Surfing Divas

Heather and I are having a great week in sunny San Diego. I could live here. We went surfing for the first time ever a few days ago. The surfshop that we decided to not rent equipment through was called, "Surf Divas" as that name seemed ridiculous to both of us. Instead we rented surfboards and wetsuits from some random place by the coast in La Jolla. I think my body has finally recovered from that beating. It was a blast. By the end of the two hours we were able to stand up on some decent waves (3-4 feet). I think I disrupted the peace of others as everytime I successfully stood for any length I threw my arms in the air and shouted "booyah" or some similar term of euphoria. This picture is us after dragging ourselves and our boards back to the shop.

I think we'll go back in a couple of days. While we are there they have a mile-long open water swim course in the ocean that we'll give a go (or at least part of it). Unfortunately Heather is the stronger swimmer so if one of us goes down by a shark or stingray it will probably be me.

Vacation!!!

I am heading to San Diego in the morning with Heather, my college roommate. I am so excited for the trip. I am excited to spend time catching up with Heather, roadbiking, learning to surf, sleeping, sitting by the pool, walking along the beach.... All in all it should be a great week.

It has been 7 months since I've had more than a 3-day weekend. I operated today with the self-proclaimed Bobby Knight of our residency. And I survived with at least a shred of dignity intact.

Looking back on this long stretch I think the thing I am most thankful for are the relationships I am developing in the hospital with other staff members. I'm not a name person, but I have really made an effort to learn the names of the people I work with. It's tough because I work at 5 hospitals and on several floors of each hospital. It is worth the effort as I truly am developing friendships with lots of nurses, secretaries, cafeteria cashiers, care coordinators, scrub nurses, nurse aides, housekeepers.... It makes long hours at the hospital much more enjoyable and meaningful.

While I look forward to reconnecting with some of the staff at Methodist when I return, I am not going to wish away a moment of this week of vacation. It couldn't have come at a better time. I can't wait to get away with Heather. I guarantee that pictures and fun stories are to come!

Target practice

I'm loving my thoracic surgery rotation. I'm not sure if it is simply that I enjoy big surgeries or what but I know I am an adrenaline junkie in the OR. Here is my sketch of the area I was sewing in the other day (forgive the rudimentary sketch- it's hard to translate 3D to microsoft paintbrush).

It is so fun to not be the intern anymore. I actually get to operate a lot and am quickly improving my ability to sew in holes with important structures all around me.

As I was sewing a bronchus shut in the OR I chuckled to myself realizing these 3 structures were all within a centimeter or two from my needle and scalpel. I LOVED IT! Oh... and the patient is doing well.

Upcoming concerts

I am really excited for a couple of concerts I am going to see in November- Chris Botti and Joshua Bell. Both are graduates of the IU School of Music. Chris Botti is an unbelievable trumpeter and Joshua Bell a violinist. Here are a couple of samples of their performances. I can't wait!





Joshua Bell plays a 4 million dollar Stradivarius violin (pretty similar to the violin I possess). Gene Weingarten won the Pulitzer Prize for an experiment and resulting article in which Joshua Bell performed in the DC commuter station dressed in street clothes. It was a fascinating social experiment that you can read here: Pulitzer

The value of flu shots

Last week I received what I intend to be my last flu shot. Everytime I have received one I get sick afterwards and this is no exception. It has been the gift that keeps on giving for the past week. I know it may help prevent me from transmitting it to patients but what about the illness I have had for the past week that I've been walking around the ICU with? Sure I could stay home in theory but that isn't how a surgical residency works. The thought that maybe I have swine flu has certainly occured to me. And that brings me to my next topic.

Seriously I think someone is going to have to put me in 4 point restraints if they want to vaccinate me from the swine flu. Swine flu isn't a joke, but neither is getting injected with random stuff that's never been tested on people. I need to do more research to give a truly educated opinion but from what I have read I'm not going to be fighting people to get to the front of the line for this one. As it gets closer to the release I'll keep you posted once I've done some further reading.

Happy Birthday!

Today is the birthday of 3 people whom I love dearly. In order from oldest to youngest:

1. Tara Mix- an incredible friend that I am so thankful to have in my life. She loves people better than just about anyone I know. We have had some ridiculously hilarious times together...the kind you pee your pants while having. Well at least I do. To celebrate her big day we are going to attend a Colts game together where we will cheer at obnoxious decibels. I can't wait!



2. Heather Carlson- my college roomie. Oh the memories we have shared! She is making her mark on the world as a PA at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. I couldn't be more proud of her. Well I could but it would require her relocating to Indianapolis and that hasn't happened yet. To mark her birthday we are going to participate in a yet undisclosed activity while in San Diego,CA where we will be vacationing together in a few short weeks. I'm counting down the days until we get to meet up in sunny California!

Mbali- she is my sponsor child in Swaziland. I choose Swaziland since it is the country with the world's highest percentage of individuals infected with HIV. She is growing into a beautiful young woman. I hope I get to meet her someday. World Vision is doing a little something extra for her and her family for her special day.

And this begins the birthday season for me- from Oct 1 through the end of the year when most of the birthdays of my family and friends occur. Let the parties begin!