My first day without a Spanish speaking patient, EVER

Day 1

Well, after a brief spur of the moment excursion to salt lake city, I made it to Grand Blanc Michigan. My connecting flight consisted of an Obama hating 80 year old who wouldn't stop talking to me and my final flight had a good friend flying with me so it was a nice suprise to see a familiar face. We landed got our rental car (ford escape AKA my mini white escalade) and drove through downtown Grand Blanc to find somewhere to eat before we parted ways. After the 30 second drive through downtown...we found a place. After eating, I drove to the place im staying and was very lucky to find a great condo with a 4 month old golden retriever puppy. Im staying with not 1 but 2 EM residents. A lil intimidating but both are wonderful...and there is beer in the fridge.

Monday wake up was 6:30 and got to the hospital by 7:30. I walk in the main entrance and there is a hotel-like lobby with 4 story ceilings, a big fountain and a Subway Sandwich restaurant in the background. Not too shabby. Couldn't help but feel a lil overwhelmed in a new hospital, new city, new car, and a complete lack of direction. After the orientation, meeting a few people, and having breakfast with my $50 a week cafeteria stipend, I felt a lot better.

Orientation and tours ended around 10:15 and at 11am I started my first shift. Every person I met was welcoming and helpful. The attendings were the least intimidating doctors I have ever met. Each one was excited about meeting a new student and offered to help with anything I needed. I saw a lot of patients and it worked out that I had 4 SOB patients, 3 ending up having PEs. I helped my new roomate/ resident on a central line and attempted to start an arterial line but neither of us could get it (HIV pt with small vessels and septic so his BP was low--would be hard for anyone I imagine). I ended the shift with a 14 year old girl who had a seizure after smoking the new drug called 'spice,' a man made THC like substance that doesn't test + on any urine drug screens and is technically legal and very dangerous. She was fine but sad to see people making money off this stuff, legally...

I'm excited about my month here and look forward to more experiences. I'm nervous, of course, but forget all about that when working. I hope I don't do anything stupid at work (or home!) and can't wait to see more of Michigan. Detroit is close and I plan and driving to a couple other cities to check out other residency programs.

It's freakin humid as hell though...