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Tuesday, 30 June 2009
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Video of my new puppy! (Thanks, Mom!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVCGtUKIu3I
Friday, 26 June 2009
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Things are going much better since the first day. My tasks are kind of limited since I can't really examine patients' eyes with confidence. Basically, I: perform all new-patient H and Ps, fill out surgical paperwork for patients getting an elective operation (mostly cataracts), do admission orders/paperwork for urgent surgical cases, and dilate eyes.
Yesterday was a lot of fun. I got to work with a photographer doing retinal angiograms (photographs of the eye's blood vessels using fluorescein, a dye) all afternoon. Only an MD can give intravenous fluorescein injections, and since the ophthalmology residents had to see the patients in clinic, I got to do all the dye injections. It also helped me to brush up on my phlebotomy skills (which were limited to the two times my classmates and I drew blood on each other during MS1). Retinal angiography occurs every Monday and Thursday, so I'll be getting a lot of experience. Plus, even though it isn't radiology procedure, the anatomy is interesting to me and gives me a taste of what's to come during residency.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
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Today was my first official day of work! On Saturday and Sunday, I had to complete ACLS/BLS certification --- it wasn't too bad. Monday and Tuesday were orientation. It was set up with a bunch of different stations to rotate through --- payroll, benefits (selecting medical/dental insurance), employee health, a lab station for blood work, linens, and computer access. I'm now the proud owner (well, technically, borrower) of three sets of Harbor-UCLA scrubs, one white coat, an ID badge, and a stamp with my name and physician number so that I don't have to sign with a pen.
Ophthalmology is an outpatient rotation, but I still found my first day to be rather stressful. For one thing, it's the busiest clinic in the hospital. We had 60 patients scheduled during the morning. The residents arrive at 8 a.m. and leave at 8 - 9 p.m., which is ridiculously long for a clinic day. Luckily, since I'm a transitional intern who is not going to specialize in ophthalmology, my days end at 5 p.m. (Wednesdays are half-days, which is why I'm Xanga-ing right now.) Also, I'm not very familiar with the computer system or methods of documentation at the hospital. Thirdly, my Spanish is kind of bad. As soon as I arrived, I had to write admission orders for an urgent surgical case, consent the patient, and perform an H and P --- and the patient didn't speak a lick of English. Lastly, ophthalmology is a field to which I've not had much exposure. I don't know how to use a slit-lamp, etc.
Things will be smoother once I learn the ropes. I'm glad I didn't start out on an inpatient rotation!
Saturday, 13 June 2009
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Newest picture of Pica
I visited Pica a few days ago. All of the puppies are eating solid food now, but they still like to nurse when the mother is around. The breeder mentioned that Pica has the "best nursing technique." Why? Check out this picture --- she rolls onto her back and feeds with her butt up in the air!
Sunday, 07 June 2009
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One more thing ...
Here's a short video of the graduation ceremony. A family friend recorded it and my mom loaded it on YouTube. The actual ceremony was over 2 hours, so this is very condensed, but it gives you an idea. In the middle of the video, a phrase was recited by classmates in their native languages. I thought that was a nice touch. Something like 30 different countries were represented! Only a handful are seen in the video, though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgcr8oomqSk
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