January Recap

What the scrud? It's February already? Where has the time gone? Oh, yeah, I just got through "Black January" at school, which is probably the worst stretch of my medical school career. It is called this because of the ridiculous slew of tests, quizzes, and other requirements that preclude you from seeing the light of day! It has been very draining on me physically and mentally. But I only have 1 more test before finals! It really has been a pretty solid butt-kicking for me this quarter. Yeah, it's busy, but it seems more like I've been in a funk since returning from Christmas break and I haven't been able to get into my groove. But I've squeaked by okay. It's also been busy trying to figure out what I am going to do for my 3rd year clinical rotations. We have to try to schedule where you want your cores, what elective you want to take, not to mention trying to set up military rotations. I'm also applying for a predoctoral fellowship program in osteopathic medicine. In this program, I would be helping teach the 1st and 2nd year OMM labs at school, as well as spend every other month working in the school's osteopathic specialty clinic, where I would be seeing my own patients! It's a totally awesome experience, and would be a huge asset to my clinician skills! But, as a tradeoff, my clincal rotation period that normally lasts 2 years (the 3rd and 4th years of med school,) would be extended an extra year so that I would be able to alternate working in the clinic as well as completing all my normal rotations. I would be receiving excellent training, but even if I am selected, I am not sure if I will be able to do it due to my obligations with the Army. They are paying for 4 years of medical school and want me in one of their residency programs as soon as I graduate. I am trying to convince them that by giving me an extra year, I will be able to be an even better Army doc. My request is currently going up the chain of command, which is no speedy process, unfortunately. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

One of our school requirements is to do a rural rotation, and I have decided to return to Cedar City, one of my favorite places on earth, and the home of my undergrad, Southern Utah University! I love that place and it will be fun for us to go up there for a month and see everyone again! I tentatively have it set up for March 2009 (a peak time to see some gymnastics meets), but that might change depending on the outcome of the fellowship position.

I have also completed my solo OSCE's (orientation to student clinical experience), which was very nerve wreaking. It was like being in a real doctor setting and we had to apply all the information we've gathered over the last year and a half to patient scenarios. We are in a real exam room and are monitored and evaluated by a facilitator behind a 1 way window. There is a simulated patient in the room and we complete an exam based on our findings, then write up a SOAP note, which documents our findings, our diagnosis, and our treatment goals. It was a really good experience for me to see where my strengths an weaknesses lie, and try to improve upon them.

On the home front, Tayscen is now 7 months old! Isn't that crazy? He has truly discovered the joy of food and eats a ton! Meghan has been making his babyfood, but he is eating a lot more than we expected him to! He just loves to eat! He also loves the biter biscuits and Zwiback toast! Braylei never liked the babyfood that much! He is also finally rolling over a lot more now and is growing more aware of his surroundings by the day! Braylei has loved being potty-trained and is doing so well with it! She has a little sticker chart where she gets a sticker and a little treat each time she goes. She is also making leaps and bounds with her alphabet. She knows all her letters and what sounds they make, and can spell her own name! Meghan has been working with her every day, as she focuses on a letter each week and does numerous activities that go with that letter. At the end of the week, Braylei has a little letter book that she made and she even traced the letter B by herself! That was crazy to me!

On a more sober note, Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away on January 27 at the age of 97. To his last days, he was filled with joviality, kindness, wit and compassion. Through his leadership, the LDS church has grown so much. President Hinckley was the prophet since well before I joined the LDS church in 2002. Even before I joined the church, I had the utmost respect for him. A kinder, more genuine individual I have never known. He was truly a disciple of Christ and a champion of humanity. Regardless of religious affiliation, no one can say a negative thing about Gordon B. Hinckley. He was loved by all, making himself open to the media, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush, which is the highest award given to a civilian. I know that I am a much better person because of his leadership, counsel and wisdom, and I know that he was a true prophet of God.

On a lesser note, I suffered another loss this month. My 4th generation 60GB iPod Photo, which I have had since 2005, went caput for good after a multiple month battle with freezing. "Old Bricky" was a hard drive based iPod, and was subjected to a lot of jostling, as it was a daily running companion to me. I was deeply saddened by this loss, and neither my workouts or daily commutes have been the same since.

Also this month, one of our good friends, Jill Stevens, competed for Miss America 2008! Jill, who was Miss Utah, was one of Meghan's roommates our freshman year, and was a Presidential Ambassador with me at SUU! Jill is also a medic in the Utah Army National Guard, and had completed a tour of duty to Afghanistan. It was so fun to watch her in both the pagent and on the TLC reality show leading up to the contest. It is always nice to see someone of such genuine character stand so firmly in her morals. She was even voted as America's Choice finalist! Of course we thought she should have won, but she represented not only the state of Utah, but the United States Army as well! Great job, Jill!