Heme Onc

First of all, the last two days of the cruise we at sea and so lovely. It was relaxing and we actually did a lot of activities. The seas were a bit rough on the evening of day 6, but nothing too bad. We got back to Ft Lauderdale right on time (boo) and had a lovely time with Michelle and John on their boat before heading to the airport.

Landing in Michigan was sad, only because it was all white and icy and cold. Luckily not as cold as the week I was warm in the Caribbean. I dodged that one for now. Anyways, I spent the day unpacking and such and got semi-situated to get back to work.

Today I started my month on the HemeOnc service and so far it seems pretty good. I like my team and our attendings seem to round fairly quickly, so I can't complain about that. Overall I think this month will be good, and I hope that pans out! I definitely am not stoked to be waking up before 9-10am again though, that's for sure!

So there Mom, now you know how the first day was since I know you will inevitably ask :)

Day 5, St Maarten

Today we docked bright and early in Phillipsburg, St Maarten, which is on the Dutch side of the island. We had a quick breakfast at the Park Cafe on our deck and then headed off the ship to explore the island. We took a taxi share to Marigot, the capital of the French side of the island. We walked around for a bit and realized we had no idea where exactly we were going, but eventually found the open air souvenir market and did some shopping. The town was very cute and we had a nice time looking around the market. After the market we attempted to find Serafina's for pastries since it was recommended by a friend and after much wandering we found it! The pastries were delicious, though one of the merengue type topping on mom's cream puffs was super weird tasting. Otherwise it was a great outing. 

After pastries we got a taxi to tour us around the island for a few hours. We saw he beach were the planes land at the airport, saw the American University of the Caribbean school of medicine, drove around the whole island, and even saw the Westin! The island is really beautiful. 

After the tour we shopped around downtown Phillipsburg a bit, and then had an amazing lunch from a smal, place on the beach. The chef was bbq-Ingram right next to the tables! I had super yummy jerk chicken with mashed potatoes, rice, salad, peas, and a plantain. Seriously amazing. After lunch we walked back to the ship and said goodbye to land until Sunday.

Day 4, St. Thomas

Today we slept in, had breakfast, and then headed to meet our excursion in St. Thomas. We took a catamaran sailing trip to Buck Island for some snorkeling, which was really fun. The dock on the way to the boat was full of iguanas, which was cool to see. There were so many people as both our ship and a Carnival ship were disembarking together and it was chaotic.

We got on the Dancing Dolphin for our day of sailing and from there is was our relaxation. The ride to and from Buck Island was smooth and there was perfect weather. The snorkeling was alright and there was a ship wreck to see, but it wasn't the coolest snorkeling I've done. I did love being in the water though and had a great time! 

After the excursion we took a taxi bus into town to do some shopping. Downtown Charlotte Amalie really is mostly expensive jewelry, but it was still fun to look around. We got some chocolates and a frozen banana and that was all. We stayed downtown for a short while and then headed back to the port where we shopped a little more. I got some bamboo items that are so soft and are being shipped directly to Michigan. 

We got back on the ship in time for our 6pm dinner, where we celebrated Mom's birthday with some Domaine Chandon sparkling wine and a delicious main dining room dinner. I had spinach dip and filled shell pasta with warm chocolate cake for desert. It was yummy desert for sure. After dinner we chilled for a moment and then went to the headliner show which was Tony Tillman. He was great and we had a great time. After the show we wandered the promenade a bit during the 70s dance party and then went up to the room to take showers and go to bed. All in all it was a great day.

Day 3, At Sea

This morning we got to sleep in a bit, which was really nice after many days of little sleep. We woke up around 9am and went to the Windjammer, the buffet, for breakfast. After breakfast we walked to the boardwalk to have a donut (we split it) and stumbled upon the welcome back party for returning cruisers. This was complete with free mimosas! The Aqua cast did a performance and the cruise director and capitan made speeches and some of the managing staff was introduced. It was an interesting event. After the party we watched a bit of the DreamWorks parade and then went to th port shopping talk, which was a waste of time really. They push a lot of stores that I'm not all that interested in, mostly because they are pushing very expensive products. We mostly went for the raffle, which we of course did not win. After the talk we had lunch at Johnny Rockets and then watched the World's Sexiest Man competition at the Aqua theater. It was pretty fun and an old guy named Martin won. After the show we went on a roughly one mile walk on the ships jogging track and then came up to the room for a rest (aka Mom needed Internet time, shocker). 

We both ended up falling asleep in the room but luckily I woke up just in time for Bingo! Mom wanted to sleep more so I went downstairs to play in my Royal Caribbean Bingo shirt. I felt a little guilty, but I actually ended up winning game three! Unfortunately two other people also called Bingo at the same time so the three of us had to split the prize, but I still won $145.50. Not bad! After Bingo we went to dinner and found out we had not scared off our table mates, they had just had a little too much to drink in port and couldn't make it to dinner last night. Dinner was good again. I had an arancini and eggplant parmesean with tiramisu for desert. After dinner we went to the Aqua show OceanAria, which was amazing! We had a great time, and I hope to see the show on Oasis someday with all the synchro people! After the show we went to the Love and Marriage game show which is always a great time. Very funny to watch. Now it's bedtime. Tomorrow is St. Thomas and we are doing a catamaran motor sail and snorkel. Should be fun times! 

Day 1, Getting on the Ship and Day 2, Nassau, Bahamas

Today was our first full day of our cruise. But I'll start with a brief synopsis of yesterday.

We arrived on the red eye flight at FLL bright and early in the morning. Too early in face to do anything at all really. We sat for a few minutes to determine a plan and eventually decided to go to a hotel for breakfast, since we could leave our bags with a bell hop. Our cab driver suggested the Marriott, and e breakfast was quite wonderful. I had an egg white frittata with asparagus and crab! After breakfast we rested in the shade for a little bit until the shade became full sun and heat and we went inside. It was still to early to go to the ship so we went to the spa at the Marriott and has massages! So amazing. After our massages we went straight to the cruise terminal. When we got on the ship we had a quick bite to eat and then toured the whole ship, which is quite amazing. We had dinner in the main dining room and there was one other couple at our table. They were quite nice and the food was delicious. After dinner we saw Chicago, and despite our extreme level of fatigue it was a great production. Neither of us had ever seen the play so that was fun. After the show we went right to sleep and slept very deeply! 

Today we docked in Nassau, Bahamas around 7am. Since there is nothing to do at 7am we had breakfast onboard and disembarked around 8am. We walked quite a long way from the cruise port over the bridge to Paradise Island. Mom showed me our new time share which is really nice, and then we went to the Atlantis. The Atlantis is awesome. Somehow we got to see some of the grounds without a day pass so we saw some fish and turtles and sharks. I can't wait to come back to the time share and have the chance to really explore and use the facilities. After the Atlantis we got a cab to give us a tour of the island. Our tour guide "M&M" was really energetic and knew a lot of history. It was wonderful. He even took us to put on a Junkanoo costume outside the home someone he knew, which was silly and fun. At the end of our tour we got conch fritters and some guava cake thing and then headed back to the ship. 

Once back onboard we headed up to the solarium pool for sail away and to relax a bit. I had a quick dip in the pool which felt really nice. We then showered and of course... We went to Bingo! We were close on a few games but still no winning of the Bingo. Oh well. It's still very fun. After Bingo we got ready for dinner since it was formal night (aka just dress nice really these days). We went to the Ice Games show before dinner, which is an ice skating show on the ship. It was pretty cool to watch! We then had dinner at the main dining room again, but the other couple didn't come. We think we may have scared them off? Dinner felt a little bit slower than usual (maybe because it was just the two of us and we weren't constantly talking), but it was so delicious. I had a salad and shrimp ravioli. We split a soufflé and a lemon merengue pie for desert. After dinner we got some free champagne at e capitals receptions(yay free stuff) and then relaxed a bit in the room. We were tired, but since it was too early for bed we walked around the ship a bit and even played some ping pong. 

Overall it was a very fun day and I'm excited for the rest! Tomorrow is our first day at sea, so lots of on board relaxation! 

Almost done!

This 4-week block of outpatient medicine is quickly coming to an end and tomorrow morning is my last half day of clinic. That means tomorrow afternoon I start the long and horrible journey back to CA! I'm extremely excited to be heading home for a few weeks, but getting there will be less than ideal for a few reason. First, because I'm gone so long I am taking a bus with a bunch of undergrads to the airport. It's only $7 dollars, and I have to take a bus just to catch the bus. At least I will get to the airport without having to park my car for tons of money. Second, I am taking Spirit Airlines. For those of you who have never flown Spirit for a longish flight, don't. I booked this flight before I knew how much I disliked the experience, which I found out in September when I went to SoCal for the weekend. Every flight was delayed, the seats don't recline, everything costs extra, and I mean EVERYTHING. I didn't want to pay $10-20 per flight (I have a layover in Vegas) to choose my seat, so despite checking in almost exactly 24 hours prior to my flight and there being an abundance of aisle and window seats available, I will be stuck in a middle seat for a 4.5 hour flight and then again for another 1.5 hour flight. Lucky me. Pretty sure they don't really give a shit about their customers and just want to squeeze as much money as possible out of everyone who can't afford to fly on a better airline. I am so not looking forward to that. Lastly, my flight is not scheduled to get in until 11:30pm in CA, so inevitably I will get home well after midnight, probably much later since the flight is almost sure to be delayed for one reason or another. At least I'll be snuggling with the puppies and hanging out with family soon.

As for now, I need to start packing! I also have quite a lot of Christmas shopping to do still, which means it's an Amazon kind of night. See you all soon!

Tag Days

This weekend was our annual Galen's Tag Days, where med students brave the cold in Ann Arbor to stand outside and raise money for Mott Children's Hospital as well as various children's organizations within Washtenaw County. I tagged in the hospital, on Main Street during Midnight Madness (the yearly night when everything downtown is open until midnight for shopping), and at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube during the synchronized skating competition. We made a good amount of money, but we won't know the final count for a while. Last year we made over $75k, so hopefully we get up there again this year. Luckily it wasn't nearly as cold as it was last year during Tag Days, so while it was still chilly, I wasn't frozen solid.

In other news, I am trying to re-learn how to play the oboe to maybe play in the Smoker band, which is essentially the pit orchestra for our annual musical faculty roast. Could be fun, but it's been a very very long time since I've played anything for real. Ten and a half years!!! Wow. I can't believe it's been that long since high school. Anyways, that's all really. Tomorrow it's back to more outpatient medicine. We are halfway through this month already, and only two weeks until I am home for Christmas! I should probably start Christmas shopping soon!

A Glorious Thanksgiving Weekend in CA

The last five days have been wonderful! I got to go home for Thanksgiving to be with my family. I think this is the hardest it has been to come back to Michigan since it is about to be so cold, no family is around, and I have to go back to clinic after 5 days off, which is by far the most off time I have had since the first week of May. Luckily this is not my most time intensive month of medical school and in just three short weeks I will be heading back to California yet again for the most magical time of the year. My trip included my 10 year high school reunion, which was actually really awesome, Thanksgiving, hanging out with family, going to the Cal football game (sadly they lost), and so much relaxing with my puppies. I can't wait for Christmas!

I took the red eye home last night and got a little sleep, but since the flight is not that long (maybe 4 hours) I clearly did not get a sufficient amount to function. I immediately got in bed upon arrival at my condo and slept for almost 5 hours and was still tired when I got up! I did force myself to go to Jazzercise to work out, but didn't get much else done today. I fell asleep on my couch for a long time before forcing myself to shower, unpack, and prepare to be in the real world again and not in the magical state of being home and always with family.

VA: Check

I have now completed my month of general medicine inpatient at the VA Hospital. It was a very interesting month, and a stark departure from outpatient pediatrics, where I saw mostly healthy little kiddos all day long. I think it was a good experience, but I am excited to get a little more sleep over the next month. Tomorrow I start outpatient and I have a variety of clinics. I start with Med/Peds clinic and Endocrine clinic tomorrow, and then General Medicine on Tuesday and then its time for Thanksgiving break in California where it's WARM! Can't wait!

This weekend was pretty fun too. I went to the last home game of the season at the Big House, but sadly, we lost. It kinda sucked and our chances of being bowl bound are slim with just Ohio State left on the schedule. Stanford, however, beat Cal which was awesome except for my mom complaining about the refs over text all night long :-P Stanford is for sure bowl bound and Cal has a shot next weekend. Heres to hoping Cal can beat BYU!!

Still snowing

So apparently the first snow of the year was just the beginning of the crazy snowy winter that is to come. It's been snowing more and it's still snowing outside. Only 11/19 and I've already lost count of days of snow. Thankfully next week is Thanksgiving and I'm off to CA for some much needed warmth!