After all, life is a balance between these two...
Work: I have really enjoyed my experience so far in the Cardiology Care Unit(CCU). The first day was overwhelming, but since then, I have grown to love Cardiology. There are 3 students on this rotation with me and they are all rounding with 3 different general cardiology teams. I got the choice to do that OR to round with the Advanced Heart Failure/Heart Transplant team and stay in the unit. I chose the latter, which was the harder choice, but therefore I have learned A LOT! First off, it's not a team of med students, interns, residents, a fellow and an attending like the others. Instead it is 1 Fellow and 1 Attending physician...and Me. AND, I didn't know until the end of the 1st week that they have never had a pharmacist round with them before. SO... it has been an interesting experience that I have been thrown into, but again, I'm learning a lot.
I have decided that one reason I like cardiology so much is due to my cousin and brother - both born with congenital heart disease - I can now understand their situations much better. As of today (and my opinion changes often), I would love to work in Pediatric Cardiology...
Over the past 2 weeks, I have watched 1 patient go from acute graft failure (immediate rejection of his new heart...near death) to yesterday when he was sitting up in his bed, eating and talking to us like nothing ever happened. It has been a neat process to watch. I will hopefully be able to see a heart transplant procedure by the end of the month. There are many more stories, but that's all I have time for now. Days are long, I am tired a lot, but it is worth it. Can't believe the month is already past the half-way mark.
-Also, I worked my first weekend alone in the Children's Hospital on the 8th/9th and it went well...
Play:
My brother and his fiance, Richelle, came up on Saturday the 8th and stayed until last Wed. I had to work a lot, but we managed to go to dinner together every night. I also joined them for a boat tour around the harbor - it was great and anyone that comes to visit should go on the tour. They toured the USS Yorktown, took a carriage ride, spent a day at the beach and another at the outlets. I was so glad to have visitors in town and I think they enjoyed their vacation.
I also managed to go home to Auburn this past weekend - somewhat last minute trip - but it was worth it. I took Friday off and traveled home Thurs night. We spent Fri and Sat at the Lake. It was relaxing and great to get away from work for a little while. The drive is not that fun, but I survived.
Besides my family, I got to see 2 of my favorite people while I was in Auburn - Katie and Campbell! We had a yummy bfast at Byron's.
Being home really got me pumped up for football season! I am sad I can't be there for the first game but I will be cheering them on from Charleston. I am definitely coming home for the W Virginia game on Sept 19th... War Eagle!
