KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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hi kenny johnson, welcome to the team. All you have to do is let us know how you're doing w/ your review & if there's anything we can do most likely support system, keeping our motivation high all the time.
Hey yong,
Don't worry, kay you will be fine. You had accomplished a lot. See, now you're almost halfway done w/ your second reading. Me. Im still in my first reading. I'm making sure im readingeveryday. that wasmy goal but w/ 2005 coming I aim to do more. Keep it up!! Yong, you'll be fine. We'll make it...
To all.. Don't forget niti's chat session starting Jan 7.
Happy New Year to one & all!!
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| krushna
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 175
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Happy New Year everybody!
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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Happy New Year!
May we all have a successful 2005!! May we beat USMLE hardships whatever it is, it maybe testtaking skills, poor concentration, relationship problems, job problems, how to start sudying problems, no matter it is we are still bunch of lucky people!!! Let's do our best, aim high & we all can do it!!!
To all who have been sending me pvt. messages, sorry for not replying impromptu, there seems to be a problem , I can't open my email w/ your messages. Anyway, I am sure we are all looking for some sort of support system here so just join & as I have said from my first message. ALL Motivated & FRIENDLY people are welcome in our STEP 1 team.
i will be posting my diary in few days to keep me going. I salute niti, moctopod, roxanita, kiran for all their hard works. Also to my other co team members who's been studying soo hard.. Good luck to us all!!!!
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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Hi all, Finally started serious studying last night. I finished chapters of structures of proteins, globular & fibrous proteins.
My schedule for today:
-Finish Enzymes
Bioenergetics & Oxidative Phosphorylation
Basic Metabolism
Glycolysis
I am still slow since I also take impt. notes so all I have to do is memorize the HY stuff later...
I will write my everyday diary to motivate myself.
I hope to have a productive review.
Good luck to coteam members who are just starting to study!!!
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| kiddoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 36
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hi there all;
esp.Kerochi;me getting setup for step1 in late April;want to join your team;
this forum is just too good for us all to join hands & beat the USMLE right left & center.See you all Mon morn!
bye
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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Welcome new members!!!!!!!
Hi kerochi, glad to hear you have made a big jumb. My feeling is that somedays I very focus on study then have done very quick reading plus remember lots of stuff; somedays I just could not concentrate even though I was sitting there and still felt waste time. I guess it probably is my dialy life. More effecient and more effecient, I have been telling myself.
Do you try to remember every detail while you are reading? I try but it is not working every well. So I have to repeat quite a few times. I think I need to change this method. I would rather remember now instead of repeating many times.
Today I have finished hemo audio 4 and 50 questions so far. I am on the way to finish one chapter of FA then repeate anatomy I read last night.
Good luck , guys.
Yong
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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Welcome new members!!!!!!!
Hi kerochi and everyone , glad to hear you have made a big jump. My feeling is that somedays I very focus on study then have done very quick reading plus remember lots of stuff; somedays I could not concentrate even though I was sitting there and still felt waste time. I guess it probably is my dialy life. More effecient and more effecient, I have been telling myself.
Do you try to remember every detail while you are reading? I try but it is not working every well. So I have to repeat quite a few times. I think I need to change this method. I would rather remember now instead of repeating many times later.
Today I have finished hemo audio 4 and 50 questions so far. I am on the way to finish one chapter of FA then repeate anatomy I read last night.
Good luck , guys.
Yong
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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niti wrote:
Hi Pink,
How r u ? You are such a hard working person and really seems to know all stuffs...its hard to beleive that u faced the failure ? But, I will certainly appreciate your courage to come forward and share your story and experience .This makes me realize that passing step 1 is not a piece of cake..it needs mths of preperation and hard work.
Sometimes, I really think about you and your situation..what could be the reason about your previous failures in step1..( pl. don't take it other way...I can't find better words to ask this Qs...so, I am asking straight )..on the other hand u passed step2 without any hassel ...So, maybe you have less interest in basic sciences or you r more visual person who don't like to memorize stuffs....or your study methods were wrong...( bec if it is the case..I am sure u already changed your study methods this time?? )...Whatever the reason ..please answer me whenever u get time ..
Keep Up..
I will see u soon..coming out in flying colors..
Happy Studying..
niti
Hi niti,
Here's the answer to your question which I promised you last night when my mental status was very foggy. As I look back and think about why I failed, there are several reasons.
1. I just didn't get it. I didn't understand how to study for this exam. Until I found out about Goljan, I thought I just needed to learn the individual subjects and know most of each enough to pass. How stupid of me. As Dr. Goljan said, it's not about what, it's about why. Mechanisms, mechanisms, mechanisms. I didn't know half of the what, not to mention any of the why. No wonder I failed.
2. Niti, you are right on target when you mentioned that I may not like memorizing stuff. I don't like that type of learning. I'm a visual, concept based learner. I am allergic to straight memorization. Unfortunately, the materials tested on Step 1 are the basic sciences which I do not like. My school didn't grade with scores, they had a basic system:
F - fail - 69 or below
M - marginal - 70 plus or minus the standard deviation of each exam
P - pass - 75- 85
HP - high pass - 86 - 92
HN - honors - 93-100
As I wrote in my very first entry of this diary, I was happy with just passing my exams. Some exams I did better on than others, but I was just relieved to have passed. People reminded each other during the basic sciences year that P=MD. I was stupid to settle with just a P. I should've worked harder, studied more diligently, and taken my studies and responsibilities as a medical student more seriously. I am so ashamed of myself when I think back to those precious years that would've made a huge difference in my life now.
3. I loved working with the patients on the wards and learning concepts and clinical management, but still I didn't know enough of the why. I knew some, but not as much as the other students. I knew enough to pass my shelf exams which were given practically every month. Those shelf exams probably helped me pass USMLE Step 2. They were created by the same people who make the questions for the USMLE. That's probably why I got used to the format and the types of questions I would face on the real Step 2. I got along very well with other students, residents, and attendings so I got high marks on my personal evaluations. Unfortunately, it was always my exam score that pulled my final grade down to a pass or high pass. Another reason I probably passed Step 2 on my first attempt was the fact that I studied at Kaplan during my 3rd year of medical school - I signed up for a year long course so I could pass my rotations and learn the clinical knowledge behind the what. At the end of the day, I would drive to the Kaplan center to watch video tapes and read the corresponding lecture notes related to my current rotation. After going through 2 failures with Step 1, I didn't want to risk another failure with Step 2. It was worth every penny.
God was by my side the whole way through medical school and I know He is with me still. That's why I can finally see why I kept failing. I didn't want to take the time to sit down and memorize the what and to figure out the why. It was too painful for me to go through that process which I am finally doing now after 3 failures and losing my residency. I thought I could get away with not knowing pathology or physiology or pharmacology thoroughly and still pass. How stupid and pretentious of me. How naive and blind I was. It was Goljan and my friends on this forum who taught me that you need to know pathophysiology cold before facing this exam. Every time I failed, these were always my weakest subjects. Coming in third place was pharmacology. It didn't matter that I knew enough microbiology, behavioral science, or biochemistry. If I didn't know the foundation of the USMLE 1, then how could I pass? No one can do that.
I feel blessed to have learned the lessons that God has taught me this year. Humility is the biggest one of them all. Both of my parents are FMGs, now called IMGs because it is a more politically correct term. Both of them passed their boards on their first attempt because they tried hard and studied their asses off. They came to this country with me, a few hundred dollars, and only 2 suitcases. We lived in a rat infested apartment while both of them struggled with learning English while going through residency. They came to the USA with a dream to achieve and because of their humility, dedication, and hard work, they were able to see fruit. I don't know if many AMGs who pass on their first attempt after the second year of medical school will ever realize what a privilege it is to pass Step 1 and go onto a US residency. They will never know the pain, humiliation, depression, and shame that I am experiencing right now.
Because of my experience with the USMLE 1 and as the daughter of 2 practicing IMG parents - I know from first hand experience how much hard work and dedication is required. I have great respect for IMG physicians who make it into residency because of the experience my parents had. Getting yelled at and made fun of every day because of English problems, having native English speakers pretend that they don't understand what the resident is saying just to make fun of them. I've heard about this from my own parents while seeing it during my rotations in my medical school. It is a real shame but you know what? That's life and those people are nothing when you think about it. If you work hard, you will build an excellent reputation and earn the respect of others. My parents didn't let those people discourage them. Actually, my mother confronted one of those people during a team meeting and told her that wasn't nice. That woman turned beet red and the other residents and attendings on her team congratulated her for standing up for herself.
4. I didn't do enough questions. Enough said. Even with the questions I got wrong, I didn't bother to research in depth the concepts related to the right answer. I am so ashamed.
5. I didn't study hard enough. See above ranting to understand this if you don't understand why.
So you see niti, you are right. I can tell you are very perceptive and an excellent doctor. Please don't take any of my answers the wrong way either. I like your honest style and this is my honest answer to you - straight from my heart. Hope this helps to answer your thoughts.
Love,
pinkangel
Hi pinkangel,
I am replying this post with 'quote' because ,I think this is an excellent advice to many many IMGs including me...and I am going to keep this post till I finish my both steps
Sorry for the late reply,because here,I have limited access & time for the computer...
I am really glad that I could ask this Q from the right and very honest person...THANKYOU ..I know that you are the real ANGEL who is going to make the difference in so many lives...
Now,your exams are near...my prayers are with you...
Wish u a Good Luck...
see u soon in forum next wk.
Bye
niti
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Hi Pink Angel,
Happy New Year!!
I have been quietly reading your dairy. Whenver I feel depressed and less motivated, I read your words afterwards I have flying colors. Thanks!
Today I can't help writing some for you after I read the message between Niti and you. I am moved. I admire your parents so much. I am so familiar with your parents' stories which I have been through after I came to this country. I feel USMLE is not just knowledge challenging for me but a personal life challenging. It makes me more mature.
I realize something would be very precious when you lost them. It takes my life time to learn some simple truth. But it worths. I never regret even though something seems worthless. I think this is probably the way God wants me to go through. Good news is that what I have learned will help me go through USMLE and future life. They are very valuable.
Good luck on your test!
Yong
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hello friends!!!
how is it going with everyone?
i've been away from the forum for a brief period of time.now i'm back with studies...
today i'm going to start GENETICS ....
another thing is....i'm planning to go to library.i'm not able to study well at home...
now as the new year has come feel like tension is building up!!!!though i have not taken the date....
ok friends happy studying all of you!!!
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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hi to all hard workers!!!
Well i wasn't getting enough retention w/ Biochem , I tried the Arc ventures audio but not helping me after 2 tapes, tried the Lippincott Biochem it's helping me a little but it's scary so I am obliged to read more, making myself get pressured so I can read faster(which is working)
Today I started Goljan lecture on cell injury, finished 1 hour.
My schedule is to finish Oxidative Phosphorylation, Basic Metabolism & Glycolysis. I have not finished the other day bec. of some distraction but I told myself no more excuses!! Did 60 Questions on Biochem.
Hi Yong, About your query on how I try to remember things.. I try very hard.. i also tend to reread notes & books bec. it does not stick to my brain right away. My other friend said that he read First Aid 7 times to the point that he knows which page the topic is & he did good. passed the test just doing FA & questions!! I wish I am like that too.
Hey kiran, how's genetics? Good luck w/ it.
Let's work harder, study more..
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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Hi All,
Always salute to USMLE hard workers.
I am glad to have a day off. It starts snowing in my area since this morning. Home is warm and heart is warm. Feel like I am in a good shape. I keep reading my Kaplan anatomy note. This is my second time reading. I feel like those pieces of knowledge gathering together now. But somehow there are still many gaps in my brain. So far I have not got the same sense on biochemistry. I need to work harder on that.
Thanks for advice, Kerochi. Even though I am almost done second time on FA. I think I need to repeat more and more. Of course I need productive way. Kerochi, I am feeling the same way sometimes I get distracted easily by something around after long time reading. I am blaming myself after so much time waste. I wish I could be a superman---just my dream.
Calm down and step by step. Rome is not built overnight.
Wish everyone has a productive day!!!! :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:
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yes ROME IS NOT BUILT OVERNIGHT!!!!
well now you have the answer for success...so friends stay calm and work hard.success will be at ur doorstep!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
coming to me
i complete genetics today!!!well i can call today as a productive day....did a set of questions....
tomorrow i'm going to start beh sci.
goodnite friends
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| Moctopod
Forum Elite
Topics: 14
Posts: 422
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Hi team
How are you all?? Good start to the New Year? All the best friends, and keep studying hard.
Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. I've been abroad on holiday the past few days and currently am recovering from the flu (fever, rigors, headache, sinusitis). Arrgh! Hopefully I'll get back to work soon though. We have a neuroanatomy and histology quiz in two weeks, so I'll spend time going over that again. I still haven't finished working through HY biostats, so that's also on my list for this week.
Kiran, I think it's a really good idea to work in the library. It helps me stay focused and it's also inspiring to see everybody else working so hard around you.
Kerochi, how is the biochem going? What re you using as your question source? Good luck, my friend!
Yours,
Moc
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| ELM
Forum Guru
Topics: 28
Posts: 936
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Kerochi,
Will you tell your sister i said hi and contact with me please!
I will appreciate it.
ELM
___________________
ELM
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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"Moctopod" wrote:
Hi team
How are you all?? Good start to the New Year? All the best friends, and keep studying hard.
Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. I've been abroad on holiday the past few days and currently am recovering from the flu (fever, rigors, headache, sinusitis). Arrgh! Hopefully I'll get back to work soon though. We have a neuroanatomy and histology quiz in two weeks, so I'll spend time going over that again. I still haven't finished working through HY biostats, so that's also on my list for this week.
Kiran, I think it's a really good idea to work in the library. It helps me stay focused and it's also inspiring to see everybody else working so hard around you.
Kerochi, how is the biochem going? What re you using as your question source? Good luck, my friend!
Yours,
Moc
Take care Moc. I heard there has been a very bad type virus around Christmas and New Year. Believe it or not, in my department, there is half of people who got sick. I am a survivor so far.
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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"Moctopod" wrote:
Hi team
How are you all?? Good start to the New Year? All the best friends, and keep studying hard.
Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. I've been abroad on holiday the past few days and currently am recovering from the flu (fever, rigors, headache, sinusitis). Arrgh! Hopefully I'll get back to work soon though. We have a neuroanatomy and histology quiz in two weeks, so I'll spend time going over that again. I still haven't finished working through HY biostats, so that's also on my list for this week.
Kiran, I think it's a really good idea to work in the library. It helps me stay focused and it's also inspiring to see everybody else working so hard around you.
Kerochi, how is the biochem going? What re you using as your question source? Good luck, my friend!
Yours,
Moc
Take care, Moc. I heard there has been a very bad type of virus around Christmas and New Year. Believe it or not, in my department, there are a half of people who got sick. I am a survivor so far.
Hi everyone. Kerochi, you found your relative online. Just kidding. Hope you have a good day. I just got back from work and will study pretty soon after some stretches.
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hello all
i'm having severe cold and body aches...so cud not do much!!!. :oops:
did substance abuse and ethics an some genetics questions. :lol: :wink:
how is it going with everyone....kerochi,yong,an other new members???
good nite!!! :lol: :lol:
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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hi all,
sorry, my head's stucked w/ Lippincott. I can't seem to get enough of my first subject or maybe it's me. I feel so sleepy the minute I open my
book.
Good job kiran!! way to go. You finished Genetics! That's what we call productive>>
Hi Moctopod,
my Biochem source of questions are from Pre test Biochem & genetics
& from valuemd(which were derived from FA review).
Hi Yong my friend,
YOU are productive too!! You are already in your second reading? Wow,
See you're motivating me to finish fast... I will catch up on your reading...
Then we'll schedule our discussion, how's that?
Hey ELM,
my sister's having probs. w/ her computer. She's kind of depressed for a while(OOOPPPsss) not suppose to say that but she's okay. I think she's thinking of retaking her step 2 now. Not sure. She's soo busy w/ her kids.
But I always ask her questions so I think i motivated her to take her step again.
Good luck in your studies hard workers... I'll call myself a hardworking ant for now.. We'll see If i will be productive too.
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| bed_side
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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thanks for letting me in kerochi....i have taken the kaplan books and started immunolgy coz i was weakest in it in the dignostic test ,i think kaplan for immunolgy was sufficient ..buti have the problem of retaining the informaton ,then i started micro coz it was with immunology i did bacteriology and virlogy but became fed up.i was too slow and eventhen not retaining much ,i left micro and startd physio ,its kind of conceptual ...differnt from micro n immuno ,lets see how long i can bear it.HEY ANY BODY IS THE MICROBIAL GENETICS HIGHYIELD,,I ve not done it coz it looked so horrible.i think i need some more assistance so i ve decided to join kaplan ,with prays best of to every body .........
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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Hi everyone & to our newest member, bedside,
This morning is a productive one for me. I finished 3 hours of reading my Biochem( did high yield genetics, & 2 chaps in Kaplan series)
I understand & retain more in Kaplan style) i will just go back to Lippincott
as my source & the q's.
This is my last week of Biochem after a horrendous schedule. But i'm loving it. I'm studying my weak areas first.
Is it true that PathoPhysio comprises about 60% of the exam?
How's everybody? kiran, moctopod, zhouyong, kennyjohnson, krushna
niti, drop a line guys.... let us know what's going on in your studies...
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| niti
Forum Guru
Topics: 36
Posts: 499
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Hey KEROCHI,
I like your style..reading weakest areas first P I want to ask something...like,if u r reading Biochem...then how did u determine your weakest points here....I mean.. have u done Q bank or BSS Qs ( subjectwise )....or u already know where u need more focus ? I think its best approach when u know your weak areas ..at least u can improve it ! Sometimes, I think ....I should also be more focused in some parts..
About pathophysio. ( 60% )..I heard that too | maybe true...maybe not...some says that they got all subjects in equal distribution ...and even Qs on very basic concepts... |
Did u set the date for exam?
keep up...
niti
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| kiddoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 36
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Hi everyone!
NiTi & Kerochi;Yup path physio is 60% & ofcourse they can mix other topics in a pathphysio ques!!
I'm still behind Trying to cope with my 2 kids & trying to get a study schedule worked out!
Started Pharma;Anti Microb. from FA & trying to get on with kaplan notes;Still Snail Paced hoping things workout good!
Good Luck to all
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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Hi guys,
Although I got up late today around 0900, I still catch up. I wrap up anotomy finally and enter physiology. I wish I could read through it thoughly this time and then try to memorize more points. I have almost done the clinical vignettes except behavioral science. Then I will read the step 1 secret which I have heard it coves most of topics. I learned two topic of Galjon note. I found out ValueMD is a pretty good compensating resource for FA. Have done 50 questons today.
Sorry for my cliche. Now I don't feel guilty any more. I can have a good sleep. Hope I will have another productive day.
Same wishes to all of you
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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A 54-year-old woman with chronic microcytic hypochromic anemia also has a sore, smooth, red tongue and a
sense of dysphagia midway during swallowing. This patient is at increased risk for developing which of the
following conditions?
A. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
B. Barrett's esophagus
C. Candida esophagitis
D. CMV esophagitis
E. Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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Ok let me try:
middle aged woman w/ Fe Def. Anemia, w/ dysphagia, most likely suffering from an anatomic esophageal obstruction esp. if she has hx. of smoking & alcohol intake would be at high risk of developing....
Squamous Cell CA.
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