Will We Survive!?

The MedStud has TWO tests this week, one today and one on Friday!  Ahh!  After this however, he will be done with Microbiology.  And he is so happy.

The week started off pretty bad.  He drives a scooter to school because we only live 7 miles away (even though we have 2 cars) and the scooter completely broke down on Monday.  Uh-oh.  He was freaking out because he now prefers to study at the school and without his precious scooter, how would he get to school?  My suggestion: drive the car (duh).  We have money, it's not like we're destitute, and we're able to afford parking for a couple days.  Then, get the scooter an appointment at the dealership, and get it fixed!  Brilliant, huh?

He didn't think so.

"Well, the parking lot is such a long walk from the school, and I have to leave for home when it's dark...Plus the parking is $4 per day!!  PLUS, the dealership is always super overpriced and I can maybe fix it myself!"  (Can you feel the sarcasm oozing out of my writing?)  So, he ended up trying to drive the scooter that can now only drive 20 MPH to school and it stopped working on the way home.  He spent so much time trying to figure out what was wrong, and we even tipped the scooter over to pour the gasoline into a vase (much to my chagrin, as the gas was spilling all over the grass) to see if the type of gas he had put in was the problem.  Finally, he purchased a brand new battery for it and it worked.

Hallelujah.  My husband turned into a crazy person the few days his scooter was broken and I didn't like it.  I'm sure this is what he thinks of me when I'm on my period... "What a crazy lady!"

Test Results!

The MedStud did FABULOUS on his test!  To give you an idea, he had a ten percent increase on this test from the last one!  Woo-hooo!  He was so happy.  Looks like his new study habits are kicking in and definitely working for him!

After the test, he went to his preceptor for four hours (endocrinologist specializing in diabetes).  We ate dinner, then walked around the park, played with a Frisbee for a while, and then played a great game I found on this website for cheap/free dating ideas.  It was so fun!  Ever since my revelation, I've found I'm much more happy and content with my life.  I usually am constantly thinking of the future and planning, but it is just so nice to focus on the present.

Before we went to bed, instead of reading scriptures, the MedStud decided to read a hymn from our Church's hymnbook.  It's called "Have I Done Any Good?"  It is such a good reminder of what we need to focus on each day.

"Have I done any good in the world today?  Have I helped anyone in need?  Have I cheered up the sad, and made someone feel glad?  If not, I have failed indeed.  Has anyone's burden been lighter today, because I was willing to share?  Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?  When they needed my help was I there?  Then wake up, and do something more, than dream of your mansions above.  Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love."

Busy, busy.

Well, adjusting to having the MedStud be gone basically all day, every day has been interesting.  He gets up early to work out around 0600 and leaves for school at 0730.  Has class until 1200.  Studies at the school until about 1900.  I'm really hopeful that his new study habits will improve his grades!  He also just bought some study aids, specifically for Microbiology, Pathology, and the Step 1.  He decided he's a visual learner (aka photographic memory), and these study books have lots of great visuals in them.  I don't remember what they're called, just that he got them off Amazon.

I also had a revelation the other day.  I kept thinking, "What if this is that last time we'll ever spend time together?  What if I died tomorrow?"  It made me so overwhelmed to realize that my time with the MedStud is precious.  I knew this already, but the feeling was so powerful that I started crying.  I love him so much, and appreciate all he is willing to go through to achieve his dreams and provide for our family.  He is amazing.  Go hug your MedStud tonight and tell him how much you appreciate him and how proud you are of him.  :)

Missing My MedStud

I work 16 hour night shifts twice a week and and 8 hour night shift once a week.  I didn't get to see the MedStud from 8/9/11 at 0730 to 8/10/11 at 1400.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but I have only one real friend here and am by myself a lot, so it gets lonely.  Plus he is studying like a maniac for the Pharmacology test on Friday, so that takes even less time away.  On my birthday, he only had about two hours he could spend with me because of school, studying, and preceptorship.  I really miss him.  I know it's only going to get harder the further we get into this.

I've been trying to be a better wife; you know, doing the dishes, laundry, cooking dinner, etc. so that all he has to worry about is studying, eating, and sleeping.  It's hard, but worth it, because of the benefit added study time will give him.  I've heard it said that medical student families are the secret weapon behind the MedStuds, because of what they do for them in the background.  So stay strong families!  Remember what your end goal is and why your MedStud is doing this!

I highly recommend having a dream board somewhere in your house.  This is a board that has pictures and goals on it that remind you of your dreams and how to achieve them.  My dream board has a couple goals:

1. Get a PRN med/surg, ICU, or ER job.  This will accomplish my greater goal of being able to pay of loans sooner.

2. Write letters to my dad and brother.  This accomplishes the greater goal of having better family relationships.  

3. Read 8 books before the end of the year.  This accomplishes my greater goal of finishing all the hundreds of books on my list and learning more.

The MedStud has a dream board, but I think he doesn't pay attention to it, sadly.  He keeps his goals in his head.