Cynically Optimistic

Christmas greetings to all! I have given up on myself when it comes to Christmas cards. I purchased them the last two years, partially wrote personal messages, addressed envelopes, and then they sat there - never mailed. Half-done. Both years. This year I accepted that it's a futile attempt and didn't even try. I appreciate receiving them, it's just beyond my capabilities at this point to return the favor at this point it seems.

Christmas in DC has been fantastic. Global warming has allowed me to sit outside and have lunch and coffee one day last week. Unbelievable but fun. I've been celebrating this year with party after party after party. Thanks to Rich and Nick, Rob and Pat, and Bob for hosting three parties filled with warm people, delicious food and bear-tastic times. Truly a Christmas for the record books. I have brunched, lunched, coffeed, dinnered and drank more than my fill since I got here. The pants are getting tight, so it's time for cardio.

Posted by Jeff at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm in DC for over Christmas. Back in NYC for New Years Eve, and then skiing with the posse the first week in January. Now, back to the bevy of holiday parties.

Posted by Jeff at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A few weeks ago, as part of the translational research focus of our training, I spent the afternoon in one of the clinics observing and asking the doctor questions. Dressing the part was kind of fun, strutting about in a necktie and lab coat all afternoon. Each of us was sent to a different clinic. The other guys went to the breast cancer center, the GI center, or the myeloma center in the main hospital. They sent me to observe a prostate specialist.

The amount one can get away with while wearing a lab coat is astounding. I walked into the clinic and the desk staff sent me right back to the doctor's lounge without a second thought. Not a single patient batted an eyelash when the RealDoc™ asked if it was okay for a student (me) to observe. The variety of patients and wives we saw that day was astounding. One guy drove in from Pennsylvania just to get his 3-month hormone injection but was otherwise doing fine. One couple from long island could easily have been my parents. The wife was wearing a sweater with little lighthouse buttons for crying out loud! She took copious notes while her husband was fairly glib about the whole process. "Tell him to eat better!" "Tell him that exercise is a good idea!" She chirped during the conversation. We saw one guy in his 80's who was just in for his injection, but was completely at peace with the fact that he was going to die soon from three types of cancer! THREE! His wife had cancer too.

You'd think this was all depressing and awful, but it wasn't really. All of the patients are already diagnosed and have had several tests performed before we saw them, so there was no bad news to deliver, and no emotional outbursts. The scariest thing I saw was a guy and his wife in their 50 (both looked in great shape) who had recently been diagnosed, had his prostate removed, and now seeking second opinions because his tests results were coming back with poor results. He was in a grey area of treatment, and had some tough decisions to make.

Will this make me a better researcher? I hope so. Was the experience valuable? Definitely. At the bare minimum, now I know what doctors are doing while I'm sitting in an exam room waiting nervously. They're calling other doctors, reviewing tests, consulting colleagues, and making sure you're getting the best treatment possible. That said, the guy I observed works in the clinic one day per week, the rest of the time he does medical reporting research. Talk about a cushy doctor job, except for all the digital rectal exams.

[Note: I left the room while the delicate part of the exams were performed]

Posted by Jeff at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I managed to tweak a small annoying muscle in my back last night while stooping to get into the fridge. After tossing and turning all night (and listening to the pigeons fornicate under my air conditioner) I got an appointment at the closest chiropractor. Walking is not a pleasant task right now. The chiropractor insisted on taking an x-ray film with this monster beast of analog horror. It wont be back from the film developer (in this day and age!!) until tomorrow. Until then, Advil is my friend.

Posted by Jeff at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A month ago or so, Tom and I had dinner at a sushi place called Lan, where we sampled this delicious appetizer. Mar-vel-ous! I think scallops must be my favorite seafood. That's mostly because they taste even better when wrapped in bacon. Then again, don't most things?

Posted by Jeff at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)