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- Myxedema is a word used to describe the changes seen in extreme hypothyroidism (but also sometimes in hyperthyroidism - the thyroid is a bit tricky like that!). This can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) or hypotension (low blood pressure), puffiness around the eyes, an enlarged tongue, ascites, and tibial swelling.
- How the heart develops in an embyro is one of the coolest processes we have learned about - here's a video that demonstrates all the changes the heart goes through to become a "normal" heart. As you can see, there are a ton of different ways the process can go wrong. A ventricular septal defect is a hole in the wall between your ventricles, the lower chambers of your heart. Sometimes the holes will spontaneously close on their own, but sometimes they stay open. This causes a murmur - I actually heard one this week!
- Culture Bound Syndromes are a combination of pyschiatric and somatic symptoms that are found only within a certain culture. If you have the time, this is a pretty interesting article on some of them.
on the internet
- Kimi details her best and worst purchases of the year - I love reading her reasoning behind each piece, and how she is using that to drive her purchases this year.
- Like I've mentioned, we have become addicted to HGTV lately because we are hoping to buy a home when we move next year, so I'm already so excited to finally have a place I can do what I want to. I loved seeing all of what Amanda accomplished in her home this year. I love seeing what "normal" people are able to accomplish, and how great it turns out for them!
- LOVED Sarah's post about getting back into shape for reasons that actually matter.
spotted
- I have wanted a gently distressed pair of jeans for so long, but I also don't want to pay designer-level prices for a pair of jeans that aren't something I'd wear all the time. While this pair from BLANKNYC is still expensive, it isn't in the $200 price range (although they look like they are!). They have just the right amount of distressing, don't you think?
- A comfy faux fur vest is something I've wanted, but also not something I've wanted to spend a lot of $$$ on, so not only is this rose version from Target exactly what I want, but it's inexpensive as well!
- As much as I love my comfy scrubs every day, I kind of miss my real clothes too! These fun mosaic printed pants are just begging to be worn!
ask me anything
- Are your ferragamo shoes comfortable? They are certainly beautiful and I have considered saving up (for a long time) to get a pair, but I am just concerned they will disappoint by being horrible blister traps.
- I do think initially that my Ferragamo flats [seen here] were a bit stiffer than other shoes and harder to break in. I also wouldn't say they are shoes you want to wear if you know you are going to do a ton of walking all day. I wear them on days that I know I'll be sitting more, or at least on days where I'm not walking long distances. That being said, I do think once your feet are used to them and them are a bit broken in that they are very comfortable shoes to wear! Plus they make me so happy to wear whenever I get to wear them. They are very very pricey but are definitely something worthy of saving up for - or searching on ebay for!
- Is what you learn in the classroom applicable in your rotations? Have you found that you have used what you have learned from the text books with your patients or is it "learn as you go" from your mentor doctors?
- Oh god, it's so applicable! The first two years of medical school are for us as students to learn how the body actually works, and to have a general understanding of all of the diseases. Once you get to the hospital floor, you never know what you are going to see, so you can't always prepare for the patients, so you kind of have to know something about everything. Having the first two years as a foundation is wonderful to now build on with we learn in actually diagnosing and treating the patient. You could never do the second part of school without the first! It is still "learn as you go" though, because what the text book says and what is actually done in a hospital may be different, plus you can't really learn the management of a patient through a book.
- I was wondering how you met CR? Is he a medical student as well?
- He is! We met during our first year of school - our last names are next to each other in the alphabet, so we were partners in a lot of things. We started off as friends for most of first year, and towards the end realized it was more than that :)
notable sales
- Anthropologie: 25% off sale items
- Still way too expensive, but this floral skirt is SO FREAKING GORGEOUS.
- Also pricey but maybe a bit more practical are their floral sneakers - how fun would they be to wear in gloomier weather?
- With the promotion, this jacquard peplum top is now almost 1/3 of the original price. Wear it with black skinny jeans and heels!
- J.Crew: 40% off certain items + 40% off sale items
- How freaking cute is their blue + white gingham vest? WANT. It would make such a great transition piece in the spring.
- I've heard such great things about the J.Crew ballet flats, and now their many colors are on sale!
- It's almost sad how bad I want this cotton pj set - the red is so freaking cute!
- Shopbop
- Quite a few cute Kate Spade bags currently on sale - my favorite is the mini tote in blush!
- I've always loved Sam Edelman shoes. I have a pair of his flats that are so comfy. Some of his most classic styles are on sale too!
- Even though spring is months away, retailers are starting to kick out their winter gear for spring clothes, which makes it the perfect time to pick up a sweater you can still wear for months.
on franish
- on the blog: sharing what a day on internal medicine looks like
- on the instagram: who needs a reason to celebrate when you have champagne gummies? YUM.
- on the twitter: I'm committing to watching The Bachelor this season (whoa, dream big) but ugh, I just cringe the entire time! but still, so good, amiright?
personal
- I'm officially half way through my general IM rotation, and I can honestly say that I am really enjoying it! I feel this is the rotation I've grown the most in my medical knowledge and in my role as a future physician. Not to say that I'm not counting the days until my next OB rotation (only eight more weeks!) but I have been pleasantly surprised how much I've been enjoying this service.
- We finally took our Christmas decorations down this weekend - everything is just prettier when there are lights up!
- Has the weather been unseasonably warm for you too this winter? We haven't even had a real snowfall yet...but it's supposed to snow this entire week and I am NOT looking forward to it.
