Doctor Wives Blog Giveaway

Hey everyone,

If you're not aware of the Doctor Wives blog, it is a great resource for all of us on the journey to being a medical spouse (there are doctor husbands on there, too!) This blog was started by a recent OSU SAA alum and now includes spouses from all over the country. It is a great forum to learn about our shared experiences and what lies ahead, as well as encourage each other.

Anyway, in celebration of their 200th follower, they are hosting a giveaway. Head on over here and become a follower and you can enter there to win one of the cool prizes. I'm kind of hoping for the choffy. :)

Thanksgiving Dinner!

Spook-O-Ween!

Don't forget that Spook-o-ween, SAA's annual family and kid friendly carnival, is coming up next week! Dress up your little goblins (and yourselves!) and come join us at 6 p.m. in Founder's Hall on Thursday, October 28th. There will be games, food, costume contests, and more. See you there!

*Spookoween is one of the fun things SAA does with money raised from the Oktoberfest fundraiser going on this week. Thank you to all who are helping! It really does take a village...

Free Flu Shots

I'm sure everyone has a different opinion on whether getting the flu shot is actually necessary. [Insert personal experience: All I know is that before flu shots were developed, I got the flu every year and it developed into a 3-4 month long bout of bronchitis, which triggered temporary asthma. No fun. I don't get sick often, but when I do, it sticks around for a while. Since I've started getting the flu shot, I have gotten the flu just a couple of times, but not every year and it has not developed complications. So, while I avoid the flu mist at all costs (it's a live virus), I do get the flu shot every year and usually for free. When we lived in Shawnee I always went to the awesome drive-through flu clinic, and the last two years I have gotten it from the health department.] 

This year I was especially concerned to get us all vaccinated because 1) James is doing rotations and exposed to sick people daily. He will be doing Core IM rotations in January / February and that is when flu is most rampant. 2) Jaycen is too young to get vaccinated for flu, and I want to improve his odds of not catching it by making sure the adults around him (and most importantly, my two year old) are vaccinated. :) This is not just because flu is bad for babies, but especially because 2 years ago Alex and I did get the flu during his first winter, and his flu turned into dangerous pneumonia. Scary stuff.

SOOOOO, this year I was rather horrified to hear that there will be no free flu clinics!!  Even the health department is charging $25. Multiply that times the 3 of us and that's $$$ I don't have!! (J has gotten his shot for free at OSU CHS before, but this year so far we've only seen an email advising all students to get the flu shot, not advertising when it's offered to them).

Yesterday I found out a little known fact: Flu shots are in fact free to those who fall below 185% of the poverty line. That most likely includes all of us since med school loans do not count as income, and even if they did, we still fall below poverty line for our size family based on our loan "income" (for a family of 4, 185% above poverty line is $40,792.50. Is it just me or does that sound like a LOT of $?). Check it out here: http://www.tulsa-health.org/testing-immunizations/immunizations/seasonal-flu-immunizations/?lid=1845

I'm not sure what they require to prove income, as some of you with (loans only) won't have a paystub as I do for my part time work. I heard from friends in OKC that they just had to verbally state their income and not require proof. I would call in advance to see what they require.

Sorry for the long post. It's the blogger in me dying to get out. :o) 

Disclaimer: Yes, yes, I know that even the free flu shots in the past were not really "free". Don't get me started, lol.

Clerkships

The start of third year has brought a lot of uncertainty to our household! While core has not been as bad as I had anticipated (really!), the thought of applying to residency and the preparatory steps it requires is hanging over our heads.

I wanted to let you all know what we did together that really helped! As you know, there are contacts at OSU-COM that help students with any questions about rotations--both away and local. We went and visited with Sherry Eastman yesterday for 2 hours and she is AMAZING! Not only is she very knowledgeable about the entire process, but she knows a lot about what each specialty is looking for--allowing us to cater the next year to the specialty and programs of Scott's choice.

While I'm sure your student knows Sherry, if you're free, it might be a great opportunity for you to go with them. This allows you to learn more about the coming months, but helps you know the deadlines and materials required. Plus, it got me really excited about the process and made it all more clear versus confusing and overwhelming.

Good luck!

Amy

SAA Membership Drive -VP Lunch!

September 25 at 12 P.M.

Uncle Bucks located inside the Bass Pro Shop in Broken Arrow

You are invited to the Annual Vice President Luncheon at Uncle Bucks Restaurant located inside the Bass Pro Shop. The lunch is free to all spouses/significant others of medical students. Bring another spouse/significant other who is interested in OSUCOM SAA! Come and learn more about the Student Advocate Association. Children are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to hcampbell81@cox.net

Sponsored by Student Advocate Association & the AOOA

Settling in - an invitation

Hey Everyone,

MSI brought us many changes - new routine, "single parenthood", new place to live, new crazy Tulsa drivers, new job (for me)... so much change in so little time. It took a while to get settled again.

One of the hardest things for us to do was find a new church home when we moved to Tulsa. J and I have different denominational backgrounds, and we had attended a Korean church, a Latino church (that turned international), and a Baptist church since we were together. In Tulsa we opened our horizons and attended literally more than a dozen churches of all backgrounds and denominations near our apartment before finally - a year later - settling on our church home. We love our church, SHBC - it has really become a family to us. It is located at 56th & Lewis, fairly close to I-44 and Riverside area of town. We had never considered SHBC in our search because we lived in South Tulsa, but a friend's invitation opened the door and we felt at home. :)

This Sunday is SHBC's Fall kickoff, and I just wanted to extend an invitation to anyone who is looking for a church home or even just curious to come and join us. I know from experience how it can feel to visit a church where you don't know anyone, or no one even realizes you are visiting. We'd be more than happy to be a friendly face and host you for the day at SHBC - sit with us, join our Life Group, and make you feel at home. They are having a special preview day with continental breakfast, inflatables for kids, and open house style Life Group before worship. The breakfast stuff starts at 8:30, Lifegroup at 9:30, and Worship at 10:30. No strings attached - but if you'd like to join us, please email me at flyingajoshi@gmail.com and We'd be happy to meet you there and be your "hosts" for the day. If you can't make it this week but would like to try another time, that's fine too!

God bless!

Desiree

If you want to learn more, go to www.shbctulsa.org or find the Southern Hills Baptist Church page on Facebook. While you're at it, find me on Facebook. :) Hope to see you there!