After a month?!

Residency began June 16th over a month ago. We began with orientation where fifty strangers were put together be begin this new journey. This journey that would involve "saving lives", training through sweat and blood, with tears and laughter. This is what bonded us on day one. After much laughter and fun we were split our separate ways. The path chosen for me was actually the lighter path. My story of residency doesn't begin with grueling call schedules, no all nighters, no fingers in bullet wounds or 3 am pages for a stat colase. It begins with the leisurely schedule of the outpatient clinics. None the less, even though my hours were not sleep deprived the lessons were not sparse.

Fear #1 when becoming a pediatrician..."The impostor!" I always worried that parents would ask me...the intern with no kids...how to raise their 7th kid. They would soon find out I'm an impostor! Well, my fear was absolutely appropriate because I have been asked is my son's biting normal? What about those temper tantrums...he screams and I just can't stop him. Oh and what about potty training? Did I ask you about when to start solids? Oh and what about that car seat law? Sun screen? Insect repellent? Soaps? Detergents? Umbilical cords? Formula? Cereal? Diapers? Belly button outties? Hiccups? Blue hands and feet? Bathing? Breast feeding? Sibling trouble? School preparation? Dental visits? Fluoride in the water? Can I give them water? You get the picture. I quickly realized this course wasn't offered in medical school. How in the world am I suppose to know what to say?! These women have read more parenting books than me. Should I subscribe to Parenting Magazine? Should I have a few kids to figure it out? Then I decided just take a deep breath and ask the experts. I frequently ask the attendings and guess what? Most parents have the same questions so once you get a few of these experiences down you can look like a pro. Most parents just want reassurance that what they are doing is good. I can do that! I can encourage! So fear #1 is not over as everyday a new question is asked but I'm not afraid to say...I'm not sure, that's a new question for me and a good question let me find out for you.

The outpatient world has been filled with lots of adventure and cool cases! The funniest story would have to be the donkey bite. Yes you read correctly. "Bit by a donkey". I walked in the 6 yr old's room and said with as straight of a face as humanly possible. "Hi! Can you tell me what happened?" After about five minutes which included conversation about the bunnies, goats, sheep, which finally led up to the donkey she told the very gruesome story of how "the donkey took only only the carrot but part of her finger and BLOOD SQUIRTED EVERYWHERE!" She's six mind you and I would be exaggerating if I even called it a scrape. None the less it was hilarious and since no parties where harmed (not too much at least) it made it officially a great story!

I've seen some really amazing patients and cases. I still don't know what I want to do with my life. Outpatient world? Inpatient world? Chronic patients? Acute patients? What types of illnesses or all types? I have no idea.

Things I do know. I was inspired by a precious patient with arthrogryopsis-a birth defect causing malformed, rigid joints and bones and muscle atrophy. She was a light! So bright eyed, smart, and determined. Not a bit of sadness or self-pity apparent in her. She was what beauty is.

Things I know. I saw teenagers and liked it. I liked encouraging them. Telling them they can do it. Telling them the decisions they make are so important. Telling them that birth control and condoms don't protect them from all STDs but most important they don't protect their heart. To stay away from drugs and do their very best in school. Showing them someone cares. I loved the moment to share pearls. To try and show them hope and direction.

Things I know. I don't like too much repetition. Too many well child checks in a roll drain me. Too many viral illnesses in a roll drain me. Hmmm...that's all I know.

So I write one month in and about to start my next endeavor in newborn nursery we shall see what else I know or realize I don't know.