You never know where life might lead you.On this particular day it lead M4 Suzanne and myself to the Detroit airport via prop plane (thank you again Delta)as a slight detour on our way to Kansas City for the annual AAFP conference.Transitioning from second year to third year is just as dramatic as the transition from college to first year.Once again I have to apply the daily mantra of "I know nothing" and realize that my goal as a third year student is to "know nothing" and be constantly reminded that "I know nothing." Despite this overwhelming reaization, it's nice to be out of the classroom and pretending that I'm actually making a difference in my patients' lives when in fact, all I am doing is waking them at obscene hours of the morning to poke and prod them and interrogate them as several other people have throughout the course of their hospital stay.
And speaking of the AAFP (that's the family medicine association), I'm again toying with the idea of family medicine instead of infectious disease. Choosing a specialty is going to be as easy as choosing what to order at a restaurant; I'm terribly indecisive. Current pics are fam. med residencies in Ohio, Indiana, Massachusetts (did I even spell that correctly?), Oklahoma, and Texas but who knows. Maybe I'll just take a year off and go work for the NIH in Peru while I try to make my decision.
As for the title of this post? Thank your doctor. Just kidding. Save the dates of September 15-17th for Central CoC's annual medical missions seminar here in Johnson City, TN. If I can manage to divert my call schedule to attend, surely you can all fly, drive, or bike your way here to hear about some amazing ways God is working in this world, whether it be in the ICU at Vanderbilt (cool story) or a small clinic in Guatemala. Email me for more info.
Anyways, it's 1:00 and I round at 6:30 so you do the math. It's time for some sleep. Remember September 15-17, 2006. Be there.
2 comments:
You really did post. You need to lay off that Dr. Pepper.
I'll start planning the route to bike there.
I just wanted to say that even though sometimes you may feel as if you are not making a real difference in the lives of the patients you see every morning (having the residents go behind you and either disregard your suggestions or "show you up" at rounds or--my favorite--the groggy patient who doesn't want to answer your questions because it IS too early in the morning), the M3 year is an invaluable experience that will teach you how to become one of the best patient caregivers out there. I only know you from my brother and occasionally reading your blog, but I know enough to say that you are definitely in the right field, and you will be successful in any area of medicine you eventually choose--family, ID or otherwise. You put God first, and that truly makes a difference. Enjoy your experience--it is one to be valued!
Rachel Acuff PGY-1
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