T + 1 week

Hello blogosphere.

Yes I have been gone for far too long. It's hard to stay motivated to keep writing if there aren't an appropriate amount of written responses. But I guess I should keep in mind that my primary reason for starting this blog isn't for comments but more as a way for me to keep track of this journey.

I am currently 1 week post first semester. Med 1 was great. I studied well and it proved worthwhile. I also learned a lot and I am absolutely looking forward to the second semester. This time we'll be taking Biochemistry, Physiology, Genetics and Epidemiology.

I hope the semester goes just as well or even better for me.

I will try to make at least one blog post per block- as a summary for each block. I hope I can do it.


BoomStarz MD

One Week Down

....14 weeks to go.

In Med 1 anyway. The first week was quite enlightening. There is so much information, that thinking about it only has me looking like this o_O

Conceptually, the material is not difficult. It is understandable and actually very interesting. However, there is so much! Undergrad courses never went into this much detail! 

I think I've studied more these past five days than I have in a WHOLE semester in undergrad. I'm enjoying it though so that's good and hopefully that'll keep me going. 

I have a schedule for my Mondays to Fridays.

Sleep from 10pm-5am

Shower and breakfast from 5am-6am

Review today's lecture from 6am-7am

Travel to school from 7am-8am

Classes from 8am-3:30pm

Travel home and eat from 3:30pm-5pm

Study today's lectures from 5pm-9pm

Play online from 9pm-10pm

So far, it's worked for the first week and it is keeping me on top of my lectures. I've sort of conquered the brachial plexus, which is what was supposed to be difficult for everyone. I can now map it and remember what nerves come out of each root, trunk and cord. I'm now working on mastering exactly which muscles they each innervate.

Anyway, I just came here for a quick update on my journey.

Until next time,

BoomStarzMD

Screaming Nocturnal Donkeys

Right now, I'm half way through my second day of classes.

Two days ago was orientation where we took a tour of the school with a few mentors and asked for tips and tricks on how to do well in this program. We met the dean, some professors and also other staff that we can go to for resources as the semesters go by. We also got free lunch (never going to happen again).


Yesterday was the first day of class. I woke up bright and early, super excited to get started. I had been waiting for the day for a long time. I got to class early so I was able to pick a seat that was great for me. Second row centre. I've never been a first row person because I always want the professor to be able to see me and on the first row, there's a chance of being missed by the professor because s/he is trying to make eye contact with the majority of the class that's behind you. In the second row, I'm sitting close enough to be seen and "far" enough not to be missed.

This semester I have: Embryology, Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), Histology and Anatomy. I have Histology and Anatomy every single day (M-F) and Embryology (M, W, F) and EMB (Tu, Th).

Our first classed was canceled and instead the professor gave us some more tips and tricks for surviving and being successful in medical school. The class was canceled because there might be a curriculum change. They are considering combining EBM with Epidemiology (which is normally offered in Med 2) and creating one new class. This change will mean they can spread Physical Diagnosis throughout the 5 semesters here on this island instead of just making it one class for Med 4. We'll know by tomorrow if this change has been approved. I really hope it is. I think EBM and Epidemiology are related and can be combined and I'd also like to do some physical diagnosis now.

Histology was okay, a bit boring though. We talked mostly about different types of microscopes needed in the study of cells. Today's class was a lot faster paced. Still boring though. There are many little details that we need to learn. I have a feeling this will be the class I'll have to work a bit more on.

Anatomy wasn't too bad. Yesterday’s lecture was mainly terminology and today’s lecture is happening in 2 hours but my review of it wasn’t so bad. It was anatomy of the shoulder and all the bones and muscles I have already learned about. This time around, I just have to really learn it and apply it well. The nerves and arteries are new to me, but they don’t seem too bad.
Bottom line? So far, so good…but it is still just day 2 ha ha.

Referring back to my title, apparently the donkeys on this island are nocturnal, meaning they are asleep when we are awake (daytime) and they are awake when we are asleep (night time) and during this time, they scream! Yes, I am on Nevis.


Until next time,

BoomStarz, MD

Greetings From Nevis

So I'm finally here. Got here December 23rd. Took a 4 hour flight from Toronto to St. Kitts and hopped on a 45 min ferry to get to Nevis. The Air Canada flight I took was the first direct flight from Canada to come to St. Kitts so we were met by dancers and drumming and small packaged treats. It made me feel real special.

My apartment is nice. Bigger than I expected which is always a good thing. At the front I'm looking at the sea and at the back I'm looking at what I believe is Mount Nevis. It is soooo quiet here especially since its the holidays. Most people are spending time with their families. This is a great atmosphere for studying but I'm not sure how much fun one can have here.

Guys, Internet is soooo necessary. My landlord doesn't know much about it and was of no help. I figured out myself that the place had Internet and it wasn't till Christmas afternoon that I set it up and the evening that I set up the WiFi. Again, Internet is so necessary. I felt lost and alone and disconnected. How does one cope without Internet? Am I addicted? Maybe. But it's an addiction I'm willing to live with!

So I think there are only a couple other new students here right now. The rest will be joining us in the next few days. It'll be nice to get to know some faces before class starts. Orientation is on January 2nd and classes begin on the 3rd for everyone. I'm still excited and I still can't wait to start.

Until next time,

BoomStarzMD

7 days

Sorry for not posting for a while. When I make a post, I always want it to have some sort of meaning and I haven't had any ideas for posts since.

Anyway, as the title suggests, I have just 7 days left in Toronto. In 7 days, I leave for Nevis to start my journey.

I am super nervous but definitely ready to get this thing started. I know and understand that I'm going to be facing a lot of work but for whatever reason, I am craving that right now.

For those who don't know, I'll be on the island for a total of 20 months doing basic sciences and after that I'll travel to the states to do clinicals for two years.

In the 20 months on the island, I will have spent 5 semesters learning the theoretical bulk of information necessary for medicine. Each semester is 4 months and there is about a 2 week break at the end. Hopefully those two weeks will be enough to wind down and relax from the previous semester. We are going to be having exams (blocks) every three weeks so there is really no time to slack off. You always have to be on your A-game. I'm looking forward to this method because I think it can be really helpful. Exams may be annoying but it'll mean you're forcing yourself to study.

In my last week here, I'm running around getting some last things I need, saying goodbye to friends, and anticipating a promising future.

I'll hopefully be updating my blog once a week while I'm there. I won't know what my exact posting schedule will be till I start but I'll do my best to update.

I'm hoping this blog will be an outlet for me and also a way to track my journey so in the future when I want to remember something, I will hopefully have documented the event here.

Anyway guys, unless something incredible (more than normal) happens before I leave, I probably won't update this blog till I'm on the island.

Until next time,

BoomStarz, MD

brain flu

In the black community, mental health issues are often and regrettably regarded as nonexistent. We tend to dismiss odd behaviours and ignore obvious signs of a bigger issue.

"Oh, he just gets moody when the season changes"

"Remember how rude she used to be? someone probably did voodoo to her"

"Oh dad you're so funny, you're playing that pretend game again. It's me, your daughter. Why do you like pretending you don't remember?"

Sadly, these are some of the comments we make when our family members and friends are behaving--for lack of a better word--oddly. Deep down, we probably know these behaviours are not just random states but rather, clear traits.

I know so many people that need to see a professional about their behaviours but the word therapist seems to be taboo in the black community. We need to reconsider and update our ideas of what a therapist is and what a therapist does.

I mean, we see our general practitioners to get yearly check ups but we leave our brain alone and assume it's just fine. When we get the flu, we go in to see the doctor, but what about when our brain gets the "flu"? We can't just assume it'll get better eventually. We need to get it checked out.

Besides, therapists are great people to talk to. You can open up to them and be assured that it'll be kept confidential. What more can you ask for?

I've never been to a therapist because I don't currently need one and have never felt that I needed one but it's not something that I say I'll never need or want. There's a chance I could see a marriage counsellor before I get married, because I'm hoping s/he can help me ensure I have a successful marriage for example.

Anyway, just thought I'd come on here to share that. If you know anyone in your life that just might need a professional look at their brain, make it a suggestion...or maybe suggest they read my blog.

Until next time,

BoomStarz, MD

will work for food

Hi guys,

So I've been looking for a temporary job since I've been out of school in April. It's the middle of September and I have found nothing. It sucks. Big time.

I've been to a few interviews and they've been okay but I haven't been called back and I'm starting to wonder why. I've always thought I had a great personality and that my work ethic was strong and would show through in any interview but I guess being late to each and every one of them didn't help.

It's not like I purposely get to these places late; I try to get there on time but guys, universal forces are against me. I don't think I'm meant to work-- but frankly, I'm getting tired of waking up each day with no where to go.

However, I went for an interview this past Monday and I think I got the job. I mean, they told me to come start training in a few days--that's a good sign right? meh... the job sucks. I'll be outside all day, with Canada's unpredictable weather. The pay is moderate and the hours are good, but the actual job sucks! No worries though, I'll still go for the training and see how I like it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed- maybe I'll actually hate the job so much I'll never want to work again like the job.

I'm still applying for jobs and keeping faith that something great will come along.

Until next time,


BoomStarz, MD