<p>“new husband” ??? dang, there go my chances! hahah</p>
<p>There’s always D2…but she’s really picky! :D</p>
<p>Spent the day yesterday driving to and from Tallahassee (not easy) and moving kids furniture and buying them food. In return I received hugs, smooches and a total crushing at the hands of my MD-in-training, who decided it was time to correct and enhance my knowledge of human anatomy. (ouch)</p>
<p>I’m going to avoid her during her training in psychiatry. :)</p>
<p>D1 reports that the exams are a total bear and the workload beyond crushing. Despite the load she is completely enthusiastic and remains excited about her career. Figure 12 hour days 6 or 7 days a week. After an exam they have a few hours off.</p>
<p>It was interesting at a recent football med school tailgate party on campus where parents were invited. The Second Year students hosted the party for the First Year students. While the former UF students enrolled at FSU Med remain mostly fans of their undergraduate school sports teams (some just don’t care), they share a new common passion - they are enthusiastic about the med school. Most cannot bring themselves to root for the Seminoles so far, but almost all wear some manner of FSU school colors. The students were all bright and enjoyable to visit with.</p>
<p>D1 was able to snag a spot in a small excursion to an area hospital for some practical work with the school’s medical residents. Perhaps elementary medicine to be sure (joint injections, wound cleaning, OB-GYN stuff, dermatology treatments and the like) but for some diversion from the crush of academic work it was very welcome.</p>
<p>D1 is on “summer break” from med school. This break in formal classroom training is not a break from medicine, however. In this brief period she spent 3 weeks in a formal shadowing program at a med clinic, reporting for full days of work with a formal personal evaluation at the end by the leading MD at the facility. The facility she was assigned to work in was close to us so she lived at home for the 3-week assignment. Other med students had to find housing and were not so lucky. She received good marks for her work, not the least of which were comments about actively and pleasantly working with the staff. (Seems other med students can have a bit of an attitude when being directed by non-MD medical staff members. Apparently the med school knows about this and nips any emerging 'tude in the bud. Since Mrs. P2N is an RN, this was not an issue with D1. ;))</p>
<p>After a few days off D1 is now in Central America on a medical mission to a village or poor area locally called the “garbage dump”. The students are meeting with as many residents as they can, working on areas like basic nutrition, sanitation and whatever else they can address. The students took with them as many supplies as they could pack. </p>
<p>When she returns, she has a few more days off then starts second year. Second year is a tough academic year where the academic classes double in number from 3 to 6. The students are told in advance not to expect a normal life for a while.</p>
<p>For those who enjoy the creepier aspects of medicine D1 prepped for her excursion by viewing some of the bot fly videos on YouTube, in addition to other readings.</p>
<p>A bit of insight into a second-year med student’s life…</p>
<p>Second year is a huge academic grind. The academic demands are relentless but you begin to see why MDs tend to bond tightly to each other. Some med students say they have trouble sleeping or wake up at 3:00 AM due to anxiety. Remember, these students are the best of the best so imagine what the academic demands must be like. The looming first 8-hour USMLE exam weighs on everyone.</p>
<p>There are rumors of relationship breakups as well, all apparently due to the stress. Since D1’s husband is fortunately a grad student he understands the work load and relates well to the situation. D1 reports falling sound asleep in the sub-group study room at the school at one point. Her learning group is very tight and supportive of each other, but this is not the case in other sub-groups, where the personalities of some students clash. </p>
<p>A part of this culture she brings to life at home on break, where after supper while I am contemplating a second glass of wine, she’s brewing a huge pot of regular coffee.</p>
<p>Mini-match has occurred, where the students learn where they will spend the next two years. D1 luckily got her first choice, but some were disappointed. Third year is where the students hit the ground in supervised medical reality. I have heard that FSU med students have delivered (or “caught”, as they say) as many as 30 babies by the end of the year.</p>
<p>Another second-year note - we attend as many home football games as we can and invite D1 and SIL1 if possible. D1 was typically busy and unable to attend most all the time. However, she could break free for one game this year. </p>
<p>During this one game where she “broke free” she was studying. She brought her notes and printouts and zeroed in on her work at the game. </p>
<p>This epitomizes a second-year med student’s life.</p>