Almost the end of the month

Okay, so it's about time for the next rotation to start and that means big changes for me. First off, it's July which means that new interns will be starting. I'll be through my first year of residency. Technically, in my program you have to have 16 months of residency before you supervise interns so I'm a "super-tern" for four more months. This is COMPLETELY fine with me since I'm still nervous about having more responsibility. It's really intimidating.

Second, I'll be switching back to pediatrics - I better dust off my pedi-scope! I'm in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). This will be kind-of new stuff for me because it's been a long time since I've taken care of NICU babies or done any circumcisions but I'm excited to have the chance.

So, that's about where I'm at right now. Nervous.... excited... all at the same time.

Neal Anson, MD

Doomsday

Man, this day was aweful. I'm so tired - I never knew someone could get this tired after a normal number of working hours. I think it's because I'm getting stressed about the future of this month. I don't want to mention any details but just know that tomorrow on a service usually with 5 residents, I'll be the only one that's normally there. They took a float resident to help cover the service but we have over 40 patients, half of them in the ICU and just me and the fellow to see them. I guess I won't be getting any sleep again tonight and you can kiss morning report goodbye again... Damn it!



I know that residency is hard and that there is a service component to it but there are times when I feel like this program prevents me from learning as odd as that sounds. I'm exhausted when I get home so I don't typically read much. I'm busy during the days and can't follow-up on everything like I would like to do. It's just very frustrating.



And... I'm on short call the last day of the rotation right before I switch - I think I may have mentioned that before but I'll say it again because it SUCKS. No wonder this job drives so many people to drink. Just have to push on and hope that greener pastures await.



On a lighter note, I've gotten a bunch of complements on my new haircut - check it out:





















Whatcha think ;)...
Neal Anson, MD

New Week - New Outlook

Alright, it's time I stopped complaining about what I do... I chose this profession and I truly do love it. For instance, today I was able to do a procedure that I love doing - it went well and I felt good that since I've started residency I've gained enough confidence and knowledge to do this without much hesitation. Maybe one day, I'll feel that way about most of what I do... maybe.

I'm a little scared about going back to pediatrics in a couple of weeks. I'll be in the NICU and I haven't stepped foot in one since I interviewed. The good thing is that I'll be there in July - the highly anticipated month when all interns across America begin their residencies. I'll probably just blend in like the rest of them. I will have an edge though since I know the hospital system and the computers...

Oh yeah - I shaved my head... pictures to come later ;)

Neal Anson, MD

Waiting

So I'm sitting in the resident lounge, waiting to checkout my patients - feels like the medical school days... Usually, I'm so busy with patients that I just have enough time to see them before rounds begin. Today is a little different. At least I feel a little more rested today - I slept in until about 5 this morning... Can't wait to do it all again tomorrow.

First Blog

Hey everyone,
This is my first blog... don't judge me too harshly. I'm getting ready to go to bed and get ready for an early morning in the hospital. I'll be working up until I have the wedding tomorrow. Something I've realized up until this point in my residency is that time is precious. Sometimes I wonder if I've really done the best thing by going into this field. It's true that there are many rewards to be experienced but at the same time, that comes at a price. I know that things will eventually get better but the journey is pretty rough right now.

I feel like I'm changing through this in order to survive. I eat meals in less than five minutes. I can work on less than 6 hours of sleep regularly. I am able to locate a coffee pot on any floor in any hospital... these skills are important if a person is going to survive the daily scut that is medical residency.

When you work the kind of hours a resident does, you begin to really value the time away from the hospital - it feels like stolen minutes that becomes your currency. Unfortunately - I feel constantly overdrawn. There are so many demands on my time because the people I love are saving up the things they want do to with me until I get home and all I can think about is sitting/laying/falling down and closing my eyes for a few minutes... that rarely happens though. I find myself trying to keep going until I know in my brain that if I go any further the next day will be impossible to work through. In short - I have no FREE time. I wish I had valued the time in college and medical school more. Oh well, they tell me that things change - I can only hope for that...

Until next time...
Neal Anson, MD