Weekly Update June 5 - 11

The Week in Review 

One week into residency and already a day late getting this written -- at least you guys know what to expect.

Before I delve into talking about my week this week, I wanted to take a second to talk about the incredible tragedy that happened in Orlando a few days ago. I've spent a long time trying to get together the words to talk about how I feel -- but I just don't have them. There are no words for the incredible loss each and every one of those 50 families must be feeling right now. There are no words for the loss of a friend, child, spouse.

I cannot find the words because they do not exist.

I cannot find the words to say to my friends and loved ones who are members of the LGBTQ community. There are no words for the fear that someone could take your life out of hatred. There are no words to realize that for every step forward there are still steps back.

My heart breaks for the families and friends who will never get to hold the person they love again. I have watched people die in the ER from gunshot wounds. I have seen young people bleed out as doctors and nurses fought to save their lives. I have seen families fall to the floor as the news is given to them of life cut short too soon.

I have no words for the loss any family must feel for a loved one lost to violence.

I do not have words to say to those families. And one day, it may be me, in the ER giving the news to a family who will bury a loved one lost to violence -- I hope on that day I do have something to say. But even more than that -- I hope I never have to have something to say -- I hope the violence stops.

~~

This was my first week as an official resident physician. I have a long white coat and a badge hanging next to my door. But none of it feels real. I know that I am less than 7 days away from my first shift and that thought terrifies me.

I've met so many new people in the last week that it will take me weeks to sort out all the names and faces. For someone who's not particularly good at meeting new people and not adept at social interaction, the endless social events and small talk has been tiring! I'm trying really hard to be more outgoing and social, but it's always a relief at the end of the day to come home and be relieved of the need to be extraverted for hours!! I am much better at talking to people in professional situations -- social situations are much harder for me. Is there a secret I could learn? No. Just practice. Fine.

We're two weeks away from Sweetheart being here for his away rotation! I am already planning a couple of fun things for us to do on days off, but mostly we're looking at just being excited to share five minutes together at the end of the day when we're both exhausted from work. Being a two doctor household means that "couple time" has a whole different meaning!! Haha.

The Week in Photos 

flower delivery from Sweetheart / long white coat / brunch with new lady interns / hair bow / reading about vascular surgery 

Reading 

Mostly I'm reading about ATLS right now.... but I'm still reading a couple pages of Carry On by Rainbow Rowell every night. It's an excellent fun book very reminiscent of Harry Potter. 

Listening 

I've been listening to a lot of spotify playlists that are for "focus". I haven't identified anything particular that I can recommend because mostly it's just playing in the background! 

3 Things

• Programable coffee makers are a MUST for anyone starting residency. Nothing like hearing the coffee brewing when you're waking up. 
• There was an incredible rain and lightning storm for the last couple hours, but now it's clearing and the clouds are perfect purple and pink. I tried to take a picture... but the colors just aren't turning out right, so you'll have to take my word for it. 
• I found kale pesto hummus at whole foods yesterday and have eaten almost the whole container in 24 hours... this is dangerous

Loving from Around the Internet 

Since I've been so obsessed with make ahead meals the last two weeks, I've been thinking about trying this Blueberry Coconut Baked Oatmeal for a quick breakfast! Anyone tried baked oatmeal before? 

Weekly Update March 13 (belatedly written on March 14)

The Week in Review
Last week I delayed on writing my weekly update post because I was sick and just wasn't feeling up to it. This week, however, I delayed writing until today because I wanted to have some real news to give you all.

Now I have that news.

I MATCHED!!! Today I found out that I had successfully matched. I will have a job next year. I don't know where that job will be quite yet (I'll find out on Friday), but I do know that after four years of acquiring this non-transferable skill set I will have a job as a surgeon next year.

It still feels surreal to me. Like there's no way that in a few short months I will go from being Lady Kay Almost MD to Lady Kay Actually MD. That people will actually have to call me doctor. It hasn't sunk in yet. I don't think it's going to sink in even on Friday morning when I open the envelope.

In other, less exciting news this week, Sweetheart has been quite sick the last couple days (today worse than previously). We think he may have picked up croup or walking pneumonia from working in clinic. Poor guy. :( The only upside was he was too sick to go into work today and got to be home when I opened the MATCH email. I keep trying to bully him into going in and getting seen at urgent care or student health (no luck so far, but I'm going to keep bullying). The key is to be more stubborn than your spouse to be.


The Week in Snapshots

Matched / Hiking adventures / Pi day quiche / Spring has sprung / More hiking adventures


Reading

I honestly haven't started a new book after finishing When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi-- I haven't been able to commit myself to anything after the world changing last few pages of that book. Give me a few days to recover.


Favorite Song of the Week

One of my good friends pointed out that this was the perfect song while waiting for Match results -- I haven't stopped listening to it since then.

To-Dos and Goals for the Week
- MATCH successfully -- check
- Figure out where I matched -- waiting till Friday

That's pretty much the only goals this whole week.

3 Things 
- I matched -- did I mention, I matched?!
- After growing up in the Southwest, I am firmly of the opinion that the consumption of huge amounts of spicy food is the cure for all URIs, so I made quite the spicy green chile bacon quiche for dinner tonight in hopes of making Sweetheart feel better.
- I bought a special bottle of wine when I was a first year medical student. I opened it tonight as celebration for getting a job for the next 5-7 years. It's as delicious as I thought. Four years of waiting tastes good.

Loving from Around the Internet 
These gorgeous (and fairly affordable) wedding dresses from BHLDN. Any other brides to be out there completely in love with these styles?