Internship, day 9

So.
It happened.

Intern year started and I survived my first week. I won't lie. It was rough. I felt like a glorified medical student at my best and a worthless imposter in a long white coat at my worst but I made it through. I finally figured out how to get from the elevator to the lounge to the PICU to the bathroom to conference without getting (too) lost. I started to create my own templates and navigate myself around several different EMRs. Now that I'm one plus week in I'm starting to actually feel semi-confident. Or at least no longer super stressed that I'm the worst resident in the world. It is a gradual process.

Of course that being said, I only have one more day of work and then I'm on vacation to The Best Place on Earth. I figured it was a long shot to ask for vacation two weeks after starting but someone has to take vacay in July so why not me? I'm glad I'm going. MS Teen Adventure Camp is the reason I decided to go into Child Neuro so to NOT go to camp would be like a fish that decided to go without water for a minute. I might survive but it would not be pretty.

Residency is scary and I'm not even on the wards yet. I'm on ID this month so it is just consults with tons of fellow and attending support. But still, I'm Dr. Neuro Chick-Kid Doc when I walk into the room. And it is absolutely amazing. I love my patients and parents, I love my job and I especially love the fact that I get to do this for the rest of my life. Today was orientation to continuity clinic and I already have patients scheduled to see ME. I browsed their charts and I just can't wait to see my 5 year old and my brand new newborn baby and the reluctant teenager and whoever else may walk in the door. I just can't wait!

Internship day 10... bring it!

a very special mermaid

Once upon a time a little girl was born to excited and newly expectant parents. They named her Sophie and for three months she was a perfectly normal baby. But then one day she had a seizure and another and another. Fast forward many years and hundreds of seizures despite numerous medications, diets, etc. Eventually Sophie was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy and she continues to have uncontrolled seizures to this day...

Love is central to this story and her parents loved her as parents do. Along came two brothers and they shared a life with Sophie and loved her as well. Sophie has grown up to become a beautiful young lady. I "met" Sophie and her family via Elizabeths' blog- a moon, worn as if it had been a shell and am not exaggerating when I say she has shaped who I want to be, as a clinician, as a doctor, as a person.

I have followed along over the past several years and I have learned so much about epilepsy and family and love from Elizabeth and her blog community. As a medical student I once left a comment and she turned it into a post where I received numerous pieces of advice and encouragement. I had long ago decided to enter the field of Child Neurology but if I needed another reason than Sophie is it.

I am posting this here because I think this is the best possible cause and because I consider Sophie and Elizabeth my blog family. Donate if you have something to spare or simply read the comments, look at the pictures and feel the love.

To read about a tradition of love-
http://elizabethaquino.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-long-distance-casserole-brigade.html

To donate, comment or see pics-
http://www.youcaring.com/other/a-bicycle-built-for-two-elizabeth-aquino-and-sophie-/60783