Spring Break

3/18/19

Last week was spring break! Finally I was waiting for this break, so I could hammer down on my ISM final product. I was so excited for this break, because I was going to go to Prestonwood to test a few residents, and I was planning to get a lot of my research done for the patient questions. Even though I have been to Prestonwood court before for volunteering, I was so nervous going in. I felt I was intruding a little, even though the residents agreed to be part of my experiment. Giving them the test too was more difficult than I expected too. I was planning to administer the tests quick and easy and spend maximum of 15 minutes with each person. However, both tests were hard for the residents, and they kept digressing into their life stories, and I spent upwards of 30 minutes with each resident that I talked to. I was supposed to interview 4 people. However one was out with their family, and another was incapable to read anything up close. I felt a little defeated coming out of Prestonwood, because the whole process was not as smooth as I envisioned it. I also was only able to properly interview 2 residents, and I felt terrible while giving them the tests because they kept putting themselves down when they felt they were not doing well. The whole experience took more energy and strength than I anticipated.

A few days later I had my mentor visit. We caught up on the monoclonal antibody project. Dr.Hitt said that the lab was moving slowly currently because they were waiting on some supplies, and he was on vacation. We also talked about my project. He showed me what type of articles and resources I should be looking into. After I asked him about being a physician scientist and what that truly entails. We had a long conversation about it, and I realized that if this is what I want to be doing I need to be 100% certain that I am willing to put all my efforts in it. It was a very eye opening conversation.

During this spring break, I also got to work on my patient questions. I realized from my mentor visit how important it is to know about your sources. Right now I am going through to see where specifically my information came from, just a double check. I am not done getting all the information I need, but I am close. I am excited for this side of the project, because I think it will be very beneficial.

I have a lot of work to finish, but i’m going to finish this year strong and follow through with this project!!