Every monday night, Kristofor and his "singles group" friends go rock climbing. He has invited me several times, but I don't like the idea of driving to Dallas on a Monday night to return after my bedtime. Long drive, long day. Well, last night, I caved. I did it. It was the best decision!!!
It felt so good to do something other than homework on a week night. Because I am almost done with everything, I was able to convince myself that a night for ME was okay. I allowed myself that time. I'm so glad I did. I just happened to make a few friends and score myself an invite to the singles camping trip in a few weeks. I may go, I may not go. It depends on if a hospital related camp is the same weekend. We'll see.
This just reminded me the importance of doing things for myself and not always following the rules and doing homework. Work doesn't always have to be before play.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Hunger Games
Friday night, a big group of us went to see The Hunger Games.
I loved it. I spent the whole movie analyzing how it was different from the book, but I still loved it.
Love. Love. Love. It was a good group of people too. That made it even better.
I want to see it again.
Last night, I went with Brad to see 21 Jump Street. It was actually pretty good... and I guess Brad isn't too bad of company. I mean, he paid for everything and he opened the car door for me. Having a big brother isn't so bad after all.
My internship is coming to an end and I keep reminding myself that I am not in control. I am really having to work hard to turn that control over to God. It is not easy. I like to control things, I like to plan things. Me. Me. Me. But it isn't about me... and I am learning to accept that.
So, be praying for me and where I am to end up. Dallas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, the Middle East... wherever it is, I will go to do God's work, not mine.
I loved it. I spent the whole movie analyzing how it was different from the book, but I still loved it.
Love. Love. Love. It was a good group of people too. That made it even better.
I want to see it again.
Last night, I went with Brad to see 21 Jump Street. It was actually pretty good... and I guess Brad isn't too bad of company. I mean, he paid for everything and he opened the car door for me. Having a big brother isn't so bad after all.
My internship is coming to an end and I keep reminding myself that I am not in control. I am really having to work hard to turn that control over to God. It is not easy. I like to control things, I like to plan things. Me. Me. Me. But it isn't about me... and I am learning to accept that.
So, be praying for me and where I am to end up. Dallas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, the Middle East... wherever it is, I will go to do God's work, not mine.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
St. Patrick's Day
The day started with me thinking that my St. Patrick's Day in Texas was going to mean me sitting at the house alone doing homework. I didn't want that, so I talked Brittany into going to get dinner.
We took her tiny little yorkie-poo to the dog park. I love dog parks. I had never been, but I want to go back all the time... without a dog... because people let you pet their dogs, as much as you want!
Anyway, we hung out there for a while. There is a little dog park and big dog park. On the big dog park, we saw a Bull Terrier. (Target Dog). I have been obsessed with these things for the past couple of months. I just thing they are the ugliest/cutest things ever and I want one!!! Well, there was one there and I kept watching it and Brittany and I decided to name it Bullet. It seemed a pretty fitting name because it was kind of stocky and was definitely a boy. We talked about him and watched him play.
When we were leaving, so was Bullet. Well, me being... me kept turning around to look at the dog as we were walking away. The owner was a young, semi-attractive boy, who took my turning around gawking at his down... as turning around gawking at HIM. This was not the case.... Dude, sorry to break it to ya, but I'm checking your dog out... not you.
Anyway, when we were driving out of the parking lot, the guy saw us and waved! haha. I waved back and laughed... then he caught up with us on the road and drove up beside us to wave... it was awkward. I just really liked his dog!!
After the Bullet, dog park fiasco, we went to a place called Jakes. It is this bar/restaurant that is known for its burgers. There was a live band and TVs. The TVs were our main focus because Brittany really wanted to watch the Baylor game. So, we sat in a corner, watched the game, drank green beer, and ate our messy messy burgers. Tonight, we were men. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
We took her tiny little yorkie-poo to the dog park. I love dog parks. I had never been, but I want to go back all the time... without a dog... because people let you pet their dogs, as much as you want!
Anyway, we hung out there for a while. There is a little dog park and big dog park. On the big dog park, we saw a Bull Terrier. (Target Dog). I have been obsessed with these things for the past couple of months. I just thing they are the ugliest/cutest things ever and I want one!!! Well, there was one there and I kept watching it and Brittany and I decided to name it Bullet. It seemed a pretty fitting name because it was kind of stocky and was definitely a boy. We talked about him and watched him play.
When we were leaving, so was Bullet. Well, me being... me kept turning around to look at the dog as we were walking away. The owner was a young, semi-attractive boy, who took my turning around gawking at his down... as turning around gawking at HIM. This was not the case.... Dude, sorry to break it to ya, but I'm checking your dog out... not you.
Anyway, when we were driving out of the parking lot, the guy saw us and waved! haha. I waved back and laughed... then he caught up with us on the road and drove up beside us to wave... it was awkward. I just really liked his dog!!
After the Bullet, dog park fiasco, we went to a place called Jakes. It is this bar/restaurant that is known for its burgers. There was a live band and TVs. The TVs were our main focus because Brittany really wanted to watch the Baylor game. So, we sat in a corner, watched the game, drank green beer, and ate our messy messy burgers. Tonight, we were men. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
It is kind of dark, but you get the picture.
First week on my new Rotation
My new rotation is cool. Different, but cool.
My new supervisor's name is Terri.
I'm on the Trauma/surgical floor. All of the kids coming out of surgery come to my floor. Well, not all of them, but a lot of them. Our main population is made up of kids that aren't normally in the hospital but are admitted for reasons like appendectomies or broken bones, or random surgeries like that.
Child life's main job on this floor is to get the kids up and walking after their surgery. A lot of kids that have surgery don't want to get up and do anything, but in order for them to go home, they have to. We bribe them will video games and toys. It almost always works. We entice them to come to the playroom, or activities that are taking place around the hospital.
We see a lot of random stuff up here, but I like it.
My new supervisor's name is Terri.
I'm on the Trauma/surgical floor. All of the kids coming out of surgery come to my floor. Well, not all of them, but a lot of them. Our main population is made up of kids that aren't normally in the hospital but are admitted for reasons like appendectomies or broken bones, or random surgeries like that.
Child life's main job on this floor is to get the kids up and walking after their surgery. A lot of kids that have surgery don't want to get up and do anything, but in order for them to go home, they have to. We bribe them will video games and toys. It almost always works. We entice them to come to the playroom, or activities that are taking place around the hospital.
We see a lot of random stuff up here, but I like it.
Wedding Weekend
It was great to see everybody.
It was emotional because it symbolizes growing up and things changing.
Mary. Was. Beautiful.
The wedding was beautiful.
I would have expected Mary to be somewhat of a bridezilla, because it is her right on her day, but she wasn't. She was the opposite. She was so aware of other people's feelings even though it was her day to shine. I kept expecting her to freak out and be nervous but she was so calm and so sure of herself. It was quite inspiring. I hope I am that 'put together' on my wedding day.
I was so honored to be a part of her day. So honored.
I had a "Bridesmaid" moment at the end of the day. When they are all sending the bride and groom off and the best friend looks at her and waits for her to look back... that is right before Caleb Rummel THREW A LIT SPARKLER AT THE BRIDE!!!! Then, all of the saddness, joy, and sentimentalness DISAPPEARED and I just kept yelling, "YOU THREW A LIT SPARKLER AT THE BRIDE!!!??"
...and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how Caleb Rummel died.
just kidding. maybe if he had actually caught her on fire, I would have actually killed him, and I'm sure I would have had helpers.
What a beautiful weekend.
Surgery
One of our assignments is to do a "full admission" assignment. This is where we follow a patient throughout the entire surgery process: from beginning to end.
I got to do mine on February 29th.
It was a patient getting a port placement. For those of you that don't know what that is:
a port is basically a semi permanent IV access site. It is a small round disc that is connected to a small tube or catheter. The tube goes directly to the heart and the disc is placed under the skin in the chest, usually right below the collar bone. The port can be felt under the skin. When the port is "accessed" that means it has a needle into it and medicine can be given and blood can be drawn. Ports are usually placed for patients that go through a lot of treatments. Cancer patients almost always get a port. It is common with other diagnoses as well, but most commonly, cancer. Anyway, they go into surgery to get this placed. It can last for years and years. But eventually, it can be removed when it is no longer needed.
The benefits of having a port vs an IV or a PICC line or whatever is you can bathe, swim, do pretty much anything and you don't have to do dressing changes or get it replaced. With other lines, you can't get them wet or anything, so showering is difficult, you can't swim and forget sports.
Anyway, that is what a port is.
This kid had to get one and I got to watch.
I started out meeting them the night before and the family was so so sweet. I showed up at the hospital at 6:30am and donned my ugly green surgical scrubs and pocketed my surgical mask, shoe covers and head covering thing.
It turns out that surgical people don't wait on anyone because while I was waiting for the family to wake up and get around (I was 10 feet away from the door, around the corner) they left me. They came and got the patient and I totally missed it. I started getting worried because it was almost time for their scheduled surgery. I finally bucked up and walked in the room. They were gone. DANGIT!!!
I ran down to surgery just in time. They were 1 minute away from taking him back into the OR. I was pissed! The nurses knew where I was and that I was there to observe the surgery. Whatever.
We got back there, I stood in the corner like a dweeb trying to stay out of the way. At one point the nurse asked me to go help the doctors tie their gowns!! I had no idea what I was doing. Those gowns are confusing and everything is sterile. I kept replaying what my supervisor had told me: "Don't touch ANYTHING that is blue." (because that means it is sterile and you are not sterile.) Wellllll the gown was blue... I was terrified that I was going to contaminate something. It turns out the nurses had to walk me through the procedure. Well when it came to the second doctor, I was feeling a little more confident. She handed me some string with a piece of paper and told me to hold onto the piece of paper. When I did, she spun around and all the nurses started clapping and saying, "yay! you did it." and I got excited, so I let go. That wasn't the correct thing to do. I was supposed to keep a hold of the paper until it fell of, then tie the gown. I felt like an idiot. Everyone was laughing at me. Haha, needless to say, I went back to my corner.
During the surgery, I couldn't see a whole lot, but I kept reminding myself that I wasn't there to see the actual surgery, but to observe the surgical experience, ie. the surroundings, the environment, the sounds, the smell, etc.
After the surgery, I went into recovery with the patient. He did really well. One of his biggest fears was crying when he woke up. He didn't. He woke up and started talking, not a tear.
It was a really cool experience seeing that from the inside.
When I was in recovery, before my patient woke up, I was looking around at the other kids who were waking up. There was one patient, probably 18 months old or so. She was having a hard time coming out of the anesthesia and did not want to lay flat on her bed. she was fighting it, and crying. One of the care techs came over and pulled up a chair and held her for over 45 minutes. I thought he was a volunteer because the places was SLAMMED!! Every bed was full and nurses and doctors were all over the place. I just couldn't believe that he took time out of his day to hold that baby. That baby just snuggled up to this burly man and fell right to sleep. As a mother, that would be the most comforting thing, knowing that when I can't be with my baby, someone else is making it their priority to make that baby feel comforted. Gawww!
I got to do mine on February 29th.
It was a patient getting a port placement. For those of you that don't know what that is:
a port is basically a semi permanent IV access site. It is a small round disc that is connected to a small tube or catheter. The tube goes directly to the heart and the disc is placed under the skin in the chest, usually right below the collar bone. The port can be felt under the skin. When the port is "accessed" that means it has a needle into it and medicine can be given and blood can be drawn. Ports are usually placed for patients that go through a lot of treatments. Cancer patients almost always get a port. It is common with other diagnoses as well, but most commonly, cancer. Anyway, they go into surgery to get this placed. It can last for years and years. But eventually, it can be removed when it is no longer needed.
The benefits of having a port vs an IV or a PICC line or whatever is you can bathe, swim, do pretty much anything and you don't have to do dressing changes or get it replaced. With other lines, you can't get them wet or anything, so showering is difficult, you can't swim and forget sports.
Anyway, that is what a port is.
This kid had to get one and I got to watch.
I started out meeting them the night before and the family was so so sweet. I showed up at the hospital at 6:30am and donned my ugly green surgical scrubs and pocketed my surgical mask, shoe covers and head covering thing.
It turns out that surgical people don't wait on anyone because while I was waiting for the family to wake up and get around (I was 10 feet away from the door, around the corner) they left me. They came and got the patient and I totally missed it. I started getting worried because it was almost time for their scheduled surgery. I finally bucked up and walked in the room. They were gone. DANGIT!!!
I ran down to surgery just in time. They were 1 minute away from taking him back into the OR. I was pissed! The nurses knew where I was and that I was there to observe the surgery. Whatever.
We got back there, I stood in the corner like a dweeb trying to stay out of the way. At one point the nurse asked me to go help the doctors tie their gowns!! I had no idea what I was doing. Those gowns are confusing and everything is sterile. I kept replaying what my supervisor had told me: "Don't touch ANYTHING that is blue." (because that means it is sterile and you are not sterile.) Wellllll the gown was blue... I was terrified that I was going to contaminate something. It turns out the nurses had to walk me through the procedure. Well when it came to the second doctor, I was feeling a little more confident. She handed me some string with a piece of paper and told me to hold onto the piece of paper. When I did, she spun around and all the nurses started clapping and saying, "yay! you did it." and I got excited, so I let go. That wasn't the correct thing to do. I was supposed to keep a hold of the paper until it fell of, then tie the gown. I felt like an idiot. Everyone was laughing at me. Haha, needless to say, I went back to my corner.
During the surgery, I couldn't see a whole lot, but I kept reminding myself that I wasn't there to see the actual surgery, but to observe the surgical experience, ie. the surroundings, the environment, the sounds, the smell, etc.
After the surgery, I went into recovery with the patient. He did really well. One of his biggest fears was crying when he woke up. He didn't. He woke up and started talking, not a tear.
It was a really cool experience seeing that from the inside.
When I was in recovery, before my patient woke up, I was looking around at the other kids who were waking up. There was one patient, probably 18 months old or so. She was having a hard time coming out of the anesthesia and did not want to lay flat on her bed. she was fighting it, and crying. One of the care techs came over and pulled up a chair and held her for over 45 minutes. I thought he was a volunteer because the places was SLAMMED!! Every bed was full and nurses and doctors were all over the place. I just couldn't believe that he took time out of his day to hold that baby. That baby just snuggled up to this burly man and fell right to sleep. As a mother, that would be the most comforting thing, knowing that when I can't be with my baby, someone else is making it their priority to make that baby feel comforted. Gawww!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
ED: which means Emergency Department... not Erectile Disfunction
Last week was our "free week" which basically means we get to go wherever we want to. I chose the Emergency Room.
It. Was. Awesome.
I have fallen in love with the ED. It is so fast paced and there is so much respect for child life there. A lot of what we do is IV starts, but we also get to help with laceration repairs, digital blocks (which is where they give the kid a nasty shot that numbs their whole finger, or toe, etc. They are used for toe/finger nail removals, partial amputations of the fingers and toes, etc.), anything. I got to do 3 procedures by myself when I was there. I got to see two lacs: partial amputation of the finger, and a nasty laceration on a kid's arm. I also got to see a kid almost vomit all over me, yeeep. Not the most glamorous part of our job, but it happens.
I don't really get woosy or anything during procedures, but at one point, I did. I was watching a nasty laceration repair and I just started to get hot. I just moved to where I couldn't see it and took deep breaths, then I was fine. I actually was able to move over to see up close. At first, I was worried though, but I turned out fine.
I really liked the ED. I would loooove to work there. Always something new, but you have to have a LOT of energy.
It. Was. Awesome.
I have fallen in love with the ED. It is so fast paced and there is so much respect for child life there. A lot of what we do is IV starts, but we also get to help with laceration repairs, digital blocks (which is where they give the kid a nasty shot that numbs their whole finger, or toe, etc. They are used for toe/finger nail removals, partial amputations of the fingers and toes, etc.), anything. I got to do 3 procedures by myself when I was there. I got to see two lacs: partial amputation of the finger, and a nasty laceration on a kid's arm. I also got to see a kid almost vomit all over me, yeeep. Not the most glamorous part of our job, but it happens.
I don't really get woosy or anything during procedures, but at one point, I did. I was watching a nasty laceration repair and I just started to get hot. I just moved to where I couldn't see it and took deep breaths, then I was fine. I actually was able to move over to see up close. At first, I was worried though, but I turned out fine.
I really liked the ED. I would loooove to work there. Always something new, but you have to have a LOT of energy.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
All in all good weekend
Natalie came this weekend. :)
It was a Saturday filled with fun and bridesmaid shopping.
I met them at NorthPark mall and we shopped ALLLLL day for a dress and ended up finding one at American Eagle!! It was on sale and she is super happy with it. Here is a silly picture of me in it. You can sort of see it.
It was a Saturday filled with fun and bridesmaid shopping.
I met them at NorthPark mall and we shopped ALLLLL day for a dress and ended up finding one at American Eagle!! It was on sale and she is super happy with it. Here is a silly picture of me in it. You can sort of see it.
It's cute.
We ate dinner at some Italian Pizza place owned by the Mob... It was really good. We went with Hailey to get a tattoo because we were sort of celebrating her birthday too. Her tattoo was super cute and Kelsey almost got one, but talked herself out of it.
I went to church with Kristofor the next morning and then we went to the Fort Worth Zoo to celebrate Matt (Kristofor's roommate)'s birthday! It was awesome! I love the zoo! I got to see the GIRAFFES!!! EEEK!!!!
I wish my phone took better pictures...
It was a great weekend. I'm thankful for friends who come to visit and friends who have friends that they are willing to share with me.
Last Week in Dialysis
My last week in Dialysis was an emotional week. I was so sad to go. I have grown to love it there: the kids, the staff, everything. I feel comfortable and I don't want to leave. My last activity for the week was a Jeopardy game that I adapted to relate to Dialysis. All of the questions were focused on teaching them something about their diagnosis.
The categories were:
The Staff: funny and interesting facts about staff
Hemodialysis: questions related to the actual dialysis process
Diet: questions related to diet restrictions based on what the nutritionist (or as some of the kids call her: THE FOOD KILLER) says about ways to keep themselves healthier with failing kidneys.
Medical Equipment: This made them identify or explain medical equipment related to treatments
Medications: This proved to be a difficult one to some of the kids, because most of them don't pay attention what medications they are on.
Also, I made the board versatile. I made it so that the department could use it for other games and versions as well. So the top cards are dry erase and all of the cards are velcroed on... :)
I was so impressed by how much they loved it! They got so into it that they all wanted to play again after we had gone through all 25 questions. So, we ran and got some make-shift questions that were from the nutritionist (food killer). They were really hard, but the kids still liked it.
Later on in the week, one of the kids (who never really did ANY of my activities) specifically asked if we could play Jeopardy again. I about peed myself because I never expected that from him. Haha!!!!
It was a great way to end my time there. I miss it already. And I've heard through the grapevine... that the kids really miss me too. :) That's a good sign, right????
The categories were:
The Staff: funny and interesting facts about staff
Hemodialysis: questions related to the actual dialysis process
Diet: questions related to diet restrictions based on what the nutritionist (or as some of the kids call her: THE FOOD KILLER) says about ways to keep themselves healthier with failing kidneys.
Medical Equipment: This made them identify or explain medical equipment related to treatments
Medications: This proved to be a difficult one to some of the kids, because most of them don't pay attention what medications they are on.
Also, I made the board versatile. I made it so that the department could use it for other games and versions as well. So the top cards are dry erase and all of the cards are velcroed on... :)
I was so impressed by how much they loved it! They got so into it that they all wanted to play again after we had gone through all 25 questions. So, we ran and got some make-shift questions that were from the nutritionist (food killer). They were really hard, but the kids still liked it.Later on in the week, one of the kids (who never really did ANY of my activities) specifically asked if we could play Jeopardy again. I about peed myself because I never expected that from him. Haha!!!!
It was a great way to end my time there. I miss it already. And I've heard through the grapevine... that the kids really miss me too. :) That's a good sign, right????
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