4 more weeks!!!!!!!!!! Also, all the THINGS! in Ponderings of the Universe

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! 2 more rotations to goooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anesthesia was stressful as hell. But I survived! Such a great group of classmates this block, too. It made a world of difference. We all got a lot really well and helped each other out so much. There was no drama and it helped a stressful rotation go by so much smoother than it could have been. Our Anesthesiologist was really impressed by us as a group. When she learned we were all going into general practice, she said “What a waste of talent!” Both flattered and a little insulted by that, but I’m going with mostly flattered :P I was also accidentally assigned to a case that was too complex for a student, so I worked really closely with the anesthesiologist. It was a really fascinating case. Got to use a neuromuscular blocking agent, which I’ll never do in real life. It was really cool! Afterwards, she said I didn’t seem like I was stressed out at all about it. I told her I just internalize it :P

It was just really nice to get so much positive feedback and helpful constructive criticism. On most rotations, we aren’t treated so well. We aren’t given helpful feedback (see my rant a few entries ago about the Medicine folks), aren’t treated as equals, and are expected to know things we shouldn’t be expected to know. As challenging and stressful as this anesthesia rotation was, it was a really good experience. Actually, my Emergency/ICU rotation (the one I had just before Anesthesia) was really good (though also exhausting and stressful with some incredibly tough and emotionally draining cases) as well. Lots of clinicians who genuinely seemed to care about students, placed a lot of trust in us, and offered kind, constructive guidance. I learn and perform best when placed in this type of environment and am more apt to engage in a dialogue. It’s a pity so few services/clinicians are able to operate like that.

Also, this was my last rotation in the hospital. WEIRD!! I start Necropsy (bleh) tomorrow, which takes place in the diagnostic lab. And then an Ophthalmology externship. And then done. DONE.

As for the other THINGS, I had intended to write it greater detail but have been so short on free time so we’re just going to go with the condensed version of things.

1. I have a job!

I’m employed.

Someone is going to finally pay me to do this.

Holy shit, guys!

Not only do I have a job, but my now boss contacted me about my job without my ever applying. It’s at the clinic I worked as a tech a couple summers ago, where we’ve been bringing our critters for years. I had been intending to contact them, but I didn’t think they were in the market for another doctor. But lo and behold, people are all of a sudden having babies and want more time off so they needed to bring someone else on board.

Plus, my boss knows that I won’t know what I’m doing at first and he’s very understanding of that. He wants to offer mentorship and all the hand-holding I need. It’s wonderful. And it’s 5 minutes from my house. And I’m going to be paid. And I know most of the people there already so I can just be my weird self.

I cannot even begin to express how relieved and excited I am!

I start at the end of May, which brings us to…

1. Aaron and I are going to Hawaii a few days after I graduate! He and his family are sending us there as a graduation gift with some contribution from me. We’re leaving a few days after I graduate and will be there about 2 weeks. We’ll be visiting 3 of the islands and hired a travel agent to get everything figured out for us so things can go as smoothly as possible. We’ll be doing some relaxation, some hiking, some snorkeling/scuba diving, some exploring, some beaching, lots of eating…Plus it’s off-season, so things, especially flights, are less expensive. I am SO EXCITED! I’ve wanted to go to Hawaii for years. What a wonderful way to unwind from an absurdly exhausting year!

2. My grandma is doing really well! She’s been moved to a nursing home closer to home. I have been so absurdly busy (did I mention I had a 10 day stretch of 10-12 hours days followed by one day off and then another 7 days in a row with similar hours? Shit, man.) that I haven’t had the opportunity to visit her in the past 6 weeks, but I’m hoping to maybe this weekend since I’ll actually have a weekend off!!! She might even be able to start bearing weight on her injured leg. Amazing! We aren’t planning on moving her back into her home because it’s really nice knowing she has 24-hour care and it’s much less exhausting for my mom. This brings us to....

3. Aaron and I will be moving downstairs into my grandma’s level of the duplex. We have quite a bit of renovation to do but we have as much time as we need. It will be so nice to have our own space instead of living in the living room! And we’ll have space to entertain! And have more room! It will be so nice once we get everything settled!

4. I graduate May 7th. I know this isn’t exactly a surprise, but it’s SO EXCITING! I’m going to finally be a veterinarian!!!! And be DONE with school! WHEEEEEE!!!!

SO MANY AWESOME THINGS!!!!