Dylan's Brain Cancer JOurney

  Chapter 33 :  4 th year The fourth year of medical school was certainly the best. It’s a time for exploration and confirmation of some decided career path. I had decided on internal medicine and was excited to do rotations in only fields I was interested in. My first rotation was the infectious disease consult service at Seattle’s community hospital—Harborview. I worked in a small, windowless room, with one other medical student and the infectious disease fellows. The fellows were wonderful and deliberate about giving me time and space to develop differential diagnoses and plans for the patients I was assigned. It was a busy service and I often had 2 new patients per day. What I loved most about the service from the medical side was how important history and physical exam became. While tests and imaging were important, often the culprit infectious agent could be pinpointed from the history alone. Likely my proudest moment from the rotation was when I diagnosed a patient w...

  Chapter 32: good times in SLC               Currently, Ben, William, Sarah, and Natalie were visiting, and my great college friend Hana would be coming the next day, Saturday morning. On Friday the 5 of us decided to go off-roading at a place called “Little Moab” using Ben’s super truck (a Toyota Tacoma). The drive there is beautiful. We get to Little Moab and find some good off-roading spots. I get out to spot, William does as well. I spotted for Ben last time we did off-roading down in the canyonlands and arches NPs. Basically, I needed to keep an eye on the leveling of the tires and to prevent bottoming out by watching carefully the upcoming ledges and angles, keeping the position of the back tires in mind. It’s a fun group activity. Every new off road “trail” we chose was like a brand new puzzle, but   a puzzle that was more dangerous, and treacherous, and more active with more collaboration. We off-roade...

Chapter 30:A moment of escape               Upcoming with the brief break from radiation over the weekend before next week’s final session. It’’s the weekend, and not only that, labor day weekend. I have a trip planned with several friends from Seattle. We’re all going to San Francisco where we plan to watch Hamilton. I am very excited. I get home and try to pack quickly. My flight leaves Saturday morning. I have my ride confirmed. When I get to the city I’m meeting my Aunt and Uncle, who when they found out also bought tickets to Hamilton. They are going to cook my friends and me a Michelin style meal before Hamilton. I’m excited because they are fantastic cooks. The day afterwards, they are taking us to a two star Michelin restaurant called Al’s Place. I’m very excited for this because the last time they took me out to a fancy restaurant like that, it was incredibly fun and delicious.      ...

  Chapter 29: The few remaining Gamma I wait for a little while. The nurse comes by first. It’s the same nurse I had during the last session. She is kind and asks me how I’m doing and inquires if I need anything. I tell her that I’m doing physically well, and that I don’t need anything else; however, I’ve developed a superficial burning sharp pain at the site of my brain surgery (craniotomy) that is difficult to rest on, and which often wakes me in the early morning. He suggests a hydrocortisone cream and occasional ibuprofen and Tylenol; which, with my ice and heat packs, is helpful. Additionally, the fatigue is greatly increased compared to my first radiation experience. And then I thank her. At that time I’m already receiving fluoxetine (Prozac is the brand name) for depression and anxiety, and I tell her that I think it is helpful, and that I’m looking forward to seeing if it starts to work more effectively. I’m also receiving Ritalin for cancer fatigue, as well as Ativan for n...

  Chapter 27: internal medicine Starting my inpatient internal medicine rotation reminded me of why I went into medicine. I loved every minute of it. I had the fortune to work with an incredible team of residents with passionate and knowledgeable attending physicians. My senior resident (the “team boss”) was phenomenal at creating a fantastic atmosphere. She was deliberate about giving me space to think about and propose management for all of the patients I was following, as well as helping me to be the main point person to the patient even as a medical student. If the other interns started discussing my patient before I had proposed a plan, she would stop them. It was incredibly kind and ensured that I could maximize learning and practice of becoming a real doctor. We’ll call her Doctor A. I’m incredibly grateful for Doctor A, and should I ever become a senior resident, I will do my best to emulate Doctor A’s phenomenal team-leading example.      ...