Regaining my femininity

So, yesterday was one of those days. One of those days where I didn't do things that typically fall into the category of being a girl:

1. Successfully completed the male genital and rectal exams on two willing, well paid volunteers. Then proceded to discuss some of the mechanical issues associated with being a guy.

2. Attended my certified pistol lisence (CPL) class and browsed the lastest and greatest hand guns currently recommended for personal protection.

Funny thing is, I enjoyed both experiences a lot. Before I read too much into what that means, I'm going to go paint my fingernails and tell you that I learned a lot and for that I'm very thankful.

Pressed for money?

I'm suffering from a lack of motivation for this thing called blogging right now. But, I'm forcing myself to do it. So it's gonna be short, sweet, and to the point. I really just feel like I need to document this certain event. And I'm sure most of you reading this will be glad I did--keep it short and sweet that is.

Last Wednesday I did my first female sensitive exam, which means pap smear and breast exam, on two live, breathing, willing ladies who so kindly allowed us to practice on them. Tomorrow is the male sensitive exam. I'm slightly more nervous for this one, for reasons I'd like to assume are obvious, but I'm sure that the desensitization process that began last summer to what were once "sensitive" body parts will make tomorrow's exam as simple as taking a blood pressure. I can hardly wait.

It's times like these that I am reminded I am no longer in undergrad and am actually somewhere on my way to seeing patients that don't present themselves in vignettes.

Oh, and I hear they are well paid...So locate your local medical school for a job near you!

Haiti and my Heart

A couple of days ago, I was asked to write a couple of paragraphs on "what Haiti did for me." The request couldn't have been more accurate. While our team was on a mission to the bless the clinic and the Haitian community, each one of us would undoubtedly say that the blessing we received was huge. Here's what I had to say:

Traveling to Haiti was an experience I've been anticipating for years. After hearing stories from doctors and nurses who have been faithful to God's calling by pursuing a medical career in other countries or cultures, I jumped at the opportunity to head to Haiti. I was exhilarated in the week leading up to our departure. It was a curious sort of exhilaration; the feeling you have before you start down a ski run you've never ventured down before. I wasn't sure what was going to come of the experience, but I had a peace from the Lord that told me it would be worth every penny.

Mountains Beyond Mountains.

And 4 adorable little boys who constantly asked, "Give me one dolla!" or "Give me one soccer ball!"

 
After experiencing life in the mountains of Haiti, surrounded by God's creation and the love of the Haitian people, I use the same word to describe the current state of my heart--exhilarated. The exhilaration I felt before is now channelled into a focused hunger for serving God and others. It's a direct result of Christ's love that I felt as I was welcomed by an elderly Haitian couple while spending an afternoon visiting homes to gather information for future public health education. Or by the Haitian woman I met in the NY airport and her warm embrace as we were reunited again in the baggage claim in Haiti.  It ignited a desire to be on fire for God. Revelation 3:15-17 says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." A lukewarm life is comfortable, providing a false sense of security. The raw experience that Haiti provided encouraged me to get uncomfortable. To be faithful to God. To be hot when the people and the world around me tell me a lukewarm life is just fine.

Teaser

I have a microbiology exam tomorrow, but after editing photos and watching some of the videos I took in Haiti, I had to share a little something. I hope the video doesn't make you sick, it's pretty shaky. My favorite part is when I tell the boys to wave at the camera (and do it myself) which they apparently thought meant "dance." I'm thankful for the mix up because this is what it resulted in :) The video should give you an idea of where I was and the wonderful people we were able to serve. More to come!

Philosophy and Medicine

This was in our renal physiology course pack. MSU (Dr. Stephenson)incorporates the liberal arts into medicine almost as much as we did at Hillsdale...

"It was the view of [Claude Bernard] that we achieve a free and independent life, mentally and physically, because of the constancy of the composition of our blood. Recognizing that we have the kind of blood we have because we have the kind of kidneys that we have, we must acknowledge that our kidneys constitute the major foundation of our physiological freedom. Superficially, it might be said that the function of the kidneys is to make urine, but in a more considered view one can say that the kidneys make the stuff of philosophy itself."

-Homer Smith, "Father of Renal Physiology"



Image courtesy of the National Library of Medicine



He's in the middle, tell me he doesn't look like a nice guy. Ok, enough procrastination. If only I could implant his renal knowledge into my head for the exam tomorrow morning. But, since I can't, I better go study...

The Fire Hose

If I could have one dollar for every time I heard someone say the course work in medical school is like drinking from a fire hose, I wouldn't need the Air Force to foot by tuition bill. Or rent. Or spending money.

Up until this point, I've not felt like that analogy was entirely true. I've been busy, yeah, but not that busy.

However, I'm now carrying a full course load for the first time. Our anatomy course was in the summer which made the fall a little lighter than most.

I'm enjoying the increased challenge, but must admit, it's starting to infringe on my weekends away. I haven't been in East Lansing for the weekend in a long, long time. And trust me, it's not like I'm studying while I'm away. Still, by the looks of my calendar, it's not going to change. Not anytime soon.

This weekend I'm going up to Petoskey. One of the best places on Earth, I am convinced. And this is what I'll be doing. Katie and I are going up to stay with Gerry and Mary Mills who graciously invited us to take advantage of their conveniently located home. I think one of my next big investments will be some skis...maybe I'll save up and buy a pair next winter. But, right now, I can totally wait for next winter. Could it be summer please?

Neuroscience

What I am currently (hopefully) doing right now.

Watch this video: Neuronal Growth

This is a video of a growing neuron. In order to store information in long term memory, we must actually make new connections in our brains.

This is what happens when you take a break from studying Neuroscience. You search for videos of growing neurons. And then get distracted when you come across more awesome fluorescent and confocal microscopy pictures of growth cones on neurons. Facebook? What??

Thank you Neuroscience. I think I'm gonna like you.

That is a growth cone. Growth cones are on the end of neurons that are searching for the correct path necessary to create a connection. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that my growth cones are making some serious ground today.

Here's some more differentiating neuronal cells just for fun!