To maintain your license to practice medicine, one must accumulate a certain number of CME educational hours per year. I have never kept track of my CME's, although I do more than necessary most years, but now that I am planning to get a New York license, I must attend and document the hours. Several weeks ago, I was offered a day of CME's at no cost in Boston on a day that was convenient because I was in Cape Cod anyway, so I took advantage and signed up.
I wanted simply to put in the time necessary, but instead of suffering through the day, I found myself entirely fascinated.
The alarm buzzed at 5:55. Eric had already woken me up when he finally came in around 4 in the morning. He had to come to the cottage to pick up his keycard for the lab, so I had left the door unlocked (it is relatively safe here) and of course I heard him come in and get it. I tried to ignore the interruption, and dozed a little before I was up and moving. I was very appreciative to see the key out and the car on the front lawn (it was parked in a lot a kilometer away, so I was not looking forward to the hike in the morning). Eric arrived just as I was leaving. I had not seen him in what felt like a very long time (it was just a week, but a meaningful and emotionally challenging week; for Eric as well as Maya and me).
Maya was very excited to be helping in the lab. Maurice and Eric and the two teaching assistants had only two days to set up all the equipment for the course and test the apparatus, which is a daunting and often frustrating task.
The drive to Boston was easy (thanks to GPS!) and the conference included a generous breakfast spread and a detailed lecture on receptors involved in schizophrenia and depression and how to use receptor knowledge to make decisions about appropriate medications. I learned that what I do intuitively has some basis in fact, and that was reassuring, but I also realize that I have much more to learn to stay with the times. I left medical school a very long time ago (my thirty year reunion is in September!), and the way I practice medicine works, but if I leave private practice and have to reenter the 'real' world of modern medicine and managed care etc, I will have to adjust.
We were fed very well (too well) and challenged, and I was not bored for a minute and stayed until the very last word. Originally I had planned to visit with my nephew Edouard, who is living in Boston and working at a new company doing market research (and loving it), but it was late, and Eric needed me home so he could return to the lab for the evening, and I wanted to shop and plan for Father's Day, so I used my trusty GPS to find my way home to the cottage, where Maya and Eric were both anticipating my arrival.
After so many years, this place is truly home for us. Maya is thrilled to be here, Eric loves being with his scientist colleagues (GREAT science happens here), and it is good to see both of them so comfortable. I plan to try to get to know his new colleagues from New Jersey, two of whom teach here with Eric.
I wanted simply to put in the time necessary, but instead of suffering through the day, I found myself entirely fascinated.
The alarm buzzed at 5:55. Eric had already woken me up when he finally came in around 4 in the morning. He had to come to the cottage to pick up his keycard for the lab, so I had left the door unlocked (it is relatively safe here) and of course I heard him come in and get it. I tried to ignore the interruption, and dozed a little before I was up and moving. I was very appreciative to see the key out and the car on the front lawn (it was parked in a lot a kilometer away, so I was not looking forward to the hike in the morning). Eric arrived just as I was leaving. I had not seen him in what felt like a very long time (it was just a week, but a meaningful and emotionally challenging week; for Eric as well as Maya and me).
Maya was very excited to be helping in the lab. Maurice and Eric and the two teaching assistants had only two days to set up all the equipment for the course and test the apparatus, which is a daunting and often frustrating task.
The drive to Boston was easy (thanks to GPS!) and the conference included a generous breakfast spread and a detailed lecture on receptors involved in schizophrenia and depression and how to use receptor knowledge to make decisions about appropriate medications. I learned that what I do intuitively has some basis in fact, and that was reassuring, but I also realize that I have much more to learn to stay with the times. I left medical school a very long time ago (my thirty year reunion is in September!), and the way I practice medicine works, but if I leave private practice and have to reenter the 'real' world of modern medicine and managed care etc, I will have to adjust.
We were fed very well (too well) and challenged, and I was not bored for a minute and stayed until the very last word. Originally I had planned to visit with my nephew Edouard, who is living in Boston and working at a new company doing market research (and loving it), but it was late, and Eric needed me home so he could return to the lab for the evening, and I wanted to shop and plan for Father's Day, so I used my trusty GPS to find my way home to the cottage, where Maya and Eric were both anticipating my arrival.
After so many years, this place is truly home for us. Maya is thrilled to be here, Eric loves being with his scientist colleagues (GREAT science happens here), and it is good to see both of them so comfortable. I plan to try to get to know his new colleagues from New Jersey, two of whom teach here with Eric.
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