A plan for the future

Recently I have been planning for the future, both immediate and not so immediate. I have been starting to prepare for my block 2 exams. Med 2 block 2 is all about diseases it seems. It is nice when one of these diseases overlaps (like it did today in genetics learning about galactosemia which we learned in biochemistry!) We just started  cardio physiology, finally something I actually like, and is easy to understand, now if only immunology could be like that.. Oh well! It is interesting to learn about things that have been a part of my life for a while now. One example is learning about Hunters syndrome, which my little cousin is affected with. Loui, as we all call him, showed signs of developmental delays, and characteristic facies. Thankfully my cousin Trish stuck to her guns as a nurse and figured out what was wrong with her son. This genetically transmitted disease is X linked recessive, which means the boys are more likely affected. Thankfully he is in a current study which is trying to help kids that are afflicted with this disease. I really enjoy learning about something that affects my family, because I am no longer in the dark about what is happening. That brings a comfort to me, while the disease is horrible, I know he is getting the best help and is doing much better than he initially was! That is the beauty of medicine, when we know something, we can find ways to fix or help the situation. There are new advances in medicine everyday. I can only imagine what the future holds. I know my future holds great things. I may be planning for the immediate future, but I also am planning for the far off future. I am planning my wedding, looking into programs to add to my resume, such as a medical ethics program for a year, so that Nicholas and I can couples match. Planning my life, while it may be tough at times to imagine where I will be, I can only imagine 1 thing; I will be a doctor. That statement is something I see people struggle with. I hear and see people struggling with school, or contemplating if this is what they really want to do with their lives. I know I can proudly say I never really imagined myself doing anything but this (except for that small amount of time I wanted to be a food scientist... mom you know what I am talking about!) I think half the battle of medical school is getting over everything that you have heard; "That class is hard," "Most people fail," "that one test determines your future." While most of these statements that people will tell you do come true, it is up to YOU. I know I struggle every once and a while with this, but I have taken small steps to get over this. I know I need to be okay with how I am doing, which is great by most standards, I need to focus on the immediate future, the present, the next couple of weeks and not worry about where I am going to end for residency or what I will get on step 1. 

Okay enough of my sililoquy, on to other aspects of my life! Meg and I have started to work out on a regular basis, and have been trying to eat healthy (most of the time!) I am proud of us for sticking to it. We are all about mind, body , spirit these days. Gotta eat well, sleep well, and feel well to do well! I have to say though, I did not know my abs could hurt they way the have after our 1 ab workout. It brings me back to my high school soccer days. 

I cannot believe block exams are so soon, which means Nicholas is visiting so soon (9 days to be exact, not that I am counting!) I cannot wait to show him my life down here, relax a little bit, and finally have him with me. Even if his visit for 2 weeks, that is 2 weeks most people do not get while being down here. I have to say I am starting to get sick of this island at times, but having someone to live with, some good friends, having a wedding to look forward to has given me motivation to do well and get out of here! 

So you probably will not hear from me again till next week or after block exams, depends on how stressed I am (or bored in class, ssh!) So untill next time, 


The Future Doctor Emma Deebel   XOXO

So I know it has been a while since I have posted, but life has been super busy! School revved up and before I knew it the first set of block exams were here and gone! They went okay, but more importantly they are done! They have given me the motivation to do even better next time. Med 2 is definitely not for the faint of heart. I barely sleep and I can see different abbreviations, enzymes, and chromosome numbers floating in my head at night. I do enjoy the content that I am learning this semester. It is interesting to see all the different diseases, and how they come about. As of this morning I am officially done with 1 of my 5 classes for the semester. So glad to be done with epidemiology and bio statistics. Apparently only 4 questions will ever be asked on our boards but the knowledge is essential to know as a clinician. I personally only got a few things out of the class, it was too short and I was too exhausted from all of my other classes to really give it my all.
I am starting to get a handle on all of my classes (or so I think), this week will prove to be a busy one as I need to catch up on getting a grip on all the different new material that has been thrown my way. 

I did however get to take some breaks this weekend. While it took me away from work I needed it. I had a girl's valentine's day dinner with Meg, Kristy, and Britt on Friday! It was so nice to just relax, enjoy the company of good friends, and have good food! On Saturday then, I got to go on my first Catamaran trip on the island! We went to Nevis (the sister island) and back. We got to be in the sun, experience the water, and take in just how beautiful the island we live on is! It was to celebrate my old lab partners birthday and another friend's birthday! While somethings happened it did not ruin our day! Though the sunburn after the fact ( only on 1 shoulder) was not so fun when I woke up Sunday. But to make up for the sunburn I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast for meg and I! Great way to start the day! 

While I have been having fun and dealing with school down here, my heart has been at home. With my Nana having her hip replaced and my Mom having her 3rd knee surgery (another ACL replacement) I have wanted to be at home. While it is tough to be away at these times, I know they are both doing well. I have always been keeping up with everyone back home and you all have been in my prayers lately no matter what you have been going through. April 24th can hurry up, I am ready to be home for 2 weeks!

Nicholas and I finally announced our wedding date the other night! June 6th, 2015!! I am going to be posting our wedding website soon enough (possibly tonight)! Also,  he is coming down to visit SO SOON about 18 days I believe! It has been such an exciting time for us. He is going o come to class with me which will be nice since he will be starting his medical schooling in the fall! He told me the other day he got his graduation papers and a timeline for when things are happening. It seems like just yesterday that was me. If this is how fast the past year has went, next year will be here before we know it and I will be prepping for the boards in Maine and getting ready to be married to the most amazing man in my life (besides my daddy of course), Nicholas<3 

Well I am sure I will have more to talk about soon! 

Until next time, 

The Future Doctor Emma Deebel   XOXO

Life Lessons

Through this week I have learned some important life lessons. One of those being that you have love the subjects you learning and enjoy studying or else your life will be miserable. My physiology professor said that very thing today in class. He is very right. Many people think, "oh you're at a Caribbean medical, that doesn't count, you won't get a job." I have had enough of these types of people. Yes, I am in a Caribbean Medical School at one of the top 3 schools, but that does not give you the right to look down upon me. So I didn't get an MCAT score that US schools liked, but for what I lack in that score I had in other parts of my life. I have learned that you get out what you put in down here. Our teachers are great and they want us to succeed.It is up to you to get the work done and succeed. I have had a hard time this week studying. I attribute it to missing home, but in all honestly it is because it is hard to focus on a subject that you had a bad first experience with. I had a lot of time to think, and I came to the conclusion that I am going to take the approach that everything I am studying is new and exciting. I want to succeed just like I did last semester. I want to prove the people back in the states that say I took the easy way out or my education is in some way is not as good as back in the states. 

I have been challenged with epidemiology, it is not the epidemic learning that I did in undergrad. I am learning to analyze articles and critique them. Though it has taken me out of the strict science frame of mind, I am struggling with learning basic concepts in this class. I think it is because its not concrete information that I can just take and know. I have to apply it... So this week my challenge is to start my paper so I have 2 weeks to work on it. 

Besides all the school stuff my week did have some "ups" to it! The first one being my roommate Meg's birthday! It was nice to take a night and celebrate with her. I know I don't really go out on weekends down here, but I am here to do work, however every once and a while it is important to just let loose. Though I didn't really let loose, it was nice to have a good meal with some good friends. Also another thing that was exciting was our central air was fixed! So though we may not have it on constantly it is nice to have at night so we don't die of heat! We also got screens in our sliding doors (though they don't really slide as of yet...) it will be nice when there is a breeze to go through the apartment! I think we have settled into a routine and comfort level of living together already! 

Back home Nicholas and I's engagement pictures were finished by the amazing Nick Finochio! I could not have been happier with them! I even used of my pictures for the We Are Central PA.com's Sweetest Couple contest! (ps. voting starts the 31st I will post a link on my Facebook and twitter pages!) Please vote for Nick and I. I would use the jewelry store gift card towards his wedding band (since we are poor medical students)! I have begun the big wedding planning, or shall I say, my MOM has started! (Thank goodness for her!) We are booking the venue, full service caterer, DJ, and church! We already have an amazing florist picked out (Yes Kerr Kreations of course!) and my dress (thank you Renaissance bridal!) I will release the date soon enough! I am also in the process of picking out the save the date and starting to look at invites. Between My mom, Nick's mom, and the two of us and the help of Jess and maria of course and the rest of the bridal party everything is coming along! The wedding website will be posted as soon as we book everything this week! AH! 

So needless to say I have been leading a very busy life between Medical school and wedding planning. But I can do anything I put my mind to! 

ps. I noticed this past week my blog was posted on the UMHS website, so a big hello to all of my new followers!


Until next time, 

The Future Doctor Emma Deebel    XOXO

...So this is what Med 2 is like

From what I can tell med 2 will prove challenging, but rewarding. I know I can survive this semester! I have been exhausted, and I don't see this changing, especially since epidemiology started. I just have to buck it up! All I can tell you is that I survived my first week and my first quiz now with flying colors! Epidemiology started this morning, though I have no clue what to expect for this 3 week class, it is a breath of fresh air to have a professor who is a practicing physician! Not only that but her background is pediatrics, and more formally neonatology. I am hoping I can sit down with her and talk about pediatrics before this class is over!

I got the pleasure of having my parents visit for a small amount of time last weekend. So much has happened at home since I left a little over a week ago. It is hard missing stuff but I know I am where I am supposed to be to get the job done. It was great showing them my new apartment and relaxing before the rev up of my classes this week. With that being said I spent time at dinner and in the sun with them. It was a nice break to the end of a challenging first week! Though I miss them a lot now, I know I will see them in 3 short months and get to have them down here for their vacation over the summer!

I have also gotten settled into my new apartment. I am also settling into living with my roomie (hey meg that's you!!) It is nice to have someone to share my day with other then Nicholas! It is nice not being alone, I know it has only been a week, but I know it will come in handy to have someone who shares so many things in common like being in med school, having a long distance relationship, and someone who loves smoothies just as much as I do! I just really hope we get our screen doors put in soon so I can open my large patio door and let an even bigger breeze come in!

All I can say is that this busy semester will help the time pass until Nicholas comes to visit in March and when I go home in April to do more wedding planning (not that I won't be doing that while I am down here!)


Until the end of this week


The Future Doctor Emma Deebel     XOXO 

The beginning of a new chapter of my life!

So as many of you already know I got engaged over break!!!!! I am going to the next Mrs. Deebel, or shall I say Dr. Deebel! I am beyond blessed and excited to start this new chapter of my life with my future husband. This includes my second semester of medical school down here on the island. Well I may not be living with Nicholas, I am living with one of my best friends down here, Meg! We moved into a fabulous new apartment with 3 big balconies, 2 huge rooms and bathrooms, and a super nice kitchen and living area. Oh yea did I mention the view? We can see the ocean and most of frigate bay from our dining room table (SO COOL). Well we did have a power outage today, it should be nice in the long run. I am nervous about starting second semester with all of my classes, but I know I can do it just like first semester and excell. I now have even more incentive to get back as soon as possible.  Facing my fears and not letting anything get in my way this semester.  I am here for one reason, to become a doctor. If that means giving up other stuff then so be it!

Well parts of break did not turn out like I wanted them to, the rest was a dream come true. I got engaged to the love of my life, spent much needed time with my family, both mine and nick's, and even spent some quality time with my good friends. It felt like the time flew by, but that just means I am 1 day closer to coming home for good and marrying Nicholas.

I will be writing another post really soon, but it is 2am here so I think it is bed time!


Until then,

The Future Dr. Deebel   (hehe)     XOXO

Wait... I'm done with first semester?

Sorry for the long gap between posts everyone! It was a rough end of the semester but guess what.. I AM DONE!!!!!!! I made it through first semester. It was not easy, but I accomplished what I came here to do! As fast as the semester started, it ended. I have met some wonderful people along the way, had new experiences, learned a lot, and had a successful first semester of medical school. I apologize for the gap between posts. I had a very busy end of the semester! 

School wise after block 3 I had my physical diagnosis written and final practical exam. The practical was interesting, as it was our first time with real patients other than our fellow classmates. I had the musculoskeletal and respiratory exams. I felt prepared for the exam as Megahan, Meagan, Erica, and I studied with our awesome TA Joe the weekend before. He was great with really showing us what we needed to know and quizzed us on our material. This helped a lot!  Both exams went well, even though I got grilled by my professor at the respiratory station (he said he liked my heels though.. haha).  Every class was on the fast track to being done as finals came quickly after block 3. I had 2 shelf exams for finals (Anatomy and histology) then I had a cumulative cell biology exam and an anatomy lab practical. Lets just say I am glad to be done with anatomy lab. That place smelled SO bad by the end of the semester. Walking into the exam not only was the lab freezing but it smelled, which I understand, but all the bodies were destroyed from all the dissecting we did throughout the semester. Thankfully the bodies will now be cremated and given back to their loved ones. I cannot thank people enough for donating their bodies to science. It helps us learn the human body in a way that we would never be able to appreciate otherwise. 

I am still waiting for my grades but my mind is at home. I just want to be home with Nicholas, my family, and my best friends. I miss everyone and I am mad I didn't know I was done so early or else I would be home. I have so much planned over break, exciting things too! I am looking forward to not having any obligations, no studying, no 5am alarms, and a comfortable bed with NO bugs. Yes I do have to go back to snow, but I actually miss the seasons. Which is why on my mini vacation right now I am enjoying the sun and nice weather while I have it till I see it again in January. Since I am here I am hanging out with my friends on the beach and by the pool, going to dinner, and just enjoying finishing our first semester. I am so proud of us for taking this opportunity and really shinning. I am going to miss them dearly but that is what skype and facetime is for. Plus when I get back I get to move in with Meaghan! this means having the girls over for dinner, cookie baking, wine nights, study parties, and mani-pedis!  However I am really excited to be home with my whole family and Nick's family.  

Well I am sure I left a lot out, but I will remember after I catch up on sleep! 

Till next time, 

The Future Dr. Emma    XOXO 

The end is near!

The purpose for my blog being delayed till today was that yesterday we held Friendsgiving here on the island. Since Thanksgiving is the 28th in the states and we have class and well thank is one week before our PD practical we thought it was best to do it early. For most of us it was the first time we had thanksgiving away from our family and friends. I have to say it was weird. However I think we did a pretty good job! We had two turkeys since the ones on the island are small! We had homemade stuffing, baked ziti (made all by myself mom!), mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, roasted veggies, garlic bread, wine, pumpkin pie, and apple crisp. It was perfect! We had such a nice meal surrounded by good friends, good food, and good conversation.  I think it really hit me that I am not going to be home for a lot of important events, such as thanksgiving. It is hard, but spending the day with friends helped!

I've been sick recently and not really sure what was up. I got really sick on Thursday night into Friday, but I think it was food poisoning (BLAH). Some other stuff has been going but after consulting with my friends both here and at home along with my mom I came to the conclusion that it won't get in my way. I came here for one reason, and I having been doing so well. I woke up one morning and nothing mattered anymore. I wasn't going to let anything get in the way of my successful semester. However I am excited to more next semester with Meg and have a bigger apartment so our friends can come hang out and study with us!

With only 26 days till I am home (yes home home!) the end is near. Block 3 exams are next week and finals are quickly approaching. Our classes are getting shorter (well Anatomy is) and lab is getting boring (not much to do). Our Professor Dr. Purcell did liven up class last Friday when he mentioned once again that he went to high school with Christopher Reeves and played in a band with Bruce Sprignsteen and knew Bob Dylan. How cool is he! We are also ending Medical Ethics tomorrow! I was able to pull of the A I wanted on the last quiz! Not sure how I managed it, but it felt good as redemption after this long semester. As we finish class tomorrow I will turn in my final assignment and say goodbye to a 1 credit course that I despised every week. Not because I did not like the material, but because it was structured weird and I felt the professor could have taught WAY better. As they say you will have the best and worst professor in your like, I guess this was just one of those times. 

As I mentioned I have 26 days till I go home. That means 26 more days till one of the best breaks of my life. I cannot wait to spend time with all of my families and the love of my life. I am so lucky to have such an amazing group of people back home that support me and have calmed me down over the past couple of weeks. I realized I will be gaining 2 more sisters. Two more sisters that I want to be a good role model too. I know my little sister Maria looks up to me, and it has killed me that I haven't been able to be there for her as much as I used to when I went to JC. I know I will be watching her basketball games online as much as I can this season. I realized that I will have two more little sisters to be role models for. I love that feeling. I want to be a role model for not only them but also other girls. I want to show them what determination, self respect, and hard work can do. I never let anyone tell me I couldn't, and I proved a lot of people wrong multiple times. I just hope I can continue being Maria's role model, and start being a role model for my two other sisters I will be gaining when I marry Nicholas. I cannot wait to spend time with everyone and de-stress from this semester. It will also be nice to actually have seasons for a change too. Yes I am going to freeze my little behind off, but a change in weather will be nice for a while and will make coming back in January all the more better. 

Meg and I went on a banana boat ride where I lost my sunglasses

Well I know I threw a lot at you guys but here are a couple more pictures that I haven't been able to put up! 

 Till next time 

The Future Doctor Emma  XOXO

Paradise

Meg and I at White Coat Ceremony! (Future Roommate)

Dean Camacho and I

Yes I live here

 

 

 

Sun fest!