My friend emailed me a couple of weeks ago and asked me to cover a call for him. As he had stepped in when I was overwhelmed and needed extra help, I really couldn’t say no. He’s also offered to make up for it and cover for me when I’m on call in April, so that I can add an extra interview to my schedule, so I shouldn’t complain.

So instead of my first completely free weekend in a long time, I’m on call. We’ve already capped and tucked in the patients, the intern and senior med student have been watching the super bowl (crappy ads, somewhat entertaining game (and I don’t really like football)), and I’ve been researching how to make my own swiffer-jet pads and produce bags and making a 101 things in 1001 days list. So far, making a cathedral quilt and cook dinner every night for a month have made the list. What would you add to your list?

I had my first interview on Friday at Rush University. I drove down early that morning to miss Chicago traffic, but it meant that I only had about 5 hours of sleep (nerves, kept thinking of everything that I needed, cold feet kept me awake) and that made for a really long day. Especially since 3.5 hours of it was being on rounds, listening about patients that I didn’t know and trying to look as if it was the most fascinating thing ever. I managed not to yawn too much AND not fall asleep during noon lecture (something I never manage usually. Dark room during lunch, lecturer droning = instant sleep), which was impressive. And did I mention that I didn’t get breakfast and only had a half slice of thin crust pizza for lunch?

The interview went well, I think. Apparently my letters from my attendings were really strong and full of praise, which I was glad to hear. Especially since one of the writers is the director of the neurocritical care program here and he hasn’t offered me an interview yet and since I waive my rights to read them, it was a little nerve wracking.

For my own benefit, when I’m looking back and needing to submit a rank list, here’s my (nicely cut) impressions of the program.

1. Procedure wise: strong. A month of anesthesia and procedures, so I can learn to intubate. Working with neurosurgery, so I can place EVDs and burr holes. Fellows do central lines and art lines.
2. Minimal TBI (traumatic brain injuries) and traumas in general. They may be allowing us to rotate at Cook County Medical Hospital, which is the trauma center of the entire country, I think, so that would be improved. Most of the patients are transfer patients, so they can be quite sick.
3. Closed ICU. All patients are neurology primary patients with neurosurgery consult. There’s still the drama and clashes between the two departments (evident even just in a half day rounding), but maybe a little less?
4. Potentially willing to work with me to create a combo program. Dr. Temmes was a med-neuro back in 2006, so he understands and Dr. Bleck established a combo in Virginia several years ago, so they seem willing. The fellowship director, Dr. John was not so eager and thought that there would be snags, but was willing to consider doing it with an additional 6 months. In any case, I get at least 4 months of MICU.
5. Dr. Bleck is the founder of neurocritical care. The guy who started the entire movement.
6. All of the attendings come for different, but very strong programs in neurocritical care. Dr. Temmes is from Columbia, Dr. John from Mass General, Dr. Patel from UCSF and Dr. Bleck is from all over.
7. It’s downtown Chicago. Downtown Chicago. Horrible traffic. Expensive housing. I’d have to sell my house. 🙁
8. It’s Chicago. The opera, the art museum, awesome concerts. Closer to Susan and Michelle to visit. Still manageable to see Chris regularly. Two years might not so bad.
9. Similar sort of program as my own. Second year fellow seemed relaxed and comfortable managing the team/patient.
10. There’s not a fellow in 2010. Meaning it’d just be me for the first year. I’d don’t know if it would affect me.
11. Q4 call in house the first six months with the neuro resident. Home call afterwards, come in for procedures and sickie patients after that.
12. Teams consist of 1 neuro resident, 3-4 anesthesia, occasional neurosurgery and nurse practitioners. MICU fellows rotate through.
13. Schedule may consist of working every Sunday??? Not certain about that.
14. Stipend basically the same as here (but higher costs of living). Rest of benefits comparable.
15. … I could be happy here. Definitely on the rank list.

So far, I’ve got an interview scheduled at Henry Ford (Detroit) in March. I’m trying to schedule an interview with Cleveland Clinic the day before so that I could drive out (and maybe spend the weekend with Michelle and Kelly … ?) and save some money. Both programs are being rather difficult however. And that’s it so far. Oregon offered me an interview, then didn’t respond when I suggested some dates. UCSF can’t seem to find my letters of recommendation (even though I confirmed that they were sent). And another 4 programs have emailed back, saying that they had received my application and would be letting me know. I’m getting a little impatient. I have very little free time to interview, and February would have been a good month to interview: I’m on a consult month and can miss some time. Now, tickets anywhere would be so expensive.

I had church friends over for dinner after the interview (I managed to avoid most of the traffic going home too! Yay!). I really should stop hosting friends when I’m sleep deprived. I think I put my foot in my mouth more times than once and embarrassed myself (I can’t really remember the particulars anymore, I guess that’s the good thing about exhaustion). The salmon was excellent as always (have I shared my recipe before?) and the company was good. I just wish I could have appreciated it more.

And thus ends the weekly update. 🙂