#pablr

[populationpensive]

New Year, New Me?

2025 was.... a year. I, like many people, found myself a tad overwhelmed with the events around the world and here in the US.

2026 seems to be shaping up similarly with its bullshit.

I am still in the ICU, though I am doing more HBOT these days. I have an administrative gig as well which added some new responsibilities. One of those tasks was formalizing our fellowship curriculum as our program seeks accreditation. That teaching degree is coming in handy!

I am fast approaching 7 years as a PA-C. I registered for the PANRE-LA and that was just...mind boggling. It my head it was further off. I suppose it isn't.

I'm in a relatively comfortable place in my career. I know what I don't know and I know what I know. I have great professional relationships and my work is fulfilling.

I will say that I haven't done a great job of dealing with all that I compartmentalize from work. I see a lot of sad, depressing shit. I can compartmentalize that VERY well. Unpacking those boxes later is a little problematic. I am hoping this year I will appreciate the process of unpacking so that it positively impacts my health and life.

[intrainingdoc]

We are proud to announce the publication of the next Pager Publications, Inc. print book, The Perfect Doctor, curated by Dr. Sasha Yakhkind and featuring 40 narratives written by patients, physicians and trainees about the imperfect pursuit of an ideal.

Learn more about the book at http://theperfectdoctor.org. You can purchase the book at http://tinyurl.com/theperfectdoctor.

All members of Pager Publications, Inc. are unpaid volunteers, and all book proceeds go to support the website hosting costs of our fellow online peer-managed publications, including in-Training.

[drawpathy]

halfway

Just finished my 6th week of PA school, so about halfway through fall. I don't really care if anybody sees this but I need some sort of outlet because life is testing me. Day one of classes I found out my car had been stolen the night before. And besides the constant turmoil of my estranged father leaving sad voicemails, my 17 year old sister getting in a car accident, and constant exams overwhelming and increasing tension amongst my friends, I think I'm handling it okay. It's just scary and I don't know if I'm getting lucky, or if some higher power is with me helping me through. I'm thankful for my mom, my friends, and my boyfriend for helping me get through this but sometimes it feels like everyone else has too much going on to listen to me whine. Because my grades are fine so why complain?

I got an 85 on Derm and ENT, an 88 on my first pharm, and a 93 on endocrine and HIV. Besides the fact I have an OSCE this week, and a physical diagnosis test, then another Pharm Friday and Rheum and Ophthalmology the following Monday, it seems like I got this. But I'm scared it's a fluke, that I'm not cut our for this. My therapist says to take it day by day and trust the process but I'm scared. I hope I can look back at this when it's all over and see the progress and growth in myself.

[brooklynpa-c]

TRYING TO TELL ADMIN WE’RE UNDERSTAFFED AND IT’S CREATING AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENTS

[livingthepadream]

Me: hmm this patient still has an elevated A1c even while on metformin. He also has heart disease and elevated micro albumin. Let’s trial him on an SGLT-2

Insurance: sorry to qualify for that he has to have tried metformin and have an elevated A1c

Me: uhh yeah he does like I said before. But anyway here is your PA along with the extra proof of that.

Insurance: ehh still not buying that Imma need you to write a letter of necessity

Me: do you want to die

[theglowstickchronicles]

I truly feel that this verdict was the kiss of death for healthcare. An industry already on the precipice of total collapse has now been dealt the heaviest of blows. Healthcare workers and patients alike are no longer safe. As someone who is now dealing with serious medical issues and as someone who has been in healthcare for 15 years, I urge everyone to ALWAYS be cautious when dealing with anything related to healthcare, as it is no longer a culture that values patient safety above all else.

This patient’s death could have started a movement that saved thousands of lives and instead it has done the opposite. So many will be lost because of the actions of Vanderbilt and this jury.

[medblr-of-a-sleepyhead]

Apparently parachute reflex is a primitive reflex in newborns wherein, if you flip a baby like demonstrated above, and attempt to chuck them at the ground like *whooooosh*... They'll extend all their limbs in anticipation of the fall, and it's a reflex that stays lifelong!

BUT all the time my gremlin brain kept thinking : next time I see a baby (*cough* my next patient in paeds *cough*) I'll attempt to randomly flip them over discreetly and see if it really works? 👀😆😆😆

[medicalmiracle]

FOUR YEARS, Y'ALL

y'all know that video of the owls? the little burrowing owls and they're like all in a bucket and then this like, *hand* scoops one up and deposits it in front of a dark tunnel and it just... runs and then the rest of them are in the bucket like, *anxiety* and you just want to love them but they're freaking out on such a profound level that it's also funny as fuck? no? please find this video and watch it. you're welcome.

anygays, THIS VIDEO IS ME AT WORK EVERY DAY.

but... it's the ICU. if any place is a place where you are both dashing full speed ahead and doing all the things while simultaneously questioning everything you've ever known and having multiple mental health crises, the ICU is that place.

IT IS A BITCH BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH, Y'ALL.

that's it. that's the post... back in two years. carry on.