RAWR!

One good turn deserves another. 

Attention, eligible bachelors in the West Coast (Man-Children need not apply):
::Drum roll::
She's an intellectual without the condescension, shifting from Shakespeare to the Canucks in one effortless turn of the conversation. 
She has elegant fashion taste (even with leopard print pumps) and makes it look effortless.
A natural when it comes to all things kitchen.  Even with GF foods!
She's a hottie.
She's fit (like, "marathoner" fit).
And she's wicked funny.
Here's a lady that would make your mamas proud.

But of course, I can't drop you the 411, just like that. 

So here's a hint: She might swing by in this here Bat Station, if you're lucky ;-). 

Song of the day: "Peel Me A Grape" - Diana Krall


(I think this is what you need after today.)*

Simmer down!!!

The background:
This past month, I've been having lunch with and getting to know this pretty cute med student. She calls me her "lunch buddy." So yea...

Today:
This afternoon, I was doing a consultation when I see her out of the corner of my eye, walk in to the station. She doesn't say hi, she doesn't wave. She talks to another medical student and laughs at his joke or some other random comment.

Then I feel it. That all too familiar gorge rising, my face feeling flush, and the pulse in my temple pound. I was getting pissed. At her. At him. Seriously, I was getting jealous.

It took me a few minutes to settle down. I thought, "What the hell is happening? I'm getting all worked up, about NOTHING!!! WTF, man!!!"

I seriously never pegged myself to be the jealous type. But here I am, "civil as an orange" to quote an old play.

Wow. Who knew?

Song of the day: "Careless" - Amos Lee

It never fails...

Just when I think I'm having a good day, something always pops up to check me. Case in point, my last interview. The day went on smoothly, and I had a wonderful chat with my interviewer. By the end of it all, she gave me a very good recommendation. I thought, "sweet!"
After the interview, I hightail it to S.J. to get to my other doctor's appointment. I'm going an easy 80 on the Parkway (the same speed as everybody else, mind you), when Mr. State Trooper pulls me over for speeding. Granted, he's just doing his job, but seriously, there were like, 20 other cars going the same speed as me, if not faster! Regardless, I got a $56 ticket (no points, thank you Jesus!) and to top it all off, my car battery dies (I left the hazards and the radio on too long, I guess). Good thing I had my brand spankin' new automatic jump starter handy. It didn't work at first try, but a few adjustments of the clips and my car was back to life.
I made it to my appointment on time, only to find that my doctor is still clueless about my condition. So, she biopsied a piece of my skin (ouch!) and sent me for more blood tests. Lovely.
In summary:
Good = interview
Bad = speeding ticket, dying car battery (I have to buy a new one, BTW), still unknown malady. There are definitely more things to bitch about, but I figure, I should just limit it to the events of the day. Can't be too gloomy, right? Right!

In spite of all that, the interview I think made up for all of this other nonsense. I suppose we'll know in a few months.

Oh, just an update...I passed the 2nd part of my Boards as well as the PE portion! Woo hoo!! No more big exams until next year! Hahhhhhh...that's me breathing a brief sigh of relief...for now.

Song of the day: "Bug In A Web" - CALLmeKAT

Damn you, Nick Hornby! Why do you have to be so right?!!!

I heard this song a while back and I've been meaning to comment about it here, but alas, I've been sidetracked multiple times.

Well, not today.

Anyhoo...this is probably the most honest story I've heard in a very long time. And the saddest.

What do you think?

Song of the day: "From Above" - Ben Folds and Nick Hornby

Self Dx

OK...after much research, I think I have found a diagnosis for my ailment.

Eczema. Pure and simple. Nummular eczema, I think, to be specific...with matching hand eczema to boot. What pisses me off is that I have no idea what specifically triggered this.
So, I think my dermatologist got my diagnosis wrong, but her prescribed treatment is appropriate for the diagnosis I came up with for myself. The sad part is, I don't know exactly how long I'm to be on the steroids. My skin is drying out: good for the itchy parts, but bad because my skin gets really thin, and it cracks and bleeds. Also, I think I'm having a pretty bad resurgence of acne because of the steroids as well.
The disease process also doesn't necessarily abate like an infection or an injury. I don't have a time frame for how long this condition will last. For now, I'm calling it sub-acute, considering it's been more than a month and it's somewhat under control.
In summary: I'm a poor med student with itchy, bad skin...who owns a car that's making concerning noises despite multiple, costly interventions...and lives out of a suitcase, currently looking for a job. And I'm single. And hungry.

Could be worse.

I could be constipated too.

Song of the day: "Dream About The Future" - The Apples In Stereo

Disappointed

My faith in the medical field is starting to wane. When it seemed like my condition was beginning to abate on a course of steroids, after the pills were finished, my malady began to surface once more. Frankly, I'm disappointed that the medication only masked my symptoms for a while. And I'm not entirely convinced that the doctor got my diagnosis exactly right.

I'm uncomfortable, I'm itchy, and I'm starting to look like Quasimodo...at least, my hands do, anyway.

And the timing couldn't be any more perfect. For the next 3 months, I will be doing a lot of traveling to different rotation sites and various residency interviews. At a time when personality, board scores, and looks are taken into consideration, I am deathly afraid that I might end up going into one of these interviews all covered in band aids and looking like a psychotic leper.

I need help. And I need it, fast. :(

Song of the day: "Repo Man" - Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs

Ermmm...sorry.

For being away so long, I apologize.

I have been sick. For about a month.

At first I thought I was having a bad allergic reaction to something I don't know.

Then the hives got worse and then I thought "bedbugs." I know, gross.

I became quite paranoid and pretty much vacuumed and cleaned and recleaned and re-recleaned everything I had.

But the damn hives didn't get any better...that is until I was put on steroids.
Apparently it was an allergic reaction to either a viral or a bacterial infection that I had recently.

Well, so far, the itchiness and hives have gone away for the most part. Lets hope they stay away for good once I finish the steroid regimen.

On another note, I went to a friend's wedding and managed a slow dance with one of her friends towards the end of the reception. Then I asked for her number (my friend's friend). Then she gave it to me. Problem is, she lives in Connecticut and getting in touch with her is a bit dodgy. I called her a week ago, she called me today, I texted back. I'll call her again tomorrow to see if I can make a date happen.

So my Massachusetts rotation is all finished. It was a very mixed outcome at the end of it all. I had an Honors and Pass grade...I guess I wasn't as good in my last rotation as I thought I was. On the upside, I did learn a lot, and I enjoyed myself there for the most part. Now if only they'd send me an invite for an interview.

Speaking of which, I have 11 residency interviews to date. The first one, being done this past week. Not much to go on. Lots of vague questions, and plenty of me, being absolutely nervous and possibly babbling the whole time. That and I was fighting the fatigue from the night before, not being able to sleep properly because I was so nervous. I hope the next interview will be better.

So, that is my update. More to come soon, I'm sure.

Song of the day: "Intro" -> "Crystalized" - The XX (Live)