Forging ahead into R2

Life has become incredibly busy in the last couple months. The senior residents have graduated and the new residents have started, meaning the responsibilities of co-chief have taken up much of my free time. From MCing grad banquets to organizing social outings, on top of all the meetings and fielding complaints. 

The only flattering candid photo of my face from the grad banquet. The other candids solely highlighted my toned arms Credit Armando Tura

It doesn't help that I was on the longest and most arduous rotation - obstetrics. So many babies. So many screaming women. So much ringing in my ears. Two months is a long time to be on the same rotation. The program ought to split up the two months just so you don't go crazy. The sleep deprivation gets to you, as do the endless vaginal exams knowing that, epidural or not, it's uncomfortable for the patient and, well...you too. I can't even count the number of babies I've delivered. There was one 24-hour shift that I delivered 8. Most are straight-forward, others more complicated, others that happen in the ER, others that barely make it to the birthing suite. Fortunately, BC Women's is the best obstetric facility in the province that's right next to BC Children's hospital - the best pediatric facility in the province. Within seconds of pressing a code button for cord prolapse, anesthesia, OB, and pediatrics mobilize and the next thing you know, you're being wheeled into the OR with your hand in the patient's vagina making sure that cord doesn't move until the obstetrician has cut through and gotten baby out. Then you nervously stand behind the pediatric team as they resuscitate. Time from diagnosis to delivery feels like it takes forever, but when you debrief, you realize that it was actually a blur. It's a well oiled-machine there and they've rightfully earned their reputation. With that reputation, being a local, and a 2-month stint, it means you're going to see people you know either from childhood, "small world" connections, or because they're public figures. Mum's the word though.

A fact that eases the blow of a 2-month trudge is that my preceptors like me. A couple have asked if I'd consider locuming for their group when I'm done residency. Even after I remind them that I have a two year return of service after this, they say to reach out if I return to Vancouver. It's certainly flattering. 

One preceptor interviewed me for my residency which was 1.5 years ago back when she was the chief resident of the entire Family Med program. At the start of our first shift together she gave me a smile of familiarity followed by a look wondering why I was familiar. 
"Where do I know you from?"
"You interviewed me for CaRMS." 
"Yes, that's it! Congrats on getting in."
"I'm pretty sure I have you to thank for that."
We've had many shifts together enough to know she has a penchant for bad puns and I'll audibly groan, but she takes pleasure in the simple fact that I've acknowledged her contribution to dad jokes. While the dynamic I have with other preceptors may be different, a commonality is that it's good and the work gets done. Our patients are happy, and our nurses like us. Wins all around. 

As the new residency application cycle starts gearing up, new med students from Caribbean schools manage to hunt me down and ask for advice. Now that I'm an R2 (as of July 1st), I'm technically a senior resident and mentor R1's and UBC med students now. One of the R1's who matched into my program was a student from one of the Caribbean schools who happened to see an article Ross University did on me last year and reached out for advice. I don't think I played a part in her matching; she's quite remarkable on her own. With one year of residency under my belt, I see that I've been able to invest in people in ways I intended. I'm excited to see how this carries forward, but I can tell you I'm very content. 

Another important aspect of this time of year is that we start applying to the shortlist of communities for our return of service. There are two positions available in Vancouver and one in Richmond. I have zero interest in any of them. I'm sorry to say that as I know it will disappoint friends and family. I wish I could say it's because they're awful opportunities, but in truth, they're great opportunities and I'd stand a good chance at getting them. One clinic is literally a block from where I'm currently living. The other is the same office that I did a clerkship in. The truth is I don't feel God calling me to stay in the Lower Mainland. I find myself drawn to communities on Vancouver Island, Powell River, Pemberton, Terrace, even Quesnel. Keep in mind it is only a two year commitment with opportunity to move away or stay thereafter. The last time I felt God calling me to leave the Lower Mainland, I went to med school. He brought me back for residency and that process was another time of completely trusting him. I do a disservice to myself and a disrespect to my Lord to insist upon staying in Vancouver because it's convenient. God has brought me this far and I have no good reason to doubt him now. My pride doesn't require me to apply to local positions just to have the satisfaction of hearing they like me. I have enough self-confidence to not need that kind of validation. I've openly told my colleagues I'm not applying to the local positions and as you know, my integrity is important to me. They know that too. If I can relieve my colleagues with my transparency, then it's my pleasure to say I'm not their competition for those sites. Even if they are a fickle bunch at times, I want to show them kindness. I am their chief after all.

Resident Retreat to a Vancouver Canadians game