All through anatomy last year I always thought, why can I not use these hemostats like the rest of my class mates? They always made it seem so easy to lock and unlock the tool.
It wasn't until just about 2 months ago that I finally realized why I have been struggling with my hemostats.
I was in a suturing workshop and we were learning how to grab the sutures, I looked over at one of my class mates using the hemostats and realized that he was using his right hand as most people do and I saw that he could use his ring finger to grip and pull up on the hemostat to unlock it. I being left handed thought, "Oh, have I been doing this wrong?" I quickly looked down at my left hand holding my hemostats, and quickly realized that hemostats do not unlock in the same way for left handed people. In order for a left handed person to unlock their hemostats we have to push with our ring finger to unlock. Most of the time with dry hands there is enough friction to allow the unlocking to happen, but when in surgery or the anatomy lab, friction is not on your side.
Naturally I looked for a left handed set of hemostats as I need them for my skills lab next semester. Low and behold while hemostats can be purchased for 10 for $1 on Ebay, I am stuck having to buy special tools. For my class I need a straight and a curved, the lowest price I was able to find was $75 for each or $150 for the set. Which is more than the total of all my other tools combined. With my wife and one child on the way $150 is more than I can spend on two hemostats that I will most likely never use again at the moment, and I'm not quite sure what to do.
Left Handed Hemostats
Do I spend the money, and hope that I can make rent, or do I learn to use my tools in a mediocre fashion and hobble along with right handed tools or learn to suture with my non dominant hand? I tend to think that I can be good with my right hand, but I would probably wonder if I could have been great with my left.
If any one has a suggestion on what do to let me know, I'm all ears. Thanks!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Future of Podiatry
With much of the upcoming election focused on the future of Healthcare in the US, it is interesting to view the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates.
Many who read my blog may be wondering where podiatry will fit in if changes occur within the infrastructure of the healthcare system. The answer is that no one really knows for sure. However, for those of us just beginning to practice, our reimbursements will be smaller (about 30%) as a result of cuts made to Medicare spending under the current healthcare laws. This could be the difference of paying my student loans or feeding my family, a prospect that I do not wish to face.
I ask all of you reading this, think about your vote and how it can affect the rest of your life.
Enjoy tomorrow's debate.
Many who read my blog may be wondering where podiatry will fit in if changes occur within the infrastructure of the healthcare system. The answer is that no one really knows for sure. However, for those of us just beginning to practice, our reimbursements will be smaller (about 30%) as a result of cuts made to Medicare spending under the current healthcare laws. This could be the difference of paying my student loans or feeding my family, a prospect that I do not wish to face.
I ask all of you reading this, think about your vote and how it can affect the rest of your life.
Enjoy tomorrow's debate.
Friday, September 28, 2012
CM Law Student Body Association AND The International Law Student Association in collaboration with Kent State University College of Podiatric College would like to invite you to:
Cleveland Marshall’s First Intercollegiate Disc Golf Tournament.
Come enjoy 18 holes of disc golf and food. Prizes for the winning team!!
What: Disc Golf…the new hybrid sport that combines golf and Frisbee.
When: Saturday October 13, 2012 at 12:30pm.
Who: Cleveland Marshall students and Kent State podiatry students. With invitations to Case law students, Case medical students, Case dental students, and Akron law students. We encourage each student body or student organizations to send a team to compete for the title of best Disc Golf Graduate School in Cleveland!!
Cost: $10/person ($40 per team) If you can't get a team together, we can put you on a team. The cost covers food and everyone will receive a golf disc of their own!
Cost: $10/person ($40 per team) If you can't get a team together, we can put you on a team. The cost covers food and a golf disc that will be yours to keep!
How: Register yourself or your team from September 26 – October 4th through Trevor Tippets at ttippets@kent.edu, Trevor will be available at the multi purpose room from 12:00-1:00pm 10/1-10/4 for sign ups and to collect regitration fees or online beginning today contact me via email and pay by credit card! Registration can be paid in cash, check or credit card via paypal click the buy now button below.
Disc Selection: Since we will be ordering discs for everyone, when registering let me know if you want a driver, midrange, or putter. If you aren't sure what you want or need let me know your skill level and if you have ever played before and I will try and make the best selection for you.
Why: WHY NOT!! Enjoy a fun, different event and a little healthy competition. A great opportunity to meet and network with other Graduate students in the area. No experience necessary!
Registration is limited to 18 teams of four between the six schools mentioned above. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Pre-exam Prank
Welcome back to school everyone! Our first set of exams is underway, and everyone seems a little stressed and understandably so.
I too was feeling a little stressed last night until I came across a certain youtube video that I had to share with the class.
I decided to pretend that I had asked a question to a professor and his reply was in the form of a video that I could watch for further explanation. Essentially I RickRoll'd my class (look up RickRoll if you aren't sure what it is, you'll laugh, or watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IK-Mk3V8Ts to learn more.) Yes I know, probably not the most professional thing to do, but what's a life without laughing a little bit right? The body of the email was as follows:
"I asked [anonymous teacher] a question today regarding nails specifically onychomycosis. He replied and said that there was a video that explained the types from the article very well. He said that on the video it mentions onychomycosis and deals specifically with exam material regarding onychomycosis. I suggest everyone watch it as it will be very beneficial. Thanks and good luck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0
Trevor Tippets"
I got a few laughs and I hopefully lightened the mood for some. If you haven't seen this video you should. It's amazing! Good luck to all of you in your exams!
I too was feeling a little stressed last night until I came across a certain youtube video that I had to share with the class.
I decided to pretend that I had asked a question to a professor and his reply was in the form of a video that I could watch for further explanation. Essentially I RickRoll'd my class (look up RickRoll if you aren't sure what it is, you'll laugh, or watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IK-Mk3V8Ts to learn more.) Yes I know, probably not the most professional thing to do, but what's a life without laughing a little bit right? The body of the email was as follows:
"I asked [anonymous teacher] a question today regarding nails specifically onychomycosis. He replied and said that there was a video that explained the types from the article very well. He said that on the video it mentions onychomycosis and deals specifically with exam material regarding onychomycosis. I suggest everyone watch it as it will be very beneficial. Thanks and good luck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0
Trevor Tippets"
I got a few laughs and I hopefully lightened the mood for some. If you haven't seen this video you should. It's amazing! Good luck to all of you in your exams!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
I made it.
Wow, 2nd semester first year, done! You might be saying, wow this kid really sucks at posting on his blog. While yes, that is probably true, I will contend that I had very good reasons.
Despite the constant reminder and threats that 2nd semester was going to take all you had and then ask for seconds, I survived. Perhaps, I didn't take the advice of older students like I should have. Perhaps, my pride took a front seat to caution. Maybe, I just didn't want to believe that it would be that hard. I now know differently.
The semester started off normal, and then week by week it seemed that I was losing time. I found that I was running out of time that I had previously had. Where was it going though? I was finding myself studying more and more and having less and less time for the rest of my life. Eventually school, for the most part, took over and took control of my day to day activities. By the time finals rolled around, I was studying non-stop. No time for a life other than school. Which turned out to be OK. And I made it.
I won't say that there weren't a few scary moments coming up to tests not knowing if I was adequately prepared. There were, but in the end it didn't matter, I had done all that there was to be done. By the time one test was over, I moved on to the next. There was no time to sit and think about how I did. I was afraid that if I thought too hard about it I would psych myself out for the next test and perpetuate my already "on edge" emotions.
Looking back now, I am totally fine, no regrets. Like most coaches say to their teams, leave it all on the court or field or wherever they may be playing. I left it all in the classroom. I gave it all I had. I'm stronger for it. I know that I have made it through the toughest semester I have ever had. Will it be the biggest challenge of my life? Probably not, but I know that I will look back on this semester as character building. I will see how I have grown, changed, and adapted to be better. I know that I am better, and that I am one step closer to achieving my goals now and in the future.
Next up: The Vibram 5 Finger research project begins. :-)
Despite the constant reminder and threats that 2nd semester was going to take all you had and then ask for seconds, I survived. Perhaps, I didn't take the advice of older students like I should have. Perhaps, my pride took a front seat to caution. Maybe, I just didn't want to believe that it would be that hard. I now know differently.
The semester started off normal, and then week by week it seemed that I was losing time. I found that I was running out of time that I had previously had. Where was it going though? I was finding myself studying more and more and having less and less time for the rest of my life. Eventually school, for the most part, took over and took control of my day to day activities. By the time finals rolled around, I was studying non-stop. No time for a life other than school. Which turned out to be OK. And I made it.
I won't say that there weren't a few scary moments coming up to tests not knowing if I was adequately prepared. There were, but in the end it didn't matter, I had done all that there was to be done. By the time one test was over, I moved on to the next. There was no time to sit and think about how I did. I was afraid that if I thought too hard about it I would psych myself out for the next test and perpetuate my already "on edge" emotions.
Looking back now, I am totally fine, no regrets. Like most coaches say to their teams, leave it all on the court or field or wherever they may be playing. I left it all in the classroom. I gave it all I had. I'm stronger for it. I know that I have made it through the toughest semester I have ever had. Will it be the biggest challenge of my life? Probably not, but I know that I will look back on this semester as character building. I will see how I have grown, changed, and adapted to be better. I know that I am better, and that I am one step closer to achieving my goals now and in the future.
Next up: The Vibram 5 Finger research project begins. :-)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Update- Sorry for the Delay
This semester, although a few of the other bloggers said it would be tough, is as hard a semester, as I have ever had. With weekly quizzes in a couple classes and other projects coming and going in other classes, I hardly have time to think let alone sit down and write in my blog. I will say though that being so busy time is just flying by. So, as a quick update to all that has happened since my last post.
1. Goundhog Day- Punxsutawney, PA is about 2.5 hours from here (I will be going someday to see the goundhog). Phil did see his shadow, but it has been an awesome winter and so 6 weeks of winter has been nice actually. It seems though that spring is here it was almost 60 yesterday.
2. Superbowl party- Hosted by the Sports Med Club. Good times had by all. Cleveland is a football town so the Superbowl is a big deal here.
3. Valentines Day - Altogether a great night in the City and with a bustling restaurant scene, it a great place to get a nice evening out on the town.
4. Leap Day- Yes, we had an extra day of classes this semester. But, I guess that gives me one more day to study right?
5. Vibram Five Finger Study- The school is starting a Vibram 5 Finger research project this week. They are testing to see if there is hypertrophy in the instrinsic muscles of the foot when wearing minimalistic shoes. I joined the study along with 47 of my classmates on campus. If anyone reading this comes to interview and everyone is wearing funny looking finger shoes, that is why.
6. Exams start again tomorrow- Another set? Test round 2. Here I come.
All in all, I'm surviving and following these exams we get a week spring break! woo hoo! So, in case I don't see you, enjoy the first day of spring and look forward to warmer weather.
1. Goundhog Day- Punxsutawney, PA is about 2.5 hours from here (I will be going someday to see the goundhog). Phil did see his shadow, but it has been an awesome winter and so 6 weeks of winter has been nice actually. It seems though that spring is here it was almost 60 yesterday.
2. Superbowl party- Hosted by the Sports Med Club. Good times had by all. Cleveland is a football town so the Superbowl is a big deal here.
3. Valentines Day - Altogether a great night in the City and with a bustling restaurant scene, it a great place to get a nice evening out on the town.
4. Leap Day- Yes, we had an extra day of classes this semester. But, I guess that gives me one more day to study right?
5. Vibram Five Finger Study- The school is starting a Vibram 5 Finger research project this week. They are testing to see if there is hypertrophy in the instrinsic muscles of the foot when wearing minimalistic shoes. I joined the study along with 47 of my classmates on campus. If anyone reading this comes to interview and everyone is wearing funny looking finger shoes, that is why.
6. Exams start again tomorrow- Another set? Test round 2. Here I come.
All in all, I'm surviving and following these exams we get a week spring break! woo hoo! So, in case I don't see you, enjoy the first day of spring and look forward to warmer weather.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)