Getting Bored?

Well, I think I am getting the hang of working in the Acute Care Unit because I am not really finding it too challenging this week. I know that they have been trying to keep my caseload simple and low so that I can get orientated, but I think it may be time to step it up a notch. I have to say that I do really like my patients, even the guy who sneaked booze into the hospital was surprisingly good to work with. The turnaround time is quick, however, so I only see people for 3-5 days before they either head home or to rehab. The whole point of acute care is get people up out of bed and moving around as independently as possible as quick as possible. Not a lot of patient follow up, so I really don't know how my patients end up doing in the long term. I think that is why I'd like working in a rehab hospital where you work with patients for weeks to months and get to help them make some significant progress.

I am already thinking about my year long clinical and have a list in mind: Spaulding Rehab Hospital, Rehab Institute of Chicago, University of Michigan, Portsmouth Regional, MGH, Newton-Wellesley, Faulkner, and Brigham and Women's. I have to work on my resume this month and then I'll be sending it out to these places to see where I am interviewing in May/June. Then I'll rank my choices while the hospitals ranks theirs, and then I'll be matched in July. I can't believe I am almost done!

The pirates of 350 Allston

Pirates of 350 Allston
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

I headed back home this weekend to attend Matt & Rob's housewarming party. The theme was Pirates, and here they are proudly standing on the deserted island in their livingroom. I came as a beer wench and filled many an empty mug throughout the evening. (Pictures of me to follow, once I get a hold of the ones Matt took!).

A couple of friends of mine showed up, but mainly it was Rob's B-School friends and Matt's friends from the ALB. Not everyone dressed up unfortunately, but those who did really went all out (as evidenced by the picture of our hosts).

It was great to be back down in Boston, and the rest of the weekend was more laid back, but it was still hard to leave :(

An interesting day...

So, my first patient of the day was supposed to be a gentleman that I evaluated yesterday who had undergone a total hip replacement. He tolerated walking well, and it should have been an easy 30 minute treatment session... Apparently my patient took it upon himself to drink 4 bottles of Brandy (I'm guessing airplane sized) and attempt to walk on his own at 1am. He fell when getting out of bed, and proceeded to break his ankle on the same side as his hip replacement. Surprisingly he did not dislocate his hip in the process. He was heavily medicated when we went to see him in the AM and slotted for surgery to internally fixate his ankle. The plan is now to re-evaluate him tomorrow.

What was supposed to be a simple total joint replacement to "get my feet wet" has definitely become a bit more complicated... I'll have to see how he is doing tomorrow, and perhaps discuss how drinking may not be the best thing to accelerate his recovery.

Maybe Acute Care is going to be more exciting than I originally thought... definitely keeps you on your toes!

Erik and Matt

Erik and Matt
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

I forgot to upload this photo over Christmas, but here is a picture of Erik and Matt goofing around at Sligo's on our 12 bar Christmas Pub Crawl.

I think this is bar 7 or so.... I don't exactly know what they are doing here, but it looks like they are having a good time :)

Greetings from the land of ice and snow!

After a treacherous commute up Friday night, which involved one spin out where thankfully no one was injured and Anna was able to negotiate her car out of the snow bank and get us back on the highway, we settled in after arriving at 2am. We couldn't believe all the snow outside when we finally dragged ourselves out of bed and the house. There are drifts of over 5 feet in some areas (apparently this is where the snow has been hiding).

The people I am living with are great and luckily had the bed all ready for us with multiple comforters and blankets. We all went skiing together at Smuggler's Notch on Sunday (amazing conditions), and then proceeded to watch multiple spin outs while we tried to keep our own car on the road getting down the frozen access road. oh, this is after I fell on the ice in the parking lot and landed with my board on top of me... no broken bones, although I am awaiting a sizable thigh bruise.

Found the shuttle bus at 7am this morning and had a good first day. My CI is really nice, although a bit nervous as I am her first student at FAHC... we'll see how it pans out. So far, she seems to know her stuff although is a bit scattered at times. She is ready for me to begin treating patients tomorrow, that is of course if I can find their rooms as this hospital is a labyrinth!

Oh, and it is supposed to be -6 degrees tomorrow morning!