It’s the Final Countdown…

Today was the first day of orientation for my intern year of residency.  It was fantastic!  We went on a team-building/ropes course excursion.  Needless to say, I was kind of glad that most of the events were on the ground except for two.  But I did those two (mostly).  I think it’s an accomplishment that I was even hanging out 20 feet above the ground with nothing between me and it but the air (other than the tethers holding me up for when I fell).

Our mentor/leader was great.  She really made sure that we were safe and comfortable with what we were getting ready to do.  She also made sure that we each had a voice and that we participated, were thoughtful and worked together through each activity.  Besides hanging out above ground, we did a couple trust building exercises, activities that forced us to work as a team and made us think, communicate and collaborate.  It was a very active day that my legs are quite upset about.

I loved my team.  I think that the small group will be my “venting” group for the next year.  Basically, the group that I will meet with periodically, along with a facilitator, to make sure everyone is happy, healthy, and not burnt out.  I’m excited.  I think we worked well together and really relaxed into supporting and cheering each other on.  I’m excited to know that these people will be my personal cheerleaders over the next year, and I will be able to be theirs.  It’s an awesome way to begin a relatively daunting year.  It will be a lot of work, stressful at times, a huge learning curve, but man do I have an awesome group of people to now call colleagues and friends.  I couldn’t ask for a better group of interns to start my medical career with.  Onward and upward!!

On Medicine

In death, we must learn to celebrate life.  That, I think is the biggest thing I have learned in the past two years: in death, we must learn to celebrate life.  I have now been to the funerals of two children that I have cared for, both under the age of 15.  It doesn’t get easier.  Although I won’t be going into pediatrics, I will still remember these children.  They will be part of who I am for a very, very long time.  The pain I felt for them, I will remember each time a patient dies.  They are all like family.  It doesn’t matter how old or young.  All have family and friends that love them, have memories with them, had imagined their future.  I have fallen into that as well at times, and that’s okay; that’s good.  I may not always be able to become as strongly a member of a patient’s life and family, but I can always be empathetic for the families that are going through very difficult times.  I will try to always be understanding and compassionate and empathetic.  There’s not much else I can truly promise as a doctor except to give fully and do the best I can with what I know and have to offer.