Finished!

Well, those six weeks flew by in a heartbeat!  Speaking of hearts -- I saw one!  For the last 6 Tuesdays I have gone to the UW Mini-Med School.  Basically, just a series of lectures about things pertaining to medicine.  We learned how to talk to our doctor, how they are working to save children (and thus adults) from infections so common to cystic fibrosis, genetic markers for cancer, pain management and high risk pregnancies.  We also had the opportunity to play the "lottery"!  That lottery was not for the faint of heart, though, and THANKFULLY I had the privilege of winning the lottery!  I was one of about 76 who were invited into the Gross Anatomy Lab where we were afforded a glimpse into the human body.  Fascinating!  We viewed basic parts - the heart, the lungs, and the GI tract/lower abdomen - but all of that thanks to men (and women!) who were willing to donate their bodies to science.  We followed that experience with a lecture on trauma.  Amazing talent we have here in the Pacific Northwest!  Some of the case studies they shared didn't look at all viable to this untrained eye!  Harborview Medical Center is in one of the roughest neighborhoods and they deal with their share of disasters-by-choice (drunks and drug users), but for those who truly need trauma experience - well, this is your place!  Anyway, last night was the end of the lecture series which makes me a bit sad because it was so informative, but I'm sure that being home on Tuesday nights will be a good thing, too!