Delayed Update

Considering my last post was before I had actually started rotations for my internship year, I think it is safe to say that I officially failed at blogging through my year as a dietetic intern. For anyone who has been through a dietetic internship, you will understand why. For those of you who haven't and never plan to... suffice it to say that my reasons for not blogging are justified. 

I spent a few nights stuck to my work.... literally.

Maybe it would have sufficed for me to simply write quick posts here and there but what's done is done. (or in this case; not done)

So much has happened this year that I wouldn't even know where to begin explaining it all. I'm currently midway through my spring break which is a glorious week of no rotation. Unfortunately for me this means that I should be spending my time catching up on all the side-projects that I've let slide over the last several months. Instead I've been lounging in bed, taking naps and enjoying the blissful feelings of NOTHING! And that, dear friends, is why I'm blogging now. 

Let's do a very abbreviated recap of the major events since my last post (sadly in August)

Remainder of August: Foodservice rotation: tons of projects and little to no guidance, 120 mile commute every day.

September

 Upheaval of the internship due to a change in staffing which left us without a director. I just about went out of my mind trying to manage my foodservice projects. Got sick.

October

Finished food service and turned in the first of many humongous binders full of projects. I started my WIC rotation right here in sacramento. Only 20 minutes of driving. Yay! I got very familiar with making handouts and telling single moms the benefits of breastfeeding and not propping bottles up to feed their babies. Also had some great learning experience working with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) in which I learned more about breastfeeding than I ever thought I would. 

Some of my WIC companions at our monthly potluck lunch

November

Back to French Camp for my first clinical rotation of 10 weeks. The 120 mile commute was old hat by then and I was resigned to becoming good friends with pump #4 at the gas station down the street. Got sick again, some form of the flu this time despite my required flu shot. On a non-internship related note but one that is very significant: I started dated the most fantastic guy that I was convinced couldn't exist in today's world. :) November was a good month.

December

 I was feeling very thankful for my experience as a diet tech because it set me up very well for my clinical rotation. This hospital was all paper charting which was new to me but I learned a lot and worked with some fantastic dietitians. Went home for Christmas and New Years and caught an awful stomach bug which laid me out flat for about 3 days and took weeks to fully recover from.

The awesome dietitians at San Joaquin General Hospital

January

Presented my first case study on diverticulitis and finished up my clinical rotation in French Camp. My preceptors took me out to dinner in Stockton to celebrate. I miss those people and I still keep in touch. It was such an excellent introduction into clinical dietetics for me. I started my rotation in dialysis which mainly took place in Elk Grove. Got hit in a pretty stupid accident on my way to a patient meeting for dialysis. I was out of my car for the next month and a half. It doesn't look that bad but if you look closely at that back tire.... yes, it isn't supposed to be at that angle. 

My poor car

February

 Finished my dialysis rotation where I never once passed out despite all the needles draining blood from peoples' arms... shivers. I learned a lot and realized that nutrition in dialysis is completely different than anything else and you should value your kidneys while you have them. Care for your kidneys people! I had a visit from my guy and a week later, from my mom. She came in time to celebrate my birthday. I've hit a quarter century everyone! Time for that life crisis I guess. Started a rotation in School Nutrition. 

Birthday Dinner with Mom!

March

FINALLY got my car back after it needed extensive body work and finally an axle replaced. Probably should have been totalled but.... 

I thoroughly enjoyed my rotation in school nutrition. I miss teaching little kids all about healthy eating and my preceptor very kindly told me that this is my niche and it's what I was meant to do. :)

April

Did 2 weeks in elderly nutrition which flew by and I mostly worked from home. It was a nice change of pace to be sure. Then I started the rotation for which I was most apprehensive: at a community health clinic that specializes in HIV treatment. For all of my anxiety, I learned a lot from this rotation and did enjoy my time. I did work some long days though and I was tired most of the time. It was nice to get back to electronic charting for a change. I went down to SoCal for the annual dietetic conference and mostly enjoyed the time I got to spend with the other interns. It was a true bonding experience. 

My preceptor and a coworker on my last day of rotation at the clinic.

My awesome co-interns at the annual dietetic conference.

May

Here we are in May. It's a busy month. I just finished 2 weeks in long term care from Napa to Stockton. I've been all over Northern California this year. After this week is over I'll be starting my final clinical rotation in Roseville. I can't believe I'm starting my last rotation (not including 2 weeks of an elective rotation at the end) aaaaa! I'm so so so anxious to be done. 

Ok! now that I've written the world's longest, most visually boring post, I can say that I'm caught up in my blogging. Surprisingly, despite my reprieve from writing anything, I have continued to take pictures of my adventures in the kitchen. I'll plan to provide PLENTY of food-tastic pictures of my creations in my next post. That's a promise!