(I am so sorry for being so behind... I have a lot of catching up to do!!)
Last day of clinical for the term, and I had a rather mild patient. This client was one of those who, despite looking "awful" on paper, was really not so bad in person. Just a lot of stuff going on with her, a large medical history, but the actual process of the day was great.
So, it was just a very low-key, relaxing almost sort of a day.
I had my evaluation with my instructor today, who had a lot of good things to say. She liked how organized I was with my nursing process, making sure all my Ts are crossed and Is are dotted. She also liked how clean I was... I think she meant she liked how I have such a focus on staying clean and organized....
It was good to hear those things, as well as have her offer to be a good reference for me someday when I am applying for a job.
Besides that, and a particularly lengthy post-conference, not much else to report. (That... and I sort of don't remember much else....)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Dec. 8, 2011
0800 is too early for an exam.... Seriously.... that time of the morning comes about way to early anymore. But, being that it was a Community Health exam, it really wasn't so bad. Once again, I studied from the study guide, and it didn't really help. At all. Well, a few things helped. But overall, basically a common-sense, don't be dumb kind of a test.
Theory was so intense this afternoon, though. It was med/surg, and we had a TON of catching up to do, since we were cut short last week because the professor wasn't feeling well, and cut short today because of the exam being moved into lecture time. And even more because the professor needed to end early to make another doctor's appointment. So, it was the world-record of lecture with a ton of material in a very short amount of time. I think we had 40 pages of notes to go through--and that was just the outline.
But, we did, and it was good. LAST LECTURE OF THIS TERM!! Of this year, even!! HOOORAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
Clinical in the morning. I don't think I mentioned it, but I turned in that database/concept map/care plan/teaching plan last Saturday, along with my surgical experience write-up. I am really hoping she has it done, so I can know where I'm at!!
Dec. 7, 2011
Pearl Harbor Day. A date which will live in infamy. But apparently not as much as we think--not really much on the news or anything about it being Pearl Harbor Day... Have we already forgotten?
So, there was that Pharm exam and quiz today. I feel I did pretty well, although there were a few questions I was really kicking myself over afterwards. I hate feeling like that. Luckily, the professor pushed the quiz until the end of class-which gave all of us more time to study for it. I feel bad saying that, but it's true--I mean, I was sort of half-way, kind-of paying attention through most of the lecture. But I did read through the notes relevant for the quiz a few times, too.
In any case, I am VERY happy that the exam scheduled for this afternoon was postponed until tomorrow morning. I would not have been able to function very well if it was actually on for this afternoon.
But, what we did do this afternoon was make up points on that completely botched med/surg exam from last week. I am grateful our professor is letting us do this. As it turns out, I got a 75%, which, by this program's standards, is failing. (76% is the lowest you can get and still pass). So, I was able to make back half of the points I missed, which bumped me up to an 88%. Very nice--my grade isn't so damaged now!!
So, there was that Pharm exam and quiz today. I feel I did pretty well, although there were a few questions I was really kicking myself over afterwards. I hate feeling like that. Luckily, the professor pushed the quiz until the end of class-which gave all of us more time to study for it. I feel bad saying that, but it's true--I mean, I was sort of half-way, kind-of paying attention through most of the lecture. But I did read through the notes relevant for the quiz a few times, too.
In any case, I am VERY happy that the exam scheduled for this afternoon was postponed until tomorrow morning. I would not have been able to function very well if it was actually on for this afternoon.
But, what we did do this afternoon was make up points on that completely botched med/surg exam from last week. I am grateful our professor is letting us do this. As it turns out, I got a 75%, which, by this program's standards, is failing. (76% is the lowest you can get and still pass). So, I was able to make back half of the points I missed, which bumped me up to an 88%. Very nice--my grade isn't so damaged now!!
Dec. 6, 2011
So yes, I did have a different patient today. My patient from last week got sent home a few days ago. Today I was assigned a fairly old little lady, who had some interesting cares. She had a pacemaker placed recently, as well as an ostomy bag. Didn't know about the ostomy until I got into her room. Wow. I was really unprepared for that. I did wound and dressing checks on those, administered meds (using a Pyxis for the first time!!), and then spent the rest of my day answering call lights and typing up some more for my paper. Not much else I could work on, though.
I was happy to be done with this experience; I feel a bit robbed, though, because it wasn't actually long-term care. Oh well--I imagine it's fairly similar, just the clientelle move through rehab faster.
Pharm quiz AND exam tomorrow. Yuck. Study, study, and study some more. It's all memorization, but still--it's tough material. And, it's being taught from the perspective of a medical doctor / PhD, not from a nursing perspective. Basically--it's being taught at a level much higher than what we need to know. Still good to know, but I don't feel I'm getting all the nursing implications.
I was happy to be done with this experience; I feel a bit robbed, though, because it wasn't actually long-term care. Oh well--I imagine it's fairly similar, just the clientelle move through rehab faster.
Pharm quiz AND exam tomorrow. Yuck. Study, study, and study some more. It's all memorization, but still--it's tough material. And, it's being taught from the perspective of a medical doctor / PhD, not from a nursing perspective. Basically--it's being taught at a level much higher than what we need to know. Still good to know, but I don't feel I'm getting all the nursing implications.
Dec. 5, 2011
A day of quizzes and tests. I am really looking forward to finishing up this term.
Today we had our last quiz in Community health. It's such a shame that I spend time studying for this class, when the study guides and the notes aren't all that useful. The test questions themselves are really mostly common-sense type stuff applied to the nursing field. Oh well....
And this afternoon, we had our on-campus lab final. I really studied hard for this last night, not really knowing what to study, since there really was a lot of reading/videos to go along with the material. Turns out, the questions were more general, procedural things, and nothing very specific. This is nice, because with the professor we have, I would have anticipated it being much more nit-picky and precise. So, 100% on that one!!
I spent the rest of the evening trying to finish up what I could from Long-Term Care, since I have that again in the morning. I just know my patient got sent home, and that I will end up having a new patient tomorrow. I'm bummed out by this, because I really, really wanted to finish up what I could from the information packet. And, after having gone through what I could, I was able to highlight in the packet what still needed to be done---and it isn't as much as I thought I was missing.
Early morning tomorrow!
Today we had our last quiz in Community health. It's such a shame that I spend time studying for this class, when the study guides and the notes aren't all that useful. The test questions themselves are really mostly common-sense type stuff applied to the nursing field. Oh well....
And this afternoon, we had our on-campus lab final. I really studied hard for this last night, not really knowing what to study, since there really was a lot of reading/videos to go along with the material. Turns out, the questions were more general, procedural things, and nothing very specific. This is nice, because with the professor we have, I would have anticipated it being much more nit-picky and precise. So, 100% on that one!!
I spent the rest of the evening trying to finish up what I could from Long-Term Care, since I have that again in the morning. I just know my patient got sent home, and that I will end up having a new patient tomorrow. I'm bummed out by this, because I really, really wanted to finish up what I could from the information packet. And, after having gone through what I could, I was able to highlight in the packet what still needed to be done---and it isn't as much as I thought I was missing.
Early morning tomorrow!
Dec. 3, 2011
So I am shamefully behind... like, really very badly behind.... I am attempting to catch up now...
After an amazing surgery experience yesterday, I am still blown away. And I could not have had a better patient for the day than the one I had today. He was so sweet and so talkative and fun to work with. He was very into his geneology, and shared with me many stories that he had to tell about his Scottish heritage. And, I was able to share some of my heritage, since I go back to the Royal Stewarts myself, so it was fun.
Something that made the day even more fun was how BUSY he was! It was truly one thing after another, with everyone wanting a piece of him--blood draws, echocardiogram, Doppler studies of the legs, cardiac cath lab, and the doctors and nurses who needed to do assessments.... and then there was little, ol' me who needed to give him as many of his usual meds and the newly ordered meds before the cath lab came to get him. I ended up having to have them wait while I pushed this one med into his IV, which had to be pushed over three minutes. It was a crazy busy morning!
When we got to the cath lab, I went to the observation room, and my patient waved at me. He had said that he used to be in the military, jumping out of planes, but the thought of the cardiac catheterization scared him very much. So, I think it was nice for him to have a familiar face there for moral support. Then, they strapped down his arm, in case they would use it for the access to his heart, and as he tried to wave at me again with that arm, the nurses in the room yelled at him. I felt kind of bad that he was getting in trouble, haha!
His procedure went fine, and his heart vasculature was very healthy--always a plus. By that time, though, one of my group-mates showed up to see the procedure--that was already finished. Luckily for us, though, the cardiologist talked us through the entire procedure, showing us what he saw and what he didn't see on the videos that were taken. Very cool, and I am very grateful that he took the time to do that for us.
After that, I spent the rest of my day finishing my assessment and helping out where I could. A busy morning made the day go by pretty quickly, and truly, my patient was so pleasant, that certainly helped, too.
It was snowing as I left the building, with a thin layer sticking. Winter is on it's way!!
After an amazing surgery experience yesterday, I am still blown away. And I could not have had a better patient for the day than the one I had today. He was so sweet and so talkative and fun to work with. He was very into his geneology, and shared with me many stories that he had to tell about his Scottish heritage. And, I was able to share some of my heritage, since I go back to the Royal Stewarts myself, so it was fun.
Something that made the day even more fun was how BUSY he was! It was truly one thing after another, with everyone wanting a piece of him--blood draws, echocardiogram, Doppler studies of the legs, cardiac cath lab, and the doctors and nurses who needed to do assessments.... and then there was little, ol' me who needed to give him as many of his usual meds and the newly ordered meds before the cath lab came to get him. I ended up having to have them wait while I pushed this one med into his IV, which had to be pushed over three minutes. It was a crazy busy morning!
When we got to the cath lab, I went to the observation room, and my patient waved at me. He had said that he used to be in the military, jumping out of planes, but the thought of the cardiac catheterization scared him very much. So, I think it was nice for him to have a familiar face there for moral support. Then, they strapped down his arm, in case they would use it for the access to his heart, and as he tried to wave at me again with that arm, the nurses in the room yelled at him. I felt kind of bad that he was getting in trouble, haha!
His procedure went fine, and his heart vasculature was very healthy--always a plus. By that time, though, one of my group-mates showed up to see the procedure--that was already finished. Luckily for us, though, the cardiologist talked us through the entire procedure, showing us what he saw and what he didn't see on the videos that were taken. Very cool, and I am very grateful that he took the time to do that for us.
After that, I spent the rest of my day finishing my assessment and helping out where I could. A busy morning made the day go by pretty quickly, and truly, my patient was so pleasant, that certainly helped, too.
It was snowing as I left the building, with a thin layer sticking. Winter is on it's way!!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Dec. 2, 2011
Is it just me, or has this week gone by incredibly fast? It feels like it has...
Anyways, so I was up at 0200. WIDE AWAKE. I hate getting sick, I really do. Luckily, I was able to go back to sleep until 0500 when my alarm went off. Surgery this morning, and I have to be there at 0630! The instructors have told us to have a good meal, so I made myself egg burritoes this morning. Not only is it perfectly delicious, but it is also very filling and sticks with me for most of the day. So that is great.
I met my friend outside the building so we could walk in together, and it was about, oh, 10 degrees out. Yup, cold. And I don't like it!!
Anyways, we found our way in and made our way up to the surgical waiting room and put in a call to the coordinator. She walked in a few minutes later and took us to the locker room, where we had to change into the hospital's scrubs (yay for no student uniforms!). We then met her in the lounge area, where she told us a bit about our patients and what the order of the day was going to be. Then, she escorted us downstairs to the preoperative area, asking us about our interests and our previous majors. I told her I was a sociology major with an interest in hearts and expressed my hope that I would get to see a heart. By then, we had arrived at the holding area, and she introduced us to the nurses who we would be with for the day.
We each then sat down and started taking notes on the stuff we needed to have prepared for the assignment (i.e. labs, client history, etc.) and spoke with our nurses a bit. My friend's patient arrived, and I just continued asking questions about the preoperative process, and my nurse was very friendly and willing to answer any questions I had. 20 minutes after the expected arrival time, my patient still wasn't there, and she wasn't answering her cell phone or her home phone. Then we heard she called in the day before and seemed apprehensive about the surgery--the feeling was that she might cancel.
So, I called the coordinator to see what she thought, and she said she would look for plan B and then come find me. A few minutes later, she arrived and said her plan B was to have me go see an aortic valve replacement--A HEART!! The only downside was that I would miss out on the pre-op and post-op care, because the pre-op was already done and the post-op was done in the ICU setting (not a PACU, like our assignment tells us). At that point, I really didn't care--I was going to see a heart!!!
Just as we were leaving, my original patient arrived, so we made a modification to plan B -- I go see the heart, and the coordinator would pull me out when my original patient was done, so I could do the PACU care. Sounded good to me!
Off we went to a completely different area. The cardiovascular surgery area is separate; it has three operating rooms dedicated to just these patients, and an ICU attached, so if a patient needs to be taken to surgery, there will be an OR available and close to the room. What a great idea, huh?
I got in the operating room, and met the circulating nurses and the scrub techs, who were hard at work in their sterile field, setting up a LOT of instruments. The cardiopulmonary perfusionist was there also, setting up the heart-lung bypass machine. There was also an anesthesiologist and CRNA, monitoring the patient. The anesthesiologist was also looking at the trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and taking images that would be useful for the surgery. I was told ahead of time that the surgeon doesn't like people talking during the case, so any questions I had should be asked now.
The coordinator came in with me and showed me around, literally holding my hand to guide me through so I wouldn't enter the sterile field around the patient. We made our way over to the anesthesiologist, who was kind enough to show us some of the images he had taken and tell us what we were looking at. Very cool--and I was able to see the difference on the post-procedure TEE.
Right about that time, the surgeon came in, and I was able to meet him and his first assist, as well as thank him for letting me come in on such short notice. While he and his first assist were putting on the sterile gown and gloves, there was a time-out procedure to make sure everything was ready to go, with the right patient, and to verify the procedure.
Then, everybody got in place to begin. I took my place on the right side of the patient, kind of behind the surgeon to his left, several feet back from the table. Yeah, I didn't explain that very well, but you can figure it out. I had a pretty good view of what was going on, so I saw the incisions through the skin, subcutaenous layers, right down to the bone. Electrocautery was used to cauterize the little blood vessels to reduce the amount of blood lost as well as reduce the amount of blood in the surgical field. And yes, it does smell funny. Not funny "haha" but funny "weird". But burning hair still smells worse.
Anyways, then the surgeon got out the bone saw. It was like a little power tool, hand-held deal--not nearly as big as I'd imagined (obviously based on movies, right?). What I thought was interesting was that they deflated the lungs before cutting the bone, so they had less of a chance of cutting one. Kind of a good idea, although you just know that somebody learned it the hard way.... Yeah....
So, the process of cutting through the bone was actually a lot faster than I expected. As in, less than 30 seconds. Then, they put a sterile towel over the site, put in the retractor to hold open the sternum, and cut a hole in the towel. This was cool, because the towel could soak up blood while also acting as padding between the metal retractor and the patient's tissues (which would probably get more sore without the padding).
Then, a lot of time was spent putting sutures in the fascial layer (the muscle layer that lays over the ribcage). This actually helped keep all the subcutaneous fatty tissue back up away from the surgical area. The ends of the sutures were actually kind of clipped onto little ridges or something on the retractor, so the tissue was absolutely stable. These sutures would then be later used to close up that particular layer of tissue.
So, more tissue, more electrocautery, and I'm still back behind the surgeon. And then I saw it. The heart, beating within the open chest cavity. There are not words enough to describe how amazing that truly was for me. There's the thing that pumps blood through our bodies, that is essentially the engine that keeps us going. No bigger than your fist, and yet it is so important. I had the perfect view of it, coming from the patient's right side.
Alright, so enough marveling, for now anyways. The surgeon then moved more in front of me, blocking my view, to insert the cannulae for bypass. Although I did see a lot of squirting blood. Yup, splashed quite a bit, although I guess that's to be expected from a muscle designed to pump blood throughout the body! Then, they put in these cannulae, and the one was at least an inch in diameter... huge... and at this point the nurse was holding the tubing with the open end upward (obviously) until it was connected to the pump, but as the heart was beating, you could see the blood moving up in the tube. It actually looked kind of funny, but it was still pretty neat at the same time.
Okay, so when bypass was initiated, the lungs were deflated again and the anesthesiologist left. I then moved to where he had been standing, and the nurse put out a step-stool for me to stand on. I was standing basically at the patient's head, looking down into the chest. And it was awesome. The heart was still beating in the cavity with these huge tubes coming out of the chest, and you could see the blood moving through them. Then, they put ice around to heart to cool it down and keep it cool.
Once the heart was stopped, the surgeon began cutting into the aorta. He cut it about.... hmm... maybe a half inch or so away from the heart, not too close but not too far from the aortic valve. Then, he looked around with a little dental-type mirror to see what he was up against, and then started cutting away the valve. Now, when I saw it on echocardiogram, the anesthesiologist said it was bicuspid (which means there are two leaflets; the aortic valve is suppose to have three leaflets) and that there was a lot of calcification on it. It wasn't able to open as well as it should, is basically why they were replacing it.
So, after cutting away what he could with scissors, the surgeon then gripped the remaining tissue with a huge pair of tweezers and took a scalpel to cut away the rest. Then, lots of rinsing with what I assume was normal saline delivered in what looked like turkey basters. The surgeon then tried out some valve sizes. The companies that provide valves send out little models that are the size of a particular valve. One company had a test thing that had how big the valve actually is on one end and then on the other end how it would seat, with the attachment material on it also. So, the surgeon played around with 19-mm and 21-mm valves from both companies, and decided which was best.
The next part was probably the most tedious part--putting the sutures in place. The sutures are pledgeted, meaning they have little pledgets on them, which are used to absorb some blood but also to protect the wound. The surgeon used 14 sutures in a 21-mm or so area. It was very meticulous work to put them all in just right so the pledget is in place and you have both ends of the suture coming up (don't worry, I have a picture to show what I'm talking about). What was good, though, was there was a suture keeper device to keep them all separated and in order--because the ordering of it is very important.
Right, so once all those were in place, the surgeon then started attaching the valve to the ends of the sutures already attached to the heart. In order--remember how I said that was important? If they get out of order, things aren't going to line up right. So, that was a little less meticulous, but still meticulous work for the surgeon.
When all the sutures were through the valve, it was put into place, the sutures pulled tied, and then the knotting began! Lots and lots of knotting. At least 30 minutes' worth. But, it's very important to make sure the valve is in the right place and is secure. Especially considering the high volumes and pressures the aortic valve has to endure.
Once that was done, and having checked meticulously throughout for any problems or errors in suturing, he began closing the aorta. Again, more sewing. But that is one artery you do NOT want leaking. Once the aorta was just about closed, I was asked to move, as the anesthesiologist was back to prepare for weaning off bypass. It was over before I knew it, actually, and closure began shortly thereafter. I actually missed the retractor coming off for how many things were happening so quickly.
The first layer to close is obviously the sternum. I have never seen a bigger suture-needle in my life. That thing was a friggin' beast! I mean, of course it has to be to thread wire through bone... but still... you know... it was intimidating....
It took two people--the surgeon and the first assist--to tighten up the wires simultaneously to the point where it was a good closure. Then, the wires were twisted and then cut with a large pair of wire cutters.
Then, the fascia was closed, using the sutures already in place, followed by the subcutaneous layer of tissue (which is mostly fatty tissues). The surgeon didn't really finish doing this layer, and left the OR. He let the first assist finish the subcutaneous sutures, and finish up on the subcuticular stitch (sewn under the skin to close the skin). The surgeon came back in a few minutes after he left to do his dictation. And, just as everything was wrapping up around 1030, the coordinator came back in to get me, because my original patient was done with surgery. Perfect timing.
As we were leaving, the first assist began joking around, saying that she was surprised I didn't faint--because they like getting students in who get woozy and pass out. She said she tried to make it gory for me so I would. Not so!! I am too tough for that!! But, I am happy I didn't pass out--I was sort of in that I-have-a-headcold-and-feel-foggy state, so I was swaying a bit (sure felt like I was, anyways).
Seriously, today was meant to be. I had been so wanting to see a heart, and circumstances lined up so perfectly for me to see one today--from start to finish even. I am so grateful for the way this worked out! And, I was just so excited to share that I had to get caught up on my blog to be able to write this ridiculously long entry about an AMAZING day!!
I should probably tell about the rest of my day... so PACU was interesting. My patient was a fairly old lady (pushing 100!), still working part-time, and just a vibrant little thing!! Basically, I just helped get vital signs per the orders and watched the nurse go about her routine. It's one-on-one care, which makes sense, and while we were waiting for orders to come down for admission, it was pretty much just a waiting game. So, I was able to get a lot of my write-up done then and just waiting to be dismissed.
Then, I came home, and set to work on homework, but got side-tracked by my desire to update my blog. So, I will resume homework directly.
All in all, it was an amazing day, and I feel very blessed and happy to have seen what I saw. : )
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the images provided in this entry; I used Google to find them and added them here. I give full credit to their rightful owners and thank them in advance for letting me borrow them!
Anyways, so I was up at 0200. WIDE AWAKE. I hate getting sick, I really do. Luckily, I was able to go back to sleep until 0500 when my alarm went off. Surgery this morning, and I have to be there at 0630! The instructors have told us to have a good meal, so I made myself egg burritoes this morning. Not only is it perfectly delicious, but it is also very filling and sticks with me for most of the day. So that is great.
I met my friend outside the building so we could walk in together, and it was about, oh, 10 degrees out. Yup, cold. And I don't like it!!
Anyways, we found our way in and made our way up to the surgical waiting room and put in a call to the coordinator. She walked in a few minutes later and took us to the locker room, where we had to change into the hospital's scrubs (yay for no student uniforms!). We then met her in the lounge area, where she told us a bit about our patients and what the order of the day was going to be. Then, she escorted us downstairs to the preoperative area, asking us about our interests and our previous majors. I told her I was a sociology major with an interest in hearts and expressed my hope that I would get to see a heart. By then, we had arrived at the holding area, and she introduced us to the nurses who we would be with for the day.
We each then sat down and started taking notes on the stuff we needed to have prepared for the assignment (i.e. labs, client history, etc.) and spoke with our nurses a bit. My friend's patient arrived, and I just continued asking questions about the preoperative process, and my nurse was very friendly and willing to answer any questions I had. 20 minutes after the expected arrival time, my patient still wasn't there, and she wasn't answering her cell phone or her home phone. Then we heard she called in the day before and seemed apprehensive about the surgery--the feeling was that she might cancel.
So, I called the coordinator to see what she thought, and she said she would look for plan B and then come find me. A few minutes later, she arrived and said her plan B was to have me go see an aortic valve replacement--A HEART!! The only downside was that I would miss out on the pre-op and post-op care, because the pre-op was already done and the post-op was done in the ICU setting (not a PACU, like our assignment tells us). At that point, I really didn't care--I was going to see a heart!!!
Just as we were leaving, my original patient arrived, so we made a modification to plan B -- I go see the heart, and the coordinator would pull me out when my original patient was done, so I could do the PACU care. Sounded good to me!
Off we went to a completely different area. The cardiovascular surgery area is separate; it has three operating rooms dedicated to just these patients, and an ICU attached, so if a patient needs to be taken to surgery, there will be an OR available and close to the room. What a great idea, huh?
I got in the operating room, and met the circulating nurses and the scrub techs, who were hard at work in their sterile field, setting up a LOT of instruments. The cardiopulmonary perfusionist was there also, setting up the heart-lung bypass machine. There was also an anesthesiologist and CRNA, monitoring the patient. The anesthesiologist was also looking at the trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and taking images that would be useful for the surgery. I was told ahead of time that the surgeon doesn't like people talking during the case, so any questions I had should be asked now.
The coordinator came in with me and showed me around, literally holding my hand to guide me through so I wouldn't enter the sterile field around the patient. We made our way over to the anesthesiologist, who was kind enough to show us some of the images he had taken and tell us what we were looking at. Very cool--and I was able to see the difference on the post-procedure TEE.
Right about that time, the surgeon came in, and I was able to meet him and his first assist, as well as thank him for letting me come in on such short notice. While he and his first assist were putting on the sterile gown and gloves, there was a time-out procedure to make sure everything was ready to go, with the right patient, and to verify the procedure.
Then, everybody got in place to begin. I took my place on the right side of the patient, kind of behind the surgeon to his left, several feet back from the table. Yeah, I didn't explain that very well, but you can figure it out. I had a pretty good view of what was going on, so I saw the incisions through the skin, subcutaenous layers, right down to the bone. Electrocautery was used to cauterize the little blood vessels to reduce the amount of blood lost as well as reduce the amount of blood in the surgical field. And yes, it does smell funny. Not funny "haha" but funny "weird". But burning hair still smells worse.
Anyways, then the surgeon got out the bone saw. It was like a little power tool, hand-held deal--not nearly as big as I'd imagined (obviously based on movies, right?). What I thought was interesting was that they deflated the lungs before cutting the bone, so they had less of a chance of cutting one. Kind of a good idea, although you just know that somebody learned it the hard way.... Yeah....
 |
| I'm not sure this is exactly it, but it looks pretty close.. |
So, the process of cutting through the bone was actually a lot faster than I expected. As in, less than 30 seconds. Then, they put a sterile towel over the site, put in the retractor to hold open the sternum, and cut a hole in the towel. This was cool, because the towel could soak up blood while also acting as padding between the metal retractor and the patient's tissues (which would probably get more sore without the padding).
 |
| This is the sternal retractor, and you can kind of see the little cylindrical things on the top where sutures could kind of be hooked? Yeah, that comes next in your reading... |
Then, a lot of time was spent putting sutures in the fascial layer (the muscle layer that lays over the ribcage). This actually helped keep all the subcutaneous fatty tissue back up away from the surgical area. The ends of the sutures were actually kind of clipped onto little ridges or something on the retractor, so the tissue was absolutely stable. These sutures would then be later used to close up that particular layer of tissue.
So, more tissue, more electrocautery, and I'm still back behind the surgeon. And then I saw it. The heart, beating within the open chest cavity. There are not words enough to describe how amazing that truly was for me. There's the thing that pumps blood through our bodies, that is essentially the engine that keeps us going. No bigger than your fist, and yet it is so important. I had the perfect view of it, coming from the patient's right side.
Alright, so enough marveling, for now anyways. The surgeon then moved more in front of me, blocking my view, to insert the cannulae for bypass. Although I did see a lot of squirting blood. Yup, splashed quite a bit, although I guess that's to be expected from a muscle designed to pump blood throughout the body! Then, they put in these cannulae, and the one was at least an inch in diameter... huge... and at this point the nurse was holding the tubing with the open end upward (obviously) until it was connected to the pump, but as the heart was beating, you could see the blood moving up in the tube. It actually looked kind of funny, but it was still pretty neat at the same time.
Okay, so when bypass was initiated, the lungs were deflated again and the anesthesiologist left. I then moved to where he had been standing, and the nurse put out a step-stool for me to stand on. I was standing basically at the patient's head, looking down into the chest. And it was awesome. The heart was still beating in the cavity with these huge tubes coming out of the chest, and you could see the blood moving through them. Then, they put ice around to heart to cool it down and keep it cool.
Once the heart was stopped, the surgeon began cutting into the aorta. He cut it about.... hmm... maybe a half inch or so away from the heart, not too close but not too far from the aortic valve. Then, he looked around with a little dental-type mirror to see what he was up against, and then started cutting away the valve. Now, when I saw it on echocardiogram, the anesthesiologist said it was bicuspid (which means there are two leaflets; the aortic valve is suppose to have three leaflets) and that there was a lot of calcification on it. It wasn't able to open as well as it should, is basically why they were replacing it.
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| The normal aortic valve has three leaflets, but the bicuspid aortic valve has only two--almost like there should have been three but it didn't cleave or something... I have it on good authority that people can live symptom-free for many, many years with a bicuspid aortic valve, although they usually tend to notice it in their 30s or 40s |
So, after cutting away what he could with scissors, the surgeon then gripped the remaining tissue with a huge pair of tweezers and took a scalpel to cut away the rest. Then, lots of rinsing with what I assume was normal saline delivered in what looked like turkey basters. The surgeon then tried out some valve sizes. The companies that provide valves send out little models that are the size of a particular valve. One company had a test thing that had how big the valve actually is on one end and then on the other end how it would seat, with the attachment material on it also. So, the surgeon played around with 19-mm and 21-mm valves from both companies, and decided which was best.
The next part was probably the most tedious part--putting the sutures in place. The sutures are pledgeted, meaning they have little pledgets on them, which are used to absorb some blood but also to protect the wound. The surgeon used 14 sutures in a 21-mm or so area. It was very meticulous work to put them all in just right so the pledget is in place and you have both ends of the suture coming up (don't worry, I have a picture to show what I'm talking about). What was good, though, was there was a suture keeper device to keep them all separated and in order--because the ordering of it is very important.
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| See the white thingies? Those are pledgets. |
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| If you look kind of around the hole, you can see where the pledgets are. Look also how the sutures have both ends coming off. That's important for later. |
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| And here's the suture organizer. For one suture, each end goes on each side of the blue. This helps number them , keep them in order, and keeps the ends from tangling. |
Right, so once all those were in place, the surgeon then started attaching the valve to the ends of the sutures already attached to the heart. In order--remember how I said that was important? If they get out of order, things aren't going to line up right. So, that was a little less meticulous, but still meticulous work for the surgeon.
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| So here you see all those sutures sewn through that valve, and now they will just slide it down into place. |
When all the sutures were through the valve, it was put into place, the sutures pulled tied, and then the knotting began! Lots and lots of knotting. At least 30 minutes' worth. But, it's very important to make sure the valve is in the right place and is secure. Especially considering the high volumes and pressures the aortic valve has to endure.
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| And here's the valve in place, "pulled down" the sutures. From here, the surgeon will begin knotting everything up to tie it in place. Very cool stuff. |
Once that was done, and having checked meticulously throughout for any problems or errors in suturing, he began closing the aorta. Again, more sewing. But that is one artery you do NOT want leaking. Once the aorta was just about closed, I was asked to move, as the anesthesiologist was back to prepare for weaning off bypass. It was over before I knew it, actually, and closure began shortly thereafter. I actually missed the retractor coming off for how many things were happening so quickly.
The first layer to close is obviously the sternum. I have never seen a bigger suture-needle in my life. That thing was a friggin' beast! I mean, of course it has to be to thread wire through bone... but still... you know... it was intimidating....
It took two people--the surgeon and the first assist--to tighten up the wires simultaneously to the point where it was a good closure. Then, the wires were twisted and then cut with a large pair of wire cutters.
Then, the fascia was closed, using the sutures already in place, followed by the subcutaneous layer of tissue (which is mostly fatty tissues). The surgeon didn't really finish doing this layer, and left the OR. He let the first assist finish the subcutaneous sutures, and finish up on the subcuticular stitch (sewn under the skin to close the skin). The surgeon came back in a few minutes after he left to do his dictation. And, just as everything was wrapping up around 1030, the coordinator came back in to get me, because my original patient was done with surgery. Perfect timing.
As we were leaving, the first assist began joking around, saying that she was surprised I didn't faint--because they like getting students in who get woozy and pass out. She said she tried to make it gory for me so I would. Not so!! I am too tough for that!! But, I am happy I didn't pass out--I was sort of in that I-have-a-headcold-and-feel-foggy state, so I was swaying a bit (sure felt like I was, anyways).
Seriously, today was meant to be. I had been so wanting to see a heart, and circumstances lined up so perfectly for me to see one today--from start to finish even. I am so grateful for the way this worked out! And, I was just so excited to share that I had to get caught up on my blog to be able to write this ridiculously long entry about an AMAZING day!!
I should probably tell about the rest of my day... so PACU was interesting. My patient was a fairly old lady (pushing 100!), still working part-time, and just a vibrant little thing!! Basically, I just helped get vital signs per the orders and watched the nurse go about her routine. It's one-on-one care, which makes sense, and while we were waiting for orders to come down for admission, it was pretty much just a waiting game. So, I was able to get a lot of my write-up done then and just waiting to be dismissed.
Then, I came home, and set to work on homework, but got side-tracked by my desire to update my blog. So, I will resume homework directly.
All in all, it was an amazing day, and I feel very blessed and happy to have seen what I saw. : )
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the images provided in this entry; I used Google to find them and added them here. I give full credit to their rightful owners and thank them in advance for letting me borrow them!
Dec. 1, 2011
Neuromusclar disease = not my friend. Well, the exam anyways. Good grief. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a bit sleep deprived or I didn't study as hard as I usually do or some unknown reason... but Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis all started running together.... And none of the questions throughout the test "helped" to determine any answers for any other questions. I think what's hard is how similar some of the presentations are and then the abbreviations, at least for MS and MG, are similar enough to help throw people off.
It seems like the whole class didn't do as well as we wanted to--and the professor could tell that we had two Pharmacology quizzes the day before. I'm not sure when grades are going to be posted, but I'm almost afraid to see what it looks like...
It was another early day. The professor had to leave earlier than her already-scheduled early day to get to some more medical tests, so we did the evaluations for our clinical instructors and then were able to leave. I came home and rested up in anticipation for the surgical experience I would be having the next day.
And, of course, I start having cold/flu symptoms. I'm not sure what the cause is, but whenever I get sick, my pupils dilate. Noticeably. My brother gets chatty, and I look like I'm on drugs; mom always could tell when we were sick. I took some DayQuil to get me through the rest of the day. Because I didn't know what procedure I would be seeing until my instructor contacted me, I opted to work some on the long-term care paperwork, and got through most of the medication information stuff. That stuff is hard to get through, because there is so much pertinent information for all the drugs.
At around 1900, I decided it was getting late enough to hear from the instructor. So I called her to find out what I would be seeing tomorrow so I could do adequate preparation for it. No answer. She called back around 2000, and said she didn't receive the call from the coordinator, so she didn't know what we were doing. Then, she called back at 2100 or so to say she checked her e-mail, and found out there was a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and a lap-band placement, and that I would have my choice.
My initial thought was to take the lap band, since that might be more interesting and it would be something nobody else in our clinical group had seen. But, I remembered my friend (who was also going to surgery in with me) said something about kind of not wanting to see a lap-chole because everybody else had seen one. So, I opted to take that so she could have something different and perhaps more interesting. That being said, I finished up the medication sheet for the long-term care paperwork, took some NyQuil, and went to sleep. Early morning tomorrow!!
It seems like the whole class didn't do as well as we wanted to--and the professor could tell that we had two Pharmacology quizzes the day before. I'm not sure when grades are going to be posted, but I'm almost afraid to see what it looks like...
It was another early day. The professor had to leave earlier than her already-scheduled early day to get to some more medical tests, so we did the evaluations for our clinical instructors and then were able to leave. I came home and rested up in anticipation for the surgical experience I would be having the next day.
And, of course, I start having cold/flu symptoms. I'm not sure what the cause is, but whenever I get sick, my pupils dilate. Noticeably. My brother gets chatty, and I look like I'm on drugs; mom always could tell when we were sick. I took some DayQuil to get me through the rest of the day. Because I didn't know what procedure I would be seeing until my instructor contacted me, I opted to work some on the long-term care paperwork, and got through most of the medication information stuff. That stuff is hard to get through, because there is so much pertinent information for all the drugs.
At around 1900, I decided it was getting late enough to hear from the instructor. So I called her to find out what I would be seeing tomorrow so I could do adequate preparation for it. No answer. She called back around 2000, and said she didn't receive the call from the coordinator, so she didn't know what we were doing. Then, she called back at 2100 or so to say she checked her e-mail, and found out there was a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and a lap-band placement, and that I would have my choice.
My initial thought was to take the lap band, since that might be more interesting and it would be something nobody else in our clinical group had seen. But, I remembered my friend (who was also going to surgery in with me) said something about kind of not wanting to see a lap-chole because everybody else had seen one. So, I opted to take that so she could have something different and perhaps more interesting. That being said, I finished up the medication sheet for the long-term care paperwork, took some NyQuil, and went to sleep. Early morning tomorrow!!
Nov. 30, 2011
So, I stayed up way later than I should have last night, worrying about how much of that long-term care packet I got done. I started working on it to see how MUCH I was missing, and by the time I was finishing up, it was midnight. And I still hadn't started studying for the two pharmacology quizzes for today. So, I picked up the Pharm book and started in reading and going over drugs. Thankfully, I am already familiar with most of them, but it was good to get a little deeper into what they do, how they interact, etc.
By the time my alarm went off, I think I got about 3-4 hours of sleep, and had to be up to finish studying. I got to school and took the quizzes, and thought I would head home. But, I felt it would be disrespectful to the professor to leave in the middle of class, so I opted to stay through lecture, but leave to go sleep and miss the afternoon class. I know, I am awful. It would be the only class I have missed so far.
Luckily for me, though, the professor cancelled class this afternoon due to illness, so I was able to go home and nap, guilt-free! And then try to study for the last exam in the week. Blech. Too much happening, haha! So much to do.
But, the light is at the end of the tunnel!! Only a few more weeks and I will be home enjoying time with my loved ones :)
By the time my alarm went off, I think I got about 3-4 hours of sleep, and had to be up to finish studying. I got to school and took the quizzes, and thought I would head home. But, I felt it would be disrespectful to the professor to leave in the middle of class, so I opted to stay through lecture, but leave to go sleep and miss the afternoon class. I know, I am awful. It would be the only class I have missed so far.
Luckily for me, though, the professor cancelled class this afternoon due to illness, so I was able to go home and nap, guilt-free! And then try to study for the last exam in the week. Blech. Too much happening, haha! So much to do.
But, the light is at the end of the tunnel!! Only a few more weeks and I will be home enjoying time with my loved ones :)
Nov. 29, 2011
So, long-term care was not long-term care at all. It was a rehab unit in a facility that also houses long-term care residents... Oh well....
I showed up and was wearing my uniform, as the instructions from the instructor said. Only problem was--I was wearing my community uniform (black pants and the school polo shirt), when I think they meant scrubs. Oops. At least I wasn't the only one--two others were wearing their community uniforms.
In any case, we began the day with helping the nursing staff take vitals and sitting with the patients during breakfast. Then, we met and went over the expectations. Yes, another 12-page assingment. How many pages do you think I can turn this one into? Yeah... Awesome....
I got to meet with my patient finally, and from the start, I knew it was going to be tough to get through a bazilliion pages of questions. The standard program gets three days for this--we get two. Two days to work with elderly patients who are tired and have a tiring schedule already--and then we add this crazy-long questionnaire.
Thankfully, the gentleman I was working with was very pleasant and was very willing to share so much with me. I felt like I got a lot of information, but looking back at the packet, it really doesn't feel like that much. And, he felt he was going to be discharged later this week, so I may or may not see him next week to finish with all the questions.
Oh well--it was an interesting day. Definitely not what I would have thought of as long-term care nursing, but very cool to hear the stories some of these folks have to tell.
I showed up and was wearing my uniform, as the instructions from the instructor said. Only problem was--I was wearing my community uniform (black pants and the school polo shirt), when I think they meant scrubs. Oops. At least I wasn't the only one--two others were wearing their community uniforms.
In any case, we began the day with helping the nursing staff take vitals and sitting with the patients during breakfast. Then, we met and went over the expectations. Yes, another 12-page assingment. How many pages do you think I can turn this one into? Yeah... Awesome....
I got to meet with my patient finally, and from the start, I knew it was going to be tough to get through a bazilliion pages of questions. The standard program gets three days for this--we get two. Two days to work with elderly patients who are tired and have a tiring schedule already--and then we add this crazy-long questionnaire.
Thankfully, the gentleman I was working with was very pleasant and was very willing to share so much with me. I felt like I got a lot of information, but looking back at the packet, it really doesn't feel like that much. And, he felt he was going to be discharged later this week, so I may or may not see him next week to finish with all the questions.
Oh well--it was an interesting day. Definitely not what I would have thought of as long-term care nursing, but very cool to hear the stories some of these folks have to tell.
Nov. 28, 2011
Today was a short day all the way around. We had another IRAT/GRAT in Community. If I haven't said wat these are, they are individual readiness assessment tests and group readiness assessment tests, or something along those lines. We take a 5-point, 20-question quiz individually, and then as a group and get scored on both. Today, for the first time, I got a 5/5! The questions are tough, and even though I studied from the study guide, I feel it didn't help very much.
Class ended early, which was nice. I was able to go home and rest and then practice some on my sterile glove technique, which I had to get checked-off on this afternoon. Not for points, but it was something I had to pass.
I plan on spending the rest of the afternoon not doing much of anything! Well, I suppose I will prepare for long-term care clinical tomorrow, but that's about it.
Class ended early, which was nice. I was able to go home and rest and then practice some on my sterile glove technique, which I had to get checked-off on this afternoon. Not for points, but it was something I had to pass.
I plan on spending the rest of the afternoon not doing much of anything! Well, I suppose I will prepare for long-term care clinical tomorrow, but that's about it.
Nov. 26-27, 2011
Well, I put in way too much time on that Database / Concept Map / Care Plan / Teaching Plan, but luckily for me, it's almost done. Just a few more things to finish up, which is wonderful. I spent all day Saturday on it (taking frequent breaks, of course), and it looks like the final page count on the database, care plan, and teaching plan will be 23 pages, and the concept map will probably be another page on top of that. Good grief, I doubled the page count from the original assignment. The sad thing is--I don't think I did MORE than what was expected of us.
Sunday, I spent most of the day doing a whole lot of nothing, with a little bit of studying at the end of the day. It was a nice, relaxing way to spend the last of my Thanksgiving vacation. As much as I am not liking the idea of going back to school in the morning, I will be happy to have a routine back again.
Sunday, I spent most of the day doing a whole lot of nothing, with a little bit of studying at the end of the day. It was a nice, relaxing way to spend the last of my Thanksgiving vacation. As much as I am not liking the idea of going back to school in the morning, I will be happy to have a routine back again.
Nov. 25, 2011
Black Friday shopping was a success!! And I survived, obviously... you know, since I'm writing this...
Anyways, I got to Best Buy last night at around 2230, and there was probably already at least 500 people in line. Crazy, right? So, I hung out for an hour and a half and was surprised to find the thing I came in for was still there!! Hooray, so I picked it up and was out of there by 0030. Then, I proceeded to Kohl's and didn't get what I originally came for but got something at a better deal than from the other place I had planned to go--WIN! But, the sad part was I didn't have a cart carrying these particularly heavy items, so two hours later, when I finally got through the line, my arms were jelly and sore. Then, off to Toys R' Us to buy a gift for my niece, and after that to the car dealer for a $15 oil change. I finished off the evening with a few more stops and waiting for stores to open, and got home, unpacked the car, showered, and was in bed by 0700.
But, my body didn't want me to sleep that much, because I was up about 5 hours later ready to get going on some homework. And boy am I glad I got started on that beast. It started out as a 12-page assignment, basically a template to fill a bunch of information into. Yeah, with all the information I gathered, I added many more pages, and I'm STILL not done. But anyways, It was a good day (morning?), and now my schedule is a bit off.
Oh well, hooray for good deals and getting to sleep in tomorrow!!
Anyways, I got to Best Buy last night at around 2230, and there was probably already at least 500 people in line. Crazy, right? So, I hung out for an hour and a half and was surprised to find the thing I came in for was still there!! Hooray, so I picked it up and was out of there by 0030. Then, I proceeded to Kohl's and didn't get what I originally came for but got something at a better deal than from the other place I had planned to go--WIN! But, the sad part was I didn't have a cart carrying these particularly heavy items, so two hours later, when I finally got through the line, my arms were jelly and sore. Then, off to Toys R' Us to buy a gift for my niece, and after that to the car dealer for a $15 oil change. I finished off the evening with a few more stops and waiting for stores to open, and got home, unpacked the car, showered, and was in bed by 0700.
But, my body didn't want me to sleep that much, because I was up about 5 hours later ready to get going on some homework. And boy am I glad I got started on that beast. It started out as a 12-page assignment, basically a template to fill a bunch of information into. Yeah, with all the information I gathered, I added many more pages, and I'm STILL not done. But anyways, It was a good day (morning?), and now my schedule is a bit off.
Oh well, hooray for good deals and getting to sleep in tomorrow!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Nov. 24, 2011
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!
My stomach could not have picked a better day to feel better, because I had a Thanksgiving FEAST thanks to the Cracker Barrel! I just didn't feel like cooking for just myself, so I had someone else do it... it was really nice.
And, at the same time, very lonely. I was really sad not to be able to go home for Thanksgiving, but thankfully my boyfriend is a sweetheart and called me frequently today to make sure I was doing okay and so I wouldn't have to feel quite so lonely.
I have shared so many things that I am thankful for--material things, things about myself, and the most important people in my life. So today, I will bring it all full circle and say that I am very grateful for the life I have, with everyone and everything in it. It has not always been easy, but there is so much to be happy about and grateful for, that I cannot help but feel happiness in my life, and look forward to a lifetime of such happiness and fulfillment!
Happy Turkey Day, everyone! Here are the fun turkey lights my mom sent me! Hooray!!
And tonight, I am off to do some crazy Black Friday shopping. Can you believe there are places opening up at 2100 tonight? I am against this--imagine the people who have to work, and what about those crazy folks who probably skipped Thanksgiving meals with their families to camp out in front of those stores. Quite sad that, although here I am participating in it also. I will be heading out to Best Buy around 2230 or so for their 0001 opening (that's one minute after midnight!). Wish me luck!! I hope I survive!!
My stomach could not have picked a better day to feel better, because I had a Thanksgiving FEAST thanks to the Cracker Barrel! I just didn't feel like cooking for just myself, so I had someone else do it... it was really nice.
And, at the same time, very lonely. I was really sad not to be able to go home for Thanksgiving, but thankfully my boyfriend is a sweetheart and called me frequently today to make sure I was doing okay and so I wouldn't have to feel quite so lonely.
I have shared so many things that I am thankful for--material things, things about myself, and the most important people in my life. So today, I will bring it all full circle and say that I am very grateful for the life I have, with everyone and everything in it. It has not always been easy, but there is so much to be happy about and grateful for, that I cannot help but feel happiness in my life, and look forward to a lifetime of such happiness and fulfillment!
Happy Turkey Day, everyone! Here are the fun turkey lights my mom sent me! Hooray!!
And tonight, I am off to do some crazy Black Friday shopping. Can you believe there are places opening up at 2100 tonight? I am against this--imagine the people who have to work, and what about those crazy folks who probably skipped Thanksgiving meals with their families to camp out in front of those stores. Quite sad that, although here I am participating in it also. I will be heading out to Best Buy around 2230 or so for their 0001 opening (that's one minute after midnight!). Wish me luck!! I hope I survive!!
Nov. 23, 2011
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH to sleep in!!! I really needed it.
I had some stomach pains yesterday that I kind of figured was food poisoning from maybe Chinese food or carrots, but when I had eggs this morning, I still had pain. So, maybe a stomach bug? Most of the day was spent just relaxing and trying to rest and recover.
I finally caught up on some of the shows I have been watching, which was nice, and I am definitely looking forward to the holiday!!
Today, I am grateful for my boyfriend. I feel very blessed and lucky to have him in my life. He is incredibly supportive and is always just a phone call away. I love that he takes care of me and lets me take care of him. We are a great team together, and I feel such peace and joy within our relationship. I love him very much, more than I am able to express in words. I am sad that I cannot be spending this holiday with him, but look forward to the many holidays in the future that we will be able to spend together.
Happy Almost Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you are all able to be with the ones you love the most at this special time of year!
I had some stomach pains yesterday that I kind of figured was food poisoning from maybe Chinese food or carrots, but when I had eggs this morning, I still had pain. So, maybe a stomach bug? Most of the day was spent just relaxing and trying to rest and recover.
I finally caught up on some of the shows I have been watching, which was nice, and I am definitely looking forward to the holiday!!
Today, I am grateful for my boyfriend. I feel very blessed and lucky to have him in my life. He is incredibly supportive and is always just a phone call away. I love that he takes care of me and lets me take care of him. We are a great team together, and I feel such peace and joy within our relationship. I love him very much, more than I am able to express in words. I am sad that I cannot be spending this holiday with him, but look forward to the many holidays in the future that we will be able to spend together.
Happy Almost Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you are all able to be with the ones you love the most at this special time of year!
Nov. 22, 2011
Last day of school stuffs before break!! And--last community health clinical ever!!
Realistically, though, it was just a day of presentations. And, since our instructor is pretty cool, it was super laid back. Each of us brought in something to contribute for breakfast, and then we did our presentations. There were four group presentations on community resources, and then we each did our 5-minute presentation on current events, which turned into an introduction by the presenter, and then a 15-20 minute group discussion. It was a great way to end before the break.
I spent the rest of my afternoon wrapping Christmas presents (yes, I know it's early; but it's actually fairly late for me...). No Christmas music, though. Not allowed until AFTER Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time. Yeah, I'm crazy, I know.
Today, I am thankful for my Dad. My dad is an amazing man, and I am so grateful for the good relationship we have. It wasn't always so, but I am so happy that our relationship has developed to where I can call my dad anytime to talk about anything. He is always there for me and has such great wisdom and advice that he is willing to share. I am truly grateful to have such a great friend who also happens to be my dad.
Realistically, though, it was just a day of presentations. And, since our instructor is pretty cool, it was super laid back. Each of us brought in something to contribute for breakfast, and then we did our presentations. There were four group presentations on community resources, and then we each did our 5-minute presentation on current events, which turned into an introduction by the presenter, and then a 15-20 minute group discussion. It was a great way to end before the break.
I spent the rest of my afternoon wrapping Christmas presents (yes, I know it's early; but it's actually fairly late for me...). No Christmas music, though. Not allowed until AFTER Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time. Yeah, I'm crazy, I know.
Today, I am thankful for my Dad. My dad is an amazing man, and I am so grateful for the good relationship we have. It wasn't always so, but I am so happy that our relationship has developed to where I can call my dad anytime to talk about anything. He is always there for me and has such great wisdom and advice that he is willing to share. I am truly grateful to have such a great friend who also happens to be my dad.
Nov. 21, 2011
Exam day in Community Health. I went into it feeling pretty good, felt semi-good afterwards, and felt awful by the time we got through the group exam. The wording of the questions were kind of awkward, and the answers were worded kind of awkward, too, so that made it kind of difficult to pick the best answer. Oh that, and there was a bank of 45 questions, but the test was only 40, so when we did the group exam, each of us had different questions. Then, when we had some disagreements among us and we asked our instructor to advise us on how to think about each question, all she would say was, "Well, we talked about that in class". Not so, actually. There was a lot of information she skipped over and said we could read on our own. As awful as it sounds, I am losing faith in her as an instructor.
Overall, though, the scores came back pretty decent, which was surprising. The instructor didn't really seem thrilled about some suggestions to read the questions from the test bank BEFORE putting the test together, to make sure they make sense and aren't difficult to understand. Oh well.
I spent my lunch watching the wound care videos and reading the transcripts on how to do each wound care activity, and then took a quiz after lunch. Not too difficult--for the most part pretty straight forward. Then, we really didn't have much to do for lab--practice removing sutures and staples, and get fitted for sterile gloves. So, it was nice to get out of there early.
I spent the rest of the afternoon finishing up my current event presentation note card and relaxing, which was very nice.
We're winding down on time before Thanksgiving, so I am shifting gears into the people in my life I care most about. Truly, I am thankful for these people everyday, but today I would like to share my gratitude for my siblings. We don't get to talk very often, but when we do talk, we talk for a long time and just sort of pick up where we left off--as if not very much time has passed. It's so interesting to have a relationship like that. But, I am grateful I have that with my brother and my sister, both of whom are amazing people that I can always count on no matter what.
Overall, though, the scores came back pretty decent, which was surprising. The instructor didn't really seem thrilled about some suggestions to read the questions from the test bank BEFORE putting the test together, to make sure they make sense and aren't difficult to understand. Oh well.
I spent my lunch watching the wound care videos and reading the transcripts on how to do each wound care activity, and then took a quiz after lunch. Not too difficult--for the most part pretty straight forward. Then, we really didn't have much to do for lab--practice removing sutures and staples, and get fitted for sterile gloves. So, it was nice to get out of there early.
I spent the rest of the afternoon finishing up my current event presentation note card and relaxing, which was very nice.
We're winding down on time before Thanksgiving, so I am shifting gears into the people in my life I care most about. Truly, I am thankful for these people everyday, but today I would like to share my gratitude for my siblings. We don't get to talk very often, but when we do talk, we talk for a long time and just sort of pick up where we left off--as if not very much time has passed. It's so interesting to have a relationship like that. But, I am grateful I have that with my brother and my sister, both of whom are amazing people that I can always count on no matter what.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Nov. 20, 2011
Yeah, yeah, I've been horrible about keeping caught up. Not that I haven't had the time--I've just kind of let it build up, once again, and then get too lazy to get caught up. But, for now, I am all caught up with my life here up until now, so this is very good. Hopefully I can actually get my backside in gear to STAY caught up.
So today marked the four-week, exactly 28-day mark for when I will be on a plane on my way home for Christmas!! Needless to say, I am VERY excited about this!
I spent most of my day on chores--doing laundry and dishes. I had some more pie filling that needed to get baked, so I made up two pies for the girl in my class whose parent's house burned down last week. I was actually going to spend Thanksgiving with her, but seeing as how family will absolutely take precedence, I will still send her with some pies for her family to enjoy.
And, as if I wasn't having enough fun with pumpkin pies, I had 9 cups of pureed pumpkin left that didn't have all the other ingredients added, so I went ahead and prepared all of that today also. It turns out I have the fixings for four pies, so all of that is divvied up into four separate Tupperware containers and is in the freezer. I plan to make a pumpkin pie for Christmas, and then leave the other three things of filling with my boyfriend so he can make a pie whenever he wants to if I'm not there. Probably we will have at least one left over for next year, though, so I will have to learn another type of pie for next year.... Hmmm...
Aside from that, I worked some on my current event, talked to my loved ones, and am now catching up on my blog before going to bed. I like days like this--very laid back, with very little pressure to get things done. Although, I have been feeling the need to get caught up on my blog, especially since I wanted to get my clinical stuff caught up before I forgot all the amazing things I got to do!
Today, I am grateful for windows. Yes, windows. It's strange to say, but hear me out. This morning, and the past couple of mornings, I have woken up feeling like I was having a fever for how ridiculously warm my room gets. So, when I say I woke up this morning, partly because of this apparent hot flash and also because I went to bed so early, I mean I woke up at 0430. I did get back to sleep, but only because of my window. I was happy to be able to crack it to let in some cool air to counteract the heat, which helped me sleep comfortably and not wake up feeling ill. Huzzah!
So today marked the four-week, exactly 28-day mark for when I will be on a plane on my way home for Christmas!! Needless to say, I am VERY excited about this!
I spent most of my day on chores--doing laundry and dishes. I had some more pie filling that needed to get baked, so I made up two pies for the girl in my class whose parent's house burned down last week. I was actually going to spend Thanksgiving with her, but seeing as how family will absolutely take precedence, I will still send her with some pies for her family to enjoy.
And, as if I wasn't having enough fun with pumpkin pies, I had 9 cups of pureed pumpkin left that didn't have all the other ingredients added, so I went ahead and prepared all of that today also. It turns out I have the fixings for four pies, so all of that is divvied up into four separate Tupperware containers and is in the freezer. I plan to make a pumpkin pie for Christmas, and then leave the other three things of filling with my boyfriend so he can make a pie whenever he wants to if I'm not there. Probably we will have at least one left over for next year, though, so I will have to learn another type of pie for next year.... Hmmm...
Aside from that, I worked some on my current event, talked to my loved ones, and am now catching up on my blog before going to bed. I like days like this--very laid back, with very little pressure to get things done. Although, I have been feeling the need to get caught up on my blog, especially since I wanted to get my clinical stuff caught up before I forgot all the amazing things I got to do!
Today, I am grateful for windows. Yes, windows. It's strange to say, but hear me out. This morning, and the past couple of mornings, I have woken up feeling like I was having a fever for how ridiculously warm my room gets. So, when I say I woke up this morning, partly because of this apparent hot flash and also because I went to bed so early, I mean I woke up at 0430. I did get back to sleep, but only because of my window. I was happy to be able to crack it to let in some cool air to counteract the heat, which helped me sleep comfortably and not wake up feeling ill. Huzzah!
Nov. 19, 2011
So the whole gang was here today, and I had a partner down my wing. Weekends are always low key, and with my particularly low-key patient, it was even slower than yesterday. It probably didn't help that I am Speedy Gonzalez when it comes to assessing my patient--probably because she was so easy to work with, and had her meds, I&Os, and assessment all taken care of before 10. I even got her up for a walk shortly thereafter.
I felt like I spent most of the day just twiddling my thumbs. Until my instructor told me she was going to have me pull a central line! How exciting!! A central line is a catheter of sorts that is usually placed in your right subclavian vein and fed to your superior vena cava--right above your heart. It is used for medication administration (which hits the body really fast since it's right there at your heart) and quick blood draws. I was disappointed, though, when it was time to pull it--because she promised it to another student AFTER she had promised it to me and my partner. Bummer. And, the other group she promised it to were kind of snotty about getting to do it, so I just let it be. I was grateful, though, that the patient was cool enough to let me come in and watch. I think she had five of us in there, haha. She was a retired nurse, though, and understood the importance of us all being in there to watch.
Almost as if to make up for the central line thing--my instructor had me pull an IV and put in a new one! I am just recently checked-off for this skill, and will be the first in our group to put in an IV! YAY!!
I was pretty nervous, because it is different doing it on an elderly lady instead of a plastic mannequin arm. And I had two of my group-mates come in to watch, but that didn't actually make me that nervous. I was more worried about doing it wrong. But the nurse came in to watch and assist, and she said I did really good, and the patient said it didn't hurt at all!! It will still take some getting used to, for sure, but I am excited to have the first one out of the way. Oh, and I learned later that she was a pretty difficult "stick" (if you'll pardon the medical jargon) because she is on prednisone, which apparently makes veins more difficult to access. Even more pride being felt on my part here!
This very exciting experience actually pretty much ended my day. I took my patient out for a walk after this, right before post-conference, which was nice. Post conference was nice--I got to hear about everyone else's experiences for the weekend, the surgical experiences, and we each talked about a different medication, which I like because I get to hear it from my classmates!
I went home to relax and have a nice dinner, only to fall asleep quite early around 1930. I didn't call my boyfriend because I knew he would be calling me and I wanted to catch a few Z's before he did. Bad idea. Apparently, I psycho-babble when I'm really tired and get woken up. My poor boyfriend had to deal with a barely coherent, barely cogent, babbling girlfriend. There are parts of that conversation that I don't even remember. Apparently, after the parts I do remember, I kind of fell into that half-asleep state and went into nurse mode, asked him if there was anything else I could do for him before I took off. Wow. I am thoroughly embarrassed by this. Yes, I surely am. The good thing I can pull from this is that the nurse in me is apparently becoming second-nature, since it comes out when I am half-asleep.
Today, I am thankful for my friends. I seem to have made quite a few friends within this class, and I am so thankful to have them. I have received a few invitations to spend the holiday with them and their families, and even though I think I will turn them down (for the sake of staying in town to relax, do homework, and catch some Black Friday sales), it warms my heart to have been the recipient of such kindness.
I felt like I spent most of the day just twiddling my thumbs. Until my instructor told me she was going to have me pull a central line! How exciting!! A central line is a catheter of sorts that is usually placed in your right subclavian vein and fed to your superior vena cava--right above your heart. It is used for medication administration (which hits the body really fast since it's right there at your heart) and quick blood draws. I was disappointed, though, when it was time to pull it--because she promised it to another student AFTER she had promised it to me and my partner. Bummer. And, the other group she promised it to were kind of snotty about getting to do it, so I just let it be. I was grateful, though, that the patient was cool enough to let me come in and watch. I think she had five of us in there, haha. She was a retired nurse, though, and understood the importance of us all being in there to watch.
Almost as if to make up for the central line thing--my instructor had me pull an IV and put in a new one! I am just recently checked-off for this skill, and will be the first in our group to put in an IV! YAY!!
I was pretty nervous, because it is different doing it on an elderly lady instead of a plastic mannequin arm. And I had two of my group-mates come in to watch, but that didn't actually make me that nervous. I was more worried about doing it wrong. But the nurse came in to watch and assist, and she said I did really good, and the patient said it didn't hurt at all!! It will still take some getting used to, for sure, but I am excited to have the first one out of the way. Oh, and I learned later that she was a pretty difficult "stick" (if you'll pardon the medical jargon) because she is on prednisone, which apparently makes veins more difficult to access. Even more pride being felt on my part here!
This very exciting experience actually pretty much ended my day. I took my patient out for a walk after this, right before post-conference, which was nice. Post conference was nice--I got to hear about everyone else's experiences for the weekend, the surgical experiences, and we each talked about a different medication, which I like because I get to hear it from my classmates!
I went home to relax and have a nice dinner, only to fall asleep quite early around 1930. I didn't call my boyfriend because I knew he would be calling me and I wanted to catch a few Z's before he did. Bad idea. Apparently, I psycho-babble when I'm really tired and get woken up. My poor boyfriend had to deal with a barely coherent, barely cogent, babbling girlfriend. There are parts of that conversation that I don't even remember. Apparently, after the parts I do remember, I kind of fell into that half-asleep state and went into nurse mode, asked him if there was anything else I could do for him before I took off. Wow. I am thoroughly embarrassed by this. Yes, I surely am. The good thing I can pull from this is that the nurse in me is apparently becoming second-nature, since it comes out when I am half-asleep.
Today, I am thankful for my friends. I seem to have made quite a few friends within this class, and I am so thankful to have them. I have received a few invitations to spend the holiday with them and their families, and even though I think I will turn them down (for the sake of staying in town to relax, do homework, and catch some Black Friday sales), it warms my heart to have been the recipient of such kindness.
Nov. 18, 2011
Wow, it was definitely strange being back to the hospital for clinicals. I was all by myself down one of the wings--the girl who was supposed to be down that wing with me didn't show up today. I am absolutely fine with being by myself, though. Forces me to learn more quickly and doesn't give me an excuse to NOT be busy. I was disappointed, though, that my instructor gave me an easy patient--she said I had a rough week the last time and she thought I could use an easier time. Honestly, I would have preferred someone more difficult--or two patients, even, just so I could stay busy and not be bored.
Fortunate for me, though, my patient was a doll--such a pleasure to work with. She and I laughed so much today, just telling stories and learning from each other. It was really refreshing. My nurse, on the other hand, seemed like she was none too happy to have a student. I understand, I really do--we can be such a burden, because we can't really do anything without someone else being in the room, it seems. Or at least the bigger things--like giving meds. I know she was really busy, and the last thing she probably wanted was a student who needed to have her observe medication administration.
I was able to go with her, though, to do a bladder scan, which was interesting. What was most interesting, though, was being able to see the distention from the bladder being very full. It amazes me that some disease processes take that feeling of fullness away from you--so you don't know you need to go and therefore don't go and end up building up a ridiculous amount of urine!
I then had the opportunity to accompany my patient to occupational therapy, which was different than I thought it was. It was great to get to see, though. For those who don't know what it is--it is the therapy that helps you get back to normal daily activities. I saw the therapists working with other patients on how to dress themselves, and what they did with my patient was encourage her to stand while doing a puzzle to simulate standing in front of the stove or bathroom sink--helping her build up tolerance to standing for longer periods of time.
After I got back down to the floor, I was called in to do a staple removal. Coolest thing ever!! The little pair of scissors for removing staples have one prong on the top leg and two prongs on the bottom leg that crimp together to crimp the staple and bend it out of the wound (the staples are in the skin, wrapped under very much like a staple is in paper). I will put in a picture, so hopefully it makes more sense (kind of hard to describe without hand gestures, haha).
So, the one girl in our clinical group was an athletic trainer and had lots of experience with staple removal and steri-strip application, so she was a great teacher for me. I think I pulled out something like 12 staples, and put on a lot of steri-strips. Yay!! Oh--and the patient had hiccups, so I am even more of an expert, because I was working with moving targets, hahaha!
Right, so that was pretty much my entire day. I gave a lot of meds, figured out how to put on a gait belt (harder than it looks, apparently--probably just me), walked with my patient a few times, and learned how to use the IV pump. OH!!! I also helped a physical therapist apply lymphedema bandages to my patient. Not that she has lymphedema, but the principles that help with lymphedema also help with general edema. Of which my patient had quite a bit in her legs. It was interesting to hear the therapist talk about the cotton bandages she uses versus Ace wraps. Ace wraps have elastic in them, which allow it to stretch up to 200%--which isn't very helpful with edema. But, just plain cotton bandages don't allow that great of a give, and so are much better for helping with edema. Also, she made a point to say that we don't have to wrap the patients up tight--the multiple layers actually create a tightness in themselves, making tight wrappings unnecessary.
So, today, I am thankful for laughter. It really is the best medicine, and it really can bring people together. I felt I really connected with my patient today, and mostly because she and I were both able to laugh and did laugh at every occasion we had. And it just feels good to laugh--you're smiling, happy, and filled with nothing but good feelings. Huzzah!!
Fortunate for me, though, my patient was a doll--such a pleasure to work with. She and I laughed so much today, just telling stories and learning from each other. It was really refreshing. My nurse, on the other hand, seemed like she was none too happy to have a student. I understand, I really do--we can be such a burden, because we can't really do anything without someone else being in the room, it seems. Or at least the bigger things--like giving meds. I know she was really busy, and the last thing she probably wanted was a student who needed to have her observe medication administration.
I was able to go with her, though, to do a bladder scan, which was interesting. What was most interesting, though, was being able to see the distention from the bladder being very full. It amazes me that some disease processes take that feeling of fullness away from you--so you don't know you need to go and therefore don't go and end up building up a ridiculous amount of urine!
I then had the opportunity to accompany my patient to occupational therapy, which was different than I thought it was. It was great to get to see, though. For those who don't know what it is--it is the therapy that helps you get back to normal daily activities. I saw the therapists working with other patients on how to dress themselves, and what they did with my patient was encourage her to stand while doing a puzzle to simulate standing in front of the stove or bathroom sink--helping her build up tolerance to standing for longer periods of time.
After I got back down to the floor, I was called in to do a staple removal. Coolest thing ever!! The little pair of scissors for removing staples have one prong on the top leg and two prongs on the bottom leg that crimp together to crimp the staple and bend it out of the wound (the staples are in the skin, wrapped under very much like a staple is in paper). I will put in a picture, so hopefully it makes more sense (kind of hard to describe without hand gestures, haha).
So, the one girl in our clinical group was an athletic trainer and had lots of experience with staple removal and steri-strip application, so she was a great teacher for me. I think I pulled out something like 12 staples, and put on a lot of steri-strips. Yay!! Oh--and the patient had hiccups, so I am even more of an expert, because I was working with moving targets, hahaha!
 |
| So these are the scissors... you can't really see but there are two prongs on the bottom leg.... |
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| This shows a little better how the crimping action works to pull out the staples -- really cool |
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| And this kind of shows the scissors and the staples. This is not my patient -- this is from google images! |
Right, so that was pretty much my entire day. I gave a lot of meds, figured out how to put on a gait belt (harder than it looks, apparently--probably just me), walked with my patient a few times, and learned how to use the IV pump. OH!!! I also helped a physical therapist apply lymphedema bandages to my patient. Not that she has lymphedema, but the principles that help with lymphedema also help with general edema. Of which my patient had quite a bit in her legs. It was interesting to hear the therapist talk about the cotton bandages she uses versus Ace wraps. Ace wraps have elastic in them, which allow it to stretch up to 200%--which isn't very helpful with edema. But, just plain cotton bandages don't allow that great of a give, and so are much better for helping with edema. Also, she made a point to say that we don't have to wrap the patients up tight--the multiple layers actually create a tightness in themselves, making tight wrappings unnecessary.
So, today, I am thankful for laughter. It really is the best medicine, and it really can bring people together. I felt I really connected with my patient today, and mostly because she and I were both able to laugh and did laugh at every occasion we had. And it just feels good to laugh--you're smiling, happy, and filled with nothing but good feelings. Huzzah!!
Nov. 17, 2011
It seems like we just had an exam in med/surg theory, but we had another today. It went even better than last week, I think. I am feeling more confident in my critical thinking skills in terms of nursing, although I've still a bit of work to go.
After the exam, we usually do a group exam to work through some questions with our peers and logic it out with each other. There were two that I had the right answer, but nobody believed me. I was quite proud to have gotten those right, because my one friend usually is right--so I'm glad I remembered correctly, although I wish I would have fought more to put my answers down on the group test.
The one I am exceptionally proud of is the antidote of Coumadin. She and I even talked about it before the test--she just took the notes wrong. I had protamine sulfate down as the antidote for heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (although it's not as strong of an antidote for the low-molecular weight stuff), and vitamin K down as the antidote for Coumadin. She had the not as strong bit for coumadin, instead of the low-molecular weight stuff. So, when we came to the question about what you should have on-hand on the unit for the Coumadin antidote, she argued for protamine sulfate, but I absolutely didn't budge on the Vitamin K. Bwahahaha!! I am obviously a gracious winner, hahaha!
Lecture today was on neuromuscular disease, which, as interesting as it is, I couldn't entirely focus on. I can't really explain why I am so tired lately--although it probably does have something to do with sleep deprivation and stress, or some combination of those. In any case, we finished up lecture about 2 hours earlier than anticipated--our professor is awesome in this way--and I got to go home for a nap.
Well, at least I intended to have a nap. I told myself that I would nap until I got a call from my boyfriend, which, on a normal day, would have given me maybe an hour or so. Well, I ended up working on other things, getting ready for clinicals the next morning. I started to get worried when I hadn't heard from him, and like any rational-minded girlfriend, called him a bunch. I then monitored the news to see if a car accident had been reported, and wondered if I should call the ER or police. In my head, I knew this was irrational--that he was likely just at work. But I hate when I don't hear from him. I finally did get a phone call at 2130, and he had just gotten in, having left his cell at home. He had an emergency case added to the case he was already working on that day, so it was a long, rough day for him. Probably didn't help to have a concerned, upset girlfriend on the phone at the end of the day.... Ooops....
Oh well -- Clinicals in the morning. It will be strange going back after a weekend off. I hope I remember everything....
Today, I am thankful for my cell phone, and in particular, the communication abilities it provides me. Without it, I would have no immediate way to get in touch with the people I love (I am without a landline, and my loved ones aren't ALWAYS at their computers).
After the exam, we usually do a group exam to work through some questions with our peers and logic it out with each other. There were two that I had the right answer, but nobody believed me. I was quite proud to have gotten those right, because my one friend usually is right--so I'm glad I remembered correctly, although I wish I would have fought more to put my answers down on the group test.
The one I am exceptionally proud of is the antidote of Coumadin. She and I even talked about it before the test--she just took the notes wrong. I had protamine sulfate down as the antidote for heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (although it's not as strong of an antidote for the low-molecular weight stuff), and vitamin K down as the antidote for Coumadin. She had the not as strong bit for coumadin, instead of the low-molecular weight stuff. So, when we came to the question about what you should have on-hand on the unit for the Coumadin antidote, she argued for protamine sulfate, but I absolutely didn't budge on the Vitamin K. Bwahahaha!! I am obviously a gracious winner, hahaha!
Lecture today was on neuromuscular disease, which, as interesting as it is, I couldn't entirely focus on. I can't really explain why I am so tired lately--although it probably does have something to do with sleep deprivation and stress, or some combination of those. In any case, we finished up lecture about 2 hours earlier than anticipated--our professor is awesome in this way--and I got to go home for a nap.
Well, at least I intended to have a nap. I told myself that I would nap until I got a call from my boyfriend, which, on a normal day, would have given me maybe an hour or so. Well, I ended up working on other things, getting ready for clinicals the next morning. I started to get worried when I hadn't heard from him, and like any rational-minded girlfriend, called him a bunch. I then monitored the news to see if a car accident had been reported, and wondered if I should call the ER or police. In my head, I knew this was irrational--that he was likely just at work. But I hate when I don't hear from him. I finally did get a phone call at 2130, and he had just gotten in, having left his cell at home. He had an emergency case added to the case he was already working on that day, so it was a long, rough day for him. Probably didn't help to have a concerned, upset girlfriend on the phone at the end of the day.... Ooops....
Oh well -- Clinicals in the morning. It will be strange going back after a weekend off. I hope I remember everything....
Today, I am thankful for my cell phone, and in particular, the communication abilities it provides me. Without it, I would have no immediate way to get in touch with the people I love (I am without a landline, and my loved ones aren't ALWAYS at their computers).
Nov. 16, 2011
Pharm quiz!! I feel really good about it, although there were a few I wasn't 100% sure on. And, of course, looking into one of the ones I could remember later, I got it wrong. Darn those drug classes confusing me!!
Oh well. Overall, though, I feel I did pretty well.
Lecture was fun, with lots of professorisms. Some of the best from today include:
Oh well. Overall, though, I feel I did pretty well.
Lecture was fun, with lots of professorisms. Some of the best from today include:
- Dice-Rhythm-Mirrors = dysrhythmias
- Die-Gocks-In = Digoxin (said dih-jocks-in)
- Excise Tolerance = Exercise Tolerance
- Excursional angina = Exertional angina (although I think I like the sound of excursional angina more!)
- Nitro-Gly-Side = Nitroglycerin
- Ween = Vein
- Vig-Rah = Viagra
- Shortness of Breast = Shortness of Breath
I love this class, and I really like our professor. I am not trying to be unkind or rude or make fun in any way--just trying to share some of the interesting pronunciations I have been trying to translate at the same time as learning the material.
Over lunch, we had our potluck, which was awesome, although I think it would be better to have half the class bring stuff rather than all 40 of us. Yeah, there was a LOT of food. And I only got rid of a pie and a half. So the other half went home with someone who said she doesn't like it so doesn't make it for her boyfriend who LIVES for pumpkin pie. I'm happy it went to a good home! I also got rid of another full pie to a girl who said she was thinking about buying one at Wal-Mart, and I talked her into taking one of mine instead. Huzzah--only three more pies....
After lunch, we had presentations. Ours went well, I think, although it didn't have pictures. I didn't think to look for any for the subject of HIV/AIDS & Hep C in Prisons.... Yeah.. probably best to go without. One of the other groups was also presenting on HIV/AIDS, but in a much more general sense. They did a good job, but the jerk in their group (who has been losing all my respect in the last few months) got up and said, "Well, we're also presenting on AIDS, but our presentation will be shorter and hopefully a lot more fun". I don't know if he realizes how much of a jerk he is.
So, for today, I am thankful for self-control. And kindness. I am happy that I, for the most part, am able to think before I speak, and most especially to re-think before saying something unkind. I am happy that I didn't shout out to call him an ass. Nobody needs to point that out--he does a good enough job of it for himself.
In any case, it was frustrating, but overall a good day. Now, if only I could figure a way to get rid of these pies....
Nov. 15, 2011
Today was nice. It was another day I had the opportunity to sleep in, which was especially nice. This afternoon, my clinical group had our last actual community health clinical experience at an adult day-care. It was so much fun! We got to participate in chair Zumba, listen to healing music, and spent some time sitting and chatting with the participants. We also had to take some vital signs and weights, as well as administer a geriatric depression test and mini-mental status exam. Since there were only three mini-mentals/depression tests to give, we broke into three groups. Our group had the sweetest, most upbeat little lady ever. It was hard to keep her on task, though, because for nearly every question, she would say, "Well that's an interesting question," or "Well, that's tough to answer," and then go off on a long tangent, often unrelated to the question.
I will say, though, that she had a very tough life, of which she shared so much with us. I was left speechless from her stories and I nearly cried to hear how much this woman endured. It was difficult to let her tell her story while try to keep her on task with the questions. None of us wanted to interject or cut her off while she was talking, because she probably doesn't often get to tell her story, but at the same time, we didn't have all day to talk to her and get this information. It was a difficult balancing act.
In the end, she gave us all hugs and went on her merry way.
Today, I actually have two things I am grateful for. First, I am grateful for how relatively easy my life has been. I have had difficult times, as everyone does; but after hearing this remarkable lady's story, I feel so grateful for how good I have had it.
And, one of the people responsible for how good I've had it--I am grateful for my MOM! I was actually planning to say my thanks for her later on in this gratitude thing, closer to Thanksgiving, but seeing as how it is the day of her birth, I will give my thanks for her now! She is such an amazing woman, and I look up to her very much. She is a shining example to me of what a woman, a mother can be--strong, smart, kind, wise, and the list could go on forever. She has always been there for me, even at times when, looking back, I probably didn't deserve her kindness and love. I miss being able to spend time with her, although I am glad I get to talk to her as often as I do. I love you, mom, and today and every day, I am grateful to have such an awesome woman to call "mom".
Nov. 14, 2011
Today's Community lecture was about culture. It was absolutely a repeat of the culture lecture from last term in Communication. From the same professor. Awesome. The only difference was we added on something about rural health. It's interesting to think about what is considered rural health and to think about an area like ours, that is very much an agricultural area, where most of the state is considered rural and how few health clinics must be serving large rural areas. The catch phrase of the day was, "when you're it, you're it". I think the professor said this at least 10 times, trying to illustrate just how important decision-making and critical thinking skills are to rural health nurses, who will usually be by themselves no matter what comes through the door.
Then, we had a crazy speaker. No joke, I think this woman was on something, which is perhaps not nice to say, but you'll see what I mean as I explain. The speaker started out by asking our majors, as each student already has a bachelor's degree in something. I shouted out "sociology," and she looked up, nodded, and replied, "Oh, sociology. Good." I have grown rather fond of my previous major, so I was a bit disheartened by her lack of enthusiasm, but figured perhaps she didn't know what it was. The next major shouted out was horticulture. Yes, we have two horticulture majors in our class. I kid you not--the speaker went off for ten minutes, at least, about how important horticulture is to nursing, and how you can especially apply it in women's health to help women understand the ebb and flow, the cycles of their life just like the cycles of a plant. Seriously?! Because horticulture has a much better application to nursing than sociology.
At this point, I was already tired of listening to her. But, I continued on anyways. I never really got what her point was, or what it is that she actually DOES for a living. Something about working in a women's clinic and being very opposed to having male patients come in.
The last bit of her presentation had something to do with quantum physics. This sort of came out of left field, but I sort of got her point. She had us watch a snippet of a movie called, "What the Bleep do we Know Anyway?!" or something to that effect. We watched the part about Masaru Emoto's apparently famous study about water crystals and the effect of words on them. Mean words, like "Adolf Hitler" and "I hate you" taped to a bottle of this water made the crystals look ugly, where kind words taped to the bottle of water or a Buddhist monk prayer make the water crystallize into perfect-looking crystals. Then, she told us that if it could do that to water, imagine what happy energy and positive thoughts could do to people--because we are mostly water anyways.
Sooo.... if I think happy thoughts and say kind words to my patient, all the water in his or her body is going to crystallize into snowflakes? Sounds painful, if you ask me.
But then I had to wonder--was she serious? Because quantum physics and this water crap had so much more science and reality and application to nursing than sociology, right? Sorry, still a bit sore about that.
To close, let me just say I believe in positivity and having a good attitude and that it can work wonders when working with people. If you're happy and upbeat, your patient will be a lot easier to work with, I think, than if you have a bad attitude. So yes, happy energy has power--but not enough power to make the water "pretty". Also, let me say that Masaru Emoto's study was proven false--he was never able to reproduce the same effects in a controlled environment.
So, all in all, today I am thankful for short class days, especially after a lecture and presentation like that. Wow. I am glad I have extra time for all that to sink in, as well as more time to devote to mixing and baking my pies for Wednesday, AND to study for pharmacology quiz on Wednesday. Wahooo!!!
Then, we had a crazy speaker. No joke, I think this woman was on something, which is perhaps not nice to say, but you'll see what I mean as I explain. The speaker started out by asking our majors, as each student already has a bachelor's degree in something. I shouted out "sociology," and she looked up, nodded, and replied, "Oh, sociology. Good." I have grown rather fond of my previous major, so I was a bit disheartened by her lack of enthusiasm, but figured perhaps she didn't know what it was. The next major shouted out was horticulture. Yes, we have two horticulture majors in our class. I kid you not--the speaker went off for ten minutes, at least, about how important horticulture is to nursing, and how you can especially apply it in women's health to help women understand the ebb and flow, the cycles of their life just like the cycles of a plant. Seriously?! Because horticulture has a much better application to nursing than sociology.
At this point, I was already tired of listening to her. But, I continued on anyways. I never really got what her point was, or what it is that she actually DOES for a living. Something about working in a women's clinic and being very opposed to having male patients come in.
The last bit of her presentation had something to do with quantum physics. This sort of came out of left field, but I sort of got her point. She had us watch a snippet of a movie called, "What the Bleep do we Know Anyway?!" or something to that effect. We watched the part about Masaru Emoto's apparently famous study about water crystals and the effect of words on them. Mean words, like "Adolf Hitler" and "I hate you" taped to a bottle of this water made the crystals look ugly, where kind words taped to the bottle of water or a Buddhist monk prayer make the water crystallize into perfect-looking crystals. Then, she told us that if it could do that to water, imagine what happy energy and positive thoughts could do to people--because we are mostly water anyways.
Sooo.... if I think happy thoughts and say kind words to my patient, all the water in his or her body is going to crystallize into snowflakes? Sounds painful, if you ask me.
But then I had to wonder--was she serious? Because quantum physics and this water crap had so much more science and reality and application to nursing than sociology, right? Sorry, still a bit sore about that.
To close, let me just say I believe in positivity and having a good attitude and that it can work wonders when working with people. If you're happy and upbeat, your patient will be a lot easier to work with, I think, than if you have a bad attitude. So yes, happy energy has power--but not enough power to make the water "pretty". Also, let me say that Masaru Emoto's study was proven false--he was never able to reproduce the same effects in a controlled environment.
 |
| Water Exposed to a prayer from a Buddhist monk |
So, all in all, today I am thankful for short class days, especially after a lecture and presentation like that. Wow. I am glad I have extra time for all that to sink in, as well as more time to devote to mixing and baking my pies for Wednesday, AND to study for pharmacology quiz on Wednesday. Wahooo!!!
Nov. 13, 2011
My partner and I were finally able to meet to put together our presentation and she was able to look over our paper and brochure to see what else needed to be done. Overall, we are pretty much ready for the presnetation now, with just a few tweaks here and there, and our paper will be ready to turn in in a few days, which is well before the 11/21 deadline. Awesome.
After we sat and got that all put together, I invited her out to lunch, and we went to Cracker Barrel. I LOVE that place. Not only is the food amazing for super cheap, but their little store is so adorable. If ever I had a financial downfall, it would be there. I did, however, buy our second special ornament for this year. My boyfriend and I are collecting two special ornaments each year until further notice, so one day we can have a Christmas tree with JUST the special ones. We got the first when we went on a train, and it actually looks like a train lamp, which is awesome. The one I just got is a sock monkey with a Santa hat. I really like sock monkeys, so this was just perfect!
Today, I am thankful for my background in Sociology. I think I have done more reading and ripping articles apart in that major than ever before in any setting. Over this weekend, I have been ripping apart articles, pulling out important information, and applying it to my projects. Also, I am grateful for a particular Sociology professor, who I first met in Classical Sociological Theory; this remarkable woman's particular style of teaching and testing forced me to think critically, which has been an invaluable asset in nursing. Thank you!
After we sat and got that all put together, I invited her out to lunch, and we went to Cracker Barrel. I LOVE that place. Not only is the food amazing for super cheap, but their little store is so adorable. If ever I had a financial downfall, it would be there. I did, however, buy our second special ornament for this year. My boyfriend and I are collecting two special ornaments each year until further notice, so one day we can have a Christmas tree with JUST the special ones. We got the first when we went on a train, and it actually looks like a train lamp, which is awesome. The one I just got is a sock monkey with a Santa hat. I really like sock monkeys, so this was just perfect!
Today, I am thankful for my background in Sociology. I think I have done more reading and ripping articles apart in that major than ever before in any setting. Over this weekend, I have been ripping apart articles, pulling out important information, and applying it to my projects. Also, I am grateful for a particular Sociology professor, who I first met in Classical Sociological Theory; this remarkable woman's particular style of teaching and testing forced me to think critically, which has been an invaluable asset in nursing. Thank you!
Nov. 12, 2011
Not much to report for today. Did some more homework -- I started working on my patient database, but didn't get very far on that. I spent most of the day relaxing and reviewing what I had put together already on my homework. Again, neither of us felt particularly well, so we will just meet up tomorrow.
Today, though, I am grateful for my laptop. Sounds silly, I know, but I am grateful for this incredible piece of machinery that I do my homework on, I can communicate with my family with, and I can get my entertainment on in the form of movies and TV shows online. Love it. I am so thankful that I get so much all wrapped up in one thing!!
Today, though, I am grateful for my laptop. Sounds silly, I know, but I am grateful for this incredible piece of machinery that I do my homework on, I can communicate with my family with, and I can get my entertainment on in the form of movies and TV shows online. Love it. I am so thankful that I get so much all wrapped up in one thing!!
Nov. 11, 2011
It was such a lovely day to sleep in. After this week, I really need to catch up on sleep. It has been a very stressful, very sleep-deprived kind of week, so sleeping in on this great holiday was fantastic. Even though I woke up not feeling very well. Stress cold, methinks.
Luckily for me, my partner also woke up feeling ill, so I had more time to work on our presentation and our paper and brochure, which looks amazing now, by the way. Since my partner had some issues with finding information about TB in prison populations in the US (lots of info for Russia; our presentation is on Communicable Disease in Correctional Facilities), we switched gears to HIV/AIDS for me and Hepatitis C for my partner. So, I began right away, and it took me the better part of the day to gather information, read the articles, and put it all together into slides. Then, I decided I would try to work on my part of the emphysema info paper, and ended up writing all of it, excepting the part about epidemiology (mostly because I wasn't really sure what to include on that) and the conclusion. Hey--I had to leave something for my partner to do! And, I finished up the night with putting all that info into a brochure, as if I was going to give it to a patient. It looks awesome, if I do say so myself.
So, not much to report for the day besides doing homework and relaxing a bit.
Gratitude for today is fairly obvious, but I am thankful for veterans. I am grateful for their service to our country, so we can have the freedoms we do have. I am grateful these men and women have the courage to stand up for America.
Nov. 10, 2011
This morning began with a med/surg theory examination. These tests are kind of hard, because they are the NCLEX-style questions that have more than one right answer and you have to choose the BEST right answer. And, I still feel like I don't like any of the answers sometimes. It's kind of a weird place to be in, because sometimes, too, there are three answers that I like bits and pieces of OR that I would do all at the same time (i.e. assess a patient's respiratory status AND level of consciousness).
In any case, I feel like this examination went far better than the first. In fact, I thought it was pretty easy. Although my classmates seem to disagree... Most were saying this test was too hard. Perhaps at the end of a very long, trying week, it should have seemed harder to me, also.
Oh well. Lecture was fun today, although for the most part, it still feels like a review of pathophysiology, with a bit more added on in terms of how to care for a person with specific issues.
Hmm.. something I forgot to mention about yesterday -- I had my check-offs for placing an IV. Serves me right for not staying right on top of my blogging every day!
Overall, the check-off went really well. I had the crazy professor that I am just sort of starting to like. Again. She's kind of growing on me, although I couldn't really tell you why. She said I did really well, and I only missed half a point for not filling the drip chamber BEFORE I primed the line. And, instead of just getting one critical thinking question, I ended up getting four. How fun for me. I suppose she just asks me so many questions because she knows I know stuff. Maybe. Who knows.
Overall, though, it has been a great week. I will be spending my weekend working on homework--I've got a presentation next week that I am not really looking forward to, and since my partner and I will be working on that, we will also spend some time working on our professional paper. I am hoping to work some on my database/concept map/care plan/teaching plan (yes, that's all one assignment) and my current event presentation. But, we shall see. I think maybe I will bake pies for my class on Monday now, seeing as how we have a pot luck on Wednesday. That is a much better opportunity to take in my home-made pumpkin pies!!
And, in keeping with my gratitude thingie, today I am thankful that my IV check-off is, in fact, finished and I don't have that hanging over me until Monday afternoon. Huzzah!!
In any case, I feel like this examination went far better than the first. In fact, I thought it was pretty easy. Although my classmates seem to disagree... Most were saying this test was too hard. Perhaps at the end of a very long, trying week, it should have seemed harder to me, also.
Oh well. Lecture was fun today, although for the most part, it still feels like a review of pathophysiology, with a bit more added on in terms of how to care for a person with specific issues.
Hmm.. something I forgot to mention about yesterday -- I had my check-offs for placing an IV. Serves me right for not staying right on top of my blogging every day!
Overall, the check-off went really well. I had the crazy professor that I am just sort of starting to like. Again. She's kind of growing on me, although I couldn't really tell you why. She said I did really well, and I only missed half a point for not filling the drip chamber BEFORE I primed the line. And, instead of just getting one critical thinking question, I ended up getting four. How fun for me. I suppose she just asks me so many questions because she knows I know stuff. Maybe. Who knows.
Overall, though, it has been a great week. I will be spending my weekend working on homework--I've got a presentation next week that I am not really looking forward to, and since my partner and I will be working on that, we will also spend some time working on our professional paper. I am hoping to work some on my database/concept map/care plan/teaching plan (yes, that's all one assignment) and my current event presentation. But, we shall see. I think maybe I will bake pies for my class on Monday now, seeing as how we have a pot luck on Wednesday. That is a much better opportunity to take in my home-made pumpkin pies!!
And, in keeping with my gratitude thingie, today I am thankful that my IV check-off is, in fact, finished and I don't have that hanging over me until Monday afternoon. Huzzah!!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Nov. 9, 2011 -- PART II
So today was interesting. Pharmacology exam in the morning, which I thought went pretty well. I only spent forever studying for it! Seems like some of my classmates didn't feel as good about it as I did, though.
After the exam, we had some lecturing. As always, somewhat difficult to understand at times. I think my favorite professorism of the day... well, actually I have two. The first was about diuretics, the most common of course being "hydrochloro-cyanide" (supposed to be hydrochlorothiazide). That is one way, I suppose, to solve edema. Although, I am sure there are better options... The other was in speaking about the adverse effects of diuretics. One of these, apparently, makes you have goat (supposed to be gout). I feel bad, because as much as I'm trying to stay serious, it's really hard NOT to laugh sometimes.
Interestingly, one of our nursing professors sat in for the first hour of lecture, and then took off. We found out after lunch that she was getting first-hand experience, because there have been some concerns raised to her about the difficulty of understanding our professor in Pharmacology. Also, after lunch, this professor had the program coordinator come in to listen to some of the concerns we had.
It was very professional and nothing was said directly about any one person, just situational things. i'm not sure I ever said what happened with that girl calling me the other day. She and five others were failed on the IV check-off because they grabbed the wrong type of fluid. Now, she and I understand why she had to be failed--medication errors are very serious. However, I also understand where she's coming from--I was in the same group that was taught by a different lab instructor, and we never went over where the bags of fluid were OR that there were different types. Now, from my transcription experience, I did know about different fluids. But, unless you are taught, you probably don't know that 0.9% sodium chloride is Normal Saline.
The program coordinator insisted that if we had a concern, we present a solution. So, along with presenting this concern, my classmate suggested that there be a unified presentation given by the main lab instructor with all the other instructors there, so that everyone can be on the same page and everyone is getting the same instruction. I threw in that something else to consider is not assuming we know things; many of us come into the program without any medical experience, so assuming we know something and NOT teaching it to us can be detrimental.
Emotions were running high during this open forum. Several people were crying. I think the stress is catching up with everyone, and the difficulties of inconsistency in teaching and a professor who is hard to understand is no doubt complicating the issue.
After the program coordinator left, our professor took some time to talk to us more candidly and to kind of ease us back into lecture-mode. There were still a lot of emotion, and one girl took it upon herself to tell everyone to suck it up and quit complaining--we are the elite of the elite, since we are in the accelerated program, we were told this term was going to be tough, and we should all just deal with it. And, if we are so concerned about pharmacology, just do what she does--read all the chapters, do all the review questions, and pay attention in lecture--because she is doing "fine" in that class. Now, I get where she was coming from, but the way she would about saying it was all wrong. In fact, one classmate turned around to her and said, "You know, I am doing all those same things as you, and I am NOT doing fine. So what you just said is a personal attack to me". And he nearly started crying as he was saying it.
After this, nobody was able to focus and the professor only lectured for maybe an hour. I was glad of that, because the animosity in that room was making me feel sick and like I needed to cry. Which I did as I was driving home. I know that I am stressed, but I don't really feel stressed or act on it. I just buckle down and do what I need to do. The worst part for me is knowing and feeling the tension and bad feelings between my classmates. I feel like we are a family--some are the cousins we don't see or talk to all that often, and others are the brothers and sisters we hang out with all the time. But, no matter if we talk much or not, we are all family and when there is tension and hurt feelings, I feel that.
All things considered, I feel better knowing that we were listened to today by someone who can bring about change.
So, I am thankful for a professor who initiated the process, who has sympathetic ears, and is sensitive and understanding to the needs of her students.
After the exam, we had some lecturing. As always, somewhat difficult to understand at times. I think my favorite professorism of the day... well, actually I have two. The first was about diuretics, the most common of course being "hydrochloro-cyanide" (supposed to be hydrochlorothiazide). That is one way, I suppose, to solve edema. Although, I am sure there are better options... The other was in speaking about the adverse effects of diuretics. One of these, apparently, makes you have goat (supposed to be gout). I feel bad, because as much as I'm trying to stay serious, it's really hard NOT to laugh sometimes.
Interestingly, one of our nursing professors sat in for the first hour of lecture, and then took off. We found out after lunch that she was getting first-hand experience, because there have been some concerns raised to her about the difficulty of understanding our professor in Pharmacology. Also, after lunch, this professor had the program coordinator come in to listen to some of the concerns we had.
It was very professional and nothing was said directly about any one person, just situational things. i'm not sure I ever said what happened with that girl calling me the other day. She and five others were failed on the IV check-off because they grabbed the wrong type of fluid. Now, she and I understand why she had to be failed--medication errors are very serious. However, I also understand where she's coming from--I was in the same group that was taught by a different lab instructor, and we never went over where the bags of fluid were OR that there were different types. Now, from my transcription experience, I did know about different fluids. But, unless you are taught, you probably don't know that 0.9% sodium chloride is Normal Saline.
The program coordinator insisted that if we had a concern, we present a solution. So, along with presenting this concern, my classmate suggested that there be a unified presentation given by the main lab instructor with all the other instructors there, so that everyone can be on the same page and everyone is getting the same instruction. I threw in that something else to consider is not assuming we know things; many of us come into the program without any medical experience, so assuming we know something and NOT teaching it to us can be detrimental.
Emotions were running high during this open forum. Several people were crying. I think the stress is catching up with everyone, and the difficulties of inconsistency in teaching and a professor who is hard to understand is no doubt complicating the issue.
After the program coordinator left, our professor took some time to talk to us more candidly and to kind of ease us back into lecture-mode. There were still a lot of emotion, and one girl took it upon herself to tell everyone to suck it up and quit complaining--we are the elite of the elite, since we are in the accelerated program, we were told this term was going to be tough, and we should all just deal with it. And, if we are so concerned about pharmacology, just do what she does--read all the chapters, do all the review questions, and pay attention in lecture--because she is doing "fine" in that class. Now, I get where she was coming from, but the way she would about saying it was all wrong. In fact, one classmate turned around to her and said, "You know, I am doing all those same things as you, and I am NOT doing fine. So what you just said is a personal attack to me". And he nearly started crying as he was saying it.
After this, nobody was able to focus and the professor only lectured for maybe an hour. I was glad of that, because the animosity in that room was making me feel sick and like I needed to cry. Which I did as I was driving home. I know that I am stressed, but I don't really feel stressed or act on it. I just buckle down and do what I need to do. The worst part for me is knowing and feeling the tension and bad feelings between my classmates. I feel like we are a family--some are the cousins we don't see or talk to all that often, and others are the brothers and sisters we hang out with all the time. But, no matter if we talk much or not, we are all family and when there is tension and hurt feelings, I feel that.
All things considered, I feel better knowing that we were listened to today by someone who can bring about change.
So, I am thankful for a professor who initiated the process, who has sympathetic ears, and is sensitive and understanding to the needs of her students.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Nov. 9, 2011 -- PART I
So, I know it's really late for me here, and I have been up studying and will be going to bed shortly. But I have been seeing a lot of folks doing a Thank-A-Thon or something like that. Anyways, each day, a person is meant to post on their respective social media something they are thankful for. I'm more than a week behind in starting, so I will hopefully be able to make up for that here, using my experiences from each day to hopefully formulate something relevant to be thankful for (so it is something that I would have said on that particular day) and then continue right on through Thanksgiving.
Nov. 1 -- I am thankful for how my parents raised me. I am grateful I understand accountability for my actions and respect for others, among many other valuable lessons. On this day, I taught health promotion to K-5-aged children, and some of them were just plain rude. I am happy my parents taught me NOT to be that way, but to instead show regard for those around me and especially those in authority positions. I probably didn't make it easy on them, but I am so happy my parents were able to teach me these things.
Nov. 2 -- I am thankful for education. Not just the education I have already received, but my future education as well. I am grateful that I have the opportunity and access to education to be able to further my knowledge and experiences.
Nov. 3 -- I am thankful for a working vehicle. I know I sometimes complain about my car--although probably mostly to the car itself. But, I am truly glad I have a car and especially a reliable car that runs very well. It has been about 7 years now that I have had this vehicle, which is more than half of its 13 years. And it is amazing and runs very well with very few problems. It is able to transport me from point A to point B, with probably a few stops in-between sometimes. And, while I appreciate the importance of public transportation, I am grateful that it is not something I am required to take advantage of.
Nov. 4 -- I am grateful for my background in medical transcription. I feel it has been advantageous for me in so many ways--even though many people have written it off because it is not clinical experience. I cannot tell you how many things I seem to know (from having picked it up during transcription and while looking up weird terms I didn't know) that some of my instructors and nurses don't know. Okay, I guess it's really not an exorbitant amount, but still--it shocks me that I have knowledge that they seem not to have, and my knowledge comes from "worthless" non-clinical experience. So yes, I am grateful for what my background has done for me and will continue to do for me.
Nov. 5 -- I am grateful for being confident enough to speak up. Today I had the opportunity to advocate for a patient who otherwise would have missed out on a dressing change because of a nurse being either lazy or ignorant. Perhaps it didn't make a huge difference--perhaps that dressing would have been changed the next day. But, not changing it would have risked further infection and breakdown, especially if it was given another three days to wait. In any case, even if it didn't make a huge difference, I feel more confident for having spoken up and advocating, and I feel empowered to continue being a patient advocate--because who else will advocate for them if they can't do it for themselves? That is the calling of a nurse.
Nov. 6 -- I am thankful for sleep. It is so rejuvenating and refreshing and I love it. And on this day, we got an extra hour--or so it seems with the "fall back". It is a simple thing to be grateful for, but I find myself glad that it is something that gives me a break from school AND makes me feel better AND allows time for the learning to sink in and process. Yeah--amazing.
Nov. 7 -- Blankets. I am grateful for blankets. And sweatpants. There is just something about, at the end of the day, taking a shower and getting bundled up in sweatpants and a blanket (and other articles of clothing, obviously) that is very comforting. Perhaps it is the warmth of it, or just being able to be comfortable in pajama-type clothes. I guess I don't really care -- it just feels very good, and I am grateful that I get to do this routine after my obligations of the day.
Nov. 8 -- I am thankful for music, and in conjunction with this, for the ability to hear it and feel it. Music is such a big part of my life, although I'm not sure I could tell you why. I hear the beauty of it and feel the emotions it conveys, and I am so grateful for this. I'm also glad music makes such a good backdrop for studying and how certain types of music can help me focus and retain information.
Yes, so that brings us up to today. I know I have put some minor things up here, but I feel it is the minor things that sometimes get overlooked--as the things we take for granted. Now, for my loved ones -- not to worry, you will be mentioned as we get closer to the actual day of thanks. You have not been forgotten!!
TO BE CONTINUED.....
Nov. 1 -- I am thankful for how my parents raised me. I am grateful I understand accountability for my actions and respect for others, among many other valuable lessons. On this day, I taught health promotion to K-5-aged children, and some of them were just plain rude. I am happy my parents taught me NOT to be that way, but to instead show regard for those around me and especially those in authority positions. I probably didn't make it easy on them, but I am so happy my parents were able to teach me these things.
Nov. 2 -- I am thankful for education. Not just the education I have already received, but my future education as well. I am grateful that I have the opportunity and access to education to be able to further my knowledge and experiences.
Nov. 3 -- I am thankful for a working vehicle. I know I sometimes complain about my car--although probably mostly to the car itself. But, I am truly glad I have a car and especially a reliable car that runs very well. It has been about 7 years now that I have had this vehicle, which is more than half of its 13 years. And it is amazing and runs very well with very few problems. It is able to transport me from point A to point B, with probably a few stops in-between sometimes. And, while I appreciate the importance of public transportation, I am grateful that it is not something I am required to take advantage of.
Nov. 4 -- I am grateful for my background in medical transcription. I feel it has been advantageous for me in so many ways--even though many people have written it off because it is not clinical experience. I cannot tell you how many things I seem to know (from having picked it up during transcription and while looking up weird terms I didn't know) that some of my instructors and nurses don't know. Okay, I guess it's really not an exorbitant amount, but still--it shocks me that I have knowledge that they seem not to have, and my knowledge comes from "worthless" non-clinical experience. So yes, I am grateful for what my background has done for me and will continue to do for me.
Nov. 5 -- I am grateful for being confident enough to speak up. Today I had the opportunity to advocate for a patient who otherwise would have missed out on a dressing change because of a nurse being either lazy or ignorant. Perhaps it didn't make a huge difference--perhaps that dressing would have been changed the next day. But, not changing it would have risked further infection and breakdown, especially if it was given another three days to wait. In any case, even if it didn't make a huge difference, I feel more confident for having spoken up and advocating, and I feel empowered to continue being a patient advocate--because who else will advocate for them if they can't do it for themselves? That is the calling of a nurse.
Nov. 6 -- I am thankful for sleep. It is so rejuvenating and refreshing and I love it. And on this day, we got an extra hour--or so it seems with the "fall back". It is a simple thing to be grateful for, but I find myself glad that it is something that gives me a break from school AND makes me feel better AND allows time for the learning to sink in and process. Yeah--amazing.
Nov. 7 -- Blankets. I am grateful for blankets. And sweatpants. There is just something about, at the end of the day, taking a shower and getting bundled up in sweatpants and a blanket (and other articles of clothing, obviously) that is very comforting. Perhaps it is the warmth of it, or just being able to be comfortable in pajama-type clothes. I guess I don't really care -- it just feels very good, and I am grateful that I get to do this routine after my obligations of the day.
Nov. 8 -- I am thankful for music, and in conjunction with this, for the ability to hear it and feel it. Music is such a big part of my life, although I'm not sure I could tell you why. I hear the beauty of it and feel the emotions it conveys, and I am so grateful for this. I'm also glad music makes such a good backdrop for studying and how certain types of music can help me focus and retain information.
Yes, so that brings us up to today. I know I have put some minor things up here, but I feel it is the minor things that sometimes get overlooked--as the things we take for granted. Now, for my loved ones -- not to worry, you will be mentioned as we get closer to the actual day of thanks. You have not been forgotten!!
TO BE CONTINUED.....
Nov. 8, 2011
The health screens went so well! What amazing kids! I loved them all!!
We just did vision screens, which went fine until the last kid I screened... he was doing so poorly and I struggled to know which line he was reading off of, because what he was indicating was so drastically different from what the answers actually were. I wondered why he was doing so poorly and thought that surely he would have been caught in screens before.... and then I realized I forgot to remove the blurry thingy... Yeah, apparently I'm kind of an idiot.
After this and helping the school nurse clean up a bit, I took off to go study some more for pharmacology before heading back to school for the guest speakers from a refugee placement association. It was pretty interesting to hear the extent of this program and how many refugees are taken into the US each year (which is apparently only 1% of the number of refugees worldwide). Then, a woman spoke, who is an employment advocate (she helps find jobs for refugees and makes sure they are trained adequately), and she told her story as a refugee from Sudan and her journey through the system to where she is now. Amazing. This might sound insensitive or just not the most appropriate thing to say--but hearing her story with all the hardships she faced really put things into perspective for me that my life, no matter how hard I might perceive it to be, has really been very easy.
She was 7 when her village was attacked, and in one night, 6 of her siblings were murdered. She was separated from her family, and ended up with a distant relative who took her along to a refugee camp in Kenya. She didn't know it until many years later, but her parents, 2 sisters, and 1 brother lived and went to a refugee camp in Uganda. Her family assumed she was also murdered. She spent ten years in the refugee camp in Kenya before she was able to come to the United States. She was unable to find work because she was not yet 18; after she turned 18, she applied and immediately got a job, but realized it was not something she wanted to do forever. She pursued education, and at the age of 21, graduated from high school. She then attended college and graduated in 5 years. Oh--and before attending high school here, she had never learned to read or write; so she was learning the ABCs when she was 18. She is able to read and write in English, but cannot in her native language.
After she was here in the US for about 10 years or so, she found out about her parents being alive and took a trip to see her family. It had been 20 years since her mother had seen her, and each had thought the other was dead. I cannot imagine how awkward (perhaps) and disconnected things might feel after that assumption and length of time.
So yes--I have had a very privileged and easy life, especially when compared with the hardships that this remarkable woman--and many millions like her--endured.
Just amazing.
We just did vision screens, which went fine until the last kid I screened... he was doing so poorly and I struggled to know which line he was reading off of, because what he was indicating was so drastically different from what the answers actually were. I wondered why he was doing so poorly and thought that surely he would have been caught in screens before.... and then I realized I forgot to remove the blurry thingy... Yeah, apparently I'm kind of an idiot.
After this and helping the school nurse clean up a bit, I took off to go study some more for pharmacology before heading back to school for the guest speakers from a refugee placement association. It was pretty interesting to hear the extent of this program and how many refugees are taken into the US each year (which is apparently only 1% of the number of refugees worldwide). Then, a woman spoke, who is an employment advocate (she helps find jobs for refugees and makes sure they are trained adequately), and she told her story as a refugee from Sudan and her journey through the system to where she is now. Amazing. This might sound insensitive or just not the most appropriate thing to say--but hearing her story with all the hardships she faced really put things into perspective for me that my life, no matter how hard I might perceive it to be, has really been very easy.
She was 7 when her village was attacked, and in one night, 6 of her siblings were murdered. She was separated from her family, and ended up with a distant relative who took her along to a refugee camp in Kenya. She didn't know it until many years later, but her parents, 2 sisters, and 1 brother lived and went to a refugee camp in Uganda. Her family assumed she was also murdered. She spent ten years in the refugee camp in Kenya before she was able to come to the United States. She was unable to find work because she was not yet 18; after she turned 18, she applied and immediately got a job, but realized it was not something she wanted to do forever. She pursued education, and at the age of 21, graduated from high school. She then attended college and graduated in 5 years. Oh--and before attending high school here, she had never learned to read or write; so she was learning the ABCs when she was 18. She is able to read and write in English, but cannot in her native language.
After she was here in the US for about 10 years or so, she found out about her parents being alive and took a trip to see her family. It had been 20 years since her mother had seen her, and each had thought the other was dead. I cannot imagine how awkward (perhaps) and disconnected things might feel after that assumption and length of time.
So yes--I have had a very privileged and easy life, especially when compared with the hardships that this remarkable woman--and many millions like her--endured.
Just amazing.
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