For The Fans: Eyes Eyes Baby

During my PA-school years I discovered a talent for rapping and writing medical-related song parodies. I guess I could be described as a female, medical version of Weird Al Yankovic. Weird Al has been an inspiration to me for many years (in fact, the first CD I ever bought was his "Alapalooza") and I did enjoy some late nights listening to the Dr. Demento show back in the day. Despite time constraints with my busy student schedule, I realized that I still needed a creative outlet. Due to my extreme right-brain-ness and occasional boredom, I started organizing the information I was studying into rhymes and rhythms. This was taking mnemonics to the next level. It started with "G6PD-yeah you know me... G6PD with my Heinz body..." to the iron deficiency rap to a parody of Dave Matthews Band "Crash into me" called "Don't crash on me." and another take on the Fray's "How to Save a Life." I soon received the nickname "Rapper J" and a few others from my classmates and coworkers. One of the class favorites was "Eyes,Eyes, Bab," which is to the tune of "Ice, Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice. I did my first public performance of it at a church talent show last month and was fortunate to have some beat-boxing back up. I added a few more lyrics since its original circulation . Enjoy!

"Eyes Eyes Baby"
Yo PA-C lets kick it!
Eyes, Eyes Baby... Check out those eyes, eyes, baby...
Okay stop, grab your scope and listen,
My eye is red and it has some itchin'.
What's this stuff in my eye it's kinda goopy,
When I look around now everything's real loopy.
Quick to the doc, to the doc we're running fast as we can cuz my vision is blurrin'.
PA on the scene, you know what I mean,
Asking all those questions now everything is coming clean.
If you got a problem, yo I'll solve it:
Fill out these forms and we'll talk in a minute.
Eyes, eyes, baby... Check out those eyes, eyes, baby...
First things first is check acuity;
20/20 vision is not my ability.
Holy hordeolum! What's that stye I got on my eye?
Could it be chalazion -inflammation of the gland meibomian?
Reddish or grayish and it's enlargin' on the lid margin.
Eyes, eyes, baby...
Encroachin' on the cornea: possibly ptyergium but not pinguecula.
If it's hammer time - better wear safety glasses,
Cover yo' globes and lids and eyelashes.
If your blood pressure's high, I shouldn't fail to mention -
Papilledema is a sign of malignant hypertension.
Diabetes - is the leading cause of new blindness.
I'm running out of lyrics so I appreciate your kindness.
If you have a problem, yo I'll solve it,
Check out this brochure and this drug will resolve it.
Eyes, eyes baby... Take care those eyes, eyes baby....
Yo, let's get out of here.
Word to your ophthalmologist.

Catching Up

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post so I should probably do some updating. It's been quite a ride this past week.

1. I found out that I will be having a second nephew. Now Little B. is going to have to share his title of "Cutest Nephew Ever!" He's still set to make his arrival in October and things are looking well so far.

2. My sister arrived after a very long flight with Brian. She was quite tired. It took Brian a few minutes to remember who I was but I think he caught on. On our way home I pointed and said "Mountain!" (Not too many of those in Alabama and I took him there the last time he was here). He pointed towards the window and said "Ah-deet". He still melts my heart everyday. He's crawling, babbling, and poking my nose now. He's growing sooo fast!

3. I had a friend from Northern Cali come and visit and it was good to see him again. I hit the health science campus one last time and had lunch at one of my old post-exam lunch spots - King Torta.

4. Oh yeah, I had this thing called graduation. It was the beginning of a very long day. A very hot day with the temp hanging around 100. And of course I am in a black long-sleeve gown with a seat in the first row of the section directly beneath the sun. I forgot how much sun-burning toes hurt. It was an early morning and I left around 6:15. I found that my sister had decorated my car, it was so sweet of her! I got there in time. One of the top-bananas of Disney gave a commencement address for the 10,000+ students that were there. All of the speeches throughout the day were great and inspirational. I also loved the band playing at the beginning and the end and all of us doing the "Fight On" sign. I had my program ceremony after that and strutted my stuff down the red carpet. Luckily didn't stumble like I was afraid I would do (especially being the first in line).

I love my classmates!! Yay us!!I thanked some of my friends, faculty and staff afterwards. My family was great and even made some posters with "Rapper J" and other things on them, and of course, my nephew was my biggest fan.
I couldn't help showing him off. My family and I took some pictures and we left about 1:30. After a cold shower I did some final preparations for my open house that night. It was good to see so many familiar faces again. I have so many wonderful people in my life, I am thankful they were able to come out and celebrate with me. We had lots of food, including my homemade empanadas that many have raved about for the past few days (I took some leftovers to a church potluck). Great times had by all. The day didn't end for me until about 1:00 Saturday morning. It was still a "magical" day, as Mr. Iger put it, and a great end to my 20 years as a "student"

5. Saturday I slept a bit more than I had the past few days but I still felt a bit tired. I escaped the 104 degree heat and went down to the coast and enjoyed a shake at the Shake Shack of Crystal Cove.

6. I went to a wonderful wedding reception for some friends and saw more wonderful people. More good times.
7. Saturday night I celebrated Norwegian Constitution Day or also known as Syttende Mai. This was the first official celebration that I have been to for it. More wonderful people, more great food, more good times. I think my Norwegian ancestors would be proud, with exception for my boot-throwing ability. One event of the night was a boot throwing contest that began in the apartment parking lot. I was doing a practice throw and the boot ended up landing in the cab of a pickup truck with a loud "thud". Most of the people ran and tried to hide and we tried to muffle our laughter. The boot-throw was moved to the Walgreen's parking lot and my next throw was much better that time.

So now it's been a few days since that crazy week/weekend. I finally went back online after a nearly four-day absence (that's rare for me!). I had the ceremonial changing-of-the license plate-holder. I feel as though I have recovered energy-wise. Still enjoying my nephew. Still eating leftovers. Still working on some thank-you cards. Still studying hard. If my posts seem less and less frequent, it probably has to do with my studying. Less than 1 month until my big test. Uggg... I probably will write a post on that in the future just to let you all know I am still alive. Until next time...

12th Post: 12 Things I learned in PA school

Now that PA school has come to a close, here are just a dozen of the many things that I learned these past three years...other than all that medical stuff. So, in no particular order...

12. Everyone needs a Crazy Hat Day to offset the monotony and stress of school.

11. "Herpes, like true love, lasts forever." -Dr. Holtom

10. Provigil is great stuff, especially for the OB Labor and Delivery night shift.

9. Sleep and sunlight are things not to be taken for granted.

8. Trail mix brings people together.

7. I will always need a creative outlet, I think that is how I discovered my talent for rapping.

6. USC football is truly amazing.

5. Dim sum is a pretty interesting experience, especially when you have the real stuff in Alhambra.

4. The last patient of the day in pregnancy clinic will be a new patient on her double-digit number pregnancy (example: This is her 13th pregnancy, and I would need to take down the pregnancy/birth history of her previous 12 pregnancies -- yes, a bit time-consuming).

3. A STD (sexually transmitted disease) is almost always a differential diagnosis.

2. People's wisdom (especially the lack thereof) will never cease to amaze me.

1. The ability to keep a straight face is a divine gift.

Living the dream

So my 20 year journey through education (in an institutional sense) is coming to a close. It's been quite a road for me. There have been some rough patches, some tears, struggles, a few blows to my self-esteem, quite a bit of mileage and wear on my little Toyota, a large amount of debt, many frustrations, anxiety (especially those OSCE's), unpaid labor, and many, many late nights extending into the early morning hours. I know I share many similar sentiments with my classmates with whom I will miss all of them. I really will. So as a tribute to them and all those who find themselves on a long and seemingly endless journey, I would like to share a quote by Thomas Paine:

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

Not that PA school will be the hardest thing I do in my life. I think parenthood will probably top that. I need to go knock on some wood now... We all find ourselves going through different situations, different struggles, and sometimes wondering if it's all really worth it, if this is the place where we need to be and are we doing what we need to be doing. Early on in my first rotation, I wrote on my styrafoam cup: "I'M LIVING THE DREAM!!". That statement has become my motto and I would often repeat it in my mind or share it with my colleagues while I was going through some hard times or just doing the less-desirable tasks. And it was true: I was living the dream, I just had to take it in steps. I would remember back to how desperately I wanted to get into PA school, and then later on how eager I was to start my rotations. I think lately I have been really eager to get out of school, find a job, and actually get PAID for the work I do. I will probably soon realize the advantages of being a student (not worrying about getting fired or sued, having the "excuse" of not knowing an answer or two), and especially the awesome classmates I have had shared many hours and a few laughs with.

I hope I haven't taken these for granted too much. I will still be learning and still continuing to study. My character will continue to be built up and refined, and as Richard G. Scott said, "Character is the manifestation of what you are becoming." So here's to another glorious triumph, and as we Trojans say, "Fight On!"