My Ortho Research

So, I meant to write this last week, but I'm finally writing it now before heading off to a friend's to chill for the 4th of July! So, last I got to watch the Doctor I'm doing research for do Ortho surgery. One word to describe it: INTENSE. He is a go getter. He doesn't do small talk or make jokes. Its all go. So, I watched him do arthroscopic repairs of an ACL and he was done in 20 minutes. Simply incredible. I was scared to ask him anything, as were the other students with me. We were all SCARED. So, my research is going good. I m getting a collection of patients togehter to start calling them and convince them to come in and get checked out and get a shoulder exam, so we can see before and after results of their operations. Really cool job! Summer has been GREAT!!

4th of July

So my family came up yesterday for the 4th!!! We went to Navy Pier and rode the Ferris wheel, and relaxed. Then, we went to Ed Debegers 50-style restaurant and then walkd along Michigan Ave. Today we did the skydeck of the Sears tower! Then, we went to the beach for a little bit and my brothers hopped into the freezing water! On Friday and Saturday I celebrated Kevin's 21st birthday with all his buddies! It was a blast. We went out both nights and had a GREAT time!! It's been a heck of a 4th of July weekend. A BLAST!!!!!

M1 year is over!

Last Friday, June 17th, was officially the last day of our first year of medical school! It cost me $68, 654.41 for this first year! OWCH. I my last block with a 70.77%! We needed a 70% to pass!! I can't believe its been a year since I started this blog sitting at work in the Corallville office last summer during a conference. I know more about the workings of the human body than I could have ever imagined! It was definitely a really challenging year.

Hardest I would say during the spring semester. It felt way harder. I feel like I've forgotten alot of what I've learned, which scares me! We have to take a huge exam at the beginning of next summer, with alot of what we learned this year on that exam. So, today is officially the first Monday of my summer! I'm starting my orthopedic research on Wednesday.

 It should be really fun. This summer should be EPIC! Ill be hanging out with Kevin alot, and also alot of my medical classmates that are sticking around and doing the same thing as me!! Today I went to music in Millenium Park. There were TONS of people, the whole park was filled up. I couldnt beleive it. It was cool. I went with some classmates. So hears to a great summer, and the end of my first of 4. Half of the M is complete in MD, very exciting

-MD in 14

Memorial Day

Memorial Day I went to the beach in Chicago with my buddy Kevin, who is here this summer for an internship. He and his roommates and I went to the beach! It was incredible. Packed. Beautiful women everywhere. Perfect high 80s weather. We just chilled. It was a perfect Memorial Day. Now, tests next week and almost done being an M1. It's the CNS block. Brains and neurons. Its the hardest ever. Time to get back to the books. Almost summer. So nice out lately!


-MD in 14 

Penis Alert

Today people cut into penises. My professor had the tip of a penis on a probe that a girl brought over to him in her hand. It looked like he was going to roast a marshmallow. It was awkward and funny! We are looking at how the penis and vagina work. It can be interesting. Like when i girl comes up to you in lab and announces to a few of us "Come look at my huge testicles!"

Or the classmate that has a female cadaver and told me "I need to go look at a penis!" Hilarious. I don't know what to think about all these penises cut open. It hurts to look at! This block is flying already. Exam is soon. Its a tough block. The kidneys are very difficult.

-MD in 14 

Ortho with the Chicago Bulls

Ok, this is COOOOOL!!! I was looking into my apartment lease about 3 weeks ago. It said it ends on June 17th, the last day of classes. Well, that means I have to do something this summer since I need to pay rent. I was really bummed to see that because I just wanted to sit around all summer and workout, play guitar, pool, go downtown, read Russian and hang out. Ha, now I saw that rent needed to be paid and I got my butt in gear. I saw an email from the school about Ortho research with the head doctor for the bulls. I said why not? I didnt feel qualified since I wasn't the typical ortho freak if you considered yourself a candidate for Ortho research. I applied anyways.

Two quick essays detailing why I was interested and the coolest class I took in college, and an interview later I was chosen. I couldnt believe it. Now, tomorrow the deadline is due for the application for the Deans grant for research. It's a 4,000 dollar stipend for the research work that all medical students who want to do research have to apply for. There is a Really good chance of getting it through the Ortho department at Rush. I've spent 20 hours plus on it already. The project is cool. It's looking at rotator cuff repair and what methods have the best outcomes. Now just this week, the new block started. Spring break was last week. I didn't do anything.

Not anything like last year when I went to Sarasota, FLA with a bunch of college buddies. This time it was catch up on class and working on the research grant. It was good thoe, I went home last Thursday for first time since Christmas. It was good to see family and a couple of friends!! So, back to the new block, its the PEE block! That is, how PEE is made and how the kidneys work and reproduction stuff! FUN.\

-MD in 14 

6 months

So, I figured out today was the exact to date 6 month of being in medical school. Wow. How it has really flown. Right now we are heavy in biochemsitry, learning about digestion of protien, sugar, fats in the gastrointestinal tract. It's extremely difficult. It's definetly the hardest thing I have ever done. Thank God for pool, working out, eating, and guitar, and movies to stay sane.

-MD in 14