Laughter Is The Best Medicine...

This past weekend, Todd and I were sharing funny experiences that we have had during our residencies. The more we talked, the more things came to mind that I truly don't want to forget...after all, some days it is only these funny experiences that keep you from breaking down and crying. So, I have decided that my blog will help serve as a journal for me to remember these times...

---ME to the patient in the ER on my very first day of internship: hello Mr. ---, I am Dr. Grunander. What brings you to the hospital today?

Patient: ok, really. I want a doctor.

ME: sir, I am your doctor. What is bother you?

Patient: no, really. I want a real doctor....

---ME: Intern, please go and consent Mr. --- for his hernia repair and mark his leg on the side of the hernia.

Intern to the patient: Mr. ---, I need you to sign the consent form for surgery.

PATIENT: but I am not here for surgery.

Intern: Yes, you are having hernia surgery.

PATIENT: but I don't have a hernia

Intern: Yes, you have a groin hernia and are having surgery today...hey, why are you eating breakfast, you are having surgery today.

PATIENT: but I have pneumonia, I DON'T HAVE A HERNIA

ME to the Intern (after 20 minutes have gone by): What took you so long???

Intern: The patient forgot that they had a hernia and were having surgery, kept insisting they had pneumonia. It took a little convincing, but the patient signed the consent form and I marked the leg. Funny though, I remember it being a big hernia and this one wasn't very big...come to think of it, this guy is African-American....

ME: our patient is Hispanic....who did you convince to have surgery.....that is not the right patient....he actually signed the consent form....GO BACK, TELL THIS PATIENT THEY CAN EAT AND FOR THE LOVE PLEASE FIND OUR PATIENT!

---Nurse (with a strong accent): Doctor Megan, Doctor Megan your patient is not breathing, patient not breathing...

ME: What??? What??? CALL A CODE BLUE, GET THE CRASH CART, I AM COMING!!!

Nurse: Oh Dr. Megan, don't worry, patient already dead.

---ME to the intern: Please consent the family of the patient in bed #2 for a trach and PEG

Intern (with strong accent): what is this trach and PEG that you speak of?

ME: ok, seriously, get consent for trach and PEG

Intern: can you spell that? What procedure is this? What? What? I don't understand.

ME: ok, now time for someone that can speak English...get someone else.

------ME to trauma patient: hello sir, I am Dr. Grunander. I am the trauma surgeon on call. So you have been stabbed in the belly. Were you stabbed anywhere else?

Trauma patient to ME: what, you are my doctor? How old are you?

My trauma patient in the next bed to my current patient: I know, she told me she was my doctor too but frankly I don't believe it....she looks like 14...

ME to both of them: OK, thank you for the flattery but I am 29....and yes, I am your doctor so quit talking about me and let me take care of you!

Sorry if this is not amusing to many of you...but there will be many more to come!

Belated Happy Birthday to My Hubby!!!

Happy 32nd Birthday to my amazing husband! Thank you for being the fabulous man that you are! Thank you for tolerating my craziness...and loving me in spite of it! Thank you for your endless love and support...I would be absolutely lost without you! Thank you for you patience and tolerance of my ridiculous schedule...as demonstrated by your birthday post that is 10 days late! Thank you for being the laundry and cleaning fairy...I can't image how I would ever have clean clothes without you! You are truly the best and my life is better because of you! I treasure every moment, day, year with you...and love you more and more!!!

The Sexy Man during his track days at Weber State.

Nice bum, where you from???

Quite the card shark...

And never fails to bring a smile to my face!

The Inevitable Fashionista...

Who says you can't wear socks and dress shoes with a swimming suit?

Hauling my luggage at the end of vacation...

I think he secretly likes wearing a straw hat!

Another vacation, more luggage...

a little less enthusiastic...

Enjoying a baseball game with Daddy!

Always studying to be the best physician he can be...

"Enjoying" a day at the beach!

On Todd's actual birthday, we were lucky to have Johnny staying with us while on some business in LA. I got home rather late that night just in time for my visiting teacher to get her (in the crazy that is my life, I had forgotten to call her to try to reschedule). We then had to watch the end of the Weber State basketball game as they gave up a huge lead to lose the Big Sky Conference Championship which didn't make any of us WSU alums all to happy. When we finally got over our disappointment, we headed to a new restaurant by our house and enjoyed great pizza (Todd's absolute favorite food) and pazookies.

Happy Birthday Babe...I love you!!!

Much Needed Rest and Relaxation in Utah

I was able to spend a week in Utah during the month of January. Time with family, playing cards, getting my hair done...it was just what this tired girl was in desperate need of!

I flew in late on a Sunday evening after having completed yet another dreaded trauma call.

Monday was spent playing cards with Grammy and Mindy. I was then able to meet Carl at Weber State and use his educational discount to buy a new laptop as our computer literally blew up right as I was leaving LA. I have since been heaven with my new Mac....so happy to be able to iChat with the rest of the family now!

Tuesday morning was spent in Park City having breakfast and shopping with one of my dearest friends whom I met in medical school...how grateful I am for Alissa's friendship! I was then able to spend the afternoon getting beautified as mom and I both had our hair done...oh how there are few things better!

Wednesday morning Mommy, Grammy and I hit the road to travel to Idaho to spend some time with Jocelyn and Emily. We met Jocey on the BYU-I campus and had a nice lunch with her...although she may say she was tortured as Grammy and I tried to hit on every college-age guy for her! We also visited the Rexburg Temple. It was then off the Emily's house and some priceless time with my precious nephews!

Jocey and I at the Rexburg Temple...

Me, Jocey, and Grammy at the Temple...

I couldn't get enough of the little man...

Crew was able to amuse himself by walking around in my high-heels!

I adore this little boy!

Little Crew is just too cute for words...he really wanted to go to school with Cannon.

He put on Cannon's old cleats without socks, got his coat and backpack and went out to wait for the bus....so adorable! When he couldn't go to school, he decided to entertain himself by shoveling the snow.

On Friday, Mommy and I were able to meet Grammy, Devin and little Ashlynn for lunch. We then met Daddy that evening for dinner and I was able to spend a fabulous night with my parents!

Mom couldn't resist documenting the garbage can run with me in my dress pants and high heels...don't know how they do this every week!

I flew home on Saturday morning and spent some much needed time with my sweet hubby!

The week went by all too quickly...oh how I love every minute that I am able to spend back home in Utah.

24 hours of Christmas in Utah...

Todd and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Utah for a mere 24 hours to celebrate a belated Christmas with our families! Although the visit was short, I have come to realize how priceless that time spent with family is...although, Todd may argue that the inflated cost of our airline tickets did not equate to "priceless" memories! After spending Christmas day on trauma call, I arrived home without having slept in 34 hours only to quickly throw a travel bag together, shower and make our way to the airport. I easily slept the entire flight to Utah. Todd and I were met by Dad and we were able to join the Wolthuis-Herbert Christmas Eve party which had been delayed until December 26th so that we could be there. Good food, fabulous company, the "Must Be Santa...aka Snotty Nose" song and the left-right game filled the evening. Here are a few pictures of the much fought-after prizes up for grabs during the game...

Grammy Char with her reindeer antlers

Aunt Emily with her personally autographed picture of Dylan...this was greatly fought over and Jocelyn was the ultimate winner. The picture now sits in her room at BYU-I.

Daddy with his ornament full of live worms...nobody fought for this one!

Johnny channeling his inner-Donny!

Mommy ended up stealing this winner of a gift!

The big kids growing anxious for their turn for presents....

Cannon stole the antlers from Grandma-Grandma...

Todd couldn't resist borrowing Cannon's antlers for a quick photo-op!

Much of our time in Utah was spent enjoying our precious niece and nephews that we see all too infrequently...Thanks Emily and Laurel for letting us borrow your children!

Oh how I love and adore all of these sweet babies!!!

I just can't get enough of them!

Todd and Cannon enjoying a little Sunday football...

Sunday was spent enjoying more time with the Wolthuis family, being inspired by Dad's Sunday School lesson, a quick visit with the Grunander's who unfortunately weren't feeling well but luckily Todd had spent the weekend before Christmas with his family while in town to interview for a fellowship spot at the University of Utah, and then it was time to head back to California for another day of trauma call.

Oh how much we love our families...the holidays just aren't the same unless they are spent at home. Only one more Christmas and we are home for good....HOORAY!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy...Better Late than Never!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful father! He is the most loving, generous, smart, dedicated, witty, funny dad. How blessed we are as a family to have him. He is the hardest worker and never thinks of himself, always giving everything possible to those around him. He never fails to be able to make everyone in the room smile and laugh because of his quick wit. I treasure so much being able to talk with him about medicine and know he will always understand my fulfillment and frustration. He is continually sacrificing for his family, including allowing Mom to travel to visit all of us while he works. However much he will miss her while she is gone is secondary to what he feels his children need from our Mother's visit. I treasure the time that he is able to spend with us in California! I am so blessed to have a father who honors his priesthood and observe him use it in our home many times while growing up and still today. He was my constant traveling companion to watch Todd run for Weber State which we both truly enjoyed...especially Todd since he was easier on him after a tough race than I was! I know Todd considers him a second father as well as a dear friend...and I couldn't ask for anything better! Thank you Dad for being you....WE LOVE YOU!

Reflection on the Year....Past and Present.

It is funny how the changing of a date can bring so much reflection on things past, present and future. However, I am going to jump on the bandwagon and document my hopes for the New Year....

The Past Year:
--Completed a very difficult year of fellowship at Cedars-Sinai and subsequently passed my Surgical Critical Care boards. Many times throughout that year the thought of quitting more than crossed my mind. However, how grateful I am for the lessons learned (medical and not) and finished what I had committed to do.
--Celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary...oh how blessed I am to be married to the love of my life and best friend!
--Able to spend time with family and friends, including numerous trips to Utah, visitors to California, and a fabulous trip to Mexico with the hubby.
--Have the ending of residency even more in sight as Todd and I have starting meeting with groups to discuss job opportunites and Todd starting the process of applying for fellowship.

The Upcoming Year:
--GET PREGNANT!!!
--Todd will match into a fellowship
--Todd and I will become chief residents
--trip to Hawaii in June with the entire Wolthuis clan
--sign a contract for a job
--be a better missionary and example to those that I work with
--look for opportunities to serve those around me
--lead a more Christ-like life

An Attitude of Gratitude

To borrow from the words our beloved President Monson:

Accentuate the Positive
Eliminate the Negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr In-Between.

Good advice then, good advice now. This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that work, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative though and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude may be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the most noble of virtues.


As life is what it is, I ofter find myself bemoaning my life and my current circumstance. However, during this season of Thanksgiving I reflect on the countless things that I have to be thankful for.

I am grateful for my husband: All of those who know Todd are able to appreciate the wonderful man that he is. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for blessing my life with his love and companionship!

I am grateful for my family: I truly have the most fabulous and loving family! How thankful I am to have been born to the parents I have and for my siblings and extended family...I couldn't ask for better!!!

I am thankful for the gospel: As I interact daily with people who are not blessed with the gospel in their lives, I feel guilty for not sharing more openly this most precious gift that I have. I am grateful that so many people are intrigued by "Mormons" and feel so comfortable in asking me about my beliefs and this gospel. I pray that I may be the example that helps lead someone to investigating and accepting the gospel one day as I know with all of my heart that it is true!!!

I am thankful for the opportunity to be a doctor: More days than not, I am often rather disheartened and unhappy with my career for a number of different reasons. I am more tired that words can express and often feel unappreciated by the people I work for and those I take care of. However, I think back on the day that I opened my acceptance letter to the University of Utah School of Medicine feeling that it was one of the happiest days of my life. I am grateful for all those who made it possible for me to attain my education and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have to change people's lives and help them many in their greatest time of need.

I am grateful for my temporal blessings: Although I often complain to Todd that I am anxious to live in a house, how selfish I am for these feelings. I am grateful for the wonderful roof I have over my head, the food in my fridge, and the car I have to drive. We are blessed with the ability to go out to dinner, to go shopping, to go to movies and sporting events, and to fly home to Utah frequently. In a time of recession, how grateful I am for my job and a husband who works so hard to support us.

I am grateful for good friends: As excited as I am at the prospect of moving to Utah when residency is completed, I do feel sorrow at the dear friends that we will leave here in California. Todd and I are blessed with many wonderful friends from both church and work that we love and appreciate.

This list could go on and on, as it is truly endless. How thankful and grateful I am for all of my blessings!!! I hope that I can adopt an unwavering "Attitude of Gratitude" and recognize my blessings, big and small, daily.