The end of the TO chapter

It was actually pretty sad leaving Toronto in that last week. Mostly because living with Q and Court had gone so well. Not that I was expecting any problems, but it was almost being back in med school where we could casually hang out together, shoot the breeze, walk home together, and so forth. Near the end of the week I realized there was a variety of things I wanted to do when in town but never had the chance. I also struggled to understand where the time went. Sadface emoji.

The ICU elective itself was great. I felt I really hit my stride in the last couple weeks and got a decent amount of exposure (and success!) to procedures I was looking to get practice on while I was there, put myself out there a few times in management plans and juggling multiple issues in some of the more sick patients. In reality, it was an introductory exposure to critical care since I'm only a PGY-1 so I hope it sets me up for more comfort and preparedness for it next year.

Anyways, here are a couple highlights:

If it looks like we're sitting around, looking at that empty chair,
it's because we are. We Skype'd in James in Newfoundland who
has been banished there. He seems to be enjoying it though. 

Being artsy on the drive back from a brief weekend stay in Kingston.
It's too bad I don't have instagram anymore. 

Wandering around Kensington Market I came across a gem of a
seafood market, Hooked. Other similar shops in the area were cheaper, but
just smelled awful so I decided to take a gamble here. I think it
paid off. I just had a brief conversation with one of the ladies behind
the counter but I could tell she knew her stuff. I think it's incredibly
responsible that they knew exactly where they get their fish,  and the
environment where they reside. I look forward to reading more about
this industry and where I can find a similarly responsible seafood
market in Ottawa.

Two weeks into Toronto

Some photo highlights:

How kind. A handmade cardboard cut out for my room for the next month.

Chicken pre-roasting. Purchased at St Lawrence Market. 

Vegetables pre-roasting. Great pre-concert meal.

Passion Pit @ Koolhaus. Third time I've seen them.
Great show by them as usual and the crowd blew up during "Sleepyhead",
but I was surprisingly impressed by Matt & Kim.
One of the most energetic acts I've seen in a while (The Hives come to mind).
I'd like to see them on their own some day. 

Josh and Qassim in the moooooorning!

Swedish House Mafia @ Roger's Centre. Unreal show.
Played their laptops for a solid two hours ;)
... but seriously, I had a blast 

Dance party at... Wayne Gretzky's sports bar? :)

Blink, and it's off to the center of Canada's universe

It's funny looking back to six months ago how terrified I was at the prospect of this rotation. I don't know what it is or was that caused obstetrics to give me so much anxiety. Now I face obstetrics call as almost like any other day, but with it just being a tad longer. As I increase the number of deliveries, perineal repairs and "exams" under my belt, the more it becomes something I look forward to doing. Muscle memory. Myelination. But you'll never corner me to say this type of work will be a focus of mine in the future!

The other day I delivered my first baby "independently". I use that word loosely because there is always a ton of nurses around, and an obstetrician peeked in to make sure everything was going ok, but it was the first time I didn't have the most responsible physician right over my shoulder until the placenta was on its way out and the hard part was over. She was in her third pregnancy, and this baby came out fast. I think there were... two pushes. Probably could have sneezed him out if she wanted. Anyways, it was a scary rush, like being let go on that two wheeled bike for the first time, and I felt great about it afterwards. The safety net was there of course, but it sure felt a lot farther away.

In a few days I'm off to Toronto for a month-long ICU elective. I've always had a great time in that city, but we'll see how it goes working there for a month. I'm staying with two good friends where I will be resuming my role as "Dupri", or Ted to Lily and Marshall, or the Phoebe/Joey to everybody else. It's an odd but familiar and comfortable role :-)

Don't know what to expect! Onward, ho!