So. I think that the last time I wrote a blog post was when I got engaged, in June! Well, now it's September and I have been so busy learning how to doctor - I haven't had time to write. A note on the wedding - we hired a wedding planner and she is amazing. There is no way we could coordinate anything without her. I can barely find the time to shower and do my hair - let alone go searching for wedding venues and photographers online. BUT! We have officially found a venue [in Scottsdale!] and we are so excited to begin planning our special day.
Intern year in Ob/Gyn residency is IN-TENSE. As residents, we are non-stop moving and we work really, really long hours. I'm so tired. I physically hurt. But I am loving my experience. Taking care of women is a pretty incredible job. Let alone, taking care of women who are going through some of the most exciting and some of the hardest moments of their lives. Women are so strong. My patients really do amaze me.
The start of intern year is very challenging in so many ways. There is a knowledge gap (a big one), there are all new people and teams, efficiency is missing, you have to provide quality care, and you have to be a good teacher to your medical students. This, in combination with a full house of active, laboring patients, can be pretty tricky to learn to triage and to work effectively & efficiently.
It is incredible how far my co-residents and I have come in such a short amount of time. The motto, "see one. do one. teach one," really does hold a lot of weight in medicine. Things that were challenging for me a month ago, I am now able to teach my medical students how to do! That being said - there is still soooooooo much to learn in 4 years time. It almost doesn't seem possible! I like to use this analogy: initially I felt like I was sinking the second I stepped onto the labor and delivery deck, now - I feel as though I am at least able to tread water to keep from totally drowning. Eventually, I will float and be able to oversee the deck on my own!
We work such long days that sometimes it feels as though there is no life outside of the hospital. But I must say, this summer has FLOWN BY, and I am truly happy with where I am at and what I am doing. I do believe that this is where I am meant to be! I have tried to get better at dedicating 30 minutes each day to working on my physical and emotional health, but its hard! I come home and have no desire to cook, workout, or move - really! So this is the biggest thing that I am working on: how to find some quick energy to take care of my own health each day. My goal for this week is to eat more dinners at home ( i love to go get local food around my apartment! - OMgosh if you come to downtown Phoenix - hit me up. SO.MUCH.GOOD.EATS.) and to go to yoga at least twice! I definitely need to find myself some accountability - so if any of ya'll need that to, maybe we can help each other out!
In the mean time I work essentially every day until I head back to MN at the end of the month for one of my best friend's wedding! I am so excited to see so many of my friends and family, not to mention - my fiance'!
-xoxo Katie Casper, MD
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