M3-- WEEK FOUR

Has a week passed already?! Wow. Time is really flying..

I'm still chugging along learning all that I can about the world of surgery. As of today, I am right in the middle of my second rotation: surgical oncology. In many ways it is the same as my first rotation (pediatrics) and in many ways it is different...

Lab values I've been asked to memorize

SIMILARITIES
+ Still early mornings! I am expected to check-in on any of "my" patients (anyone that I was in on their operation) and write a note before joining the residents for rounds at 6am. So my alarm has been consistently set at 0400 during the week.
+ Everyone is very nice and interested in education
+ Most of the questions I am quizzed on by staff are "medical" as opposed to "surgical"


DIFFERENCES
+ The patients are much bigger! ;)
+ The 6am rounds are only with the residents instead of the entire team. We round later with each attending.
+ There is a chief resident but fellow this time
+ There are far fewer operations- but they often take longer to complete
+ My physical exam no longer consists of Simon Says games, jumping or pretending to blow out candles
+ I am writing more notes and presenting patients on rounds
+ I've been able to spend some time in clinic
+ I'm working 12 hour days instead of 15
+ We typically eat lunch! And one attending bought us breakfast on Saturday and Sunday :)

Pictures I received via text Friday night

The one bummer of the week was Friday night. Up until this point, I haven't missed much because T and I have avoided making any plans (my end time each day is pretty unpredictable). But this past week, we made plans to hang at the cabin with a few other couples Friday night. Unfortunately, I didn't get out of the OR until 10:15pm (with a 0430 alarm set for the next day)... so I missed out. The case I was in on was something I will probably never see again- so at least it was something I hadn't seen before! But it was still hard. But the attending surgeon did have pizza delivered for us to share when we finished :)

Overall, I am completely loving 3rd year. Sure it has it's moments.. but overall, I love surgery and being able to learn the medicine by application as opposed to strictly memorization.

Hope you are having fun as well!

xo,
Krista