bars are now back in place and I can't wait to hit the trail again.

I think that's it for now. Sorry I have been such a slacker with updating this. I will try to be better.

Tootles

Dr. T