calendar girl

shifting gears
in residency, each new month brings an overhaul. new schedule, new goals, new lifestyle. it’s weird sometimes to have a job that changes so much every several weeks — by the time you get good and efficient at something, it’s usually almost over. while that can be frustrating, i think that overall it’s a positive thing. don’t get me wrong — i would have gladly skipped over my months in the PICU this year, but in general the variety is actually a lot of fun. and of course, i love having a fresh start every 4-5 weeks. it is one thing i’ll miss about residency when it’s over — in just 15 months!

if you’re curious to see it, this was how my current (second) year was laid out. 9 down, only 3 to go!

second year: the first six: pulmonary elective, PICU, ward senior, neuro elective, NICU junior resident, allergy/immuno elective

second year: the second six: PICU, behavior & development, ED. and still left to come: community, psych elective mixed with acute care clinic, and cardiology ward senior

i’m eagerly awaiting my schedule for next year — i got a sneak peek so already know it starts with wards (as i mentioned, i’ll be helping to mold the FRESH new interns!), but i haven’t really gotten to think about how my year is going to go. i feel really lucky to be in a program where there are both hard AND easy months. i don’t know how josh (or any surgery resident, for that matter) is able to survive just pushing the limits 100% of the time.

game on
today is a busy day — i already need to get going as i’d like to fit in a run & shred before work today! the morning consists of a visit to raleigh to immerse myself in activism. the morning’s description:

Smoke Free Day at the General Assembly – as a major supporter of the passage of H2 to eliminate second hand smoke from restaurants, bars and public places across North Carolina, please join the North Carolina Pediatric Society on this day as we partner with all of the members of the NC Alliance for Health. This includes the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, NC Prevention Partners, Covenant with NC’s Children, and many more – to advocate for passage of H2 by the House of Representatives. The Alliance is a key organizer of this legislation. The day will begin at 8:30am with a light breakfast and briefing at the NC Medical Society offices at 222 North Person Street , Raleigh , NC 27601 . Then we will go to the legislature for visits and attend a committee hearing and the legislative sessions of the House and Senate.

ooh, legislature. sounds . . . official. but interesting. after that, i’ll be going with a community health worker to visit the home of a child with asthma, helping with environmental triggers, going over the patient’s asthma action plan, and making sure they have everything they need. i did something similar once in medical school and it was actually a bizarre experience, but that was because the patient that i went out to see was CRAZY. anyway. time to start the day — and the month!

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3.23.09

workout: 1 hr spin class! average HR 175, max 187. this particular instructor was hardcore, except for her musical choices (i like ’80s, but debbie gibson? really?). i wish i could provide the soundtrack for our spin classes — it would be all m.i.a. and lady gaga!

doin’ time: we had a super late dinner so i picked the easiest recipe in the ‘spring’ section that i could find – salmon with lemon relish. this was actually great! served with mushroom israeli couscous (from a box) that was delicious but a little too salty (even for me). recipe on the sidebar as usual.