PA School Interviews!

Don't worry, I'm not going through the process again. Definitely NOT. But as a Student Ambassador I did get to help out with the interviews this morning for the next incoming class. I totally remember what it feels like and it feels like just yesterday I was in their shoes. However, looking back it's amazing to see how far we've come. We are officially halfway done with the didactic year (first year of school). Wahoo! I cannot believe how far we've come and how much we've learned. It was a blast to get to meet these new students, hear about their backgrounds and answer their questions. I just may volunteer for the next round or two. These students are wondering how they will ever become PA-S (PA students) and we are wondering how we will ever become PA-C (PA certified & ready to practice!). We have a lot of community PA's that come in and lecture or help us w/ our physical exam skills. It's really a great component and strength of our program. I'm a fan.

It was also noted today how great our class is. No, really. Hopefully they can pull off for the next class what they did with us. It's been rumored that we're the best and most favorite to come through Pacific's PA program so far. Booyah! My classmates are very experienced and knowledgeable, but not only that.....we are truly a family. We all get along so well and there is a great dynamic amongst all of us. I love my classmates and the learning environment that is created by everyone. I LOVE PA SCHOOL!!! You think I'd be pulling my hair out at this point, but today I was reminded 1) how awesome my program is and 2) how happy I am to be here. Such a great opportunity. It is no doubt the hardest thing I've ever done in my life which only means it's really going to pay off once I'm done. I know I'm going to love my job, whatever area of medicine that may be.....

Extreme Ironing

So this last week I wore an ironed shirt to school THREE DAYS IN A ROW. What is going on?? I don't think I've ironed that many shirts in the last 3 years! Seriously. I must be getting used to the professional world. Usually I'll just bust out my Chi (hair straightener) and only "iron" the badly needed parts or only the parts that show if I'm wearing a cardigan over it.

So I found a new sport.....Extreme Ironing. I'm intrigued. Should I join this world of thrill and adventure and yet still get my ironing done? Sounds like the perfect combination. You know me.....always love to try something new and adventurous.

I am now the means of addiction for my classmates.

The source? These bad puppies:

Back at the start of Fall term I started making tables for all of the diseases and disorders to better sort all of the information. What can I say? I like to be organized. I decided I'd share them in our class Dropbox folder and now everyone has come to depend on them. Some of the comments I've received about them: "I'd never survive PA school without these tables!" "You are my means of success." "These are like crack cocaine. You better keep them coming or we'll all have withdrawals." "How on earth can you make these during lecture? There's no way I could do that." See what dependency does to you people? NOT GOOD. I'm happy to share though. I only make them for myself and if others can benefit from them, excellent. But now I feel the pressure! I better keep 'em coming.........

On another note, I am definitely a visual learner. I love colors, as you can tell from the table above and my notes below. Any idea what this is? I cannot believe I actually survived this class....

Pride & Prejudice

I decided to start listening to books on CD during my drive to school and back every day. It adds a little flavor and pleasure to the otherwise occasional dullness and monotony. The last 2 weeks I listened to Pride & Prejudice. I don't know why I've never read it before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is always better and allows you to better come to know the characters as there is more development and insight into their thoughts. I always wondered how the heck Elizabeth could fall so madly in love with Mr. Darcy after despising the man so much. Just didn't make any sense. Turns out Mr. Darcy is actually not the proud one. Elizabeth herself was the one casting prejudice through the eyes of her own pride. Just think, what would have happened if she had not realized her own pride? She would have missed out on Mr. Darcy! I wonder what we all miss out on due to our own pride limiting our views?

Something to think about. After listening to the book, I then watched the movie (Keira Knightley version) and could appreciate it much more. Someday I will watch the Colin Firth version..... I don't foresee having 5 extra hrs. any time soon to watch it though, unfortunately.

I learned how to read chest x-rays this week.....

In the PA view, there is neither over or under penetration with no evidence of rotation as the clavicle symmetry and posterior processes of the vertebral processes are noted. There is no evidence of soft tissue or bony abnormalities. The trachea is deviated to the right. The mediastinum is not widened and the aortic knob is not clearly visualized due to a large infilrate/mass in that area. However there is a large amount of infiltrate, possibly a mass surrounding the R hilum. The cardiothoracic ratio is increased (greater than 1:2). The costophrenic angles are sharp with blunted cardiophrenic angles. The right side of the diaphragm is situated about 2 cm higher than the left with a bubble of free air found in the stomach. The lung markings extend into the periphery.

In the lateral view, there is neither over or under penetration with no evidence of rotation as both plates of the sternum are clearly visible. The retrosternal space contains infiltrate while the retrocardiac space is clear. The costophrenic angles are sharp and the right side of the diaphragm is clearly visible above the left. The infiltrate located in the PA view is shown to be located anteriorly. Degenerative changes are found in the vertebrae. The aorta is not clearly visible.