Til Death do Us Part

Saturday call was turning out to be great. I was barely getting paged. We only had one admission. Things were looking good. 

At around 10pm, we got the call for a transfer. Apparently this guy was supposed to go home the next day, but he started having difficulty breathing and coughing up blood. A chest x-ray showed a complete white-out of the left lung. Basically it was filled with blood. 

We calmly told him we were going to take him to the ICU. We were also going to insert a breathing tube into his good lung to help him out. We called a surgical team to alert them that he might need to have a blood vessel tied to stop the bleeding.

Things were going well until the next morning, when he coded in his room. The nurse jumped on him to start CPR. My resident started throwing out orders. We gave him meds, continued CPR... did everything we could. His wife ran in and held onto me. We finally got his heart to beat, but it would only beat with help from machines. 

The rest of the family arrived along with a priest. The final decision was made to take him off the machine. I was doing well until the wife looked at me. Then I teared up. I couldn't imagine what they were going through. "He was supposed to go home today" was all they could say.

They all left, heads down. I stayed to document the events. The other doctors were visibly upset too, but sadly this is the reality of the ICU... it's the reality of medicine. I'd say I handled it pretty well... but I'm very thankful that I will only have to deal with it for a year. 

In radiology I interact with images. 

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It happens in Threes

First Ed McMahon died and ruined my dreams of hearing my doorbell ring only to see him standing there with my publisher's clearing house check. Then Farrah Fawcet dies days within days of getting engaged. Finally Michael Jackson expires, leaving a legendary array of music that will forever be on my Ipod playlist.

Other things that happens in threes involve my dating life. I fondly refer to the 3 men I date as my holy trinity. I've written about a few in the past.

So I told you about the Murse... but I have yet to update you on the Principal and PitaChips le Deux.

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The Murse

Murse (n.): male nurse

The Murse was the first one to respond to my craigslist post to hang out for dinner and drinks in Denver. From his pic, he looked kinda nerdy with those thick-rimmed, Emo glasses. I love nerds, so I gladly accepted his proposal.

We had great convo and food at dinner. He paid. We then went to the popular bars near the baseball field. There was a great band playing and the lead singer came into the crowd to sing. She serenaded the Murse with Shania Twain's "That don't impress me much." I wouldn't be surprised if my girlfriends felt the same way. But I thought he was a cutie.

We've been out 3 more times since then. He took me to Red Rocks, which is officially the most amazing concert venue in the world. They have movie nights and we went for the Big Lebowski. Pot kept blowing in my face and I freaked out that it would effect my drug test the following day. I also got lost, and ended up finding someone in our group to sit with on the steps with the other lost children.

Last night, I brought the Murse to drinks with my future co-interns... but I invited him over my place beforehand. Let me just say he is the best pussy-eater I've dated. Sorry for the TMI, but I was not expecting it. Then he pounded me into the bed. It was fantastic. If I could have relaxed, I know I would have cum... but he promises that next time, with more time, he'll make it happen.

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Craigslist Rules

So I'm pretty fearless when it comes to craigslist. I have no problem meeting men, and quite often I meet some great guys. RedSox for example... in fact most of the men written of in this blog are from craigslist.

When I posted an ad in M4W in Denver, I received the typical 60+ responses. I met about 7 of them. I'll get to writing about those men within the next few days, but I wanted to let you know how I manage this. One of my friends has recommended that I write a guidebook for craigs. No need for a guidebook. Just follow a few simple rules and guidelines:

1. The "Delete" button on email is your best friend. Don't be afraid to use it. If something(ANYTHING) is off, DELETE!

2. Ask for a picture in your post. Physical attraction is the first and foremost important part of chemistry. If a guy doesn't send a pic, and doesn't explain why, DELETE. If he refuses to send one, DELETE.

3. You must be able to see his face in the pic. Some men send pics of their abs. I do find that hot, but I'm gonna be looking at his face when we meet.

3. If you ask for a pic, you MUST have one to send in return. If you post your pic in your ad, make sure it's accurate.

4. Don't feel offended if you send a guy your pic and he never replies. We have types too and delete many responses because we didn't feel a spark. He saved you a headache.

5. Keep your post short. Most men click on posts just to see the pic and mostly will respond based on how hard they get by looking at you. It's no different from daily life.

6. Some men cast a deep net when it comes to craigs. This means they respond to every single M4W ad. These guys are easy to spot. Their response to you is the length of a novel and don't reference anything you said in your ad. If you get one of these guys, DELETE.

7. Meeting the guy: you have to meet sooner rather than later. Emailing gets old very quickly. He should be willing to set up coffee or something after a few emails. If it's going on forever and he's not asking, DELETE. (and of course meet in a public place)

8. Go into each date with NO expectations. Some men will not look like their picture. Some will have lied about their name, age, occupation, etc. You might have to pay for your own meal. Be prepared for this, but nonetheless try to enjoy yourself. It's great practice for the future.

9. Get his phone number before the date and yes... be willing to give him yours. People run late, go to the wrong restaurant, have an emergency. Personally, I like to text him 5 mins before I arrive to see where he is on route. There have been times where I've been stood up, so I'd like to try and figure that out before I sit down at a table.

10. Always say thank you. Definitely at the end of the night, even better in a follow-up email.

11. Briefly evaluate the date. Did you like him? Keep it simple: Yes or No only.

12. He might never contact you again. As a blogger friend's mom once said "Rejection is God's Protection." Take it with a grain of salt and go for the next guy.

13. You may not want to go out again. Be honest. Just say "thanks, but I didn't feel chemistry." He might reply with a vicious email... DELETE.

14. Lastly, let me just re-iterate the first rule. The "Delete" button is your best friend. Use it as often as you wish.

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First Week in Denver

I landed in Denver with 2 boxes filled to the max weight the airline would allow. WhiteRapper picked me up at the airport and lifted them both without much difficulty... show-off.

We drove straight to American Furniture Warehouse, the IKEA of this area. I picked up a couch, matching chair, an ottoman that converts into a coffee table and a bed frame. We lugged all of this straight to my apartment. 

And there I was... in my new home. 

Having no friends here yet, naturally I posted an ad on craigslist. I went on 2 dates last weekend. Both went well, with gentleman. I have a second date with one on Saturday. He's a nurse. He might even be working with me when I do my ER rotation... call room sex?

On Sunday, OleMiss flew in. He just left today, Thursday. We had a good week as we usually do. He set up my furniture, bank account, internet and other manly things. I rewarded him with sex. It's win win... well for me ;) Ok I did have to risk my life on an ATV in the mountains and on the river white-water rafting, but thankfully that is over and I am back in heels.

And now, I'm feeling a twinge of loneliness. Orientation starts on Monday, so I won't meet my fellow interns until then. People in my building seem to already have their cliques or lives going. I'm sure this will all change within the next couple of weeks. But until then...

I have to get ready for my next craigslist date ;)

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Shipping out of Boston

There are 2 boxes in our foyer, packed to the max and sealed with mostly clothes. I leave for Denver tomorrow morning. I think it will hit me next week when I'm sick of Denver and just wanna go home. However home will be downtown Denver at least for the next 13 months.

I start my year in the intensive care unit. I flipped out with fear that I might kill someone, so I packed some extra books to study next week. Though I don't know how much studying I'll get done since OleMiss is visiting from Monday thru Thursday.

RedSox and I had what is probably our final talk about our relationship this morning. At least that's what I hope. The second I walk through the gates, we will officially be over. 

WhiteRapper, in Denver, has told me that his current relationship might be over. I don't know what I do to keep these men around.

And on that note, I already have a date tomorrow night for tapas in Denver. The guy is visiting from Chicago, so at least he won't be bugging me for the majority of the year... at least I hope.

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