AC Recap

30 May 06

What an incredible trip to Atlantic City!! I haven’t been this excited about an educational opportunity since sex-ed in the 7th grade. And the class didn’t disappoint.

For those that don’t know, I’m a radiologist. I read CT scans, MRI’s and x-rays for the US Army (at least for the next 2 years – but that’s for a different post). I was recently asked to take over cardiac imaging, and I was thrilled to accept.

But, that meant learning the ins and outs of the heart. Traditionally, the heart has been left to the cardiologist. Radiologists sort of danced around the “big light bulb” in the chest. Before the days of cardiologists, radiologists “owned” the heart, but we let it slip away in a relatively uncontested turf battle.

Well, guess who’s back in town!!

If all goes according to plan, everyone wins – the radiologist, the cardiologist, and most importantly, the patient. Based on what I learned at this course, cardiac imaging may go from something I do occasionally, to the majority of my daily practice. This is a prospect that is both daunting and exciting. My command is nervous that we don’t have the technical staff to support this, but I don’t care. I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do, and it will save lives. Let them figure out the details.

Anyway, while I was in NJ, I stayed at the Borgata. It certainly had a Las Vegas feel. I got a chance to head to the boardwalk and see the “old” AC – the one I remember. The interlocking crosshatch of the wooden boardwalk and the sound of the ocean really brought back memories.

I remember coming to AC with my dad back in 1984. I was 17, and I had the old paper NY driver’s license. A little scratching with a paperclip and some careful artwork with a sharp #2, and I was no longer born in 1967 – it now said 1966. Suddenly I’m 18 and strolling through the Taj like, well, like a 17 year old.

I had flop sweat.

I walked up to a blackjack table with my dad, and I think I may have even placed a bet before I got kicked out. I still have a young face – I don’t know how I thought I was going to get away with sneaking into a casino when I looked 12.

Now, fast forward to last weekend. I got to stroll along the boardwalk with none other than the famous Lady Falcon. What a gracious hostess!! We met up in the Taj Mahal, and after playing only a few hands of 10/20, the table broke, giving us the opportunity to chat and stroll. I was still overwhelmed by the flood of memories from being there, but I hope I help up my end of the conversation. My buddy Mike showed up too soon, and the Lady and I parted ways. It was a great short visit, and I hope to get invited to one of her famous home games the next time I’m on the East Coast.

(And don’t worry Ms. Falcon, I won’t tell anyone about that horrible suckout with my 35 sooooted at the NL game).