Last Day in Surgery...For Now

Today was the final day of my surgical internship and I am sad to go, but so happy and thankful for the opportunity. My supervisor gave me the highest possible rating in every category of my evaluation, so I am on cloud nine. To top it off, I got to spend the last bit of my final day with one of my favorite hand surgeons. Sigh.

'Til we meet again, OR.

It's the Final(s) Countdown!

It is hard to believe that I am only 5 days away from the end of my first/junior year at Davis, but it's true! For many reasons, this quarter has been arguably the most insufferable of the quarters yet. But it's almost over. Many of my friends have had a rough quarter, so we're glad to see it go.

If you happen to be a Davis student, you may be thinking, 5 more days, but that would only put you at the first day of finals?! Well, that's right kids, I got lucky and have all of my finals on the first Saturday of finals. "Wow, that sucks!" you proclaim, and the only response I can think of is:

Next year is senior year. DO YOU HEAR THE ANGELS SINGING?! But before that, I will be finishing calculus this summer because according to every doctor I've asked, "you'll never use that," so it's required. I usually get stir-crazy if I'm not taking classes or working towards something, so I guess this will be good. I spent Winter break doing a comprehensive mathematics review on Khan Academy because I tried to binge-watch shows on Netflix and it just made me angry. Added bonus is that I'll be living with AQL again, so I'll get to wake up next to the man of my dreams, which is always good for morale.

After that, Fall quarter 2016 is looking up! I'll be taking:

-Biomolecules and Metabolism ("biochemistry": this will come in handy for the MCAT!)
-Microbiology (Meh.)
-Microbiology lab (Lab professor is a trekkie! Plus labs usually win for my favorite class.)
-Environmental Changes in Disease and Public Health ("History of Public Health")
-Word Roots: Latin and Greek (yessssss!)
-Plus doing lab work for my senior research project...details to come!

FIVE. MORE. DAYS.

Bright Lights, Big City

Ah, sweet Tuesdays. Surgery day. My favorite day. I only have one more week at the hospital and it was making me misty and nostalgic all day. Today I was reflecting on how much I've learned in the last few months. One of the RNs said they were just waiting to win the lottery so they could stop working, and they asked me what I would do if I won the lottery. "Honestly, I'd just keep doing what I'm doing. But if I won the lottery, I could pay for medical school in cash, not loans. And I'd probably buy a house." It's the truth. I love this.

In the most boiled down version possible, these are my thoughts on my last few months in surgery:

1. I love surgery. It may not be glamorous, but there is still something so beautiful about it. Before my internship, I assumed I may just love it in theory, but it turns out, I really do love it. There is something about the smell of sterility, the bright lights, and the beeping of the heart rate monitor that I have really fallen in love with. It is almost meditative? Purposeful and hypnotizing. And I can't get enough. Okay, and you get to cut things. And suturing is fun!
2. ...more specifically orthopedic surgery. It's less squishy than the other kinds.
3. ...more specifically orthopedic surgery specializing in hands. Of all the surgeries I've observed and scrubbed in on (knee arthroscopies, cataract correction, fused fingers, the list could go on forever), hands are my favorite! They are also the least squishy specialization, except if you're removing a cyst or something else fun like that. 
4. In the OR I am surrounded by like-minded people. To me, this speaks louder than anything. 
5. I feel like someday, if someone asks me if I knew the exact moment I wanted to be a surgeon, I would tell them about today. 

I am really going to miss some of the quirky surgeons, and the nurses and staff I've met. They've all been so helpful and hardworking, and an essential part of my journey. Good people, doing their best to contribute in a meaningful way. I know this won't be the last time I see them, but I'll miss them nonetheless.

Thinking back, the first surgeon who let me observe in his OR said, "You're into pathology? Well, we'll see what we can do about turning you into an orthopedic surgeon." ...looks like his plan may be working afterall.

Annnnndd We're Back!

     Two weeks left in the quarter... seems like a good time to start a blog! (Procrastinating? No! Of course I would rather be reading about the lac operon and genetic expression...) Welcome to the new home of the Daily Davis. For those of you who are just finding me, I started writing little vignettes about a year ago when I came to the University of California, Davis. As an unconventional transfer student with a sordid history in the culinary industry, the Daily Davis became a way for me to demystify the world of higher education and keep in touch with my friends who are increasingly worldly in their pursuits. Not much to see on this first post, but I promise, new space, same delicious Daily Davis flavor! Don't mind the dust!

     Oh, the name, Everyday Pathology? Well, someone took "Daily Davis" AND "The Daily Davis" (both out of commission since about 2010...not that I care...) and I have been thinking about writing a blog called "Everyday Pathology," so I'm just trying to hit two birds with one stone by taking the domain while it's available. Also, who knows where (if?) I'll get into medical school... at which point the Daily Davis will magically transform into Everyday Pathology! Cheers!