Moments of happiness

We went though that time of the year again and it was over in a blur. I have gone through my first semester as medical student. I am not sure I realize the work still ahead of me... or I do, but prefer to look not too far ahead so I don't do an indigestion out of it.

I spent the last two weeks of the semester in hospital, shadowing different professionals and physicians. It was just fantastic. Just to get out of the books. Just to realize what it means to work in an hospital. Just for the whole thing... that cannot be put in words. 

My situation/background raised some questions, but never in a negative side, it always generates interesting discussion. I had great feedback from physicians, who told me I will be a great physician: it is always rewarding to get approval and support. I wouldn't decide on my specialty on one day of shadowing, I really enjoyed everything I did (even surgery). And it was so great to see that we already know a lot! We are not necessarily making the links between what we see clinically and what we know theorically, but when the physician explains, I can understand what is happening. The human body is fascinating!

The goal of these two weeks were also to get try to know the patient point-of-view, his reality. Physicians often think they know what is best for their patients, and this is so not the case! I heard someone discussing a study about quality of life of patients, how the patients, the physicians and the families were rating them, and physicians were poor to evaluate what the patient feels. I hope I will remember that when I see patients later...

Then, the new semester began and I went through another unit, about pediatrics and geriatrics. And this is done as well... Tomorrow, I am starting neurology, the first "real" system we study. I am very excited. The second year students tell us it's when you really know if you like medicine. I hope I do!

Finally, things are better at home! My husband has found a job and he is with us for good. It gives me more latitude with schedule... On the other hand, it is more disturbing. Having someone in the house doing stuff while you study is not easy. I am a major procrastinator, so I am easily disturbed. I'll have to work harder to stay focus for the next unit. I use simply noise to phase out the sound around me, it is fantastic. I suggest you try it if you need to concentrate.

The importance of friendship

Last month flew by and I didn't see it... Study, getting Princess from school, dinner, bedtime, then study... That is mostly what would describe my whole month. I feel I now have a routine well installed and I am confortable with it.

I am now done with my second exam. I can't say I was happy with my mark for the first one, but I'll live with it. Anyway, I know I am not looking for a competitive residency. And I like to try to have a life outside of medicine. 

And that is the challenge I am juggling with right now... trying to have a life outside of medicine... My husband is still working in the big city (even though he was home for the last two weeks!), and most of my time is dedicated to studying or taking care of Princess, so it does not give me much time to find new friends. My colleagues are very nice, but clearly not at the same place in life, and it does not fulfill my needs for the close friends I had back home, when I was living in the big city.

Sure, I am closer to my family and let me say, they are there for me, and that count. I am pretty sure I couldn't have gone through the last two months without them. My mom brought me some candies last week to help me studying my exam. That kind of love is priceless...

I knew that friendship would be the most difficult part, and I feel it right now. We are at the cottage for the weekend (fantastic family time by the way, like we haven't got in a long time), and I miss my best friends most during these late Saturday nights... I'll see them in a few weeks, and I am very happy, but we'll need to make new ones, if we want to get through all these years. (And yes, each time I say "but" I think of two of my ex-colleagues, you know who you are!) 

For the next week, I'll be  preparing for clinic practical training, last two weeks before Christmas Holidays. That is going to be very different from the problems of the last three months, and so much interesting and hands-on! In my single-mom situation, it is a little more stressful and need organisation, but I really appreciate getting out of school for two weeks.

And I want to say... to all of you, with whom I had great discussion, I miss you! Give me a call!