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Rejected by the Humane Society, and introducing the Medical Fact of the Day

I am a big fan of dogs.  They are wonderful companions, ask for very little, and even help their owners live longer.  Trust me, it's science.  During my first year in med school, I asked my advisor if she thought that I could handle a dog through school, residency, and beyond.  She said it would be possible during the pre-clinical years, but it would be tough after that.  So, I decided it would be a good idea not get a dog if I couldn't be sure I could properly spoil it.

Fast forward to third year, when I still seem to have control of my schedule and wish I had a dog.  Once in awhile, I dognap my dad's little dog and take him to school.  He's definitely more popular than me.
 

My dad's dog Harley and our very life-like statue of Charles E. Schmidt

 I like all dogs though.  Here are some pictures of dogs.  Only one is actually mine.

Finn, my dogfriend in Boston

LA friend Jac's dog Juno

Amber, making a repeat appearance on the blog

I obviously like dogs and even walked dogs for a year before med school.  As in, I was an employed dogwalker with a flyer and all, which I was unable to find in my gmail archives.  And I'll have you know that there was only one incident of dog aggression, which resulted in exactly zero lawsuits.  I think that's a success.  So I was just a bit surprised when I sent this lovely email:

I'm old.  I didn't want them thinking I was a kid who thought it would be a good idea to let the dogs run free to discover their inner hippy.

...and received no response!  It has obviously been a sufficient amount of time since sending this email, so I should just accept my rejection.  I haven't decided about my next course of action, but it might involve walking Harley right in front of the Humane Society.  Then they'll see my skills and BEG me to volunteer.  Or I'll just stick to, you know, trying to learn stuff actually related to my chosen field.

On the topic of learning and since I don't read nearly enough for school (shout-out to rotation husband John), I'm going to try to write down something interesting from each day.  And I will use the innovative term "Medical Fact of the Day."  Maybe I'll start using the acronym MFOD because doctors love acronyms and I'm trying to fit into the club.

MFOD - If a rash kinda looks like shingles, but doesn't follow a dermatome, think pityriasis rosea (PR).  This is the rash without a known cause, has a herald patch, and with a "Christmas-tree" pattern.  It may be have a flu-like viral prodrome.

My patient's PR looked kinda like this (source)

My patient's rash was "burning," positive history of chicken pox, and a sick contact with shingles.  It was blistered, but was midline along the upper back crossing from about T1 to T5.  So, instead of one of the -cyclovirs, the patient was told to use hydrocortisone for the itching and wait out this "flu of the skin."  It should be gone in 2 months.

How this blog came to be

My roommate and fellow medical student, Rica, and I were relaxing in the backyard, enjoying some goat cheese, honey, and sesame seeds on slices of a French loaf (thanks Rica for making that!) because we're classy gals.  And it's winter in Florida, so it means the weather is finally suitable for human beings to live in.  I was telling her about my favorite internet finds, including Ellen Page's speech at the Time to Thrive LGBT fundraiser (just watch it) and my favorite blogs.  These include Run Eat Repeat and Peanut Butter Fingers.  I'm not friends with these girls, but I read their blogs nearly every day, so maybe we can agree that we're on our way to true friendship?  I was explaining that I like to think I'm some combination of these girls.  For example, I love to run and eat.  

Clearwater, FL marathon

Garlic Fest finds in Delray Beach, FL

Then do it again.  Plus I'm from the best state (California, duh), like Monica at Run Eat Repeat.  And like Julie from PB Fingers, I am obsessed with dogs and owned a Vizsla.  I also like hiking.

Yep, Amber took baths.  I am a strong believer in spoiling dogs.

Zion National Park in Utah

So then Rica said that since I like reading blogs so much, I should have my own.  I explained that yep, that would be super awesome, especially since if you have enough readers, you get free stuff.  And I love free stuff.  I do enjoy reading the daily musings of my favorite bloggers, and I think I have something to add to the blogosphere, such as:

1. My life, which basically includes medical school, marathons, crossfit, volleyball, friends and a boyfriend.  These daily musings will be the majority of this blog.

2. Adventuring around the world.  I have a goal of running a marathon in all 50 states.  So far I've done 8 marathons, so I think I'm making progress.  I am reserving Massachusetts for the Boston Marathon, so I need to either run faster or keep running the same speed for the next 40 years, when I will be able to qualify at my current speed when I'm approximately 65.  I've also been to many South American countries and organic farmed/coachsurfed in Europe.  So when my observations about my day-to-day life become scarce, I'll resort to old adventures.

3. Other things I find on the internet or in real life that I would like to share.

I think that about covers it.  Hope this blog isn't an insult to any of your senses.  I like to set the bar low.