I'm out

Finished my last day at Kaiser L&D. I thought this day would never come. I'm slightly sad because I love the intern that I'm working with now. Had a blast working with her on gyn/onc and had a blast goofing off with her the last couple of days.

Memorable events from today. A woman came in for a rule-out labor check. She was super nervous and uncomfortable with guys. Of course, my intern let me do the speculum exam. Like a dork, I stood up and said, "I'm sorry I make you so uncomfortable"...awkard silence. Almost creepy. My intern and I walked out and started cracking up. Why am I so weird?...ugh

Later in the day, I wanted to learn how to draw blood cuz I keep messing up in clinic. I had a little too much fun. I put on multiple tourniquets to make my veins pop out. Then I went around telling people that I was the Ultimate Warrior. haha. Remind me not to let my intern evaluate me.

On my way home, I called my mom. She was saying something about some guy at my home church who finished his residency and was advertising his new private practice clinic at church. I was horrified. Church is a place I go to worship something that is greater than myself. I don't go to socialize. I leave my politics at the door. There I am reminded of my personal shortcomings and the grace of God that has privileged me with learning the art of medicine and surrounded me with friends far greater than I ever deserved. In my place of worship, I can take a step away from all the crap I see in this world and focus on something greater than myself and the selfishness I see around me. To advertise in church is just plain wrong.

Advertising in church just reminds me of how culturally different my parents are from me. To them, it seems so obvious. There is a caring person at church, who speaks their language and understands their customs who can take care of their health. Of course, it makes sense to serve your church community...still sounds like shameless advertising to me. I'll get off of my soapbox now.

I then told my parents something that reflects a lot of what I have seen in my medical training. I said that it's a bad idea to have someone from your church be your doctor. They can't take optimal care of you if you can't be upfront about your drug use, psychotic notions and the pus oozing out of your orifices after that night of drunken sex. silence...um...I'll call you again in a week mom.

-bender