Life's Moments

I didn't say good by to my job at the hospital. I'm still going to be on call staff. But at the same time, it was goodbye. I know that I won't be working there very often. Maybe a weekend here and there and maybe a couple days during the holiday. It will all just depend.

I have been working at this hospital for over 3 years. I started the Monday after my graduation. It was a great start. I was nervous starting there and now I feel like the job is a breeze, Im extremely comfortable doing what I do there. As some have told me, "I've become one of the best." For the last 2 years I have been the person that trained/oriented new Nursing Assistant staff. I've become close with the people that I work with there. It was hard to say goodbye. Hopefully I will be able to work a day here or there to keep in touch. As one nurse Becky said, "Chelsea was a stepping stone to bigger and better things. " I think she is right.

Today was a nice day of work. We had a potluck, and it was wonderful. Everyone brought some good and different to the table. I love potlucks! :) People even chipped in and gave me a small stepping stone. ( How fitting?) They told me it would be one of many. I've learned a lot at Chelsea hospital and I plan on taking everything, all the memories, lessons and friends with me.

Maybe I'm just a little scared. I'm going to have to start somewhere new. I'm not a huge fan of change. I'm a planner, and I need time to adjust to new things. Maybe more time then most. But like my mom says, "its a big new adventure." And that's how I am trying to look at it.

On to bigger and better things...

Like tomorrow . . . Michigan Adventure!

Today my mom, dad and I went to my aunt's and started moving my stuff. We drove over to her house (1.5 hours away) and unloaded a car full of boxes. My mom help my get everything situated the way I wanted it. My sweet aunt made lunch for us, BBQ sandwiches, homemade coleslaw and chips. Plus desert. Its really happening. Im moving there and going to attend OU. Its starting to become a little more "real" and overwhelming. Im nervous and excited at the same time.

Tomorrow is my last day as a part-time employee at the hospital. We're even having a potluck. It will be a bittersweet day I think. Im going to miss some of the people I work with, but its time to move on. I am keeping my foot in the door though. Im going to stay as a contingent employee and work occasionally, so I think that will be good. I will let you know how my last day goes!

This morning I met up with Lisa, Leslie and Reyna and we went to a place called The Blueberry Patch. We all wanted to go blueberry picking before the season was over. Lets just say we almost didn't make it, because the season is going to be over within days. Next year I would like to go earlier in the season. Im not sure if it makes a difference or not but today the berries we on the smaler side. So I'll have to go again! Reyna had a fun time, we all did! I bet we ate our weight in blueberries. Leslie forgot her camera so I took some pictures for her.

P.s. Leslie, I have some more pictures, I will email them to you later! :)

It's almost Friday, thank goodness! Its been a long week. I've been working all week. Which is good. But it has been crazy, super busy at the hospital. Our unit is full to the max. Meaning I am running my butt off. I even went to bed early . . . I was in bed by 9:40. That does not happen very often, but I think it will be happening again today. My back/neck ache and I am looking forward to stretching out in my bed. I only have 2 days left to work at the hospital. Tomorrow and next Tuesday.

I have been thinking about what type of job I would like to get once I move. Any suggestions? I am taking a full load of classes, so I only want a few hours a week. Lets say less then 20.

Options:

1. Doctor's office - I would like to use my degree that I just earned. But the only issue with working for a doctor's office is time. 8-5. And I have 2 days where my classes go until 5 and 3 days where Im at school until 2ish. So Im not so sure that will work.
2. Urgent Care Center - I've looked online and there's a good number of urgent care places. . . which might be nice because they will have later hours.
3. Nanny - If I could find a family that needed someone after school a couple days a week, that would be perfect!
4. Waitress - I think I would be a damn good waitress. :) So maybe something like that.
5. Something on campus. I am going to have to look at some on campus jobs. Im not really sure what OU offers.

So who out there worked while going to college?

Where are some places that you have worked? Did you like it?

What has been your favorite job so far?

Let's get some feedback!

Hi. I know many of you order your pictures online.

What are some of the sites you use?
I have a TON of pictures I need to print before I go scrapbooking.

Help please!

Thanks, Im off to bed. Im beat from all that camping/fresh air.

On Friday night at last minute( 9:39p.m.) my best friend Lindsey called to get me to go camping with her and her family over the weekend. I was hesitant about going. I've only been one other time. Don't get me wrong, I had a good time but I had only been once so I wasn't so sure about going again. Well Lindsey talked me into it. And Im so glad she did. We had a blast! I knew we would . . We went about 1 hour north of Grand Rapids, to a town called Newaygo.

All day Saturday we spent the day on the lake tubing and just coasting around.


This was our campsite. And all of Lindsey's family. We had a huge dinner on Saturday night....fish ( that we caught that morning! YEP, thats right I went fishing!), hamburger's, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob and pasta salad. YUM-O!!! Saturday night we just hungout around the campfire, had some drinks, laughed a ton and maybe even drank too much!!! haha!

Me being silly!

Today after we all got up and packed up, Lindsey and I made our way to South Haven. We had some lunch at a place downtown on the water, and hung out at the beach. I even got a little pink from the sun! SO relaxing!

A little background history. . . . . . . .

*Lindsey and I met at Chelsea Hospital. She was there when I started and was finishing up nursing school. We've become best friends and she is awesome. Tons of fun and I can totally be myself with her, which I love. I dont think I have had a friend where I can just be me. So we try to hang out when we can. But we both have different schedules for work/school.( she doesn't work at chelsea anymore so we dont' see each other as often) So when we DO have a chance to hangout we always have a blast! *

UNDER CONSTRUCTION...

THIS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW!

I just read Heather's post on positives and negatives of her week. So I thought I would do that same. . .

This Week's Negatives:

• Not being able to work because the Dr. was gone. I am able to work now, but I haven't all week.
• Not making the greatest use of my time. I really should start "packing" along with cleaning, and organizing things, but I haven't really done much of that.
• Chilly weather in August, what's up with that??
• Iron pills - lets just say its not been fun, and it may be helping build up my red blood cells, but it is not helping my body in other ways.
• Pumping gas... I hate going to the gas station. I drive a small car but I still can spend 40+ dollars at the pump. Grr.

This Week's Positives:

• I have enjoyed sleeping in, I haven't slept in real late but getting up at 8 instead of 5:30 is wonderful!
• Haircuts! I got my haircut today and its a nice treat. Let someone else mess with it!
• I started reading a new book this week and I am really starting to enjoy it. I want to try to read more.
• Playing tennis - Bobby and I have played a few times this week and it felt really good to go out and hit the ball around. We need to do it more next week. :)
• Cool weather at night has been wonderful. I love sleeping with the windows open!

So what are your positives and negatives of the week?

Here's my mom on her birthday a few days ago . . . I think she had a pretty good day. When she got home, she opened presents and then got a FREE dinner at Finley's. YUM-O. :)

I made a second visit to the new dentist this morning. I had a cleaning and a small filling. I was nervous going in and everything. Sick to my stomach nervous. But once I was there and had the cleaning over with, I was okay. The dentist was pretty quick when it came to the filling. It was small so that's good. But I was in and out of there in under 2 hours. I was happy about that!

The rest of my day I spent relaxing. The dentist gave me the "silly gas" and that always wipes me out! So I took a nice nap and I started reading a book ...( which is on my list of things to do!) Im reading "A bend in the road," by Nicolas Sparks. So far I like it.

Im not working much this week, the doctors are at a conference so there's total of 4 patients on the unit......... so no work for this week. Which kind of ticks me off. I want to work before I go back to school, Im gonna need the money. But hopefully next week will be better. Im just gonna try o enjoy this extra time off

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

"They say its your birthday ..."

My 2nd appointment of the day was for my doctor. A few weeks ago I went for my physical and had some blood drawn.


Well everything was good except I am extremely anemic. The doctor said it was an iron deficiency anemia.... Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are the main transporters of oxygen to organs. ( No wonder I have been so tired!!!)

The normal range for someone my age (21) is between 30-300. Mine was 2.2. Very low. My doctor told me that if it had been any lower she would have sent me to the hospital for the night to get blood transfusions.

Symptoms

Mild iron deficiency anemia may not cause noticeable symptoms. If anemia is severe, symptoms may include:

Weakness, fatigue, or lack of stamina.
Shortness of breath during exercise.
Headache. * Maybe my headaches haven't been "migraines" maybe Ive been having them because of a lack of red blood cells . . .??? *
Difficulty concentrating.
Irritability.
Dizziness.
Pale skin.
Craving substances that are not food (pica). In particular, a craving for ice can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. ** I really do crave Ice sometimes. . . .**

Other signs may include:
Rapid heartbeat.
Brittle fingernails and toenails.
Cracked lips.
Smooth, sore tongue.

*Bold are symptoms I am having*

So my doctor gave me a Rx for iron and told me to take a vitamin B complex supplement.

So Im starting the pills today. I have to have my blood levels checked again in one month. Hopefully they start helping soon.

Have any of you had problems with anemia??? Leave me some comments . . . :)

I just got to Bobby's house after meeting me new dentist. ( Im in between appointments, so I cam here to eat my salad from wendy's!) and all went well with Dr. Wyatt.
He was very nice, he's older - he's been a dentist for 30+ years, so that is comforting. :)
He gave me a virtual tour of my mouth.... that was kinda neat, yet kinda gross at the same time. He said my teeth were in good shape. They took some x-rays and he poked around a little and Im going back next Tuesday for a cleaning. So one down...my stomach is still turning because I have to go to the doctors at 1:45. I know Im not going to be having anything done, its just that fact that I have to go. All she's gonna do is go over my blood work. Yay!!! I think I may be anemic, but we'll see what she says.

More to come later.

I am getting ready to go and meet my new dentist. Im nervous. I really hate, no dislike going to the dentist.
I've had some dental work done before... I had my 2 adult eye teeth embedded in my sinus cavity. I had to have surgery for that. I had my wisdom teeth pulled ( but a lot of people do that...) I've had a couple fillings, and in January I had a filling done by a different dentist... and well my tooth still hurts to this day and I had a horrible bruise on my face for over a month.

I just get really nervous when I have to go. My stomach starts to hurt, I get sick to my stomach and I get a headache. So far today Im okay. My stomach is starting to get the shakes. . . . :(

Its JUST a consultation... I really don't need to get worked up. I even get like this for just a cleaning. Crazy! I'll let you know how it goes later.. . . after the dentist, Im off to the doctor's. I am following up on blood work I had done. Today is gonna be a fuuuun day!!!

• Play more tennis. Last summer Bobby and I played almost every night. This summer I think we have played twice. So I want to make it a point to play more.
• Go to the drive-in movies.
• Spend a day at the beach.
• Go to Michigan Adventure.
• Go fishing.
• Actually catch a fish!
• Get some new outfits for end of summer/fall.
• Read a book. * A real book...not a text book.*
• Go to the Renaissance (sp?) festival in September.
• Get things organized.
• Take a day trip somewhere I've never been.
• Earn a little cash! haha! :)
• See the tigers play. --- See the tiger WIN! ---

So there you have it. A list of all the things I want to do before summer is over! I'll let you know how it goes! Wish me luck!

It is such a relief knowing that I am finished with my externship. Actually its an awesome feeling. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my externship and all but know that its done and over with is very nice. Its kind of crazy when I think about it...last fall I thought it would take me forever to get through 2 semesters worth of classes to be able to even do the externship. And now Im already done with it. Time went by really fast. I was so nervous about going to a strange doctor's office, and getting to know everyone who worked there and doing things on my own...and now Im completely comfortable with give shots, drawing blood ( those 2 things I was the most nervous about...) and everything else that I knew I would be doing. But now its like a piece of cake! Funny how that works out huh?

So August 1st was my last day. It was a pretty good day. We saw a lot of patients in the morning, we were pretty much booked. And we had a huge potluck. Dr. Moore brought in ribs ( I know...RIBS...), we had cheesy potatoes, salad, watermelon, pop, and cake and ice cream. We had a feast. And we only had to see a couple patients in the afternoon, so it was kinda nice to be able to sit around and chat with the girls that work there.

So the rest of the summer...well of August. (can you believe its August already???) I am going to be working at the hospital trying to save up some money. No more workin for free!!! Woohoo!