school is in session!

With all of Dallas, Irving, Las Colinas, and every other public school district opening their doors this past Monday, we've seen a markedly reduced patient flow.  Last week it was swamped with shots and checkups, now there's a bit of a lull before we get slammed with the viruses kids share with each other.  Strep throat is starting to show up already, so I'm now proficient at running those tests in our closet/laboratory/side room.  Not quite as proficient in gagging the poor kid with the swab to get their throat sample, but that's probably because I'm worried too much about hurting the child or getting puked on.  Another one of those things that becomes second nature with practice, I'm told.
Speaking of practice, I'm slowly getting better at ears!  I've checked... geez I don't know how many by now.  Probably an even number.  Anyways, my preceptor Tamara has been really great at fetching me from wherever I am to come see a really good bulging ear infection, a classic bacterial strep throat, roseola rashes, and all those good "textbook" cases.  Our patients have been really gracious with me as well, just glad to have someone care for their child I suppose.  And if you're a classmate reading this, get your spanish ready!  There's LOTS of it.  It's just another lesson in being comfortable in being uncomfortable.  But emersion into the language and having to figure out a way to communicate has really been helping me learn quickly.  And not just medical words like we were taught in class, but mostly the little connector words that piece together a thought.  It's a steep learning curve, but there's always nurses and MA's that are fluent and helpful if I'm really in a bind.
Amanda's birthday was last week, and she was surprised by a visit from her mom and sister!  Gifts you ask?  Shoes, James Avery, yellow roses delivered, a book, a card, and the secret about her visitors.  (I think that's everything).  Her first birthday as a married couple... hope I did ok!  :)  Her family coming up was great timing as well, since her classroom needed a few extra hands to get everything set up for the start of school.  This week has been long and rough on her, but I think it's been better than last year.  First weeks always stink.  We've both been so busy it's almost like we've barely seen one another.  sigh... Only a day and a half til the weekend!
Alright, gotta go!  A Mazda dealership is giving away Rangers tickets for test drives!  No brainer?  You betcha!

grace & peace

the beginning

Starting my rotations in Pediatrics has revealed itself to be a real comfort.  Seeing a patient all by yourself for the first time is very nerve-racking, but in Peds I walk into the room and see a little kid!  I got to thinking, "Well I guess it's pretty hard to look dumb in front of a kid." And that helped give me some confidence.  This past week was the week before all the public school districts in DFW start, so the schedule is completely packed full of immunizations, well checkups, sports physicals, and all that stuff.  I've probably done 30 well-child exams since Wednesday, and I'm feeling pretty good about it so far.  Hardest part is looking into teeny little ear canals to check for ear infections.  Especially with the 2 year olds that hate being restrained by 3 people and prodded with the otoscope.  Sticking something into a thrashing kid is scary - I'm just hoping I don't poke too far and gib they bray dablage.

My preceptor is a PA named Tamara, who is pretty much the head honcho at the clinic.  She's been a great teacher so far and very patient with me as far as charting and documentation goes; for that I'm very thankful.  We're actually kinda similar from what I can tell so far.  Caring and big on patient education, but frustrated with ignorant and stubborn parents.  They say in Peds that working with kids is the easy part, it's the parents that you're really treating - 100% true.

There were too many highlights from last week to pick, but if I had to pick three...  The first has to be correctly diagnosing an otitis media with effusion (fluid in the middle ear).  #2 would be the checkup I did Friday on a 3 day old boy.  Which means he was born during my second day on rotations.  Ridiculous!  And only 5 lbs 14 oz too; tiny!  The biggest highlight of the week was seeing my first Down Syndrome patient.  The boy was probably 3 or 4 years old, and I was a little unsure of myself going in for the exam.  But he was so happy and sweet, his mom was the nicest parent I saw all week, and while I listened to his heart he giggled and played with my stethoscope with a huge smile on his face.  I heard the same heartbeat as with any other "healthy" little boy.  It was a really powerful and simple lesson God had for me.  As I left the room, he laughed and waved 'bye-bye' to me like it was going out of style.  Totally made my day. :)

Week 2 starts in the morning, and I'm excited to see and do even more!

grace & peace

the pilot

Welcome to the blog!   


I thought this would be a fun way to chronicle my thoughts and experiences while on clinical rotations for the next 15 months.  I hope it becomes a means by which I can stay connected with classmates, and maybe help them out by giving a fellow student's perspective on things.  Most importantly, I hope it becomes a way friends and family can keep up to date with Amanda and I as we move through the early years of marriage.  We love and appreciate your prayers and thoughts for us.  So please subscribe, comment, and keep us in mind! 


OK, so one week of rotations is in the books!  MUCH more on that later.  
After an 0700 meeting Monday morning it was off to my site for the next 6 weeks - Irving Pediatrics. Best news: all scrubs!  Really nice because when I inevitably get puked or urinated on, at least I'm not wearing slacks and a tie.  I felt really nervous and unprepared the entire morning, but was assured that was normal.  Dave Klocko, a faculty mentor, put everything in perspective, as he so often does: "Embrace the chaos."  Good advice! :D  Ordinarily I'm not one to stress out, but the idea of starting a 6 week peds rotation (pronounced "peeds") was a little intimidating considering I've never changed a diaper before.  Anyways, it was on the way to the clinic that morning that I first had the idea to blog about rotations!  So here's to the start of a new endeavor!


grace & peace