I got to put two sutures in yesterday! It was a carpal tunnel operation. Today I'm seeing a below-the-knee-amputation (BKA) and a trans-metatarsal amputation (TMA). Yesterday I worked from 5 am to 7 pm, and this morning I am d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g. Note to self: don't go into surgery. (Unless you have carpal tunnel.)

Surgery

I'm two days into my surgery rotation. My first day was also the intern's and residents' first day, so things have been a little hectic. Tomorrow I am reporting for duty at 5 am. So far I have gotten to participate in a toe amputation and an ulcer debridement, and I've taken out some staples. Wednesday is my first day/night on call, and I have no idea what to expect.

You'd think that if you were heading off for work in the wee hours with no cars on the road you could go 41 in a 30 mph zone, wouldn't you? Nope, you can't, as the tobacco-chewing officer who pulled me over this morning informed me.

I went to an optometrist with Ten on Saturday. Originally I wanted only cute frames so that I could try to look older and smarter. Ten convinced me to get an actual eye exam while I was there, so I did. The optometrist, after saying, "Oh, my. Oh, my my" during my test, informed me that I would not even be able to pass a driving test with my vision as it is. Fortunately I was able to hold myself back from giving the officer this news this morning.

Summer Vacation Is Over!

Here are some pictures from the past week. It was a good break: a barbecue, a Day of Beauty with Ten, and a trip to New York to see my brother and college friends.









Third year began today.

Summer Vacation!

Yay! I took my board exam yesterday (7:30 to 3:30). I was so nervous that I was short of breath the whole time; however, the boards were much less heinous than I feared. The only bad part about the exam was that the testing agency made us empty our pockets each time we entered the testing room. You wouldn't believe the junk I had amassed in my pockets over the last week. (Yes, hadn't laundered my pants in a week.) It was embarrassing.

But now I am freeeeee!! Last night Ten made me the meal of my choice. I asked for rosemary and olive oil bread, beet soup with the beets cut into little hearts, and a milk chocolate bar. She obliged. I'll post pictures of the beet soup soon.

Tonight Ten and I are throwing a celebratory BBQ. If you're within 200 square miles of us, please come!

Obama Trauma

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

NYT editorial here

A Few More

The best part of waking up, Boo the cat, the boys in the ADKs

Pictures

Above are lupine from Ten's backyard, the Patty Griffin/Buddy Miller/Shawn Colvin/Emmylou Harris concert, Boo butting into our Scrabble game, and Ten and I ignoring caution tape in the ADKs.