Time flies...just 10 weeks to go!

It's amazing how I look back at August and said to myself this will be a long program! But here I am down to just 10 weeks left and can't quite believe it is almost over. Rather sad, actually. With all the hours, pages, exams, papers and time spent in clinicals you would think I might want to be rid of it. But, as I realize my time in school is just mere few weeks from being over, I feel a little like I am losing something. Now that sounds weird, even for me. But, I guess you complain because it's too hard, too much to know or because I am just too tired. But, it's also like when you are reading a great book and you realize you are almost finished with it. Although, you want to know the rest, you don't want it to end. I have had so many great escapades in my story! From speaking Spanish on the OB unit, when no one else could. (Huevos, or is it Ojos?) Getting my first stick of an I.V. holding a man's hand twice my size, Watching a young woman go through advanced radiation treatment to save her breast, Seeing a brain tumor found on MRI, and seeing how Diabetes affects almost every patient I've worked with. These are just a few of the many great people I have come to meet on my short journey so far. Along with all my class mates, of whom some were not so fortunate to make it to the next quarter with us this time, I have had a great time. I would have to admit, some of my time has been rough, especially when my program consists of 95% women. Estrogen blows Testosterone right out of the water! That has been one of my biggest challenges. I am not trying to be number one, but I don't feel that "just passing" is for me. So, I have worked hard to stay above, and have bumped some heads along the way. But, I have also remembered that all of us have sacrificed to be where we are and we will all get a prize at the end! On to the next chapter...for good things come to those who wait.

Christmas '07

Christmas came and went so fast this year! I definitely think the days are getting shorter...
Or maybe it's that I haven't made time to smell the warm chocolate chip cookies lately(I like chocolate much better than roses) Just enjoying a nice evening by the fire with a cup of hot tea would take up too much time! So, I guess my 2008 resolution will be to make more cookies, and drink more sleepy time tea...maybe even read a book that has nothing to do with nursing? Can't promise, but I can always hope. We hope this year will be slow for you too...although we are almost finished with January!

Papa John's Bowl

Brent took Jared to his first football game...and boy did they get the royal treatment!

Brent was able to get some tickets to the Cincinnati Bearcats bowl game down in Alabama. Brent, Jared and Christian, a friend from work, drove down in 10 hrs for a weekend of fun! Christian is an alumni who was able to hook them up with a great time! When they first got there they were able to go hang out with the band, Bearcat's mascot & cheerleaders, eat dinner and get lots of free stuff! Jared waited for the bus to arrive and the players came off one-by-one and high-fived Jared as they walked by. The morning of the game, Jared got to meet the players and listen to the head coach give a speech. He was so excited! Brent said he was smiling the whole time! He got to play games and they both got their faces painted. Bearcats 31-21 victory over Southern Mississippi!

Go Buckeyes!

So even though Ohio State didn't win the National Championship this year, Jared still made out with his new official team jersey for his birthday! (Here he is showing off his moves!)

Yea! 25 weeks to go!

My 1st quarter is over and before you know it I am already into my 2nd! By the way I passed with flying colors, 3 A's & 3 B+'s (had to add the + sign) Here I am with some of the other students, just after our grades were posted! As you can see the smiling faces tells alot about how everyone did! Although, I have to report since we have started this quarter, we are down to 64/85 students to begin with.
Since we passed Pharmacology, we are able to give shots and pass meds to patients. I gave my first flu shots just a few weeks ago! Woohoo! Man it was fun! None of my clients made a wince. The key is to stick and stick it fast! Don't push the needle in a mm at a time. (Which is what I did witness from some of the students, they were nervous.) Our next clinical rotations will begin next week. We are going into OB, Rehab and the OR. Those should be some good times. Right now we are studying the fetal development & birthing process in OB, Cancer & HIV/AIDS in Med Surg, Anti-hypertensives in Pharmacology and Charting Documentation in Nursing Principles. My load is only 4 classes this quarter, but the exams are covering diseases more in depth, so I still have late nights of studying.
You would think with having 3 babies, I would know what the heck a woman's body actually had to go through just for the baby to come out safe & sound. But, man I am telling you there is alot more too it than you think. There is definitely a miracle happening every moment! With all the complications I had with each boy, I can't believe they don't have 2 heads or something crazy! Another issue that has impacted me is the HIV/AIDS patients. These folks suffer some great ordeals from the moment they are infected. In the U.S., most of the patients are men (from male to male sexual contact) which has given me a whole new outlook at homosexuals. It is hard as a Christian to not look at their activities with disgust, because I do not agree with them. I think I am starting to feel more of a sense of compassion and sorrow for them rather than being appalled by their choices. Which is what I am being taught as a nursing student, that although, I may not agree with the choices that a patient is making, I still have to accept that they are a person. And every person to me is a child from God, that is what makes each one of us special.