Wow, it's been a while

Hey there.

Remember me?

I'm the guy that used to post stuff to this blog.

It's been a while huh? Well, I'm back. Not sure for how long, but I'm back.

2012 is over. Thank goodness. It was the hardest, worst, most traumatic year of my entire life.

However, it was punctuated by some really great things, like this:

Not too bad for 17 graduate level credits.

And this (I'll do a separate post for this):

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a 4 yr old and a 1 yr old to look at a camera at the same time??

So, the year ended as well as it could. But best of all, it ended. I was thinking of trying to summarize how last semester turned out, but that just seemed too daunting a task.  So, just look at the report card above and know that I learned some stuff (feels forgotten already) and passed all my classes with flying colors.

Now, it's a new year and a new semester of this crazy thing called PA school.  We just finished the first week and here's what I'm already knee deep in:

PAS 5009: BEHAVIORAL & COMMUNITY MEDICINE – 2
The second course in the PAS 5005, 5009 sequence. A continuation of the study of the biopsychosocial model of health care and the study of the American health care system emphasizing the role of the PA on the health care team; patient education/preventive medicine/community health; medicolegal ethics.
PAS 5004: CLINICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING / DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
An introduction to critical thinking in the development of the medical diagnosis and treatment plan.
PAS 5007C: CLINICAL PROCEDURES
The primary objective of the Clinical Procedures course is to help PA students develop an understanding of and basic competence in the skills needed to perform diagnostic and outpatient, in-house, and emergency procedures. It is not intended to be conclusive nor is this class meant to turn out “skilled professionals.” Basic skills and knowledge learned here will prepare the student to further refine these skills with more intense, personalized instruction in the clinical setting.
PAS 5027: EKG INTERPRETATION 
A study of the principles and practical applications of electrocardiography for the physician assistant. An overview of common laboratory studies frequently encountered in the clinical setting. Students will learn when to order and how to interpret a variety of laboratory studies.
PAS 5020: INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINE – 2
The second course in the sequence PAS 5010, 5020. Signs, symptoms, and pathophysiology of common diseases of all ages; special studies in differential diagnosis. Individual sections cover various specialties included in the coursePAS 5001: PATIENT EVALUATION AND HOSPITAL PRACTICUM
Utilizing the hospital setting, the student will obtain experience in performing and recording patient histories and physical examinations and presenting clinical data.

There is some really cool stuff going on this semester.  We are starting to learn a lot more practical/application type stuff and are getting to have a lot more hands-on experiences.  For instance, on Monday, I will be completing my first full patient history and physical exam on a real. live. patient.  The class has been split into groups of six and assigned a resident.  We met with ours yesterday and he was really cool.  He took us over to the VA hospital--where we will be doing our interviews--and showed us around.  This weekend he'll email us our patient assignments.  Kind of nervous and kind of excited at the same time.  I'm definitely ready to get out of the classroom and interact with patients again.  That is by far my favorite part of health care.  I love sitting and talking to people, getting to know their stories.

This semester we also get to learn how to do cool things like venipuncture, suturing (we'll practice on pigs' feet and fake skin), casting, and lumbar punctures.

It all seems so overwhelming.  Too overwhelming.  But, I've been told that I think that at the start of every semester, yet every semester it turns out OK.  So, I guess I have reason to believe this semester will turn out alright as well.