RANT HERE thread

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Well I guess that makes it easy then. Doing a high percentage small animal while taking 50% call is like the worst of both worlds…
And getting paid like a LA doc to do 25-50% SA work at this point. Of course, the pricing on SA services is whack so I have no idea if I'd exceed my base. We're in a high COL area and we charge more to castrate a goat than neuter a dog...

Kicking myself though because I turned down a mixed position at a really great clinic w/ a better offer because I wanted to do the LA thing. Now I'm just doing mixed for less money in a worse environment.
 
And getting paid like a LA doc to do 25-50% SA work at this point. Of course, the pricing on SA services is whack so I have no idea if I'd exceed my base. We're in a high COL area and we charge more to castrate a goat than neuter a dog...

Kicking myself though because I turned down a mixed position at a really great clinic w/ a better offer because I wanted to do the LA thing. Now I'm just doing mixed for less money in a worse environment.
Live and learn I guess. Sucks, but we were all young and stupid once. Hopefully you won’t be twice
 
So tired of being ill! Got a cold but of course I think it's aggravated my heart issues. I was so exhausted last night just from walking up the steps to get to my apartment that my boyfriend had to spoon-feed me medication because I couldn't sit up. Heart rate consistently around 140 and constant palpitations. I know I should probably go to the doctor but I really don't want to spend 12 hours in the urgent care waiting room just for them to tell me there isn't anything they can do. 😒
 
Remembering, tonight, for no particular reason something from my last on campus semester for undergrad (Fall 19). It was on post-apocalyptic literature, and our wonderful professor asked us what we would do if we knew we were the last people on earth. Like 95% of the class was like, well there are going to be no people real soon.

Anyway think about that tonight for no reason. Definitely not related to any outside events that are occurring in the US.
 
well, as a trans person I’m now seriously considering moving out of the US and did not apply to any international schools, a huge mistake I realize now. I don’t think there are many states that will protect me. not only do I have to deal with political stuff, but also consider that if I do get in somewhere I may have to turn it down just due to safety. this just majorly sucks more than anything.
 
well, as a trans person I’m now seriously considering moving out of the US and did not apply to any international schools, a huge mistake I realize now. I don’t think there are many states that will protect me. not only do I have to deal with political stuff, but also consider that if I do get in somewhere I may have to turn it down just due to safety. this just majorly sucks more than anything.
I'm sorry <3 I am straight and married, but I am trying to figure out what to do now if my IS accepts me. It's the only one I applied to earlier this year because of my husband's job. I'm now regretting not taking advantage of the international UCAS deadline extensions or even applying to another school in a state that isn't as horrifically red as my current one. I'm not sure what to do if I get offered a seat, chances are very low as I'm very non-trad and it's my first cycle, but still...
 
well, as a trans person I’m now seriously considering moving out of the US and did not apply to any international schools, a huge mistake I realize now. I don’t think there are many states that will protect me. not only do I have to deal with political stuff, but also consider that if I do get in somewhere I may have to turn it down just due to safety. this just majorly sucks more than anything.
same, if vmcas was still opened id totally be applying to a canada or uk school. really, really hoping that nothing changes in this country too drastically and clinging to the idea that we'll all be so busy with vet school that, by the time we're graduated, it'll all be over
 
So.... a genuine question here since I'm not really economically versed but with Trump's stated intentions to gut the U.S Department of Education what does this mean for getting loans through FAFSA? Republicans now have full control of the senate, house, and obviously the executive branch. I'm genuinely worried that I will not be able to attend vet school now (among other **** as a woman) since I need these loans to pay for tuition and housing costs. I was interested in attending Glasgow but with the economy up in the air I feel like my dream is slipping away. Anyone else feeling similar? I really hope the economy does not crash because damn it feels bleak
 
same, if vmcas was still opened id totally be applying to a canada or uk school. really, really hoping that nothing changes in this country too drastically and clinging to the idea that we'll all be so busy with vet school that, by the time we're graduated, it'll all be over
I never thought I'd be seeking refuge in my biochemistry class but here we are 😕
 
My vet dreams have been on ice for a while. I can't even imagine making progress in the next 4 years, maybe international if my husband can transfer at his job. I genuinely don't know what's going to happen next. I have some pretty significant mental health challenges and I know my symptoms are only going to get worse. I've already had to stop working for almost half the year at this point, and I just don't know how I'm going to manage.

Thank God for my intensive outpatient therapy. It's not fixing things, but it's at least giving me tools. If anyone wants/needs a recommendation for Hardcore mental health support in Virginia, Maryland, or Illinois hit me up.
 
So.... a genuine question here since I'm not really economically versed but with Trump's stated intentions to gut the U.S Department of Education what does this mean for getting loans through FAFSA? Republicans now have full control of the senate, house, and obviously the executive branch. I'm genuinely worried that I will not be able to attend vet school now (among other **** as a woman) since I need these loans to pay for tuition and housing costs. I was interested in attending Glasgow but with the economy up in the air I feel like my dream is slipping away. Anyone else feeling similar? I really hope the economy does not crash because damn it feels bleak
It's a good question to have. I don't forsee the ability to take out loans being changed, just options for repayment. He has historically opposed loan relief measures, going as far as proposing to get rid of PSLF (which he will most likely try to do again).
 
It's a good question to have. I don't forsee the ability to take out loans being changed, just options for repayment. He has historically opposed loan relief measures, going as far as proposing to get rid of PSLF (which he will most likely try to do again).
Since they really just hate Biden, I'm hopeful they'll just shut down his SAVE plan but leave everything else alone. Just let student loans go back to what they were before covid. But I won't lie, I'm slightly terrified they'll get rid of income based repayment plans entirely. This will destroy so many people financially. Hopefully they just get rid of SAVE and then go back to ignoring student loans like they did the in the past.
 
Are there any schools that are still accepting applications? I only applied to one international school and now I’m wishing I applied to more.
I sure hope so... I'll apply tomorrow if any are still open
 
FWIW, anyone feeling disheartened about this country, AOC did a really good Instagram Live video today that explains a lot about not only the outcome of the election but the background behind how this happened. It's not fixing it, and I still want to go international, but it's helpful to see someone actually flush out the underlying issues contributing to the fascist rise of America.
 
I'll throw in that the Dispatch (conservative); The Run-Up (moderate); and Left, Right, and Center (moderate) podcasts have had good discussions over the last week about the election (prior to Tuesday). They haven't all released their election analyses yet since. I feel The Journal does a pretty good job too; WaPo also good, just more obvious liberal lean.
 
I feel like my first interview of this cycle went really badly due to my nerves. I can't tell if I'm just worrying for no reason or if I really did mess up my chances by being super awkward. 🥹 Has anyone felt this way and gotten at least waitlisted?
 
I feel like my first interview of this cycle went really badly due to my nerves. I can't tell if I'm just worrying for no reason or if I really did mess up my chances by being super awkward. 🥹 Has anyone felt this way and gotten at least waitlisted?
I froze during my UPEI interview, which was my first one. Completely lost my train of thought, error 404 brain not found. The silence felt deafening and like it went on forever, but probably only lasted about 10 seconds. I finally broke the ice by saying “wow, I was really on a roll there too!” I got a chuckle, a reassurance that I was doing fine, and we continued on. The whole interview I felt awkward and that moment I thought for sure sunk me. I got accepted. Awkward and nervous is to be expected. They can see beyond that to how you answered and what you said.

Good luck, and try not to overthink it. It’s done now and what will happen will happen. If you have any other interviews, prep. Answer questions in the mirro, ask doctors you know what kind of questions they got and what kind of answers they would expect. I hated this advice because prepping felt impossible, but I think it saved me in all my interviews.
 
I injured my hip. I am pretty sure I have a gastric ulcer recurrence from the excessive NSAID use.

Insurance limits on PRN medications are annoying. I can get 18 Zofran a month, which is more than I used to be able to get (used to be 10), but not near enough if I am taking 1-3/day to keep food down. I have lost 13% of my body weight in two weeks. I partially blame the excessive weight loss on having to restrict my Zofran use. I have gotten around this in the past by having some Zofran and some Reglan, but I am not able to get a doctor's appointment to change medications around until December. People have filled their deductibles and so doctor's offices are busier, plus Thanksgiving coming up.

If I eat, I feel nauseous. If don't eat or just nibble on crackers/peanut butter granola bars, I feel weak from not eating. You can't win.

I have such an onslaught of work to do with school with the end of the semester, which makes it really hard. It's so hard to think straight when you don't feel well.

It's tough.
 
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Update: got orders. Got denied for initial preauthorization as "medically unnecessary " and sent back to Dr for peer to peer review and is not yet officially denied. The f**k? I pay my premiums and out of pocket expenses. You are not involved in my care. Give me my mri so I can move on in life.

I hate the system.
Update to the updates: Insurance **** the fan and denied it after the peer to peer request. Dr finally got it pushed through. Tried to get it scheduled and the local hospital didn't want to schedule me because I am pregnant. Que my rant and incessant bugging them practically everyday because the obstricians and radiologists societies both say it's fine. Finally got the MRI today AFTER OVER 6 WEEKS-its absurd.

*Drum roll please*

High grade ACL tear AND vertical oblique meniscus tear including the body and posterior horn


So relieved to finally know exactly what is wrong. Now to meet with the surgeon to see what all my options are considering my status.

Also going to complain to my insurance company. Also going to reach out to a higher up I know in the local hospital to hopefully increase access to care for people especially those who are pregnant seeking a noncontrast MRI and so hopefully it's easier for the next person-ie the average joe without a clue. Thankful for my medical training and knowing what I needed, sad I needed to advocate so hard for myself.
 
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These 3 idiots broke into my backpack (mind you has been in the same place untouched for 2+ years) and broke open and ate my travel meds (advil/excedrine/tylenol) unknown amount of different kinds. Thankfully just the small travel size bottle but still

2 have elevated liver enzymes. 1 getting tx out of an abundance of caution. Everyone got a trip to vomit town and activated charcoal and now fluids for the night. Send prayers their way for a quick and full recovery
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This is kind of a rant (about the perils of being a woman doing A Man's Job™️) but is mostly a funny story that I'll share so hopefully someone out there can laugh with/at me:

Yesterday I went out to castrate a 200 lb kune kune pig. I had the owner give him some crazy amount of gaba/traz the night before and 2 hours before the appointment (genuinely was something like 900 mg traz and 1800 mg gaba which were doses I got from experienced Pet Pig Vets™️) so I'd be able to poke him with some IM sedation. The premeds worked great and I walked right up to this big piggy and stabbed him in the neck with ket/torb/midazolam and he didn't even flinch. Let him marinate with that undisturbed for 20 minutes and he reached a great plane of anesthesia. The owner held him down so he'd stay in dorsal, and we chatted throughout. Did the whole castration and he barely twitched. It took probably 45 mins to finish the castration bc those suckers were deeeeep under a thick layer of fat and really didn't want to come out, but I got it done.

Owner was very appreciative and kept saying things like "I'm so impressed with what you do!" etc etc, which isn't unheard-of praise from gracious large animal clients. I'm wrapping up and getting ready to leave to go to a horse emergency and this guy goes "not to be unprofessional, but can I give you my number?" And my brain was like 10 seconds behind processing what was happening so I was like "oh for sure!" thinking maybe he'd have questions about the pig post-op, of course I should have a way to contact him! Narrator voice: this was not why he was giving me his number. He comes back and is like "I don't have a pen." Not knowing what to do at this point, I was like "oh I have one!" so I gave this man a gd pen for him to write down his number for me 🤦‍♀️ and of course now he thinks I'm genuinely interested. Oops. As I said... I didn't know what to do. Also, I was alone with him and started thinking that if something happens to the pig post-op and he's butthurt over rejection then maybe he'd be more likely to complain about me 🤷‍♀️.

Anyway, mostly a funny story but also... don't hit on your small lady large animal vet while she's alone at your place, please... I guess there was something just so romantic about a pig castration 💕. Everyone manifest a complication-less recovery for Mr Piggy so I don't have to go back there... please please please.

Edit: important detail I forgot to mention is this man is late 40s ex-military with adult children!! I am in my 20s. 🙂
 
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This is kind of a rant (about the perils of being a woman doing A Man's Job™️) but is mostly a funny story that I'll share so hopefully someone out there can laugh with/at me:

Yesterday I went out to castrate a 200 lb kune kune pig. I had the owner give him some crazy amount of gaba/traz the night before and 2 hours before the appointment (genuinely was something like 900 mg traz and 1800 mg gaba which were doses I got from experienced Pet Pig Vets™️) so I'd be able to poke him with some IM sedation. The premeds worked great and I walked right up to this big piggy and stabbed him in the neck with ket/torb/midazolam and he didn't even flinch. Let him marinate with that undisturbed for 20 minutes and he reached a great plane of anesthesia. The owner held him down so he'd stay in dorsal, and we chatted throughout. Did the whole castration and he barely twitched. It took probably 45 mins to finish the castration bc those suckers were deeeeep under a thick layer of fat and really didn't want to come out, but I got it done.

Owner was very appreciative and kept saying things like "I'm so impressed with what you do!" etc etc, which isn't unheard-of praise from gracious large animal clients. I'm wrapping up and getting ready to leave to go to a horse emergency and this guy goes "not to be unprofessional, but can I give you my number?" And my brain was like 10 seconds behind processing what was happening so I was like "oh for sure!" thinking maybe he'd have questions about the pig post-op, of course I should have a way to contact him! Narrator voice: this was not why he was giving me his number. He comes back and is like "I don't have a pen." Not knowing what to do at this point, I was like "oh I have one!" so I gave this man a gd pen for him to write down his number for me 🤦‍♀️ and of course now he thinks I'm genuinely interested. Oops. As I said... I didn't know what to do. Also, I was alone with him and started thinking that if something happens to the pig post-op and he's butthurt over rejection then maybe he'd be more likely to complain about me 🤷‍♀️.

Anyway, mostly a funny story but also... don't hit on your small lady large animal vet while she's alone at your place, please... I guess there was something just so romantic about a pig castration 💕. Everyone manifest a complication-less recovery for Mr Piggy so I don't have to go back there... please please please.
The fact that he didn't make a stupid comment about castration and masculinity is a green flag, though :laugh:
 
This is kind of a rant (about the perils of being a woman doing A Man's Job™️) but is mostly a funny story that I'll share so hopefully someone out there can laugh with/at me:

Yesterday I went out to castrate a 200 lb kune kune pig. I had the owner give him some crazy amount of gaba/traz the night before and 2 hours before the appointment (genuinely was something like 900 mg traz and 1800 mg gaba which were doses I got from experienced Pet Pig Vets™️) so I'd be able to poke him with some IM sedation. The premeds worked great and I walked right up to this big piggy and stabbed him in the neck with ket/torb/midazolam and he didn't even flinch. Let him marinate with that undisturbed for 20 minutes and he reached a great plane of anesthesia. The owner held him down so he'd stay in dorsal, and we chatted throughout. Did the whole castration and he barely twitched. It took probably 45 mins to finish the castration bc those suckers were deeeeep under a thick layer of fat and really didn't want to come out, but I got it done.

Owner was very appreciative and kept saying things like "I'm so impressed with what you do!" etc etc, which isn't unheard-of praise from gracious large animal clients. I'm wrapping up and getting ready to leave to go to a horse emergency and this guy goes "not to be unprofessional, but can I give you my number?" And my brain was like 10 seconds behind processing what was happening so I was like "oh for sure!" thinking maybe he'd have questions about the pig post-op, of course I should have a way to contact him! Narrator voice: this was not why he was giving me his number. He comes back and is like "I don't have a pen." Not knowing what to do at this point, I was like "oh I have one!" so I gave this man a gd pen for him to write down his number for me 🤦‍♀️ and of course now he thinks I'm genuinely interested. Oops. As I said... I didn't know what to do. Also, I was alone with him and started thinking that if something happens to the pig post-op and he's butthurt over rejection then maybe he'd be more likely to complain about me 🤷‍♀️.

Anyway, mostly a funny story but also... don't hit on your small lady large animal vet while she's alone at your place, please... I guess there was something just so romantic about a pig castration 💕. Everyone manifest a complication-less recovery for Mr Piggy so I don't have to go back there... please please please.

Edit: important detail I forgot to mention is this man is late 40s ex-military with adult children!! I am in my 20s. 🙂
This is the content I'm here for.
 
I can get 18 Zofran a month, which is more than I used to be able to get (used to be 10), but not near enough if I am taking 1-3/day to keep food down.
If your doctor is cool with Rxing more, GoodRx was something like $10 for 30 tablets when I needed some for my dog (the non-dissolving kind at least). Hope you feel better 🩷🩷🩷🩷
 
Congratulations on this though (I assume)!!!! I don’t recall seeing it in a different thread but if I did and already congratulated you, WHOOPS DOUBLE THE CONGRATS 😂
Glad you finally got your MRI but sucks about the ACL and meniscus tears 🥲
Haha thanks yeah hadn't really said anything before. Now just waiting to see surgeon pry mid December is what they said next available is sadly
 
Craziness. Get a personal account through a supplier and pay $1.50 for 30 tablets!
I was not at home over the summer and had no cerenia with me and needed something ASAP 😂 meijer sells cerenia but does not keep it in stock (at least not in northern MI) 😂🥲 I definitely have work order me things when I need and get zofran for myself (shh)

But also what distributor was easy for you to get your own account through?
 
But also what distributor was easy for you to get your own account through?
All Midwest needed was proof I was licensed in the state I was having stuff shipped to. There was a one page new account form to fill out and email in and that was it. I have to send in license renewals annually. They’ve definitely gotten less friendly to the personal accounts over the last few years (got rid of the free jatrx pharmacy that used to let us order hw and ft meds by the box and replaced it with a paid-for online store that costs $30/mo or something to access so now I have to strategically order a case of 10 for hw meds at a time from their regular site (luckily we have multiple dogs and they’re all similar size so aside from a large expense for buying a case it is possible to use them before expiration among the pack), added shipping fees if you have an order less than $150, etc.) but overall I still appreciate being able to order stuff from there.
 
All Midwest needed was proof I was licensed in the state I was having stuff shipped to. There was a one page new account form to fill out and email in and that was it. I have to send in license renewals annually. They’ve definitely gotten less friendly to the personal accounts over the last few years (got rid of the free jatrx pharmacy that used to let us order hw and ft meds by the box and replaced it with a paid-for online store that costs $30/mo or something to access so now I have to strategically order a case of 10 for hw meds at a time from their regular site (luckily we have multiple dogs and they’re all similar size so aside from a large expense for buying a case it is possible to use them before expiration among the pack), added shipping fees if you have an order less than $150, etc.) but overall I still appreciate being able to order stuff from there.
Imma definitely see if I can get an account with them or a different one if there’s one that’s more friendly to personal accounts 😂
 
All Midwest needed was proof I was licensed in the state I was having stuff shipped to. There was a one page new account form to fill out and email in and that was it. I have to send in license renewals annually. They’ve definitely gotten less friendly to the personal accounts over the last few years (got rid of the free jatrx pharmacy that used to let us order hw and ft meds by the box and replaced it with a paid-for online store that costs $30/mo or something to access so now I have to strategically order a case of 10 for hw meds at a time from their regular site (luckily we have multiple dogs and they’re all similar size so aside from a large expense for buying a case it is possible to use them before expiration among the pack), added shipping fees if you have an order less than $150, etc.) but overall I still appreciate being able to order stuff from there.
But also what distributor was easy for you to get your own account through?
I have Midwest and MWI, was pretty easy to set up both. What’s the online store you can order individual boxes from, Jayna? I haven’t seen that yet, but $30/month isn’t worth it to me either. So far I’ve just found people to split with, but that can be a headache.

Ski, if you’re still in our old neck of the woods, there is a local supplier that sells preventatives by the box (instead of the carton) too supposedly. Haven’t set myself up with them yet though.

FWIW, Midwest and MWI pricing is usually identical but sometimes one is out of stock in something while the other isn’t. Midwest is far more customer-service oriented imo, my regional rep sends me goodies all the time even though I just order for personal pets.
 
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I have Midwest and MWI, was pretty easy to set up both. What’s the online store you can order individual boxes from, Jayna? I haven’t seen that yet, but $30/month isn’t worth it to me either. So far I’ve just found people to split with, but that can be a headache.
I think they called it MyVetStoreOnline? My rep had emailed me about it in March of 2022, trying to get me to sign up when they stopped offering the free JatRX portal they used to use. I complained hard when they took the free option away and replaced it with the $30/mo thing. It’s basically like a clinic storefront where at regular clinic, clients can put in individual rx requests for clients, the vet can approve it, and it ships directly to the client from the supplier. But you could set it up as an individual and submit your rxes as if you were a client and approve them to get meds for yourself by the box. But $30/mo isn’t worth it for just me and my family’s animals.
 
If your doctor is cool with Rxing more, GoodRx was something like $10 for 30 tablets when I needed some for my dog (the non-dissolving kind at least). Hope you feel better 🩷🩷🩷🩷

Thank you! I appreciate you telling me this. I am feeling a little better so long as I really watch what I eat.
 
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I have Midwest and MWI, was pretty easy to set up both. What’s the online store you can order individual boxes from, Jayna? I haven’t seen that yet, but $30/month isn’t worth it to me either. So far I’ve just found people to split with, but that can be a headache.

Ski, if you’re still in our old neck of the woods, there is a local supplier that sells preventatives by the box (instead of the carton) too supposedly. Haven’t set myself up with them yet though.

FWIW, Midwest and MWI pricing is usually identical but sometimes one is out of stock in something while the other isn’t. Midwest is far more customer-service oriented imo, my regional rep sends me goodies all the time even though I just order for personal pets.
Excellent I’ll see if I can set up accounts with one or both 😂

Ooo neat. Same state, but I’m on the west side of the state now vs East side. I occasionally do make trips over to the East side if that distributor is local pick up, if it’s worth it though 🤔🤔🤔 do you know the name of that one?
 
Excellent I’ll see if I can set up accounts with one or both 😂

Ooo neat. Same state, but I’m on the west side of the state now vs East side. I occasionally do make trips over to the East side if that distributor is local pick up, if it’s worth it though 🤔🤔🤔 do you know the name of that one?
I'll message you.

Supplier accounts are worth it, imo. I save a considerable amount of money. The only thing I'm missing these days is the Hill's feeding program...not an option for zoos, unfortunately. I don't think Purina or Royal Canin will offer discounts unless you work in small animal, either.
 
None of the food companies would give a lowly pathologist without a clinic an account but you can order Purina at a discount through Midwest. It’s not a ton cheaper but a little bit? I’ve used it for things like FortiFlora and CalmingCare. I used to order food through it too but that was closer to Covid times and they were having so many things go out of stock I started buying at retail prices locally instead just because it was for sure available and didn’t take two weeks to ship. But idk if things have improved since 2021-2022ish.
 
First day of vacation block: find yet another stray dog, this one probably HBC, end up back at the vet school ER.
Dog is stable now, but microchip not registered 🙁
Update: dumped (why am I shocked???)
On the bright side, a woman messaged me interested in adopting her because she looks exactly like her late dog 🥹❤️
 

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Why is it SO hard to find left handed needle drivers that don't suck??? So many right handed ones of all sizes, but the one left handed one I can find that isn't like 140 dollars is a pain to use 😭😭😭😭 My life is already hard, can we make it a little easier by having some more options? Please????
 
Why is it SO hard to find left handed needle drivers that don't suck??? So many right handed ones of all sizes, but the one left handed one I can find that isn't like 140 dollars is a pain to use 😭😭😭😭 My life is already hard, can we make it a little easier by having some more options? Please????
Especially since there are so many lefties in medicine. Like 1/4 of my class was lefties
 
Why is it SO hard to find left handed needle drivers that don't suck??? So many right handed ones of all sizes, but the one left handed one I can find that isn't like 140 dollars is a pain to use 😭😭😭😭 My life is already hard, can we make it a little easier by having some more options? Please????
I just learned to awkwardly use the right handed ones. It’s a weird movement to unclick right handed instruments but once you learn the muscle memory it’s not awful. Definitely better for you to actually get left handed ones though. If I’d have planned to do traditional practice I may have invested more into left handed stuff. Honestly, teaching yourself to do it both ways has benefits…closing incisions I’d sew the sq one direction holding instruments in my right hand then switch hands and close the skin holding them in the opposite hand. Instructors did a double take but when I explained what I was doing they said it was fine, haha.
 
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