mddriven on Xanga

Weblog

Does anybody still use Xanga anymore? I know I haven't updated in several months, but by the looks of it, the same is true for many out there.
Well, for those faithful few, an update:
I am finishing the last two months here in Virginia, the last two months of my pediatric residency. I move, now, to New York City to train in Pediatric Cancers, a three year clinical and research program through Columbia University. I have never been a 'big city' girl, so this is quite a change for me, but I am excited, nonetheless.
So, if ever you find yourself in the Big Apple, give me a ring and I'll give you a place to crash!

It was my first 'deployment' with the military, and I must say it was pretty incredible. I was on a Navy ship in the Caribbean, and our mission was humanitarian relief and medical assistance. I stayed on the ship (major culture shock), and had to take a helicopter or a water craft to land each morning. We saw roughly 300 patients a day in make-shift clinics. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, though I felt that for the most part that we were simply the bandaid placed on more serious problems. With limited resources and limited follow-up, I am not sure what lasting impact we were able to secure. But it was rewarding, none-the-less. And my Spanish came in handy, very handy! Especially on days when translators were short. Not that I would want to join the Navy, but it was quite a fun experience.

I just got back from camp. Probably the best, most rewarding week of my life!
This was a camp for kids with cancer, and with overwhelming community support, there was SOOOO much to give back to these kids!. Not just your normal camp experiences, with the pool and horseback riding, but so much more! Professional chefs come to teach cooking classes and then cook for the entire camp; they have a lake day at a nearby lake where all the kids get to experience jetskiing, boating, tubing; there are "olympic games" where kids can compete and have fun! And the best thing was that all these kids have a common experience, a common bond, but for that one week they can put that aside for a few days.
I can't post pictures, but if you see me, feel free to ask me about my week and I will show you some pictures! Here is one picture I can post...of me on our "party like a rock star" dance night.

I took Samson to PetSmart today for bath and grooming, and I got back a new dog!! They trimmed up his fur, and used an actual blowdryer, or so the tell me. He is now clean, and sheds less, at least so far. Here's the final product:

Interesting day:
I spent the morning touring the ship that I will be on come the fall; that's right, I will join a Navy ship doing some humanitarian aid missions in other countries. I NEVER thought, the day that I joined the Air Force, that I would wind up on a ship. Everything has to be done a particular way on ships, knowing where to go, who to salute, so much to keep straight. I will only be with them for a few weeks during their several month trip, but it is still a little overwhelming. However, I start to think about the children that we are going to be able to help. Operation Smile will be joining us for a portion of the time as well, so there is a lot to look forward to. This is going to be an adventure to be sure!!