RAVE HERE thread

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I’ve found 2 SA ER clinics who are letting me stay for 3 weeks each this summer as I spend my last summer break enjoying it and learning a crap ton real quick. :biglove:

Pre-summer I gotta write in my tiny pocketbook the important **** I really should’ve remembered from this semester but will likely forget (ex: drugs- I do really well in pharmacology but I don’t remember a single thing about what to give beyond broad categories and/ or prednisone). I’m super excited- just need to find one more hospital who’ll have me!
 
I’ve found 2 SA ER clinics who are letting me stay for 3 weeks each this summer as I spend my last summer break enjoying it and learning a crap ton real quick. :biglove:

Pre-summer I gotta write in my tiny pocketbook the important **** I really should’ve remembered from this semester but will likely forget (ex: drugs- I do really well in pharmacology but I don’t remember a single thing about what to give beyond broad categories and/ or prednisone). I’m super excited- just need to find one more hospital who’ll have me!

Maybe write down some emergency drug doses (diazepam/midazolam, atropine/epi, dexamethasone, Lasix, domitor/torb) but the rest I just look up on VIN until I know them cold :shrug:
 
An otter moved into the pond on campus and I love him

virginia tech otter 2.jpg
 
My hubby has Crohn's disease, and has been followed by the same gastroenterologist for over 20 years. We know him so well that I have his personal cell number in case of emergencies. For several months, I've been struggling with esophageal dysphagia. There's a GI referral pending for me, but it's been going nowhere. Asked for a direct referral to hubby's GI, and was declined by form letter. Had a suspicion that he'd never even seen it - he's in his 70s and his patient list is closed.

So I texted him.

He's seeing me in two weeks, and told me "don't talk to my staff, just show up and I'll fit you in." Sometimes life is all about knowing the right people!
 
My hubby has Crohn's disease, and has been followed by the same gastroenterologist for over 20 years. We know him so well that I have his personal cell number in case of emergencies. For several months, I've been struggling with esophageal dysphagia. There's a GI referral pending for me, but it's been going nowhere. Asked for a direct referral to hubby's GI, and was declined by form letter. Had a suspicion that he'd never even seen it - he's in his 70s and his patient list is closed.

So I texted him.

He's seeing me in two weeks, and told me "don't talk to my staff, just show up and I'll fit you in." Sometimes life is all about knowing the right people!
Life is almost always about knowing the right people.
 
Life is almost always about knowing the right people.
It's kind of an annoying situation, in that I know exactly what I'd do next if I was a dog. But I'm not a dog, so apparently I need to go see a people doctor?
 
It's kind of an annoying situation, in that I know exactly what I'd do next if I was a dog. But I'm not a dog, so apparently I need to go see a people doctor?
I’ve dealt with that symptom previously as well. I ended up needing an upper endoscopy to stretch my esophagus and biopsies taken, and was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. After allergy testing, it turns out I developed a pretty bad allergy to dairy. Since my diagnosis, I’ve had to cut dairy out of my diet and go on omeprazole. About 2 years after diagnosis, I needed another stretching, but I’m hoping I won’t need another one for many more years. I’m hoping you find a simple answer to your problem!
 
I’ve dealt with that symptom previously as well. I ended up needing an upper endoscopy to stretch my esophagus and biopsies taken, and was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. After allergy testing, it turns out I developed a pretty bad allergy to dairy. Since my diagnosis, I’ve had to cut dairy out of my diet and go on omeprazole. About 2 years after diagnosis, I needed another stretching, but I’m hoping I won’t need another one for many more years. I’m hoping you find a simple answer to your problem!
Thanks! I'm lactose intolerant but eat some dairy anyway because I love it too much to completely give it up. I hope that's not what it is for me! It shouldn't be simple esophagitis, since two weeks of dexilant made no difference. My Dad had to get his stretched a while back, so I'm wondering if there's something genetic there. I've lost the genetic lottery on pretty much everything that runs in my family, so I guess I don't see why this would be any different....
 
Thanks! I'm lactose intolerant but eat some dairy anyway because I love it too much to completely give it up. I hope that's not what it is for me! It shouldn't be simple esophagitis, since two weeks of dexilant made no difference. My Dad had to get his stretched a while back, so I'm wondering if there's something genetic there. I've lost the genetic lottery on pretty much everything that runs in my family, so I guess I don't see why this would be any different....
I’m on omeprazole for pretty much life now. There’s not a definitive treatment for it, but they think reflux is part of it. My problem is the inflammatory component more than the acid reflux anyway.
 
I’m on omeprazole for pretty much life now. There’s not a definitive treatment for it, but they think reflux is part of it. My problem is the inflammatory component more than the acid reflux anyway.
That's the thing... I've never had reflux except for a short while when I was heavily pregnant. The kid is almost 16, so if that was going to cause a problem it should have done so before now. Regardless, all possibilities are being investigated.
 
How'd this get to the second page? I cannot get over how cute my youngest kitteh's purring is. It is kind of squeaky and super loud compared to my old man cats. My middle kid's is super quiet, so fun how contrasting they all are.
 
^ notice I didn't say no more vet school exams, because we have exams on some rotations :lame:

Oh, and I guess NAVLE too lol
You'll be okay. Keep your studying for it steady up until a month out, take one of the paid practical exams that month out to see where you're weak, then study as best you can and take another a week or two out. During the test take your breaks because the computer and lights give you a headache, and don't spend too much time on the ones where you have zero clue. Just give it your best guess and move on. Now, is that how I did it?

No. lol

I did all of my studying during third year then sporadically during clinics since I had a heavy front loaded schedule leading up to NAVLE. I took my first paid exam three days before, saw my weakness, studied for the next day, then took another and did a decent amount better. I had those weak spots in my head for a very small session the night before the exam, then just went for it. I took a single break and regretted all my life choices, but made it through.

Best advice is to make the most of your down time for test prep questions, but really pay attention in clinics as this helped me significantly I feel.

Congrats on being done with veterinary student courses!!! I hope you enjoy clinics as much as I did, despite the bummers that also come with it.

TLDR: Just keep up with your studies and learn in clinics, and enjoy your rotations as best you can. haha
 
You'll be okay. Keep your studying for it steady up until a month out, take one of the paid practical exams that month out to see where you're weak, then study as best you can and take another a week or two out. During the test take your breaks because the computer and lights give you a headache, and don't spend too much time on the ones where you have zero clue. Just give it your best guess and move on. Now, is that how I did it?

No. lol

I did all of my studying during third year then sporadically during clinics since I had a heavy front loaded schedule leading up to NAVLE. I took my first paid exam three days before, saw my weakness, studied for the next day, then took another and did a decent amount better. I had those weak spots in my head for a very small session the night before the exam, then just went for it. I took a single break and regretted all my life choices, but made it through.

Best advice is to make the most of your down time for test prep questions, but really pay attention in clinics as this helped me significantly I feel.

Congrats on being done with veterinary student courses!!! I hope you enjoy clinics as much as I did, despite the bummers that also come with it.

TLDR: Just keep up with your studies and learn in clinics, and enjoy your rotations as best you can. haha
Thanks Lupes :biglove:
 
So much win in that post @Elkhart. Could almost like-farm by breaking each paragraph into its own post. j/k
SO HAPPY you are here with us and there is slightly more stability and light in your life. The finances, the health insurance, the personal acceptance. We love you and think of you often!
 
@Elkhart very happy to hear how far you've come and always know you will have a place here to open up. Keep on the track you are because it seems like you are on your own path finding your calling <3
 
I passed the first of my two board exams!

I failed this one last year and had to wait an entire year to retake it. I had to pass this time or else I wouldn't be allowed to take the second exam, which would mean it would have been nearly impossible to get a job. I felt better about it this time, but it's a huge relief to get official word that I passed. Now I just have to keep cramming in Phase 2 information for the next 126 days.
 
I passed the first of my two board exams!

I failed this one last year and had to wait an entire year to retake it. I had to pass this time or else I wouldn't be allowed to take the second exam, which would mean it would have been nearly impossible to get a job. I felt better about it this time, but it's a huge relief to get official word that I passed. Now I just have to keep cramming in Phase 2 information for the next 126 days.
You got this!!!
 
I passed the first of my two board exams!

I failed this one last year and had to wait an entire year to retake it. I had to pass this time or else I wouldn't be allowed to take the second exam, which would mean it would have been nearly impossible to get a job. I felt better about it this time, but it's a huge relief to get official word that I passed. Now I just have to keep cramming in Phase 2 information for the next 126 days.
GO JAYNA GO!!!!!
You can do it! We all believe in you!!!
 
I passed the first of my two board exams!

I failed this one last year and had to wait an entire year to retake it. I had to pass this time or else I wouldn't be allowed to take the second exam, which would mean it would have been nearly impossible to get a job. I felt better about it this time, but it's a huge relief to get official word that I passed. Now I just have to keep cramming in Phase 2 information for the next 126 days.

Glad to hear it. I’m sure it was a stressful time, so breathe a well-deserved sigh of relief.
 
So yesterday I decided to set a goal to be in bed by 9pm because I've been super tired during the day. I got to bed around 9:30 and started falling asleep around 10, which is still better than normal for me, and today I feel so much better. (It may have also helped that I got to sleep in an extra 30 minutes, but hey.) My Fitbit says I got 7.5 hours of sleep last night whereas the previous two nights averaged a little over 5.5.
 
So yesterday I decided to set a goal to be in bed by 9pm because I've been super tired during the day. I got to bed around 9:30 and started falling asleep around 10, which is still better than normal for me, and today I feel so much better. (It may have also helped that I got to sleep in an extra 30 minutes, but hey.) My Fitbit says I got 7.5 hours of sleep last night whereas the previous two nights averaged a little over 5.5.
Nice! My fitbit says I almost got 7 hours last night, which is way better than the 4 hours and less that I've been averaging lately:highfive:
 
Nice! My fitbit says I almost got 7 hours last night, which is way better than the 4 hours and less that I've been averaging lately:highfive:
Update, my body actively resents me trying to take care of it and has rewarded my efforts with a slowly worsening migraine all day 🙁
 
Lately I've just been passing out on the couch at random times, waking up in the middle of the night, maybe moving to bed or maybe just passing out on the couch again. Probably not healthy.
 
Trying to break the cycle right now myself.

Tired -> more coffee -> too much coffee -> don't sleep -> tired -> more coffee....

Are you me? I’m also trying to break that cycle. I was so proud of myself for not getting coffee this morning, but by 11 AM I was already regretting my decision.
 
Are you me? I’m also trying to break that cycle. I was so proud of myself for not getting coffee this morning, but by 11 AM I was already regretting my decision.
Don't be me... pick someone easier!

Yesterday I had several cups of decaf, but only one real coffee and my last decaf was before noon. I was still wide awake at midnight. I get up at 5. To say I'm struggling today might be a slight understatement. Good thing I didn't have an exam this morning!!
 
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