This semester is proving to be tough. I'm enjoying it except for the part when I see my test scores. Currently we are taking our first rounds of exams and I'm starting to feel the burn. We will start our first surgery in two weeks. I will be running the anesthesia machine while my two lab partners do surgery.
Last week we had a lab practical exam. It was intimidating because they only allowed one student at a time. Walking into the lab we had four stations to be tested on. The first one I had to demonstrate gowning and gloving to the Dean. Now, I've known the Dean from swimming we usually pace each other. So naturally I had the added pressure of not messing up and he had the added pressure of not being too harsh.
Anyhow, next station was with Dr. St. Jean of whom I've cycled with on numerous occasions. Here I had to chose from one of five blank 3x5 cards. Upon turning it over you find out which suture pattern you will have to demonstrate. Once again I was a little shaky about proving to St. Jean that I can bust out a Horizontal matress like I can ride a bike.
Next station Dr. Bruhl-Day a gentle giant from Argentina and perhaps the best Surgeon on campus. Here I had a bad draw and chose the card with Halsted suture pattern. I started out right, Bruhl-Day questioned, I hesitated thought too much and ran out of time!!! But hey he's from Argentina that's close enough to Mexico and I'm Mexican-American...perfect!
Last station was with Dr. Pope my small animal surgery professor. Here I had to demostrate quartering off a pillow with huck towels followed by securing them with towel clamps. I breezed through this station and probably resonated with confidence as I swiftly finished. Later I found out I pretty much did everything wrong. The next day I went to Pope's office to find out where I went wrong. To my surprise there in the corner a yellow Trek road bike!! To think that I could have gone on ride with Pope was a chronological frustration!
In my opinion this lab practical was a crapshoot. I've never been the type of person who does good on anything concerning luck. For exampe, if I have to guess on a true/false question I usually do the following:
Choose the answer I believe (gut feeling) is the right one, then choose the opposite. Anyhow, this semester is proving to be very very tough. It's a tall order but I'll do as much swimming, pedaling as I have to. Shoot I'll even sing the Argentinian national anthem.....well maybe not a good idea. As they say "desperate times call for desperate measures". Well I better get back to my studying because that's all I'll be doing all weekend. Thanks for reading.
Sergio
