Crunch Time

It's coming down to the line in terms of studying for midterms in 2 weeks. We usually have 2 weeks of exams but this time they decided to cram them all into one week so we only have one weekend to study, it's sort of terrifying. But...that doesn't mean I'm not still making time for fun.
Here's a video my roommate took of Lucy and I playing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzrqwd51YiA

We had a vestibular system case which was all about the ear and balance. I became a little obsessed with the vestibular system, it blows my mind every time I learn about it. I could go into mega detail but basically you have little rocks inside of your head that shift and move little hair cells that transmit a signal letting your brain know which direction you're moving in relation to gravity. If you were in outer space though, you'd have to rely on your eyes alone.  During that case we got our first real MRI. MRI's are quite complicated to read and understand. Physics isn't my strong point.
To refresh your memory of how our cases work, we are handed pieces of paper in small groups of 7 students with a faculty member who is only there to help guide us and hand us the papers. We read the case (which is a case that one of our professors has seen in the past) and we work through the problems, coming up with learning issues (which we look up and study later) to lead to a diagnosis and treatment.
So, when they gave us this MRI we had to figure out for ourselves what the heck we were looking at without any prior background in reading the technology. We figured it out eventually, with some hints from our facilitator. This is an example (not the exact one we were given). It's a transverse section through a cats head and you can see fluid in it's right tympanic bulla (hallow cavity in the skull that is part of the middle ear). That's in the black section that looks like eye's but it's not...it's behind the brain and is a hallow portion of skull. Complicated, I  know.

The last two weeks we have switched to endocrinology cases, thyroid and adrenal glands, so I think that's all there is for neurology. Endocrinology is a lot of physiology but it's not too bad so far.

My foster dog Lucy had radiographs done and they found that she actually has two torn ACLs that her previous owner had neglected. Poor pup. She's doing a lot better on pain medicine and we are just waiting to hear from the rescue on where and when to do the first surgery.

We had a three day weekend thanks to President's day so my roommate, my friend Katie, and I went on a hike. I researched where to go and was pretty pleased with the hike at Eaton Canyon Park in Pasadena. There were a lot of people because it was close to LA and a holiday but it was nice and long and just challenging enough. I was especially impressed with Lucy's abilities. We had only gone on 1.5 mile walks before and sometimes she limps afterward. We hiked about 3.5 miles and she was a champ. I did have to lift her at some spots where she had to jump up rocks but otherwise she did great.

Lucy Dove right into the water!

Eaton Canyon Hike

Many streams to cross, needless to say Lucy had to get a bath afterwards

Katie and Bella, our hiking buddies :)

In January us girls had gone up to Mt. Baldy San Antonio Falls when there was some snow, only about 20 minutes from our house. That was pretty exciting too, I forgot to mention it last time.

Mt. Baldy Hike