End of week 1: Babies

During rounds on Saturday, I was allowed to go into the PICU rooms while the babies were examined, and I even got to do a little examination myself. For one tiny patient, I got to feel the two fontanelles (soft spots) on the head (if blood were pooling there, this would be a bad thing), feel the pulse in the tiny feet, and listen to the heart beat with a stethoscope. I'm sure for med students and residents this is probably no big deal, but I was thrilled to be allowed to participate even ever so slightly. I can't imagine anything more rewarding than helping a sick baby get well enough to go home. Overall: great morning!