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This post is definitely not here for bragging purposes. I've needed something like this for a while, especially since I didn't do too well on my intraining exam and I'm about to start studying for my Step 3. This past Wednesday I had procedure clinic. We did mostly skin biopsies which are my favorite. This is what my preceptor had to say about it:

"i was very impressed with dr.(insert my last name here)'s skills during the 1/23/08 procedure clinic. she demonstrated the skills and initiative normally seen with a third year."

Death

Yes, I know. What a morbid subject to be talking about, but death and the subject of mortality are all around me lately. It might have a lot to do with the fact that I work at a hospital, but nevertheless, it's been on my mind quite often.

It all started during my Medicine rotation when half of our list of patients were cancer patients. Some were newly diagnosed with terminal cancer, while others have had cancer for a long time and were losing the battle. One in particular is a woman who has breast cancer that spread to her brain and bones, leaving her in excruciating pain. She is 33 years old, has two children and is slowly trying to process and come to terms with the fact that she will never be normal again, and probably won't live to see her children grow up. Just from that example alone I think you can appreciate why I am writing about this subject.

Onto personal matters, my uncle was diagnosed with throat cancer a few months ago. He is in the process of getting treated with chemotherapy and radiation. He has six children and is now using a gastric tube to receive nutrition because the radiation has affected his ability to swallow and take in food by mouth. I had finally come to terms with that, and felt okay about the whole thing when I found out that my ex-boyfriend's dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He's like a second father to me and has always supported me. Needless to say it hit home and was really too much to take. It made me think of what if my parents were the ones diagnosed with cancer? What would I do?

As a child I would think about death all the time. For some reason my mom would always take me to funerals because she had no one else to go with, so I was terrified of death and would cry to my mom saying that I didn't want to die. That phase eventually passed and I hadn't really pondered my own mortality until I got the news that Heath Ledger died unexpectedly. He was my age. I think his death impacted me, and a lot of other people, because he wasn't exactly one of those actors who were “at risk” for this sort of thing(that we know of.) The fact that he was so young really made me realize that we could all go any minute. It's quite scary and depressing!

The whole point of this blog is not to depress anyone, but to give you guys a little perspective. We're all mortal and we are all here for a finite amount of time. Shouldn't we spend what time we have in this world doing things that are worthwhile? Are you happy in life? If not, why not and what can you do to make yourself happier? Sure, there are things that are lacking in my life, which I am working on and searching for. I could give up and say I'll never get those things, but that's what life is all about: the journey. I am a product of the experiences I have had, all the hardships I have faced and people I've come in contact with. With that in mind, I feel like I'm pretty blessed with my friends, family and the way my life has turned out. Am I ready to die? Hell no. But if I were to die, I would hope that I could go knowing that I had tried my best to live a fulfilled life, with great appreciation for the people who have helped me accomplish such a feat.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know
p.s. really sad about Heath Ledger's passing. :(

The following is an email I sent out to a group of friends in response to some questions that were asked during dinner. Since I worked so hard on it, I figured it could serve as a blog. I'm trying to blog at least once a month(it was once a week, but that's not gonna happen).








This email has come about thanks to Yolanda’s inquisitive nature which subsequently inspired Jason, Alex and I to ask some questions of our own on the car ride home last night.

1. What are the different types of Panko?
-There are two forms of panko. White panko is made from crustless bread, while tan panko is made with the entire loaf. Both types are usually sold plain, and panko can in fact be rather bland. However, the crumbs absorb flavor readily, making them an extremely versatile ingredient. Some companies also make seasoned panko with popular Asian spices.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-panko.htm

2. What’s the difference between Au Gratin and Scalloped potatoes?

"Scalloped potatoes are a milk based potato dish. Thepotatoes are usually sliced very thinly although what technically makesit 'scalloped' is the milk base. A gratin on the other hand is any dishthat is topped with cheese and/or bread crumbs and layered with bits ofbutter and is baked until brown and crispy. People often get themconfused and use the terms interchangeably. However, gratins can be madewith a variety of vegetables”http://food.families.com/blog/ask-a-food-blogger-scalloped-potatoes-vs-potatoes-au-gratin

3. (While discussing Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons in the car)
a. What is it called when you have a word/words and you rearrange the letters to make a different word/words? Ex: sliver = livers
anagrams :(LATIN ana- 'again' + gramma 'letter') defined as words made from the letters of another word. an anagram does not have to use all the letters of the first word. You create words using only the letters that create names or words, or phrases or sentences, and these words within names or words are anagrams.

perfect anagrams : defined as using all the letters of a word or name to make another name or meaning or revealing from the first. To claim a miracle real, you have to be a miracle claimer.
(This one is a bit confusing and a bit more philosophical but eh, you get the picture….my head hurts.)

b. What is it called when you have a word or group of words, that can be read backwards and forwards? Ex: a man a plan a canal panama, or civicpalindromes(GREEK palin ("back") and dromos ("way, direction") ) : definition : same spelling forward and backwards, and so reads same forwards as backwards
c. What is it called when a word(usually) or figure is drawn a certain way that you can read backwards, forwards, upside down? Example below
ambigrams(ambi=both, gram=word) - names, phrases or words made to read the same forward and backwards, reversed upside down. The master of Ambigrams is John Landgon. You can see many examples of his art at the web site of John Langdon, including his creation of the Angels and Demons ambigram as used in Dan Brown's books, Angels and Demons