RIP Robley Rex

As a med student rotating through the CCU (cardiac intensive care unit) at the VA hospital in, oh say, 2002, I remember always seeing this little old guy pushing his walker through the halls. He was always friendly, always smiling, and always trying to cheer up the very sick vets in the unit. I also remember that he had this handmade pin he wore that was shaped like a hand making the "hang loose" sign.
This man's name was Robley Rex, and as I came to find out, he was Kentucky's only surviving World War I (that's a one there, folks) veteran. He was 101 years old and cheering up WWII and Vietnam era vets up to half his own age. Mr. Rex died this week, just 4 days shy of his 108th birthday. He was a true inspiration to living your life with purpose and grace. He will be missed.

Just checking in

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been working my tail off the past several weeks and I have the bags under my eyes to prove it. Here's what I've accomplished lately:
1. I've operated on over 200 people so far this year, which averages out to around 15 surgeries or so a week. I am rapidly approaching complete and total residency burnout, and I am currently counting down the number of in-house calls I have left (9). After those, I never have to sleep in a hospital again.
2. Max is really sick. I'm pretty sure he has either a tumor on his spinal cord or bad lumbar stenosis, but either way my poor puppy is struggling badly with stairs and walking. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, and he will still play some, but he doesn't have his old doggy happiness.
3. Trying to get into the pool more. I always dread the lead-up to getting in the water, but once I'm in, I'm happy as a clam for the next hour of so. I still like beating people younger than me (Yay!)
4. Sad about Harry Kalas.
5. Happy as heck for Isaac and Sarah! Also all of my other friends who are expecting (Jackie, Leah, Melissa, Mary, Catherine, Autumn, April).
6. Welcome my new nephew Zak to the world! (son of Eric and Sylvia, 4/16/09, 7lb9oz)