Betty Ford Center - Day 1

Today was an amazing day!!!

I feel like I am not here as an observer....I am here as a participant. Although I am "Brooke the Medical Student," I am not here to give advice or judge people...I am here to get an inside-out view of addiction and use this experience to later help me in my career.

As I was writing my required journal entry this evening, I was posed with the question "What have you learned today?"

Today, I learned that alcohol and drug addiction is only a symptom of another underlying issue. Every story that was shared during small group was something I could see in myself. The emotions, the feelings, and the experiences were all ones that I had had myself. Although I don't turn to alcohol or drugs to cope, I am no different and no better than any of the patients in the Betty Ford Rehabilitation program.

Tomorrow we do it all over again. I expect that the patients will continue to open up a little more as they get to know and trust me. For as intense as today was, I expect that each of the next few days will be even more so. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this program and to be a part of the recovery of each of these women.

Have You Missed Me?

Well, well, well.....I'm BACK!!!

A lot has happened since my last blog. I finished my "book" portion of medical school (AKA the first two years) and I took my Step 1 COMLEX Board Exam. I got quite a few more rotations scheduled for next year and, best of all, I finally got a little break from studying!!!

In a previous blog, I wrote that I had been accepted to attend the Betty Ford Rehabilitation Center's Summer Institute for Medical Students in Palm Springs, California. Well, I'm here....and it is HOT! My friend, Abby (another DMU student who was accepted for the same week out here) and I couldn't believe that it was THAT hot! But even more than that, we couldn't believe how many people would actually CHOOSE to play golf in this weather!!!

We got in on Saturday, but since the program doesn't start until tomorrow, we decided to rent a car and drive to the coast. Even though MapQuest gave us 18 complex directions to follow, we found our way to Long Beach and had a wonderful time!!! Today we went to Laguna Beach....and after working our way into a gated community, we found both LC's and Kristen's houses. That was probably the highlight of my day. I hate to admit it, but watching 18 year old high school drama on MTV is really quite addicting!!!

Anyways, my program begins in the morning....so I will try to update my blog frequently while I am on this trip. Sorry for the leave of absence from this blog for a while....studying for my board exam actually became a priority!

You all have a wonderful evening!!! Until next time.....

Good News!

I just got some good news that I wanted to share with my loyal fans...

At the beginning of March, I decided to apply for a Summer Institute for Medical Students at the Betty Ford Rehabilitation Center out in Palm Springs, California. It is a week long program that immerses medical students in the care and management of patients who have substance abuse problems.

We get to spend time with the patients, share in small group discussions with them, and learn how to deal with addiction. I have been really anxious waiting to hear back!

This morning, I received a call from California telling me I had been accepted into the program during the week of June 18!!!!! I am SO EXCITED about this opportunity!!! Not only do I get to spend time at the Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, but they pay for my flight, hotel, and food! Plus, one of my good friends at school, Abby, was accepted for the same week!!!

Maybe I'll get to see Keith Urban! (I'm pretty sure he spent time there!)

Happy Easter Everyone!!!