Rotation #2 San Diego, California

The hardest part about working at an Internal Medicine clinic is not managing patients with 10+ chronic illnesses, keeping tabs on lab work, or even adjusting medication doses (I recently made 5 different medication changes all at once for a patient), but rather saying goodbye to patients you've developed a relationship with.  I saw the cutest and sweetest 90 year old lady for the second time the other day who asked for my card so she could talk to me if she had questions.  When I told her this was my last week, she was extremely disappointed.  I wished her the best.  Then there was a jokester I saw who really appreciated the joke I cracked about the Dermatologist checking his prostate.  He just lined it up so nicely for me, I just had to.  Loved the hearty laugh I got out of him.  Going into school I thought I wanted to do ER after graduating, but you just don't establish that relationship w/ your patients since you never see them again.  Primary Care just might start being more attractive to me....  It's also surprising how many patients have remembered my name after hearing it just once.

Apart from the enjoyment I've experienced from meeting so many different people (accents from around the world), I've also had the opportunity to develop my skills.  I got thrown in on day one to see the patient by myself w/ free reign on deciding which labs to order, if any imaging is indicated, which mediation to prescribe if needed, etc.  I've really appreciated this, especially since in my last rotation I slowly advanced week by week.  I had my end of rotation evaluation w/ my preceptor and the first thing he said was, "You really scared me that first week."  Ha, only because I didn't know what to do w/ so much free reign for each of my patients.  He proceeded to say I've really progressed and will make a great PA.

I've actually really enjoyed Internal Medicine.  I might consider it as a future career option.  It's much more challenging and there are no crying kids or teenagers.  I decided I like to keep my relationship w/ the young ones outside of the medical world (yes, I miss my high school kids TERRIBLY).

Like I said, this rotation has been very challenging and extremely good for me.  I discovered a patient w/ debilitating dizziness who actually needed a pacemaker placed.  Then today a patient coded (became unresponsive) while my preceptor was placing an IV due to his extremely low blood pressure.  I only wish I could have done more, but the code team (comprised of 10+ members - ridiculous) showed up w/in 30 seconds.  He turned out to be fine.  This is the only picture I have of Scripps Clinic located in the Anderson Outpatient Pavilion.  Yes, there is valet parking.  Yes, only in La Jolla.....  Let's just say, my clinic (attached to the hospital) was less than 1 mile from the beach w/ a golf course separating the two.

Now that's I've addressed my learning experience, time for the good fun!  I ended up living w/ a friend of a friend and her roommate.  SO MUCH FUN!  They are the funniest and I had such a great time w/ them.  Not to mention the the 8 other girls I became good friends with.  True, there are no guys in San Diego, but who needs guys when we have so much fun on our own?  I wish you could understand even just a part of how much fun and amazing these girls are.  I wish I had a picture w/ everyone.  They all threw me a going away party last week - we tie dyed t-shirts, ate pazookies (per my request), and they gave me a framed word collage of all the best inside jokes over the last 6 weeks.  I'm going to miss them for sure.

Here's what I've been up to in the last 6 weeks.....

I've been to the beach on average 2-3 times each week and visited 7 different beaches - hard to pick my favorite....Take a look.....

La Jolla Shores - Went here several times during the week when I got off work early, only about 7 minutes drive.

La Jolla Cove - only made it once, but one of the more picturesque beaches

Pacific Beach - my "go to" beach for Saturdays, not too far and not too busy

Mission Beach - Mid Singles Activity on the beach one Saturday afternoon.  This only reaffirmed the fact that one day I want to own my own beach house.

Moonlight Beach - played some beach volleyball w/ some friends then a bonfire and pizza for FHE.

Torrey Pines State Beach - not my favorite beach, but it made for a great lunch break.

Coronado Island - This is probably my favorite beach of San Diego.  Such wide open white sand w/ the picturesque Hotel del Coronado in the background.  Good thing I made it here the day before I left!

Beginning the first weekend I was in San Diego, for 6 consecutive days there was always something going on.  I decided there was going to be minimal studying while I was here.  The last few weeks while here have included birthday parties, BBQ's, beach parties, volleyball, exploring downtown, going to the movies, baseball games, free concerts in the park, the county fair, 4th of July fun, eating at In-N-Out Burger, Disneyland (see previous post), exploring - you name it.  Basically, I had the time of my life.  I may seriously consider moving back after graduation.  Here's some pics to represent my time well spent in SD.  Enjoy!

My 2 main goals while in SD:
1) learn to surf.  Status: never happened.  It's gonna have to wait.....
2) eat at In-N-Out once every week while here.  Status: accomplished!