M2- WEEK TWO

Curriculum
This week I will try to better explain what I am currently studying in school (instead of bubbling out a buch of nonsense for an answer-- like I have when some of you have asked recently). The big picture is: this year we learn about when the body isn't functioning normally. Last year was all rainbows and sunshine and "Wow! The body is complex and amazing!". This year still celebrates the complexity of the body.. but it also makes you realize how disease/trauma/whatever throws off these processes.  So, for example, some of the topics we covered this week were:

TUMORS - we have been reading short patient scenarios and then looking at tissue slides on the computer to identify if the tumor is malignant or benign. In lecture we have been learning about grading & staging and how prognosis is discovered. We have also talked about the basics on how tumors develop and why certain things like tobacco are so good at causing cancer. I may be stubborn.. but there are some carcinogens I just cannot give up! (ex: charcoal grilled food)

PHARMACOLOGY - this class is all about medications. We haven't discussed any specifics yet,  we are still learning the basics. Things like ... why some medications are given intravenous instead of orally or sublingual etc. Or how medications are metabolized.

ICE (INTEGRATED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE) - my favorite topic in this class so far has been reviewing medical nutrition therapy.. aka the nutrition needs associated with different medical conditions. We had just a baby overview compared to my undergrad classess, but it still greatly interests me.

IMMUNIZATIONS - we had a short activity focused on immunizations, and specifically tetanus. Tetanus immunizations are interesting because surviving the disease is not enough to be immune to the toxin. It is such a powerful little guy, that it kills you at much smaller doses than it takes to build immunity against it. Does that make sense? It reminded me of when I scratched my eye as a kid and my dad took me to the ER. I was manipulative enough to lie about when I had my last tetanus booster when they asked so that I didn't have to get another one (at the time I was petrified of shots). Luckily, I didn't develop tetany!

Here is a screen shot of what our pathology lab looks like. This is an example of a malignant melanoma-- aka the skin cancer that you don't want

Outside of Class
SPEED DATING FOR YOUR SPECIALTY
Tuesday night I attended an event at my school titled "Speed Dating for Your Specialty". Physicians volunteered their time to chat about what they do and why they love it. They sat at tables in a ballroom and we (students) rotated around to the specialties that interested us. You won't be surprised to know that I chatted with multiple pediatricians (they practice in different settings which is neat to explore). I also talked with a great palliative care doc, family practice doc, hospitalist, and an allergy/immunology specialist. I leave events like this energized to get through my training so I can get out of my study room and do awesome things myself.

N-95 FITTING
If any of you are in the healthcare field, you know what I am about to mention. This week I was fitted for a mask that is worn around super contagious things like tuberculosis. It looks like this:

Simple, right? Well the fitting is proving that you could wear this without letting air leak in. So, first you prove that you can taste this gross chemical by having it sprayed directly on your tongue. Then, you put on the mask and breathe normally for five minutes. Then, the fun begins. They essentially place a plastic bag on your head and continually fill it with a more concentrated version of the stuff you just tasted. Then they have a list of things you must do without breaking the seal on your masks. So, you read out loud, move your head around, jog in place, etc. It feels like a steam room in there because you are trapping all of your body heat that is escaping from your head PLUS you are basically breathing all over yourself. very glamorous. 

Not recommended for asthmatics or if you are claustrophobic.

POLITICS
I sort of hate it, but I am trying to become a more informed voter this year. The more I study the issues, the more frustrated I get. Most of these topics are way too complicated! But, you already knew that.. you are wise. Anyway, we had some friends over to watch the Republican National Convention and we served one of our favorite drinks, Brazillian Lemonade (mentioned in this post).

HUSKERS
And I wouldn't be a true Nebraskan if I didn't mention the good 'ole Blackshirts. Watching the game truly was the highlight of our weekend (so far!). Taylor looks so much better! I am excited to watch our offense this season.

Now we are off to enjoy the rest of this long weekend! How are you enjoying the extra day off?