Baby Steps

I still don't feel 100%, but I am getting stronger every day. I am sure by 15th that I'll be ready to start my family medicine clerkship. Every day I have been trying to go out and run errands, walk and just get up and about. I am not allowed to work out for a few more weeks, but I am able to go walking around the mall, a large store, and even going to the hospital to visit old friends for several hours, which I couldn't do a week and a half ago. It is a little scary to start moving again after surgery because there is a fear of pain and weakness after being so helpless, but at some point you just have to start trying and I've been surprising myself on occasion.

I am getting both excited and incredibly nervous to head back to school. I've been looking forward to my clerkships since I started medical school. In fact during the first two years of medical school when things got tough, I would remind myself to keep my eye on the prize: being in the hospital learning practical medicine rather than just book medicine. Now that I am ready to start the part I've been looking for, I am nervous. I hope that I am competent, knowledgeable, compassionate and tough enough to get through the next phase of my training. I have had higher grades every semester of medical school (as every semester is more clinical and practical than the last) so anticipate that I will do great in this next phase of my training. But, I am still a bit nervous...of course anything new in life and worth doing is often daunting.

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley

This month was not at all as I planned. I was suppose to have a minor surgery, which turned into a major surgery. I was so lucky that everything ended up being benign and I will be back on my feet and moving closer to finishing my doctorate in no time; however, the last month has been very trying.

My surgery was suppose to be outpatient, but since it turned into a major surgery I had to stay for about three and a half days in the hospital. I was really lucky in that I had a room to my self and my Mom was able to get off work and stay with me. They even brought in a cot for her, which she said was shockingly comfortable. I think I was in a remodeled room--there were beautiful hardwood floors, blueish/purple paint on the wall and a full (very nice) bathroom.

As a medical student, it was interesting to experience how suddenly and unexpectedly one can become a patient, who is so dependent on others to help with everyday needs. Because of my surgery, I could barely sit up for the first week or two. I felt like a baby who was rapidly going back through development milestones. Despite my complaining, I am recovering and I will be okay. Many others are not as lucky as I have been, even with my unexpected more invasive surgery.

I was so lucky to have my family and friends come and visit me, call to check up on me, and to my shock to send me flowers. I didn't realize how much flowers would brighten my days. I was surprised that I had three bouquets sent to me while in the hospital and one house plant arrived the day after I got home (see picture at the top of the post). I was even more shocked that I got two more bouquets the week after my surgery. I have had beautiful flowers for a month! I didn't know flowers could last so long.

Christmas Flowers

Farley bought me a beautiful bouquet of Christmas Lilies. When the lilies arrived they were all buds and they have been opening over the last five days. They are even more beautiful in person:

The Davenport Hotel Christmas Trees

On Sunday morning, I went to brunch with my parents, my aunt and uncle at the Davenport Tower. The food was great but the company was even better. After having a great breakfast, we headed over to the Davenport Hotel to look at the Christmas decorations and the charity Christmas trees that were up for auction on the second level.

Above: The giant, multi-story tree in the center of the hotel lobby

Below: Mom, Dad and me in front of the giant tree

Below are the pictures of the trees that are being auctioned for charity.

Above is a tree that has paper flowers on it and below there is a paper flower bouquet. The third picture is a close up of the paper flowers.

Here are the rest of the Christmas Trees:

The Lion King

On Saturday night, my friend Kelly and her husband Gabe invited me to join them to go to see Lion King at the Spokane Opera House. After leaving their beautiful little girl at home with her grandma, we headed to a Japanese restaurant for dinner. After dinner we headed downtown very early to ensure that we got parking. We had a few hours, so we headed to Zola for a glass of wine. Zola is a super cute and classy bar that has live music. Here is a picture:

Next, we headed to the Spokane Opera House for the show. Here is a picture of Kelly and I outside.

Here is the cool curtain that was hanging before the show.

This is a picture of us excited and waiting for the show.
Here is the program.

The show was amazing. I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but this was something else. I can't even describe who wonderful it was. The dancing, acting, singing, costumes, masks and puppets. I assume that the shows in Las Vegas and New York have even bigger ensemble cast, which would mean more beautiful animals. Even if the show is exactly the same, I'd love to see the show again. Click here for a link to pictures from The Lion King.

On Sunday, I went to breakfast with my parents, aunt and uncle at the Davenport Tower. They had some masks on display from the Lion King.

Above: Simba as an adult lion

Below: Zazu

Above: Scar (the evil uncle)

Below: Mufasa (Simba's Dad)

Friday Girls and Guy Night

Friday night I finally got to see my friend Rachel. We went to dinner at Europa in downtown Spokane for dinner. It was packed and the food was great, as usual. After having dinner, we wanted to go down to River Park Square to window shop. There was absolutely no parking: nothing on the streets nothing in the lots. While we were searching aimlessly, Rachel got a call from an old friend so we decided to meet him up north for desert and drinks. We had a great time and had lots of laughs.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year. Mom and I did our baking on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. We had to make an Oreo cheesecake for dinner at my aunt and uncle's house and we had to make pumpkin bars with cream cheese for the neighbors. I got up early and worked out so that I could enjoy every last morsel. First we headed to the neighbors to visit a bit before heading out to the relatives house for dinner. I haven't seen some of my cousins and their children since before I left for medical school. It was extremely exciting to see everyone. We had a great dinner and a wonderful time visiting with everyone. After dinner, we headed back to the neighbors to visit for a while before heading home to retire for the night.

Friday, we had a relatively quiet day. I was suppose to unpack and organize my room; however, I decided to go to the yarn store which turned into going to four yarn stores. I've been wanting to start knitting again for months, but obviously, I've been a little busy getting ready for the Step. I thought that it would be a quick trip to buy yarn, but we were out for four hours because we went to so many different stores. I just couldn't find the right yarn so we kept going to different shops. I ended up finding some beautiful yarn that is perfect for the blanket that I'm making at Sew EZ Too . Sew EZ Too is one of those shops for serious knitters/quilters/arts people. I wouldn't describe myself as a serious knitter and I think they quickly figured out that out too--they offered me knitting classes if I got into trouble with my project. The blanket that I'm making is a knitted version of a log cabin quilt. I made a baby blanket in a similar pattern about three years ago, so I think I can handle this giant queen sized blanket. I started knitting and the tension in my shoulders has melted away. Knitting is such a great way to release tension; in fact, believe it or not, I taught myself to knit the summer I studied for my MCAT (entrance exam for medical school). I am not an amazing knitter but knitting is like riding a bike...you just don't forget.

Saturday, I finally got down to business and cleaned my room and unpacked my bags. I managed to fill two bags worth of clothes that I rarely ware anymore. I'm notoriously bad about holding onto clothes that in case one day I might want to wear them again. Sunday, Mom and I made a second Thanksgiving so that we could have left overs. There is nothing like a home made turkey meal and having two in one week was amazing.