Tears

There will be more to follow about this...but this is all I can do right now.

'Tears -
You never know what may cause them. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it, or a piece of music, or a face you've never seen before. A pair of somebody's old shoes can do it....a highschool basketball team running out onto the gym floor at the start of a game. You can never be sure.
But of this you can be sure.
Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention.
They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them in the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next'.
~ Frederick Buechner

Human Pin Cushion

Today we are evaluating the clinical evidence of pap smears & the technique of conization of a cancerous cervix. With a few STD's thrown in for good measure and plenty of moist looking pictures.
Interesting?
sort of
Fascinating?
not really.

The reality of Seasonal Affect Disorder coupled with the monotinous drone of 8months of 40 hours a week in class is beginning to take it's toll. My mind wanders to the dream-like lives of friends engaged in wonderful social activities involving healthy realtionships, new pregnancies, grandbabies born, house warming parties, super bowl tickets, Colorado winter weddings and family birthday parties.

(I haven't heard a word the professor has said in the last 10 minutes.)

I turned 30 last weekend- in the midst of an uneventful holiday weekend - with me hitting traffic on the way to church - then studying for an exam in the afternoon.
Sad?
Definitely.
Surprised?
not really.
Seems to fit the winter 2006 style.

But there is one aspect of school that has recently kept us on our toes and the adrenaline rushing through our veins.
We have become human pin cushions.
Our clinical skills course requires us to learn the basics of IV insertion and venous puncture. Using one another to practice.
We arrived in class last thursday and were promptly told to sit down and bare our arms. No preparation or time to run. And most of the class has never handled a needle before - and do I need to remind you that IV's are a 1.5 inch long plastic catheter shoved up your small delicate veins!!!
IN YOUR HAND!!!!
Stories abound in this arena - with my first insertion not even entering a vein eliciting many loud responses from my partner. Another classmate shared with us a small picture of what she must have been like in labor. Wow.
But it was all very helpful and "empowering".

(I pray that I NEVER have to insert an IV in an actual patient)
Ever.

Welcome 2006 - pass the kleenex...

It has been a lifetime since I sat to post an entry and I appologize for my absence and lack of stories or inappropriate medical humor. More shall be coming soon.
I sit with OJ, kleenex, dayquil and the remote in my lap. The first illness of my PA school career....which isnt' too shabby since I started over 7 months ago. (A record for my less than boisterous immune system) The bacteria and virus particles caught up to me during the busy and fullfilling holiday season.
The basics of our 3 weeks 'off' included 3 days in Seattle, 4 days in Sacramento/Pleasanton and 4 days in San Diego for the fabulous wedding of my brother -in-law Eric to his beautiful bride Lacey.
It was a whirlwind - but wonderful...
here are a few of the favorites...