"...."

"La' Nyia you looked SO tired yesterday.  I remember first year, it's like a fire hydrant [every time you try to come up for air, they just keep pouring it on]."  Perry, MSII

"Small groups ugh, we gotta figure out how to make the next two hours useful." 2nd yr Dental Student

"You're med students. Your high maintenance, in case you haven't noticed.  DNA is under torsional stress. Just like you all."  Neil Osheroff, Ph.D Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

"I got 99 problems, med school's my main one!" me + 50 cent

For all of you Finding Nemo fans out there (3/21/78- all you!), I think that you'll really appreciate this.  I often think that Dory's advice to Marlin after he loses Nemo is befitting for this semester:

Dory: "Hey Mr. Grumpy Gills... When life gets you down do you wanna know what you gotta do?"

Marlin: "I don't wanna know what you gotta do."

Dory: "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim."

Most days I try not to overwhelm myself with everything that I need to complete, but somehow I dig deep and just keep swimming.  They say it gets better next semester.  Only time will tell.  For now I just feel the torsional stress and day dream about all the missed game nights, trips, and fun past times.  Sooner or later it will pay off. And I will make it!

Enjoy the weekend. I'll be buried beneath my books. :)

" I'm Right Where I Belong

...and there's nowhere else where I'd rather be..."- Andy Grammer

Another round of block exams are complete and I'm still standing.  No matter how many times my mom tells me that it's going to be ok, I never really believe her until it's all said and done. But I assure you, mom's know best!

I wanted to drop a quick note because after my exams yesterday, it was my groups turn for the afternoon off. I'd planned to workout, clean up, make some phone calls, catch up on Grey's Anatomy, etc, when my secret life calling [Life Coach] took effect.  I watched both Grey's episodes, did my hair, went out for a Great Indian dinner (reminiscent of Edison) and spoke to several former classmates at length after they received their less than stellar MCAT scores.  Needless to say, I've been in that situation 3 times before and was careful to express my empathy.  The mild sobbing and thoughts of defeat touched my heart and reminded me of how grateful I am to have accomplished so much at this point in my life.
I was reminded yet again today when a classmate had a seizure during lecture.  Medical school has a tendency to rip your insides out, turn them upside down, run them over, and leave them for decomposition. Ok...maybe it's not that dramatic but during Block it sure seems like it!  The brief medical emergency coupled with the tears of others that I wiped away, all pointed to one thing: Life is too short.  Make the most of it.  The trivial and mundane things that we deal with can take a toll on your physical and emotional health.  I'll share with you what Moe, the manager of the Indian restaurant, told me yesterday at dinner.  "Listen to your heart.  It's on the left, but always right." :)

Live. And Live Well. I know I am!

I'm 28!

The Odoms family and friends came through in the clutch again and surprised me for my birthday! Despite being swamped with studying for block, I managed to sneak away and go to my softball game, out by the Edgehill area, Opryland, and Sambuca!! I had a WONDERFUL time and wouldn't trade it for the world. I love you all and thank you for making my birthday SO special.

  
            

         

                    

   Look at these gifts!! Bedding included :)

         

6th Sense

A Day In The Life Of A Meharry Medical College Medical Student:

8AM-10AM: Biochemistry Small Groups on Glycogen Storage Disease & Mucopolysaccharidoses

10AM-NOON: Gross Anatomy Lecture on Face & Parotid Region

NOON-1:00PM: Biochemistry Lunch & Learn = Review of material in preparation for Block 1 Exam

*note, despite the name NO lunch is provided- it just takes up your lunch time!

1:00PM-6:00PM: Gross Anatomy Lab Dissections

these will consume your life if you let them!

7:00PM-9:00pm: Nap & Dinner (finally some food)

9:00PM-5:30AM: Block 1 Exam Preparation

this entails reading, reviewing, doing questions and yes you guessed it, back to the lab

Look closely at the clock. That says 5:17 AM

And no I didn't wake up early to get there.

I looked at my calendar and realized I haven't known the date for the last 3 weeks. Where does the time go?!?! Luckily block went well, and I've come to the conclusion that the couch is the best place to lay my head when I'm anticipating less than 5 hrs of sleep, you can't get too comfortable! Often times I'm forced to choose whether to shower and wash my hair, do questions, or rush to sleep.  It's a tough decision, but I usually pick the ladder :(  After block was over, I capitalized on restaurant week: eating out 5/7 days and this past weekend I went to see Boyz II Men along with the Nashville Symphony, what a beautiful show! I've also managed to join my classes' Intramural Softball team (M16 Gunners) and dye my hair bronze! Never a dull moment.  Keep me in prayer people.  Most of this med school stuff is for the birds and I'm afraid I may just be one!

Pre Boyz II Men and Post Carrot Top :)

When everyone else is getting out of bed, I'm usually getting in it...

Walking to the library over the holiday weekend, I observed the typical physician outside on a break  from Metro Nashville General Hospital.  With 3 pagers pushed to the back of her scrub pants, she sat relaxed, Like a BOSS.

With a quiz tomorrow and Thursday, 3 exams in 6 hours on Monday, and a 2 hour one on Tuesday, the reality of med school just set in.

Pictured above, ME at the Cayce Clinic ;) My first day shadowing as a future doc! I saw a 12 day old baby and an 8 yr old boy.  It's an interesting environment nonetheless but I'm looking forward to my time there as a part of the Health Care Disparities Scholars Program.

 After September 11, don't wake me I plan on sleeping in.  I'm in it to win it!

National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Class of 2012!

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AWARD LETTER

                                                                                                                         
September 2012
Dear LA'NYIA ODOMS :

Congratulations and welcome to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Class of 2012!
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to receive a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship.  You are now one of more than 40,000 NHSC members and alumni who, community by community, are building a national network of clinicians who deliver the kind of comprehensive clinical care that transforms lives, serves communities, and strengthens our nation.


Once again, congratulations and welcome to the NHSC Scholar Class of 2012!
Sincerely,
Rebecca H. Spitzgo
Associate Administrator


When one door closes, several more ALWAYS open.  It's been a long time coming. Look at me now, all I do is win- NO MATTER WHAT.

It's Been A Long Time

Despite my fervent attempts to post on a weekly basis, here it is nearly three weeks since you all last heard from me.  I sincerely apology! I promise that my hard work and dedication in medical school has kept me from documenting the highlights of my journey.  Since my last entry: I dropped my LG Lucid Android in the toilet on a rough morning when I was making a mad dash for class, we got a tv stand, ottomans, bulk items from costco, and a few things to spruce up my room for the house, and my family and friends witnessed the ever anticipated White Coat Ceremony!!

As for the phone, Nicole was nice enough to douse it in rice for the day, although on my way back from Verizon it started working again.  Thanks to the "beautiful people", my scrubs and med school ID, (we called some customer service line and claimed I needed a new one ASAP because I was "on call"), I was sent a "certified like new" lucid in no time, FREE :)  I must say, the house is shaping up to be a real gem.  If I had a normal schedule, wall art would've donned the walls by now but.....

We finally secured the couches from Craigslist and plenty of bubbly drinks from World Market in time for last weekends' festivities. The White Coat Ceremony definitely goes down in the books as one of the best days of my life.  I remember having the same feeling and sense of accomplishment when I received my MCAT score last October.  As I marched into the Compton Auditorium LRC with white coat in hand, I was so ecstatic and simultaneously overjoyed that tears began to escape from my lacrimal ducts.  I put forth a gallon effort to stop the emotion from ruining my makeup after my classmate Joseph looked over and said "La' Nyia, the ceremony hasn't even started yet."  If only he knew the struggle.  I welcomed my parents, Alanah and Corey, Wakeem and Michael, my MSPH friends, former and current professors to a momentous occasion that I'll treasure forever.  As you can see from the pictures below, I couldn't have been happier. Since then I've ordered 2 more coats to include my master's degree, as in another year or so it will become a regular rotation in my wardrobe. If you know me well enough, my attachment to uniform has finally taken precedence.

The intricacies of medical school and the people in it still "wow" me on a daily basis.  Time it correctly and drive down 21st Ave North at about 7:45 on the morning of a biochem quiz and you will see tons of stragglers in scrubs frantically skimming through pages of metabolites and hormones.  It's a rough act to follow but hey we signed up for this! I am now officially the recipient of the Great Lakes National STEM Scholarship and hope to cash in on the refund since my loans paid tuition in full.  I was recently elected Freshman Liaison of the Saburo Hara Pediatric Society, and hope to attend the AAP National Conference in October in New Orleans. I'm constantly moving, finding time to catch up on sleep and workouts, trying a few food digs here and there, but most importantly remembering that I can only do my best, one day at a time.

When they see me, they'll say "Here Comes A Fighter"- Gym Class Heroes.  My new anthem.

The Real First Day

Our Fall semester officially started on Monday after 6 weeks of MAPS (Mini Academic Program for Success).  Thankfully, I passed both mini courses after a finals week where I averaged 4.5hrs of sleep, most of which was on the couch.  I felt a lot less prepared for Gross Anatomy than I did for Biochemistry, but luckily my night owl syndrome kicked in and bridged the gaps. I must say that although the lab practical results haven't been released, it felt good to look at a lower limb x-ray and know what goes where!  Throughout the process, I only had a few discouraging moments and was reminded by a bereavement notice and words of wisdom from my father that "a vida passe lenta sem vontade" (life passes without will.)

I share the sentiment of some Olympians in that I can't remember the last time that I was able to watch t.v.  Not that I would watch it if I could, but I am contemplating asking my sister to bring guitar hero when she comes to visit next week. I did however treat myself to an early birthday present on Sunday evening and took advantage of what Nashville is best known for: MUSIC! Mat Kearney, Andy Grammer, and Train played at The Woods Ampitheatre. Who would've thought the name would suggest the nature of the venue?! A torrential thunderstorm hovered the entire evening and as a result the concert was cut short by about 1.5hrs! I shouldn't forget to mention that Chondraah and I were late because I never have time to run errands and was finishing pimping out my room at TJMAXX, thanks to tax free weekend.  Though I'm deeply saddened that we missed Andy Grammer open, I did see him live and solo for Valentine's Day.  This brings my concert attendance total to a whopping 4 since I've moved south.  When I got home, I was greeted by the kitty litter, this time under the porch spotlight. I guess mom/dad kitty figured "hey! I'll beat the rain. I'll just clean myself under this porch spotlight." As long as they stay away from the hood and roof of our cars, they can frolic all they want.

When I finished my exams on Friday, I was notified that I'm a finalist for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship. I'm now 2 for 2 in the scholarship department finals (the other is the Great Lakes National STEM Scholarship) and by my birthday I hope to be tuition and fees FREE :) The application process was a task, but to qualify as a finalist is truly an honor. NHSC projected nearly 6,000 apps for 180 awards/ Great Lakes 20,000 apps for 750 awards.  I should hear something any day now, and so will all of you!

The Fall semester means cadaver dissection, meet Jonas B. At slightly over 6 ft and medium build, most of my waking hours will be spent cutting on a man who is kin to a classmate of mine's boyfriend! The grandfather donated his body to science, specifically for Meharry Medical College when he passed about a year and a half ago.  Ironically enough his grandson applied to our Dental School but didn't gain admission.  Unfortunately the grandson's girlfriend is stationed at the table next to me, where every day she walks by in disbelief. Talk about small world. Seeing all of the fat on these bodies is enough to make me go without any food for a very long time. Healthy eating is important people, trust me.

Speaking of food, in honor of my weekly ritual to dine at a new place, check out the photo of Prince's Hot Fried Chicken.  If your down for a good laugh, read some of the reviews on this hole in the wall on Yelp.  The meat was tasty, and the spice cleared my nasal passages.  I'd never even heard of "hot chicken" prior to moving here, but now that I've had it I think I'll just stick to the dill pickles that come sliced with it :)

I'm reaching the point of diminishing returns and am learning that my sleep is irreplaceable. I'll try to post more often, just can't make any promises...keep lifting me up good people!

~ Tchau~

The Unhappy Triad

For those of you thinking Tom Brady and a torn ACL, MCL and Meniscus, you must've been with me in spirit this week in Gross Anatomy.  I was thinking more along the lines of lecture overload, sleep and food deprivation.  Several times this week we had 4 2 hour lectures and/or gross anatomy lab. Let's just say that I'm thankful that it takes me 3.5 minutes to walk home at noon and take a nap.  My theory is you have to utilize your time wisely.  I can eat in class, but I definitely shouldn't be sleeping.
When I'm not asleep or thinking about when I can squeeze in a power nap, I'm ransacking the snack bag in my locker. Contents: gold fish, pringles, craisins, milano double chocolate cookies, little yogis oatmeal raisin bars, nature's valley granola & sweet and salty nut bars, peanut butter cookies, animal crackers, dorritos (I'm addicted I just can't help it), gummi bears, and this week: mango, bananas, and strawberries- finally some fruit! I don't leave the house without my water bottle; thanks to the public health professional in me I've been tapping into Nashville's high quality H2O from the faucet, and on occasion Yoo-hoo or Muscle Milk Vanilla Light. All pictured in last week's post courtesy of my care package from my big sis!
Daily, for about 30 seconds I realize I'm finally in med school and I'm filled with joy. When I snap out of it and realize class is moving right along, I'm thankful for the brief reprieve and try to block out the "blissful ignorance of how much I really don't know" as my classmate Nick calls it.  It's anything but funny when you stop and think about how much information they inundate us with, but you'd be so glad to know that despite my intense/serious nature, I've been managing the overwhelming stress that comes with this new lifestyle with poise and grace :)                    
I will complete the 9 Week Insanity workout program on Sunday and project a somewhat normal workout routine for the foreseeable future.  It's so nice to have a 3 bedroom home, where the spare room serves as a gym/office. I spend most of my time in the house detangling my hair, working out, and whisking away the family of kittens that have taken over my backyard and hood of my housemates car.  I don't feed them but my neighbor does, so you can imagine how at home they feel.  Those fury felines do put a smile on my face every morning though.  I've figured out a way to Android app wifi from my phone onto my computer (gratis), and as you can probably tell from the time, it's WAY past my bed time. It's been a very long week, and the quizzes just keep coming. Friday's after class have shaped up to be my try a new restaurant/break from studying time so if you have any suggestions, please send them my way. Scoutmob, Groupon, and Living Social lookout!

If you're still wondering what's up with the unhappy triad, take a peak at the x-rays/images below: a partial or complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral/medial meniscus in the knee.

Torn ACL

Torn MCL

Torn Meniscus

P.S. My prof. calls it "The Unholy Triad", which to me is counter-intuitive considering our schools' mission is: "Worship of God through service to Mankind."

Friday the 13th

Today was quiz day for both Biochemistry and Gross Anatomy.  Despite all of the hullabaloo, I aced them both. But before you say I knew it, admittedly they were both unusually easy.  I attribute my success at this juncture to hard work, however my good friend Allen says "If I only had 1/10th of your brainpower, determination and focus----I'd dazzle this place w/my brilliance."  We got out early and I finally had the chance to run some errands.  When I got home I was greeted by a sumptuous care package from my one and only SISTAH- tanx for dat one boss, really appreciate it!  Just before I fled the med school beat, my housemate Nicole informed me that today was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A.  In exchange for fully dressing like a cow, dinner was on one of Nashville's finest food chains.  Pictured below you'll find our tissue paper spotted outfits and remnants of our supper.  Life is good.

P.S. If you call me after 5pm CST, I'm probably in the library. Dr. Michael Tinglin, pharmacist and dear friend of 10 years says, "Don't call while [your] studying.  That $hit is annoying. It's inappropriate, just text [me]." 'Nough said. Thanks Ting.

Let the count down begin

White Coat Measurements

The Meharry Bookstore personnel will measure freshman students for white coats Monday, July 16, 2012.

 Day #1: Gross Anatomy

You are what you sleep....

As I sit and munch on an overpriced cup of fruit at our school's cafe, I can't help but think of ways to keep myself awake in the coming 2 hours of a Biochemistry lecture.  Did I mention that we already had 2hrs of Biochem this morning? And 2hrs of the Gluteal Region in Gross Anatomy? It's virtually impossible to sit from 8-12 and retain some of which seems like minutia, but I'm giving it my best. I've learned that when my eyes feel heavy, and my mind drifts off to what's for dinner, it's time to snack on something.  The key is not eating too heavy a breakfast or lunch in order to be alert while satiating your raving appetite from the mounds of reading/studying.  I plan to venture to the farmers market in the next few days to replace my dorrito and fruit snack munchies with fruit and nuts :) I have NOT been getting nearly enough sleep, but I am practicing napping after lectures to rest and rejuvenate before my avg 6hrs in the library.  It is encouraging to see 3rd and 4th yr meds with their coats and scopes rotating in the hospital.  As I close my eyes and walk past them I tell myself, in due time! There is a time and place for everything, and I'm glad that my hard work has paid off thus far.
I am 2016 :)

Had me at hello...

Just when you think you have it all figured out, someone changes the game! I knew back in February when I interviewed that med school was going to be SERIOUS.  Now that I've gotten the syllabi and reading lists, I've reaffirmed what I've always been afraid of: reading for hours on end and not understanding a thing! Although not a laughing matter, after reading a few pages for Gross Anatomy, I chuckled thinking "Is this really happening? Why can't I even paraphrase the main idea here? If I highlighted, these last few pages would've resembled a coloring book." Medical school is real people. And if I hear one more time, "It's fine. You'll be great! With your work ethic and ability, you can handle it"- I'll scream. It doesn't feel like that.  From where I'm standing it doesn't seem like it ever will.  I can foresee my test anxiety, reading comprehension and critical thinking skills or lack there of, all becoming problematic. Albeit, I will admit that it's early enough to get a hold on ALL of that.  When I wake up I immediately think, I have SO much work to do.  When in reality, that's not going to change for a long time.  So, I should just suck it up and think about something more beneficial like what I'm going to eat for lunch.  Not to mention it's still EXTREMELY hot here and I moved earlier in the week, so I no longer hit the gym right after class; I tackle the hurricane- my bedroom. I am happy to report that I'm still sticking to Insanity, sleeping at night, and smiling in between my mental melt downs.  With week #2 of 6 in MAPS (Mini Academic Program for Success) completed, it's hard to envision any light in this tunnel.  I would continue ranting and raving but I have a quiz in a week and I'm already behind....

Triple Entendre

3 Programs. 3 Orientations. Triple Digit Heat. Day 5 of medical school has proved to be a breeze, and I don't mean thanks to the weather.  As a former Post-Baccalaureate and Master of Science in Public Health Student here at Meharry, operation orientation is NOT news to me! I must thank the heavens above, for without my 2 years of experience here, I imagine I would be frantic right now much like folks in my cohort. Between financial aid, student health services, ID cards, housing, and a host of other departments with LONG lines, I've been able to walk away from our daily sessions and head straight to the gym! (Week #7 of Beach Body's Insanity starts on Monday!) I have however won a $50 gift card, thanks to knowing about Good Will, and have only had to foot the bill for 1 dinner since my return. 
I've applied for a Health Disparities Scholars program, which provides mentoring and continuity of experience for students interested in primary care in underserved communities.  I've also elected to join the SNMA Committee-HPREP, the Student National Medical Association's Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program.  Thanks to some former classmates, I'll be helping to bridge the gap and ease the transition between high school and college.  Aside from using my connections to get textbooks, sporting pima cotton to keep dry, and going to sleep before 11 to ensure 8hrs, all is well in the Music City.  If you know me, you are already aware that the late nights and early mornings are going to be the bane of my existence. I still think that in the near future, 7p-7a in the ER may just work well for me.

"Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing." - William Arthur Ward

(Obrigada melhor amigo para as palavras de sabedoria. Status de casa do mundo real em andamento!)

Operation Orientation

 

The first day of the rest of my life began today.  "Worship of God through Service to Mankind" is what I heard as I contemplated which of the five egg dishes I would NOT try for breakfast. (I do my best to cut out eggs at all costs, they often send me searching for a restroom). With no idea when the real classes start or which books I'll actually need off of the double sided list, I opted for fruit and yogurt, a sausage patty and two slices of bacon :D I met some quality people today, although I must admit that every med (short for medical student) I met, I secretly screened them for potential gross anatomy lab partners. Hey mom, dad, Alanah and Corey- I finally made it! Life from here just gets more hectic...trust me, I'm a  medical student!