Hey yall! Peep that Aaliyah and Timbaland reference. It’s been WAAAYYYY too long since my last blog post. So much has happened since my last post in January. First off, I’ve finished my first year of residency and I am officially a 2nd year resident! One down, two more to go! Woooo-hooooo!
I’ve learned to manage my clinic patients’ high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes (the trinity for family medicine). I’ve done numerous ultrasound-guided knee injections in the clinic, and also used ultrasound to confirm intrauterine pregnancy on my preggo patients. I’ve followed my first OB continuity patient throughout her pregnancy and delivered her sweet baby. I’ve biopsied and excised skin cancers. I’ve laughed and also cried with patients. I even had a patient and his wife bring me bags of fresh kale from their garden (good southern hospitality). From school sports physicals to nursing home visits, I’ve had a blast.
My experience in the hospital has also been interesting and busy, to say the least. I’ve worked up patients for multiple myeloma and tuberculosis. I have treated kiddos with Henoch-Schonlein purpora, Hirschsprung’s disease and even Kawasaki disease. I’ve worked up my share of pneumonia, COPD, and congestive heart failure exacerbations. And don’t get me started on flu season. There was a flu outbreak back in March and our hospital was swamped.
First year of residency hasn’t been without its challenges. Those days of back to back 12-14 hour days without much sleep are no fun, but every step has been worth it. Trying to exude compassion and empathy when a patient has no respect for your profession is sometimes frustrating, but is often outweighed by that one simple “thank you” from a patient who knows you care. I’ve had to learn how to balance personal life and work, which I am still working on, but I’m getting better.
I could go on and on about the things I’ve learned and experienced in one short year; however, that would take forever. Overall, this year has been challenging, yet very rewarding. I’ve formed meaningful relationships with my colleagues, attendings, and my patients. It feels great to know that I am walking in the calling that God has set for my life. As I always say, “God is faithful to those who trust in Him.” He has carried me through year one of residency, and I have no doubt He’ll continue to guide me through this second year.
-thedoctorjb
P.S. I promise it won’t be another 6 months before my next blog post. Stay tuned…great things to come.
Photo credit: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7655052/aaliyah-greatest-hits-pulled-from-apple-music-itunes
