Calm before the storm!

Over the past couple weeks, I have been psychologically preparing for July 1 ie the commencement of residency.....I've been sleeping in late and taking naps as much as possible, going to the pool, and avoiding thoughts of "oh my gosh, I have no more safety net because now I'M the doctor!" We also started orientation June 15 which shocked me back into reality and has consisted of the following:

1. HIPAA training
2. Paperwork
3. Free breakfast and lunch!
4. Paperwork
5. Receiving my LONG white coats (and subsequently forgetting to add the "MD" after my name when I took them to get embroidered....ooops!)
6. Paperwork
7. Meeting/trying to remember the names of the other 140+ interns
8. Receiving my pager (which I'm sure will soon haunt my dreams)
9. Receiving my name badge...complete with my head-tilt Glamour Shot!
10. Paperwork
11. Surgical Skills Lab
12. Getting fingerprinted at the VA....ahhhh, government healthcare.

What's scary is: I only have a few more hours until I'm actually going to be held accountable! I am so anxious that I won't be able to provide the level of care that my patients deserve, but I guess that's all part of the learning process.....and why they keep telling us to call our chief residents and attendings if we have questions! I already have telephone numbers programmed into my phone with full intentions to utilize them as often as necessary :)

My next post will be about my first night on call - should be entertaining!

I almost forgot....

Chad and I took a break from the sun and Tecate one afternoon in Mexico to visit our resort's arts and crafts area. They had ceramics and paint, so we decided to make souvenirs rather than buy any. Chad chose a frog and I went for a bowl:

No idea what we're going to do with them!

Puerto Vallarta

Back in January, when I found out that I matched into the Urology residency program at UK (whew), Chad and I decided to book a vacation in order to celebrate the end of school for me and give me one last chance to relax before the next five years of indentured servitude begin. We found a resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and spent one week on the Pacific Coast. I'm usually very pessimistic about travelling - those who were with me on the Key West trip know what I'm talking about :) However, we had a completely uneventful flying experience, no cavity searches at customs, and were then surprised by a room upgrade at our resort! I spent the week eating and working on my tan while Chad squeezed in as many naps as possible......ahhhhh, vacation.

M.D.

On May 15, 2010, I officially became a physician! Now I have those two little letters after my name that I've always wanted! I can't remember a time when this wasn't my ultimate career goal, and I am so relieved to finally be done with school after 21 years! But, as it was mentioned during commencement, I wasn't the only one who made sacrifices to get here - my family and friends have been the support and encouragement that were necessary to make it to this point. Thank you all so much! I am eternally grateful and I love you very much!

I would post pictures, but I think my camera was the only one that didn't make it to any of the ceremonies! I'll try to upload photos later if anyone is gracious enough to share theirs with me.....

Here's one that I snagged from our school's website:

My little project

Chad had some old furniture that we (well, it was really just me) wanted to update. So, off I went to Lowe's for supplies and here's what happened....

Before:

(Note the New Kids on the Block t-shirt)

After: