Doesn't it always seem to happen that when you have minimal food sources available that you get this huge appetite! Or, maybe it's just me. The free lunches really help out with this problem, but today I had a clinic that started at 12 leaving me free-lunchless. And then I run into the problem that since I've only been able to buy minimal groceries at this point, I've ended up constricting my diet. I've already eaten my sandwhich for the day. If I want something else I'd have to eat another sandwhich, because it's all I have, but then I'd be eating tomorrow's sandwhich, leaving me with what for tomorrow?
I'm getting used to life in an American hospital. Used to the phenomenon of being paged and paging others. My office is in a building across the street from the actual hospital so I'm back and forth between the two all day long. At the beginning of the week I had some business to discuss with some people across the street so I got up and left to go talk with them. By the time I'd gotten outside I realized that I probably could have just paged or even called these people (there's a phone at my desk). But instead of returning and paging them, I just kept going. Old habits die hard.
The clinic that I helped with today is a once-a-week specialty clinic for patients with Short Gut Syndrome and/or those on home parenteral nutrition. There's a variety of etiologies, but basically SGS kids have only partial intestine remaining. This clinic kind of made it clear to me just what exactly Children's is able to provide for it's patients, and why these patients come from all over the US to attend. (Why someone would fly across the country for their monthly check-up.) It's because Children's is worth it. Granted, I think the most 'helpful' thing that I was able to do at the clinic today was interpreting but next week I'll do more.
Hasta!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Yo estoy sobreviviendo......yo sobrevivi!!!!!!!!
I woke up this morning and paniced to see brillant sunlight flooding my room and lighting up it's blue walls. Grabbing my cell reassurred me that I hadn't overslept, but rather I still had 1 1/2 hours before my alarm was scheduled to go off. I sighed, laid my head back down and smiled. That moment of panic had raised my heart rate, but now as I closed my eyes again it wasn't panic that was making my heart lub dub at a slightly increased pace. It was excitement.
When I got on to blog just now I read the comments from yesterday about those praying for me, which reaffirms what I knew this morning. When I woke up this morning there was not a doubt in my mind that I had received prayers in my name. I've come to recognize the feeling as a sudden feeling of peace, or in the case of this morning...excitement. In other words, it's what I have been praying for and trying to achieve unsuccessfully, and then, inexplicably it's there, and I know someone somewhere prayed. So thank you. You are wonderful people. And I pray that God blesses your lives to overflowing.
To summarize the day, it went very well. The nutrition staff are all incredibly nice and very eager to help and to teach. I got through the day with minimal comments about my third-world level of knowledge such as,
Dr. - "You don't use pagers???...how do you get ahold of people?"
Me - "You go look for them."
or such as, "Do you get emails on your phone?...no?...oh..." Although that second one may just be me and not necessarily my Mexican medical upbringing.
And now I want to go into a huge list of all the luxuries of medicine available at Children's that make me go ooooo and ahhhhhh and Wow! But I won't for the same reason that I don't let myself go on about some of the things that go on at my hospitals in Mexico. It's not fair to compare the two. They run by two incomparable systems and as such they function just fine as two different institutions. But I will squeel about a few things!!! Things like conferences that come with free lunch!!! or I was given my own office (I share with one other 2nd year student there to do research) complete with a desk, chair, and computer just for me!
So I am thankful that today is over with, that today went well, and that there are amazing prayer warriors out there! I love you!
Hasta!
When I got on to blog just now I read the comments from yesterday about those praying for me, which reaffirms what I knew this morning. When I woke up this morning there was not a doubt in my mind that I had received prayers in my name. I've come to recognize the feeling as a sudden feeling of peace, or in the case of this morning...excitement. In other words, it's what I have been praying for and trying to achieve unsuccessfully, and then, inexplicably it's there, and I know someone somewhere prayed. So thank you. You are wonderful people. And I pray that God blesses your lives to overflowing.
To summarize the day, it went very well. The nutrition staff are all incredibly nice and very eager to help and to teach. I got through the day with minimal comments about my third-world level of knowledge such as,
Dr. - "You don't use pagers???...how do you get ahold of people?"
Me - "You go look for them."
or such as, "Do you get emails on your phone?...no?...oh..." Although that second one may just be me and not necessarily my Mexican medical upbringing.
And now I want to go into a huge list of all the luxuries of medicine available at Children's that make me go ooooo and ahhhhhh and Wow! But I won't for the same reason that I don't let myself go on about some of the things that go on at my hospitals in Mexico. It's not fair to compare the two. They run by two incomparable systems and as such they function just fine as two different institutions. But I will squeel about a few things!!! Things like conferences that come with free lunch!!! or I was given my own office (I share with one other 2nd year student there to do research) complete with a desk, chair, and computer just for me!
So I am thankful that today is over with, that today went well, and that there are amazing prayer warriors out there! I love you!
Hasta!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Yo estoy esperando.
Slight step up from UAG I guess....more like sheer cliff. I feel like I stepped off the plane and have been greeted by a rock wall. I'm tired from having sat up all night in airports and on airplanes. I've got an annoying headache...again! If I didn't know that I have to do this I honestly feel right now like turning tail and heading back to GDL.
Lord knows I just really want Monday to be over with right now!
Hasta!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Yo estoy excursionando.
This June could be described as a whirlwind, as something in any circling rush or violent onward course. Or more appropriate perhaps (violent could be considered overly dramatic) would the term whirlwind be used as an adjective to describe June. Such as a 'whirlwind June' meaning like a whirlwind, as in speed or force.
Since my last post I finished up my last week of 6th semester medical school at UAG. And though UAG administration had been mixing up our 7th semester for us (in other words, changing rules, requirements, etc. etc.) it all ended ok, as it always somehow does. I know this won't be the last UAG messes with us, but I'm to the point where I've just got to ride out my last year. I know that my future is in God's hands, and I'm sure the rollar coaster will continue as such. I've just got to hang on and enjoy it! I am so incredibly thankful God is in control of my life, I seriously don't think I'd be able to handle the predicaments I find myself in on my own. Correction...I know I couldn't.
Then there was 5 days spent in Illinois. That was not enough.
Now I'm in Utah. Been scrambling over rocks and hiking the canyons and ridges here for the past week with my family.
And finally, tomorrow we are heading up to Salt Lake City where my flight leaves, Lord willing, bringing me to my final destination and home for the next 4 weeks of my life, Boston.
Today I completed an online training course on how to use the computer based system used at Children's. At the beginning it said it should take me 60-90 minutes.....they weren't factoring into that the fact that I've never even seen such a system before in my life. I knew I was going to feel stupid coming to the US hospitals, but oh boy! This is one of those predicaments I was referring to earlier. Lord...help!
Hasta!
Since my last post I finished up my last week of 6th semester medical school at UAG. And though UAG administration had been mixing up our 7th semester for us (in other words, changing rules, requirements, etc. etc.) it all ended ok, as it always somehow does. I know this won't be the last UAG messes with us, but I'm to the point where I've just got to ride out my last year. I know that my future is in God's hands, and I'm sure the rollar coaster will continue as such. I've just got to hang on and enjoy it! I am so incredibly thankful God is in control of my life, I seriously don't think I'd be able to handle the predicaments I find myself in on my own. Correction...I know I couldn't.
Then there was 5 days spent in Illinois. That was not enough.
Now I'm in Utah. Been scrambling over rocks and hiking the canyons and ridges here for the past week with my family.
And finally, tomorrow we are heading up to Salt Lake City where my flight leaves, Lord willing, bringing me to my final destination and home for the next 4 weeks of my life, Boston.
Today I completed an online training course on how to use the computer based system used at Children's. At the beginning it said it should take me 60-90 minutes.....they weren't factoring into that the fact that I've never even seen such a system before in my life. I knew I was going to feel stupid coming to the US hospitals, but oh boy! This is one of those predicaments I was referring to earlier. Lord...help!
Hasta!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Yo estoy tratando seguir.
Our bodies are fantastic creations. When you put something inside of them that does not belong, they don't even bother asking you for permission....they just get rid of it as fast as they can and by any means possible. My Friday night was spent in such a predicament. My body wouldn't even let me drink water though I wanted it soooooo badly. I don't ever remember feeling that dehydrated. I stuck out my arm and asked the emptiness beside my bed to please start an IV for me. (I think I was bordering on delusional at that point.) By 4:00am Saturday I was starting to get a little nervous about my chances of making it to Ixtlan for the weekend. But as I've already said, our bodies are fantastic creations, and by 9:15am I was on my way.
My friend, Jennifer, came with me this weekend. It's exciting to share Ixtlan with my GDL friends. I talk about it all the time and it's nice to know that they can put a face with a name etc. Jenn's one of my future roommates so hopefully she'll be able to come again and perhaps next time someone else will join us.
Jenn wasn't the only visitor in Ixtlan this weekend. Kirby and Areli Reutter are visiting from Indiana and brought a group with them. Amongst this wonderful group was none other than the fabulous Kristin Zimmerman. She's totally gone up 5 points on the cool factor scale. I'm telling you, visiting GDL/Ixtlan Mexico does that to a person automatically. Easiest cool factor points EVER!!! Fun tidbit: Kristin's going to be in Gridley next weekend proving what a small world it is! :)
Which reminds me!!!!! It suddenly hit me Saturday that I'LL BE IN ILLINOIS IN 1 WEEK!!!!! (less than that now) This week is going to be full of changes, and a huge pile of things to do that I'll frantically be trying to diminish in time while still be ready for my final final on Friday. But either way, two things are very true. Time passes whether I'm ready for it or not. And, I'm soooooo ready for this whirlwind visit back home. YOU BETTER BE READY ILLINOIS, CAUSE I'M COMIN' A DANCIN'!!!!! ;)
There were also two brothers from Hungary visiting in Ixtlan who will be there for a bit. One spoke some Spanish no English, but the second spoke only Hungarian (it was quite humorous to see Matt attempting communication with him Saturday night; it's pretty amazing how far you can get with only body language/charades/props!) Who's planning the next trip to visit our brothers and sisters in Hungary?
As for the update that I mentioned two blog posts ago. I let go of those small stones a bit ago trusting God would land them where He willed. It took me aback to discover the size of the Goliath that God has choosen for me. I received an acceptance to Harvard Medical School, and so *gulp* trusting that God will be going with me, I'll be headed to the East Coast to Boston's Children's Hospital to complete my first US elective during the month of July. I place this elective in God's hands, that though I'll just be "passing through," there for only a short while, I trust that not only will I grow from the experience, but I will be of use to my Savior while there. First and foremost and always working for God's Kingdom.
Hasta!
My friend, Jennifer, came with me this weekend. It's exciting to share Ixtlan with my GDL friends. I talk about it all the time and it's nice to know that they can put a face with a name etc. Jenn's one of my future roommates so hopefully she'll be able to come again and perhaps next time someone else will join us.
Jenn wasn't the only visitor in Ixtlan this weekend. Kirby and Areli Reutter are visiting from Indiana and brought a group with them. Amongst this wonderful group was none other than the fabulous Kristin Zimmerman. She's totally gone up 5 points on the cool factor scale. I'm telling you, visiting GDL/Ixtlan Mexico does that to a person automatically. Easiest cool factor points EVER!!! Fun tidbit: Kristin's going to be in Gridley next weekend proving what a small world it is! :)
Which reminds me!!!!! It suddenly hit me Saturday that I'LL BE IN ILLINOIS IN 1 WEEK!!!!! (less than that now) This week is going to be full of changes, and a huge pile of things to do that I'll frantically be trying to diminish in time while still be ready for my final final on Friday. But either way, two things are very true. Time passes whether I'm ready for it or not. And, I'm soooooo ready for this whirlwind visit back home. YOU BETTER BE READY ILLINOIS, CAUSE I'M COMIN' A DANCIN'!!!!! ;)
There were also two brothers from Hungary visiting in Ixtlan who will be there for a bit. One spoke some Spanish no English, but the second spoke only Hungarian (it was quite humorous to see Matt attempting communication with him Saturday night; it's pretty amazing how far you can get with only body language/charades/props!) Who's planning the next trip to visit our brothers and sisters in Hungary?
As for the update that I mentioned two blog posts ago. I let go of those small stones a bit ago trusting God would land them where He willed. It took me aback to discover the size of the Goliath that God has choosen for me. I received an acceptance to Harvard Medical School, and so *gulp* trusting that God will be going with me, I'll be headed to the East Coast to Boston's Children's Hospital to complete my first US elective during the month of July. I place this elective in God's hands, that though I'll just be "passing through," there for only a short while, I trust that not only will I grow from the experience, but I will be of use to my Savior while there. First and foremost and always working for God's Kingdom.
Hasta!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)