"Spring Break"

So as many of you know, I just barely made it through the last 2 months...well mostly last month. I was on peds heme/onc and I don't think I've ever been that emotionally or physically drained by an experience! I guess it's because I didn't go into peds thinking about working with dying children. Granted, some of those little guys will get better, but seeing a person (especially a child's) last days is one of the most unbelievably difficult things I've ever had to see or to participate in. Those little suffering faces brought tears to my eyes every morning, but I don't think it was the kids though as much as their parents that tore at my heart every day. I will carry images of some of their faces seared into my memory forever. March was as difficult as I can imagine any work experience being (emotionally as well as physically -- so far it's my first 95 hour 6-day work week), but I am intensely grateful for it. Now that I'm slightly more rested, I can look back and say that I am so very much better as a physician and as a Christian for having had that experience.
On another, happier note, this week I am on "Spring Break" during Masters week in Augusta. Jonathan has this week off as well, and we are in Athens. So far our schedule has been chock-full of sleeping, naps, more naps, and eating yummy food :-) It has been so fun to spend time with the family, especially Philip who has Spring Break this week too. We also got to participate in Emily and James' Birthday celebrations as well as see Jenn! Also, by the way, I have become a Guitar Hero Master (at least on medium :-) I'm finally feeling almost back to normal now!
Jonathan had a good break as well. We went to Cornelia to visit his grandmother and aunt, uncle and cousins and had a great time! (His Uncle Kim makes faaaantastic nacho chicken btw :-) He is in Moultrie, GA for his 6 wk Family Medicine rotation so he will head back there tomorrow and I will be heading back to Augusta. We did rent out our house this year, so I'm hoping that when we get back it will be perfectly clean the way I left it :-)
Esteban, Stanly and Pippi Amanda have enjoyed their stay in Athens. They really love their cousins Charley and Jackson and playing around the lake. They also have enjoyed having very dirty paws.
One other super, super happy note is that my favorite tall blond on the planet and her perfect little family are moving back to Atlanta!!!!! Julia, Andy, and Lydia, words can't express how happy we are that you are moving closer...now you will have to tolerate very, very frequent house guests :-)
PS: I'll post some pics on Facebook and our WebAlbum

Routine stuff

So it's a little bit ridiculous how long it's been since my last post. Between that time and this I have had strep throat and several other upper respiratory infections complete with cough, runny nose, and fever, so there's my excuse :-) I have been on the floor this month and have been a little tired. It's so much better now though...I feel so much more confident than I did last September so it's a lot more fun and call is still stressful but in a different way. I'm also pretty tired...tonight I fell asleep during a dictation that I was doing from home and was partially woken up by Jenn calling. I talked complete gibberish to her for a few minutes about a patient until she said "Sarah...it's Jenn....are you asleep??" Hehehe :-) I love my friends.
Jonathan is on OB/GYN right now. It doesn't seem to be his thing. I think as long as he knows the general idea of how do deliver a baby in an emergency he will be happy. It's a fantastic schedule though and we're really enjoying that part.
The shih tzus are doing really well...Pippi Amanda really enjoyed seeing her grandparents and canine cousins this past weekend. Esteban and Stanley are looking forward to the prospect of getting a basket for my bike so they can ride with us. (Our new favorite activity is riding our bikes). They think this would be a good "Friday surprise."
Jonathan's calling me to go to bed since I'm on call tomorrow, which is probably wise. I love you all so much and I'll try to write another blog soon. Hugs and Kisses!!

Meeting Lydia

So we have officially met the cutest and smartest baby in the world (objectively)....the little Lydia Grace Fisher. She is such a bundle of preciousness and I made lots of pictures of here with her Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Sarah and her Uncle Austin and Aunt Jenn, along with her lovely parents. Enjoy! (We certainly did :-)
FYI (for those of us and our mothers who will be interested): I posted all the pics on the web album.

Jonathan's home for the Holidays :-)

So my sweetie's home!! It sounds like they had an amazing trip. The only thing that I was disappointed about it was that he didn't take more pictures :-( I guess he really does need me after all :-) Above are some pics from the trip with my brothers and Alex's girlfriend Amanda and her twin sister Lauren. Apparently there was fresh powder the entire trip. FUN!
I LOVE being off for the holidays!!! Even though it's satisfying, I get so tired working so many hours....then being home during the day and going shopping and just spending the entire day hanging out with just Jonathan and doing whatever we want....well it just feels like heaven :-)) I know I will be totally bored and stir-crazy after a week of this as always, but the initial feeling is simply unbeatable.
I other news, I simply couldn't wait to open my presents when Jonathan got home (typical for me I guess). I wrapped up in my soft, pre-heated electric blanket (a present from a Christmas past), and Jonathan presented me with: my favorite perfume (Dolce and Gabanna's Light Blue), the AMAZING Planet Earth DVD set which I have absolutely coveted, and finally, a 16 place setting set of flatware from Horchow that I have wanted for a year!!! (It's Napoleon Bee by Wallace and MUCH prettier in person!) He is such an amazing hubbie :-) My presents to him seemed to go over well but you'll just have to ask him :-))
The shih tzus enjoyed the festivities as well and were incredibly happy to have their daddy home safely.
We look forward to seeing a lot of you very soon!
PS: I'll put some more of the same on the web album as well as the pics from the rest of the holiday

The Holidays!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! So far this has been my favorite Christmas ever. Even though I've been in the NICU and working a LOT, it has been such a fun and meaningful last few weeks. Jonathan and I put up our tree right after Thanksgiving. Above is what it looks like except with a few more presents under it now :-) We have gone to the MOST fun Christmas parties this year EVER!!! Nancy and Staples, yours was an absolute BLAST! Matt and Lauren, it was an "award winning time" :-). We had a wonderful dinner and lights tour with Marion and Rudy and several really fun parties at work. Tonight I went to caroling party at "Mama (Dr.) McKie's" house with lots of good food and fun times a the end!! On top of all the excitement and joy of these events, it has been an amazing month in the NICU. It's been actually a little bit scary to me how much I've enjoyed neonatal intensive care. It's extraordinarily challenging, but at the same time incredibly rewarding to have this amazingly tiny, fragile creature that God has already given such a big job to do - grow! Taking care of them and their scared and anxious parents has been so far one of the biggest jobs and greatest joys of my residency...we'll just have to see what happens :-)
Jonathan is just wrapping up a week in Vail, CO, (without me obviously) with my brothers. Apparently it was incredible weather and beautiful powder...sigh...maybe next year I will be with him! I am so glad that he had the chance to go on such a fun trip though. He is finished with the last hard part of med school!!! This next half year should be a little easier for him and I know he's really looking forward to it....especially peds ;-)
The Shih Tzus are doing well. More than anyone they wish that Jonathan would come home...they miss him and are getting kind of tired of their mom's erratic hours. It's so great to shop for them...their presents are hanging in their stockings in the living room and I don't even think they've realized it yet.
We can't wait to see everyone over Christmas!! I will be in the ER the 27th-1st (which should be interesting) so we hope to see you all before then. Although I will have a NICE month in January so we can see some of you then too!

Long time no post!

Hi Everybody!
Sorry that I haven't posted for SO LONG! I just figured out today how to post from the hospital...I know...I'm a little challenged when it comes to these things! Last month I was in the Newborn Nursery which was lots and lots of fun! I think it's my favorite thing so far that I've done aside from Aiken clinic. I really enjoyed taking care of healthy newborns. I've gotten quite good at circumcisions now. They're pretty fun and I think I get a pretty good cosmetic result :-) Yesterday I started in the Neonatal ICU so it's a lot different but so far I'm really enjoying it. Such TINY little babies! We have one that weighs one pound. Yesterday I intubated one that weighs just over 3 pounds..it's amazing and very interesting so I think I'll have a really fun month!
Jonathan is doing quite well. He is on Neurology right now and so far it has been much, much better than my experience as a 3rd year. He's had really good hours and great attendings. In about 2 weeks he is going with my brothers on a ski trip to Vail,CO...without me :-( It's ok though. I have lots of NICU call that week and wouldn't really see him anyway. It will be hardest on the Shih Tzus since their daddy won't be there to take care of them in the AM when I'm on call, but I'm sure they'll manage. We are really looking forward to the holidays! I have 5 days off for Christmas and then I'm working on New Year's. I'm really looking forward to seeing our families and also Julia, Andy and little Lydia Grace!!!!!! I'm finished with her present and I can't wait to post a picture :-)

The exciting events of October 27th

CONGRATULATIONS to two of my favorite people in the world!!!!
Alisa Stone officially became Alisa Stone Herring in one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever attended. Jonathan and I had a weekend of fabulousness at their big event in Eufala Alabama. The Stones reserved the beautiful Candlelight Inn for Alisa and her bridesmaids (including me :-) for the weekend. We had a marvelous time at the rehersal dinner at Fendall Hall, followed by amazing wedding at the old Presbyterian Church in Eufala, and then culminated by the reception and post-wedding brunch at the Shorter Mansion. In addition to this picture of the lovely bride, everyone please look at the pictures on our online album! They are fantastic.


Julia and Andy Fisher gave birth to the beautiful Lydia Grace Fisher On October 28th at 10PM. She weighed just under 9 lbs and is so healthy :-) I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be an honorary aunt to this new little bundle of preciousness! It's killing me not to be there to welcome her, but I hope to keep in touch with LOTS of pictures (hint hint Julia :-) I am making her a very special gift and when I finish it I will post a picture. It's almost done and now that I know the lovely name I can complete it.