Hi/Lo

Tonight as I settle down to write this first-in-a-while hi/lo post, I am pretty excited to be sitting behind a real Cha Cha guide. He is answering questions right and left as I study tonight. Hopefully his answers are a bit more satisfactory than the ones we have been getting.

I have been in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Vincent Women's Hospital this month. I am learning much about the management of these little ones either born prematurely or with issues mostly related to breathing, feeding, or eliminating that keep them in the hospital. The environment is intense but the staff have a calming character that pervades the unit.

Since my last post, I have submitted my residency application and interview season is weeks away. I look forward to visiting pediatric programs and prioritizing my picks (with hopes that they will prioritize me as well).

Without further ado, this week's hi's and lo's:

Lo:

- Some sad patient situations in the NICU this week, including the passing of one of our church family's son. Deaths in pediatrics are tough enough but when it hits closer to home, they are even more difficult. God, bless this family as they continue to grieve the life of their boy.

- Falling asleep during an educational video, where I was the only one being educated. In an effort to find a functioning DVD player, I ended up being placed in a call room. Dim lights + overcast day + post-prandial afternoon video = certain slumber. Of course my attending walked in when I had dosed off. I tried to play it off but I am sure she noticed as I snapped my head up and cleared the drool from my cheek.

Hi:

- Procedure week! I had the opportunity to do a circumcision, perform a couple lumbar punctures, and attempt an intubation on a premie! Though most of these were pretty ugly, I am thankful for the opportunities to practice and become more proficient. Rest assured that the attending with me made certain that the procedures were completed well. After one of my patient's circumcision (which turned out beautifully by the way), this boy was pretty upset and letting the unit know about it. In my defense, we purposely took him back before his feed and he was 15 minutes overdue for his meal by the end of the procedure. He also had not yet received his tylenol. As I passed a nurse taking care of another one of my patients, she pointed her head towards my crying patient smirking, "Did you do that circ?"

- Good times with friends and fam. I got to catch up with Megdub over Patachou breakfast. I may have to make this stop a Sat AM ritual in order to start the weekend off with their amazing cinnamon toast! We had a great Bible study on Wednesday. We are in the beginnings of a study in Daniel and this has made for good teaching and discussion.

- Leimomi, a long-time music teacher and friend, provided the sweet opportunity to sing some of her intelligently-crafted music. She is working on a demo album with the help of her daughter and family friend who work together at a recording company in Nashville. In a few weeks, God willing, we will travel to Tennessee to record two demo tracks of songs that she has written. I am excited for the opportunity to record a demo with Liz and Leimomi and pretend to be Tim McGraw for a day.

There have been many other things to share from the week but my blogging time is up. If you have a moment, please pray for my boards studying.

Have a great week, all. Fix yourself some cinnamon toast.