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My Review on Amazon:
I see that many people also purchased this book along with Samuel Shem’s famous book, “The House of God.”
Well, “A Cartoon Guide to Becoming a Doctor” is just as much of a classic book on the topic of medical school and residency. But the best part about Dr. McFizz’s book is that there is way less text, way more pictures, way more laughs, and at least as much sex!
Buy the book…you know you want to!
“I’m one of those regular weird people.”
- Janis Joplin
Great day of lectures today. Went for a run in the cold rain. I truly love living on top of a subway station. I’m just one of those regular weird people.
Photo: Subway platform taken from my kitchen window.
“I think life’s an irrational obsession.”
- Sean Penn
I am currently home and post-call for the day. A long, but wonderful day performing psychiatric consults.
I have an obsessive personality. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it’s bad. I realized just now that I was obsessing about the last consult that I saw today. I forgot to ask a few questions that might have been pertinent. Probably not, but still I should have asked. So I continue to review the “what ifs” in my mind, but try to comfort myself with the idea that I still did a good job.
I continue to love psychiatric consults. I must admit that I do love catching problems overlooked by the medical team and enjoy educating the requesting docs on how something is “not psychiatric but medical.”
I also continue to also be obsessed with all things canine, especially my lover, see above photo.
I realize that this post is completely jumbled and stream of consciousness. But this is where my mind takes me tonight.
Time to assemble a hummus platter and catch up on my sleep before tomorrow….
Part of My “Doggy Doos” Photo Collection
“the decisive moment, it is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as the precise organization of forms which gives that event its proper expression.”
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
I had a conversation with my attending recently about how people make their own futures. We talked about how there is this moment in time when you make a decision – and at that moment a million possibilities suddenly open up like a supernova. And if you can live in that moment, and fully envision your future, it happens because it must. Because it is. It’s a quantum probability manifested.
We were also talking about how people sometimes defy “chance” and resist the consensus opinion to surmount all. I thought back to the pre-med advisor who told me, many years ago that a high school drop out like me had no chance of succeeding in med school. I thought back to the time I made the decision to attend a Caribbean medical school and many people told me that I’d never obtain a residency or succeed in my career. It turns out that many people were wrong.
Anyway, some heavy thoughts for a Tuesday, I know. Time to have a decisive moment about my dinner!
Photo: Taken on my walk to the hospital.
Please check out my latest post on “The Ink Blot” at Medscape/WebMD to read reasons to reconsider calling a psychiatric consult.
Click Here to View the Original Post on Medscape
“I’m so happy ’cause today
I found my friends
They’re in my headI’m so lonely, that’s ok
I shaved my head
And I’m not sad”- Lyrics to “Lithium” by Nirvana
Life has been pretty good lately. No complaints. Of course, as my profession has me constantly analyzing myself and my life and my happiness, I have observed that there are a few components which seem to contribute to making me happier. I’ve stated them all a million times before, but here we go again:
1. Walking to and from work. I just can’t emphasize this enough. It is probably the single most important part of my life. Walking in boiling heat, pouring rain and frigid cold allows me to think. It makes me stronger. It provides me with wonderful photo ops. It’s simply the dog’s bark.
2. Having a job where I am busy, challenged, and needed. This is incredibly critical. I need these things in my life. They make me happy.
3. Interacting with people. I need to say hello to the man who drives the hospital shuttle bus. I need to say hello to the janitors and nurses and other ancillary staff. I need to talk to my patients. I need to teach my medical students. I need to learn from my attendings. I need to have lively debates with my fellow residents. This all makes me feel alive.
Today was a great day. It was our dedicated didactics day. Our lectures were on: supportive psychotherapy, forensic psychiatry, advanced psychopharmacology and ethics. Great topics. Great discussions. Fun learning.
Anyway, time to knock a few items off my “to do” list and have some dinner. Until next time!
Photo: “s/p Miss Piggy?” Taken on my walk to the hospital yesterday.
Part of My “Trash Talkin” Photo Series
Please check out my latest post on “The Ink Blot” at Medscape/WebMD to hear my thoughts on this topic!
Click Here to View the Original Post on Medscape
“A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
I truly love it when days have themes, and for me, today had the theme of “speak your mind.”
The first time I was reminded by this is when I was discussing great leaders of the world with my attending this morning and talking about Abraham Maslow’s “Self Actualization.” People like him and Ghandi were not afraid to speak their mind.
Later on, I went to a Martin Luther King Jr. hospital celebration. It was fun. He was not afraid to speak his mind.
Then I decided that I had to speak my mind during a residents’ meeting. I wasn’t representing the popular opinion, but I felt compelled to express my thoughts and I did. (“D”, if you happen to read this, I am still sorry that I offended you.)
Later on in the day we had a lecture on ethics, which ended up becoming a somewhat heated debate. I again spoke my mind, even though I know that I had the minority opinion. (I still love you, Modes!)
Is it due to nature? Is it due to nurture? Is it because I have an opinionated mother who taught me not to settle or acquiesce? (I love you, Bob!) Maybe it’s all of the above and more.
But I think that speaking my mind and speaking up (yelling if need be) when I disagree or believe that injustice is being done is what makes me “me.” And I hope to continue to do so, with increasing fervor, until I take my annoying, obsessive, opinionated, non-settling body to the grave.
Just my 5 cents. 
PS, Happy almost MLK day!
Photo: Taken during the MLK service today.
“You start a conversation you can’t even finish it.
You’re talkin’ a lot, but you’re not sayin’ anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again?Psycho Killer,
Qu’est-ce que c’est
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer
Qu’est-ce que c’est
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away”- Lyrics to “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads
Today was an epic day. I mean, really great. I just got home from the hospital. It was a 15-hour day. Was on call. Not horrible. Speaking in short sentences because that works with my brain.
My day went something like this. Walked to the hospital. Got sign out. Had a philosophical conversation with my attending about achieving one’s purpose in life and subatomic particles and such. Saw an interesting consult where I really connected with the patient. Did some other things. Went to an residency applicant lunch where I got to answer some questions. Went to a great Grand Rounds on the subject of violence in first break psychosis (hence the quote above). Followed up on some patients. Consoled a family and obtained information from them. Did some teaching in between. Went on call. Saw another interesting case and possibly even did some good. Was asked by my patient if I could be her out-patient doc. Taught a medical student. Took a strange phone call. Made a strange phone call. Did some faxing. Did some follow ups. Walked home.
Yes, I’m talking a lot but not saying much.
I’m sorry, but all the good stuff is in between the lines.
Time to eat!
Part of My “Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series
Part of My “Trash Talkin” Photo Series
I am a doctor completing my psychiatry residency in Brooklyn, New York. I talk to strangers on a daily basis, and I like to take photos of trash. I invite you to join me on my adventure through the looking glass.
"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!"
- Alice, From "Alice in Wonderland"
