Simmering in Sacramento

Well, the Comcast guy has gone and I finally have internet access and can say "Hello from Sacramento!" Things are going well up here. Believe it our not I was able to defy all the doubters and find a place to live before I started my new job (Sure it was the Friday before, but I'll take what I can get).

Still working on furnishing the new place, but living in Midtown is great. I wanted to find a place with the feel of Oakland and Midtown definitely fits the bill. I am, again, a five minute walk from Safeway, but will miss having the Longs on steroids across the street as well. I'll settle for Rite Aid on my block though. The other trade off is now I have a Peet's in addition to a Starbucks. Anywho, I spend my days at home jacking up the A/C to get the temps down to the 70's which I had become acclimated to from staying in Monterey.

First day of work was just like residency. I felt like a 5 year old on his first day of kindergarten. I was scared, excited, confused...a little bit of everything. Going through the HR stuff was a bore, but since I'm a seasoned worker I was able to sign away my life faster than Michael Phelps can finish the 100 m freestyle. I, like Karen, received a nice little gift basket of all-things Sacramento...some Jelly Belly's, a nice calendar, Java City coffee beans...a nice gesture. The next 2 days was computer training and my brain was "saturated" as they say with all the information that they threw at us.

I actually started seeing patients on my 3rd day there. The first kid/teen no-showed. The second kid was an adorable 2 week old who's mother started asking me about preservatives in vaccines. I was like...um...yeah, we need those preservatives **cough** **cough** package and shipping **cough** **cough** safety...etc, etc. I muddled through it and realized that 6 weeks of vaca left me pretty dumb, not that I was that bright to begin with.

Thus far I have 3 patients per half day so that I can get used to the computer system. I must say that it is weird to have EVERYBODY calling me doctor, to have my very own MA who I am responsible for making sure she does a good job, and to have my very own huge patient panel. Visits have been a lot of fun, but I have that empty feeling at the end because there is nobody to say, "Yes, Tony I agree with your plan." Thus far I've met 6 kids on my patient panel consisting of 3 well newborns, a newborn with critical PS, a toddler with NF1, and your typical teen.

I must say that I do miss Children's some. It's amazing that so many people hold the hospital in high regard. All my colleagues think that I was very lucky to train there. Some of my parents have already asked if they could be referred there.

Anyways, I'm starting to ramble. If you're ever in the area give me a call. I'll make my way out to the Bay Area as much as possible. And keep an eye out for the occasional blog because I'll keep ya'll updated.

The real world

Hmm...not much activity here on our blog since the beginning of August. I am assuming that everyone is busy settling in our new jobs, new places, and new identities.
I had a rough start last week since there were 10 patients scheduled in my first half-day clinic. It has slowly gotten better (or maybe I am just used to the torture now), but it still feels like residency all over again: I am sharing a room with Sarah MacMahon, who has been extremely patient with my questions, and it feels like I am her intern and she is my senior again. I have been getting breakfast in the doctor's lounge, having lunch w/ my colleagues, and trying to go to every noon conference that provides free lunch.
What makes it fun is starting with a few other newbies, 2 other ones are also recent resident grads.
Alright, I should really do a few PREP questions tonight.

Miss you guys

hey guys. i miss everybody. this is my first time blogging. congratulations to marina and jaime on their new little one and to rona and ryan on expecting. also, lisa and dan congrats on the new house. we're all growing up so fast.

well, lex and i did it. we are officially hitched. the wedding was great. it was raining right before the ceremony, but luckily the sun came out just in time. i will send out some pictures soon. it was hard to come back to work after 3 weeks of vacation in hawaii, but so far the hospitalist thing isn't so bad. although it did feel a little too much like residency the other night when i was woken-up for a 2:30am then 5am ED consult. but, rona's right the days off in between make it worth it. so, i guess it is time to get serious about studying for the boards. we need to have a party after the boards.

i hope to see some of you soon. i definitely think we should make guernville an annual trip. it was so much fun. lex is still making fun of me for my foot attire on our bike ride. oh and i can't wait to see mike and ted's abs.

all my love, josie