I cannot believe it is almost October! September has flown by, but I must admit that I have been in a state of bliss lately due to the gorgeous fall weather and colors. Also, this time of year seems to keep me grounded in being thankful. Even in the everyday stresses of busy schedules and challenging tasks, I am ever-reminded of God’s faithfulness and blessings in my life.
I have completed almost 2 months of my internship already! I will finish my oncology rotation on Friday, starting neuroscience on Tuesday. As you may remember, my first rotation was GI surgery, which was great. I am so glad that I am an intern at a teaching hospital, as all of my preceptors and other UIHC staff are extremely helpful and willing to help us learn. There is definitely a learning curve in each rotation, and, honestly, I know that I am in no way fully competent in each area after 9 days of experience. But, at least it gives me a basic understanding. And, I guess I find it somewhat encouraging that I will always be learning. Keeps me from getting unknowingly cocky and reminds me that so much in this world is out of my control and understanding.
You know those times when you realize just how naïve you are? Well, welcome to my life during my clinical rotations. Aside from being a green intern unfamiliar with policies, procedures, protocols, etc., add in the fact that I had no idea of the prevalence of many serious illnesses. Or even what some of these conditions would some of them would be. Or just how sad it is to see these patients and know that you are able to do so little to help them. I was able to assess patients with cystic fibrosis in my first rotation and came out of the experience truly realizing how blessed I am. When you are face to face with an individual your own age who has to frequently put their entire life on hold in order to come in for treatment to make it so that they can breathe, it makes my worries of finishing homework or managing my schedule seem pretty insignificant. Also, seeing a patient with lung cancer who you (in your albeit novice opinion) thought had a good prognosis take a turn for the worse and go into palliative care in the span of a few days makes you stop and think. Talking with an individual with myeloma who you would have sworn was in their 70s only to discover they are actually in their 50s is eye opening. Helping someone discover healthful, economic food options due to only having $16 of governmental food aid per month reminds me to count my blessings. So, aside from the interesting and beneficial experience I am gaining in assessing these patients, I am finding that I also have been given even more opportunities to praise and thank the One who is in charge of all things. My life goal that I used for scholarship applications way back in high school and refined in FACS 101/498 is still applicable: My life’s purpose is to glorify God by serving others with the talents that He has given me, so as to enable individuals to live happier and healthier lives. And, I am becoming more and more assured each day that I am doing what God wants me to. At least for now.
One final note about what I’ve been learning: NEVER underestimate how much simply smiling at someone or saying hello can make their day. Those of you who know me already know and remind me often of how much I do both of these things. I can’t help it! Besides being that way by nature, living in the Midwest and working in customer service-oriented jobs have “ruined” me for life. J But, I’ve noticed how this isn’t normal in our world and also that people really appreciate a simple acknowledgement of their presence. Especially in the acute care setting, I’m finding that being pleasant helps put people at peace in the midst of extremely stressful situations. Not that I haven’t had irritated families and patients who would rather that I just didn’t talk to them. I do. However, what do I have to lose by being upbeat? Absolutely nothing. And, more times than not, people appreciate it. All this to say, smile with abandon, my friends. It’s in these little things that we’re able to witness our faith in a world that needs hope.
Completely unplanned, that segways nicely into my next
topic: Church. In short, I absolutely love the congregation in which I
currently find myself. I didn’t realize just how much I had missed the reformed
doctrine of my upbringing until returning to it now. The fact that
confessions/liturgy are a part of our service makes me happy. People here
actually know what the Westminster Shorter Catechism is! (Sorry Olivet folk, I
just had to throw that one in J).
One Ancient Hope is diverse both generationally and culturally and I have
appreciated finding other like-minded young adults. I’ve been able to start
connecting with people through events and (soon!) community groups, so I am
excited. The Christian faith isn’t meant to be lived alone, so I am thankful
that this congregation is serious about living in community. In fact, I was
able to start my morning with breakfast (okay, that part is normal for me),
made even better with the company of my two new-found friends from church. I
sense that we are kindred spirits and am excited to get to know them better.
And, my lemon blueberry waffle and Guatemalan Forestal coffee was amazing, for
the record. Iowa City residents, check out Fair Grounds Café on Dubuque Street.
You won’t be disappointed.
Aside from the internship, classes, homework, church, and
work, a big part of my life (and what I have decided to blame my busyness on)
is marathon training. Only 11 more days until I run the Chicago Marathon! I
must admit to becoming a little nervous, given that my longest run (per the
training schedule, I might add) was 20 miles. I know that I can do it, but I’ll
definitely need to get myself psyched up for this one. I never realized just
how mental running was until this year. Five months of training later, I’m
getting it down, but it still isn’t easy. But, I’m still excited and glad to be
able to raise funds for World Vision. And, another exciting part of running
this particular marathon, I’ll get to see ONU friends and be back in Chicago!
One final topic of Martha-ness for your day: Food. (A
dietetics blog has to mention food numerous times, right?) Living the single
life is definitely different than at home (which I expected) and college
(didn’t expect quite this much difference). I do cook, but not as much as I originally
expected due to busy schedules. However, I am determined not to let my diet
consist only of peanut butter sandwiches and cereal (as much as I like both of
those things) and thus have hit upon a strategy I think will work nicely, one I’ve
seen utilized my entire life by family and friends. I’ve started making a big
batch of a given food (more on that in a minute), freezing it in amounts to
last me a few days, and then pulling these out of the freezer as needed.
Dinner #1: Caramelized onion and cranberry rice with chicken breast and carrots
Dinner #2: Chicken breast, quinoa with sauteed peppers and onions
And, it doesn't have a picture but still deserves mention: Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili. Yum!
Thanks for sticking with me through this lengthy update.
But, I gave myself some slack in that it takes awhile to update someone on over
a month of life. At least that’s what I tell myself. J
