So I'm on call new years, so no party for me.
I've been thinking a bit about the last 365. Its been an interesting year. Tsunamis, elections, war, death, birth ('sup Paddy), Tuscany. So much has happened, I can actually feel myself getting excited about what the future holds. Lets hope that the good outweigh the bad for 2005 (the judges are still out for 2004).
One thing is for sure, I plan to spend more of it with the people important to me.
A bit of trivia (I guess) I learned this weekend
When young kids are learning how to grapple with their diagnosis of cystic fibrosis they often cannot pronounce the name, so they are taught to say "65 roses" since it sounds almost exactly the same. So the national CF group is called 65 roses.
So the head of my former residency calls and asks if I will have a drink with him.
Sure, why not?
So I meet him at the bar and he's looking a bit stressed.
What's up, I ask casually..
Well, sometimes you just shouldn't ask a question like that...
Turns out one of the new residents (that I do not know) just got arrested....
for child pornography....
with a 14 year old boy....
and I guess they added charges of rape and lewd act, all of which carry a maximum life sentence...
So the fact that I failed my boards doesn't seem like such a big deal.
Oh yeah, and the funeral of that doctor, Dr Diaz was this weekend
All in all a pretty eventful 48 hours...
Saw my new nephew yesterday. Drove to Phoenix to see him. What a chubster. He is quite well. His ma is doing fine as well. The house they have there is out of control huge. 3 levels, game room. etc...It was worth the 6 hr drive to see him for the first time...
Went to the Billboard Music Awards last night. Rubbing elbows with famous stars and those who wish they were. Nelly was standing (sort of) next to me for a while, and I got an invite to the Usher after party, but not until it was too late to go. The Vegas life...
Played poker last night with the usual group. Only instead of 5-6 guys, there were 17 players. Every winner gets a picture on the wall of fame and I was pretty much the only regular player not up there. Lots of 2nd places. So last night I lost a huge hand and only had 4 chips left. But I took my time and played conservatively. And I won. Beat all 16! So I was muy happy. It was also nice because we played at my friend Craig's house, and it was his business partner who died suddenly last week. So I think it was a good diversion for him as well...
Dr Diaz died 2 days ago. You may not know him, but you've all met people like him. He was a pediatric pulmonologist here in town (lung doc). When he came years ago I believe he was the first one, and he took care of many really sick kids on his own. He began a clinic for kids with cystic fibrosis and one for kids with asthma. He spent long hours in the hospitals checking on his kids and helping them get better. He also was a fantastic teacher. Every resident worked with him (by choice) for a month and all describe it as a combination of fear, awe and humility. He made you work hard and let you know when you were wrong, but in a way that made you strive to do better. His bedside manner and care for his patients, even on his busiest day, taught you to be a good person as well as a good doctor. His lectures to the residents made us all better clinicians. And his love for medium priced Port was legendary. He lived life well, was busy, kind, successful, humble, and always helping others.
No one knows how he died. He felt ill, fevers, etc... went into the hospital and never came out. All tests were negative. He was a pretty healthy guy in his 50's.
He was one of the most influental people in my training as a doctor. He was the type of doctor I strive to be. I never told him that, but I wish I had. I will miss him. I cannot believe he is gone.
Got up at 6 am to round in the hospital. Turns out the baby born yesterday will probably be an orphan since mom bled out and tried to die in the OR. Oh yeah, she was a meth head as well... Double bonus! So I get to the office to find out that I have 4 patients all day and 1 cancelled. People wait 4 hours for a doc and I'm sitting around with nothing to do. So naturally I have no money. In fact I haven't even earned enough to pay my staff. So I storm home, end the dysfunctional relationship I was in, then try to put my new furniture together (a file cabinet...ohh cool!), and after an hour find out a piece is missing!
Thank god I don't own a gun... Maybe I'll just break a few things.
Nah, I gotta sleep. Tomorrow I got 1 patient scheduled...