Apparently size does matter

Ok, I guess that this entry should be rated PG-13. In Physiology, we have been studying cardiac function and along with it, vasculature. It is very interesting and if I were truly psychotic, I might consider cardiology. In the course of our studies, we discussed edema and its vascular causes. As it turns out, there are island populations in the Pacific that are prone to a certain parasitic infestation. One of the results of this infestation is elephantitis. The oddity in the story is that the elephantitis is typically limited to the legs or more commonly…the scrotum. There are even recorded cases of the scrotal weight exceeding 175 lbs! This particular parasite is easily eradicated with antibiotics, but the indigenous hosts refuse treatment. It is a sign of virility and masculinity. So there you have it, size does matter. In case you think that I’m making this up… Again, PG-13. Picture.

To my throngs of faithful readers (You know who you are.. all three of you!), here are the answers to your questions.

My related preceptor is Dr. Adam Nally D.O. (Terry’s first cousin). My tests are timed. For example, a typical Anatomy/Histology test runs as follows:

6:30 am Anatomy Practical (Identify and Name indicated structures on cadavers). We have one minute per station and usually have 35-45 stations. Spelling counts!

7:30 am Histology Practical (Identify and Name microscopic specimens shown via PowerPoint). Again, one minute per slide with a total of 35-45 slides. Spelling still counts!

8:30 am Written Examinations. We have 120 minutes total to take both a 45-50 question Anatomy exam and a 45-50 question Histology exam.

All done before lectures start at 11:00.

My summer volunteer program will probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,400. I am still collecting information about locations and dates. Of course, costs are related to where you go, but Mexico/South America tend to be pretty reasonable. All funds that I am able to solicit from companies or individuals are tax-deductible for them.

I guess that I did not mention it before, but I am not at an allopathic Medical School (MD). I am at an Osteopathic Medical School. My school's Website. When I graduate I will be a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) not an MD. Same credentials, same training, same practicing privileges, just a different philosophy concerning the body’s innate healing ability. But that’s a topic for another day.

With tests like these, who needs class?

So, I went to two out of six hours of classes today. And I only went to them because it was mandatory. This seems to be the status quo this week for me and most of the other students. I spent the majority of the day in the library. There is SO much material to learn for Thursday. The material in and of itself is not that difficult, but the pace kills you. The volume is tremendous. Oh well, the quarter is almost over.

I got my Biochemistry exam back from yesterday. I scored just a bit below the class average. I did about as well as I thought though. It did drop me from an A in the class to a B, but it is a high B. I will try to pull it to an A with the final. No pressure or anything;-).

We requested our third quarter electives this week. I requested a medical Spanish class and a community service class. The community service class is two Saturdays of performing sports physicals at a local high school for student athletes. It is rumored to be a great experience. The electives are on a first come first serve basis, so I hope that I get into the classes. They did not tell us when we will get our schedules, but I hope that it’s fairly soon. I hate waiting!

Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi

That’s a little muscle that runs from the side of your nose (near the top) to the corners of your mouth. It assists in smiling. No, really, that’s its name. That’s the kind of stuff that I’m studying right now. In Anatomy we are continuing our study of the head and neck. I have an Anatomy exam on Thursday, then Physiology on Monday, then…no more until finals. Incidentally, my first written final is on Valentine’s Day. I only have two finals that week, but I have five the following week. Then I have a week off. It’ll be nice to have some time off.

This morning was the Biochemistry exam that I was studying for this weekend. I don’t like having so many exams this close together. There isn’t enough time to prepare for them. I am not sure how I did. I felt comfortable with most of the material on the exam. However, there are always some things that I can narrow down to a couple of answers and then make an educated guess. Hopefully I did well enough. This is the second of three exams that we have in that class. It is also weighted the least of the three. I did very well on the first exam. I got a 95%. The class average was 84%, so I was elated. That also means that I do not have to do as well on subsequent exams to still get a respectable grade. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens with this one.