Family Update 12/29

Hello everyone!  It’s been a marathon around our house for the last few months.  

Fall 2018 marked the last semester of my basic sciences curriculum.  With my university moving to Barbados in January 2019, it was extra motivation to study hard and get through the material!  All the glory be to God, I took our final on 11/30 and found out I passed the week afterwards.

 

The two weeks between our final and the COMP were intense.  K’s folks were kind enough to come down to our home to watch E while K and I went to a gala celebrating the completion of our basic sciences curriculum.  It was wonderful to celebrate with my friends and just enjoy ourselves for a bit.

That Monday, it was back to the grind. For two weeks, I studied from 6 AM to 5 PM.  I would come home for a few hours for dinner and to see my family, then head back to school around 8 PM to study until midnight or 1 AM.  I reviewed cardiology, renal, hematology, GI, reproductive, and pharmacology.  Things that I had recently seen: neuro/respiratory/endocrine I didn’t specifically study.  I watched a review series called Boards and Beyond and did a bunch of practice questions.

Then, came the CBSE or COMP exam.  COMP is a 4-hour, 200 question comprehensive exam covering anything and everything from the first two years of medical school. I was scheduled to take it on 12/14 and showed up with about 45 other students (most of whom are part of the accelerated program, whereas I am curriculum.)  It was nice to see a few faces whom I knew as we settled into the exam. 

Boy, I didn’t feel great after that test.  As on all our exams, there is an option to “mark” questions and come back to them.  I use the marking system as a way to track which questions I’m not sure about.  So if I know I know the answer, I answer it and move on.  If I’m unsure, I mark it and come back to it at the end of the block of questions.  If I knew I didn’t know it, I’d make a mark on my scratch paper and wouldn’t mark it (no use wasting time on something I knew I wouldn’t be able to figure out.)  When it was over, I had marked 48 questions and knew I didn’t know 12 others.  If I got every other question correct, that would give me the score I needed to pass: 70% (140/200.)  Praise God, I not only passed but exceeded the necessary score!

Now, I’m on an approved absence from school (as are all my classmates) as we study for our first real board exam, the USMLE Step 1, which I’m planning on taking this spring.

K is crushing it, as usual.  I cannot describe how supportive he has been while I’ve been in “go” mode.  Not once did he complain about doing essentially *everything* for two weeks.  Over Christmas break, I actually got to spend time with my husband (we even went on a date! Thanks Mom and Dad!)  I miss him and E so much when I study all day, but I recognize that we are in a wonderful stage right now because I’m home and can see them at lunch and at dinner and for bedtime and I know it won’t always been this way, so I’m trying to treasure the moment and just enjoy it. 

Anyway, back to K.  He starts the last semester of his master’s program in about 2 weeks.  He will graduate with a master’s degree in Theology come May and we are so excited to watch him walk across that stage!  I’ve joked that he’s earned this degree with E on his knee, but I’m only half joking.  He’s written countless papers and read I don’t know how many books while holding E.  In fact, when I proofread his papers, I can always tell where he’s gotten up to help E because they’ll be the same train of thought written into the subsequent paragraph, almost like his brain just kept going. 

We are so proud of him and all his hard.  It’s no easy feat to stay home with a baby or toddler and to earn a master’s degree on top of that just blows me away. 

E is happy as a clam.  He seems to grow inches overnight!  He enjoyed seeing his grandparents over Christmas and got spoiled rotten.  He’s really into the Octonauts series on Netflix right now (for a kid’s show, it’s definitely watchable for adults.)  He got some Octonauts themed toys and has enjoyed playing with them. 

We wish you the best in the New Year.

For His Glory,

KCE

Under Pressure

Psalms 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

I’m pretty sure David was facing a more intense pressure than we are. I really appreciate how God comforts us in times of anxiety.  I’m there now, for sure.

We have entered what is my last semester of the basic science curriculum.  I have three “mini” exams, a practical skills exam, and a final this semester.  When I’ve run that gauntlet, I’ll have two weeks to study for the Comprehensive Basic Sciences Exam, or more informally “COMP,” exam.  COMP tests on everything we’ve learned in the first two years of medical school.  It’s the gateway exam I have to take (and pass) in order to sit for my first actual board exam: USMLE Step 1.  (USMLE= United States Medical Licensing Examination) 

I’m feeling a lot of internal pressure for some of the following reasons:

-I want to finish this semester strong because grades matter more since I’m considered an “international” medical student. 

-I want to pass because I don’t want my family to have to move, again, internationally. 

-I need to pass COMP so I can sit for Step and pass it before March.  I can’t start my clinical training until I pass Step and I want to be able to start my clinical years next July so I can graduate on time (otherwise, I’ll actually “match” into a residency a year later than I had planned and that equals a year of lost income for us.) 

-In order to increase my chances of obtaining a residency, I have to not only pass Step, but crush it.

I know that God has brought us this far.  He has never left us, even in the middle of a hurricane we are safe in our Father’s arms.  I believe that his hand is on us and He has a plan for our family.  As we face this period of intensity, would you please pray for us?  That God’s presence and plan would be abundantly clear, that we would press on in our desire to serve Him, and that He would comfort us in times of anxiety. 

We love you all and are so thankful for you.

For His Glory,

KCE

My Love

My husband, y’all. 

I’m sitting here, trying to review cardiac pathology, but I keep getting distracted because my amazing husband is playing outside with our son.  So instead, I’m going to take a moment and brag on him because he’d never do it himself. 

When we first started dating, K knew that I was planning on attending medical school.  I’m sure he didn’t know all that would entail, but he was happy that I was happy going into medicine.  When it turned out that we would end up moving internationally for medical school, he was supportive and excited for a new adventure.  Sure, it was difficult to leave his family, church, and jobs.  He left the only place he’d ever called home to start a master’s program and full-time daddy duty.  It was quite an adjustment for all three of us.  Dominica is beautiful, but it comes with a unique set of challenges for many single students, challenges compounded for those with families, especially a baby.  But my husband is a trooper.  I can’t tell you how many pages he has read or typed holding E in his arms.  He’d get E to lay down on his lap, then pull out his books and highlighters until the little fella woke up and required all of daddy’s attention.  He was responsible for feeding him throughout the day (keeping up with washing bottles and their accessories is not fun.)  He’d bring him up to school every day (a long walk in sweltering heat,) so we could eat lunch together, then walk him back up home to nap. 

The night of the hurricane, he was steadfast.  We made a plan and pulled our mattress into the living room so we could lay next to the only concrete wall not surrounded by windows.  We packed up our most important items and laid down to wait out the storm.  I remember looking at him as E slept between us, blissfully unaware.  He reassured me that we would be okay.  The next day, we left our little home, deciding to shelter at the student center on campus.  He made three trips back to our house that day to collect different items that we needed (not knowing how long we would be there,) and then to pack up our remaining baby items to give to our neighbor, who had recently given birth. 

That week is a whirlwind in my mind.  Initially, we didn’t know how long we would have to stay prior to being evacuated.  We were told to ration our food and water.  Luckily, we had filled a few gallon jugs before the storm and had those with us, but we knew that we’d need some of the water for E’s formula and that I’d need to drink because I was still nursing him.  K made sure that I was drinking and eating and that we’d have enough before taking any for himself. He helped rearrange the furniture in the little room we were staying in to make it more hospitable for us and for the family with whom we shared the space.

As we were evacuating, he made sure that we were safe and comfortable.  He grabbed a chair for me to sit in with E, but in order to let more ladies sit, he sat on the floor of the boat, for twelve hours, with his back against the wall.  We had been told that the ride would be about 4 hours, so I inquired at hour five how much longer it would be?  I was told about six to seven hours longer and I broke down in tears.  Because we had been told only 4 hours, many people hadn’t brought food.  We had brought snacks for ourselves and for E, but K generous offer to share what we had was taken up by many of the ladies around us. 

Even now, as we are so grateful to be back in the United States, K does the majority of work around our home.  As I am in my last semester of basic sciences (please, Lord!) I’ve been studying with friends more frequently, which means that K has morning duty until I can get home.  He makes most of our meals and does 90% of the housework.  He makes sure that E is fed, dressed, and clean.

They play outside every morning, drawing the alphabet (in both Hebrew and English) and chasing each other all over the yard.  As I write this, I can see him racing E down the driveway, and now he’s using E’s overalls to lift him up and I can hear our little boy laughing with delight.

The other night, I sat on the couch and cried because I felt so overwhelmed.  K sat down with me and held me until I felt better, then gave me a twenty minute pep talk about how I can do it.  He gave me another inspiring speech the other day as we played outside with E.

I am incredibly blessed to be his wife.  Our son has a father who loves him and delights in spending time with him.  Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful chapter in our lives. 

Life in the USA!

Hello Everyone,

We haven’t forgotten you, we promise.  The last few months have been hectic, but we’ve had an enjoyable break where we visited our families and spent time at the children’s museum, zoo, and libraries. It really is a treat to be able to take E places like this, as we were pretty limited in Dominica as far as age-appropriate trips were concerned. We feel renewed for the upcoming semester.  K is taking two classes this fall, one in Biblical Hebrew and the other in Biblical History.  (I looked through his Biblical Hebrew textbook…..I know he’s up for the challenge.) I can’t imagine how many book pages and papers he has typed with E on his lap or playing with toys at his feet.  He’ll graduate with his master’s degree next April and we can’t wait to celebrate!  (I kind of feel like he should be able to walk during commencement with E in his arms since he’s essentially earned his degree that way.)

Glory to God!  I’ve made it through my fourth semester out of the five which comprise the basic sciences portion of our curriculum.  After this fifth and final semester, I’ll study for and then sit for my first national board exam, otherwise known as STEP 1.  After that, we’ll spend some time at another campus while I learn to do a few more types of exams and get familiar with the hospital setting, then we’ll be off to my clinical rotations for two years.  (After clinical rotations, I’ll take the second set of licensing exams which test clinical knowledge and clinical skills.  After that, I’ll graduate with my M.D.)  I am so grateful for the support of K and E and our families as I’ve studied.  They’ve sacrificed time with me so I can keep on working and I am forever grateful for the notes of encouragement and pep talks I’ve received. 

We appreciate your prayers and love.

For His Glory,
KCE

Getting out of Dodge (errr....Dominica)

Slightly-organized chaos best describes the week which followed Hurricane Maria.

We set up shop on the third floor of the campus center and took time to explore the campus.  Later that afternoon, we had a mandatory check-in at St. James Center (a building which is part of our campus, but not behind the security gates.)  While on our way, I held Ethan in his carrier and K walked beside me.  We stepped gingerly across downed power lines and branches, while keeping on eye on the groups of people making their way down the street.  The check-in was "organized" in the best possible way, considering that we had no one from official leadership present.  We signed in on pieces of 8x11 paper, including our name and the names of our family members present with us. 

The biggest thing that stands out to me from this meeting is when one of the professors stood up and told us that the school couldn't have planned for an occasion like this because, "this is unprecedented."  This statement made my blood boil then and still irritates me now as I hear her saying these words in my head.  While it's true that Dominica hasn't experienced a major hurricane since David in 1979, Dominica is a hurricane-prone location.  There is no excuse for the lack of preparation/planning which we, as paying students, expected our school to have in place. 

We stayed a total of three nights in our little campus-center shelter.  Thankfully, families were given priority to leave the island and we were told on Thursday that we needed to be ready at 6:00 AM to leave the next morning.  Initially, we were told that we would be unable to bring our stroller (a BOB, which we love!)  This broke my heart, especially as I knew we had a few more days en route.  Friday morning, things miraculously changed and we were able to bring it along.  It turned out to be a fantastic blessing as we navigated through airports and hotels. 


Friday morning, we lined up along with the other families and waited for our names to be called.  After about 1.5 hours, it was our turn and we piled in school vans to be transported to a pier in Portsmouth.  We were a little worried about our security, as people were still in the immediate throes of desperation, but there was security waiting for us at the pier.  God bless Dr. Parker, who walked up and down the line encouraging us to take Draminine, which she had on hand.  I took one and encouraged K to do the same.  As we walked towards the boats, we saw a catamaran on the right side of the pier and what can only be described a 1800s pirate ship on the left side.  I pushed K towards the right side, but while we were preparing to be helped onto the catamaran, we were told to head towards the pirate ship.  Incredulous, K and I stared at each other and the other families who had been herded towards the pirate ship.  We were told to board and then once everyone was on board, we would pass out chairs.  Turns out, people grabbed chairs upon boarding (we couldn't fault them, everything was very chaotic.)  Luckily, K procured one for E and I and we settled in under one of the shaded areas. 

The Black Magic, the actually boat on which we evacuated from Dominica.

We had been told the night before that this journey would take four to four and a half hours.  Around hour five, I asked when we might arrive.  The crew member/pirate told us it was a twelve hour journey.  Twelve hours.  My heart sank and I cried onto K's shoulder.  E had been doing so well.  He was just getting to where he liked to get down, but we couldn't let him because the boat was rocking and because the floor was painted with sand into it to prevent slippage.  He was a real trooper.  The crew provided us with water, but didn't have any food available.  About seven or eight hours in, they did bring by some bread with tuna and other fish on it.  (I'm told that this was the crew's own food, which they graciously shared with us, but I'm unable to verify this.)  We had packed plenty of snacks for E and a few for ourselves, so we were able to share with those who were hungry around us.  It was at this point that I saw the gentleman who had directed us away from the catamaran and onto the Black Magic, saying, "You'll be more comfortable here."  I was certain he was wrong, but after arriving at the hotel, we learned that the families on the catamaran, which had left Dominica first, had still not arrived.  We later heard that water had splashed over the sides of their boat, causing them to lift their suitcases overhead for much of the journey.  If I ever meet that man again, I will thank him profusely. 

A few hours in, people began getting seasick.  One girl was vomiting over the side when we hit a wave and she would have gone over had it not been for a few students reaching up and grasping her legs and shirt.  She laid under the shaded areas, still sick, for the remainder of the trip.  

Around hour eleven, E had had it.  He began wailing and could not be consoled.  I think he was verbally expressing what everyone felt, but couldn't say.  We docked in St. Lucia around 10 or 11 PM and were ferried to a hotel after going through customs.  We arrived hungry and tired; after I checked into our room, K took E to the room to get settled and I went to the buffet to bring up food for the both of us.  We ate and crashed into a deep slumber.  The next morning, we had a wonderfully relaxing breakfast with our dear friends S & L, and their little girl, as well as P & S, and their little boy, C.  We were told to be ready to head to the airport at noon, so we got everything together and waited in the lobby until the shuttle arrived.  One hour, and some nauseating turns later, we arrived at Hewanorra International Airport.  

Three gates, don't get lost!

We checked in with the individuals facilitating the charter flight and bought food with our remaining $20 EC.  We were later told that they had overestimated the number of people that the aircraft would hold, so that only the first so many in line would be on the first flight.  By the grace of God, we were in line for the first flight.  While our flight was scheduled to depart at 5:00 PM, it didn't end up leaving until 8:00 PM.  The students/faculty/families were all restless and upset.  Dr. Kraybill, one of our behavioral health faculty, addressed the students and did a fantastic job calming the crowds and providing insight into the situation.  

We boarded a Virgin Airlines flight and settled into aisle 30.  The flight attendants passed our sandwich boxes and I can't describe how quiet the plane was as 80 hungry people ravenously chowed down those meals.  I was still starving and went to the back to ask if they had any extra.  The flight attendant smiled at me and handed me three extra boxes. I kept two for K and myself and handed out the other after telling people that more were available in the back. (I'm pretty certain there wasn't a crumb left to be eaten after we deplaned.)

After arriving to Miami, K and I wept tears of joy.  There were "Welcome Home RUSM students!" signs everywhere.  One of our friends took this photo of us and other families in the baggage claim area.  

 We took a bus to the hotel where we ate and filled out forms for our flights home the next morning.  We were told that they would book our travel, then call our rooms with our flight info.  "If you don't answer, we'll come pound on your door."  At 6:18 AM, I woke up and asked K if we had gotten a phone call which I hadn't heard.  He hadn't heard the phone, nor had he spoken to anyone at our door.  I asked him to run downstairs to double check and he got dressed and headed down.   A few minutes later, he came bursting in the door, "OUR FLIGHT IS AT 7:15!"  We rushed to pack and ran downstairs.  There were other students waiting for Ubers and taxis.  We quickly explained our predicament, and they kindly allowed us to take the next Uber.  K was packing our suitcases and stroller in the trunk, while I got into the back seat with E in the carrier.  The driver turned around and asked where his carseat was.  I responded that we didn't have one and hadn't had one in Dominica for the last nine months.  He told me that he wouldn't take us without one, and after pleading for a few minutes, we got out of the Uber and into the personal car of a Ross employee who drove us to the airport.

We checked K's bag outside, but couldn't check the stroller under my name, so the airline employee told us to go inside. Long story short, it turns out that tickets had been booked and purchase for K & E, but not for me.  We could only laugh, because if we hadn't, we would have wept.  We paid for a last-minute ticket from Miami home and ran through security, making onto our plane as they were in the final stages of boarding.  Praise God, we were going home!