or succumbing to the insanity??!!! (is succumbing even a word??)
This week:
New TA (teacher's assistant)-responsible for teaching our little group of 4 EVERYTHING on the cadeaver.
If you get a good one, you're set. A bad one... I shudder to think.
Mike seems great this week. Very patient, very methodical, very repetitive- perfect for memorization and identification.
Last week we had Eliane and she ROCKED!!!
Brachial plexus, blood flow from the arteries (straight from the aorta) down to the hands, and all of the innervations to go along with the muscles are coming at me to be tested on for Friday.
I miss my family- Brian and the kids are away camping at San Elijo, so I am 'batchin it this week.
;( but, lots of studying going on.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
I'm Back!!! What a week...
-Whew!
Really quick... Things I accomplished last week:
-Started my 9 unit, immersion Clinical Anatomy class at Loma Linda University
-Met 10 new friends, and 4 amazing women
-Donned gloves, touched cadeavers and learned the origin, insertion, innervation and action of 12 upper body muscles
-Got tested on said muscles etc... and passed!!! (High B, low B) There were TWO tests, mind you!
-Learned I really don't need 8 hours of sleep to function on some sort of conscious level AND that...
-A 38 year old woman with 3 kids can keep up AND kick the butts of much younger students!
Little Jo also discovered her shadow this week!
She is jumping around, trying to kick the ground with one foot while she stares at it.
More to come-
Also, Hi Gramps and Grams up in the Redwoods!!! Much love!
Really quick... Things I accomplished last week:
-Started my 9 unit, immersion Clinical Anatomy class at Loma Linda University
-Met 10 new friends, and 4 amazing women
-Donned gloves, touched cadeavers and learned the origin, insertion, innervation and action of 12 upper body muscles
-Got tested on said muscles etc... and passed!!! (High B, low B) There were TWO tests, mind you!
-Learned I really don't need 8 hours of sleep to function on some sort of conscious level AND that...
-A 38 year old woman with 3 kids can keep up AND kick the butts of much younger students!
Little Jo also discovered her shadow this week!
She is jumping around, trying to kick the ground with one foot while she stares at it.
More to come-
Also, Hi Gramps and Grams up in the Redwoods!!! Much love!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
A Man of Incredible Faith
Today I had the privilege of visiting a friend of mine. Unfortunately, he is in the hospital right now for tests to determine why he is suddenly paralyzed.
I won't go into much detail about his identity or his health concerns due to his privacy (hey, ya never know who is reading this in cyberspace...) but I went to see how his spirits were, and to "cheer him up" I suppose.
Instead, I ended up walking away a better person -for having shared time with him, and listening to his incredible testimony and faith in the belief that he will be healed, and that this period of time in his life is meant to achieve a higher final purpose.
I learned about his life after the war, and how he lived it with a surprising medical issue which affects his lung capacity.
He told me this after he finished his excruciating physical therapy exercises, and was breathless and struggling for a regular breathing rhythm. He also told me that he knows whatever happens is God's will, and that he is determined to live for Him and whatever is in store for his future. The only time he showed the slightest bit of fear, was in speaking about his wife, and how he wanted to make sure she is cared for.
I suddenly felt small, and so very aware of my faults-but thankful to be filled with his wisdom and shared spirituality.
These kind of days make my heart so tender, and fill the core of my soul with admiration, love and respect for all the people fighting battles everyday and winning-maybe not the battle of their bodies, but the war - the impact their presence here on earth that these warriors make.
And we are all the more better for it.
I won't go into much detail about his identity or his health concerns due to his privacy (hey, ya never know who is reading this in cyberspace...) but I went to see how his spirits were, and to "cheer him up" I suppose.
Instead, I ended up walking away a better person -for having shared time with him, and listening to his incredible testimony and faith in the belief that he will be healed, and that this period of time in his life is meant to achieve a higher final purpose.
I learned about his life after the war, and how he lived it with a surprising medical issue which affects his lung capacity.
He told me this after he finished his excruciating physical therapy exercises, and was breathless and struggling for a regular breathing rhythm. He also told me that he knows whatever happens is God's will, and that he is determined to live for Him and whatever is in store for his future. The only time he showed the slightest bit of fear, was in speaking about his wife, and how he wanted to make sure she is cared for.
I suddenly felt small, and so very aware of my faults-but thankful to be filled with his wisdom and shared spirituality.
These kind of days make my heart so tender, and fill the core of my soul with admiration, love and respect for all the people fighting battles everyday and winning-maybe not the battle of their bodies, but the war - the impact their presence here on earth that these warriors make.
And we are all the more better for it.
Friday, June 02, 2006
A Little Fish in a Big Pond
Today I registered for school at Loma Linda University.
The process was effortless, except for the walk around campus in the hot, San Bernardino sun. I had to clear two holds on my registration- a health clearance and a transcript clearance. I had been on campus before- but only to Nichols Hall, which houses the school of Allied Health and my major, Occupational Therapy.
I parked in a dirt and gravel lot because it did not require a permit. There was a little shuttle bus waiting to take people to the campus or the hospital. I elected to walk, so I could get acquainted with the school grounds. When I entered the campus, I immediately felt at ease- like this is where I am supposed to be. I found the health center and got my health clearance AND my first Hepatitis shot. (A coincidence too- my nurse's name was Christine!) I left the health center and walked south up Anderson Blvd to the Student Services Center.
At the Student Center, a lovely woman went to her boss so that I could have clearance and complete registration today, even though my final transcripts weren't in. It was meant to be!
I have credit on my student account for books and food (well, it's a loan, it has to be paid back, but it's there!) and I even got my student badge which makes me look like I am official in some sort of capacity. (hee hee)
Leaving the center, what struck me as interesting, were the buildings around me, and how they were right out of the 50's and 60's- complete with mosaic tile frontage and ornate rod iron gates and decor. I loved it! Every building had a use or a purpose. I had to use the restroom off of one of the older buildings, and the room had a fresh coat of paint, new sink and toilets outfitted entirely sanitary with sensor flushing and hands free paper towel dispenser. (can you tell I was impressed?)
There is a grocery store, beauty and hair salon and shoe repair on campus as well. I'm sure this is to serve the needs of the families of Loma Linda patients, as well as the faculty and students.
As I left the Risk Management building (I have to get insurance...) the sound of a helicopter flying low so that it could land on the helipad at the hospital, pierced the afternoon sky.
It was so booming and deep that it set off a few car alarms in the vicinity. At that moment I thought of Mt. Sac, and how I no longer would be attending there, and how the only thing that would even come close to that sound on their campus would be a tricked out "hooptie" car trying to find a parking space with their bassy music blaring.
And then it hit me- this is my "grown up" career. I have been preparing for this my whole life it seems. Sure, I took classes and thought I had decided on a path for my life, but this is really it and I'm starting now. I can't compare this to being a mom, because I ALWAYS knew I wanted to be a mom, and that is who I am to my core and essence- it is my identity and I show it proudly. But, as far as a job, or my chance to apply my talents (hopefully) and traits, this is where I hope to contribute to society again.
And that feels good. Bring it on!
The process was effortless, except for the walk around campus in the hot, San Bernardino sun. I had to clear two holds on my registration- a health clearance and a transcript clearance. I had been on campus before- but only to Nichols Hall, which houses the school of Allied Health and my major, Occupational Therapy.
I parked in a dirt and gravel lot because it did not require a permit. There was a little shuttle bus waiting to take people to the campus or the hospital. I elected to walk, so I could get acquainted with the school grounds. When I entered the campus, I immediately felt at ease- like this is where I am supposed to be. I found the health center and got my health clearance AND my first Hepatitis shot. (A coincidence too- my nurse's name was Christine!) I left the health center and walked south up Anderson Blvd to the Student Services Center.
At the Student Center, a lovely woman went to her boss so that I could have clearance and complete registration today, even though my final transcripts weren't in. It was meant to be!
I have credit on my student account for books and food (well, it's a loan, it has to be paid back, but it's there!) and I even got my student badge which makes me look like I am official in some sort of capacity. (hee hee)
Leaving the center, what struck me as interesting, were the buildings around me, and how they were right out of the 50's and 60's- complete with mosaic tile frontage and ornate rod iron gates and decor. I loved it! Every building had a use or a purpose. I had to use the restroom off of one of the older buildings, and the room had a fresh coat of paint, new sink and toilets outfitted entirely sanitary with sensor flushing and hands free paper towel dispenser. (can you tell I was impressed?)
There is a grocery store, beauty and hair salon and shoe repair on campus as well. I'm sure this is to serve the needs of the families of Loma Linda patients, as well as the faculty and students.
As I left the Risk Management building (I have to get insurance...) the sound of a helicopter flying low so that it could land on the helipad at the hospital, pierced the afternoon sky.
It was so booming and deep that it set off a few car alarms in the vicinity. At that moment I thought of Mt. Sac, and how I no longer would be attending there, and how the only thing that would even come close to that sound on their campus would be a tricked out "hooptie" car trying to find a parking space with their bassy music blaring.
And then it hit me- this is my "grown up" career. I have been preparing for this my whole life it seems. Sure, I took classes and thought I had decided on a path for my life, but this is really it and I'm starting now. I can't compare this to being a mom, because I ALWAYS knew I wanted to be a mom, and that is who I am to my core and essence- it is my identity and I show it proudly. But, as far as a job, or my chance to apply my talents (hopefully) and traits, this is where I hope to contribute to society again.
And that feels good. Bring it on!
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