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September 13
Another week down. This week we went deeper into the joints of the hip and the leg. I actually saw the head of the femur bone get popped out of socket. It made the coolest crack sound when it came out. That was the highlight of anatomy lab this week. Everyone is so stressed about the first big anatomy test this Tuesday, as we are responsible for the bones, nerves, arteries, veins, muscles, biomechanics and clinical applications that apply to them all. Oh yeah, and radiographs and cross-sections and plastinated models.
Can I upgrade my brain to a newer model please?
I have been in a month now and it feels longer than that, definitely. Some of my classmates are already driving me insane and I can’t imagine spending two more years with them. So far there are:
Question Boy (who asks the dumbest things you can think of); Skeleton Boy (I’m like if you don’t know those bones you’ve been studying for a month by now…I don’t think you’re going to. And he does, he gets all As. Just annoying); Fruit Rollup (I didn’t think they still made them). I actually don’t mind his personality, it’s just that those things are so incredibly loud when you open em). That’s just the beginning. I’ll keep adding as I think of them.
There are some great people too, just not enough!
I think the worst part right now is being tired all the time and always feeling behind with everything. Also never knowing what’s going on in the real world. Last night I forced myself to turn on the Weather Channel and the news to see what was happening with Hurricane Ike. So then my reality check bounced and decided to say a quick prayer for people who had to leave home or have no electricity, turn out my own light and go to bed.

White Coat

Hey and yes it has been longer than I intended to post a new blog. Part of the reason is because I have no internet at home and the main reason is All I Do Is Study. I had the big idea I would just write this in Word and post it later when I had internet access so here is another post (finally). I’ll try to make these posts as entertaining as possible, so you all will read and comment, too.
I just took my first huge test of med school this morning (3 subjects on one test=fun!). Honestly, I just hope I pass. Okay, so test talk is boring. Cadaver talk…is that what you came for? We have dissected the back and have moved down to the gluteal and lower leg, front and back. I’m not bragging but I have really gotten good at carefully dissecting out veins, arteries and nerves. I actually enjoy it very much. I would consider going into Surgery if I was younger. Anyway. The first test in Anatomy will take the entire day our schedule says: One part written, one part practical (meaning they “tag” things and you go around and hope like heck you know how to ID it). It is gonna be killer and I mean Killer! There’s so much stuff in the back and leg (the leg!!), it’s insane. Well there I go with test talk again. Sorry bout that.
*Caution: This next part could get corny.
This Saturday is our White Coat Ceremony. Today, we had our class picture made with our coats on, out on the field on campus. They aren’t anything great, just thin white lab coats with the school’s emblem patch on the left arm. But, I was really overwhelmed with emotion as I put it on and stood for our picture. I was looking out across campus at the gold letters spelling West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, I was looking at all of us in our coats, the sun was shining. I thought about crazy shifts I worked at the hospital to go to school, I thought about my friends and family who had encouraged me along the way and prayed for me, I thought about Granny. I just couldn’t help but feel so proud and blessed to be standing there! I wish you all could have seen my smile. The lack of sleep, lack of fun, all the sacrifices were worth it right then! I know it’s only been a month in and there are years ahead of me and “all it takes is all I’ve got.” I tried to send telepathic “thank you’s” and “love you’s” and “look, I did it’s!” to you all. If you didn’t get them today at about 12:35 p.m., you’re reading it now ;)
2 minutes to midnight. Anatomy is calling my name! Please comment if you have the time.
Lori

The Beginning

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

After working so hard for so long, I was finally sitting in my first med school lecture. Today was our first real day of class, after surviving a week of orientation. We heard lectures on everything imaginable (but hey, lunch was provided, so can't complain). We are told attending medical school is a privilege, we are told we beat out 2900 other applicants who would kill to have our seats, we are told we will be held to a higher standard (for the rest of our lives), we will suffer more in the next few years than most people can imagine, we are told it will be worth it. We are student doctors! I am thrilled, I am scared, I am tired (already !, ?). I am thankful I am here.

I hope to post on here at least once a week. I have good intentions, but when they say Anatomy is overwhelming, it is an understatement. I hope to post some pictures as well.

I am studying in the lecture hall this evening (with a few other die-hards) and had to run out to the car to grab some back bones from my box of bones in my trunk (no they're not real, just "clones"). I have to say, you know you're in med school when you walk through the parking lot with an entire spinal column in your hand and no one gives it a second glance.

More soon,
Lori