Things not to say at the airport . . .

This story has a little back story.  A few months back, a heart transplant team from the Mayo Clinic here in Florida were killed when the helicopter they were flying in crashed.  I first heard of it when I received a panicked phone call from my mother who missed the Mayo clinic part of the story.  Following the story, seemingly thousands of emails have circulated among the transplant surgeons and powers that be here at UM regarding liability and life insurance.  The final consensus was as "transplant" surgeons, we expose ourselves to more potential harm than a "non-transplant" surgeon.  Therefore, the plan was to have additional insurance coverage should something happen during a harvest.  There was much debate about how much and how best to go about obtaining it, but quite honestly when they started discussing the tax benefits of establishing estates - I quit reading the emails.

Then yesterday rolled around.  The weather here in Miami has been atrocious since Saturday.  Heavy rain with dense clouds and no sunshine in sight.  I get the phone call that I'm needed to fly to Puerto Rico to harvest a heart.  Not overly excited, I climb into the car and head to the airport.  Due to the rough flying conditions, we are sharing the flight with the liver team.  We usually prefer to let them go first as their part takes longer, but in this instance the plan was to have me bide my time in San Juan while he got started.  During our ride to the airport, we were both discussing how little we were looking forward to the rough flight ahead. 

Then, simultaneously both of our phones chime signalling incoming emails.  The subject of the email - "death insurance".  It was an email from our VCA telling us that all the "kinks" of the additional life insurance policy had not been worked out.  Hence, we were still only covered by our standard hospital policy.  It was consequently his recommendation that we both go "online" and purchase an additional trip policy coverage of 5 million dollars for which the department would reimburse us. 

Let's just say this did not allay our fears.  It also turns out that pilots don't really like it when you ask them to delay your flight so that you can quickly go online and buy insurance in case the plane crashes.  We knew it was going to be a bumpy flight due to the weather, but pretty sure they were looking for "pockets" to hit.  At least all is well that ends well - until next time.

Still Here

Despite my several month absence, I am still alive and kicking.  Okay - not so much the kicking, but alive definitely.  I would love to tell you than my inattention to this blog was due to all of my attention being taken by some super hot guy, my new modeling career, a secret agent mission or the fact that I moved to an island without internet access.  Alas, it was work - as usual.  (Note to self - careful for what one asks.)  I have recently given work so much attention, that I have nothing to write about - as my mother has assured me on more than one occasion that NO ONE wants to hear my work stories.  I've been in a very reflective mood the last several days, and am trying to break this rut.  Stay tuned to see - hopefully.

Take Two

My first week of resolutions have gone fairly well.  The no shopping thing is hard, but I'm holding on - if only by a fine thread.  Supposedly it takes 21 days for a new pattern to become a habit so only two weeks to go.

Since I have been successful to date, I have decided to up the ante.  It is time to add a few fitness goals.  I know everyone makes the standard - lose 20 pounds, go to the gym more, and start "insert exercise x" here, but I wanted to be very specific and hopefully attainable.

My Fitness Goals:

1 - Get up at the same time everyday to do cardio in the morning.  Supposedly it is best for your metabolism to get your body moving in the morning.  I personally prefer evening work-outs, but I want to do a little something every morning to get things started.

2 - Run a half marathon in under 2:15.  I am already signed up for two, but suspect I will need to add another to obtain this goal, but I'm willing.

3 - Obtain my scuba certification.  Okay technically this is probably not fitness, but it will get me in a wetsuit which has to be a motivator for staying healthy.

4 - Tennis lessons.  I took them while in Nashville and really enjoyed it.  Want to learn enough to be able to actually play a game.

5 - Start cycling.  My ultimate goal is a triathlon, but have given myself my 40th birthday to obtain that one, but I need to start cycling if I hope to be successful.  Therefore, this is the year.

I have a very good feeling about 2012.  Not sure why, but I think that this is definitely my year.

I'm seeing a pattern

A fair number of surgeons reportedly have alcohol problems.  I am starting to understand why.  When I finished my clinic this morning, I had been given 3 bottles of wine and a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka - that's right Vodka.  Do my patients think I am badly in need of a drink?

Lame, sad or pathetic

I just walked in the door following a very long day, and even though the clock only says 8 pm - I really, really want to go to bed.  The conversation going on inside my head is quite amusing if one viewed from a third person perspective.  I have tried justification (ridiculous day), bartering (get up early in morning) and bribery (Starbuck's coffee), but at the end of the day perhaps I should just call it what it is - lame, sad and pathetic.

Naughty Chair

So I got to spend some time in the naughty chair today.  After I finished my cases today, my plan was to quickly stop by my office, grab my coat and run over to the other hospital.  However, my assistant seemed to have other plans.  She followed me into my office, with her arms crossed.  Never good.

"I know it was a bad week last week, but . . ", she began.  She then listed all of the charts, billing, signatures, patient phone calls, and path reports that needed my attention - some now for quite some time. You noticed that giving up procrastination was not one of my resolutions.

Alas, four hours, and much complaining on my part later, I had atoned for my sins, and was again allowed free reign of the hospital.  Would like to say that I learned my lesson, but unlikely.

End Run

Supposedly 75% of all resolutions are broken by noon on January 2nd.  Therefore, I decided to make an end run around that little dilemma - I'm making my resolutions now - a full 6 hrs after everyone else abandoned theirs.

I am somewhat hesitant to write some of these resolutions down as I have already told a few friends, and they laughed at me, but I'll resolve to be brave and carry on.

Since as you will soon see some of my resolutions are quite ambitious, I have also included a few more easily attainable ones.  (No need to kick myself while I am already down.)



                                                                     2012 Resolutions

1. No shopping for the month of January.  I'll pause for a minute while you all stop laughing.  Even my mother scoffed at this one, but just so you know all the doubting is making me even more resolved to keep this one. 
2. Open myself up - be it to new ideas, adventures or people.  I want to become more open to whatever life has in store for me.
3. Release control - it is no secret that I have a little control issue.  Perfect strangers seem to pick up on this about me.  I want to relax a little and trust that life will continue on perfectly well without me in the driver's seat.
4. Floss daily - I hate to admit it, but I get a little lazy when it comes to flossing.  It seems that everything I read these days is hawking the benefits of flossing - for your heart, your immune system, etc.    Even worse, I have genetic predisposition to gingivitis so even more important for me.  
5. Daily stretching - To my surprise as much as everyones, I have become somewhat addicted to working out.  It has become my protected me time.  Everyone knows not to bother me when I am at the gym unless it is an emergency.  However, all this working out (and quite possibly the aging) are making me a little stiff.  This year not only do I want to get into yoga, but I need to start making it a point to improve my flexibility.