Spirometry Lab

This may be the nerdiest post I have ever written on this blog, but hey... this is who I have become!

I am currently in my Pulmonary Domain, so last week we participated in a Spirometry Lab practical. The lab wasn't required, but was "highly encouraged", since it would help to solidify concepts we have been learning over the last few weeks. So, I thought I would go. While it definitely did help solidify my understanding, I was not anticipating how fun/entertaining the lab would be.

We started off, by assembling our Spirometers. This is a device that is used to test breathing flow/volume. As you inhale and exhale, a computer program will map out exactly how much volume of air you take in or out, and how quickly or slowly you do it. After we assembled the device, we conducted our first phase of our lab. We used the spirometer to measure our normal airflow. We then had the computer make a Flow-Volume Loop graph with this information. Next, we used a straw connected to the spirometer and did the whole thing over again. This was to imitate someone with COPD. Sure enough, the Flow-Volume Loop that we constructed mimicked exactly what we thought would occur with someone with an obstructive condition. FINALLY, we conducted one more round, by tying each other up with scarves so that your chest wall doesn't have much movement. This round was to represent a restrictive disease, like Pulmonary Fibrosis. Sure enough, our lab results again predicted exactly what we thought would occur. Its great when that actually happens haha.

"Pulmonary Fibrosis"

Recording our results

"Normal" Flow-Volume Loop

COPD/"Obstructive" Flow-Volume Loop

 This was a really nice change from book studying. To understand the concepts we are learning in a practical manner and to be able to physically see the results from different changes to the lung, I think that I have developed a good understanding of these pulmonary concepts. Plus, we had lots of laughs and a nice study break!

But now, I have less than 1 week left before my pulmonary final..so I I have got to be getting back to the books!

Love, Italian Food, and Canada.

Last week, S and I celebrated our 5th anniversary! Its hard to believe it has been 5 years since we have started dating, but when I think about where we were in our lives when we first met, I guess it makes sense that it has been that long! I was 19, a sophomore at UCLA, preparing to study abroad in the Netherlands, and totally unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. S was 20, a junior, a pre-med student that was planning to start studying for his MCAT later that year. Now, 5 years later, we both are medical students living in Michigan. S is about to graduate and start a surgery residency...and I am a second year medical student, preparing to take my board exams! Its crazy all that we have been through, but I am so happy and so thankful that we have continued to support and love each other throughout our crazy journeys towards reaching our goals. :)

The night of our anniversary, S came to East Lansing and took me on a date. He knocked on the door to pick me up with a box of chocolates and a dozen red roses! It was so sweet! Then, he took me to our FAVORITE restaurant in Lansing, Bravo Cuchina Italiano. We had lots of yummy food: Miscato, spinach-artichoke dip with Parmesan incrusted bread for appetizer, Chicken Scaloppini (Chicken+portebello mushrooms+lemon caper sauce+diced tomatoes+feta cheese), and Creme Brulee for dessert...delicious. It was such a fun dinner, reminiscing about the last 5 years!

This weekend, we continued our anniversary celebration by taking a weekend trip to Canada! I had never been so we thought it would be a fun little weekend getaway. We had reservations at a little Bed and Breakfast in London, Ontario from Friday-Sunday. Sadly, on Friday morning, the person who owned the place called us and said that she had to cancel our reservations. So, we were temporarily out of housing. Luckily, we were able to get a reservation at the "Delta London Armouries". Although I was originally totally bummed about not staying in a little bed and breakfast, our hotel was a serious upgrade. We had one of the top floor suites with private lounge. In this lounge, that gave us free breakfast, free coffee, free snacks, and free booze in the evenings. I felt so fancy!

They even gave us robes!!!! 

Upon arriving to London, we decided to go to a restaurant called "Crabby Joes"! It was a pretty cool place, with lots of people our age...so I think it was a pretty good find! After we were done at the restaurant, we decided to head in for the night, because we were going to get up very early the next day to drive to Niagra Falls!

We arrived at Niagra at around 11 AM and immediately went to the see the Falls! It was really pretty with the ice in the water, but oh so very cold! We had to take many breaks by going in doors...but it was still totally worth it! We also went to explore the downtown area by going to the Niagra Casino, a fudge factory, the Niagra arcade, and the Guinness Book of World Records Museum...we then headed back on the bus, looked at the falls one last time...and then decided to head back to London, before it got too dark/snowy.

Warming up on the bus

Niagra Casino

Fudge Factory

Grave's Disease

After we got back to London, we went to the lounge in our hotel and had some wine/beer and some cheese/crackers/egg roles. Delicious and (again) so fancy.  We then went back to our room, watched "She's All That" and then went to bed. [Yes, I am aware we act like an "old couple" and go to bed way earlier than we should on vacation...but hey, it was so very relaxing!]

The next day, we headed out for one last stop in London, to an all-you-can-eat Sushi Restaurant, that my friend Bobby (who went to undergrad in London) recommended to us....and boy, am I glad that we made this stop! Soooo delicious....and pretty dang cheap for how much/what quality food we got! After we were done eating, it was time to drive home and get back to reality...

It was such a great trip. I can't wait until our next one! :)