This was truly a defining moment in medicine for me. We found a lung mass Sunday, but now it’s Wednesday and nobody had informed the patient. I just couldn’t leave and pretend nothing was wrong, who are we to hide this woman’s own body from her? It’s her life and she deserves to be able to make fully informed decisions.

The talk actually went really well. Our school made us practice having difficult conversations before entering into clinicals (though they told us we would be attendings before we had any difficult conversations), so I knew to set the mood in the room, sit at eye level, speak clearly without jargon, allow for silence, and reassure the patient that they are in control and we will support them no matter what. I even called her family with her so that they could ask questions and so she wouldn’t have to explain things. She actually thanked me profusely when I was done which was just so surreal and nothing I ever thought I would be thanked for doing.

So I started my first rotation IM-cardiology! This is going to be bullet format because I’m still recovering from last week and I have to get to start this week in t-7 hrs. Here’s what I learned so far.

Getting up at 5:30 am is a major life adjustment for me, I’ve never been a morning person but I’m trying, I also hate when I have to wake up patients during pre-rounds.

Echocardiograms can be really difficult to read but are a completely amazing diagnostic tool! Nuclear medicine is pretty amazing too.

Medicine is sad, and I need to figure out how to cope with some of the  things I’m seeing.

I know nothing.

Walking around the hospital all day really boosts my appetite and I’m actually excited to eat lunch on work days.

The fellow and attending I work with are brilliant and kind doctors and I am so lucky to get to learn from them.

Reading after 10- 12hrs on the floor is very very difficult, so I’m watching a lot of meded and DIT.

The major advantage of being a med student is that I have time to spend listening to my patients and helping with the little things in their care that the real docs don’t have time for.

Nurses are wonderful- I’ve learned everything from reading vent settings to how to turn the bed alarm off from them, and they are always willing to help me when I need it, I’m so grateful for them.

In summary I’m always stressed and tired, often made to feel stupid or embarrassed, and occasionally immensely fulfilled and happy-  but more than I have in a long time I feel like like medicine was the right choice for me.

Hey guys, a lot of people are getting scared of COVID-19 so I figured I’d share some realistic tips to keep yourself and others safe

Wash your hands with soap and water, especially before meals or before touching your face

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose as much as possible

Sanitize your hands after touching objects or people if you can’t wash them

If you have a cough or feel sick, stay home. If you have to go out or get medical treatment, wear a mask.

If you’re not sick, you don’t need to wear a mask. The regular face masks protect others from you, not vice versa. The N95s are what protect you from others but please avoid purchasing them unless you have a close contact get diagnosed as there is a current shortage in the US and healthcare facilities really need them.

If you have had any contact with sick people (work, personal, public transit, etc), avoid close contact with infants and the elderly. For example, I’m going to see my immunocompromised grandma this weekend but I’m a young healthy healthcare worker so I’m going to wear a mask and avoid hugs so she doesn’t catch any bugs I might have come into contact with.

Avoid huge crowded gatherings that people travel specifically for. You’ll be fine just washing your hands after grocery shopping but perhaps now isn’t the time for that Groupon for an Italian wine tour.

Brb crying 😭

This is part of my IM evaluation done by my attending.

Took a video of how crocheting keeps my hands off my phone and my attention on the lecture. It’s kinda crazy seeing how much my fingers move since I really don’t pay them too much attention while I’m studying.