Words of advice

Today, seemed like a normal day. Rounds at the Bayview Rehabilitation center was the morning task and I was looking forward to learning how things were different from back home. I rounded with an OT (Occupational Therapist) for an hour when she took me towards the speech pathologist's office. Excited as can be I introduced myself to both her and the patient, wanting to have a closer look at what was at some point my Plan B career. Mr. O is a >65 year old man who has had major medical issues; tongue cancer, and a stroke in his brainstem, both clear indicators that this man would have problems with swallowing and speech, of course, throughout his life. Mr. O tries to do as best he can blurting out a yes or no with some hesitation and lots of work. He relies on an alphabet card pointing towards every letter to spell out what he wants to express. I smile as he waves back presenting some Parkinson in his right hand. The speech pathologist explains his case; his speech muscles have deteriorated due to his previous conditions and are unable to get better because he needs to have a device set in his trachea at all times to help with swallowing. I felt terrible for this man, who seemed so eager to communicate with us both.

It was now time for him to wait outside, until the physical therapist was able to take care of his other needs. The speech pathologist says goodbye, turns to him and asks; "Hey, Mr. O, do you have any advice for Cristina? I know you've seen a lot of doctors in your lifetime." Mr. O looks at me with his piercing blue eyes, extends his right hand towards the alphabet card, and slowly spells..."B..E.....P..A..T..I..E..N..T"

My heart dropped and my eyes teared. It was then when I again understood why I want to be a doctor, it was also then when I was committed to Mr. O's words.

Traveling through the US

For the next 3 weekends I'll be visiting 3 US cities. I never thought I'd spend so little time in Baltimore, hahaha. That's ok, I'll have a couple of weekends to make up. I'm now getting ready, until a car comes and takes me away to some fun.

Next week we'll start working on the dialysis clinics!!!!! And I might finally see a kidney transplant!!!! Oh, the excitement!!!!!

Missing

I haven't written in a while.....blame med school. Now as I'm in my little studio, relocated in Baltimore. I think, and feel the need to share.

Baltimore has been great, met a bunch of people, seeing patients is my favorite part of the day, I'm meeting with my mentor next week and that excites me, can't wait to regularly visit the clinics, public transportation STINKS, and Hopkins has been amazing to me.

Today I was walking somewhere and this feeling of need came over me, I missed a bunch of people. And it's not that to this point I haven't missed anyone but just today is when I felt the magnitude of missing someone, or a lot of people, in my case.

What do people do to not feel this way? Do you just ignore it and occupy your mind with something else? I can't escape it, maybe it was the way I was raised, maybe it was the fact that about 5 years ago was when I started dealing with the fact that life changes, people move and change their minds.

Then I asked myself, well, who do you REALLY miss? The list came quickly. A wonderful group of family, friends and not-anymore-friends. As a typical type A personality I tried to look for the perfect solution to this emotional necessity, but there was none. I couldn't get all those wonderful people in a room together and have a big get-together with them. I couldn't possibly call them all today and tell them how much I missed and loved them. I could just hope that soon enough I'll get to see them again, and I will, for the most part see them in time.

I have to go now, must book a flight! Can't wait!