Dementia

I have to do my monthly blog update on my rotation. Right now I am just finishing Geriatrics, which means "old people medicine". It has been a surprisingly great experience and made me a little less afraid to get old in some ways and in others a little more afraid. Dementia is one of the common things people think about with aging and there was a lot of it. Most people have experienced it before in one form or another, from grandparents to even great great aunts.

We watched an HBO documentary video last week on Dementia and it made such a lasting impression on me I thought I would share it. It is long, but awesome, so grab some popcorn. You have to at least watch the guy who whistles with advanced dementia, but is able to get up and perform an old song he wrote perfectly. The ending is extremely heart wrenching, too. I may have shed a tear....or balled my eyes out.
Enjoy! Make sure to watch the second part that plays after the first segment...that is where the whistling man is.
http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/memory-loss-tapes.html

Frankie Valli!

Last Saturday my mom and I went to see Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Starlight. Most of you know I love oldies. He is definitely my favorite. I love every song. I fell in love after seeing Jersey Boys, the Broadway musical based on the life and climb to success of the Four Seasons. You must see it if you haven't. If a guy is going to see a musical, that is the one to see. You will be surprised at how many songs you know every word to.
Here is a list of their hits: "Sherry" is my favorite.

• 1962: "Sherry", peaked at #1 on Billboard Hot 100
• 1962: "Big Girls Don't Cry", #1
• 1963: "Walk Like a Man, #1
• 1963: "Ain't That a Shame", #22
• 1963: "Candy Girl", #3/"Marlena", #36
• 1964: "Dawn (Go Away)", #3
• 1964: "Stay", #16
• 1964: "Ronnie", #6
• 1964: "Alone", #28
• 1964: "Rag Doll, #1
• 1964: "Save It for Me", #10
• 1964: "Big Man in Town", #20
• 1965: "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)", #12 ("Bye Bye Baby" on initial release)
• 1965: "Girl Come Running", #30

• 1965: "Let's Hang On!", #3
• 1965: "Don't Think Twice", #12
• 1966: "Working My Way Back to You", #9
• 1966: "Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'bout Me)", #13
• 1966: "I've Got You Under My Skin", #9
• 1966: "Tell It to the Rain", #10
• 1967: "Beggin'", #16
• 1967: "Can't Take My Eyes off You", #2
• 1967: "C'mon Marianne", #9
• 1967: "Watch the Flowers Grow", #30
• 1968: "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", #24
• 1975: "Who Loves You", #3
• 1975: "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)", #1
• 1994: "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)", #14 (remixed dance version)

Gail and I enjoying a cool one getting ready for the show to start

Frankie! He' still got it. Sounds the exact same.

The back up singers were not bad on the eyes.

Race Weekend!

This weekend I declare race weekend. Saturday morning, was the Hospital Hill run and a 200 mile mountain bike trail race. Tomorrow is the big 1/2 IronMan. I would like to call myself a professional observer. I know all the spots to be when my athletes come by and all the tricks of the trade to getting a good spot to observe and cheering on the athletes.

This morning Brian and I went out to watch the Hospital Hill run. Our good friend, Jeff Miller, was doing the 1/2 marathon. Also out there was Brittany Carter and Danny Kanatzer doing the 10k. Let's just say they all did an amazing job. I am sure Britt will be filling everyone in on her blog about the race. BRian and I had a blast cheering on the runners. I was amazed to see so many little kids running it. I mean at 6 years old, I was watching cartoons or playing nitendo on a Saturday morning. There are a coupe, I sweat 5 year olds decked out in dryfit t-shirts and sweat bands, cruising along like they were out for a nice morning jog. Are you kidding me? As far as the race goes, Jeff got a time of 1:32, which will assure him a good spot in the Chicago marathon (you have to get under 1:35 to qualify for a lead spot in the race).

After the race Jeff wasn't feeling well (it was extremely humid) and was pretty dehydrated so we followed him to the medic tent. There were at least 3 people in there in pretty bad shape that had to get taken to the hospital, and more runners were getting wheeled in left and right from the finish line. Brian and I were in the tent helping Jeff, when a worker comes over and yells and Brian and I to leave (even after we had helped them move people to stretchers and such...plus we are 4th year med students...we may know a thing or two to help). Apparently no one was allowed in there. As we are walking out, he grabs Brian's waist and starts pushing him. Brian turns around, "like why the hell are you pushing me?" The guy must have gotten intimidated by Brian's tall skinny frame and yelled, "SECURITY!" We couldn't believe it. Really? Brian and I need to be controlled by security. "Security" comes strolling over and rolls their eyes when Brian and I tell them we are the ones causing a "ruckus". Think that guy overreacted much. Sheesh!

Anyways, in other race news...Brian's brother, Garret, was doing a 200 mile race today. He is a pro mountain biker and was attempting to make it all the way this year. The race is not a road race it is a trail race, meaning through rocks and dirt and other elements. Sounds like fun right? He will hopefully update about the race on his blog, Seagato. Let's just say it sounds like it was hot and horrible. I will be surprised if anyone actually finished on a day like today.

Tomorrow is the big 1/2 IronMan. My brother, Chris, is doing the race for the second time and Brian is doing it for the first time. I am so nervous for them, but I know they will do amazing. Gotta get up at 4:30 to make it to Lawrence in time for the start. Good night!

P.S. Went to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons concert with Gail/Mom tonight. Amazing! More on that later.

Triathlon

Last weekend was Brian and my brother, Chris's first big triathlon of the year. I try to make as many as I can because not only do I want to cheer on my triathletes, it is also a lot of fun and really inspiring (not quite inspiring enough for me to want to do one though). Also, Adam Smith was there competing in his first tri. It was good to have Jamie to hang around with during the event.
Here is some quick snap shots of the race.
Pre-race pic- skinny boys


Chris just getting out of the long swim- looking good in his pink swim cap.

Adam getting out of the swim. Still feeling good apparently.

Brian just finishing the bike, and starting the lest leg, the run.

Adam is still all smiles starting his run.

Finish line! Under 3 hours like he had wanted.


You cannot tell in this pic, but Brian's knee was gushing blood. The knee below is not his, but it looked similar (Brian even has the same smooth shaven legs...apparently it is easier to get the wetsuit on and off when they are silky smooth, or something like that).


Brian had tripped and fallen during the last leg of the run. His left brand new white running shoe was soaked in blood. Not from his knee, though. He took his shoe off to find a chunk from the tip of his toe hanging off. Lovely. Nothing he couldn't handle, for he had lidocaine and sutures at home. Thank God he really didn't sew it up himself and it didn't need stitches.
Anyways, it was a great day and a great race. I am so proud of Brian, Chris, and Adam. They all three did very well.

So this upcoming triathlon list looks something like this:
June 6- Half IronMan Kansas in Lawrence
November 6- IronMan Panama City, Florida - that is a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a marathon run (26.2 miles). Insane!

*Anyone that wants to should come out for the Half IronMan in Lawrence. It is such a neat experience and there will be tons of professional's there (they are amazing to watch). It is pretty early in the morning, but so worth it. Plus, it is fun to cheer on someone you know.

Mexican Fail

Brian and I have been waiting for this Mexican restaurant down the street to reopen after 7 months of remodeling. When it finally opened, we went for a late lunch yesterday after his Triathlon (more on that later). There was a family behind us that was forced to move because of a small leak in the ceiling dripping on their table. Brian claimed that the ceiling was going to cave in. Ha! I laugh...yeah right. Next thing we know the water drip turns into a stream. A few minutes later the ceiling tile comes crashing down onto to the now empty table along with a waterfall of water. We continue to enjoy or lunch and try not to laugh too hard, as the waiters and managers run around with mops and buckets to clean up the water and ceiling tiles. They were going around asking everyone if they are ok. Brian says he likes this place even better now after that incident. The more ghetto the place, the better the Mexican food.

Neuro World

I am on my neurology rotation right now. I have to say it is pretty depressing. I am on the consult service so basically we go see patients who may have had strokes and assess whether or not patients in a coma have a chance or not. I have seen at least 5 patients who have had cardiac arrests/heart attacks, who were brought back, but there brain was without oxygen for too long. We have to tell family after family that prognosis is poor and the patient most likely will not recover. Pretty sad, especially when the patient is in their 20's or 30's.


Wow! That was depressing!
On a lighter note, my mom found my old first communion picture and brought it to my niece's first communion. This downy picture is 10 times worse than my gymnastics one. The first thing my niece said when she saw it, "Is that really you? Your arms are really hairy." Thanks Madison. Thanks for your honesty. I am the definition of a FLK or funny looking kid. Sorry in advance Brian for our future kids. I will try to scan and post it soon for a good laugh.

Maddie and I. The had to post the one of Connor looking GQ. It is funny because it looks like he has a big chew in!

f

Seriously?

While taking the elevator down from the 6th floor of the hospital to the ground floor, a cardiologist gets on. He takes the elevator DOWN ONE FLOOR! Really? You can't take the stairs DOWN one flight? Also, you are a heart doctor!
There is also an overweight surgeon who I always see outside chain smoking.
Seriously?