Poll - Did you go on a date with your DrH in the month of February?

February might be a bit unusual since most people go out for Valentine's Day. But typically, how often do you go on a date with just your spouse? What did you do on your last date night?

One of Brad's attendings was in a documentary, so we were able to go to the screening and the party after the screening. And then he let me get some Thai. Yay for date nights!

Tax Advice for Minimizing Loan Repayment Amount?

My husband is graduating in May and will begin residency...which also means loan repayment begins. Does anyone have any advice of filing our taxes this year to minimize the monthly repayment amount? Or any financial advice on this in general? We have friends who graduated last year and filed married jointly and wished they hadn't because it made their med school loan repayment amount astronomical.

Thank you in advance!

3 weeks MSIV's :)

Support system

Last night a few of us in the Philly area went out for appetizers and dessert. With match happening recently for DOs and coming up quickly for MDs, it was great to get a chance to talk about the possibilities.

If you can, find others in your area who can understand and relate to what you are going through. Use the Facebook group or the forums and start a discussion. I know that I really look forward to our planned monthly outings, even if the snow sometimes delays our plans.

Remembering the beginning...

We have a question from Casey:

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I was just wondering if you could ask the wives on the Doctors Wives blog about advice for wives/girlfriends whose significant other is just starting med school. Things that they've learned in their personal experience that helped them greatly with getting through that first year.
***

I know we probably talked about this before, but with med school starting in only a few months, it might be nice to revisit the topic. So, let's hear what you have to say! Let's help some of the ladies new to the experience out. :o)

Advice for med students attending residency interviews

This is from reader Camilla:

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My husband is in his fourth year of Gen Surgery residency and has been doing a research year so he finally has had the chance to sit in on a lot of night-before socials with applicants and ranking meetings. I thought I might pass on some of this information to wives of potential applicants.

First, take time to learn about the program-- even if you think it is at the bottom of your list. When an applicant says something like, "I really like your program," the natural follow-up question will be, "Why? What in particular do you like?" If you can't answer intelligently, you will look like a dumbo. On the converse side, don't seem too overeager. One applicant told my husband he really liked the program and couldn't wait to come out for a second look. This comment made my husband wonder why he didn't just ask his questions now while he was at the site. I'm sure the applicant was just trying to sound interested, but he sounded like he was gunning. . . I guess you had to be there?

Anyway, show your interest with interesting, well-thought-out questions, not anything that remotely resembles kissing-up.

Second, stay away from controversial issues like politics. Just don't talk about it. Not in an interview. No. No. No. No matter what you say, you will irritate someone when your comment gets repeated in rank meetings.

Third, don't brag to the current residents during socials. You may think your score is high-- and it may be-- but that information is listed on your application. When rank meeting time comes, the number is clear to everyone. If you came across braggy before-hand, it is often perceived as arrogance. Also, don't brag about how many chest tubes you put in during your rotations or how many whipples you've observed, you are talking to residents who have had more experience than you. Don't try to make yourself seem cool. Be cool for who you are, not by trying to out-do a resident- the resident will win. And the resident will be bugged.

Fourth, don't share your marital/relationship troubles with the residents at socials. Just don't do it. You will seem needy. Don't tell them your wife doesn't think she can support you in a rigorous specialty. That is between you and your wife. If you share this with the residents, they want to protect their program. They don't have a colleague who will be calling them to cover shifts cause their wife is having a bad day.

Dress nicely. If you show up in jeans and t-shirt, most people won't take you seriously.

Finally, be yourself. Have a good reason about why you are pursuing a specific specialty.

Poll - Did you go to your last high school reunion?

New poll is up! I was watching a Psych episode about reunions, so I thought I'd ask. :o)

My TWENTY year reunion is coming up in 4 years. Whoa. And with any luck, Brad will FINALLY be done with his medical training by then. *sigh* Twenty year reunion and he will finally be in the workforce. LOL!

Tell me about Neonatology Fellowship

Anyone out there traveling down the Neonatology path? Brian is just entering the interview phase, and so I am looking for advice. What kind of advice? I have no idea. Of course, this isn't our first rodeo, but I also know that every step of the journey is different. So, maybe...What is something you wished you'd known going into it? or How it differs from peds residency? or One thing you'd do different....etc. Also, feel free to chime in even if you're in a different discipline. Anything is welcome. Thanks!

DO Match Day!

YAY! It is finally here! Anyone want to get on and let us know where you are going and what specialty you are?

Poll - Do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

New poll is up for your voting pleasure!

Happy Valentine's Day! Feel free to tell us what you bought, what you received, how you celebrated, etc.

Complications Chapter 1

I have the first chapter up for discussion. I already put up some thoughts and things to talk about, but please feel free to add more. I really love this book!!! If it isn't at your library, check on Amazon or half.com. You can get some great deals and this book is definitely worth spending some money on, especially if your hubby is in any kind of surgery.

Complications

I convinced my local book club to read Complications by Atul Gawande for book club this month. Absolutely a fascinating and riveting book! I could read it over and over. In fact, I bought it off Amazong so I could. LOL! It is especially interesting for those with an interest in surgery. I thought if anyone wanted to read it with me, we could have a discussion over on the forum. Hope to see you there!

Poll - Do you want 6 more weeks of winter?

New poll is up!

I gotta tell ya, I'm really over winter. I miss parking spaces, decent roads to drive on, not having to reschedule my life because of storms... Really ready for some sun!

January Recap/February Check In

Happy February! How are all of you doing?

How many of you were effected by this week's massive storm? We were, but my husband was able to get safely to and from the hospital and we never lost power, so it wasn't too bad! Were all of you able to stay safe in the crazy weather?

We had a pretty uneventful January and nothing much scheduled for February. We are looking forward to another quiet month.

How was your January? Anything exciting planned for February? Do you MSIVs have your rank lists finalized? Only a month and a half till Match day! Good luck to all of you!