Visions of Biochem Dance In My Head

Well, it's a little hard to see but I think you can get the gist - lots of arrows. This is a picture of some of the biochemistry pathways we learned. It's currently hanging on the wall in my apartment. This diagram includes Gluconeogenesis, Glycolysis, the Urea Cycle, and the TCA Cycle. All of which are incredibly detailed and very important. Lately I've been reviewing the things I learned in biochemistry in preparation for my board exam. The exam won't be until this summer but it's time to start refreshing my memory now. The most important thing about the pathways is learning about the enzymes and what deficiencies of different enzymes can do. It's pretty intense and I'm totally intimidated by biochemistry so would appreciate all your prayers.

I know I haven't updated thi ssite for a while - there hasn't been a whole lot going on here. I'm currently studying for the board exam and will begin classes again in a couple of weeks. It's hard to stay focused and diligent while studying on my own but it's also good to have this time to review and refresh things from the first year I was here.

I took a practice microbiology exam a week ago and it seemed to go well although I realized after the exam that I need to review more immunology! How is it I can still remember the first address and phone number I ever had but things I learned last year have disappeared. Sometimes I think it would be nice if our brains were like computer hard drives - then we could erase unnecessary information and make room for new information. :)

I learned last week that I passed my nephrology exam which is an answer to prayer. I'm still working on Hebrew and learning how to examine patients. That is a much lighter class and is a lot of fun as well as good practice for next year when we begin to work with patients on the wards. Below I've added some pictures of me doing a practice abdominal exam on one of my classmates. Just as an item of interest. The first is me palpating the abdomen, then percussing the abdomen, and then auscultating (listening to) the abdomen. They're actually done in reverse order but that's the way they loaded. :)

I do have a couple of prayer requests:

1. Please be praying for my friends Tom and Betty Berglund who are spending a couple months working with Campus Crusade in Venezuela. Please pray for travel safety and also that they will be blessed and be a blessing to those they are working with.

2. Please pray for me as I study somewhat "independently" that I will be able to focus and be productive.

3. Please pray for me as I make plans for our Passover break. I want to go to a friends wedding in New York City and also visit friends in Albany but the recent rising gas costs are making that a challenge. Please pray that I will find a reasonably priced ticket.

Lastly, I just wanted to let you know that I watched a great movie recently called Amazing Grace. If you haven't seen it - beg, borrow, or steal it (okay, don't steal it) but find a way to see it. It really is a great movie and has some great quotes - such as - "My memory may be fading but two things I remember clearly: I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior" John Newton.

As always, thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement!

Blessings,

Peggy