May 2013
5 posts
Here we goooooo, by Emma
http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/blog/2013/05/03/first-class-of-usf-select-medical-students-moves-to-allentown-pa/
Lots of Stuff, by Jessica
So much to report!
First, year one is OVER. Thank goodness. We start again May 20th for summer courses, but at least I have officially finished the first year. December 2013 is so close, I can feel it! I topped the semester up with a new look - ombre hair!
Second, we have officially (almost) relocated to Pennsylvania. We found a house we liked on the Main Line. I have been living in it (sans...
"Let's just call it 'The Trilogy'" By, Emma
I’m officially a third year.
That’s exciting. I am also moving to Pennsylvania today, Samantha and I will hit the road in a few hours and will drive to Charleston, SC to stay overnight and do the rest tomorrow. Unless of course I decide to do what I’ve done every other time and drive the 18 hours in one shot. I am already tired though so we will have to see.
It’s been...
April 2013
1 post
Boards, by Emma
They are tomorrow. Whoever thought putting two years of medical school on one 8 hour test and having it determine the rest of our lives (ok, our medical lives, drama), was a good idea—- well, they are a special kind of evil. At least I don’t have to take TWO of these like some of my friends at osteopathic schools, that’s just miserable— but, I truly believe there will be a...
March 2013
1 post
Phew, by Emma
I’m officially finished with my second year of medical school. Wow. Just writing that gives me chills. It has been such a long journey that also flew by, depending which day you ask me. I now have until May 6th to prepare for and take the USMLE Step 1 exam and move my family back to Pennsylvania to start rotations. I have very little time for anything outside of my “to do list”...
February 2013
3 posts
Ethics of Elective C Sections
I am writing a literature review pertaining to the ethics of elective c-sections. Are c-sections in general as safe - or safer - than vaginal birth? Should doctors allow pregnant women to make this choice? After reviewing about twenty articles (can you tell I find this topic fascinating?), the literature is pretty split. Here are a few of my favorite key points:
On the difference between the...
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Sweet deal for all of us students out there!
January 2013
4 posts
The NICU Is My Niche, by Jessica
I love moms. And I love babies. I really don’t understand how in the world I never, ever considered that I’d fall in love with the NICU.
I spent some time in there today and did just that. Fell deeply and passionately in love.
It was great to float around and see all of the babies, some of which are sheer miracles at just around two pounds. These tiny, precious people were literally 1/3 the...
Shadowing, by Jessica
So far, this semester has been great in terms of what I’ve seen clinically.
Yesterday was my first full day at my OB clinical, and I was fortunate enough to see a c-section/tubal ligation. The patient was a 26-year-old, and this was her third child as well as her third cesarean, so her uterus was literally almost paper thin. The key points I took away from this experience:
1....
Woah, by Jessica
So much to catch up on. It’s kind of surreal! I honestly don’t know where to start. I promise that I’ll try to make this post as cohesive as possible!
1. My family. Being away from them has been hard, but I am lucky that we’re only a short train ride away. I have gone home almost every other weekend, and they have visited me many times as well. I am excited to say that...
I'm going to be a doctor.
latestartpremed:
I’m going to be a doctor. I’m going to be a doctor. I’m going to be a doctor. I’m going to be a doctor. I’m going to be a doctor. I’m going to be a doctor.
Love
December 2012
4 posts
Someone once told me
“Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint”
They lied. The second year of medical school is more like sprinting a marathon.
Med student problems, by Emma
Its 2pm when you leave the hospital. You’ve been up since 5am and only have time to shower or nap before the following study/tutor marathon, which do you choose?
November 2012
1 post
One in two, by Emma
I cannot believe its been over a month since I have last blogged. And even longer miss Jessica!!!
I’m sitting here in the office of educational affairs waiting for a proctor to come so I can take my first exam of Cardio block. Well, it is actually ALL over cardio on one exam (sounds fun, right?). Now, I’m not taking it with the rest of my class because I have a sick child with me....
October 2012
1 post
I actually said to a patient today, “I understand talking to your dad about sex is an awkward situation but there is nothing as awkward as telling him you’re pregnant”…. I watch too much teen mom
-Emma
September 2012
2 posts
We Got Katrina A Laptop!!!! by Jessica
I am writing with some EXCELLENT NEWS!!!! Thanks to all of the generous donations we received, we have raised $1065 so far and were able to purchase Katrina a laptop!!! I purchased it this evening with the funds, and she even has some money leftover for a textbook or two this semester. Please continue to share this link and spread the word! I would love to be able to help her out with childcare,...
August 2012
5 posts
Ch-ch-chaaaaanges, by Emma
AND I already blogged half of this last week…. OOPS. See, I really am tired.
Well. Everyone is fast asleep and I finally have a minute to breathe. By the way, starting medical school honestly made me lose any ability I had to spell and/or write so forgive my atrocious english.
Second year = OHHHHH MYYYYY GAAAWWWDDD
I can’t wait to be an MD. Seriously. Medicine is so fascinating...
Supporting Teen Moms!
I’m sure by now I’ve told y’all how I’m a current mentor for the program I graduated from at Endicott. My mentee is an amazing girl named Katrina who has an 18-month-old daughter, Kylie. Katrina is honestly incredible. She has an almost perfect GPA in her Biotechnology major. She wants to become a veterinarian, which I believe she is capable of achieving, but is...
Summer Break, by Jessica
I officially finished my summer session on August 8th and am currently on a 3.5 week break until September 5th! The break isn’t completely stress-free, though, since I have assignments to complete. I really can’t express, though, how fantastic it is to be back with Kyle and Hayley!
I'm not dead (yet), by Emma
HA. The title is pretty self-explanatory but this year is CRAZY BUSY. Like, not humanly possibly to manage busy. They gave us a bit of a cake walk first year and then threw us to the sharks this July. I’m managing well though and took my first exam last Monday. I was top 5% of my class which was a nice surprise seeing as I had moved down to Tampa into a new place and had to get settled...
July 2012
3 posts
Physical Assessment, by Jessica
Well, we are at the halfway point of the summer session! I can’t even believe how fast time has passed.
We had our first exam about 2 weeks ago (yup, on the 2nd week of school), so that was a little stressful, but I did really well considering my husband was here for the weekend. I can’t say that I studied very hard. ;)
In approximately three hours, I will be having a *major* exam on...
Back to school, Back to school
Driving from PA to FL, left at 3am… CRAZY :)
Lots of Work, by Jessica
My program is in full swing, and I already have a ton of work to do. I have a literature review due in a couple weeks, I just finished a philosophy paper, and I have tests this Thursday and the following Monday.
I am enjoying (almost) every minute of this program. I have already made some great friends and feel very fortunate to be here. I love my apartment, and I am loving the curriculum thus...
June 2012
9 posts
First Day, by Jessica
Yesterday marked our first day of class. It is just a week-long course to start, Nursing 050, which is supposed to be the “touchy, feeling ice breaker” type of class. We aren’t really *learning* anything, per se, maybe just a little about the history of nursing and how our healthcare system has shifted over the years. We also talked about both positive and negative stereotypes of...
Settling in, by Jessica
Today marks day two of being a Philly resident. Yesterday was really hard. Saying good-bye to Hayley was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Thank goodness she has continued to text me from her iTouch while she’s at home. :)
I am doing ok. I absolutely LOVE my apartment. I can’t even convey how adorable and fantastic it is. My roommate is great, and this is a life...
"Graduation" by, Emma
Samantha, 6/15/12, 5years old. When she was about 6 months old we noticed she had a tiny blue spot in her right eye. The doctor said it was no big deal and it would go away within a few months. Now, she has what is called partial or sectoral heterchromia and half of her right eye is brown, the other half is blue. She is my little husky dog.
Anyways, I truly enjoy celebrating my child’s...
I am NOT ok, by Jessica
I had to get this out, because writing is the best free therapy: I am *NOT* ok. If one more person asks me, I think I’m going to snap.
I’ve been putting up my very best front. When family and other parents at Hayley’s school inquire about my move, I have smiled and humored them.
“Yes, I am very excited!” (Truth)
“Oh yes, I know it is going to be hard, but I...
Kickstarter Project, by Jessica
***EDIT: video added to project page :) ***
I have started a Kickstarter fundraiser project hoping to raise money to hire a book editor for my memoir. I enclosed the link below - check it out! :)
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/989663424/former-teen-mom-to-ivy-league-graduate-student
Congrats, heartinthegarden!
For winning the Amazon gift card ;)
Please either post or email us your email address so we can get that to you!
$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!!!
You know you could totally use this. ;)
Father’s Day is coming up on the 17th, which happens to be the day I move to Philly. My family and I are celebrating it this Sunday, the 10th, so we can make it special.
In lieu of the holiday, we are asking our readers to comment below and share a special related memory. If you’re a Dad, share a special parenting moment. If you’re a...
Packing Boxes and Doing Modules, by Jessica
I have made myself pack a box or two each day for Philly, and it is beginning to become more real. I got teary tonight as I packed away my jewelry and scrubs, looking around my home office that is becoming so plain. I am *so* excited for this journey, but the thought of being separated from my daughter literally makes me sick to my stomach. She is my best friend in the entire world, and I...
May 2012
10 posts
The Publishing Process Continues, by Jessica
I am officially done with my book and am now going through my final round of self-editing. I have decided to self-publish for several reasons, so my next step is to hire a freelance editor. I thankfully have my older brother to help me with this process. I really value his advice.
Seventeen more days until the big move to Philly!
I have been EXTREMELY busy getting everything ready for school....
Catching babies and stuff, by Emma
Happy Birthday Zoey :)
One of my good friends from the pharmacy I worked at just had her first baby, Zoey on Saturday night. She is such a precious little girl and isn’t giving her parents a hard time (yet)!! Allie is amazing and went through 18 hours of labor with no epidural and I know she is going to be a fantastic mom.
My summer has been crazy busy so far, I’ve been working...
Book and A Project, by Jessica
I am officially ALMOST done editing my book! I have 30 pages left to edit, and then I am going to go through it one more time as a whole. My brother said he would pass it along to his agent, so I am really excited. It has been my dream for as long as I can remember to publish a book, and I am hoping it is going to be come a reality. I will keep you posted. :)
I also wanted to show you a project I...
Without A Plan, by Jessica
You can ask anyone who knows me well: I have the tendency to over-plan and drive everyone around me a little crazy in the process. Since becoming a young mother, I have always felt the need to compartmentalize my life and make sure I know *exactly* what the future is going to bring, even ten years down the road. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I am facing life without a plan. I...
30 Things I Want Pregnant Teenage Girls to Know,...
Things Pregnant Teenage Girls Should Know
After watching all of these countless episodes of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, I feel I need to instill some wisdom. I realize that it’s next to impossible to agree with every single point on my list, and I fully admit that all of these thoughts are products of my own experiences as a former teen parent.
1. You can stop compulsively lathering your...
Final Humanities Assignment, by Emma
We had a final assignment for our Medical Humanities year-long course and I wanted to share with y’all because it was a sort of reflection on my first year in medical school. A very, very brief glimpse of the year.
Art reaches the mind and the heart, W. C Williams, MD.
I found myself relating to this poem to an experience I had in clinic this past spring. A nineteen-year old Mexican woman...
HELLO Second Year, by Emma
So, it is not 100% official as I have not yet received the email from our course coordinator with my exam 3 grade saying “Congratulations, you have passed course 4”… But, I did. There is no doubt in my mind that I passed this test, this course, this year. It has been one hell of a ride and I can’t say I’ve loved every minute of it but I love where it is taking me and...
The Private Loan, by Jessica
So I have reached the *very* best part of the application process [insert sarcasm here]: FUNDING my Ivy League education. :|
I first have to say, Penn is EXTREMELY generous with financial aid! Because I’m not a very private person, I have no problem laying out on the table that after grants and federal loans, I am only left with a few thousand dollar gap. Normally that’d be great,...
April 2012
4 posts
"I want to know you" By, Emma
My husband said that to me yesterday. It caught me a little off guard and as many of you know, I am not often left speechless. But the conversation that followed was a real eye-opener for me. And for our marriage. For any of you that have ever been in a serious relationship you may understand what I am talking about.
After eight years together, Mustafa and I have almost become one person. Yes,...
