Love having my brother back in the States. I’m sad I probably won’t see him for over a year after this weekend. (Studying? School? ehhhh)

micasaessucasa:

Quotel by mode:lina Architektura

I like this book’s recommendations, but I want to know who the doctor is.

I can’t help feeling that something’s amiss in the inexplicable ease of unfolding events, and the admitted sadness in the letting go.

It’s interesting being on an adolescent psych unit. It’s also really sad that so few of these kids had the chance to just be kids. So many broken homes, incarcerated parents, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, suicidal/homicidal ideation, psychotic episodes, etc. And I actually find it all fascinating. Part of me wants to reach out to these kids in the long run.. and yet I can’t quite see myself fitting in with the eclectic mix of potential future colleagues. I’m quirky, but I don’t think I’m that quirky. Hm..

People seem to like the airplane story. And so far, I do too.

Sometimes I feel like I’m watching my life unfold— wincing as bad things happen and grinning with the good. 
Four days in and 2012 has already proved very different from 2011. 

First day on the psych floors tomorrow. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to this rotation. 

The Bohemian Dinner, Charles Shaw

Happy New Year! New year, new things to come.

My mother likes to compare me to my brother by saying that when we were kids, he was the uber cautious one afraid to try new things and I’d been the one with the dumb fearlessness. Guess that says something about my brother, because I’d say that I still play it pretty safe. It really is something, though, to face your fears head on, and realize that things change, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. 

Anyway, looking forward to new things in the new year. Let the countdown begin to 2012!

1. drive/ambition
2. similar values 
3. compatibly quirky sense of humor
4. challenges me
5. *can dance

*I’d probably trade in #5 for any sort of artsy fartsy/creative leanings. (Dancing is a major plus though.)

theworldwelivein:

Belchite Night | Belchite, Aragon, Spain
©  David Martin Castan

Beautiful, just like my favorite ruin in Portugal. 

SHELF!!! then neuro quiz. then freedom.

Halfway through third year and I don’t feel like I know all that much more now than I did before I started this rotation. But I like to think that I absorbed more than I think.

Dr. R at Einstein was impressed by us. Unfortunately, we only worked with him for one day. Dr. D thought we were idiots and looked at us with a condescending flutter of her eyelashes, though she was oddly perky today. The other Dr. D didn’t give us the time of day. Dr. B was busy. Dr. H thought I was stupid for believing the drug-seeking guy. Dr. N is a genius. Dr. S was a sweetheart. A lot of them just thought we were idiots. 

Most memorable: 65yo M with h/o MI, s/p cardiac arrest found face down in a cafe, now in comatose state likely 2/2 anoxic brain injury. From what I could see from the outset, he looked to be in a deep sleep. He had + corneal reflex, pupillary response, Doll’s eyes, and pronounced withdrawal from pain in lower extremities. He was overbreathing the vent and made occasional yawn-like mouthing movements. But he’s also 9 days into it with worsening babinski and few signs of improvement. He is likely in a permanent vegetative state. The son visits often, and tries talking to him without much effect while I was there. The family is Albanian, very close-knit. They are at the beginning of family meetings to discuss withdrawing life support. 

It’s difficult to let go of a loved one, especially when you have control over when. But is there really ever a “right” time?

Along the same vein: a man develops Pick’s disease. As his dementia progresses, he becomes more belligerent, especially towards his wife. Wife cannot bring herself to institutionalize him, she still loves him. But he is no longer who he was. His frontotemporal lobe degeneration has made sure of that. After another incident of battery, social services takes over due to concern for her safety. Luckily for her, the decision is no longer hers. He is institutionalized. 

Autumn.

(via thingssheloves)