It's proven to be most difficult choosing one day to share with my fellow interns. It seems this week has been very inspiring to say the least. It's hard to fathom that this is only my third week. [F] Dr. Escobar along with all the nurses no longer treat me as an intern they expect me to take patients, take blood pressures, and handle their x-rays. The reasoning for their expectations is because recently a nurse was let go because of her lack of effort in the clinic, so Dr. Escobar was forced to let her go and now the Oral Surgery department is short handed. However temporarily this problem has been solved, Because of my quick learning and my natural ability to interact with patients with ease, they've asked me to help out as much as I can. I've been told that I am doing an amazing job and that they had no idea how natural everything would come to me. Dr. Escobar kindly proclaimed "He's a great kid VERY quick learner; I think he has a future in this career". I feel like I've made a great impression on not only him but the other members of the clinic, my presence is much appreciated and my company is very enjoyable. [A]
On Tuesday we had a surgery where we had to pull out 5 teeth. At the time we had no patients, so I was reading over some patient charts when the nurses come get me and give me a pair of scrubs. I was extremely confused to why they gave it to me, but without question I quickly changed into them. As I walked out I was directed to one of the operating rooms and was told today I would assist in my first non wisdom teeth surgery. (No need to be afraid Mrs. Sherrick they had been preparing me for this and there was a nurse standing by in case I were to make any mistakes). Assisting may seem easy to some because all that takes place is retracting the tongue and using a suction to suck up the blood, however there is a certain technique that must be used. You absolutely must have stable hands because if you were to bump into the surgeons hands he could make the wrong incision.[D] Throughout the surgery Dr. Escobar kept me cool by directing me and the nurse was guiding me throughout the surgery. But no need to worry friends tooth extraction is not something someone can die from and assisting in such surgeries does not require much schooling. In the middle of the surgery it turns out that the patients jaw had been rotting due to bad hygiene. So when Dr. E attempted to pull a tooth, parts of the jaw came along with it. It was shocking seeing his jaw be extracted. However he was very fortunate that Dr. E discovered this because if you did not remove the rotten parts his whole jaw would have been infected.[D] After the surgery I was given praise for being extremely well at assisting. Dr. E expects to teach me much because of how quickly I am able to catch on to things.
Later on the week I was able to take a visit to the pharmacy, and I've come to the realization how boring and tedious it really is. (no offense Anna) However it was only my first day and all I did was refill prescriptions and manage the drive thru. Bruce, the head pharmacist, said if I started coming more he'd show me more interesting things such as grinding up medications and combining them when necessary. I feel as if I've become extremely lucky with my placements and sponsors because they are very open with letting me experience new things and willing to teach me what Pharmacists or Doctors actually do. [F] I will be visiting Bruce every Wednesday and he told me he will teach me everything he knows. There is also a Job offering at that pharmacy on the weekends and thanks to my pharm tech license, if I talk to the pharmacy manager of Christie about the job, then Bruce will pull some strings to help me get the job. So I am very fortunate for having such amazing sponsors.
Thursday was possible one of my most life changing experiences. Today I had the pleasure of shadowing a Gastroenterology Physician Assistant, Charles Ragona . Chuck is extremely hysterical and he allowed me to follow him while he looks at patients and diagnose their problems. Chuck told me that whenever I wanted to see something other than teeth and face surgery then I should come on down to GI to observe him and his work. Watching Chuck diagnose patients showed me the more personal approach to medicine. Recently I've seen surgeries, taken x rays, handled patients, refilled prescriptions but I've never had the pleasure of taking a patient in and diagnose them with a problem. After working with Chuck I saw a more personal approach to medicine. Chuck handles patients by interacting where as Dr. E does primarily surgery. Chuck introduced me to a new type of job, being a PA, Physician Assistant. They make 6 figures, handle patients but go to school for less years and are not drowned by medical school bills.[A] It's in my head now that I might want to become a PA for the time being and later pursuing my dreams as an actual doctor.
This week has definitely been a handful and I've learned a lot about medicine and I believe I am coming closer to my decision on which field I would like to study.
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