My picture is all wrong.

I don't mean to be a hypocrite. It's my job to provide healthcare. It's just a shame that I don't follow the american academy of *everything* guidelines myself.

Let's talk about calcium. I love milk in my cereal. I don't often eat cereal for breakfast. I love cottage cheese, but I never think to buy it. Yogurt has it's ups and downs depending on the brand. A calcium supplement would be ideal, but I don't make trips to GNC.

So when I tell a woman she needs to up her calcium to 3 servings a day when I myself don't get 3 servings per month, I wonder what's wrong with this picture.... then I had cottage cheese at lunch and a gigantic bowl of cereal at dinner.

Let's move on to self breast exams. They should be done 1 week after each menstrual cycle. It's important to feel all the tissue and be sure you know your breasts in case something one day doesn't feel quite right.

So when I teach women how to do self breast exams when I have only done one in my entire life, there's something wrong with this picture. I should probably do mine tonight since my period ended last week.

Luckily I don't smoke (anymore). I do drink quite a bit, but I need the antioxidants from the wine. I don't do any illicit drugs (anymore). I exercise regularly (woohoo for saying No to anorexia as a teenager).

I may not be perfect, but no doctor is. We just know what the guidelines say and do our best to make sure YOU follow them.

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well how bout them apples

Remember my post about the family and apples?... yeah here's another supporting argument.

I'm at the Celtics playoff game last night when I feel my phone vibrate. I see it's my mom, but I let it go to message. At half-time, I listen to the message and she says, "Roxy, call me as soon as you get this."

Though she didn't sound worried, I was worried my dad kicked the bucket with another stroke. I called her right away.

mom: Roxy... I'm drrruuuunk. Can I stay with you?

Me: goodness. I'm at the Celtics game.

mom: whaaaa? So I can come now?

Me: No mom, I'm at the Celtics game.

mom: ok i'll go to the hospital and wait.

About 30 minutes go by and I get another phone call.

mom: Roxy. I'm downstairs. What should I do?

Me: go up to your office and I'll come get you.

mom: Where are you?

Me: I'm at the Celtics game.

mom: what's that?

Me: basketball. I'm coming now.

I get to the hospital about 15 minutes later.

Me: hey mom, how's it going?

mom (stumbling around her office): There was wine and then beer... and then a COGNAC tasting!!

Me: do you need water?

mom: no... I need water.

Me: ok let's go. By the way, I got a cat.

Arrive at my apartment. Sebastien greets us at the door.

Mom: you got a cat?! From where?

Me: a family

Mom: oh. So where did you get him?

Me: from a family

She then sits on the couch and pretty much falls over onto the pillow.... until the next morning.

Me: morning mom.

Mom: oh wow. I can't believe how much I drank last night. HEY! I have 2 different shoes! How did I do that??

Me: you changed into different shoes at your office.

mom: why would I do that? and they're both left shoes!

Me: because you were wasted.

mom: oh... hey where did you get the cat?

Me: from a family

mom: oh... ok I'm gonna go now.

Me: have a good day mom!


AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS WHY & HOW I ROLL....

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Why I love OleMiss

If I make it to NYC for residency, I think I'll end up with OleMiss. He sure knows how to say exactly what I wanna hear.

Me: so are you a Rangers fan now or just rooting for them?

OleMiss: just rooting for them right now, probably on my way to becoming a fan

Me: not a bad team to root for. I'd end our friendship if you went for Canadiens or Devils.

OleMiss: I could never go for either of them, goes against god AND country...

I couldn't have said it better myself...

Next year should be better for my Bruins.

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Introducing Sebastien!

Every since the ex-roomate moved out, I've felt a hole in my heart. It's not because I miss her, of course. I actually miss the cats... ok just Seamus... Martini was a bitch.

So I started perusing the craigslist cats section. I looked at every cat and kitten post that came up. Either people had already given away their cat or the description of the cat wasn't ideal. I wanted a boy. I wanted him to be social, intelligent, cute and cuddly... like me :)

When I met Sebastien, he came right over to say hello and stuck around to socialize. I loved him right away. The family was very nice, but sadly mom is going through a divorce. RedSox saw all the divorce stuff on her kitchen table, so I'm guessing she needs to cut some expenses.

The kids became extremely sad when they saw how much I loved Sebastien. They both started crying because they knew I was the one.

Mom told me to come get the cat when the kids weren't home, so I picked Sebastien up yesterday before school got out. He has already adjusted to my tiny apartment.

I just hope my roomate doesn't have true allergies. Though mom told me she can take him back if things don't work out, I hope I don't have to return him.

Isn't he beautiful?

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The Biggest Unofficial Holiday

I was plotting my escape from work for Tuesday afternoon as early as 1 month ago. Once I figured out my schedule, I figured I could just pull the whole 'I've got a doctor's appointment' move. Classic... works.

But when I woke up Tuesday morning to the sun shining, I knew I needed to take the whole day off. I mean, come on... half of Boston was taking the day off. It is, after all, the OPENING DAY at Fenway Park!

I got up early and called in sick. I stayed up because I felt guilty. Around noontime, RedSox and I headed over to Fenway. It was a chilly day, but the excitement warmed us up. The opening ceremony with the presentation of the World Series rings was fantastic. I think I stood out because I cheered the loudest for the team doctor.

What? He gave me free tix before I started dating RedSox.


There were a ton of sports figures from Boston's past in town from the Bruins, Patriots and Celtics. They came with their colors and trophies. Once again I got looks because I cheered the loudest for Bobby Orr.

What? I love hockey players.

I think the highlight of the game was with the dropping of the World Series banners. They fell from the green monster gracefully, but 1918 dropped at the end of the wall. Where was 2004 gonna fall?

Then over all the banners, dropped the largest banner I have ever seen in my life. 2004 spanned the ENTIRE green monster. We cheered and cheered and cheered for a long time for the biggest win in sports history as far as Boston is concerned.

Then God stepped in. They dropped another gigantic banner OVER 2004 for the 2007 win. The banner was swept up by the wind. People on the field kept trying to pull it down, but the wind held it high... keeping 2004 alive. We all cheered and laughed because we felt the same ;)

So I skipped work, didn't tell anybody, let everyone think I spent the day home sick... when really I celebrated the best unofficial holiday in history.

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Anger Management

When I was about 12 years old I really wanted to go to the Stone Temple Pilots concert. My mom said no, and I threw a fit. I had a bad temper growing up, but I don't remember much of it. I just remember that at this particular moment my blood boiled beyond control and I felt palpitations. The chest pain scared the crap outta me and I made the decision to change my attitude.

Over time I dropped the anger bit, choosing a "No Worries" attitude. Sure the anger would occasionally flare, but it quickly died after I took a deep breath and said, No Worries.

Yesterday with my anger about my father, I had a hard time trying to control it. When my parents picked me up for the party I acted like nothing had happened. The whole car ride to the party, he was extremely irritated, yelling at my mom for her driving, yelling at other drivers.

I've known all along that I get my temper from him, and yesterday we were both a little less in control of it. It was a little bit awkward but we all just wanted to feel normal.

Towards the end of the party I made my move. I didn't yell though. In fact I barely got any words out. I started crying almost immediately after my first sentence, and all I could say was "Please."

I went to the bathroom and got control of myself. We finished up the party and went home. Right before I got outta the car, I tried again. I started crying, but I controlled it better and got out everything I needed to say.

"Dad, I'm convinced you had a TIA. It's a baby stroke, but nonetheless it's a STROKE. You need to get on the treadmill for 30 minutes every day and take care of yourself for us. Mom needs you. Sister needs you. I need you. You do this for us. Please. I'm sorry I don't say I love you everyday but I do. Live for us."

It was tough and I hope it hit home with him. He may not be the best example of a human being, but he is a great father. He makes money grow on trees. He gives us whatever we want (after a bit of a fight). He takes care of the family.

He needs to give me many more years of No Worries or I'll be pissed.

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TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack... I think my father had one last night. It's like a baby stroke. I know most kids would be freaking out, upset, crying, emotionally wrecked and flying home to be with their parents, but I'm chillin in my apartment.

For one thing I didn't even know my father went to the hospital last night, the one at the bottom of my street. Nope, no one called me because they didn't want to wake me up.

HELLO?? Did I mention I can roll down the street to the emergency room?

Second, having not known what was going on I didn't really have an opportunity to have emotions about it until I get a text this morning saying "dad is ok." wtf? My sister across the country got a call but me... 5 mins away... didn't.

I got the full history and it sounded like what happened to me when I got a mild concussion, but my dad didn't experience any head trauma. Lab work and imaging checked out... maybe a tiny infarct in the posterior cerebellum which is perfectly consistent with the story my mom gave me.

And he was sent home, which I don't like, but I can't come up with a reason for admission.

Anyways, I'm seeing my parents tonight for a party. Why would he come to a party after a possible TIA? I don't have a good answer, but I'm pretty sure he wants to feel normal and mom doesn't want to leave him alone. Since the party will be filled with doctors, I am ok with it.

I'm just hoping the calm I feel as I write this doesn't explode into anger (which hands down it will) when I discuss a diet and exercise plan along with a baby aspirin once per day and letting me come to his stress test on monday so I can read the EKGs myself.

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Hairspray, Hiccups and Hefeweizen

I have a bunch of random thoughts going through my head. In case anyone was wondering, this is normal.

1. I hate getting hairspray on my face. I always think I wiped it all off, then 5 mins later I'll suddenly I feel a patch of taught skin... maybe this could be the home remedy for a face lift.

2. I think the Amanda on the Bachelor is awesome. I love that she gets the hiccups when she stresses out.

3. My cousin is going to be in Germany during the month of June and I need to convince my parents to pay for me to visit. My dad is pissed about the value of the dollar. My mom doesn't want me to travel alone. I've already pulled the birthday card for June, but tomorrow when we're drunk at a radiology party I need to get the yes.

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April Fools on Labor & Delivery

Around midnight last night of my 24 hour call, the chief resident on night duty announced to everyone that it was April Fools Day.

Blimey... it's already freakin April?

There is a huge white board on the labor & delivery unit with room numbers and the names of patients in those rooms. It's been a slow couple of weeks for delivering babies, so the board is brightly white. That is until the Chief Resident and Intern decided it would be a great April Fool's joke to fill up the board with fake patients and ridiculous labor drama.

So they left the real patients on the board and filled in the other slots with ridiculous labors. I'm talking pre-term triplets, women in their 50s and 60s in labor, a full day of scheduled c-sections... just crazy and highly unlikely stuff at our hospital.

There are a total of 5 chief residents. One is on night duty. One is out for maternity leave. One is on vacation. This leaves only 2 chief residents to handle everything going on with Ob/Gyn.

The two of them walked into the Labor & Delivery unit for morning sign out and flipped out when they saw the board. They were frantically trying to divide up the OR time and consult time and every other time that they had to handle. It was pretty funny. Finally the night chief resident came out and yelled April Fools. I don't think the 2 day chiefs could have been more relieved.

Thank God I was not the butt of the joke. I think I might have cried... or at the very least experienced chest pain from a heart attack.

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