Guest Blogging on "Nicolet.Life" about Osteopathic Medicine

Happy Friday my friends! I was so excited when Nicolet, from Nicolet.Life, asked if I would contribute to the series she started. Of course I was all for it, because this series is all about Osteopathic Medicine from the eyes of different individuals. Whether medical students, pre-med, etc. 

I will link the piece down below, so be sure to check it out! (Also, check out the other pieces and learn a little bit more about Osteopathic Medicine from different perspectives). 

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Link to my guest post:
"Osteopathic Medicine: from the eyes of Dorothy"

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Once you've read it, let me know what you think & what stood out to you the most! Don't forget to also show some love to my friend Nicolet ;) 

xo, Dorothy

Review: 4 things I look for when buying scrubs, featuring Barco Uniforms

Happy Friday!

I've teamed up with Barco Uniforms to bring you this review, and today I'm going to tell you the 4 things I look for when buying scrubs. If you're a medical student, you know the amount of time you spend in scrubs and it's a LOT. Sometimes we're not even required to wear scrubs on a certain day and we wear it anyway - amiright? Scrubs become an essential in our wardrobe not just now in medical school, but also later on when we become practicing physicians. And if you are a practicing physician, or any one else in the medical field, just how much time do you spend time in scrubs? 

During my first year in medical school, I have to be honest and say I didn't spend a lot on scrubs and just went for the "okay" ones because I didn't think much of it - "oh it'll just get dirty anyway". Which is TRUE, but I didn't realize that since I'd be wearing them a lot I'm also sacrificing some comfort, and style. And plus, if I'm gonna wear them, might as well look good right? I

So here are my 4 things I look for when I buy scrubs:

1. Comfort - this is KEY. You want a material that is soft but durable. The scrubs from Barco are just that. The material is stretchy enough, but it still maintains its shape! Material wise, dare I say these feel like workout clothes? Thank you 4-way stretch! These are definitely beyond your typical scrubs because they're made for performance as well, when you're running around to and from work, classes, wherever. 
2. Style - scrubs can still be stylish - WHAT?! Yes they can. I bought scrub sets that were just plain boxy, and no shape. Barco's scrubs have a great shape and (if you get the right size), they fit well. No more baggy scrubs! 
3. Pockets - who else stashes everything in their scrub pockets? Just me? Pockets are essential when you've got to stash pens, mini notebooks, phones, stethoscopes, etc. These scrubs have pockets for DAYS. Zip up pockets, side pockets, front pockets, and even a little pocket for your pen on the pants. While on the top you've got double front pockets!
4. Durable - So, you don't want to keep re-buying scrubs, and neither do it. So these have got to last a while. As I mentioned earlier, the material of these scrubs are like workout clothes where there is stretch and it really is designed for performance. Did I mention the back has vents? So if you start to break a sweat - no biggie. Not only that, but it's moisture wicking and resists wrinkles - I'm sure these can weather any situation.

Lastly, I just want to tell you all something awesome about these scrubs: each piece is made from 5 recycled plastic bottles! Not only are these comfy, stylish, and durable but ALSO eco-friendly. 

What are your favorite scrub brands? And have you tried Barco? Let me know in the comments below! 

xo, Dorothy 

Osteo-what?! - What's the difference between a D.O. and an M.D.

Since getting into an osteopathic medical school, I've gotten more questions about whether I'll be obtaining an M.D. degree. I respond by saying "No, I'm going be getting a D.O. degree - Doctor of Osteopathy". They then proceed to inquire "So do you deal with bones? Is that like a chiropractor? Or no wait - like an orthopedic?" Back then, all I really knew was that osteopathic physicians look at the person as a whole - Mind, Body, and Spirit. Other than that, I wasn't exactly sure how to explain it - I mean, I have yet to learn all about being a D.O. 

So - what exactly is a D.O. and how do they differ from M.D.'s?

• D.O.'s are trained to listen and take in all the information given by their patients and holistically treat them, taking into consideration Mind, Body, and Spirit.
• D.O.'s are additionally trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (aka: OMT) where we can use our hands to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal illnesses or injuries, to promote self-healing. (This can be used to treat in addition to pharmaceuticals and/or surgery).
• D.O.'s are trained to view all systems of the body as interrelated. One affected system means that another system may be compromised. (Basically: Structure is to Function, as Function is to Structure). 
• For additional information, head to www.doctorsthatdo.org

Now, what about M.D.s? Often considered as our counterparts, allopathic physicians generally treat the disease with appropriate pharmaceutical and surgery. Now - I say generally because allopaths focus more on treating symptoms to rid the body of disease. BUT nowadays, I believe that more allopaths are seeing the importance and incorporating preventive medicine, and seeing the patient as a whole - which is awesome! So really, instead of considering them as our counterparts, I believe that they are our allies in providing healthcare!

At the end of the day, the goal of the both D.O.s and M.D.s are to get the patient well and improve quality of life.

Similarities include:

• Both are able to train in the same specialties, and undergo residencies (whether it's surgery, neurology, cardiology, family medicine, etc.)
• Both are generally licensed by the same licensing boards.
• Both work together in the same settings.

So there you have it, osteopathic physicians are not chiropractors or orthopedics (although they can specialize in orthopedic surgery ;) ). 

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Year 1 - FlashBackFriday

If there is one word that I can use to describe where I am in life and how I'm feeling, it would be: AMAZED. 

Currently, I am in the mountains of West Virginia half-way through my first year of medical school. This is the farthest I have been from my family and Joshua, for the longest time. I am doing the very thing that I believe God has called me to do and has equipped me for. I have made amazing friends, built new relationships and with all the things that are yet to come all I can say, think, and feel is that I am simply... amazed. 

One year ago, I would not have imagined that I would be where I am now. Around this time last year, I have not heard from any medical schools yet, and it was hard not to lose hope. But God (who has reminded me over and over and over again) continued to remind me to trust Him and that He will take me where he wants me to be. As hesitant as I was to step into the unknown and say "Okay God, here goes nothing" I took up a full time-job working at a physicians office. To be honest, I also started to think of back-up plans if things were not to go "as expected". So much for trusting the unknown - right? I am not saying back-up plans are bad - I actually think that it IS good to have back-up plans. But knowing the type of person that I am, I easily get carried away with my back-up plans and focus on them instead of actually putting my trusting in God to work. 

Soon after a few months of working, I am on a plane to WV for a medical school interview. I am literally going into the unknown: I know nothing about West Virginia; the size of the town was about as big as my high school; I don't do mountains - I've lived by the coast my whole life. Talk about God uprooting me and putting me in the wilderness of the unknown. SCARY. CRAZY. EXCITING. All at the same time. 

Little did I know, that this town will become my home. I have grown to love this place, and the people in it. I truly believe that God has placed me here, at this school, for a reason. I will even venture out to say that God has made my decision-making easy by allowing me one choice. 

So now, I'm here. Learning the things that I've dreamed to learn about. To do the things I have always wished to do. Still, I look back at everything that has happened in my life - the sequence of events - and I am amazed. The way that God has carried me through it all, despite my disobedience at times. He reminds me of where He wants to take me - what His plans are. He also reminds me that I can plan as much as I want, but gently reminds me that His plans are far better than I can ever hope for or imagine. And He's right. He's so right. Where I am now is something that my "senior-in-highschool-self" would not even imagine. Where I will be in the future is something that I am extremely excited about. 

With all this, I am here to say that life is a crazy whirlwind and it can pull us to all different directions. But I believe that God is speaking to you, asking you to listen to His still voice, so that He can lead you into a place far better than what you can ever dream for. His promises are true, and He continues to fulfill them for me day after day. Not because of anything good that I do or say - but it's because of Who He is: He is a good Father, and He wants the best for us.

To this day, I am grateful for where I am. I pray that every time you and I look back through all the things God has brought us through - that we will be amazed at how good and faithful He is. 

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