First Visitors

Well,

I had a weekend off and my cousin, Kristin, and Yosh came in to town to run a half-marathon. I was going to run this, but I started out too quick and got shin splints. For some reason I tried running six miles my second week. I accomplished the six miles, but thereafter I could not even run 1/2 mile due to pain. They still ran the half. Unfortunately, it was a short weekend and we didn't get to do too much, but it was nice having visitors. Here is some pictures of us in Hyde Park by the Christmas tree.

Trauma

So, I am 3/4 finished with my trauma rotation. It is an interesting experience to say the least. Most of what we do is deal with social work issues because almost everyone who comes into the trauma bay is either homeless, drunk, or both. I have learned that the fastest way to get into an accident is to be intoxicated. Whether you are riding a bike, riding a motorcycle, driving a car, or just crossing a major highway on foot, being intoxicated seems to be the common denominator.

But, this has truly been an eye-opening experience. If you have a weak stomach, I suggest skipping this paragraph. People come in shot and we have to put tubes in their lungs while they are awake. These tubes are about the diameter of a nickel. Other people come in brain dead from an accident and have their brain hanging out of their skull. But, since it is a teaching hospital, we treat the patient as if they were going to make it. Just because they are brain dead, does not mean their heart isn't working and they aren't breathing on their own. So if they are, we go through the motions of trying to save their life to learn. So, one night, I was doing chest compressions on a patient as their brain was coming out of their nose. I almost vomited. I know this is a necessary part of a general surgeon's training. I am just glad it's not part of mine.

Unfortunately, being the bottom guy on the totem pole I do not get to do much of the cool stuff. I get to drain abscesses, admit patients and discharge patients. I wish I got more experience running traumas and learning about head and neck trauma but I try to just learn this on my own. Oh well.

I am just getting a little frustrated being a non-general surgery resident on general surgery rotations. We don't get treating differently, so I am not complaining about that. I am frustrated that I am learning about things that have nothing to do with Head and Neck Surgery. But, like I said, I try to read a bit every day or so to get ahead.

Otherwise things are going well. I got to go to the operating room and do 3 surgeries last Friday. 1. Lipoma resection: this is a benign lesion that was on someone's neck and I got to do the removal of it. 2. Benign tumor resection: this was on someone's chest and I got to help remove this. 3. Umbilical hernia repair: I didn't get to do much of the actual repair, but I got to open the skin with the scalpel and close the wound after it was fixed. None of these three cases have anything to do with my specialty, but at least I got some experience with the knife and suturing. The attending was very good about letting me do the operations and teaching me how to use the instruments.

All in all, this is an okay rotation that I wish I had more duties but am still trying to make the most of it.

Skyway Pier Fishing

Went fishing last week. We went off Rattlesnake Key off the South Skyway Pier. We couldn't decide if we wanted to take the Hobie Mirage Outback Kayak out to the Skyway and fish for some Spanish Mackerel or hit the flats and try the Trout. I got out there a bit before Mike so I decided to catch some bait. I was having no luck until about 30 minutes before he got there. I first tried using a Cast Net. Needless to say, this is not the best thing to do from a kayak. I fell in. Luckily I decided to take my phone and put it in the dry box just prior. So, all is safe and I climbed back in. At this point, bait was coming into the grass flats as the tide came in. So, I started using my Tsunami Fluorocarbon Sabiki Rig. This was slower, yet safer from a kayak. I caught a decent amount of bait, including greenbacks and lady fish. At that point, Mike finally showed up. It was about an hour before dark and we started catching some fish. We mainly used MirrOLure. We also used some of the bait I had caught. We did well and caught over 5 trout each. Unfortunately only a few were keepers. Those few tasted good.

Disregarded Common Sense

Vacation

Yes, I actually get 2 whole weeks of vacation this year. They are as follows:

1. 11/30/09-12/6/09

2. 3/22/10-3/27/10 (I have to be back by Saturday night because I am on call Sunday)

What is going on with this world?

Ok, so there are many things to talk about.

1. I am finished with Neurosurgery. I had a great time with the guys. We all had very similar personalities and got along well. They treated me well, too. But, it is nice to not be on call anymore for the next few weeks. In short, I am on anesthesia right now. Basically, I walk into the OR and put the tube in the patients' airway for the case. Not a bad gig considering I have no call or weekend responsibilities.

2. I am going to San Diego this coming weekend to present a paper I wrote on Head and Neck Cancer. I am going to try to go to the Zoo. Otherwise, any ideas for what there is to do?

3. Some bone-head Orlando, FL Representative (D) made a bone-head comment yesterday. He said that the Republican Party's health care reform plan is "Don't get sick." That's it. Oh, I cannot believe I almost forgot the other bone-head comment, [if you do get sick,] "Die quickly." I know that's how I feel as a Conservative in the health care field (sarcasm, of course). I mean, seriously? What jack ass would actually say that at the US House of Representatives? Only the Democratic Party could produce someone as intelligent as Alan Grayson to enlighten all of us on how we, the majority, feel about health care.

4. A couple of friends of mine, Neil and Jenna, are getting married in November. Unfortunately I have my week of vacation the week after, so I cannot make it. That sucks.

5. My cousin Kristin and her friend Yosh are coming to Tampa for a 1/2 marathon in November. I decided since they are going to come all the way here as my first visitors, the least I can do is attempt to run this with them since this is an easier month. I started training last week. I am embarrassing. I will give you updates shortly.

6. I am thinking of getting a mountain bike or kayak when funds are sufficient. Right now, I am saving for a kitchen table. Priorities. It will probably be after Christmas when I can afford this.

Ryan

Updates

Hello all,

I am now finished with my month of general surgery and am coming to the end of my first week of neurosurgery. I miss general surgery for a few reasons: 1. I actually had a clue what I was doing, 2. The other intern and I were actually good enough to get responsibility which resulted in learning how to take care of patients (isn't that what we are supposed to be doing every rotation?), and 3. I got to do a procedures.

Some procedures I got to do was place central venous lines which is basically a big IV but in one of the major veins, place arterial lines which are used to monitor respiratory status in really sick patients, and I even got to intubate someone which is where you put a tube in their airway to hook up to a ventilator to help the patient breath.

All in all, it was a good month. Now, I am on neurosurgery. I feel retarded to say the least. Honestly, the 4th year medical students that want to go into neurosurgery know more than I do. I think that they accept we don't know much, but I still don't like feeling like such an idiot every day. Oh well, it is only one month.

Next month I am on anesthesia where I get experience managing airways. The airway is a big part of ENT especially in emergencies. We are the ones that get the glory of cutting someone's neck when they cannot breath in an emergency situation. Plus, the first week of that rotation I am going to San Diego to present a paper that I accepted for publication on head and neck cancer. It will be a nice few day vacation plus a nice way to build up my Curriculum Vitae.

Other than that, the apartment is taking shape. We have a new chair and side table. We sold our coffee table and will get one that matches. All that is really left is to get a kitchen table and chairs. No new fishing stories since I have not had any time to go. Maybe this weekend since I get a day or two off!

On a political note, I hope that all of us can stand up to the coercive bullying that is going on in the White House and the media.

Keep in touch everyone!