doctoring with air quotes

So the time has finally come and I'm now being busy and "doctoring" little kids. :) I'm starting off on an inpatient service that has general peds along with a few subspecialties like GI, cardiology, infectious disease, and ENT. It's actually really fun but SUPER challenging. I'm going into my second call night tomorrow, which means I will be at the hospital, admitting new patients, as well as covering the rest of my team's patients, for a total of 30 hours, with little to no sleep. It's nerve-wrecking, to say the least. But what can you do?

The newest challenge, on top of being a doctor now, is my role as a "teacher." I've been assigned a third-year medical student and it's really eerie because I feel like I was just one, a few weeks ago. I guess in reality, it's been more than a few weeks, but I still feel inadequate to role-model and impart clinical pearls. I'm trying hard to be a good resident and a good teacher, but it's tough trying to balance everything.

I never knew what a blessing it would be that I matched where I matched... because I love all the people I work with and I'm in a familiar environment, both of which makes this otherwise stressful situation, a little bit more tolerable. I see my co-interns who are also starting off in this new role, and they are totally overwhelmed. I feel lucky that I already have a decent support system here and that I'm making this painful transition as smoothly as possible... (not that there's anything smooth about this at all).

pharmaceutical persuasion

it's a common dilemma in the medical profession. is it ethical to associate with pharmaceutical representatives and accept their fancy lunches, dinners, pens, mugs, post-its, ID holders, wireless mouses, etc., the list is endless.

today was our first day of orientation. at the end, a pharm rep came and gave us a spiel about infant formulas and then gave us "goody-bags" filled with "solid research" about their products, along with other Stuff. they gave us free shiny pink Harriet Lanes (the peds reference guide).

but they also gave us 5 Soft gels of Expecta Lipil, the DHA supplement for Pregnant and Nursing Moms. A free sample. You know. for all of us who are pregnant and nursing. and all of us who are MEN in pediatrics. :)

The Beginning

of the end? or of the beginning? i'm not sure... but i had my first two days of training for residency. NALS and PALS. (neonatal and pediatric advanced life support) i.e. how to "save" a newborn or kid if they're not breathing or their heart's not pumping.

that was all great and fun and luckily, i passed my certification. go me!
but i met my "residency class" for the first time!! i like them! almost all of them seem REALLY nice. i kept getting this feeling like i've met some of them before and i realized afterward that it must be because i have such a great class... of people that i'm going to get along with and become life-long friends with. of course, i really did meet some of them before, on the interview trail.

on saturday, we went to Piece to see the U.S. vs Italy World Cup game. I'm irate with the ref for the red cards that were so not deserved. but I'm proud of our team for playing strong and keeping the hope alive that we'll advance to the next round. it appears that we now have to beat Ghana and Italy has to beat the Czech Republic. Thursday is a big day. Too bad I'm going to be stuck in orientation.

today, we watched the Korea vs France game at my place. Korea didn't play as well as I would have hoped but they did okay. I'd be mad if I were France though because they totally should have counted that second goal... oops! Oh well for France. :)

it's so f-ing hot here. i just had the most frustrating 3 hours of my life, trying to install a window A/C unit in my bedroom.

catching up on my TV

or rather DVR. (warning: spoilers ahead, so don't read if you're following the World Cup or Grey's Anatomy)

I'm sorely disappointed with how the U.S. soccer team played in its first 2006 World Cup game against the Czech Republic. Sorely. Disappointed. I can't think of a more embarassing and pathetic performance. :(

On the other hand, I'm proud of South Korea for beating Togo. Woohoo. They might be my backup team, now that the U.S. is looking to not progress on to the next round!

Tonight, I watched the 2-hour season finale of Grey's Anatomy. Phew. Was that intense! I went from thinking Izzie was being incredibly dumb, to feeling really sad when Denny died, and then ended with hating Meredith for 1) being such a slut, 2) not being able to choose the guy who is so obviously superior. Hello? Single, hot, veterinarian, who is making PLANS with you in them?!? vs. what? Married attending, who broke your heart and then went back to his wife but likes to sleep with you on the side?!?

so much has happened...

I feel like I can't even relate everything in words so I'm posting a lot of pictures instead.

China was amazing, with its long-history and impressive massiveness in every way. I loved so many things there; seeing the Great Wall (even though it was foggy that day), walking through the Forbidden City, viewing the Summer Palace on a boat on the lake, and even the infamous Chinese delicacies such as beetles, silkworms, and scorpions.


I never knew how beautiful Korea was... You can't compare it to anywhere else in the World. It has its unique and tranquil beauty.


We got back to Los Angeles and then we had a big family BBQ, wherein I made my key lime pie with home-made whipped cream. My favorite part was seeing little Jacklyn again, who has gotten so BIG since the last time I saw her. I can't believe that the next time I see her, she'll probably be walking around!!


Then I flew back to Chicago, just in time for some graduation events. First was the boat cruise, which was fabulous. We had beautiful views of the City and perfect weather for a night out. It made me feel glad to be staying on.


Second was the White Sox Game at U.S. Cellular Field. I've been known to hate baseball but it was exciting to see them win the game in the last inning against the Detroit Tigers.


Third was the Senior Skit in which everyone was made fun of and I can seriously say that I laughed my ass off for 3 hours straight!! Thank God I never have to rotate through surgery or OBGYN, or generally be a third-year medical student ever again!!


Fourth was the dinner at the Drake Hotel, where all the graduating seniors honored our favorite teachers from the hospital. It was pretty boring but good food and a chance for some of our families to meet each other!


and finally... the day we were all waiting for! Graduation came. Way too fast. I don't know where these last four years went. All I do know is that I have had a grande old time, even with all the hard work, sleep deprivation, stress and guilty pleasures, ups and downs, saving lives and not saving lives. I am a DOCTOR now, believe it or not and I'm going to work hard to deserve this great honor.


I dropped off my parents and grandmother at the airport early on Sunday morning. I had the chance to have breakfast with my sister at Over Easy Cafe, which was nice. I had the omelette with pesto, sundried tomatoes, and gouda, which was good, but might have been better if the tomatoes were fresh instead of sundried. I'd definitely go back here... if it weren't for the small size and the long waits.

Now... it feels as if things are coming to an end, even though it's really just the beginning. I have three whole days of freedom before I start training and orientation for internship. I don't know where the time has gone... but I hope that at the end of all this, I'll be a good doctor.

Was it a bad day for you?

Today is 6/6/06. I hope everyone had a good day and wasn't bothered by Superstition.

I just got back to Chicago yesterday... it's a really busy week with lots of "senior events" culminating with graduation on Friday and then a couple parties and then sending my family off to the airport.

At some point, I will write a fuller post but for now, here are some pictures.

Beijing

South Korea

me on TV for my research project

a copy of my paper in Annals of Internal Medicine

i guess it's all about perspective...

funny thing is that i got called a FOB today.

everywhere i go in Seoul, i see FOBs but i never stopped to think, hmm. maybe i look FOBish to them!