With 3 weeks of 3rd year under my belt it is safe to say that "they" were right...it does get better. I absolutely love the classes and the labs. It all feels relevant and is slowly (very slowly) coming together, even if that involves looking stuff up again and again and saying to yourself, "at some point I knew that."
With that in mind, most of the semester looks extremely manageable, even with a new
puppy with the exception of next week.
Monday: Small animal advanced techniques lab and double quiz.
Tuesday: Surgery midterm exam...hard and includes Monday's lecture (talk about last minute).
Thursday: I am surgeon for a spay surgery on a client-owned animal. This involves a physical exam the evening prior, later that evening removing food, early am exam the day of surgery and checking on my patient later the evening of surgery. Add a dog into that mix and add
Friday: Gastroenterology exam...very hard. To top it off material we go over on Thursday is on the test.
Then I have class the entire day Friday until 4pm...extra dagger.
On the bright side, as I mentioned this is by far one of the toughest weeks and if I survive I can take deep breaths and enjoy the rest of the semester for the most part.
In the past weeks that seemed impossible were conquered, so I hope this is one of those weeks.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
First 2 Weeks of 3rd Year Under the Belt
Having passed my surgical pretest today, I think it is safe to say that third year is amazing. Everything is clinical and relevant and my do I think my summer prepared me for the fall. I am one of the few not nervous about surgery. (me not nervous in vet school, what is going on?) A friend of mine and I brainstormed and started realizing well, we have done 2 years, we know what need to get done, how to do it, and that it will happen. You don't come this far to let it slip away. We are also in lecture less and laboratory more, which is terrific.
I definitely have forgotten a lot of the info over the past 2 years, but I have to remember that it takes more than 2 years to be a great doctor and there is nothing wrong with looking things up, as long as the correct binder or text book is within reach.
The menagerie or Larsen zoo is doing well. The cats have their domain and the dog has hers. 2 of our cats may venture into her domain now and then, and sometimes Spokane chases and sometimes she calmly acknowledges and ignores. While coming home for lunch everyday is not as efficient, it's also not too bad, and other than on surgery days seems like it will work out fine.
A couple weeks from now is a rough week. We have 2 big exams and its the first week of surgery labs. Right now that is the major hurdle. Once I get through that, if successful, the rest of the semester should cruise on by.
I definitely have forgotten a lot of the info over the past 2 years, but I have to remember that it takes more than 2 years to be a great doctor and there is nothing wrong with looking things up, as long as the correct binder or text book is within reach.
The menagerie or Larsen zoo is doing well. The cats have their domain and the dog has hers. 2 of our cats may venture into her domain now and then, and sometimes Spokane chases and sometimes she calmly acknowledges and ignores. While coming home for lunch everyday is not as efficient, it's also not too bad, and other than on surgery days seems like it will work out fine.
A couple weeks from now is a rough week. We have 2 big exams and its the first week of surgery labs. Right now that is the major hurdle. Once I get through that, if successful, the rest of the semester should cruise on by.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Recap of a Busy Summer
Over the past couple days in between long hot dog walks, appointments and packing I have been reflecting on my last summer as a vet student. It absolutely flew right past me. I did not get to hang out with friends as much as I had liked to, but unfortunately that's part of life as people spend more time with their significant other and job and summer vacation plans.
In terms of veterinary experience, I feel well-rounded, but my brain feels rusty. I wish I had time to review some anatomy and pharmacology, but don't we always have that wish, yet somehow it never comes to fruition.
I feel confident with my clinical skills and look forward to surgery class this fall, after performing numerous spays and neuters and mice vasectomies.
In terms of quality time with the hubby, well is there ever enough time? While work consumed me during June and beginning of July, I found my balance between the gym, Matt and work and it started to feel very nice. We had a month where we biked every weekend, which was great. We jogged around monuments and tested outdoor trail courses in our area. Our trip to the Outer Banks was a true highlight and one I hope we take again sometime.
It has been over the last week, however, that I really can look back at this summer and smile at how much I accomplished and managed to have some fun sandwiched in between.
I am anxious to return to school with my large obligation, my new dog Spokane, and how she + 3 cats will fit into my vet school life. She seems to need a minimum of 2 long walks per day and she can still get puppy crazy. On the other hand I am taking the least amount of credits this semester and some of the classes are very little work/pressure.
As I was packing my closet today, that old feeling came back. The feeling that our life up here is so rich and complete (more complete than ever with dog) and how I do not want to give that up or be without Matt again. While I haven't been the best wife this summer in terms of cooking and cleaning he continues to be supportive of all my daily trials and tribulations. I will miss having him during the week and can only hope I adjust to it a lot quicker this time.
I am also ready to get on with it, put pieces together and get to 4th year. I hope I can make it through this fall semester sanely and successfully.
In terms of veterinary experience, I feel well-rounded, but my brain feels rusty. I wish I had time to review some anatomy and pharmacology, but don't we always have that wish, yet somehow it never comes to fruition.
I feel confident with my clinical skills and look forward to surgery class this fall, after performing numerous spays and neuters and mice vasectomies.
In terms of quality time with the hubby, well is there ever enough time? While work consumed me during June and beginning of July, I found my balance between the gym, Matt and work and it started to feel very nice. We had a month where we biked every weekend, which was great. We jogged around monuments and tested outdoor trail courses in our area. Our trip to the Outer Banks was a true highlight and one I hope we take again sometime.
It has been over the last week, however, that I really can look back at this summer and smile at how much I accomplished and managed to have some fun sandwiched in between.
I am anxious to return to school with my large obligation, my new dog Spokane, and how she + 3 cats will fit into my vet school life. She seems to need a minimum of 2 long walks per day and she can still get puppy crazy. On the other hand I am taking the least amount of credits this semester and some of the classes are very little work/pressure.
As I was packing my closet today, that old feeling came back. The feeling that our life up here is so rich and complete (more complete than ever with dog) and how I do not want to give that up or be without Matt again. While I haven't been the best wife this summer in terms of cooking and cleaning he continues to be supportive of all my daily trials and tribulations. I will miss having him during the week and can only hope I adjust to it a lot quicker this time.
I am also ready to get on with it, put pieces together and get to 4th year. I hope I can make it through this fall semester sanely and successfully.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A Fulfilling Experience Afterall
Today was the long-awaited NIH Summer Student Poster Day. While I would probably rather be back in on the coast in Washington state working on my clinical techniques some more with the RAVS group, today's poster session went pretty well.
Last summer only 2-3 people came to talk to me about my poster and most of the time I stood there bored or chatting with my neighbors. My poster didn't have cool photos or much direct clinical veterinary relevance compared to some others.
This year, while I was forced to exclude many pictures and incorporate a lot more words than I would have liked to, I got the chance to speak to a lot more people than last year. Some were friends or family, which is always comforting, and others were students who were curious and walking by. The most fulfilling experience was speaking with National Cancer Institute and other principal NIH investigators on analgesia in post-op mice. Many of them were shocked that bupivicaine at the time of surgery was the only pain relief given and were eager to include post-op analgesics in their future studies.
Speaker with researchers, who have budget constraints and can sometimes be insensitive to animal pain, felt very rewarding. While I only spoke to around 10 people, the issue was raised with direct stakeholders, who can help change the standard of analgesia in mice models and lab animal medicine.
While some better results would have been great and less time watching mice all summer more fun, it was amazing to know I made a small difference in lab animal welfare that could be a small step toward better pain management in mice.
In summary, all hard work is usually not without purpose.
Puppy Update: Spokane's second training session on Tuesday went well. She impressed me and made me proud except for 5 minutes after the UPS man knocked on the door. Yesterday, however, she was extremely mouthy to me and Matt. It also seems that each day it is harder to get her into the crate. This morning she thought it was a game and wanted us to chase her. We continue to give her praise, treats, special toys and bones while she's in there, but luring her in is quite the challenge. Once she is inside she lays down and chews on her bones/toys. We have been spending more time with her in the crate as well, not only leaving each time.
It may take more time for her to like it or she might not be a "crate dog", in which case hopefully she becomes trust worthy sooner rather than later.
In the meantime were working on down, her name, leash walking, and come.
Last summer only 2-3 people came to talk to me about my poster and most of the time I stood there bored or chatting with my neighbors. My poster didn't have cool photos or much direct clinical veterinary relevance compared to some others.
This year, while I was forced to exclude many pictures and incorporate a lot more words than I would have liked to, I got the chance to speak to a lot more people than last year. Some were friends or family, which is always comforting, and others were students who were curious and walking by. The most fulfilling experience was speaking with National Cancer Institute and other principal NIH investigators on analgesia in post-op mice. Many of them were shocked that bupivicaine at the time of surgery was the only pain relief given and were eager to include post-op analgesics in their future studies.
Speaker with researchers, who have budget constraints and can sometimes be insensitive to animal pain, felt very rewarding. While I only spoke to around 10 people, the issue was raised with direct stakeholders, who can help change the standard of analgesia in mice models and lab animal medicine.
While some better results would have been great and less time watching mice all summer more fun, it was amazing to know I made a small difference in lab animal welfare that could be a small step toward better pain management in mice.
In summary, all hard work is usually not without purpose.
Puppy Update: Spokane's second training session on Tuesday went well. She impressed me and made me proud except for 5 minutes after the UPS man knocked on the door. Yesterday, however, she was extremely mouthy to me and Matt. It also seems that each day it is harder to get her into the crate. This morning she thought it was a game and wanted us to chase her. We continue to give her praise, treats, special toys and bones while she's in there, but luring her in is quite the challenge. Once she is inside she lays down and chews on her bones/toys. We have been spending more time with her in the crate as well, not only leaving each time.
It may take more time for her to like it or she might not be a "crate dog", in which case hopefully she becomes trust worthy sooner rather than later.
In the meantime were working on down, her name, leash walking, and come.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
RAVS Recap
Well I am back from Washington state and I would highly recommend this experience to all vet students. It was more hands on and more intense than most of the training we get in school. I did in fact pass my surgery exam and lucked out with 2 surgery days (many only get 1 day). I started trying to find my way through many a physical exam, had some varied anesthesia cases, and performed 10-11 spays/neuters on dosg and cats. I also saw a limb amputation and helped that dog, who was hit by a car 3 weeks prior recover miraculously.
The days were draining though and at times I wondered how I would get it through it. The reservation was in a beautiful area with mountains, lakes, Coulee Dam (quite a site) and pine trees everywhere.
It was fun to get advice and help from the doctors that were there. I have to say I absolutely loved surgery.
On a surprising note, I brought home a living souvenir. Her name is Spokane (it was Apache) and she was one of the Reservation's Animal Control Officer's dogs who only had a few more days before she would be euthanized if no one adopted her. Another girl on the trip and myself really took a liking to her and did not want to see that happen. Nether one of us was quite ready for a dog, but in what was my most spontaneous decision possibly ever, I got her on my flight and now I have a crash course in dog training 101. She is a lot of work for me and Matt, but for only 2 days she is doing really well. Although I wish she liked the crate more.
I hope I made the right decision and that she can be trained asap! I am very nervous about having her and the 3 cats during school, but hopefully I can make it work.
The days were draining though and at times I wondered how I would get it through it. The reservation was in a beautiful area with mountains, lakes, Coulee Dam (quite a site) and pine trees everywhere.
It was fun to get advice and help from the doctors that were there. I have to say I absolutely loved surgery.
On a surprising note, I brought home a living souvenir. Her name is Spokane (it was Apache) and she was one of the Reservation's Animal Control Officer's dogs who only had a few more days before she would be euthanized if no one adopted her. Another girl on the trip and myself really took a liking to her and did not want to see that happen. Nether one of us was quite ready for a dog, but in what was my most spontaneous decision possibly ever, I got her on my flight and now I have a crash course in dog training 101. She is a lot of work for me and Matt, but for only 2 days she is doing really well. Although I wish she liked the crate more.
I hope I made the right decision and that she can be trained asap! I am very nervous about having her and the 3 cats during school, but hopefully I can make it work.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Murphy's Law and Summer of Learning
After a semi-relaxing weekend and some quality time with Matt, Monday started off with Murphy's law in full effect. What was supposed to be the last day of my experiment and arising at 5:00 am turned into a disaster. After 4 of the 9 mice were completed, the power in our procedure room went off and we could not complete the surgeries with enough time for me to start the 1 hour post-op observation. So 4 mice wasted and another day of arising before the sun, and I am tired today. On top of that, we were already under the gun time-wise for my poster, and now it's even more exacerbated unless I use 4 instead of 5 data sets. Ugh.
With 4 days left until I take off for Spokane and RAVS I am excited. I have been practicing for my surgery practical and feel ready. I really hope I get to perform some spays and neuters this week, but I am sure it will be a great experience even if I do not.
This Saturday at the emergency clinic was one of my favorites. I placed a urinary catheter in a dog successfully on the first try, placed 4 IV catheters, and completed my first blood transfusion. It was very rewarding and really solidified for me that my heart lies in small animal medicine, at least in the near term. For reasons to be elaborated on later, I no longer feel a calling to laboratory animal medicine, but I am glad I got the chance to explore both simultaneously this summer.
With 4 days left until I take off for Spokane and RAVS I am excited. I have been practicing for my surgery practical and feel ready. I really hope I get to perform some spays and neuters this week, but I am sure it will be a great experience even if I do not.
This Saturday at the emergency clinic was one of my favorites. I placed a urinary catheter in a dog successfully on the first try, placed 4 IV catheters, and completed my first blood transfusion. It was very rewarding and really solidified for me that my heart lies in small animal medicine, at least in the near term. For reasons to be elaborated on later, I no longer feel a calling to laboratory animal medicine, but I am glad I got the chance to explore both simultaneously this summer.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Most Exhilerating Experience
First off, I want to address the difficulty I have had with my age since I turned 30 a month and a half ago. My best friend turned 30 this week and after talking to her I had an epiphany I would like to share.
Perhaps the 20's are about finding out who you are as a person. Things you like or dislike, your values, interests, goals, and career exploration. As I enter my 30's I feel confident in knowing these aspects about myself. While there is a lifetime of learning that remains, perhaps this decade is about enjoying life in your own skin, now that you know what that skin is made of. Just a thought to ease the transition.
The main focus of this blog entry, however, is not a reason why 30 could be better than 20 (who am I kidding), but about a day that will live in infamy. My first rock climbing experience was one of the most demanding, powerful and rewarding experiences I have ever had in my life. Not only was it much more physically demanding than I imagined, or experienced with indoor climbing, but the mental puzzle as you calculate the next move was unexpected, but amazing.
At no point did I feel unsafe. The sport challenges each individuals boundaries and you choose to go on or stop. Whether you reach the anchor or not, a sense of accomplishment is inevitable and the physical challenge unbelievable.
As an avid gym rat and hiker for 7+ years, it has been a while since I have been challenged on this level and felt so alive! While I had always plan to sky dive when I turned 30, I think rock climbing on many levels may have been the more exhilarating choice.
I look forward to getting back out on the rock as soon as my body recovers and in the process learning more about my limitations and the amazing things my mind and body is capable of.
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