Wow, it has been a while since I posted anything substantial. We are in Charleston now. I have been working in the university hospital system here. I did a month of required general surgery (laparoscopic and open gallbladders, appendices, hernias, bowel surgeries, colon cancer, wound debridements) and then a second month of required surgery elective in Urology (stone disease, prostate, bladder and renal cancers, urostomies, radical prostates, penile implants, and more catheters than you could shake a stick at). My brother-in-law Mike is going to be a Urologist some day. I think he's made a good choice. One of the coolest procedures I observed was laser lithotripsy. The most interesting surgery was an anterior pelvic exenteration with a urostomy using an ileal conduit. Overall surgery left a good taste in my mouth. Of course I haven't seen my evaluations yet.
Now after two weeks of research and then two more months of family medicine, I will trade my short white coat for a long white lab jacket. I have appreciated the many preceptors, students, residents, and attendings, the nurses and ancillary staff members, and all of the people, especially my patients, who taught me so much about medicine and myself.
I am also tremendously grateful for my family, especially my sweetheart Jennifer. Without her not only would this all not be worth it, but I would never have been able to make it. She is truly extraordinary.
