Randy and Dionne's Happily Everafter Story

Pics from a work Christmas party

2010-12-27T09:34:00.002-06:00

Videos of Micah walking

2010-10-03T15:14:00.005-05:00

Micah has been taking more and more steps each day, since he was just under 10 months old I believe, and Randy and I keep meaning to take some videos, but either we are too in awe to go get our phones or camera, or by the time we get what we need, Micah does not want to walk any more. I finally captured some of his moves today. Enjoy :)

Sometimes he gets so pleased with himself when he makes it long distances. Or other times, he'll be so much about his business that he acts like to him its no big deal. lol

YAY ME!

2010-10-02T18:56:00.004-05:00

After a long Hiatus, and making it through Intern year, I have been finally able to return some attention to Doctor D's Women's health Corner. New Post is up ladies!! :)

I am once again taking requests for topics

Post-Call Day at the Park (last weekend)

2010-09-11T22:35:00.009-05:00

After working 26hrs straight and sleeping for a few hrs, what made my weekend on call a good weekend, was going to the park with Micah, Mom and Randy

Getting ready to test out his new pair of shoes

Mom enjoying her fruit

Mom playing with Micah's hair...as usual :)

The loves of my life

The precious moments that I savor

We had a visitor

Exploring

Our visitor returns

My Son

2010-07-03T08:50:00.006-05:00

I am actually off this weekend and able to enjoy waking up to Micah's beautiful face laying next to me as opposed to sneaking a peak at him sleeping in the crib before going off to work. Micah is 7months old, crawling and pulling himself up. He's had two bottom teeth for a couple months now and he loves to play and smile and laugh. He is such a sweet spirit, just as I sensed he would be when I was pregnant with him.

Here are a few pics of my beautiful son.....

Congrats Are in Order!

2010-06-19T15:35:00.009-05:00

So this last week (Wednesday) my lovely wife had her department graduation. This is an event in which the faculty and staff of the OB-GYN department take the time to congratulate the graduating 4th year residents and award a select few of the remaining residents for a job well done.

So over the last few months leading up to the graduation I felt inclined to point out to my wife that I think she is in the top 2 for Intern of the Year Award. She dismissed me for all the same reasons why I thought she would win.

These might be a little biased but who cares I am married to the woman. lol

1. Dionne has never done anything half-way. Quite frankly, I don't think she knows how to.

2. We (She) had a baby in November and Dionne didn't miss a single call shift. Dionne also worked 2 full call shifts back to back leading up to the week she delivered Micah. (The weeks that she's on call average 111hrs per week no days off).

3. USMLE Step 3- the third part of a 3 part board exam series. Dionne studied hard, took it and passed, all while juggling readings and presentations for her program as well as being a mother and a wife.

4. Even with missing 6 weeks of work for maternity leave, Dionne was able to stay at the same level as her peers.

Even with all of the many things that my wife had to juggle this year, it could've been easy for her to fall behind. But she didn't. She came back from maternity leave ready to get back to work. I think that she and I both were concerned that her superiors and peers were not going to be able to put aside the politics of having a resident who decides to have a baby....

Good news is, she was wrong, and I was right that her hard work would not go unrewarded :)

So, I have a few photos to share. A brief snap shot of the last years events in my wife’s intern year of her OB-GYN residency.

Medical School Graduation

Prego!!!!

Doctor D :)

Micah is finally here :)

The Intern of the Year is.....

Dionne and her co-interns

It has to feel great to have all your dreams come true.

Congratulations, my lovely wife for Job well done and welcome to your 2^nd year.

My thoughts on the subject

2010-05-12T15:12:00.004-05:00

I read a post today by a witty girl I used to go to High School with (Keiko) that simply came so much out of my mind, that I almost don't see the point of even writing this post.

What can I say to add to that? I do have a few thoughts:

1. Being a mother does not mean erasing yourself; your hopes and wants and dreams and desires
~ interesting parents make interesting kids
~ your children will not end up as horrible people because you did things that interested you outside of their lives while they were growing up
~ children are not going to be children forever. There has to be something else that defines who u are even after they have grown and don't need you to be there every second of the day
~basing one's happiness or sense of self around another human being is not only not a bad idea, but psychologically unhealthy. Our children bring us joy, but they (nor our husbands) should be our only source of fulfillment.

2. Why does it have to be all or nothing?
~It is not selfish to be multidimensional. We were individuals long before we became mothers and we should stay as individuals for as long as we live. I did not have to get rid of any part of myself in order to be a mother and I am confident that I can be a good mother even though I am also committed to other things.

3.I never understood the saying of "full time mom"
~We are always mothers, whether we spend the majority of time in the home or not. My responsibility as a mother is always full time.

There are many sacrifices that good mothers make for the betterment of their children and their future. My mother gave up a career that she worked hard to establish so that the five of us could come to the United States and become the Doctors and Teachers, Musicians and Dentists that we always wanted to be. But, mothers should never sacrifice themselves. Their essence, their passions.
I truly feel that if a woman feels like her path to motherhood had to be bought at the cost of important pieces of herself, that she will truly never really be able to enjoy motherhood.

God made us able to do many things, to be many things to many people. It is all about balance. Our children need to see the example of how one human being can balance all of life's joys and responsibilities with grace and strength.

2010-05-09T16:31:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be taking the 3rd part of a 3-part board exam (The first two parts were done during medical school). It will last for 9hrs each day. It has been a challenge to study for that exam, keep abreast of reading for my specialty, and find time to sleep, enjoy my little one and spend time with my Husband. It definetely makes you good at time management. This past week has been especially taxing. I have been having to stay late at work either because of the barage of consults that our GYN team has been hit with, or being detained in the OR on a long complicated case. Through it all though, I thank God. As exhausted as this past week in particular has made me, I have to admit that it has given me a deep sense of satisfaction as well. All of the challenges, the interesting consults that I've had to figure out, have taught me so much. As one of my favorite anesthesiologists told me this week: "You don't learn from an easy residency. It's the busy days that teach you the most"

Before going to bed last night (or rather early this morning), I received a sweet card from Randy.

This morning, around 7am, I was able to enjoy the bliss of snuggling with my sweet baby boy, while smelling the delicious breakfast that my wonderful husband was making for me. I knew that more studying was on the agenda, but at least for those moments, I got to just be a woman enjoying her first Mothers' Day.

My beautiful son, how long I have waited to hold you and smell you and kiss your face

And now that you're here, I thank God daily, for giving you to me; how great is His grace

My beautiful son, you've made me a mother

Exactly what I've always wanted to be

You keep me complete, and grounded and joyful

Amazing how blessed one woman can be

My beautiful son, I'll love you forever

your father and I will always be there

To teach you of God, Faith, Love and Ambition

Thank You for making me a Mother, my Dear

Later on today, after a few sets of practice questions, I was treated to a little shopping spree at DSW, where I scored! :)

THANK YOU HONEY!! :)

He is growing up so fast.

2010-04-26T21:24:00.004-05:00

Micah rolling over (4 months)

Micah trying to walk (4 Months)

2010-03-13T15:55:00.002-06:00

How can a life be so fullfilling, so rewarding, so exciting, so full, and yet so frustrating, so challenging, so taxing, so draining?

I believe that my life will always be a dichotomy of the good life and the hard life all at once. Each day I go to work, I affect lives. I am but a servant of God, tending to and caring for his people. I keep people safe, I save them from themselves, I fix the wrongs in their bodies that have happened without warning, that have been afflicted on them, or that they've inflicted on themselves. I use my hands, my head, my heart each and every day on a level so intense that it can be nothing short of overwhelming. What an exciting place to be...... but there is a price for such a privilege.

~ To be able to do the right thing at work, I have to know what the right thing is, which means CONSTANT reading, CONSTANT studying. There is no cap on what I have to learn.

~ Never enough time to sleep, never enough time to just rest and do nothing. A movie watched is two hrs that I could have, that I should have spent reading on the etiology, pathophysiology, management and treatment of a condition that I will undoubtedly be faced with the next day at work. Not to mention board exams and being ready to be quizzed and questioned by a superior.

~ This field is wrought with pressure. Pressure to perform, pressure to achieve. Lives are at stake, and we all take it seriously

~ In a few months, I will have to be a part of the teaching and guidance of new first year residents. I have to know my stuff so that I do not lead them astray.

I sit here at my desk, with my textbooks in front of me wondering (as I've done so many times before), how I am going to withstand the pressure without crumbling under its weight?The price that I must pay is high. Only in this profession is so much asked for so little in return.

I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have always needed God, continue to need him and will always need him in my life. My heart says a silent prayer to God before going into the operating room, delivery room, emergency room, ICU, praying that that which I have missed sleep, rest, a movie, etc for in order to study, will come forth, out of my brain and serve me at that very moment.

When I sit at my desk, before these study sessions, I pray that I will be able to retain all that I read, for if not, the time away from other things would be a waste.

My life is full and still I want more. More children, more time, more knowledge, more wisdom. But to have all of that there is a price to be paid. I've always believed and still do believe that we can have it all. We just can't have it all easily.

Wow. We have been busy. :) Time to catch up with some pics.

2010-02-26T17:58:00.020-06:00

I love this picture.

So first of all this is Randy :) as you all know my wife has been working crazy hours in her residency program and now she has to study for a 2 day test that she needs to take in April. So until then you are stuck with ME :)

The last post was at the end of December so I will pick up from there.

Micah is now 3 months and 1 week old and starting his My Baby can Read dvd's.

Micah is getting so big. Here are some of his favorite toys.

next is his Swing(Thanks Uncle George & Auntie Pam)

Ok now you can see how he travels in this freezing cold weather. The stroller/carseat.

So now on to the fun pics.

Here is a pic of the girls. (Dionne's Sisters and Aroti one of Dionne's Co-Residents)

Here is a pic of Micah and Hyacinth aka Mom or Nana

Too Cute

Micah's surprised face.

Micah in some big boy clothes.

Close up :)
One of my favorites. His model pose lol

Micah and Mommy
Micah and Daddy
Ok that is all I have for now I will add some more in a couple of weeks.

2009-12-27T20:50:00.001-06:00

2009-12-10T17:20:00.002-06:00

Needless to say, this little one gets lots of kisses... how can you resist

Nana and Micah

My precious little angel

Micah Christian Sillik is Here!!! :)

2009-11-22T19:43:00.007-06:00

Born on Friday, November 20th at 1:02 AM
at 37weeks, 3 days
6lbs 5oz
19 inches long
The cutest little thing I've ever seen!

my week off- part 3

2009-10-11T18:13:00.005-05:00

Our little art project:
So last weekend, Randy and I went to a craft store and bought some white wooden letters. This Friday night, we sanded and painted those letters, each in a different color, which we placed over the crib. A few days before that, we also put up some vinyl lettering. Now, waking up and seeing my son's name makes me even more excited to see him.

It was fun painting with Randy

My wonderfully handy husband once again

AND HIS NAME IS:

"Every Good and Perfect Gift Comes from Above"

my week off-part 2

2009-10-11T17:43:00.003-05:00

So Wednesday October 7th was my 28th birthday, and my wonderful husband, after having taken me out to dinner and shopping on Saturday, left work early and while I was at a cafe studying, cleaned our messy living room and surprised me with this:

Please note the kisses filled with caramel on the table. I have always hated chocolate. Apart from my occasional indulgence in the caramel, nugget and peanut goodness of a Snickers bar, there is not much chocolate that I am able to tolerate. During the last trimester of this pregnancy, I have become a lot more tolerant of the different preparations of milk chocolate. I still need to have it made with something else like mint or caramel, but now I actually crave it and enjoy it. Once, about a month ago, Randy bought a bag of the Hersey chocolate with caramel for himself and much to both of our surprise, yours truly ended up eating a good bit of them. We could not find it again since then but on my birthday, Randy found it for me. I have an incredibly wonderful husband.

That night, we went out to dinner with some of my co-workers. It was a very nice birthday indeed.

My week off- part 1

2009-10-11T17:17:00.007-05:00

Tomorrow I go back to work after a much needed week off. With the third part of my board exams coming up, I did some studying, Randy and I did some home decorating and baby preparation. Most of all, I did a lot of sleeping and/or just being horizontal in bed. Needless to say, my ankles look great lol Being admittedly lazy (and I do appologize for not updating the blog on a more regular basis), I figure I will just put up a sample of pics and videos from my doings this past week.

One of our attendings hosted a party last Sunday. It was a Jewish tradition called the Sukkat
The pretty lady in the middle is one of my co-interns, Aroti.
I know, my face has gotten considerably wider with this pregnancy. ugh

About to leave for the Chestnut Hill Festival last Sunday

I think this was last Saturday. Getting ready to go out and run errands

This is part of one of the acts at the festival that we went to last Sunday. There were live bands and lots of food. The weather was perfect that day. Sorry for the weird camera angle.

The first installment in our baby readiness

2009-09-23T21:43:00.003-05:00

BEFORE

My handy husband. I am laying on the bed reading the instructions (a very important job :))

proud of his work, as he should be.

Tired, but happy

YAY!!! :)

We bought a crib that can convert to a day bed and then an adult full sized bed. It is actually also a changing table and hamper all in one with open shelves on the back and a trundle drawer for bedding underneath. We love it and are very excited to bring our little one home and see him in this space. I can't wait to buy the bedding and supplies, but the next expense on our priority list is a stroller and car seat.

29 weeks, only 11 more to go!!! :)

2009-09-23T21:19:00.003-05:00

The one day that I didn't wear scrubs to work

From my 28th week

I am getting bigger and more uncomfortable, and working 30 hrs at a time (and no we don't take naps!) when on call has gotten harder, but I have a good support system around me at work and my senior residents try to do what they can to prevent me from getting too bombarded with work. Actually, this weekend, my chief resident tried to find some time for me to rest for about 30 minutes but by the time I got done with doing a C-section and delivering 2 babies, our Triage filled up again and there went that. It was nice that she at least tried. Anyway, only 11 weeks to go. I am taking it one day at a time and trusting in God to give me the strength and the stamina that I need. He has never inspired me to do something that he has not given me the tools to accomplish, and I know that this is one of those things.

Twenty Six Weeks :)

2009-09-02T17:03:00.003-05:00

Long Time No See

2009-08-15T19:56:00.003-05:00

Ok Ok Ok, So residency is a time consuming entity that does not like sharing you with your bed further more blogging time. I am soooo behind on updating my blog and my family has been nagging me for weeks to put up more pictures.

(Me at 22wks and 4 days)
I actually had a day off and was able to try out our pool for the first time

I am now 23 weeks and 4days pregnant and doing well. Residency has been a crazy, new, overwhelming, exciting, educational and tiring experience thus far and it has only just begun. In less than two months, I have become a surgeon, an educator to women, present on the happiest and worst days of a woman's life. I am very blessed to be doing what I do. I just wish there was more time for rest and relaxation. My little boy is doing well; content inside my womb... probably wondering why I am never sitting still. It is very comforting to feel his life inside of me when I am delivering a baby, standing for 4 hours working in the Operating Room, writing orders, and especially when I am too tired or discouraged to want to go on. I always have a constant reminder of what I can be happy about and excited for, right there with me.

My first week as an Ob/Gyn

2009-07-03T17:06:00.002-05:00

I don't have much time to write. Strangely I got today off, if not I would not even have been able to put pictures up or write this right now. But, I felt it a good idea to put into words my experiences of the last few days.

Night before my first day, it was hard to fall asleep. I felt almost as anxious as the night before my 9hr board exams. Not wanting the sun to rise upon a day that you don't want to face, but wanting the torture of not knowing how it will be to come and get itself over with.

First day, woke up at around 4:15 am. Got to hospital bright and early with my blue scrubs, pager on hip, cellphone on hip, and white coat on. The day was busy, it was nonstop. Barely a moment to pee or eat without pagers going off and places to be. This month I am on the GYN service, which mainly means cases in the OR, preparing patients for surgery and managing them postoperatively and of course, running to the Emergency department, and the medical floors as a consult.

At the end of our first day, one of my fellow interns called me on the phone and we both celebrated that we had survived, that it was not so bad and that we were really really happy.

Upon embarking on each experience, at first I would feel the anxiety rise just a little. Going on my own to examine a patient who is bleeding or has had a miscarriage seemed daunting, and scary. But there was always a certain pt during each encounter when I looked at myself and realized that I was doing it right, that I was prepared for this and that I could be confident in my abilities. That was an amazing feeling. That and reporting to my senior residents and attendings and seeing the look of approval on their faces as to my thought process and knowing that if I did not know what to do that they were always there to help and guide me, were some of the most rewarding aspects of this week for me.

Everyone has been supportive of my pregnancy, making sure that I steal time to eat etc. When your chief gives up her seat so that you can sit down, you can't help but feel that you're in the right place.

Assisting on cases in the OR were great, keeping in mind that I will have to remember the names and functions of all of the instruments, not so much. I did a case with just me and the attending and afterwards he congratulated me for having my first one done. A rite of passage had been done. That was a great feeling. Sitting in morning report and learning from happenings that occurred overnight, being called on to answer questions and knowing that everything you don't know is something that you have to go home and read up on is part of the day. Coming home exhausted with only about 3 hrs of awake time left before you really should go to bed, has been difficult. Knowing that eating dinner, reading up on cases so that I can be prepared in the OR the next day, time with Randy, all have to come out of those few hrs is a challenge. But it is one that we are both up for.

Randy has been awesome, as usual. He sees me off in the mornings, makes dinner at night and lays next to me and tucks me in even when he isn't going to bed for another couple of hours. He has been my rock and my cheerleader.

This week has been tiring but I can honestly say that I have had fun. I am living my dream and touching people's lives each and every day.

2009-07-03T13:26:00.003-05:00

ITS A BOY!!!!

The goods :)

All ten fingers accounted for

Hanging out upside down

He has such a cute nose!!!

2009-06-29T13:34:00.007-05:00

Just some pics of me getting ready to go to the Park

as you can see, we painted some of the walls in our living room. (We also did an accent wall of a different color in our bedroom) I was going to do a before and after post, but laziness and busyness squashed that idea.

I am 17 weeks today, and yes, the belly is getting a bit bigger. I have been feeling the baby move a lot more now and loving every moment of it. Sometimes I wonder when he/she is getting any sleep lol. Randy has gotten to feel the baby move under his fingertips and even saw my skin jump up and down this past weekend. It is always nice when I can share with him something that feels like a private exchange just between me and our little one.
Hopefully when I get my ultrasound done within the next few weeks, I will finally be able to answer my family's nagging question of "Is it a boy or a girl" and "When are you going to finally find out the sex?!" :)

Some Spoils of the day :)

2009-06-24T21:39:00.004-05:00

Yep, that's me! :)

My White Coat

I had been meaning to do a post months ago, saying goodbye to my shorter, thinner medical student white coat, but never got around to it. Now, I get to wear the thick, sized to fit, personally embroidered long white coat that the doctors get to wear. This is an item that all medical students look forward to receiving when they start residency.

My Pager

We also got some cool goodie bag stuff, including a jump drive, a cute little backpack, etc. Tomorrow I pick up my ID badges. It was a long day, but a great day. I met a lot of residents of various specialties who were all excited and nervous like me. I even got to hang out with some of them tonight when Me and Randy were invited over to one of my co-OB resident's apartment. All in all a good day. Now for a good night's sleep and more training, etc tomorrow.

And so it begins

2009-06-23T21:24:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow will greet me bright and early with a full day of orientations. Thursday is more training and certifications and Friday as well. Monday is our orientation specific to OB/Gyn and then July 1st is our first real day as Albert Einstein Doctors. Today was essentially my last day of freedom. I just got home from having dinner with my fellow interns and some of the new 2nd years. I can't believe its happening and I know that the ride will be bumpy and long. At any given moment I could be filled with hope, pride and excitement or utter anxiety and fear. At this moment I feel blessed that I am part of a really nice, funny and fun cohort of people that I will be in the trenches with, and hopeful that I will make it through this year without falling into pieces......... Ask me how I feel on the night of June 30th.

2009-06-17T13:14:00.004-05:00

I have an OB/Gyn and an appointment, I finished the first part of my Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, I started to feel the baby again today, I dropped my mom and sister off at the airport, I survived some financial woes and struggles with the help of family, and I am now about to try to get centered, get into a place of zen, while washing my hair and mentally preparing myself for my residency orientation and further training next week. I pray for a constant infusion of patience, peace of mind, and strength.

Baby Update

2009-06-11T12:50:00.004-05:00

The last couple of weeks, my tummy has gotten more pronounced. I have not been good at taking pictures though, due to all that has been going on. I believe the picture above was at 13 weeks. I am a bit bigger than that now.

I am 14weeks and 3 days today
I am doing well, happy to be well out of the first trimester and to feel like myself again. Since my 12th week, I have felt the baby moving. It has been so exciting, but mostly it has been comforting, having a physical assurance that all is well. I was surprised at how active my baby already was and that I was getting movements strong enough to feel at such an early stage. The last day or so, my little one has gotten higher up in my abdomen and has changed positions so that I am not able to feel the kicks like before. That did make me a little sad, but I know that I will have many days of movements ahead of me so I cannot complain. Apart from that, still trying to soldify a new OB/Gyn here in PA so that I can get my next appointment on time.

And of Course... The purchase of My New Rav4!

2009-06-11T12:37:00.002-05:00

2009 Toyota Rav 4. Black leather interior, 6-disc CD changer, Sunroof, etc! I love it!

Philly Happenings

2009-06-11T12:30:00.003-05:00

My mom and youngest sister Rayisa came back to Philadelphia with Randy and Me.
We went to a park right by our new apartment. My mom and Rayisa still can't get over all of the lush greenery in this part of the country as opposed to southern Arizona.

At Coney Island

2009-06-11T12:24:00.003-05:00

Surprise Cake

2009-06-11T12:19:00.001-05:00

2009-06-11T12:12:00.002-05:00

My other grandmother (Mom's Mom), Me and Randy
Roly, Me, Auntie Esther, and sister Rayisa

Auntie Pam and Uncle George

Me and Grandma Browne

Me and My Mom

Me and My sexy Sis, Rayisa

They 'Hood' you on the stage as part of the ceremony

More Graduation Pictures

2009-06-11T12:08:00.005-05:00

A very proud Husband

My Grandmother (I call her Mimzo), My dad, Me and My Brother Roland (I call him Roly ) :)

Dad, Mimzo, Aunty Betty, Me and Cousin Charisse

Graduation!!!

2009-06-11T11:55:00.006-05:00

Pictures from Friday June 5th, when I graduated with Honors from Medical School!!! Enjoy

A fellow graduate

Me and My Uncle Patrick

My hectic but wonderful last couple of weeks part Three

2009-05-27T15:04:00.003-05:00

I got back on Sunday, and spent time with my in laws and nephews and visited with some people that we'd made connections with while here in Illinois. Yesterday, I went to my doctor's appointment. All I cared about was that he would be able to pick up fetal heart tones with his Doppler ultrasound. It took a second of rooting around but I knew the moment he found it. Nice and strong and fast. He showed me the meter and it said 156. I was very happy. During the first trimester, apart from the nausea and the tiredness, there are no indications coming from within that tells you that the baby is still in there or that everything is alright. It is also a paranoia buster when you get to hear your little one. Being halfway through my 12th week, I am happy to be pretty much done with my first trimester. I look forward to the stage where I can feel the baby move and have a daily reminder that all is well and that my little one is still there, waiting patiently to make his/her appearance. Yesterday was definitely a good day.

We got behind on laundry over the last couple of weeks due to all the traveling and the packing and getting ready for the big move, so we decided that a laundry mat would be the best way to get caught up in a short amount of time. So, this morning, while Randy was at work, I lugged LOTS of clothing over the laundry mat. I DID TEN LOADS! Ten loads?? How we accumulated that much laundry I do not know. I didn't even realize that we had that much clothes. Anyhoo, I'm glad that its over. Now, I am trying to relax and get caught up on some things at the same time.

The last couple of weeks have been hectic, but filled with family and friends and the reassurance that everything is on track with my pregnancy. I couldn't ask for anything more.

My hectic but wonderful last couple of weeks part Two

2009-05-27T14:45:00.003-05:00

So I knew Cassandra Daugherty back when she was Cassandra Kraus, with braces, short dark hair and glasses (lol Sorry Cassandra). We met in Junior High, maybe even elementary school, and were inseperable for many years. We were defintely the odd couple but it worked. After maybe 8yrs of losing touch after high school and reconnecting long distance, the stars aligned and we were both in Arizona at the same time and got to see eachother again on Saturday. We met for lunch. It was great. I got to meet her two beautiful little girls and her husband Bryce, who was funny and seemed like a pretty nice guy, so I approve (not that it matters at this point). It is just crazy where life can take people after highschool. It was good to see Cassandra again.

My hectic but wonderful last couple of weeks part One

2009-05-27T14:05:00.007-05:00

Some of the Past Mesa High Graduates
We stood in order or graduation: Me, my cousin Charlene, cousin Jerome, my sister Avianne, cousin Casey, cousin Michelle, and last but not least the lady of the day, my sister Rayisa
(missing are one of my sisters(Genisha) and three other cousins)

Me, Avianne, Mom, Rayisa, Roland and Dad
My sister Genisha is missing. She had to get my nieces out of the rain.

If you can't tell by now, we were soaking wet with rain, but happy nonetheless!

The First and the Last

Me, Rayisa, and our favorite aunt Michelle

On Tuesday the 19th, I flew to Arizona to witness my sister Rayisa, the last of the five siblings, graduate from Mesa High School with Honors. That day it rained and it was chilly, but considering that last year's graduation was rained out completely for the first time in probably a millenia, we were all happy that it still went on as planned. I've been able to go to all of my siblings' graduations except for Avianne's (I was out of the country) and it is always a special occasion to me. I look forward to seeing where my three youngest siblings will end up in their
lives. I am very proud of all of my siblings.

First Comes love, then Comes Marriage, then Comes a Baby...

2009-05-17T18:04:00.003-05:00

The days are sweet
The future bright
with you at my side

I can do anything
I can be brave
I can be scared
with you at my side

I never have to explain
you already know
you are at my side

I always have someone to talk to
with you at my side

You make me laugh
your words can bring me to tears
my heart is always full
with you at my side

Thank you for 4 wonderful years, one of which as husband and wife.
Here's to 99 more years, My Love!
~HAPPY ANNIVERSARY~

2009-05-15T15:04:00.005-05:00

I declared to my parents at Three years old, that I was going to be a doctor. Looking back on my life, I see that God has blessed me with a vision of what my future was to be, earlier than most usually come to that realization.
Everything that has been done in my life since then, including my wise parents moving to the United States, was so that I could accomplish that one major goal. Coming to the U.S. at 10 yrs old, about to turn 11 was a very difficult thing for me to withstand. I did not know about racism until I came to this country. Trinidad is such a culturally diverse place. Heck, the joke about Trinidadians is that they are mixed with at least 2 or three distinct races (I have Scottish in me among other things. My paternal grandmother is half Scottish)
In my household, nothing was impossible, but growing up in Mesa Arizona, being black, smart and driven got you hated and misunderstood by the African Americans and underestimated by the Whites.
Going through Junior High and High School definitely reinforced in me my already existent belief that others opinions and expectations of you have no bearing on who you actually are or who you will become.
I had teachers and counselors, hired to inspire the next generation, who, although I was the only black person in any of my classes, most of which being Honors classes, and I consistently earned great grades, still couldn't comprehend the possibility that I would be something great. I still remember the startled looks whenever I used to say that I was going to be a doctor.
One of my younger sisters, a straight A student in Highschool (and Deans list etc student now in College), was advised to look for a job or learn a bloody trade by a Mesa High guidance counselor when she went to him to ask for college planning advice.
I had teachers (both black and white) gossiping about me in Highschool simply because I was dating a white guy, instead of focusing on their jobs or the fact that I was always one of their best students.
(I did have a handful of great teachers who I know will be richly rewarded by God for their commitment to nonjudementally doing the job of teaching and guiding)
But, amidst it all, I always had God. And, the thing about God is that he does not only inspire you to do something, but he guides you along the way, constantly giving you what you need to realize that which he has chosen for you. It is to him I give all of the glory and the praise. He has always had my hand in his and he has never let go.
He gave me awesome parents, an amazing husband and now has entrusted me with a life that I get to guard and to guide.
I am truly, truly humbled..........

Glad that's over

2009-05-06T13:16:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, Randy and I returned, exhausted from a busy trip to Philadelphia over the weekend. Our mission was to find a place to live. We toured rental homes as well as apartments and realized that we like the security of an apartment complex, not to mention all of the amenities. Our research showed that for most places, house or apartment, we would have to pay hefty deposits and first and last month's rent. We were so overjoyed to find that one of the apartment complexes that Randy had put on his short list before we left, were having move-in specials and huge decreases in their rent depending on when you moved in. We found an available floor plan that was way larger and nicer than our present one here in the Chicago area for only about $100 more a month and we did not have to put down a lot of money for deposits. The property is right next to a beautiful park, in a wonderful neighborhood, only about 7 miles away from my hospital. We were so thrilled to find where we wanted to live on Saturday that we though it would be smooth sailing for the rest of our stay.

Life is never that simple. Monday and Tuesday we spent having to delve into Randy's rental past to clear up some issue that unbenownst to him or me arose back in 2005 that only now jumped out in front of us when this particular property did our "background checks". We saved money on moving in but ended up spending a hefty wad of cash to settle things and get all misunderstandings straightened out, but this morning Randy called me from work to let me know that everything was secure, all was fixed and that we would be receiving our leases via Fed Ex for us to sign. I was so relieved!

When I came to Philadelphia for my residency interview I did not really get to see much of the city and its many unique neighborhoods. It was pleasantly surprising to see how lush and green the area is and how many quaint neighborhoods and beautiful parks could be found while still having the ability to drive a few miles and feel as if you are in the middle of all of the activity.

On Monday, we had lunch with some of the faculty and residents that I will be working with. I got to try on white coats to make sure that I had ordered the right size, and I was always being introduced as Dr. Mills. It was so surreal but pretty cool. Randy got to visit an office that his bosses had reserved for him in a building right in the heart of downtown Philadelphia (Center City per the locals).

One thing I did not expect was how unwell I would tolerate all of the driving. It wasn't just being nauseous, which was a part of it, but just the jostling of the car in traffic made my insides feel very uncomfortable. Its hard to explain, but by the time we got back to the hotel each night, I was absolutely exhausted. Randy took good care of me, as usual, and we both survived a tumultuous weekend. It wasn't all bad. We did manage to have a good time amidst it all. I am glad to be back, knowing that our mission is accomplished.

The Hunt is On

2009-05-01T14:23:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow morning Randy and I are flying out to Philadelphia. Our mission is to not leave on Tuesday without having signed a lease on an apartment or rental home. Wish us luck. I hope that I will be able to handle all the walking and driving around with my nausea but I am excited. It is fun touring properties and exploring new neighborhoods. We have our list of places and some appointments lined up. We are confident that we will find something that works for us.

Hopefully by the end of this upcoming week or the first part of next week, I will have my next post up on the Women's Corner. It will most likely be about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Great News I've Been Dying to Share!!!

2009-04-28T12:33:00.007-05:00

As I'd said in my first, 'Welcome' post on this blog, Randy and I were at the point in our lives where we would start our family. Well, after being on birth control pills for many years (almost 10 or so), I was nervous as to how long it would take me to get pregnant. My paternal grandmother had 10 children, my maternal grandmother had 6, and my mother had 5 children, of which I am the oldest. I prayed that the very heightened fertility of my family would trickle down on me.

On April 2nd, I found out that my prayers had been answered. Remarkably, after only one month of trying, Randy and I are expecting our first baby, due December 8th!! I took three pregnancy tests- 2 on the 2nd and one the evening of the 3rd- just to make sure that I was not imagining it all.

Yesterday was my first doctor's visit and this morning I had my first ultrasound. I am 8wks and 1 day today. Seeing my baby's heartbeat for the first time was amazing! I would always feel so much joy for the moms whenever I did their ultrasounds, but to see my own baby's heart beating fast and strong, made my heart swell and my eyes fill with tears.

The picture above was not one of the best that the lady could've given me but oh well. As you can see the rather large dark area in the upper right was my extremely full bladder. Great for doing early pregnancy ultrasounds, but not very comfortable when you are always having to go. I was able to see the yolk sac, the body, as well as the buds that will soon become the arms and legs. Apart from that, everything was still a bit hazy since everything is still so small. Nevertheless, I was thrilled!

Yesterday I told my (paternal) grandmother, and she is spreading the word to all of my extended family. It was good to give her good news after she received such bad news the day before.

I feel truly blessed and honored that God has entrusted me with this life. This March was definitely a month of dreams coming true for me and Randy.

An Unexpected Goodbye

2009-04-26T15:51:00.007-05:00

My grandmother had 10 children. The first of 10 was my dad Rudolph, and the 6th of the 10 was my uncle Michael. Uncle Michael was only a young boy when I was born, and I only have vague memories of him.
For the majority of his life my uncle has battled with addictions and a life of crime as a result of his drug habits. Even with the demons that he tried to shake, my mother remembers him as always smiling, always cheerful.
Today I was told that after years of being on and off drugs, in and out of jail, numerous attempts at turning his life around, in Trinidad today, my uncle Michael is dead. No one is certain exactly what happened but it is believed that he fell off of a building to his death.

My dad, and 4 of my aunts who live in Arizona, (There are also siblings who still reside in Trinidad) had to break the news to my grandmother today, that the child that she worried about all these years is no longer alive. I was told that she did not take it very well. Out living one's children is arguably the greatest fear that any parent lives with. I pray that she is able to draw on the great strength that is within her to cope with this news. I heard the pain in my aunt's voice when she called me and I thought of how I would feel to lose my own brother and being thousands of miles away.

When I think of my siblings and the bond that we have, I know that my father and my aunts and uncles must be hurting right now. No matter what disagreements one may have, there is always that love. I pray that my uncle's soul is in the right place today- in a place of rest where no temptations of the flesh can torment him, where only peace resides. I hope that he knows how much he was loved and I wish that I was able to get to know him better.

Goodbye Uncle Michael

New Health Corner Post

2009-04-20T13:16:00.002-05:00

Postpartum psychological disorders on the Women's Health Corner. Feel free to check it out

Lazy and Lovin' It

2009-04-16T16:50:00.003-05:00

Can I just say, that apart from working on residency paperwork and preparing posts for my Women's Health Corner, I am happy to be able to sleep in, watch TV all day, and catch up on just the healing and rejuvinating power of relaxation! :)

Per request, I just posted on the women's health corner info about the female reproductive cycle. Next will be Postpartum Depression-hopefully coming soon.

One challenge that I am encountering when preparing posts for the Corner, is trying to put into simple enough terms, processes that are anything but. Trying to explain B without having to teach the reader information A that makes understanding information B possible is definetely daunting sometimes, but it is a challenge that I welcome because patients deserve to know what is going on in their bodies in a way that they can understand and utilize, and so it is important that physicians be able to bridge that gap for their patients.

2009-04-16T11:01:00.006-05:00

Thanks for all of the feedback to my little rant the other day. I wish that I felt comfortable enough to share with you the context of what spurred me to write what I did. Just know, that it concerns being around a family that we love, that is lost, who on some level wants to reconnect with God, but who is so entrenched in bad habits from poor upbringing in the past, and misconceptions about life, further more faith that there always seems to present itself, barriers and ignorances to trudge through in order to communicate logically with them. Its not only about their faith, its about their idea of relationships and of parenting, that is disfunctional, a fact that they are the first to admit. They, like all of us, want to be better and do better than the generation before them, and I have faith that they will better the quality of their lives eventually. Its just a matter of figuring out what that definition is, and getting priorites in the right order. For right now,being around it sometimes takes a toll on me and on Randy. We pray for their happiness because that is all that we can do.

A little Rant

2009-04-14T16:12:00.003-05:00

Without being very specific by pointing fingers or naming names, I will share with you a frustration that arose in me over the Easter weekend. It is an issue that presents itself in many ways upon my soul and I feel like I need to share.

It saddens my soul when I am around children that do not know about the love of God. It saddens and frustrates me to see when parents have chosen to ignore the development of that aspect of their lives. I know that there are atheists and agnostics and many other religions in this world, its just that some times when I hear or see ridiculous theories I get upset, epecially since I know that I must keep my mouth shut.

For example: Getting kids easter baskets filled with candy and gifts but not seeing the ridiculousnesss of doing so without even discussing the meaning and point of Easter.
Someone told me this weekend, that if there was no fun associated with an activity for a child then they will grow up with a memory of boredom and not maintain those beliefs as an adult. Thats all good and everything, but how do they maintain a belief when it is never taught in the first place, and all they get is the fun??

I also feel this way at christmas time, mind you, when I see that it has become about things and the aquisition of material possesions, but when heaven forbid a Christian wants to talk about Jesus at that time, there is awkwardness and surpression. I don't go around celebrating Hanukkah in order to get 8 gifts, yet our christian holidays are open for the picking to be celebrated by people who don't even believe that God exists. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny has replaced Jesus and the promise of salvation.

I AM DONE!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

2009-04-10T16:50:00.004-05:00

Today was my last day of medical school! :) I am so very excited and relieved. There are things and people that I will miss and look back on fondly, but right now, all I want to do while I can is sleep in, not look at medically related material (except for when preparing stuff for my women's corner), and breathe, I mean truly breathe. And while other small stretches of free time have been spent with me driving myself and my husband crazy, I know that this time, doing absolutely nothing will be just fine with me!
God has and continues to bless me every single day of my life. I am humbled by what he can do, and excited to see what else he has in store for me and my family. :)

Lots O' Paperwork

2009-04-08T20:51:00.002-05:00

Well, I know what I will be working on this weekend. Lots of paperwork! My packet of contracts and forms and deadlines and ..... well a lot of stuff to be filled out, came in the mail today via UPS, from Albert Einstein Hospital. On every document my new title of Dionne Mills M.D. was either typed or stamped. How surreal.
I want to legally change my name later this year. Randy and I have been married for almost a year (May 17th) and I still haven't yet hyphenated my name because I wanted to have all of my board exams and my diploma in the same name so that I would not have any problems come graduation and Licensure time. While my new name will be Dionne Kimberly Mills-Sillik, I think that it would be easier to keep my maiden name when dealing professionally. Either way, I want to have the Mills name attached to an M.D. title because I will be the first of the Mills (or Browne, which is my mother's family's name) to do so. I am still confused as to what I want to do and how to go about it. I can't wait till this rotation ends and I can finally be home during the day so that I can figure all of this out.

2009-04-08T18:43:00.005-05:00

Just a pic of me on the right and Dr. Kelsick, the surgeon that I am doing my rotation with. This particular surgery was to free up bowel loops that had basically stuck to each other and to the abdominal wall, thus looping around eachother and becoming obstructed and dilated. It took about two and a half hours. I was first assist on this case. Dr. Kelsick is awesome! He's been letting me do the skin closures, which is the last stage to closing up the abdomen. We do a Subcuticular stitch that requires that you be dextrous at handling and manipulating the needle driver and the pick ups so that you make a beautiful line that is well enough approximated so that when the scar heals, you can barely see where we went in. I have been getting a lot better and a lot faster. Today was my best effort yet! Dr. Kelsick and the anesthesiologist were pretty impressed, and I was very proud, especially since I did it while feeling like crap :)

2009-04-07T17:38:00.003-05:00

I missed yesterday and today of my Surgery rotation due to a cold/flu that came on starting Sunday morning. I never get sick, so this sucks. I am going back to work tomorrow though, no matter what. At least now I only have THREE DAYS LEFT of med school. Yay!! :)

I received an email today from the associate program director, with a draft of our schedules. It is exciting but daunting at the same time whenever I am presented with tangible proof that in no time at all, I will be in the next chapter of my professional life. The responsibilities on my shoulder will be great, but I intend on not letting them weigh me down. I pray that God keeps me healthy, happy and strong during my residency training and beyond.

The hunt begins

2009-04-04T19:06:00.003-05:00

We really, really, really, really need a new vehicle! All of my life I have driven used cars, and I am very grateful that I have been able to get from point A to point B with no car payments and very cheap car insurance. But, the time has come for me to start feeling as though all my hard work is paying off.

Today, we went to a Toyota dealership to look at a Rav 4. With kids in the future and everything, a car is just not going to be enough space for me, and I'd like to feel a bit higher off the ground. Once we get to Philadelphia, we plan on purchasing one. I am very excited but a bit anxious. I've never bought a vehicle before. Randy has experience working in car sales on the selling and finance side of the process, so thank fully he will be able to keep me from getting screwed over or swept up in the process.

It seems that with my Job letter showing my new contract, dealers are happy to accommodate the fact that I have not been employed for the last 4 yrs. They love doctors lol. Hey, whatever gets me into a new vehicle.

I hope and pray that this move goes smoothly and that I am able to get into an SUV before I have to start residency.

T-MINUS 1 MORE WEEK!!!!!

2009-04-04T11:52:00.003-05:00

I have just had an exhausting, enriching, and extremely exciting week. I wish that I could share all the details right now, but all in good time. What I can share however, is my excitement that I only have one more week of medical school left!

I feel very grateful that I have been able to go back and do this two week surgery elective because I have been allowed to practice my skills and I know that I will be ahead of the game once residency starts.

Now, the countdown begins, and I cannot wait to be done!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS!!!

2009-04-01T16:58:00.005-05:00

Another March 29th Birthday. This time my cousin. (Don't worry, she received a call on her birthday)

Happy Birthday Aiesha!!!!!

20 years ago, on an April Fools day, my aunt Michelle might of thought that someone was playing a trick on her if it weren't for the all too real labor pains. :)

Happy Birthday Casey!!!!! :) :) :) :)

2009-03-31T20:54:00.003-05:00

Thanks for voting folks!!! The first post of the Women's Health Corner is scheduled for tomorrow!! :)

What was I thinking?

2009-03-30T20:52:00.002-05:00

After scheduling the rest of my rotations at the end of last year, I still had two weeks left that I had to fill and I decided to go back to the general,vascular and thoracic surgeon that I did my Core Surgery rotation for 3 months with last summer. I knew that I would learn a lot from him, get brushed up on my knowledge of medicine as well as surgical technique, and that coming back as a 4th year doing an elective, he would let me do even more than he'd already let me do as a 3rd yr.

As my cardiology rotation was winding down these last few weeks, I started to think back to the looooong days, the ~40 mile commute, the heavy patient load and the sheer exhaustion and then thought to myself What was I thinking??!! , and my classmates and friends asked me the same thing. I could've easily picked a laid back elective that would have cushy hours and light responsibilities, but that just would not have been my M.O. I knew I needed to keep my mind sharp since residency is just around the corner.

So, now at 9pm I sit at my desk after only just getting home. My feet hurt, I am hungry and tired, and I have to wake up at 4am and do it again. But you know what? I had an awesome day! I was first assist on about 5 cases, including a Laparascopic Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal using laparascopes), and even a C-section when an OB/Gyn asked our surgeon for an assist.

Coming back basically as a colleague as opposed to a student was awesome. I got hugs from everyone at the hospital who I'd worked with before; from the nurses, scrub techs, secretaries, even my surgeon who is a wonderful guy. He boasted about me to the other docs all day. I even amazed myself at how much I remembered and just did automatically, so I cannot complain- especially since I only have to be sleep deprived in medical school for 2 more weeks.

My Birthday Boy

2009-03-29T09:09:00.005-05:00

Today is Randy's birthday!!! He wasn't and still isn't too thrilled to be turning 30 but I'm sure that he'll get over it soon enough. :) No parties, no fuss, and shamefully he is making me breakfast right now. (I know, I'm spoiled)

Randy is a very hard person to shop for. He does not ask for much and the things that he likes are usually quite expensive (go figure) so I was happy when I was able to get him this extra fancy, gaming friendly keyboard that he'd been talking about getting for weeks and weeks.

I'm glad he liked it :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!!

IT'S HERE!!! :)

2009-03-28T20:27:00.004-05:00

I received some awesome emails this week from Laine Strutton, my Women's Corner contributor, that was full of thought provoking information, that helped spurn me on to finish preparing my first post. So, since I already have that done, and I have an interesting topic from her ready to go, plus topics for discussion, I figure I should go ahead and schedule the posts' releases, and put up my button since I go back to 14hr days of Surgery on Monday (for only 2 weeks and then I AM DONE WITH MEDICAL SCHOOL!!! )
So, feel free to button up and check out my new blog!! :)

Thanks again to all my friends and family who supported and encouraged me as I embarked on this project!!!

Kudos to My Honey

2009-03-27T18:09:00.004-05:00

Today, Randy had an incredibly awesome review at work. In only little over a year, he has grown, shone, reguvinated and revitalized his position and has been receiving the recognition for it.
I am very proud of you honey. Our kids are gonna have a very cool, sweet, ambitious and talented dad to look up to!!
I love you!!!

UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS!!!!

2009-03-25T14:17:00.007-05:00

In about a week, this image will be on my blog sidebar as a button, so that you can be linked directly to Dr. D's Women's Health Corner. I am so very excited about this and still can't believe that I am taking on such a task at a point when my life is about to get even more hectic than before, but the thought came into my mind some weeks ago that I should use this wonderful forum as a way to do my good in this world and it just kept nagging me until I decided to go for it. What has surprised me is the overwhelmingly positive and excited responses I have gotten from many of my family and friends when they hear that this is something that I want to do.

I declared to my family at the age of 3 that I was going to be a doctor, and was thereafter dubbed "Dr. D" by my favorite aunt (Auntie Michelle) and then others, so I thought that it would be fitting to name the women's health corner accordingly.

Upcoming topics include but are not limited to:

₪ Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

₪Menopause

₪Women and Heart Health

₪Domestic Violence

₪Post Partum Depression

with international issues affecting women such as:

₪ Female Genital Cutting

₪ Breast ironing in Cameroon

My dear friend Laine Strutton will be contributing the international aspects of women's rights and women's health to the blog.

I encourage you to spread the word, and to please email me at doctordkm@yahoo.com if there is any topic that you would like explained/discussed. Also, please let others know that they can still vote. The poll does not close until the 31st of this month.
All of the topics in the Women's Health Corner will be open for discussion

Pet Peeve

2009-03-24T15:39:00.002-05:00

Today, one of my pet peeves that usually gets under my skin, really got under my skin. Doctors who write illegibly in charts!!! I mean, what is the point of writing in the chart when no one else can understand it? This is not their personal diary for crying out loud!!

I and one of the nurses digressed for at least 15 mins at the nurses station griping about this and she stressed that the new generation of doctors have to shrug off the old way of doing things and make the system better.

Which brings me to my other peeve. Bogus consults!!! Now I know that no current doctors are reading this, but I say this to my fellow soon-to be M.D's: If you do Family Med or Internal Med residency and you don't feel comfortable managing a sick patient who happens to have Hypertension or a little chest discomfort, then please reconsider if you learned anything in residency at all, and also, be ashamed of yourself. I don't care what specialty you are, please do not call a cardiology consult for something that you should be able to manage yourself. It is your patient, so take care of them. Think about how much money the patients and the government are being charged everytime a consult is called.

Do you know how many times we get a consult when the cardiologist can't even tell me why he was called cause he doesn't know??? ARGGHHH!!!!

Whew, now that I got that off of my chest I can go on with the rest of my day.

Some Inspiration from Church

2009-03-22T17:19:00.006-05:00

In the sidebar of my blog I have a phrase that I made up that says "Joy is being able to be happy, even when life sucks. Here's to you finding your joy" Well today, Pastor Chip at my church (Oakbrook Community Church) was adding to his series called 'Tough Times Survival Kit'. Today he spoke of another survival aide in tough times which is to Rejoice. He spoke of the difference between happiness and Joy. These are a few of the comparisons that he made.

Happiness is based on expectation
Joy is based on Salvation

Happiness produces a feeling
Joy produces results and growth

Happiness is self sought
While Joy is Christ bought

From a christian perspective, when we have the assurances of God's grace, mercy and love in our hearts, there will always be a source of joy for us. Therefore, whether times are good or bad, we should always have a reason to rejoice.

I know that as a nation we are facing an upheaval right now in our way of life, and I know that there are a lot of people who may find it hard to rejoice in a time like this, but I encourage all of us to remember that while sometimes there may not be anything around us to be happy about, there is usually always something to be joyful about. Whether it be the caress of a spouse/partner, or the love you feel for your child.

For me it is the blessed assurance of knowing that my life is in good hands (God's), that my salvation is secured, and that I have people around me with my best interests at heart. (The caress of my spouse is high up on the list as well)

When we seek things that make us happy, we may never be able to stop looking for things because sources of happiness aren't constants. But, when we have that which brings us joy, we can rest amidst storms, good times or bad, knowing that those things will never change. They are there whether u've had a bad day or not.

Seeking Joy in our lives is something more attainable and dependable than seeking happiness, which is so temperamental and conditional that we will never be satisfied and will always have to keep looking for it.

Here's to you finding your joy

Celebration!

2009-03-22T16:10:00.006-05:00

Last night, Randy and I, were invited by one of my med school friends to go to Club Crescendo in Chicago, to celebrate our success. Aarti (Pediatrics), Me(Obstetrics & Gynecology), Vanessa (Family Medicine) & Tisha(Internal Medicine)

I looked at these ladies last night and thought of all of the times during school where we were stressed out, overwhelmed and were suffering from a bit of self doubt, and we cheered eachother on. I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU GUYS!!!

We made it!!

Me and Randy

Me and Tisha.

Jammin to the music. I was not drinking alcohol last night, but it was entertaining to see all of the drunk people stumbling around and looking crazy. Good times lol

One thing to check off the list

2009-03-22T15:42:00.004-05:00

Yesterday Randy and I worked on my graduation announcements. My graduation will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York. My school (Ross University School of Medicine) has put a 6 ticket allowance for each graduate until March 27 when ticket ordering is closed and they can see how many extra tickets they can dish out. Since not everyone can come to the graduation and we want to share the news of this event with a lot of people who have touched my life, we decided to do a graduation announcement instead of an invitation. As mentioned earlier, Randy and I bought stationary and printed out the announcements. Now, all we have to do is mail them out. One thing down, a hundred things left to do.

Being the numbers minded person that my husband is, whenever we've had huge decisions to make and/or a lot of things going on at one time, he makes a spreadsheet so that we can see everything on one page and stay on track. (When I was looking at residency programs to apply to, he made a database that I used to compare the different programs based on certain criteria that I decided on). I love this because during college I would do the same thing, just not as fancy as what he can do. Well, as I sit typing here, Randy is on his computer as well, working on spreadsheets for apartment hunting in Philadelphia, moving costs etc.
I know..... we are nerds, but we are cool nerds OK! Besides, any one who knows Randy will say that he is way too smart to be as cool as he is lol

And We're Off!!!!

2009-03-20T22:22:00.004-05:00

Today Randy and I, being the cool nerds that we are, went to office max to purchase planners, notepads, a wall calendar and other organizational tools so that we can start actually planning our future tomorrow. Between now and June we have to buy plane tickets to my graduation in NY on June 5th and for me to fly to AZ in May for my youngest sister's highschool graduation. We also have to organize a trip to Philadelphia to find a new place to live. We're making our own graduation notifications (we made our own wedding invitations, menus, programs and place cards, so we've become kind of pros at stuff like that), and soon I will have lots of paper work to keep organized and fill out.

While I have felt physically drained all day, feeling the toll that the excitement of the week has made, I also feel energized by the fact that our path before us is visible again, and we are ready to hit it full force.

Its Actually Happening

2009-03-19T17:25:00.001-05:00

Just a second ago, the program director at Albert Einstein gave me a call. He sounded very excited and told me that they were very happy and excited that they were going to be having me. He said that he knows that I will fit in there and do well there and that I will help the program to be even better just by being who I am. He asked me if I was excited and I answered him truthfully that once I got over the shock, I am comforted by the fact that I will be at a program that is truly excited about me and that wants me for me.

You know what, only a few hrs status post utter disappointment and I am already seeing God's hand at work. I can't believe that this is actually happening; that a determination that sparked in me at 3yrs old has completed its course this yr 2009. I can't believe how incredibly blessed I am, but boy am I ready to get to work!!!
Thank You God

My Fate

2009-03-19T13:09:00.006-05:00

My last interview of the season, when I thought I had my mind made up and knew where I wanted to go, I walked into Albert Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with no expectations. I felt like I was going through the motions but I still tried to give it my best and impress everyone, because after all, you never know. I listened to the orientation about the program, etc and tried to stay positive because to be honest, while I saw that the program was really good, It just wasn't love at first sight.

When I walked into the office of Dr. Charles Beckmann, the author of the book that all medical students swear by for their Ob/Gyn rotation and shelf exams called Obstetrics and Gynecology, he shook my hand vigorously and excitedly proclaimed "I've been looking forward to meeting with you!!!" I was taken aback but I smiled and sat down. He went on to exclaim that he had told his wife that he had dubbed me "Smiling Earrings" since my picture that I had submitted was cropped from my wedding and I was wearing long dangly earrings and a big smile. He said that unlike a lot of the applicants' pictures, I looked truly happy. When I told him where the picture was from, he smiled and jotted more notes down on my sheet which already had lots of stars and circles.
During this interview, my medical missions to Mexico and Honduras came up and he got excited again, giving me the website for the hospital that he and his colleagues founded in Honduras, not too far away from where I'd been. Once again, he jotted on his notes, writing "MISSIONS" in big letters, and circled it. By this point I started feeling a bit befuddled. Here was this doctor whose book was in my office at home, excited about me. Crazy.

Well, by the end of the interview he had told me some things that ur not really supposed to say to the candidates- he asked me if I was planning on getting pregnant during residency. I tried to say maybe even though I knew that Randy and I were planning to start a family this year and he said to me that any program that is not supportive of that is not somewhere that I should be. He said that he would be happy for me if I were to start a family during residency.
He told me things that he saw in me that I did not think anyone could figure out in such a short time and frankly, he did most of the talking. What struck me was that he looked into my eyes and said that He will be ranking me highly and that he wants me to be there not only because he knew that I would be a blessing to the program, but because I would be a pleasure to teach. He said that he sensed that I am here because of a true love for medicine and touching the lives of people, and that is who he wants in his program. I seriously thought that he was going to make me cry.

Both Dr. Beckmann and the program director Dr. Arnold Cohen, stressed their desire to have me and for me to come back and visit again, which I did. I left Philadelphia feeling very conflicted, flattered but conflicted.

Soon after my interview a received a long letter from the Program Director again stating all of the things about me that he thought would be an asset to their program and reiterating the strengths of the program and encouraging me once again to rank them highly, telling me that they would be ranking me highly.

I did not rank Albert Einstein as number one.
But, thank God, it was not one of my last couple choices either
Today, my heart was pounding, I was feeling nauseous, and when I opened the email on my phone, to be completely honest, I cried. I thought that I had a different plan and I felt like this program snatched me up and away from that. The program wanted me and ranked me very highly, if not number one, and for that I should be grateful. Randy has been sooooooo positive and supportive and has helped me to put things in perspective.

just under 700 applied, 70 got interviews, and I got one of the 4 spots!

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, This is the blog of an Obstetrician-Gynecologist, training at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!!!!!! :) :)

And the Winner Is..........

2009-03-18T21:13:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow at 1pm eastern, all of those happy people from Monday's Match day, have the second part of their future revealed to them. We get to find out where we will be going. I have jitters in my stomach, but I am calm, knowing that I at least got one of the programs that I put on my list. Randy is excited. He is taking Thursday and Friday off- thursday so that he can be home when the news hits and can react to it in the privacy of his own home :) and Friday, so that he can take the whole day and start the job of scoping out apartments/townhomes, nice neighborhoods by the hospital(s) and all the other fun stuff. He also simply just needs some time off- works been very hectic lately.

He will be following me where ever I have to go, as he always has since we met. There are some hopes and negotiations on his job front that need to be done, and a meeting is already set up with his bosses on Monday.

In any case, we feel blessed to be so blessed, and we look forward to getting on with this new stage in our life.

Needless to say, in some corner of the hospital, at noon my time tomorrow, I will be checking my email from my PDA phone. When I get home, I will update my blog.

My fate is in God's hands, not those of the program directors, or the people of the National Residency Match Program (NRMP), and that knowledge comforts me.

Pointing Fingers

2009-03-18T15:59:00.006-05:00

While checking in on a patient in the ICU today, I noticed that on his TV was playing the interrogation of the recently appointed AIG CEO on CNN. It was interesting to hear the congressmen berate him and chastise him for the sins of his company. It felt good to hear him get yelled at, to hear the speakers talk of their suffering constituents, and get angry at the audacity of the contract writers to ensure that regardless of whether the company succeeded or failed, the executives would receive their promised retention bonuses.

When I got home and turned on CNN, I continued to watch as everyone was trying to figure out who to point the finger at for this tragedy. Eventually, after watching enough news, I became acutely aware of certain things
1. If anyone dare say that we are not all born with a sinful nature, that everyone is born good, then I beg them to tell me how come we don't need to teach kids how to lie, but have to spend their whole upbringing instilling them with the strength of character to tell the truth

2. We are outraged at the avarice of these AIG perpetrators, but do we ever look at ourselves, and the actions of our daily lives?

So many times in the hospitals I see people, from Administrators, Doctors, nurses to foodservers and housekeepers who make it their goal to do the least amount of work for their pay, who do not look at the big picture which is the patients' well being and satisfaction, but who choose to cut corners in their work, whether to save the hospital money or because they can't be bothered with the leg work. All to make their lives easier because after all no one is watching.

Just today I had to yell at the secretary at a hospital I did a Trauma Surgery rotation at way back in November, because she'd known for months that my evaluation was not done because of the fact that they did not have a picture of me, and not only did she choose not to notify me of this, but she never returned any of my calls since November. I had to get my school to contact her, and when we finally spoke today, she tried to skirt the issue when I pointed out her negligence, saying that it was all beside the point, that I'd better submit my picture if I want my eval to be done.

3. We are so enraged but if these same shady business dealings were making us money, we wouldn't have cared, which is how we got in this mess in the first place. Why is it that we as a society only seem to care if something is being done wrong when it affects us?

I pray for the US government officials right now who are trying to bring a change to the way that business is being done in this country, because I know that theirs is an almost impossible battle. I say this because there is simply no amount of legislation that can erase the fact that we are sinful creatures, prone to selfishness and greed and without the Holy Spirit strong within our hearts, guiding our paths, we will always chose that which is easy over that which is hard; that which is profitable over that which is right.

While we point a finger at ex-president Bush or the current administration, or AIG, I encourage all of us to look at ourselves and see if there is anything in the way that we go about our lives that may need some serious reform as well.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY Chicago Style

2009-03-17T15:21:00.005-05:00

Today is St. Patrick's Day, and Chicago is one city that takes it seriously. All weekend, different areas have held parades, and festivals, and for the past forty years, Chicago's Plumber's Union has dyed the Chicago River green! Now I am by no means Irish- although I do have strong Scottish blood in me, believe it or not (my paternal grandmother is half Scottish, and there is scottish blood on the other side of my family as well), but even I could not help but feel the lightened spirits in the air on this beautiful day. I trust that this day is celebrated responsibly and I hope that at least it helps the nation to forget about this country's woes for at least one day.

I'VE GOT A JOB!!!! :) :) :)

2009-03-16T13:28:00.004-05:00

Thanks and praise is due to God who has seen me through this long and arduous journey! At 11am my time, I found out that not only do I get to be a doctor, but that a spot has been secured for me to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. I am so very excited, not just for myself, but for all of my classmates who've plowed through the trenches with me and have stayed the course. Congratulations to all you new generation of Doctors out there!!!

On Thursday, I get to find out if I got my first choice, my last choice, or a program somewhere in between. You can all imagine what I and everyone else would like to have. :)

Sorry Honey :)

2009-03-15T21:39:00.002-05:00

It is the night before I am to find out if I matched at a program. On facebook, all of my classmates are nervous. seeking enouragement that everything will be OK and wishing each other good luck. Church today was enriching and uplifting as usual, and we had a great weekend, enjoying the warmth and the much needed sun, but now, as Randy and I are doing laundry and trying to keep me occupied, I think that I am losing my mind. I have started acting quite wacky, getting bored but feeling overstimulated at the same time. I don't feel like reading, watching tv or pretty much anything, and I am sure that I am perturbing my poor husband. If this is a harbinger of how this week will be, then I say in advance to Randy:
SORRY HONEY. Thanks for putting up with me, and this life :) I love you!

Stay Tuned

2009-03-11T21:33:00.004-05:00

If you haven't already noticed, I am counting down the days till next week when I find out where I will be going for residency. On Monday, medical students all over the United States find out if we Matched into a program, or if after the applications and interviews, our ranking of the programs and their ranking of us, did not result in a mutual desire, hence we did not Match.

On thursday, those of us who did match into one of the programs on our list, will find out which exact program that will be. Between Monday and Thursday, those who did not match have the opportunity to "scramble" into other unfilled positions- sometimes into specialties that are not the ones that they originally wanted. Some people will stay in that new specialty, or work there for a yr and try the residency match process again next yr.

I am going to be specializing in the incredibly challenging, versatile and rewarding field of obstetrics and gynecology. I will be a surgeon, a women's health advocate, a helper in the many stages of a woman's life; be it the birth of their child, or their battle with ovarian or other such cancers. I will see women in all stages of their lives. Early womanhood to postmenopause. I am so excited and honored to be in this position.

My top three choices are a program in Cincinnati, Phoenix and Chicago. It is an awesome thought to think that in an email, I will find out where in the US I will be spending at least the next 4yrs of my life.

My future is out of my hands at this point, and I cannot wait to get it back. So, stay tuned. Next week is going to be an interesting one to say the least. While I have received good feedback from program directors and residents, the way that this process works, you really don't actually know where you stand until Match Day. This is not a normal hiring process.
The process to becoming a practicing physician in this country is a long and tumultuous one. With all the emotional lability to make anyone go crazy if they did not have a proper support system around them.

I thank God for bringing me this far, for infusing me with strength and determination, for giving me all of the tools that I needed to endure and excel on this journey and for surrounding me with steadfast family and friends, including a wonderful husband, who has gone on this journey with me. Match day is every much about his future as it is mine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

2009-03-10T20:04:00.013-05:00

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear Rayisa...... Happy Birthday to you!!!!! :)

On March 11th, 1991, my youngest sister, Rayisa was born. I was about ten years old, and once my mom brought her home, I stole her for myself. She was my baby. Rayisa may not be able to remember this, but she used to love it when I would put her to sleep. There was a particular way she liked to be held and sometimes when u tried to move her to put her in her crib, she would cry just a little, so I would end up sitting in the dark, in her room, holding her for hrs just watching her sleep lol.

I remember helping to teach her her alphabet and her numbers before she started preschool.

I remember when I was getting ready to leave for college, she would make me all these little gifts, telling me to keep it so that I would not forget her.

I remember her asking me in that voice that only the baby of the family possesses, asking me "when am I coming home?"

And now, she is about to go to college. I am very proud of her.

My prayer for you, Rayisa, is that you keep your sweet spirit, your head on your shoulders, your wits about you, and God close.

Happy birthday Ray Ray, aka Twiggy ;)

My two cents

2009-03-10T16:27:00.009-05:00

This morning on Good Morning America, they were talking about the wave of "good, upstanding" Americans taking to a path of crime due to the economic crisis. They spoke of three white bank robbers. A deacon of a church who attempted to rob a bank after his real estate company was threatening to collapse. He ended up taking hostages and being arrested. Another recently unemployed man was convicted of robbing 12 banks (how does one get away with one, further more 12???) He said that he did it to ensure that his twin daughters would continue to have all the "nice things, that they'd become accustomed to". The best story was of the granny who had robbed a few banks. They said that she was simply trying to support her son (who, by the way, is a grown man and should be taking care of himself).

The reporter was presenting these happenings as a phenomenon. As though all of a sudden for the first time in the history of man, good people who have lost their resources are turning to crime. Upon hearing this, I turned to my husband baffled.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. So, if these are good people, then are we saying that most of those people in jail for robbing banks, etc are bad people? What makes these three so different from the rest of the criminal population??

While there are a percentage of criminals who participate in deviant behavior due to ant-social personality disorders, the lack of proper guidance growing up, the need for God in their lives, or just for the hell of it, I would argue that there are more people who find themselves on some point along the continuum of: 1.insufficient education or socioeconomic standing→2.limited earning power→ 3.desperation→4.criminal behavior being more profitable. Some of us may not start out at a low socioeconomic standing. We might be fine until things like this recession takes place and we find ourselves at the second pt.The fact is that we are the Human Animal, not all together immune from resorting to brute and downright monstrous behavior once we are pushed into a corner.

I am not advocating robbing banks or doing anything illegal when money gets tight. I am just saying that we need to be careful how we label people good or bad. We must enforce the laws of the land, but we must also continue to strive for the eradication of the slums and the ghettos, which serve as literally a petri dish, harboring the perfect environment in which generations of bank robbers are developed. Neither the guy on the poor side of town, or the soccer mom who lost her nest egg, are justified in breaking the law. To excuse one, we must excuse the other.

It should not take middle class America to lose a home or the means to pay for their Lexus SUV before we are able to look at ourselves and realize that none of us are better than those people in Jail, or any less capable of doing what some of them have done to get there.

Some pics from the Crawfish boil

2009-03-08T18:15:00.005-05:00

1. Randy making the butter sauce

2.Dave with his bib on, ready to eat

3. Alex(the eldest) and Gabriel enjoying the food

My First Crawfish Boil

2009-03-08T17:19:00.010-05:00

So my sister-in-law Katie is originally from the

South. The gulf coast of Mississippi. She also lived in Louisiana and Oklahoma for some years. Her and my brother-in-law, David (Randy's older brother), and their two boys Alex and Gabriel moved up here to the Chicago suburb of Addison about 4yrs ago, and ever since then, she has understandably experienced bouts of homesickness. Well, for the last few weeks she had another episode of the afore mentioned homesickness, and could not stop talking about how much she missed Louisiana style cooking. Well at the end of this week that just passed, Dave found a company online that will ship live Crawfish and he decided that we were going to have a good ole Crawfish Boil right here.

I'd had shrimp, lobster, crab,oysters, scallops etc before, but I don't think I'd ever had crawfish before, so I was game. So, on Saturday (yesterday), amidst the rain and grey skies, in a large pot, Dave and Katie assembled potatoes, corn, mushrooms, onions, and a heaping helping of Dave's concoction of seasonings, and we chowed down. It was fun, but I prefer shrimp or lobster. Those little tails were such a tease. No wonder you have to eat a lot of them to get filled up. Anyway, it was good to hang out with family.

After that, we went home and Randy ended up staying up till 6:00AM this morning, working on a database for work, so it was a good thing that we got some enjoyment out of the Saturday. I stayed up till about 4:30AM to keep him company, but eventually, I ran out of games to play and things to surf online, not to mention energy. I had to hit the sack. He got his stuff in by the deadline, but we were subsequently too sleep deprived to wake up and go to church. Bummer.....

A moment to Brag

2009-03-07T20:44:00.004-06:00

So, I am the proud oldest sister of 4 younger siblings. (In descending order) Genisha, Roland, Avianne and Rayisa. Since I have a blog, I figured I'd take a moment to let the world know that I am not the only Mills child who did not need Obama to become president in order to do something with their life.

∞ Genisha Mills is the ambitious mother of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 3. She Graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in education- elementary education, and later earned her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and ESL Education, and is currently teaching 1st grade for the Chandler School district. She is currently studying to get her PHD and hopes to eventually become a Principal.

∞ Roland Mills is my incredibly handsome only brother. He is currently a Senior at Northern Arizona University. In December of this year he will be graduating with a Bachelor of Music Arts (BMA)- Vocal Performance. He has an incredible tenor/baritone voice with beautiful range. Roly is very talented. He is the only one of us who will be making our musical talents into a career, and he is the one with the greatest chance :) He is also going to go to graduate school and teach while performing. From Opera to even theatre, look out for him on Broadway in a few years.

∞ Avianne Mills is my driven younger sister. Currently a Junior at the University of Arizona getting a major in Physiology with high goals of entering medical school soon after. This practically all A student and Dancer extraordinaire is going far and I'm OK with not being the only medical Doctor in the family ;)

∞ Rayisa Mills is the baby of the family, but she is not a baby any more. This year she will be graduating from High School with plans to attend Arizona State University, study Spanish and become a Dentist.

_____________

As for me, you all already know about me. I am the salsa dancing, Spanish speaking, soprano singing older sister of some really awesome people, and I am very proud of them.

Hello and Welcome!

2009-03-06T17:10:00.000-06:00

Hello there, Dionne here. I am reluctant to start a blog. I don't really see my life as having enough day to day interesting happenings to post, but I know that there are things that pop into my mind that possibly others can benifit from and this is a good way to share my and Randy's experiences with friends and family, so I guess we'll give it a shot.
So, since this is the first real entry, I guess that I will get everyone up to speed. As of right now, Randy and I are at a new and exciting point in our lives, on many levels.
~April 10th will be my last day of medical school and on June 5th, family and friends will be gathering in NY for my graduation ceremony.
~On March 19th, we will discover where we will be going for my Ob/Gyn residency program. At the top of my list are programs in Cincinnati, Phoenix and Chicago.
~Randy and I have decided to start a family; something that we have always wanted to do as a couple and definitely something that we have both individually wanted in our lives for as long as we can remember.

My Uncle George said to me the other day, that I am now leaving a storm that I have been in for many years, and soon I will be entering another one (residency). He advised me, that in the calm between storms that I am in right now, to take the time to enjoy my life and to fortify myself with that which I need to survive the next storm. Reading books for fun (for a change), getting back into Salsa dancing etc are all things that I can and should do right now, but he stressed that I should also use this time to get even closer to God, and seek his face, seek his guidance and get reaquainted with the bible. So that when a trial arises and I am too bombarded with work, family etc, I can remember the verses that I read during this time, and find comfort in that. I can essentially live off of the stores that I'd created during the calm.
Of course he also wants me to continue reading God's word during residency and beyond, because that is what will always sustain me, but I do understand what he is saying about how to use the relative free time that I do have right now.
Thanks Uncle George, for the very good and timely advice.

A few wedding pics (May 17th 2008)

2008-06-20T21:08:00.000-05:00

Randy and Me with my mother and father

My Grandmothers

The Wedding Party