BCH Neurology & NDD Residency Graduation

Besides the last day of school occurring at the end of June, residency graduation was the same week.  That plus being on service made for quite a busy week.  As last year's graduation was virtual, being able to gather for this year's celebration was even more special.  This year was also the year in which Miya and I took over the child neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities residency programs respectively.  What a crazy year to make that transition.  Miya and I had a mini-celebration before starting the ceremony to congratulate ourselves on making it through all in one piece.  

Traditionally graduation is held at the Harvard faculty club which was not an option due to the ongoing pandemic.  A department picture is always take as well.  This year that picture had to be outside though I now think this is a better option than in the faculty club.  Above is Miya (far left), myself, David Urion (far right - program director before us), and the graduating residents.  Below is all the residents and department faculty who were able to join.

 

A Time to Say Goodbye

Recently we had to say goodbye to Snickers, Izzy's beloved guinea pig.  She stopped eating one day which is never a good sign.  After no improvement and a lump found right jaw, I took her into the MSPCA.  It was either going to be cancer or an abscess.  A CT later we learned she had chipped a tooth which seeded an abscess.  While abscesses are common in guinea pigs, Snickers' abscess unfortunately pushed on / involved her facial nerve causing her jaw to be severally misaligned.  Because guinea pig's teeth constantly grow, they need to chew them down.  With her teeth misaligned, we were hoping that draining the abscess would resolve this issue.  We had no such luck.  Snickers jaw was not going to improve.  Our choices were to syringe feed her for the rest of her life and file down her teeth on a monthly basis or let her go.  This was one of the hardest decisions to make given the impact this was going to have on the kids. 

Dr. Noonan was a wonderful vet how walked the kids through the process.  When he brought Snickers to us after not seeing her for a week (she was hospitalized), Snicker immediately ran up Izzy's chest and sat in her favorite spot on Izzy's shoulder.  Izzy was given an option of staying with Snickers the entire time which she did.  She spoke to Snickers (I love you, I'm going to miss you) during her injection which was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.  Once Dr. Noonan pronounced that Snickers had passed on, Izzy began wailing.  It was gut wrenching.  I'm proud of how brave she was and know that she won't ever regret her decision to be present the entire time.  Snickers was such a sweet guinea pig.  She was Izzy's "soul pet" and helped her cope with life during the pandemic.  She will be greatly missed. 

Our last moments with Snicker.

 

Last Day of School

Opposite of the end of school last year, we finished school this year in person.  I'm proud of their resilience and flexibility.  They started out school fully virtual.  By the fall, Micah & Victoria transitioned into a hybrid model.  Izzy had to wait awhile before middle school was offered a hybrid option.  By the spring, all three were back in person full time.  It definitely wasn't the same as they were confined to their classroom save for recess.  With nicer weather, they were allows to eat outside in designated spots.  Each class had an arrival and dismissal door to decrease larger groups from gathering.  We still don't know what the next academic will look like.  But we are looking forward to a summer with more options and seeing family that we've been missing far too long.