conversations with a resident

I apologize for the TMI nature of this post, but as many of you can attest to,sometimes you hear about nasty things when you hang out with a medical professional. In fact, sometimes it's all you hear about. 

...

Y: I think I chose the wrong career. I never see my wife, and my hand is always up someone's butt.

...

Y: I look at assholes all day long. They're the window to the soul.

...

The scene: Y just used a "Zip It" to unclog hair from the shower drain. I'm waiting outside the bathroom door because, along with heights and cockroaches, I'm deathly afraid of hair.

Y: silence
Y: silence
Y, barely audible: ewww...
Y, screaming: HOW ARE YOU NOT BALD?

I peek inside and gag at the sight of the hair in the trash can.

Y: The LINING OF YOUR UTERUS is in this trash can and you're grossed out by a little HAIR??

Heard anything funny from a medical professional lately? I want to hear it in the comments! 

(For more quotable Y moments, click here)

a romantic weekend with a resident

I used to write these "love stories"over on my other blog, we're just dandy. Today, I'm back with a new installment.

It's one of those blissful months where the boy works 8 to 5, has weekends off. The boy and the girl relish in sleeping in past 5:30 and eating long luxurious breakfasts together before they both depart for work. When the weekend comes, they spend as much time together as possible. This month, he's studying for Step 3, so the girl agrees to accompany him to their corner coffeeshop, where he studies intently.

As they get in the car (it's snowing, you see, in April -- she swears she's not bitter - so they choose to drive the eight blocks), he grabs her hand. 

"I'm so glad I finally get the chance to talk to you," he says. "I've been dying to tell you something."

What could it be? she wonders. How much he's missed me? How beautiful all of his co-workers think I am? Maybe he's taking me on a surprise date!

"I've been dying to tell you about this perirectal abscess we popped at work the other day."

He begins to describe the needle that was injected into this man's -- his words -- "taint". 

He's so excited, she thinks, And I should be supportive of his interests. But I honestly might barf. 

Later that night, after three cups of coffee and two practice tests, he's sleeping soundly. She brushes her teeth, crawls into bed, and gives him a hug. 

"You're so warm," she murmurs. He rolls over, mid-dream.

"THAT'S BECAUSE I'M THE ONLY ONE NOT HOOKED UP TO AN OXYGEN TANK LIKE THE REST OF THESE IDIOTS," he replies. 

She doesn't ask questions.

{read the other love stories here}

city guides for medical spouses

New here? Welcome to the internet's finest resource for medical spouses. The goal: to be a place to both offer helpful advice and make you smile and nod your head and be all yep, I've been there. If you're looking to whine, well, fine, you can do that here. But hopefully the true-to-life comics and fun freebies will make you forget that you never see that doctor you married all your cares. 

Old friend? Yeah, sorry again for dropping off the face of the Earth. I left this blog alone for so long that it started getting spam comments. How embarrassing.  

Anyway, a goal I've had since starting this blog is to crowd-source a comprehensive-ish set of city guides, encompassing the things medical spouses want to know (but can't easily find on Wikipedia) before they move. I've gotten a lot of e-mails expressing interest in helping out, and now I've finally got a template.

These questions are based on what a group of medical spouses said they would want to know in the comments of this post. I left out things that could be easily gleaned from Wikipedia or FREIDA.

If you want to fill one out, just copy and paste the following into an e-mail, fill it out, and send to medicinealovestory@gmail.com. And if you have any photos to illustrate your points, I'd love to include those. Maybe one day there will be a form. #DREAMBIG

(All fields -- well, except the name of the city and the residency program -- are optional!)

Your name: 
Your blog name: 
Years in city:

City basics
City name: 
How's the cost of living compared to residency salary?
Best neighborhoods for residents [specify which residency program]:
Do you need a car, or can you rely on public transportation?
What's the job market like (for the spouse): 

Residency
How family friendly is the residency program? (Specify which hospital/specialty) Note: there isn't really a specific way to rate this, so any anecdotal thoughts are welcome!
Is there a spouses' group, or any other family resources?

Family
What are the best school districts?
What are the day care options?
What are options for kid-friendly activities?

Fun
How's the culture?
And the restaurant scene?
What's the shopping like?
How active is the city? Are there a lot of outdoor options?

Misc
How would you describe the vibe? 
What is the best part of this city/the residency program from your perspective?
What is the worst part of this city/the residency program from your perspective?
Is it close to a Target? (frequently requested question!)
Is it a Costco or a Sam's kind of place? 

Any other comments?


I'm off to start filling out the questionnaire -- I hope you will too!

um, hi.

You guys.

I have done an amazing job of providing resources to you.

(In case you're not fluent in sarcasm, that was sarcasm.)

I can't believe I went MIA right in the middle of match season. Worst. Blogger. Ever. Don't worry, though, I'm not gone forever. Just trying to work out a schedule around here -- blogging isn't as easy as it was before we moved. I have a busy job, and a long-ish commute, and of course, there are precious moments to spend with the resident when he's around.

But I'll get into a rhythm. Bear with me. 

Hope you're all doing well!

Friday Flashback February 22 - March 1

I've been blogging about this weird med school/residency journey for almost three years. Every Friday, I'll bring you insight from years past (you know, in case you missed my oh-so-important recap of med school prom or what have you).

One year ago (Y is a 4th year, and Match Day anticipation is building):

• MATCH DAY IS SO SOON. 

Two years ago (Y is finishing up his OB-GYN rotation)

• Fishing for compliments, OB-GYN style
• Get used to it: every conversation will turn into something medical.

What medical adventures were you getting into one year ago this week? Two years ago? 5 years ago? Share your link in the comments!

Friday Flashback: February 1-22

I've been blogging about this weird med school/residency journey for almost three years. Every Friday, I'll bring you insight from years past (you know, in case you missed my oh-so-important recap of med school prom or what have you).

One year ago (Y is a 4th year, and I'm finally able to go with him on a few residency interviews):

• What living with a doctor is really  like
• Mildly racist comments from mildly clever future doctors
• Y reveals the best part about flying so much for interviews

Two years ago (Y is still excited about starting to see patients, and looooves to talk about it!)

• Just another ruined breakfast

Three years ago (Y is a second year)

• Your doctor is good at math.

What medical adventures were you getting into one year ago this week? Two years ago? 5 years ago? Share your link in the comments!

sh*t residents (and medical students) say