First Week and Still Counting

The first week of Physician Assistant school has come and gone!

Long days turn into one quick week!

The first day, I was expecting a Hurricane of information, but it wasn't like that.  In fact, it was the unsuspecting calm.  Besides Pathophysiology, we mostly covered the rules, syllabus and maybe a bit of information. Pathos, was the exception to the rule.  We jumped right in.  

Also, during that first day, we went into Anatomy lab where we learned how to turn the cadavers over. Now, don't get me wrong. I have experience with cadavers, but I have never had to move or dissect them.  A little weird at first.

Second day: we began our physical diagnosis class. Besides wearing little clothing, they told us that we are going to get friendly with our classmates.  In other words, we are going to practice exams on each other. In Radiologic Technology school we did the same thing, so nothing new to me.  We will also be practicing our communication skills.

Day three: Again, the anatomy lab!  This was a rough day in the lab! I believe that their was a combination of things, our eagerness to cut, a tough body and time.  We proceeded to find the superficial muscles on the back side, but a few mistakes were made (not serious ones).  Our group left that lab with a somewhat depressed feeling. (Fortunately, we weren't the only group with issues)  It became a good learning day.

I'm not going to lie, the first cut was bit nerve racking, then cutting the fat off the muscles was bit gross, but I felt fine after a few minutes.  One girl in our group felt nauseous for the whole 3 hours. Fortunately, no one in our class passed out.

Skip to today, Day Five:  a couple of quizzes in anatomy and pathos.  Both of which, I felt confident in.  Anatomy lab was a great redemption from the previous experience.  As a group, we had met the day prior and discussed what we can do better as a team and that we needed to know our anatomy better. 

Once in the lab, we slowed down and labeled before cutting.  Our experience came out positive.  We did a laminectomy (this includes breaking bones with a chisel and hammer!)  We created a canal which allowed us to identify the spinal cord and its parts. We left the dorsal and ventral rami intact as well as the dorsal root ganglion.  These last portions can be a bit tricky when removing the muscles. We walked out of that lab today we our heads held high.

Throughout this week, I have found myself studying in groups and solo up 'til midnight and getting up at about 6 in the morning.  I also found myself reflecting on my mission and the tight schedule we maintained for two years. I learned a great deal during those two years.