Yes. I've started my second semester of PA school, and was reminded by a friend that I have only posted 3 times. The lack of posts these last few months was due to the fact that I was extremely and incredibly overwhelmed by school. Going back to school 4 years after undergrad has been quite an experience. The summer was hard for me. I spent my time either studying or sitting in class. Occasionally sleeping. It got to be that if there was a choice between sleep and fixing my hair/putting on makeup, I inevitably chose sleep. I would wake up in the morning, throw on some scrubs, spend 2 seconds putting on a little eyeliner and walk out the door. I'm not even sure why I spent time on the eyeliner since it was gone after a few hours. Perhaps it made me feel as if I hadn't totally thrown all my "caring about myself" out the window. My mom had a nice shoulder that I would fall asleep on during church. Sleep was precious.
The times we had last summer were crazy. Anatomy lab with cadaver dissection was by far an experience that few have the opportunity to go through. At the beginning of the summer, everyone changed in the bathroom. A few weeks later, and no one even bothered anymore. It was locker room changing, but without the locker room. Oh how much I've seen! One of the Anatomy professors (who shall remain nameless) provided endless entertainment and amusement for us all. I will never forget what we did in that lab. I never thought I would actually saw open another human. Or dig poo out of their butt. Or hold their heart and lungs in my own hands. It was on one hand, an incredible time where I learned so much, and at the same time, so morbid...you begin to forget that you are actually cutting another human being, and you just do your job for the day. Oh my...the experiences of the summer. Phlebotomy was another interesting time. For a whole week, I was up at 4am, to be at the hospital by 5am. We went to various wards, so that I could practice my blood drawing technique. Which is, I suppose, not too bad, except for the fact that I am an incurable night owl, and cannot sleep before midnight. Needless to say, that week was not good for me. 4 hours or less of sleep a night, and I do not function well. At least I'm not a grumpy tired...I'm more of a "complacent" tired. My roomie put up with a lot from me. Her boyfriend did too. Thanks to both of them for not thinking I was losing my mind, and letting me have my "mini-out bursts". But the first semester of PA school is over and we have started our second!!
I had a very short, 13 day break between Summer and Fall semesters. Went by so fast. I spent most of my waking hours in the OR. I am happiest when I am there. I think it is because people come in with a medical problem, and they can leave improved. A woman can come in with cancer in her breast, and 15 hours later, it's gone, and she has a new breast as well. Children with their face eaten off by a pet dog, can have it reconstructed. The ugly hole left on a face after Melanoma has been removed can be hidden. This is what makes me happiest. To know that I have done something useful or made someone else happy or improved a life somehow. I leave the hospital, after spending 10 hours there, my feet and back aching, but I am satisfied. If I could spend the rest of my life doing this, I would be the happiest woman alive. Truly.
With the start of the second semester, I am trying to be less stressed. Still taking a lot of hours (17), but I feel as if I have more time. I am running again, and training for the White Rock Half Marathon on December. Several of my classmates are doing it as well, so it will be a grand time. The classes are more clinically based now, which is more exciting. Our first block is Dermatology. Having worked in Plastic Surgery for 3 years, I am not happy about studying Derm. But oh well. I shall learn it if I have to. A pimple is a pimple is a pimple. I know that's not entirely true, but it is in my mind.
It's hard to believe that in 11.5 months, I will be starting my hospital rotations. I feel as if I could never learn enough to be able to confidently do what I will need to be doing. But it will come in time I suppose.
I am now getting decent sleep, but the semester has only started. Who knows what is to come? At least I don't fall asleep in church anymore, and have time to pick out decent clothes and put on a bit of makeup. But the fact of the matter is this: I survived! I'm excited to see what will happen this semester, as we start with our first pseudo-patients this Thursday. There are many tests and papers looming, but it will all work out. God always sustains me!
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