"I hear a lot of people say that fear of death and the fear of public speaking are two of the main fears in my generation, but I disagree. I think its the fear of silence. We refuse to turn off our computers, to turn off our phones, to log out of Facebook and just sit in silence because in those moments we might actually have to face up to who we really are. We fear silence like it is an invisible monster, gnawing at us, ripping us open and showing us our dissatisfaction. Silence is terrifying."
-Jefferson Bethke
Wow.
Like wow.
I think that quote pretty much sums up the world as I know it. I mean as I type this, I've already checked Facebook, responded to a few texts and snapchats, all the while blaring my latest Spotify playlist with Gilmore Girls in the background.
That quote has legit sent my head into a tailspin. I mean I hate the silence. It's kind of awkward and weird. Things being quiet. Me being quiet. My head definitely not being quiet when everything else is. How funky right?
How crazy that in the world we live in, most things work in an instant gratification kind of way. You see a picture on Instagram, you like it, the person who posted the picture gets notified and BAM! 3 seconds.
The world is at our fingertips yet the unhappiness level is off the charts. Depression. Anxiety. Words that for years were hardly mentioned (*the stigma on mental health is a different topic for a different day*) yet now those words are so commonplace.
Take pictures for example, LITERALLY NOTHING LOOKS LIKE IT ACTUALLY DOES IN ACTUAL REAL LIFE. HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!?!?!?! Heck, I'm just as guilty as the next person of slapping the Lo-fi Instagram filter on just about everything. Because that beautiful waterfall I drove two hours to hike to because I saw what a great picture it made when I was stalking Instagram just doesn't look pretty enough in real life. We don't even know what it means to by real and authentic and in the moment. Our culture is all about making something appear better than it is for the benefit of other people, most of whom should not be important in our lives.
You want to know why we're scared of silence? Because when the noise goes away we have time to look and see how unsatisfied we are with our lives in this culture of comparison. Because when we realize how dissatisfied we are with our instant gratification life that looks perfect from the outside, well then other people might see that too and well that might just be the end of the world. The only way to see how much power something has over you is to take it away. What would happen if we took away the noise? Embraced the silence? If we faced our dissatisfaction head on and, I don't know, maybe did something about it LOL.
I think deep down, a good amount of people realize they're lives will never be perfect. But that doesn't stop us from thinking other people's lives are perfect and wanting our lives to APPEAR perfect. We do all the "fun" things and go to all the "right" places and try our best to be in social circles with the "right" people (*pics or it didn't happen?*) all so it looks like everything is peachy keen.
Just because our lives can never be perfect, doesn't mean we have to accept the status quo and stay in the same crummy job or in the same crummy relationship or be friends with the same crummy person. No we have to move on to bigger and better things.
But the thing is, the things we value and treasure most, the things and relationships that bring us joy and fulfillment, the things we want work in a VERY delayed gratification kind of way.
Sort of like a glacier. Glacier's are not formed overnight. It takes years and years and decades and decades and centuries and centuries. Aka not instantly. Our culture doesn't even know how to think glacially anymore. It's a completely foreign concept.
A new friendship, a new boyfriend, a renewed relationship with a family member. None of that happens overnight. But we want it to so bad. So much so, that when it doesn't happen overnight, we get frustrated and bored and settle for whatever we have.
Well it's time for our generation to wake up. We can't sit around all day and complain about the superficiality without providing some depth. We can't complain about the status quo without bringing in some change. We can't complain about loneliness without actually trying to have some authentic relationships.
So embrace the silence peeps. You'd be surprised what you can figure out about yourself.
10.04.2015
Just another day in Atlanta
So everyone knows I'm all about the exploring life, I decided I'd make a sort of "Atlanta Bucket List" of all the things I want to do while I'm here. Will I be here 2 years? 5 years? 10? I have NO idea! So I might as well just live life livin it up!
*Disclaimer* I basically googled things you MUST do in Atlanta and got all these ideas from various blogs and websites
*Disclaimer* I basically googled things you MUST do in Atlanta and got all these ideas from various blogs and websites
- Georgia Aquarium✓
- Visit the MLK historic site
- Explore the Beltline ✓
- Visit the College Football Hall of Fame
- World of Coca Cola
- Run through the water fountain rings at Centennial Park
- Ride the ferris wheel downtown
- Write my name on Krog Tunnel
- Find all of the Tiny Doors ATL
- Grant Park Farmers Market✓
- BBQ at Fat Matt's✓
- Go to a Braves game ✓
- Go to Six Flags over Georgia
- A show at the Fox✓
- Go to the original Chick Fil A✓
- Governor's Mansion at Christmas
- Calloway Gardens
- Games at Ormsby's
- Take a skyline picture on Freedom Parkway ✓
- Go apple picking in the North Georgia Mountains ✓
- Hike at Amicola Falls (...and climb all 600 stairs) ✓
- Run in the Peachtree Road Race
- Hiking in Dahlonega
- Wine taste in the North Georgia Mountains ✓
- Live music at Eddie's Attic
- Concert at the Tabernacle
- Concert at Phillip's Arena
- Concert at Aaron's Amphitheater
- Concert at Chastain
- Ice cream at Jeni's ✓, Jake's✓and Butter & Cream ✓
- Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
- Atlanta Botanical Garden✓
- Music Midtown
- Atlanta Hawks Game
- Taste of Atlanta
- Free beer Friday at Diesel at 5:37
- Burger's at Ann's Snack Bar
- Blast 600 Workout class ✓
- King of Pops ✓
- Coffee at Land of a Thousand Hills✓
- King of Pops free Outdoor Yoga✓
- Flywheel ✓
- Dad's Garage
- Holeman and Finch Burger
- Eat at all the burgers: Yeah! Burger ✓, Farm Burger, Flip Burger
- Drive in movie at Starlight
- Eat at all the jenny's: Souper Jenny, Cafe Jonah, and Juicy Jenny✓✓✓
- Hike Stone Mountain
- Martini's and IMAX
- When it rains we pour at Park Tavern
- Eat ethnic food on Buford Highway
- Go to the Mall of Georgia
- Eat at the Vortex
- Go thrifting in Little Five Points
- Beltline Lantern parade
- Kayak on the Chattahoochee
- Historic 4th Ward Fall Festival ✓
- Decatur Farmer's Market
- Peachtree Road Farmer's Market✓
- W rooftop pool
- Run in the Hot Chocolate 15K
- CNN Center
- Coffee at Octane
- Ice Skate at Park Tavern
- Zoo Atlanta
- Summerfest in the Highlands
- Tour the Oakland Cemetery
- Food Truck Park
- Grocery Shop at Your Dekalb Farmer's Market ✓
- Eat at the Varsity ✓
- PureBarre✓, Pink Barre✓, Barre3✓
- Brew at the Zoo
- Hike at Sweetwater Creek
- Christmas tree lighting at Lenox✓
- JUICE: Arden's Garden, Juicy Jenny, and Kale Me Crazy✓✓✓
- The Glen Hotel Rooftop Bar
- Victory Sandwiches (+spiked slushies)✓
- Dinner at Bartaco
- BRUNCH: Highland Bakery✓, Murphy's, Sun in my Belly✓, Buttermilk, Joy Cafe
- Dogwood Festival
- Fernbank Museum
- Drinks at Brick Store Pub✓
- Dinner at Mi Barrio
- Night out at MJQ
- Northside Tavern
- Top Golf
- Empire State South-drinks and bocce
- Bantam and Biddy! ✓
- Dancing at Johnny's Hideaway✓ SO FUN
- Prohibition
- Star Bar 80s dance night
- Drinks at the Sun Dial
- Buy something at Paris on Ponce✓
- Lucky Fest
- Lunch at Chai Pani✓
- Fox Bros BBQ
- Arepa Mia
- Screen on the Green
- Milkshakes at Woody's
- Stone Mountain Laser Show
- Eat at the Ponce City Market Food Hall✓
- Eat at Krog Street Market ✓
- Shake Shack
- Fireworks at Lenox
- Dinner at Six Feet Under
- Piedmont Park Arts Festival
- Bowling at the Painted Pin
- Eat at the original Mellow Mushroom
- Eat at the original Moe's
- Candler Park Fall Fest ✓
9.21.2015
Graduating Preschool?
Well guys, I'm graduating preschool again! At least that's what I feel like is happening!
So the hospital I'm working at has this incredible new grad nurse track which I had the opportunity to spend my first month of work on the Cardiac Step-down Unit before moving to the Cardiac ICU. My oh my it has been such a blessing! Rather than jump right into the craziness of the ICU world, I had the chance to ease myself to the workflow of being a nurse. I had the chance to learn and see and ask and do so many things. Some of which I won't do in the ICU, but most of the time I was learning things that I hope will give me an awesome foundation to jump off from when I move to the Unit. Which is tomorrow LOL. Hence the "graduation" part. I had my last shift on the Step-down Unit a few days ago! Just looking back to my first day I started, whew I knew nothing hahaha. I can't even imagine looking back to here a year from now, I'm sure I'll be like "uhhh how did I make it through the past year?!?!"
So next on deck, the CICU! It's a crazy crazy world and I couldn't be more excited!
So the hospital I'm working at has this incredible new grad nurse track which I had the opportunity to spend my first month of work on the Cardiac Step-down Unit before moving to the Cardiac ICU. My oh my it has been such a blessing! Rather than jump right into the craziness of the ICU world, I had the chance to ease myself to the workflow of being a nurse. I had the chance to learn and see and ask and do so many things. Some of which I won't do in the ICU, but most of the time I was learning things that I hope will give me an awesome foundation to jump off from when I move to the Unit. Which is tomorrow LOL. Hence the "graduation" part. I had my last shift on the Step-down Unit a few days ago! Just looking back to my first day I started, whew I knew nothing hahaha. I can't even imagine looking back to here a year from now, I'm sure I'll be like "uhhh how did I make it through the past year?!?!"
So next on deck, the CICU! It's a crazy crazy world and I couldn't be more excited!
8.14.2015
Adult? Can I adult?
So change has been the name of the game lately. And that might actually be the understatement of the year.
In the past two weeks, I have ended my career with NSLC, moved to a new city, started my first nursing job, AND bought multiple major pieces of furniture (as in the over $300 kind). Am I an adult now or what?!?!
Obviously, a lot of changing going on and I'll be the first to admit it's been a wee bit stressful. Okay a lot bit stressful lolz. I keep reminding myself how pumped I am to have taken this big ole leap and moved here on my own for a job I already love and how proud I am of myself that. If you would have asked me for years ago if I would have moved out of Arkansas, I would have said heck no! Now don't get me wrong, I know it's probably going to be difficult somedays, but I know nothing but growth is going to come from it and I could not be more stoked.
So amidst all the chaos, I really want to start using this blog to chronicle my first year in my new city and my first year as a nurse. Why not start right this very second?!
First off, totally sold on working here. Why you ask? Because, a true sorority girl's dream...I can wear t-shirts to work! Not only can I wear t-shirts, but I can wear any t-shirts I want! Bring on the superhero/spongebob/frozen shirts! And who doesn't love wearing scrub pants? It's like pajamas with pockets!
Okay, real talk, this job is going to be an insane rollercoaster! Like the kind that goes topsy turvy and you feel like you're about to fall out and goes upside down and side ways and backwards and the whole shabang. I think my experience so far has been a perfect example of the ebb and flow of emotions I'll most likely experience in these next few months. I go from one day in class playing with one of the incredibly adorable therapy pups and making bead necklaces to the next class talking about dying children for 4 hours. The good is going to be really good and the bad is going to be really bad. Babies with congenital heart defects have a super long road ahead of them. These are some sick little babies with some sick little baby hearts. The most adorable, cute, precious, tiny sick little babies of course--nothing is going to stop me from loving on them as much as I can while I'm taking care of them!
So I had my first day on the floor this week. What is totally amazing and I didn't fully appreciate until this week was the opportunity I have to spend my first month on the cardiac step-down unit as opposed to jumping straight into the CICU. The abbreviations, the doctors, the medications, the charting, the conditions, the procedures, the policies. Literally everything is new to me. If I would have started straight in the unit LOL totally would have floundered around like a fish out of water LOL. It's awesome having the chance to get used to how things work and how things are done and what these kids start to look like when they're on the path to going home. I'm pretty sure no nursing school anywhere spends as much time on pediatric cardiology as I would have needed to be fully prepared to jump straight into work on the unit. But thankfully, the support for new graduates is INCREDIBLE at this hospital!! Literally everyone I meet is so friendly and will do anything to help me out. It of course helps that I have to wear this yellow ribbon on my name tag that is the not so subtle way of letting all the staff know "I'M A NEWBIE" without having to broadcast it to parents and visitors and such. I'm tempted to keep wearing it longer than we're supposed to so I have an excuse for not knowing the answer to something haha
So my first patients were the cutest little bundles of cute. LOL that at first when I looked at their charts I thought my patients were 14, 7, and 10. LOLOL more like 14 days, 7 months, and 10 days. Aka BABIES! They were all so tiny and such little troopers and the perfect first day patients. It was so bizarre, I kept feeling like I was in nursing school and I would need my precepting nurse to sign off on things and such, but NOPE! I could do things all on my own. Which is #terrifying. Overall it was an awesome day and I never once felt overwhelmed or lost or up the creek without a paddle which is way better than I thought I'd feel so I'm calling it a win!
Alright, that's all for now folks. Time to go take a nap or fall asleep before 10 or something.
In the past two weeks, I have ended my career with NSLC, moved to a new city, started my first nursing job, AND bought multiple major pieces of furniture (as in the over $300 kind). Am I an adult now or what?!?!
Obviously, a lot of changing going on and I'll be the first to admit it's been a wee bit stressful. Okay a lot bit stressful lolz. I keep reminding myself how pumped I am to have taken this big ole leap and moved here on my own for a job I already love and how proud I am of myself that. If you would have asked me for years ago if I would have moved out of Arkansas, I would have said heck no! Now don't get me wrong, I know it's probably going to be difficult somedays, but I know nothing but growth is going to come from it and I could not be more stoked.
So amidst all the chaos, I really want to start using this blog to chronicle my first year in my new city and my first year as a nurse. Why not start right this very second?!
First off, totally sold on working here. Why you ask? Because, a true sorority girl's dream...I can wear t-shirts to work! Not only can I wear t-shirts, but I can wear any t-shirts I want! Bring on the superhero/spongebob/frozen shirts! And who doesn't love wearing scrub pants? It's like pajamas with pockets!
Okay, real talk, this job is going to be an insane rollercoaster! Like the kind that goes topsy turvy and you feel like you're about to fall out and goes upside down and side ways and backwards and the whole shabang. I think my experience so far has been a perfect example of the ebb and flow of emotions I'll most likely experience in these next few months. I go from one day in class playing with one of the incredibly adorable therapy pups and making bead necklaces to the next class talking about dying children for 4 hours. The good is going to be really good and the bad is going to be really bad. Babies with congenital heart defects have a super long road ahead of them. These are some sick little babies with some sick little baby hearts. The most adorable, cute, precious, tiny sick little babies of course--nothing is going to stop me from loving on them as much as I can while I'm taking care of them!
So I had my first day on the floor this week. What is totally amazing and I didn't fully appreciate until this week was the opportunity I have to spend my first month on the cardiac step-down unit as opposed to jumping straight into the CICU. The abbreviations, the doctors, the medications, the charting, the conditions, the procedures, the policies. Literally everything is new to me. If I would have started straight in the unit LOL totally would have floundered around like a fish out of water LOL. It's awesome having the chance to get used to how things work and how things are done and what these kids start to look like when they're on the path to going home. I'm pretty sure no nursing school anywhere spends as much time on pediatric cardiology as I would have needed to be fully prepared to jump straight into work on the unit. But thankfully, the support for new graduates is INCREDIBLE at this hospital!! Literally everyone I meet is so friendly and will do anything to help me out. It of course helps that I have to wear this yellow ribbon on my name tag that is the not so subtle way of letting all the staff know "I'M A NEWBIE" without having to broadcast it to parents and visitors and such. I'm tempted to keep wearing it longer than we're supposed to so I have an excuse for not knowing the answer to something haha
So my first patients were the cutest little bundles of cute. LOL that at first when I looked at their charts I thought my patients were 14, 7, and 10. LOLOL more like 14 days, 7 months, and 10 days. Aka BABIES! They were all so tiny and such little troopers and the perfect first day patients. It was so bizarre, I kept feeling like I was in nursing school and I would need my precepting nurse to sign off on things and such, but NOPE! I could do things all on my own. Which is #terrifying. Overall it was an awesome day and I never once felt overwhelmed or lost or up the creek without a paddle which is way better than I thought I'd feel so I'm calling it a win!
Alright, that's all for now folks. Time to go take a nap or fall asleep before 10 or something.
5.12.2015
just a little celebratin'
Well, alas its been awhile. I made a little detour on my blogging adventure into the realm of paper journaling. Seeing as it has been more than an entire year, there is almost no use in trying to play catch up. Much better to just start back up where life has me at right now. Sheesh sheesh sheesh a lot has been happening lately!
For starters, I GRADUATED NURSING SCHOOL! So I've officially crossed over into the post grad life. How do I feel about it you may ask? Still haven't decided. Although I'm going to go ahead and through that denial feeling out there. I've gotten so comfortable in my lovely little life here in my favorite little town of Fayetteville. As excited as I am to move on, this place holds a special little place in my heart that I'm not quite ready to let go of yet. However, time keeps ticking whether I want it to or not so something tells me I'll be much better off embracing whats ahead. So the fact that nursing school is over might actually be more scary. Still not sure if I feel qualified to be taking care of real people yet (by people I mean cute babies) but I guess at some point, I just have to rip the Bandaid off!
So graduation weekend was a huge success. My best friend and her momma came into town, the whole Williams clan was there (a rarity these days) and we just hung out. Lots of food (would not be a family gathering if it was any other way), lots of desserts (including the one the puppies ate), and lots of laughing. Just the way I like it. In addition to my graduation, we also were celebrating Mother's Day, three other graduations, three birthdays, a new job, and a new business venture. What can I say? We go big or we go home.
Now for the exciting news...I have a job! Well actually, it's my second job but that is another can of worms. I accepted my dream dream dream job in Atlanta in a Cardiac ICU!! So so so so so so so so so so crazy. When I had finally decided I wanted to experience live outside of Arkansas for a little bit, I never ever in a million years imagined I would be moving to ATLANTA! Not exactly sure when the "I'm terrified I know no one I'm moving to a strange city" freakout will occur, but I'm hoping my mother will be ready for it.
More to come on everything above plus some, I just figured this would be a good jumping off point to get back into remembering to blog more often. I have to have some way of staying in touch with everyone once I'm off on my little adventure!
For starters, I GRADUATED NURSING SCHOOL! So I've officially crossed over into the post grad life. How do I feel about it you may ask? Still haven't decided. Although I'm going to go ahead and through that denial feeling out there. I've gotten so comfortable in my lovely little life here in my favorite little town of Fayetteville. As excited as I am to move on, this place holds a special little place in my heart that I'm not quite ready to let go of yet. However, time keeps ticking whether I want it to or not so something tells me I'll be much better off embracing whats ahead. So the fact that nursing school is over might actually be more scary. Still not sure if I feel qualified to be taking care of real people yet (by people I mean cute babies) but I guess at some point, I just have to rip the Bandaid off!
So graduation weekend was a huge success. My best friend and her momma came into town, the whole Williams clan was there (a rarity these days) and we just hung out. Lots of food (would not be a family gathering if it was any other way), lots of desserts (including the one the puppies ate), and lots of laughing. Just the way I like it. In addition to my graduation, we also were celebrating Mother's Day, three other graduations, three birthdays, a new job, and a new business venture. What can I say? We go big or we go home.
Now for the exciting news...I have a job! Well actually, it's my second job but that is another can of worms. I accepted my dream dream dream job in Atlanta in a Cardiac ICU!! So so so so so so so so so so crazy. When I had finally decided I wanted to experience live outside of Arkansas for a little bit, I never ever in a million years imagined I would be moving to ATLANTA! Not exactly sure when the "I'm terrified I know no one I'm moving to a strange city" freakout will occur, but I'm hoping my mother will be ready for it.
More to come on everything above plus some, I just figured this would be a good jumping off point to get back into remembering to blog more often. I have to have some way of staying in touch with everyone once I'm off on my little adventure!
4.18.2014
Honduras
I've been meaning to write this post for a long stinkin time, since spring break ended to be exacted. For having a relatively easy semester, the last few weeks sure have push some of my buttons! This week alone, I've been averaging 14 hours school days. Between clincals, make up work, class and SI, I've barely had time to sleep (okay, i never give up my sleep, but i've been giving up everything else!)
But on to Honduras…
I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the beautiful country of Honduras for spring break with Global Brigades: Medical. Global Brigades is an organization that works to improve the quality of life for people in rural Honduras among other countries. There are 7 different brigades: medical, dental, public health, water, business, architecture, and one more I cannot remember. Each brigade works together to help make these people live sustainable, just too awesome. The brigade I went on was Medical and it was the neatest experience. The group arrived in the capital, Tegucigalpa, and immediately got in our buses and headed to the compound, Posada Azul. The compound was basically in the middle of nowhere and completely breathtakingly gorgeous. Mountains (like monster mountains you never want to have to climb, or drive up for that matter…) were in every direction. The only downside to this beautiful place was the stairs…all 150 of them. Definitely a workout. Tow other schools were staying at Posada Azul at the same time, UC Irvine and UCSD. I even met some tri delta sisters from USCD! We ate first thing because lunch was definitely missed in our travels.
All day, the first full day, was spent sorting medications. I almost forgot to mention, we brought over all the medications for our brigade in our luggage. I would have loved to see security look at my bag with 10 bottles of vitamins, 10 bottles of beta-iodine, 2,000 bandaids, and 20 rolls of gauze! So I got a little pharmacy experience and I'm not going to lie, it made me pretty glad I didn't pursue my short lived dreams of becoming a pharmacists. I started recognizing the Spanish versions of all the drugs I learned about in pharmacology last semester. The dots were connecting!
Day 2 we woke up before the sun and headed out to Santa Cruz, our brigade community. The drive was about two hours of bumpy, twisty, scary roads but the bus driver Mario made sure to get us there alive all week. The line of people was probably at least 100 people long when we arrived to the school to set up shop. It took a little to get rolling on that first day but once we did, whew! I spent the morning in the gyno rotation, and I think I'll pass on that rotation next time haha The afternoon was a little more intense. I was in triage. It was myself, another girl (who thankfully spoke a little spanish!) and our translator, Adrian. Thank goodness for those translators! Me and Ailon made a great team, she had the Spanish part down for the most part and I could identify what medical type things and drugs they were trying to say. Not too mention all week I majorly brushed up on my manual blood pressures. I thing triage was definitely my favorite part of the week, I even got to come back the next day and do it again! The second time, I had to get a little more confident in my Spanish because I didn't really have a choice! After we got back to camp, it took all I had to stay awake for dinner, I think I passed out by 9!
The second day was just as exhausting. I spent the morning in data informatics. The whole purpose of the data informatics system is too get all the people into some sort of medical record. It helps the powers that be keep track of everyone and also identify trends in medical problems. Day 3 was my busiest day by far. I spent the morning in the pharmacy. Basically how it worked was the pharmacist set up all these suitcases all around the room and a volunteer would bring us the prescription lists and we would be responsible for deciphering the incredibly impossible handwriting of the doctors (especially Dr. Belt…) and get everything necessary before giving it to the pharmacist to check and distribute. I don't think I sat down once! The afternoon was my favorite (I know, every things my favorite). I was in physician's consultation. I sat with one of the Honduran doctors (she even spoke English too!). She would talk with the patient and figure out what was going on, then turn around and explain everything to me. We even saw a lady with Cushing's which was neat. Halfway through the afternoon, we saw a 16 month old little boy who the doctor diagnosed with pneumonia. The little guy looked just miserable, he was coughing so much he couldn't breath. The mom said he couldn't sleep, he had a fever, and he was dripping sweat. It was obviously a sort of serious situation but we just had to do the best we could with what we had. The doctor decided the best thing to do would be to administered an extend breathing treatment to help little man's oxygen. Poor thing was fighting it so hard he fell asleep after 20 minutes of screaming and thrashing around. Before he fell asleep though, he wrapped his little hand around my finger and it made my heart melt. I didn't even think twice when the doctor asked me to stay with the mom and help hold the mask and keep little man calm. It was one of the moments I hadn't realized I needed, that made me realize without a doubt I'm doing what I should with my life. Throughout the 3 days, our brigade saw 880 patients…yep 880.
The last day our brigade had the opportunity to have a "holistic model day" in which we helped with another brigade's project. A two hour drive later, we arrived in El Canton to help with the construction of a community health center. After 3 hours of lugging 200 pound wood beams onto a roof, I thought I was dying. I thought I was going to have it easier after lunch by helping with the trench digging but let me tell ya, that was just as hard! That day was some of the most back breaking work I have ever helped with, props to all y'all construction peeps!
Overall, it was yet another trip of a lifetime. I know I would go back in a heartbeat if I ever get the chance! Honduras, you were too good to me.
But on to Honduras…
I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the beautiful country of Honduras for spring break with Global Brigades: Medical. Global Brigades is an organization that works to improve the quality of life for people in rural Honduras among other countries. There are 7 different brigades: medical, dental, public health, water, business, architecture, and one more I cannot remember. Each brigade works together to help make these people live sustainable, just too awesome. The brigade I went on was Medical and it was the neatest experience. The group arrived in the capital, Tegucigalpa, and immediately got in our buses and headed to the compound, Posada Azul. The compound was basically in the middle of nowhere and completely breathtakingly gorgeous. Mountains (like monster mountains you never want to have to climb, or drive up for that matter…) were in every direction. The only downside to this beautiful place was the stairs…all 150 of them. Definitely a workout. Tow other schools were staying at Posada Azul at the same time, UC Irvine and UCSD. I even met some tri delta sisters from USCD! We ate first thing because lunch was definitely missed in our travels.
All day, the first full day, was spent sorting medications. I almost forgot to mention, we brought over all the medications for our brigade in our luggage. I would have loved to see security look at my bag with 10 bottles of vitamins, 10 bottles of beta-iodine, 2,000 bandaids, and 20 rolls of gauze! So I got a little pharmacy experience and I'm not going to lie, it made me pretty glad I didn't pursue my short lived dreams of becoming a pharmacists. I started recognizing the Spanish versions of all the drugs I learned about in pharmacology last semester. The dots were connecting!
Day 2 we woke up before the sun and headed out to Santa Cruz, our brigade community. The drive was about two hours of bumpy, twisty, scary roads but the bus driver Mario made sure to get us there alive all week. The line of people was probably at least 100 people long when we arrived to the school to set up shop. It took a little to get rolling on that first day but once we did, whew! I spent the morning in the gyno rotation, and I think I'll pass on that rotation next time haha The afternoon was a little more intense. I was in triage. It was myself, another girl (who thankfully spoke a little spanish!) and our translator, Adrian. Thank goodness for those translators! Me and Ailon made a great team, she had the Spanish part down for the most part and I could identify what medical type things and drugs they were trying to say. Not too mention all week I majorly brushed up on my manual blood pressures. I thing triage was definitely my favorite part of the week, I even got to come back the next day and do it again! The second time, I had to get a little more confident in my Spanish because I didn't really have a choice! After we got back to camp, it took all I had to stay awake for dinner, I think I passed out by 9!
The second day was just as exhausting. I spent the morning in data informatics. The whole purpose of the data informatics system is too get all the people into some sort of medical record. It helps the powers that be keep track of everyone and also identify trends in medical problems. Day 3 was my busiest day by far. I spent the morning in the pharmacy. Basically how it worked was the pharmacist set up all these suitcases all around the room and a volunteer would bring us the prescription lists and we would be responsible for deciphering the incredibly impossible handwriting of the doctors (especially Dr. Belt…) and get everything necessary before giving it to the pharmacist to check and distribute. I don't think I sat down once! The afternoon was my favorite (I know, every things my favorite). I was in physician's consultation. I sat with one of the Honduran doctors (she even spoke English too!). She would talk with the patient and figure out what was going on, then turn around and explain everything to me. We even saw a lady with Cushing's which was neat. Halfway through the afternoon, we saw a 16 month old little boy who the doctor diagnosed with pneumonia. The little guy looked just miserable, he was coughing so much he couldn't breath. The mom said he couldn't sleep, he had a fever, and he was dripping sweat. It was obviously a sort of serious situation but we just had to do the best we could with what we had. The doctor decided the best thing to do would be to administered an extend breathing treatment to help little man's oxygen. Poor thing was fighting it so hard he fell asleep after 20 minutes of screaming and thrashing around. Before he fell asleep though, he wrapped his little hand around my finger and it made my heart melt. I didn't even think twice when the doctor asked me to stay with the mom and help hold the mask and keep little man calm. It was one of the moments I hadn't realized I needed, that made me realize without a doubt I'm doing what I should with my life. Throughout the 3 days, our brigade saw 880 patients…yep 880.
The last day our brigade had the opportunity to have a "holistic model day" in which we helped with another brigade's project. A two hour drive later, we arrived in El Canton to help with the construction of a community health center. After 3 hours of lugging 200 pound wood beams onto a roof, I thought I was dying. I thought I was going to have it easier after lunch by helping with the trench digging but let me tell ya, that was just as hard! That day was some of the most back breaking work I have ever helped with, props to all y'all construction peeps!
The gals
Sweet little melissa
Triage Day 1: Killin' it with Ailon
Day 2
The best bunk mate
Just being all technological
My view every morning..
Killing it in the Pharmacy
One of the best doctors I've interacted with
All hail mighty translators
Such sweet boys
My little man
Just a little USCD delta lovin'
bus selfless for the win #blessed
Good ole Dr. Belt
The group!
Masters of the wood pile
Overall, it was yet another trip of a lifetime. I know I would go back in a heartbeat if I ever get the chance! Honduras, you were too good to me.
3.18.2014
Crawling to the Finish Line
Okay it may not be the finish line exactly, but I am crawling towards Spring Break. Four more days, and ya know what? I think I'll make it!
Since I'm trying to catch up on this whole blogging thing, this might be a little scatterbrained (but, then again, whats new?)
Three weeks, start to finish, I can officially down with my thesis proposal! The weight that was lifted off my shoulders, I'm talking a freaking elephant, was a pretty euphoric feeling. The moment I pressed submit for my funding grant, I could see the confetti flying inside my brain, there were even those party poppers! I can't say I know a whole lot about congestive heart failure now, but hopefully give me a year and at least I might know something. Speaking of nursing, I learned how to start an IV last week! I'm taking volunteers for people to practice on..just kidding (well sort of). I'm sure the entire universe will hear about the first IV I start on an actual person...
Last Thursday was a great day to be an Arkansas Tri Delta! We had our annual Pancake Pigout philanthropy dinner, with all the proceeds (the pancakes were donated!!) going to the precious little kiddos at St. Jude. One of our cooks had to leave for the night so yours truly even flipped a few flapjacks! My first batch definitely didn't make the cut, but I got the hang out it after a few flips. The highlight of the night came when I finally got my chance to be Dolphy the Dolphin (and no that's not the mascots real name, I just felt like it needed a name). I climbed into the mascot suit and shook my fin like there was no tomorrow! I can't say being a mascot was necessarily on my bucket list but it is now (and crossed off I might add)
This weekend was a much needed break. I got to head on down to Little Rock to hang out with the brothers. Even Matt was off from her surgery rotation! We took the little nuggets to the zoo for the new baby tigers' welcome home party! I think I might have even had more fun then Marshall. The joys of staying in a gluten free household, Jason's Deli and P.F. Changs, um yum. Of course we couldn't not celebrate St. Patty's Day so we added a little food coloring to some champagne and voila, green drinks! I finally got to see Frozen, a perk of staying with parents of small children. I even got a few hours to be a total granola and try out my new hammock in the backyard! Overall, a great weekend, of course it's always great when I get to see my family.
A little blurp, I'm going to Honduras for Spring Break! I'm going with an organization called Global Medical Brigades. Basically, along with about 30 other students, we'll travel with some doctors, dentists, and pharmacists to rural Honduras and provide medical care to those who would not otherwise have it. Now this definitely has been on my bucket list!!!! I can't wait, I will for sure share when I get back.
Also coming up when I get back, BIRTHDAY PALOOZA!!!!! The big 2-1 is right around the corner!
Since I'm trying to catch up on this whole blogging thing, this might be a little scatterbrained (but, then again, whats new?)
Three weeks, start to finish, I can officially down with my thesis proposal! The weight that was lifted off my shoulders, I'm talking a freaking elephant, was a pretty euphoric feeling. The moment I pressed submit for my funding grant, I could see the confetti flying inside my brain, there were even those party poppers! I can't say I know a whole lot about congestive heart failure now, but hopefully give me a year and at least I might know something. Speaking of nursing, I learned how to start an IV last week! I'm taking volunteers for people to practice on..just kidding (well sort of). I'm sure the entire universe will hear about the first IV I start on an actual person...
Last Thursday was a great day to be an Arkansas Tri Delta! We had our annual Pancake Pigout philanthropy dinner, with all the proceeds (the pancakes were donated!!) going to the precious little kiddos at St. Jude. One of our cooks had to leave for the night so yours truly even flipped a few flapjacks! My first batch definitely didn't make the cut, but I got the hang out it after a few flips. The highlight of the night came when I finally got my chance to be Dolphy the Dolphin (and no that's not the mascots real name, I just felt like it needed a name). I climbed into the mascot suit and shook my fin like there was no tomorrow! I can't say being a mascot was necessarily on my bucket list but it is now (and crossed off I might add)
This weekend was a much needed break. I got to head on down to Little Rock to hang out with the brothers. Even Matt was off from her surgery rotation! We took the little nuggets to the zoo for the new baby tigers' welcome home party! I think I might have even had more fun then Marshall. The joys of staying in a gluten free household, Jason's Deli and P.F. Changs, um yum. Of course we couldn't not celebrate St. Patty's Day so we added a little food coloring to some champagne and voila, green drinks! I finally got to see Frozen, a perk of staying with parents of small children. I even got a few hours to be a total granola and try out my new hammock in the backyard! Overall, a great weekend, of course it's always great when I get to see my family.
A little blurp, I'm going to Honduras for Spring Break! I'm going with an organization called Global Medical Brigades. Basically, along with about 30 other students, we'll travel with some doctors, dentists, and pharmacists to rural Honduras and provide medical care to those who would not otherwise have it. Now this definitely has been on my bucket list!!!! I can't wait, I will for sure share when I get back.
Also coming up when I get back, BIRTHDAY PALOOZA!!!!! The big 2-1 is right around the corner!
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