Every year...

...something happens around the country that a small percent of the population knows about. I did not know about it until after I married Will. And now I know about it every year around this time.   Will experinces grief and loss, meanwhile thousands new doctors are showing up at the first of July for call at the hospitals where they matched.

This is the third year I have been with Will since the stroke. The loss Will continues to feel is significant. I still only understand it a little. He put so much work and dedication. I can't think of another career field that requires the level commitment and hard work that it takes to be a MD. Will's work ethic and knowledge have not changed. He is gone about 60 hours a week right now, volunteering at a clinic downtown, a lab on U of U campus, and attending and studying for his classes in between. At the end of the day none of these activities result in a pay check but he still does them, and puts all of his heart into them.

So today I hope to relate what Will sometimes does not see. He is healing at an incrediby fast rate. He has come so far and he continues to push himself farther. And even though it is sad that he is not joining his fellow residents this year, he has the potential to someday. I am so impressed with Will. He gets better everyday. In even the last few months, I've noted more depth in our converstions and improved problem solving skills.  I am so glad that things have turned out the way they have. The stroke brought Will home to me, and someday in the Lord's great mercy we will return as a family - to practice medicine.

Anatomy (again)

So one of the things I've been doing to regain the information that I once had before the stroke is retaking some classes that I had before. One of these classes is anatomy. Of course, this anatomy is not as complete as the one I took in medical school, but it is a good review. In medical school we spent a considerable portion of time (I don't remember quite how long) at the beginning doing anatomy. In fact, we did anatomy for the first few months together before we split into regular and independent study groups. I chose independent study.

Anatomy in medical school was different. First of all it was an every day thing. Every day in the lab. Now I have lectures three times a week and I go to the lab just once in the week. Another think thats different is the cadavers. In medical school we worked in groups and had cadavers.

Now, we still go around in groups, but the cadavers are all gone. We just look at one part while one of the TAs explain what it is and why its important. I do think that I remember quite a lot of anatomy from medical school, but it is quite detailed and while the general concepts are still very much there, I am sure that some of the details have been lost and have to be regained.

I think one thing I am regaining again is being comfortable in the "university" setting. I do think its pretty comfortable, but I would much rather be in the graduate setting instead of the undergraduate. I am, after all, ten years older (at least) than most of my colleagues in the class. I guess in that sense it does feel like I've taken a step back, I've already been an undergraduate, but I am moving forward and its good to have the opportunity to relearn some of the things I knew before.

My father in law's birthday present. Sand for the sandbox.

Hiking with Ben and two nieces

Ben and his aunt watching us play ultimate in the rain.

Ben watching us play basketball.

Ben loves his backpack.