Summer has officially come and gone. Today was the last day of our orientation week where we tried our hand at intramuscular injections, Foley catheter insertions, phlebotomy, and learned how to use our hospital's Electronic Medical Records system. Though I can't say that I feel like an expert at any of these tasks, at least we got to try these procedures on plastic models or our classmates before we start performing them on patients.

On Monday, I'll be at the hospital bright and early for my first day of Surgical Oncology...I'll learn a little about the pre-, intra-, and post-operative care of cancer patients. During the month I'll also get to take call in the Trauma department. I will miss sleep and regular home-cooked meals and going to the bathroom at my leisure, but I am definitely excited to climb this first mountain of 3rd year! Excited and scared.