Upping the Ante

I started lifting again today. Made a happy little spreadsheet to track things (I know, geek!) and did a full upper body workout. Its been too long. I have always said that I love the process by which my body transforms when I exercise frequently... what I don't love... is the realization of what I've lost when I restart. It can be incredibly un-motivating seeing where you are when you know where you've been... but at the same time it makes it VERY easy to set goals. ;)

I made a huge pot of chicken soup on Friday and we're still eating on it. I LOVE making soup, especially chicken with lots of veggies (carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mushrooms, broccoli, etc... sometimes I'll chop up some greens if they look really good at the store and throw them in to). And I'm lazy, so I just buy the boxed organic chicken stock (or broth if you prefer) in the health-food section of the grocery store and throw that in once the veggies have sauteed in a little olive oil, bring everything to a boil and then squeeze fresh lemon juice and eat. I use simple spices too, a little rubbed sage, thyme leaves, crushed red-pepper and salt/pepper. Throw that down with a fresh biscuit and some salad and you're set for a few days worth of meals.

Today is my last day of freedom before classes kick in again, but I'm thinking I'll be able to get away for at least one weekend in February to visit friends before clinical rotations start up again in March. I'm excited to do a little traveling, so wish me luck!

I did it

I finished my first clinical rotation this week. By the end of the 5th day I was successfully caring for two post-surgical patients. I may have saved a patient who was recovering from an abdominal aortic aneurism repair... she had pain in her calf, and her foot was cool to the touch... we sent her for a stat CT scan... I didn't hear any of the results on it, but when I came back the next day she'd been transferred to the ICU.

I gave injections, watched/assisted in a chest tube removal, removed 3 foley catheters, attempted an IV start (failed, but oh well.) did some pretty extensive wound care, etc... it was a pretty intense rotation. I'm glad it's over, and I did well (clinical instructor gave me an A) but I'm already looking forward to the next rotation.

I've got one more free day before class starts again on Wednesday so I'm trying to get things done around the house and I may do some pre-reading tomorrow. It seems like October is going to be here in no time at all. When your life is measured by intense 2 week blocks of time, days and months seem to lose all meaning... *sigh*

Do me a favor... please?

My Adult Health Assessment skills exam is tomorrow morning.

Just send me some good luck vibes... its going to be a very, very, very difficult day.

Thanks.

Sunday Lab

It is 5:45 in the morning.

I just put a sour-cream streusel coffee cake into the oven.

At 8:00 my practical nursing life begins with our very first hands-on Lab day. Yes, school on Sunday... you didn't think they called it accelerated and only required school from Monday to Friday every week did ya? Oh good.

Following two full days (8am - 8pm) of lab I have my first clinical placement... I believe it is two days on the ambulatory surgical unit (out-patient surgery)... starting IVs, taking histories, vitals, etc... I'm a little nervous on the whole vein puncture thing... but its a skill I want to have and that I want to be VERY VERY good at. I know what its like to have a nurse who can't find a vein and it sucks... I don't ever want to be that nurse.

Many of my classmates come from all over the place. One is from Arizona and several are from MN and IL and other such states, and they all had to travel yesterday, most are staying in a hotel or the dorms on campus, neither of which provide the comforts of home and so... yes... I am making a coffee cake to bring for breakfast because that's just how I am, thank you very much.

I suppose I could have gotten up and gone for a run instead... hrmm... oh well, next time. ;)

Wish us all luck!!

Meet Bishop

He's the newest member of our kitty family. He's about 6 months old, a total snuggler, lover, has a fantastic purr motor and is SUPER silky and soft. He's also playful and bold enough to stand up to our bitchy kitty Dasha. (Dasha isn't bitchy to people, she LOVES people... she's just bitchy to other cats). Amber LOVES him to death and they often snuggle up together which is the cutest thing EVER! I should try to get a picture of that at some point.

In any case... Happy New Year!!! And consider adoption for your next pet... its definitely the way to go for us. (He gets fixed tomorrow... wish him luck!)