The update is long overdue. And I have a few new things that I wanted to cover before summer is over so here are a few new things I wanted to share that I felt have moved me and helped to grow and blossom as the blooming doc. I will go from the most less recent to recent to catch y'all up. So here we go!

First... I am in-love with an old man nameD Mr. Rice (not literally). I started doing some volunteer work with him and he developed a friendship with me and another student (I know we weren't supposed to but it's kind of like an adopt-a-senior thing). We usually got together once a week to have lunch or ice cream (even though he totally wasn't supposed to have any).  He is stubborn as an ox, old-fashion to the core, and friendly as the day is long. He was in the Navy for several years and then worked as school lunch distributor for some years. Sadly, his wife had pasted from Alzheimer's over 8-years ago after being married for 55 years and lives alone with his two crazy cats.

Me and Mr. Rice at  Dinner

Oh! He also made some of the most beautiful work carving you ever lay your eyes on and he even made one for me. He said he would carve 'Dr.' on it  for once I graduated school *SMILES* Regardless, he is a part of Arizona that I am really going to miss and a part of me believe that I might enjoy being a geriatrician because of this wonderful man. I really feel like it was a privilege in getting to know him.

The Hand-Made Wood Carving

Second... I am official finished with my first of medical school! Quarter-doctor baby! Really I am going to miss some of these faces: 

(Disclaimer: Everyone else may or may not be missed)

 Rozalin and Me

My best-friend throughout my time here. My future 'Private Practice' partner (yes I am referring to show on TV). My lil'homie (as I used to call her). My Rosco!  This girl help me make through the toughest time in transitioning in being away from home and starting medical school by just being there to help me laugh, focus, engage, and over become a better human being in life. It's one of those friendships you   won't lose because you have 'done time' together and grow up never forgetting that. She is going to Troy, Alabama and I won't be able to see her as often... but it gives us more of an excuse to take a vacation from all the madness.

 

Dr. Brysacz (Left) and Dr. Potenza (Right)

 Dr. Brysacz and Dr. Potenza were both my small group facilitators and they were both by far my favorite educators at our school. Brysacz always gives the students a 'high-five' when they get a question right and Potenza can never tell you enough "how well this group is doing." (He is always impressed with us, despite the fact he is a legend of Plastics and Orthopedics).  They are truly great and the vast amount of knowledge they opened up to me will never be forgotten.

 Table 13

This is my table I was adopted to in our large group lectures and these are some of the people I was closest to in my time here.  Mark (the only guy in the picture) was our captain and all of us were the soldiers, but seriously every one of them made my hell-ish life in medical school that much better. ALL OF THEM will make wonderful and competent physicians and I can't say that enough. Table 13 will never be forgotten.

 Dr. Obadia and I

Here is one of the last people I will miss, my mentor.  She is simply wonderful. Her lectures, attitude, character, and not to mention her fashion sense are something you strive for as an osteopathic medical student. She really made becoming a doctor look easy and something to do with finesse. But seriously, and more importantly, she really wanted the best for her students.  And I will always admire her for that.

Thirdly... I drove home from Arizona with Silver Fox (my boyfriend Nate). In a nutshell,  I got into a bit of an accident from using cruise-control up a hill...ate the world's biggest donut *YUM*... partied up a bit in Nawlin's... pit-stopped in Pensacola to visit Nate's friend... pit-stopped again to visit my girl Schimyah to check in on her new Med School diggs and drove six-hours straight to make it back home to Orlando. Pictures as follows.

 Silver Fox at a Avenue Pub in New Orleans

 Silver Fox and Me at Joe's Farm Grill in Phoenix

 My Car after going 80mph down the Median in El Paso

Nom-Nom-Nom in Austin

P.S. There ain't a dang thing to do in Demming, New Mexico except go to Denny's. (And yes, I did that on purpose)

Finally, dying is probably one of the things I learned most about this summer. Up until this summer I didn't understand what dying really meant until I saw first hand. The death part I understood pretty well- you leave and don't come back. Ever. But the dying part eluded me. For the past two weeks I have been watching a close friend dying of cancer that has metastasized to his entire body. He is only 16.  At this point I would rather watch 10 gorry horror films than to witness what I have seen with this experience. I have seen a suicide next door to me when I was 14 and that still could not prepare me for the long process of this child dying. At this point it comes as no suprise, but this is so much harder than I thought.  I lose my thoughts and words when I stand infront of him, because I can't do anything about it. It kills me to know that. How do I deal? How I can accept that? What can I do? Those are all the questions I have. Anyways, the point I wanted to make was that no one will ever understand until they go through it first hand. I read this book and I think it would be good for the students to read to help understand death. It's in like 20 pt font and like 10 pages - so really it's like a page. The name is:

Gone from My Sight : The Dying Experience
By: Barbara Karnes, RN

Must Read

That's all she wrote folks...for now.

Inspiration:  We are indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. Romans 6:4.

Things to Know as a Student Doctor

So two more weeks until I finish my first year of medical school! I have to say I am pretty burnt out, but excited to move to Brooklyn to start working in my community health center. Next it's time to go look for a new place and start all over once again! This past week has been interesting with digital rectal exams, volunteering at an orphanage and dealing with drama with the boyfriend. I decided to make a top-ten list of things you should know as a upcoming or interested pre-health student when you become a student doctor so you can kick ass when you do! Ha-ya!

The S%*#t You Wished You Knew Before Med School!

 1. )  Know relative space when doing a genital exam ( I was apparently too close the first time O_o)
 2. ) Don't ask the standardized patient how much they are getting to do this (It's rude!)
 3. ) Get used to not sleeping and the  Starbuck barista's will be best friend.
 4. ) You will booze it up when you get the chance.
 5. ) Don't worry if you don't write everything down,  ECHO(or scribes) will be your new favorite tool!
 6. ) You will not know everything! Get comfortable with that idea. Period.
 7. ) Don't be afraid to ask personal questions when taking a patient history! It will saves lives.
 8. ) Everyone will be in your business... it's literally like high school (all over again -_-)
 9. ) Wait to ask questions after lecture...everyone will hate you if you don't!
10. ) Take advantage of volunteer events... they will not only make you a better person but a better doctor in the future!

If I think of anything else,  I will definitely  add to the list for all you crazy gunners out there! Anyways stay real my friends and keep it krispy on the outside!

P.S. Volunteering with kids at orphanage is truly an amazing experience! You get to meet the greatest bunch of young people. Picture with the some of my closest friends in medical school (Amela- middle and Mariya-right).

Inspirtation:
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass it's about learning to dance in the rain!" -Unknown

Introduction to a Growing Bud

 So my first year of medical school is essential done. Just one month to left to one month of freedom and then then school picks back up again early August. I need to correct myself though... I should have said first year of 'osteopathic' medical school. Yes, I am D.O. student, a OMS-I student, a mind-body-spirit student doctor- if you can believe that. I made the right choice in coming to an osteopathic medical school, because although M.D. looks really nice on name tag, being taught how to connect with patients was so much more important me. So I'll take the D.O.

Other, than how fast time flies, I am starting to get a real sense of reality. I am gaining a new outlook on life. Before I got to medical school, I was busy trying to make everything your supposed to do in one life time happen all before I turned thirty years old. And then what? I realized I had only planned my life until 30-something and realized I was missing it. I was missing life. I never fully enjoyed anything because I wanted to hurry onto the next. I never lived in the moment I created for myself. I had seriously felt like I had  missed the boat on what I should be  doing and who I should be doing it with.  After two stints of failed love, I still wound up in medical school trying to make something of myself. I'm 24 years old and I have lived in 3 different cities (hopefully 4 in August- God willing).  Now,  I found myself blogging about what I plan to do next.

Today was the first day I was truly annoyed by Facebook. I know. It sounds stupid but I am truly over it. I realized I was getting on for the wrong reasons. I got on it for the same reason most people get on it for- too see what's going on with people who may or may not have any marked value in my life. I decided I wanted to live a life not about what's going on with others, but one that was going for me. I want to make a promise to make myself try to live some life everyday, whether it be biking, talking to a complete stranger, or reevaluating my entire thought of thinking and treating people. I aways wanted to be a doctor and in my heart a doctor is always changing, like a flower- which I chose the name the Gardenia Doctor. Gardenia only because they are one of flowers that will bloom the most, much as I hope to bloom as a physician. So I pray that this blog can be an inspiration to anyone in need of strength, encouragement and wisdom, but more honestly a hopeful reminder that we are flowers in bloom for only a short time.

 Inspiration: As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. -Psalms 103:15