Jessica Update: 12/22/04

Hi everyone

I got back from Chatham on Saturday afternoon, after having spent 4 weeks there on a surgical placement. I had a fantastic experience there, and am feeling very blessed at the moment by all that God has done. The surgeon that I was working with is a Christian, and it was such a privilege to work with someone who takes his relationship with the Lord very seriously, and whose walk is very much reflected in everything he does. I think I had mentioned before that he's spent time overseas, and he was very interested to hear about my experiences and my vision for the future. He was an excellent teacher, and I learned so much! I was able to be his main assistant for nearly all of the surgeries that he did (which would not happen if I'd been in Hamilton with a number of residents/interns and other students all looking for the same experiences!). I really enjoyed participating in surgeries, and this time has confirmed to me that I want to train in a surgical specialty when I finish medical school. I'm not quite sure what that will be yet, but I have a little bit of time yet to figure that out. The staff at the hospital were all very welcoming and encouraging, too. And my accommodations were great! I really don't have anything negative to say about my time there at all. Dr. Kraulis wrote me a very nice evaluation, and said he'd be happy to write me a reference letter for my residency applications when the time comes, which is a blessing. He went far beyond the job of a supervisor - he and his wife had me over for meals several times, and drove me to the grocery store when I needed, drove me to the train station, etc. I felt very well taken care of!

So now I'm back and have a 2-week holiday, which is the most holiday we get during the year, so I'm taking advantage of it! We'll be going as a family to Connecticut for Christmas to visit my dad's family there and to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. And then I'll have a week at home during which I will not be opening any textbooks! Then on Jan 3 I leave for Sault Ste Marie, where I will be for 6 weeks doing Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Thanks so much for all the prayers and the support - I love you all!

May you all have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

Jessica