Where the heck did May go? Normally, when I start a new rotation, the first week is nerve wrackng as I adjust and learn the most common problems and how to deal with them. Then the second 2 weeks are pretty smooth and then the last week you count the hours til it's over. Not so this month.....the beginning of the month wasn't really all that nerve wracking and well I thought it was still the beginning of the month! I'm finishing up my neurology rotation which as some of you may remember, is a field I almost went in to. I truly love neurology and I have enjoyed my month despite the fact that it has been the most tragic month of my year.
We've had more than our fair share of brain tumors this month......4 to be exact. One will be fatal, heart breaking for all involved to imagine that this beautiful 11 year old will likely not live to see 13. One was pleasantly benign....and all removed a tremendous relief to their parents. Two the future remains uncertain with one still trying to survive the surgery and the second awaiting multiple pathologists verdict about what the heck he has. Then there was my sweet toddler that come in with eyes that wouldn't stay still new onset of loss of balance. Her symptoms have a name.....opsoclonus myoclonus. And this symptom is associated with neuroblastoma, a terrible childhood cancer about 50% of the time. So I went in search of a tumor, and sadly I found what I was looking for. A tumor in her chest. My fingers are crossed for her.....usually children that present with the eye and balance problems do well. I will keep praying. And finally, my current patient, 3 months old, that came in with new onset seizures....and a CT scan that showed that large parts of his brain did not develop. Or worse, his brain may be degrading. So hard to tell the parents this, a normal baby to them one day....and now a future of total and complete uncertainty.
Truly an emotionally difficult month. I'm learning to leave things at the hospital when I leave though....that helps. And I like the people I'm working with this month. Another plus. My last day of neurology is Thursday. Then I start my final month of my intern year. The year has gone so fast (sure hope June does as well). My finial month is on a General Pediatrics team.....lots of asthma, pneumonia, gastro, etc. Not my favorite but I'll survive.
On the stitching front, I manage to stitch about once a week or so. I've started studyng for boards so I have less free time....and well I like to play in the yard to. Still working on Live Simply, the RAK from Lori. It;s coming along great! You can see it here.
I also did some stash shopping today. Bought the 2 Mirabilia fairies I didn't own and some beads, fabric and floss for some reindeer.
Until next time!
