7.02.2010

One down and... (sigh)... just one down!

I finally took step one of my boards, it was ugly to say the least. 400 questions in 8 hours... I really hate standardized tests. I left the exam feeling awful and was positive that I failed it but I won't know for another 5 weeks so I just keep moving forward and hope for the best at this point!

Meanwhile, I have just finished up my first rotation in ob/gyn. I couldn't have asked for a better first rotation, the physician was easy going, fun and I really learned a lot. I feel pretty comfortable performing pap smears and taking cultures now... I just don't think it is something I see myself wanting to do on a daily basis. The prenatal exams were fun, measuring uterine height, feeling for the position of the fetus and listening to the heartbeat. I only got to see one vaginal delivery and the rest were all cesarean sections... this physician really liked to stick to a schedule and if we were there past 1pm he was just beside himself!

I found out that I can in fact handle surgeries and I actually enjoyed them. The couple of abdominal hysterectomy's that he did were interesting because we also got to see some pathology. Scrubbing in for the surgeries is quite the process and again not something I can really imagine wanting to do every day so maybe not for me. It was really cool to see the anatomy in a live person. For the most part we just observed but he did let us assist him with some basic things like cutting, suctioning and stapling.

The worst part about this rotation was the commute, both Nate and I were commuting in separate cars to the Buffalo area. The kids did great though, Lex really stepped up and took great care of her little sis and the dogs.

I start my pediatric rotation next Tuesday which will consist of a week and a half of lectures and then I am up in Buffalo at a Planned Parenthood Clinic for the remainder of it. I think it will be a really interesting rotation because of the location and the type of patients.

Nate just started in a new position yesterday, he is excited to see another side of the company. They have kind of eluded that this position will be short lived so who knows what the future holds... we are just along for the ride!

We are only 2 weeks away from moving into our new home!!!! I drove past it the other day on my way home from the hospital and can not wait to get settled in and make it our own! The kids seem to be handling the situation okay for now so I am hopeful that we all survive the transition.

5 comments:

Sheryl said...

FUN! Thanks for updating us on your progress. Nice to hear that you enjoyed the rotation, and I'm sure ANY THING is better than sitting at LECOM. I am surprised that you are done with that one already. For some reason I thought they were a lot longer than that. I can't believe you can cut in to someone's flesh. I know I could not do that!

I have to laugh about the scrubbing. There is a lady at work that you would swear is scrubbing for surgery when she uses the rest room. She even uses her elbows to turn the faucet off. LOL

Jen said...

Well, one down is at least one down. I'm glad that, so far, you are enjoying the work. I hope it all continues to go well, and all of my fingers and toes are crossed hoping that you passed your exam. Yes, it is hard to walk and type that way, but that is what I am willing to do for you.

I can't wait to see the new house.

Ang said...

Anything is better than being at LECOM that is for sure! The rotations range from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the specialty, but remember they are doing my first 2 rotations in conjunction with some lectures to see if we score better on our subject exams at the end. Got to love being a guinea pig, that is why this one seemed so short.

Jen don't strain yourself... I know how accident prone you are so you might need those fingers and toes for basic functions, dang I love and miss ya!!!!

Jessica said...

Yeaa!! one down. I cant wait to hear about your experience at planned parenthood beause the patients there will definatly be interesting. And we need new pics of the new house as soon as you are in( just to add to your to do list a little)

Kellie said...

Wow, I can't believe your doing all of that! And live surgeries... I would be scared out of my mind I'd do something wrong!