HIATUS

Hello dear readers,

I've decided to take a blogging hiatus. Clinic has been quite demanding (in a good way! I'm learning lots!) and thus I've been spending my downtime far away from my computer. I haven't had the energy to blog nor the enthusiasm (when you spend your days talking about health and wellness, it makes evening chats about the same topics a tad more difficult). I do still love blogging, but lately I haven't been inspired... So I am taking a break until I get my blogging groove back. 

Thanks for reading for all these years and for understanding the current situation. Until I write to you again, enjoy your Summer!

--- The Navigator

Treatment Tuesday 2: Convocation 2013

I attended the class of 2013's convocation about a week ago. It was a lovely ceremony in which ~120 new naturopathic doctors graduated! One particularly exciting moment was when the 2000th CCNM graduate was announced. Wow, to think there are 2000 naturopathic doctors (from CCNM alone, there are six more naturopathic medical schools in North America) out there...

Another exciting moment: when the students all read the naturopathic oath together out loud! 

And yet another exiciting moment: realizing that in one year's time it will be my time to convocate!

Congratulations to the new NDs!

Treatment Tuesday 1: I'm in clinic!

I've been in clinic for almost two weeks now and boy-oh-boy has it been exciting! So far, so good. I'm am loving my supervisors, shifts, schedule, office, and all that jazz.

I am shocked at how easy the transition from student to intern would be. Upper years told me that you'd be "very uncomfortable" for AT LEAST a month. But surprisingly, I haven't been nervous! I've actually felt very comfortable in my new role. I guess that means that I'm in the right profession :)

So what have I done so far... had a shift in the Botanical Compounding Room (see below), had a full day of orientation/training for the Adjunctive Cancer Care shift, started at a satellite clinic, performed acupuncture, and even given some vitamin B12 injections. It's been a very busy, but very exciting couple of weeks.

Look at all those tinctures (back wall)! To the right are loose leaf herbs that can be used for teas!

A New Blogging Schedule!

Now that I've finished up my formal classroom learning and am in the process of transitioning into my new role as a fourth-year intern at the Robert Shad Naturopathic Clinic (the teaching clinic within my school, CCNM), this blog is going to change a little bit. Here is what the future of the blog is going to look like: 

• Medical Mondays - I'll be talking about about things that are medical, science-y, and nerdy. 
• Treatment Tuesdays - I'll be discussing my experience as a clinician. These posts will hopefully be helpful for future interns! 
• Foodie Fridays - I'll be posting a recipe or something related to food. 
• Summary Saturdays - I'll be reviewing supplements, products, websites, documentaries, and more... all pertaining to health and wellness!

With this new schedule, I'll only be blogging four days a week and my posts will be more organized. This new blogging schedule will be launching on May 20th! See you then!

My New Home

Formal lectures and classes are officially over! 

Instead of hanging out in the Lecture Theatre all day, this will be my new home come May: the clinic!

 Treatment room of the RSNC (my school's teaching clinic). Rooms feature chairs for chatting, a treatment table (for physical exams, manipulations, acupuncture, massages, and more), and a sink area where basic medical equipment is kept (gloves, swabs, tongue depressors, etc). 

In the conference rooms where we debrief after a shift, a copy of the Naturopathic Doctor's Oath (pictured on the right) hangs to inspire us and keep us on track. 

Daffodils in My Future

There are daffodils in my future... 

The daffodil is the symbol of the Canadian Cancer Society

...and my future holds a lot of time with this book: 

Naturopathic Oncology by Dr. Neil McKinney, ND

As my class' (CCNM class of 2014) fourth-year clinic schedule will be published on Monday, I think it is an appropriate time to announce that next year I will be treating cancer patients at my school's Adjunctive Cancer Care Clinic Shift located in the RSNC teaching clinic.

Way back in January, I submitted my essay and resume to the selection committee, and was shortly after short-listed for an interview. I was then interviewed by the supervisors of this shift (who are naturopathic oncologists). Then, about 2-3 weeks after that, I was notified that I was selected to partake on the Cancer Care Focus Shift. Hooray!

What an opportunity! I am so happy to be partaking in this shift next year and I can't wait to learn from these experienced NDs who've been working with cancer patients for years. I definitely plan to offer naturopathic cancer care to patients in my future clinic and with this shift under my belt, I am well on my way to learning the cancer-care ropes!