Dec. 20th-26th

Richard has this and next week off, which does not mean he will stop working ;) He went to preceptorship on Tuesday, and took care of some other things that came up on emails.

We all went to see Santa with our friends Krisanna and David along with Neil, Jen, and Miles. The line was incredibly to long so we took some shots in Nordstrom's and went back early the next day. It was adorable, Tilly and Miles just didn't care for Santa.

We packed up and headed to Seattle on Wednesday to stay at my aunt and uncle's for Christmas. We had such a wonderful time there. Tilly loved their dog Lucky. We had a great time downtown seattle on christmas eve, rode the carousel, and saw amazing gingerbread houses. Christmas morning we opened all of our presents and sat around in our Christmas pj's. We had a relaxing day playing our cousin's new beatles rock band game, then went out to the botanical gardens to see the amazing light display. It was a wonderful Christmas!! The day after we went to bainbridge island to visit my other cousins. We went for a walk at the nature school IslandWood where Chip works and walked to the top of a observation deck. We headed home the 26th after a wonderful vacation.

Dec 13th-19th

Since we have been having to much fun to take the time to blog, here are a few highlights from the week of Dec 13th-19th

Dinner with Landlord/Neighbors

Mark S. in town

David and Krisannas Holiday Party

Lots of baking

Grotto to see Krisanna sing and all the lights

Richard:

Prenatal visit -following Dr. Tophler with a patient who is due in June/July

Brain in box training -will be going to teach 7th graders about the brain

Last exam before break

Preceptorship

ADHD study

PNHP

Sleep Apnea support group meeting

and here is a cute picture from the grotto

Dec 6-12th

We went to the Psychiatry Department's Christmas party on Wednesday at the historic Pittock Mansion (where the finale of the last Amazing Race season was filmed). It was a lot of fun to see all of Richard's old co-workers, and this year we walked around and checked out all the decked out rooms. My favorite room was the sewing room where they had an old sewing machine (the kind my great-grandmother had) and all sorts of handmade dolls laying around. The tree in that room had old thread with tiny scissors as ornaments!

On Friday we went to the cadaver memorial service for Richard's class. It was very touching, some of the students shared their experience with their "first patient." The families of the patients had a chance to speak about their loved ones and share stories, and there was a slide show of photos that made everyone tear up. Along with all of that, students shared their musical talent. A string quartet played at the begining and end, harp and piano where played, and Richard with some fellow students sang "Bridge over troubled water." It was a very nice event!

We also went to the Taylor's house for dinner this week. Mikele showed us how well she is walking now, and in just a few months Tilly and she will be running around playing beautifully.

All the while Richard has been studying for the last exam before break this coming friday.

Nov 29 - Dec 5th

Tis the season to be busy!

On Monday night I went to an ORFN craft night where we made wreaths. It was totally awesome, and I am addicted! I made two that night, I have wanted to make more since then but haven't had the time. Tilly and I have been making a lot of things- yummy food, little dolls, ornaments! It has been really fun. On Friday night we went to see Richard's band The Subcons play at the AMSA medical student regional conference. It was in the old library up here on the hill. Tilly was so cute, she ran up to her dada whenever she could, she danced just a little bit, and walked up and down stairs (with help) A LOT. She is interacting more and more with people, loves being held and loves signing to them. Her fav. sign right now to show is 'light'. It's too cute!

Richard has been just as crazy as last week; he studies tons, has a million meetings, and added on some band practices during the week. On Monday he won the Movember challenge he had entered, that was pretty exciting... I am pretty happy the mustache is gone :) He has been doing great things with The VACUUM (voices and concerns of the uninsured and underinsured millions) video project. He made a website for it, and it is continually growing as he finds more and more doctors, patients, and fellow students who want to participate.

Nov 22-28th

Monday until Wednesday Richard was studying all day, all night. Well except Monday night when the 3 of us attended the relationship seminar held at doernbecher. We had dinner with fellow couples in 1st and 2nd year of med school. We listened to psychiatrists talk and then a panel of 3rd and 4th years that shared some wisdom of what they wish they had known and what they have learned. Most people said the 1st/2nd year has more time if you are planning to have a child--some suggested treating it like a job: gone 8-5 and then come home to help, and some made it clear that time goes by fast and you need to support each other. It was great advice and nice to hear, also nice to meet everyone that is going through the same thing. After the dinner Richard went back to studying for wednesday's exam and Tilly and I got a few things ready for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was wonderful! The night before we celebrated with the Sanders, and the Sethis. The Sethis made some wonderful indian food that we all enjoyed while watching Soraya and Tilly doing their cute little baby things. On Thanksgiving Richard, Tilly and I got things ready while watching the parade and dog show. Allen came over and we all ate for a long time. Then Krisanna and David stopped by and we played Trivial Pursuit until it was Allen's birthday! The rest of the long weekend was so wonderful! We went to the farmers market, did a little shopping, and cut down our tree!! Tilly was so cute picking out her first christmas tree (we did not get one last year). Tonight we sat around decorating, listening to christmas music and watching the fire!

Back to School tomorrow!

Nov 15th-21st

On Sunday Richard went to record The Subcons new album over at Fletcher's house with a med13 friend Raj who plays tabla. He also practiced for the Gosce test that he would have on Wednesday. Monday before class he had a student council meeting and after class he attended the Mednet gathering- where all classes get together, it was run by the 4th year students. Tuesday he got assigned Dr. Toffler for the baby beeper. He will attend the appointments of a woman around 8 weeks pregnant now, and help with the delivery when june/july comes around. He took his Gosce test on Wednesday (where they have the actor who plays sick and you have to preform certain exams on them) I heard from a few people that the written part was sooo hard!! Anyway after the test they went to the student center to listen to Dr. Morton talk, he asked me to join, and convinced me by saying Krisanna was there. We ended up going to a restaurant after the talk down at the base of the tram. Thursday morning he had his advisee meeting with Dr. Taylor, then class, then a dentist appt., and finally the sleep apnea support group. He started Friday off right by getting a breakfast pizza at slice of heaven with David -green eggs and ham is highly recommended. Its been a lot of studying for this coming Wednesdays test since then.

I realized I'm not doing a great job following what Richard is studying. I know they are done with anatomy and on to cells or something like that. The pictures they are learning from are just gorgeous, I like to look over his shoulder and pick out shapes I see in the up close picture of cartilage or whatever it happens to be. Like this one where you can clearly see a black crow with a large eye and one long leg...

My days have been filled with Tilly, sewing, and watching Moses. Which by the way, his dad came home from Africa on Wednesday and came to pick him up right from the airport, it was so fun watching them reunite! So much love on both sides. Other than story time and playing around the house, we have been getting ready for Thanksgiving, and hanging out with Brian, Allen, David, Krisanna, and Richard whenever they pop by to say hi.

Nov 8-14th

Richard had his last exam for anatomy last Monday, he got honors in the class... we are very proud. He spent most of the rest of the week with us, helping around the house and putting Tilly to sleep- She loved that! He had a few meeting on Wednesday as well as an essay due for PCM. Friday he got his H1N1 shot and we both got our TB test for the volunteer program we are signing up for. Saturday he spent the day with Tilly down town. He took her to story time, the farmers market, and then hung out with Allen at a coffee shop. During that time I was cleaning the house and organizing my sewing stuff. After he got home we all went to Allison and Ryan's house to visit Arthur(2mo). We also met a little friend Alta who is 13mo, she and Tilly played well together while we enjoyed fondue. It was a wonderful week- I'm not expecting he will have time like this every week, but it was lovely to have a break from the regular study mode.

week 10 recap

Nov. 1-7

Our newly 1 year old had a wonderful week! She had her check up on Monday and everything is great. Tuesday-Thursday our friend Moses was over and we had lots of adventures, read lots of books and had such a fun time playing. On Thursday Moses, Tilly and I went to story time and met another Tilly! It's her real name, not short for anything. She is 18m and a cute little blonde. We were pretty excited about it :). Moses and Tilly played wonderfully together with all the kids there. Friday Tilly and I took a few walks to break up the day because we both were pretty tired! Today we wore ourselves out by going to story time and the book store. It started really raining out and it is so nice to be home now, warm, and drinking apple cider.

I feel like each week I write what a busy week Richard had, but this week I hardly saw him. Along with all the regular electives, volunteering, and studying he had a senate meeting Tuesday. He has also been interviewing and videoing patients for the Voices of the Uninsured project he is working on. Thursday was his last day of lab and he has an exam this coming Monday. We wish him good luck!

week 9 recap

Oct. 25-31

This week was crazy! Richard got back from Boston, while Tilly and I were playing hearts with our favorite neighbors ;) He had so much to do when he got back, and so did we. We prepared for her birthday (Oct. 31) the whole week with trips to trader joes, and finnigans toy store, and of

course the thursday story time at the library. The whole week went by really fast, really this whole year has just flown by. I can not believe she is one!!

On Monday morning before class Richard had a Student Council officers meeting and talked about all the projects they have coming up. A few days later he gathered his classmates together to talk about a video project for uninsured people. He wants to go out into the community and interview people who are uninsured or care for uninsured people. They will put the interviews up on a website to raise awareness about the issues for the general public and Congress members who are voting on healthcare reform. On Thursday he went to a dinner at the Hooper Detox to learn about how people with addictions are treated in portland.

To wrap the week up we celebrated halloween in style. Friday was the OHSU halloween party, everyone was dressed amazing! Tilly loved the lights and the big spider decorations. Saturday was Tillet's first birthday party! We had so much fun with everyone who came to celebrate. Now we are reminiscing about that day one year ago when we were all cozy at the hospital with our great view.

week 8 recap

I have gotten behind in a lot of things, this blog is one of them. So this is what we did the week of Oct 18-24th.

We all celebrated our friend Miles' birthday on Sunday with a CRAZY animal party! Tilly was a lady bug, I was a frog, and Richard was our crazy vet! The rest of the week Tilly and I went about our normal schedule, some nice walks, story time at the library, and gorgeous views from our tram rides. We did get out and pick up a few things for her party. We have also started a new sleep routine that is throwing everything else off (in a good way). On Sat. Tilly and I went to an ORFN halloween party that was so much fun, we came home so tired!

Richard had his 3rd exam on Monday, he got honors again. Tuesday was a slow day for him, for some reason he missed his am class, went to lab, then had to come home and miss his preceptorship.... hmmm wonder why!!! Wednesday he jumped back into everything and had PCM, Thursday was regular with the sleep apnea support group added on and Friday he left for a PNHP conference in Boston, MA after class. There he met many doctors and medical students who support a single payer healthcare system (like a Medicare for everyone) and was able to convince a doctor in Utah to sponsor the uninsured video project he is working on with his classmates. He got back late Sunday night to an awake excited little T, who yelled DADA as soon as she saw him!

week 7 recap

With the end of PFW last Sunday Tilly and I have been trying to get back in to our routine, trying to clean the house, trying to get back on our sleep schedule. All are work in progress as of now but we did go to story time today, something we are going to do on a weekly basis. She loves it! She was with 2 younger boys today and showed off her skills of climbing up some stairs and throwing the toys out of the bin, while they did their tummy time. It was a lot of fun, and gets us out of the house while Richard is studying or off on one of his many adventures.

On Monday Richard had a Student Council/Patient Memorial meeting (talking about how they will honor the people who donated their bodies for their anatomy lab). As the president of his class, he was invited to meet with US Representative Blumenauer, along with a few other executives of OHSU. Richard asked him if he would vote for a single-payer amendment if it came up in Congress, and he said he would! Richard spread this news to his fellow Physicians for a National Health Plan members, who were very excited. Afterwards, Richard went to meet with Dr Al Lewy about the study they did of Tilly's circadian rhythms when she was 6-9 weeks old. Richard had dug up some data and created an animated .gif of her rhythms as they changed during that time. Dr Lewy was excited about the new visualization, and said he was going to present it to some of his biorhythm colleagues at a conference next week. Later that night, he was trained on a diagnostic neuropsychological exam for ADHD, as part of his MRI research study.

Thursday was an exhilarating day, as Richard and one of his classmates joined a sit-in at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield building downtown. They had planned to sit in the offices until BCBS agreed to cover all the people they had denied coverage for due to a pre-existing condition. They were willing to risk arrest for the cause, but there were some complications as a few employees tried to muscle their way through the protest and claimed they were hurt and would push charges of assault. Once it became too risky, Richard and his friend backed down, but were overwhelmed with emotion watching their fellow protesters (11 of them) be carried off to jail. That night Richard and I went to our first doctors visit at the Family Medicine department.

Friday was a busy day for Richard as he went down to Salem with four classmates for the Archimedes Movement conference, put on by former Governor John Kitzhaber. Kitzhaber understands the intricacies of the healthcare system like only 20 or so people do in this country. He is one of the visionaries, and well-formulated plans for getting healthcare coverage for all Oregonians in the next 5 years.

Next Monday will be exam 3, so Richard is studying hard as usual.

week 6 recap

I am a little late writing about week 6; it's been a busy week for me. Tilly and I got back from the east coast on Monday and I jumped right in to fashion week. Tilly stayed with Richard every night, with the exception of wed. the 7th when she stayed with Maura so Richard's band could play at fashion week. Every other day was filled with running around getting things ready, trying to remember to have food ready for everyone and not falling asleep.

Luckily Richard has had a slow week, probably the last slow week for a long while. He has been studying the gluteus maximus and the legs. The day I got in to town (Monday) he was in his 2nd exam which he again made honors on. Our friend Chris was in town and Tuesday we hung out with him at the OHSU farmers market. Richard went to his preceptorship right after and got to make house calls with the doctor. He had to leave a few things early during the week so that he could come home and play with Tilly. The week went by fast, and I am happy we are settling in to our regular routine. I am also pretty happy the weather is changing and it is time to start cooking all the warm yummy fall food!!

week 5 recap

I am still on vacation which I believe has proven to be beneficial to Richard for studying reasons. Tilly and I have had TONS of fun out east with my family. We went to the beach, to the navy/air force game, and lots of other things. We get back on Monday and although I will miss the family, I can not wait to get back to Portland, my community, my doggy, everything!!

Richard has been very busy, last friday he had his first meeting at PNHP - a club that he started for single payer health plan. Saturday he went camping in crater lake and came home Sunday in time for AFP. Monday he helped Raj move in next door to us!! Tuesday his preceptor was sick so he spent the afternoon studying, and he found out he is class president, so I guess that makes me a first lady heyoo! Wednesday he submitted the grant proprosal for the h1n1 vaccine educational material to be distributed thoughout multnohma county. All other time has been spent studying for the 2nd exam this Monday.

week 4 recap

I am not even sure what happened this week, its all a blur. Tilly and I left Tuesday morning for our east coast trip. We haven't been able to talk to Richard much with the time difference and study schedules but I do send him a good morning smile from Tilly every day =)

That being said, I am not sure what Richard has been up to at school. He has attended a family practice dinner, and another lecture after school. He has been studying a lot, and he is currently on his way to go camping with some college friends. I am hoping he can give us a month in review on Sunday or Monday when he comes back. I can not believe it has only been a month, and I definitely can not believe it has almost been 1 year since our sweet little girl was born!

Week 3 recap

We went out quite a bit this week--Monday night Richard went to the some celebratory parties with classmates after their first exam, while Tilly and I caught some beauty rest. Tuesday night we caught up with some friends we hadn't seen in a while and had dinner while the babies played. Wednesday we went to the circus with some friends who are moving to Australia. Thursday we all stayed home relaxing, and the same goes for today!

Richard made honors on his first exam, we are really excited and proud of him! They dove right in to the next assignment: heart and lungs. He came home and told me his cadaver (mildred) had had a coronary bypass surgery, I am not exactly sure what that means but she had some heart work done and he got to see where they had reworked stuff... and the stitches in her sternum (holding the bone together). He also held her heart in his double gloved hand (he don't know where that girl been). The doctor teaching came around and said mildred had the nicest lungs he had ever seen, this took my breath away. ;)

He has also been hard at work on the Health care reform and took part in conference calls with the white house and dc advocacy gurus in efforts to push a single payer plan.

Week 2 recap

This week has been packed with all sorts of things. We started off the week with a nice labor day. I went with Krisanna to her family's bbq while our husbands studied. We came back and prepared a nice meal to enjoy with David, Richard, Allen, and Brian who make up the AFP (Attorneys For the Poor) study group. They studied well into the night past the time Krisanna, Tilly and I went to sleep.

The rest of the week was similar. I don't think a day went by that I didn't spend some time with Krisanna while the boys studied. I can't express how great it is to have someone so close who is going through the same thing. She feels like family and it's so fun to be neighbors!

Richard has been busy! Tuesday he had his first of a weekly preceptorship at OHSU's CHH (Center for Health & Healing) where he shadows a doctor in family medicine. He enjoyed himself and got to work with Dr Daisuke Yamashita who is one of the residents in family medicine, who had also been volunteering with him at the SW clinic the previous week, and had gone to the AAFP National Conference of Residents and Students in Kansas City last month. On Wednesday he has PCM (principles of clinical medicine) and this week he also set up a booth at lunch to get other students involved with the student chapter of PNHP (Physician for a National Health Program) that he is starting--something he is very passionate about. Thursday he went to the work on the ADHD MRI study that he had been working on prior to school--now he gets to continue his research and get credit for it though school. Friday was the regular 8-12 school day as well as a few prossection and cadaver videos and a lot of studying, and a little Tilly time so I could run an errand.

He has his first exam this Monday, and an 8 hour study session set up in the library tomorrow with AFP. I am currently working out a healthy menu for the boys to keep their belly's full and minds focused.

Week 1 recap

What a week! It was the first full week of classes, the previous week only having two school days. For the most part I am wondering when he will be totally busy to the point of not being able to even eat with us. This week, with the exception of yesterday, Richard had been able to play with Tilly and I every day at least an hour. Yesterday was different because he had an American Med. Student Association (AMSA) meeting at lunch, then went straight to volunteer at the community health clinic.

He has been learning the embryonic cycle of development in lecture, and dissecting the arm pit and back muscles in lab. They also had a lecture on breast cancer which was interesting to hear about because my mother just had her lumpectomy two weeks ago and is going through the radiation in the coming weeks. It's nice that Richard is able to tell me the meanings behind some of the things she is going through. Richard also saw a patient at the community health clinic that had already had a lumpectomy and had discovered another lump in her breast, so now he knows what to feel for, hello monthly breast exams =)

Today we went to BBQ with the 1st years and 2nd years. Tilly was loving 'walking' around meeting all her new friends. The two classes have a lot of great people, I'm so excited to get to know them better over the next four years! I am especially excited to watch the cutest med school cheerleaders you will ever meet grow over the next four years!

Guest blogger: Richard

Night-before-my-first-day-of-med-school blog:

Not sure where to begin. Just read fifty pages about body parts and where they're positioned. Think I'm ready for lecture and lab tomorrow. We had a five days of orientation, and after the last session, our entire class (120 folks) voluntarily stayed to discuss what we want to be known for (or not known for as the case had been for the class above us). I thought this showed tremendous conscience for a group to decide to bond together and take the first step in stride. I would love to help lead this class toward a reputation of service, solidarity, and singleness of heart.

I am also getting involved with some like-minded individuals from the class who are passionate about public health policy and I'm very excited to think that we might be able to start effecting some change and infecting our fellow classmates with similar gusto. The timing of potential health reform is fueling the fire.

Finally, I'm enthusiastically continuing my work with the Developmental Brain Imaging Lab. I was checked off today to perform interviews of parents of kids with suspected ADHD. By examining these kids' brains with neuroimaging, we're hoping to start teasing them apart from regular kids, and aiding in the diagnostic process.

I hope to give updates at pivotal moments throughout this whole process. Hopefully my efforts these 3 aforementioned areas will prove to be fruitful. Thanks to my entire medstudentfamily for the love and support to make it happen!!

White Coat Ceremony

Yesterday you could find Tilly and me out in the hall celebrating with loud noises while inside the auditorium Richard was receiving his white coat. It was a 90 min program with some great speakers. 90 mins flew by as Tilly and I danced and played with other babies out in the hall. We even got to see Richard walk by on his way up to the stage and snagged a kiss! After the ceremony the class took a group picture in front of mac hall, one of which Richard handed out purple gloves for people to wear in tribute of Micheal Jackson during the class photo. We headed to the reception area shortly after and had a great time meeting some more of his classmates. While this was going on Koin 6 news was there interviewing some of the students. I just watched this link and his classmates had some very impressive things to say.
Tilly marked the time to go home and sleep for a little bit before heading over to our neighbors bbq. Krisanna and David had their family over for the celebration and it was so nice to be included. It's so great to have our med student family up on the hill.

Orientation

This week Richard has been going to orientation every day 8-3ish, and I may be a little more excited than he is. Every day he gets home with a couple details about the day, and I constantly ask my questions. Yesterday was a tour and ice cream social for the students and guests, Tilly and I walked down for the ice cream after the tour was over. She was a big hit, it seems like a lot of people knew of her from pictures! She loved all the attention and had a great time trying a little ice cream! That night Richard took Tilly to Lucky Lab to meet up with some of his classmates, while I headed to a spouse group function. It was a wonderful group of women who's husbands are all residents at OHSU. I am going to meet up with a few of them today at the doernbecher play area.

Tomorrow is the white coat ceremony, should be lots of fun! I will take lots of pics and post them later!

Summer Observership Debriefing

Tonight we went to the debriefing at Dr. Toffler's home. We heard about everyone's experiences while at their summer observership. Some people scrubbed in on deliveries, some put staples in the patient's head, and some (richard) got to collect guns from a suicidal patient's home. Everything was told with such ease, you can tell this group has a lot of passion and they will all become great doctors. I am going to have Richard do a "guest blog" to sum up his week for us.

To sum up my week: I had my mom in town until Thursday, we had a blast! I drove with Baby T and Bruno on Friday morning to meet Nancy Rinehart. She took us to the farm where she keeps Rose, her horse; there we met her neices and sister in law. We headed home to wait for Doc and Richard, then had a fabulus meal with them. Saturday we met up with Richard's high school friends in Cannon beach, walked to haystack rock, and had not enough smores at the bonfire. Sunday we went to Ecola State Park with friends, then headed back to the Rineharts' to say our goodbyes, then went to Jill and Dmitry's wedding. After all the parties we headed home. Richard started orientation this morning at 8:30, and I was dying at home to hear everything that went on--I really wanted to go with him! It is good to know that Krisanna, my neighbor, is feeling the same way!!
And that's it, it is here, I wonder what tomorrow will bring!?

Summer Observership Day 1 and 2

photo of Dr. Rinehart and Richard

Yesterday was Richards first day at the Rinehart clinic. We talked late last night after his 13 hour day. I can't believe how much he did! From dressing wounds to cleaning out ear wax with a tube(gross) to hooking up some equipment. He said he had a wonderful day and learned so much. Dr. Rinehart, whom he is staying with, asked him to start a journal of his experience with 3 questions: what surprised you today, what interested you the most, and something I can't remember at the moment=). I am so pleased Richard is getting such great advice.
While Richard is gone one of the methods we use to keep in contact is twitter. He is pretty good at updating once or twice with pictures of what is going on around him. Here is his page if you'd like to check out what he is up to now! Apparently he has been enjoying freshly caught crab each night!! I think I may have to head there earlier than I planned!

Summer Observership

My mother who is in town for the week, Tilly and I dropped Richard off on the coast today for his summer observership (he shadows a family medicine doctor for a week). It was so exciting! The town is amazing, the view is beautiful, and the Dr. and his wife are wonderful! Tilly and I are going back on Friday to stay the weekend with them, and I can not wait! Already Richard has called me to let me know the daily schedule of getting up at 430, 6-8 at office (paperwork), 8-9 nursing home across the street, 9-530 see patients. WOW that's a lot of goings on!! I know he will love every second of it. I'm sure I will have more to write this week, things are happening fast now, but it is late now and I have to get some rest.

Gatherings

Tonight was another med13 gathering down at 3 degrees on the river walk. I unfortunately couldn't go. Richard did tell me it was pretty fun, a lot of people came out and he was excited to meet them all. One of the girls I have met announced that she was engaged, which is so exciting! I think it is wonderful to have such a diverse group of people, all going through different experiences outside of school, but getting to share a huge part of their lives with each other. I am truly hoping we can instill a med student family with this class, and not only grow as doctors but grow as a community and support one another outside of school.
When he got home, I also got to hear all about the health care system and how it needs to change and I got a nice shpeel about if we aren't moving forward, then we're moving backward.
I love my husband.
Richard starts his summer observership next week on the coast. I am going to be home with my mom who is visiting. I sure hope he calls to fill me in on what he is doing everyday!! I heard from someone who has already done an observership that they helped deliver a baby. I'm sure whatever he does will be loads of fun!

Let me introduce us

I am Mary: wife of med student, mother, sewer, baker, gardener, oh this list could go on and on
Richard: Med student at OHSU class of 2013, father, husband, runner, volunteer (seriously he volunteers for everything)
Tilly: 9m old daughter, giggler, reader, crawler, stander, learner, and trier of all things new
Bruno: 16 yr old doggie, sleeper

We are the Brunos and our life is about to change. Really it is always changing but we are taking a big step and starting school this month! I had originally thought of starting this when Richard started school, but really this school process started... what was it a year ago? when he took the MCAT. So far it has been a wonderful process with lots of ups and few downs.

Richard applied to SO many schools his top choice being OHSU. We lived in portland for 3 years and LOVE it, I especially did not want to leave (but of course i would have). We found out he got accepted in Feb. and the day we found out we went looking for a house on the hill. We found one that day!

So from then until now we could have just relaxed right?! Richard was still working for the sleep lab at OHSU and we both had a lot going on with trips and family visits. And all the sudden school life started. I joined the Oregon Family Resident Network (ORFN) or spouse club which is a wonderful way to have support. Contact me if you would like info!! Richard started a Med13 group on the facebook and the class has had 5 parties so far! He has also taken on volunteering for an adhd study (something he worked on previously i believe) and he still continues to volunteer for another children development study with a former boss while still helping at the sleep clinic oh and hosting a sleep apnea support group once a month!

I love that he is involved in everything! I pushed him to run for national student delegate at the American Academy of Family Physicians conference that he went to Kansas City to give a speech for and only did not make it after 5 runoff ties. Bummer! I will continue to support him to be involved with everything he can. It is hard for me sometime to think about how much he does and wants to do, it leaves me thinking about how little time he has with me and Tilly. But he always makes time for us, and when there is really to much going on I just slip into his calendar "FAMILY DAY DO NOT PLAN ANYTHING" and he will stick to that! I am hoping that will still work while in school, I really don't know what it will be like! I am excited and nervous and anxious for it to start!!

So I have started this to get it out there how I deal with school, how much time we really get together, what years are harder than the rest. I am hoping it may help someone going through it to know they are not alone, and mainly so that I can look back in 4 years oh make that 10 after all the fellowships/residency/whatevers and think that it wasn't so bad!!

I won't pretend to know all the fancy words Richard comes home with, to be honest I do not like blood or needles and am not looking forward to hearing about the cadavers!! I did just listen to him talk about an eye surgery he watched and I managed to sit through the whole thing!! But I will do my best to write what really is going on and how we are making it work!
Here's to the next 4-10 years!