January Happenings + LOTS of Pictures

Hey friends!

Ahhh! It's almost February! Here is a run-down of what we have been up to in January...

...we had a visit from some of our Michigan fam. Nate's mom, sister, and her boys came down for a week. Cousin time was on 100 and the kids were so happy!

...We got snowed in! I joke about the North Carolina "snow", but this was the real deal. MLK week we got a foot of snow overnight. Needless to say, everything shut down. The kids got a bonus week of school off, and of course, had a blast.

...I started a new rotation - I'm now on seven weeks of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.... Our official rotation hours at 7:30AM-5PM Monday through Friday, and I take my usual L&D chief call. Thursday is our OR day and we also get a lot of hands on ultrasound experience. It is a good mix of different GYN skills, and a great refresher to round out my PGY4 GYN blocks as I prepare for my written Boards in June (!!!).

The office is 10 minutes from home so that's an added bonus!

...I :finally: took Step 3. So glad that 17 HOUR EXAM is behind me. USMLE is trippin'... Anyway, prayers up!

...my Natey turned 9! Since it's an odd year, we did not do a party (last year was skating). This year we took the kids to Marvel's Universe Show and went to eat at Nate's favorite restaurant - Red Robin LOL. I can't believe he is 9. Seriously, have I really been a parent that long?!

...Isabelle got glasses. After a vision screen at her Pediatrician, I skeptically took her to the Ophthalmologist and found out that she has astigmatism o_O. My heart goes out to all the parents who have children with serious health issues. I don't know how they do it. Between Nate's asthma and Isabelle's eczema and glasses, I am hot mess. I need to get it together.

She's handling this glasses things like a boss though. Such a big girl....

...I had another vacation (which I am currently still on). So far, I have baked cookies, cooked dinners, picked up and dropped off my kids, cleaned my house, handled all of my preventative care appointments, exercised all week, browsed Home Goods and Target with no plan or urgency, watched Good Morning America and The View - these are my goals ya'll. 

I'm so basic, but seriously. Best. Week. Ever. 

Our drives to school are full of good quality time haha

Doctor Mommy Duty with the Exergen Temporal Thermometer

Last Winter was a tough one for our family - Natey got sick with the flu which led to a big asthma exacerbation, and he was out of school for over two weeks. It broke my heart to watch him not be his active, happy self, but thankfully he fought it off. 

This year, we are all armed with our flu shots and I have tried to better-equip us against this season's germs with vitamins and strict hand-washing!

We have had a few close calls, but thankfully, no flu. 

If symptoms arise, I also have this cool new toy to help surveillance the crew for any impending fevers...

The Exergen Temporal Thermometer is used in hospitals and doctors' offices as a less invasive way to take your temperature. It uses patented SmartGlow infrared heat technology to detect blood flow information from forehead vessels. Pretty cool!

Some features of the thermometer are: 

• A softly illuminated display for easy reading in any light – perfect for checking the temperature of a sleeping infant in a darkened room
• Beeping sound indicating scanning can be turned off or on to avoid waking a sleeping child
• Automatically retains the last eight temperature readings for instant recall to check on fever progression
• Ability to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius modes

My favorite feature is that you can take your child's temperature quickly and quietly without disrupting their sleep - or TV show like child pictured below... -_-

What are some ways you keep your family healthy during this cold and flu season?

You can find Exergen Products at local retail locations including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Costco, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kroger and BJ’s, the Smart Glow thermometer’s suggested retail price is $49.99. 

***I was provided a thermometer for review, but was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.*** 

RE-Inspired.

​Last week I blogged for the first time in almost 6 months. It was definitely not an intentional hiatus, but the story behind it is long and too tiring to tell right now ;-) Summary: I have felt drained and "uninspired" to say the least.

I am on vacation (again) this week :insert praise dance: and the monumental tasks before me until January 16th are primarily work related - studying for Step 3 (no judgement please and thank you), Scheduling Chief loose ends, and working on my research. Then there is being a wife and a mom...

You know, the usual chaos...

I know it is how I’m wired, but in these rare moments I have a dramatic change in my life’s pace for the better, I don’t allow myself to rest until I know that I’ve done everything I should do.

But this time I am also going to prioritize my self preservation. I am going to "re-calibrate" as I continue moving towards the destination I set off on 10 years ago. I'm going back to Jasmine of 2010 and that "I don't have a choice, or a plan B, so I'm going to study for the MCAT with this baby on my book" hustle... 

We made it. 

Sunday night before bed, I was rapt in the buzz and historic significance of this year's Golden Globes. I know, I know, Step 3 procrastination at its finest, but still... 

If you haven’t already read about Oprah Winfrey’s speech, it was PHENOMENAL. If you have not watched it yet, watch it NOW: 

The next day The Internets were riding the President Oprah/Black Girl Magic wave and I was tagged in the following Instagram post from a fellow MD:

My parents immigrated here from Jamaica and with no doctors in my family, becoming a physician was a dream. Earning my MD has been a top accomplishment. Medical school was challenging and societal-perceptions in a male dominated world gave (and continue to give) a special nuance to my chosen profession (for me at least). 👩🏽‍⚕️. I wasn't prepared to hear: -"You're not smart enough" -"You don't look like a doctor" -"Where is the doctor?” -An expectation that I was not capable of performing above subpar -Frequently encountering patients who prefer to have a non-minority doctor. 👩🏽‍⚕️. I was not prepared for the fact that even with my white coat and badge (big old MD on it) people still assume I am not the physician. 👩🏽‍⚕️. For the up and coming women who face these challenges along with fear and doubt, I want you to know that if I can do it, you can too. You CAN defy the odds. Stand firm, keep your head high, believe in yourself and what you want. 👩🏽‍⚕️. I share this because while hanging out with @drlaurenpowell , we decided to tell our stories and encourage our fellow colleagues to share theirs about what it means to be a minority female in healthcare. So please post your story with a unique pic, using the tag #youngladywatching and share the love ❤️ by tagging someone else whos story needs to be heard! . #shareyourtruth #itcanhappen

A post shared by Dr.Kristamarie Collman MD (@docinmypark) on Jan 8, 2018 at 8:24am PST

It was the perfectly timed Instagram campaign, and I want to share my subsequent post with here too: 

At age 7, I decided I was going to be a doctor...

As the daughter of a surgeon, I saw it was hard work but I also saw the impact... As I got older, I realized what it would mean to also be a Black doctor... (Did you know only 4% of all doctors are Black?)  

I will never forget the story of my dad performing emergency surgery on a patient with swastikas tattooed all over their body. I then saw medicine as an unexpected olive branch. It was a way to break stereotypes AND walls, heal people physically AND mentally, and how I could add my piece to changing the world.  

This is an extreme example, but the implicit racism of day to day life can be overlooked. There are no words to describe the look a patient gives you when they are assessing your skin color and subsequently, your competency. It is a look I know too well. 

It makes you tired... 

But then there are also all the beaming faces when I introduce myself as "the doctor". The hugs from patients and their families when it's just us in the room. When they won't let me leave before saying "how proud" they are.  

It makes you push harder... 

I think about the women whose images I clung to when I felt like my plan of starting med school with a baby was impossible. 

It's one of the reasons why I started the blog.  

 

Because if you see it, you feel empowered to do it... 

White Coat Ceremony 2010

Match Day 2014

Hooded.

 For #theyoungladywatching...hang in there.  

This is so much bigger than you...  

Your story will be someone's motivation to keep going... 

Just. Keep. Going. 

God knew what I needed. Nothing gets you out of that "weary in well-doing" mindset than a little bit of reflection on how far you have come and a reminder of who is watching you... 

May we never allow ourselves to lose sight of this. And if we forget, here's to quickly getting re-inspired. 

xoxo

A Day in the Life: OB

Here is a look at what my schedule was like as the OB Chief this past fall:

The OB team consists of a PGY4, a PGY3 (the point person for the Antepartum patients during the day), and two interns (The "Board" intern labors all the patients, and the "Procedures" intern does all the surgical cases). It is a 7-8 week block for the Chief and 3-4 weeks for everyone else.

Our Antepartum service averages between 12-18 patients at any given time during the week, and our High Risk postpartum list can be a beast at times as well.

Night Before: Look at L&D procedures scheduled for the next day, resident staffing, and make sure that the appropriate resident is covering each case for maximal learning

0415: Alarm goes off... I may or may not get up (some things never change)

0430-0445: Out of bed, find clothing by flashlight in an effort to not wake the hubby. Get dressed

0500: Out the door, take caffeine pill x1

0535: Park

0545: Arrive on L&D, change into scrubs, and get sign out from the overnight resident (PGY4) on our antepartum patients

0550-0615: Round on my patients, update plans, write notes

0630: Head to the Antepartum conference room for table rounds. This includes the Antepartum attending, MFM fellow (1), residents, and medical students. We quickly go through all of the high risk postpartum patients and antepartum patients.

**Med studs, again, THIS is when knowing how to execute succinct, clear, and relevant presentations comes in handy. You will shine as a student and you will shine as a resident ;-)** 

0700-0710: Teaching

0710: Board rounds - the Nights team (PGY4 + PGY1) gives sign out on the patients who are laboring or still on Labor & Delivery for increased monitoring/post-operative/delivery needs

0730: The procedure intern runs through the cases scheduled for the day. The first cesarean section rolls back to the OR...

0745: If I am not needed in the OR, I get breakfast and coffee now because it makes me happier ;-)

0800: Meet the laboring patients with the "Board" intern, day time L&D attending, nurses, and medical students

0800-1700:
- Serve as the point person for new admissions from clinics, transfers, complicated triage patients, add-on cases, and any obstetrical emergencies that arise
- Help supervise the intern with their vaginal deliveries and repairs
- Cover the antepartum patients when the PGY3 is in clinic
- Staff obstetrical consults from the Family Medicine or Midwifery services with the Attending
- Keep morale high and team members fed ;-) I also added the job of DJ to this role with my bluetooth speaker

DJ-ing and holding all devices for team lunch procurement #Chiefing 

**On Wednesdays, we have our didactics, Grand Rounds, or M&M, so we leave the floor around 1300, and get back around 1700**

**On Fridays, I had an OB-only continuity clinic in the mornings from 0800-1200. The rest of the team have their own clinic days**

1700-1730: Help tuck-in any day time work on L&D, the Antepartum, or High Risk services

1730: Sign-out to the Nights team

1830-1900: Head home!

**Daycare/Before-School Care drop-offs are long after I leave for work so I am not around for the morning hustle on this block. I also usually can't get out in time for pick up - 6PM for the big kid and 6:30PM for daycare**

1900/1930: Home! Nate and the kids usually arrive 30min-1hr before I do.
- Some times we eat dinner together, but most of the time I miss it :-(
- If I am feeling ambitious (rare) I may try and fit in a 30min work out session as soon as I get home

2000: Wrangle kids for baths and bed

2030: Bedtime! Mainly for the kids, but I'm ready for bed by then too. If I have to prep for M&M or clinic, then I usually do this before bed.

Weekends: The PGY3 and PGY4 alternate on who will be responsible for rounding each weekend. This usually it takes 2-4 hours depending on the number of patients and what all has to be done - bedside procedures, consults, discharges...

Every other weekend we are on call during a Sunday-day shift (0800-1930).

A Day in the Life: GYN ONC

I've gotten quite a few questions on my hours as a resident. It varies by rotation... So, I thought it would make a great series of "Day in the Life" post!

The GYN ONC team consists of a PGY4, PGY3, and an intern (PGY1). It is a 7-8 week block for everyone.

Our census averages between 10-20 patients at any given time during the week. The upper level residents are mainly in the ORs all week - we are fortunate to have a ton of exposure to open and laparoscopic/robotic surgery at our hospital. We don't have any clinic during ONC, but the intern has a half-day of continuity clinic and a half-day of dysplasia clinic.

The intern is the Olivia Pope of the service, making sure the day-to-day floor work, critical post-operative care, and social work business of our patients gets "handled". Ya'll, not all heroes wear capes...

Here is a look at what my schedule was like as the GYN Oncology Chief this past summer/fall:

0415: Alarm goes off... I may or may not get up :Kayne Shrug:

0430-0445: Out of bed, find clothing by flashlight in an effort to not wake the hubby. Get dressed

0500: Out the door, take caffeine pill x1 (no time for coffee since I hit snooze 4 times EVERY. DAY.)

0535: Park

0545: Arrive on the floor, change into scrubs, and get sign out from the overnight resident (PGY2) on our patients

0550-0615: Round on my patients, update plans, write notes

On my way back to the floor

0615: Head to the Pre-operative area to meet our first OR case of the day, confirm consents are signed, mark their tummies if there is laterality, and answer any remaining questions

**The PGY3 and PGY4 have their own OR assignments made by the PGY4 at the beginning of each week**

0630: Run up to (really, I'm always running) normal rounds with the Attending, Fellows (2), residents, and medical students

**Med studs, THIS is when knowing how to execute succinct, clear, and relevant presentations comes in handy. You will shine as a student and you will shine as a resident ;-)** 

0730: Time for ORs!

1200-1500: Get lunch at some point in between cases during this chunk of time

**On Wednesdays, we have our didactics, Grand Rounds, or M&M, so we leave the ORs around 1300, and get back to the floors around 1700**

1700-1800: Finish up in the OR and head back to the floor to help tuck-in any day time work

1800: Sign-out to the Nights resident

1830-1900: Head home!

1830-1900: Head home!

**Daycare/Before-School Care drop-offs are long after I leave for work so I am not around for the morning hustle on this block. I also usually can't get out in time for pick up - 6PM for the big kid and 6:30PM for daycare**

1900/1930: Home! Nate and the kids usually arrive 30min-1hr before I do.
- Some times we eat dinner together, but most of the time I miss it :-(
- If I am feeling ambitious (rare) I may try and fit in a 30min work out session as soon as I get home

2000: Wrangle kids for baths and bed

2030: Bedtime! Mainly for the kids, but I'm ready for bed by then too. If I have to prep for M&M or clinic, then I usually do this before bed.

Weekends: The PGY3 and PGY4 alternate on who will be responsible for rounding each weekend. This usually it takes 2-4 hours depending on the number of patients and what all has to be done - bedside procedures, consults, discharges...

Every other weekend we are on call during a Sunday-day shift (0800-1930).

Maevn Scrubs: Review

When I was a second year, our Chairman made a program-wide rule that we could not wear our official hospital scrubs outside of the hospital. It makes total sense, because no one needs to take their hospital germs to their car, home, or the grocery store.

But it also posed a dilemma. I now had to actually wear semi-presentable things to work. On clinic days this is no problem. I wake up at normal people times and can easily put together a business casual look, but when I am on Onc or Antepartum, I am usually waking up at 4:30 - which is just enough time for critical hygiene and departure. A cute outfit I'm going to change into as soon as I get to work? Ain't nobody got time for that...

Insert Maevn Scrubs... Last year, they introduced their EON collection which includes soft, breathable fabrics in tons of colors. This winter they have even more colors to choose from. I was so excited when they asked me to try them!

Their pants are perfect for pairing with a comfy t-shirt or even as a set with tons of shirt styles to choose from. Ya'll, residency has helped me perfect fashion minimalism - scrubs, sneakers, fleece, and a flawlessly sculpted brow #PRIORITIES. 

Pictured here are:

SPORTY MESH PANEL PANT - BLACK, MEDIUM 

SPORTY MESH PANEL TOP - BLACK, MEDIUM  

The Sporty Mesh set is my favorite. It looks great tucked in or out, and the mesh detail is super cute. 

FULL ELASTIC ZIPPER POCKET CARGO PANTS - BLACK, MEDIUM 

V-NECK POCKET TOP - BLACK, MEDIUM 

The V-Neck pocket top and Cargo bottoms are clutch for keeping pens, phones, and whatever you need close by. The pants are also more flared which is a unique detail. 

If you are looking for a pair of scrubs that are soft, light-weight, and comfortable for long days, then you have to head over to Maevn scrubs. 

**I received the scrubs in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own**