I hope everyone is kicking up their feet and enjoying the change in weather.  It may be raining, but it’s not snowing.

Spring break is a time to reflect on your progress during the semester.  What’s worked up to now?  What hasn’t?  How have those New Year’s resolutions worked out?

I acknowledged my lack of sleep in January, but knowing and doing are two different things.  I required Benadryl to get to sleep last Wednesday and Thursday nights to make sure I got enough sleep for my exams.  You would think that being sleep deprived would make it easier to fall asleep the night before an exam.

Break, whether it be summer, winter, or in between, is also a time for reflection on life.

My father was diagnosed in January with esophageal cancer.  Being a pharmacy student, I looked up the NIH treatment guidelines to get an idea of what he was up against. I studied breast, colon, prostate, and uterine cancers in spring of 2015, but not esophageal.  This is because there aren’t good guidelines out there at the moment, and treatment is more generalized. My father now has an injection port in his chest and has been receiving treatment.  My brother and sister have been sitting with him during these sessions, and I’m grateful for that. I can’t seem to wrestle myself away from the cruel load of pharmacy school.

My son and I spend the day with him yesterday, and it was great to see him taking it in stride.

Us Arthur men are fighters.

Outside of my father’s problem, I have personal issues I’m dealing with, and I don’t know where things will stand in two years once I’ve graduated. However, I’m going to keep fighting the good fight and set a good example for my son.

Have fun this spring break, relax, and keep things in perspective. I’m sure I bombed the neuropsych exam last Friday morning that kicked off my spring break swimmingly, but I have to remind myself that it’s just one test.  I have a father who could use my support.  I have a son who needs my guidance and love.

Life is too short to worry about temporary things such as school.