Y!IFMBA: Random thoughts of the pediatric minded

[Marigold]

BTW, I just remembered that a pedi surgeon I know completed their pedi residency (and is boarded in pedi) before starting gen surg and then pedi surg. They are very proud of being a pedi surg who is also a pediatrician!

Wow! Impressive qualifications! Definitely a lot of training, but impressive.

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[ms. a]

Wow, lots of surgery-turned-peds people here! I thought I was the only one. I was set on doing surgery for a good year before realizing that Peds was for me. I, too, am very interested in critical care.

Keep the Prague, Vienna and Budapest advice coming! We have our flights booked, but that's it so far. Once I'm done with my Neuro rotation on Friday (my last rotation of med school!), I'll start working on planning the hotels/trains/etc.

 

[CrazyPeds527]

I had an advisor (a peds intensivist) tell me that really, intensivists were all closet surgeons anyway. It IS hard to find non-surgeons (like me) who get excited about putting a chest tube in a small child.

I couldn't get into surgery though, the pathlogy was cool but i thought the OR was kinda boring...too much ADHD i guess...

Where's my ritalin?!

Incidentally, this face reminds me of the episode of scrubs from the first season, when JDs head explodes and Dr Cox says "If your head explodes, you will never make it as a doctor."

 

[riverie]

What? Another Texan???

There can never be too many of us, eh?

Welcome! We heart peds around these parts too. Maybe TexasRose or I will see you around doing a sub-I next year.

Thanks! Unfortunately, I am doing my sub-i in May-June. However, if I manage to "handshake" my way to "the happiest place on earth" (as one certain children's hospital is known among my pedi friends,) maybe you guys (ladies?) will be my upper levels when I'm an intern!

 

[m1234d]

Incidentally, this face reminds me of the episode of scrubs from the first season, when JDs head explodes and Dr Cox says "If your head explodes, you will never make it as a doctor."

i know a friend who will appreciate that quote quite a bit. i haven't seen that episode - that's hilarious.

 

[TexasRose]

i remember being 13.. it was longer than 13 years ago, but i remember. that's awesome, it's a great (though i'm sure frustrating) age!

this time last year i was struggling between surgery and peds, i definitely am happy with my decision, i gotta say.

oh, and i'm cheering for mr. dreads and the australian so far

I understand the surgery allure. I spent about 6 weeks thinking surgery until I actually did my peds rotation.

That's interesting, I'm cheering for the same 2 guys, plus the rocker guy (David Cook?). Marigold did this to me. I never watched the show until she and my daughter forced me into it.

 

[TexasRose]

Hi, my name is ST, and I'm deserting surgery for the land of pediatrics. Hold me back I can't wait.

Yay, we get ST! We win!

 

[TexasRose]

There can never be too many of us, eh?



Thanks! Unfortunately, I am doing my sub-i in May-June. However, if I manage to "handshake" my way to "the happiest place on earth" (as one certain children's hospital is known among my pedi friends,) maybe you guys (ladies?) will be my upper levels when I'm an intern!

Good time to do the Sub-I. All the interns are chill because it's the end of their year. If you're doing it at the big hospital and want some thoughts on placement, PM me.

 

[CrazyPeds527]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jP8bSK_pM4

Start about 45 seconds into the clip...it's probably one of the best sight gags i have seen on television ever

Oh, and SweetTea...welcome to the land of perpetual children! With you and riverie, thats two more converts
Peds -1
Surgery - 0

Oh, and Zeke - given our rank lists, its not surprising that we practically are the same person.

28 days until MATCH

 

[riverie]

Oh, and SweetTea...welcome to the land of perpetual children! With you and riverie, thats two more converts
Peds -1
Surgery - 0

lol i guess i should reveal that i was briefly enamored of surgery (also before i did my pediatrics rotation, TR.) i originally came into med school thinking, "very possibly peds, but we'll see what happens." so you could say that i came home!

 

[praying4MD]

I had an advisor (a peds intensivist) tell me that really, intensivists were all closet surgeons anyway. It IS hard to find non-surgeons (like me) who get excited about putting a chest tube in a small child.

I couldn't get into surgery though, the pathlogy was cool but i thought the OR was kinda boring...too much ADHD i guess...

Where's my ritalin?!

Incidentally, this face reminds me of the episode of scrubs from the first season, when JDs head explodes and Dr Cox says "If your head explodes, you will never make it as a doctor."

My 4th year treat to myself was a month in Turkey (AMAZING!! And stunningly beautiful!) plus two and a half weeks in Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and outlying cities. Then a month with family in London. It was the best. Fourth year rocks.

Re: advice for Prague, Vienna, etc. You MUST go to a place Hallstat -- it is ridiculously beautiful! You can take the train from Vienna, and from there, to Lake Wolfgang - which is also beautiful, and coincidentally, where the SOund of Music was filmed. But really, Hallstat is somewhere I highly recommend.

My favorite cities in Europe are: Rome, Prague and London - I really, really enjoyed Prague and you are going at a good time - before all the crowds hit I think. What a city -- to walk the streets where Communism fell, in the Velvet Revolution, right next to one of the oldest bridges in Europe -- history is packed into every square inch of that city. (not to mention the whole Kafka thing as well, for fans - which I am.) It was heaven. They say Hitler even liked the city so much he ordered it to remain untouched during the war -- that's why it is still so well-preserved... whereas Budapest was razed and rebuilt -- hence, the "Disneyland" feel to Budapest -- new things built to look old or something. I didn't care for Budapest too much, but Prague was lovely. Enjoy.

 

[Sweet Tea]

Yay, we get ST! We win!

There's a reason why Boo has always been my avatar. It just took me awhile to come to terms with the fact that really, I like children much more than adults. I will always love the OR, but I'm just not mean enough for surgery. And that's a good thing.

And can I just tell you all how excited I am about being almost done with q2 trauma call??? *squeeeeeee*

 

[Marigold]

There can never be too many of us, eh?



Thanks! Unfortunately, I am doing my sub-i in May-June. However, if I manage to "handshake" my way to "the happiest place on earth" (as one certain children's hospital is known among my pedi friends,) maybe you guys (ladies?) will be my upper levels when I'm an intern!

Excellent! And yes, ladies, if you're referring to me, TexasRose, and ms. a.

 

[Marigold]

And can I just tell you all how excited I am about being almost done with q2 trauma call??? *squeeeeeee*

Oh man, I'm excited for you!! That's awesome!

 

[Marigold]

I understand the surgery allure. I spent about 6 weeks thinking surgery until I actually did my peds rotation.

That's interesting, I'm cheering for the same 2 guys, plus the rocker guy (David Cook?). Marigold did this to me. I never watched the show until she and my daughter forced me into it.

All my fault! hehehehe. My top three right now are dreads guy, Aussie rocker guy, and the cute little just-turned-17 year old guy with the awesome voice (David Archuleta, I think?)

 

[165808]

All my fault! hehehehe. My top three right now are dreads guy, Aussie rocker guy, and the cute little just-turned-17 year old guy with the awesome voice (David Archuleta, I think?)

Those are my three favorites, too!! That dreads guy really got me with his "What a day for a daydream...." song. It was just so cute!!

American Idol is such a fantastically awesome waste of time. I look forward to it and fully enjoy my time wasted watching it.

 

[TexasRose]

Those are my three favorites, too!! That dreads guy really got me with his "What a day for a daydream...." song. It was just so cute!!

American Idol is such a fantastically awesome waste of time. I look forward to it and fully enjoy my time wasted watching it.

It was so cute!

 

[iatrosB]

hello all, 3rd year here...strongly considering peds...not surgery

 

[Marigold]

hello all, 3rd year here...strongly considering peds...not surgery

You'd like it here! We have lollipops and stickers!

Seriously though, post up any questions/thoughts you have so we can answer them and bring you over to the "bright side"!!

 

[Marigold]

It was so cute!

Yes, his "what a day..." performance was super cuteness!

BUT....he didn't do quite as well last night. Neither did Aussie rocker guy. There are a few new standouts after last night! First off, David Cook (the "true" rocker of the season, acc. to Paula and Randy) did indeed rock my socks off last night. He was great! I also thought Chikezie did a lot better last night, and David Hernandez did a lot better too.

And.......David Archuleta. WOW. His performance of "Imagine" was, I think, one of the highlights of the entire season, even though it's just begun. It was just stripped down, clean, and beautiful. And great song choice for him....what a great message to come from the youngest and seemingly most unaffected of the contestants this year. LOOOOOVED it.

AND this is applicable to Pediatrics because he's still young enough to be a Pediatric patient! hehehehehe.

 

[165808]

Yes, his "what a day..." performance was super cuteness!

BUT....he didn't do quite as well last night. Neither did Aussie rocker guy. There are a few new standouts after last night! First off, David Cook (the "true" rocker of the season, acc. to Paula and Randy) did indeed rock my socks off last night. He was great! I also thought Chikezie did a lot better last night, and David Hernandez did a lot better too.

And.......David Archuleta. WOW. His performance of "Imagine" was, I think, one of the highlights of the entire season, even though it's just begun. It was just stripped down, clean, and beautiful. And great song choice for him....what a great message to come from the youngest and seemingly most unaffected of the contestants this year. LOOOOOVED it.

AND this is applicable to Pediatrics because he's still young enough to be a Pediatric patient! hehehehehe.

I wholeheartedly agree with all of that!! Chikezie won me over last night totally. And David Archuleta was AMAAAAAZING!!

 

[iatrosB]

You'd like it here! We have lollipops and stickers!

Seriously though, post up any questions/thoughts you have so we can answer them and bring you over to the "bright side"!!

ooo, sold!

Really though, if I didn't have such large loans, I'd be there in a heartbeat...I'll probably still do it anyway, but with the loans, I have to think harder.

 

[165808]

ooo, sold!

Really though, if I didn't have such large loans, I'd be there in a heartbeat...I'll probably still do it anyway, but with the loans, I have to think harder.

Hey, now!! I have over $300k in loans, and I'm peds all the way!! It can be done....it can be done.

 

[Marigold]

ooo, sold!

Really though, if I didn't have such large loans, I'd be there in a heartbeat...I'll probably still do it anyway, but with the loans, I have to think harder.

Yeah, when you combine mine and my husband's stu loan debt it'll be around $250K. The secret, imho, is not in making more money, but in making smarter decisions with the money that you DO make. As a physician, you WILL make enough money to get out of debt. Might take several years, but if you're doing what you really love, it's worth it. Then, once you get out of debt and you're clearing 6 figures a year....nothing to worry about.

 

[iatrosB]

Hey, now!! I have over $300k in loans, and I'm peds all the way!! It can be done....it can be done.

Yeah, I know...got to go with the heart right?

I know when I'm all done, the debt won't seem as large relative to income...but right now the ratio aint to pretty

Like I said, I'll probably still do peds...cause kids rule, adults drool

 

[iatrosB]

The secret, imho, is not in making more money, but in making smarter decisions with the money that you DO make. As a physician, you WILL make enough money to get out of debt. Might take several years, but if you're doing what you really love, it's worth it. Then, once you get out of debt and you're clearing 6 figures a year....nothing to worry about.

That's all very true. I know this, but it's good to hear every once in a while

 

[Marigold]

Yeah, the whole student debt thing can be really intimidating and scary at times...I freak out about it every now and then. But look at it this way...at least you know you can get a job and make some sort of 6 figure income. Some other students (mostly Master's level, even some PhD's) end up with significant student loan debt and yet when they finish, there's no guarantee of a high-paying job. They might be making 50-60K for years and years, taking waaay longer to pay the debt off. The good thing about medicine is that yes, most of us have to go into debt to become doctors, but after our training is over, we do well for ourselves. Even if we're in primary care.

I mean, I think about how I grew up, and my parents never made more than $120K combined, and I wanted for nothing. And now my dad's retired and my folks are completely debt-free, INCLUDING their 3 year old custom built dream home. So I feel QUITE confident that I will be able to eventually be debt-free and more than comfortable as a primary care pediatrician. It's all about making the right decisions with the money you have!

Oh, and kids definitely rule.

 

[TexasRose]

Yes, his "what a day..." performance was super cuteness!

BUT....he didn't do quite as well last night. Neither did Aussie rocker guy. There are a few new standouts after last night! First off, David Cook (the "true" rocker of the season, acc. to Paula and Randy) did indeed rock my socks off last night. He was great! I also thought Chikezie did a lot better last night, and David Hernandez did a lot better too.

And.......David Archuleta. WOW.

Yup, I still like David Cook. Aussie guy was disappointing. Guy with dredlocks was disappointing too.

And yeah, David Archuleta is amazing.

 

[arlsoonDO]

All my fault! hehehehe. My top three right now are dreads guy, Aussie rocker guy, and the cute little just-turned-17 year old guy with the awesome voice (David Archuleta, I think?)

Love that David Archulleta (sp?) guy!!!! He is so inocent and cute. everytime some body yells out something from the crowed. he always gets so shy -- it's adorable

 

[m1234d]

i agree, david A. was really great, david H. was good. i was sad that my aussie and mr. dreads didnt do so great.

well see how the girls do. clearly, more important than studying for my shelf on friday...

 

[TexasRose]

i agree, david A. was really great, david H. was good. i was sad that my aussie and mr. dreads didnt do so great.

well see how the girls do. clearly, more important than studying for my shelf on friday...

clearly.

And so far, they seem to be doing better this week than the guys. Carly (rocker chick) was really good. (my exams aren't 'til next week)

 

[m1234d]

ok, real fast, then study time...

my two favorites by far are brooke and ramiele!!!! i really hope those two stick around. i also like alexandrea and alaina (and amanda scares me). carly is good, but i dunno.

 

[165808]

ok, real fast, then study time...

my two favorites by far are brooke and ramiele!!!! i really hope those two stick around. i also like alexandrea and alaina (and amanda scares me). carly is good, but i dunno.

Yes!! Brooke!! She rocks. So do Ramiele and Syesha. Amanda terrifies me, too. She looked like the Bride of Frankenstein tonight....

OK, that's where I left off, now I must go watch the end of it. Internet break

 

[riverie]

Really though, if I didn't have such large loans, I'd be there in a heartbeat...I'll probably still do it anyway, but with the loans, I have to think harder.

In a similar vein, do you guys ever get docs in other specialties vehemently tell you not to go into peds the moment you say you are interested in it? I've gotten it countless times, even from my own dad (ENT) and my neonatology attending (regarding general peds)! The most recent one was yesterday from my Fam Med preceptor. They all cite "too much work for not enough pay." I still heart peds though; it's just somewhat disheartening to constantly hear that.

 

[iatrosB]

In a similar vein, do you guys ever get docs in other specialties vehemently tell you not to go into peds the moment you say you are interested in it? I've gotten it countless times, even from my own dad (ENT) and my neonatology attending (regarding general peds)! The most recent one was yesterday from my Fam Med preceptor. They all cite "too much work for not enough pay." I still heart peds though; it's just somewhat disheartening to constantly hear that.

I get this almost daily!

But I never put stock in what other docs say in regards to career choice (otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to med school in the first place )

 

[oldbearprofessor]

and my neonatology attending (regarding general peds)!

That's inappropriate. It's okay to tease a bit about other fields, but pedi specialists will be working closely with general pedis and shouldn't say things of that sort. Ignore it and talk to other neo attendings.

 

[165808]

In a similar vein, do you guys ever get docs in other specialties vehemently tell you not to go into peds the moment you say you are interested in it? I've gotten it countless times, even from my own dad (ENT) and my neonatology attending (regarding general peds)! The most recent one was yesterday from my Fam Med preceptor. They all cite "too much work for not enough pay." I still heart peds though; it's just somewhat disheartening to constantly hear that.

Same here. Daily. I just wish people would keep their dumb opinions to themselves sometimes!!

 

[Marigold]

In a similar vein, do you guys ever get docs in other specialties vehemently tell you not to go into peds the moment you say you are interested in it? I've gotten it countless times, even from my own dad (ENT) and my neonatology attending (regarding general peds)! The most recent one was yesterday from my Fam Med preceptor. They all cite "too much work for not enough pay." I still heart peds though; it's just somewhat disheartening to constantly hear that.

That's kinda interesting that you got it from your FM preceptor too....last time I checked, THEY get a lot of the same crap that we get regarding general Peds!

 

[Marigold]

Yes!! Brooke!! She rocks. So do Ramiele and Syesha. Amanda terrifies me, too. She looked like the Bride of Frankenstein tonight....

OK, that's where I left off, now I must go watch the end of it. Internet break

I totally dig Brooke, and I think "You're So Vain" was the perrrrfect choice last night. Loved how she was looking at Simon while singing! Amanda did NOT have a good night....she can growl-sing, but she can't sing-sing. I do like Carly...I think she's very talented. And I wanna see more of Alexandrea....I think it was really ballsy to sing the song she did last night, and while the beginning was kinda meh, I liked the end of it. And of course, I like Syesha and Ramiele, and I thought Alaina did good last night too. Even though I kinda groaned when they said she'd be singing "Hopelessly Devoted."

 

[iatrosB]

Ignore it and talk to other neo attendings.

But wherever could we find one?

 

[iatrosB]

That's kinda interesting that you got it from your FM preceptor too....last time I checked, THEY get a lot of the same crap that we get regarding general Peds!

I'm on FM right now and I have gotten it from two different attendings so far. I just kind of laugh at them. The specialists might have a reasonable argument, but other primary care docs, ha!

One of them said "Yeah but they're primarily healthy with few chronic conditions and they usually get better." And I thought, that's exactly right! Of course, his argument was you get more money for sick adults.

 

[iatrosB]

Am I going to have to start watching American Idol??

 

[Marigold]

One of them said "Yeah but they're primarily healthy with few chronic conditions and they usually get better." And I thought, that's exactly right!

Ummmmm, yeah, and that's one of the many reasons why I like them!

 

[Marigold]

Am I going to have to start watching American Idol??

i think you should.

 

[Marigold]

OK, random question...when should I take step 3? Should I take it before all the knowledge of adult medicine, OB/GYN, etc leaves me, or after I've had some experience being a "real doctor"? Or somewhere in between?

 

[iatrosB]

Ummmmm, yeah, and that's one of the many reasons why I like them!

That's exactly how I feel, which is why it was funny that he was using that as a down-side.

To each his own I guess.

 

[iatrosB]

OK, random question...when should I take step 3? Should I take it before all the knowledge of adult medicine, OB/GYN, etc leaves me, or after I've had some experience being a "real doctor"? Or somewhere in between?

Obviously I'm not there yet, as I have yet to take Step 2...but when I was on peds, some of the third year residents were taking step 3 and were complaining cause they forgot everything not peds and that the test was 80% ADULT medicine.

Not sure if that helps you or not.

 

[Marigold]

So I don't think it's really feasible to take it before residency starts, because you can't register until you've graduated, then by the time they process your registration (takes a couple weeks) you've got to sign up for a test date probably within the next 2 weeks or so, which I have read is near impossible....I graduate May 20th and start residency June 20 something probably, so there's no time there.

I think I'll probably try to take it intern year, and I'm thinking about before Xmas of intern year, if I'm not too overwhelmed....to get it over with and take advantage of not forgetting too much adult stuff, yanno?

 

[Sweet Tea]

OK, random question...when should I take step 3? Should I take it before all the knowledge of adult medicine, OB/GYN, etc leaves me, or after I've had some experience being a "real doctor"? Or somewhere in between?

Wait until after you Match. There's a lot of programs out there that will pay for your Step 3 fees. My current program will pay for Step 3 as long as you register for it during intern year; you don't have to take it intern year, just register. So that's what I've done, and I'm planning on taking it this spring.

 

[TexasRose]

I get this almost daily!

But I never put stock in what other docs say in regards to career choice (otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to med school in the first place )

I only really pay attention to career advice when the doc is talking about his or her own field and what they like or dislike about it. I figure most docs not in pediatrics don't know much more about it than any med student who has done the rotation. If they started in a field and switched and are telling me why they switched, then I'll listen.

I totally dig Brooke, and I think "You're So Vain" was the perrrrfect choice last night. Loved how she was looking at Simon while singing! Amanda did NOT have a good night....she can growl-sing, but she can't sing-sing. I do like Carly...I think she's very talented. And I wanna see more of Alexandrea....I think it was really ballsy to sing the song she did last night, and while the beginning was kinda meh, I liked the end of it. And of course, I like Syesha and Ramiele, and I thought Alaina did good last night too. Even though I kinda groaned when they said she'd be singing "Hopelessly Devoted."

Yes, Brooke was great! I know Alaina can do better and she will next week. Amanda is too scary for mainstream tv land, she won't get very far. Actually, I'd put odds on her getting voted off. I better check votefortheworst, though. They can help keep her on for a while.