Hi there :]
Smooth...easy...nice Monday. The day started off with me not wanting to get out of bed because I only got 3 hours of sleep. So because of that, I was a bit sluggish in the morning but I am in good spirits now. There is something about helping others and knowing you are making a difference in their lives, that can uplift even the grumpiest person.
The nurse practitioner told me to tell walk-in patients that they could not be seen today due to the fact that we only had one provider and she had a busy schedule. They were getting sad and upset because for most of them, this was the only time they could be seen. Even though they don't have much, it is important to remember that these men and women have lives and schedules too. And its amazing how much a little consulting can do. I convinced the nurse practitioner to squeeze in a couple of patients, and I explained to the patients that if they could bare with us for a little bit, we just might see them. In the end, about 7 walk-in patients were seen - and boy did they thank me. Honestly, they should be thanking the provider. She was constantly seeing patients one after another, without breaks, just so she could treat as many as she could before lunch. That type of dedication is admirable and inspirational.
So today's quote of the day is belongs to her:
“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.”
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday 3-22-2010
Guess who's back!
What a beautiful morning! I was able to get up without any complications, my sickness is gone (for the most part), traffic was not a problem, and volunteering was a breeze!
Even though there was a lot of patients that needed to be seen, everything went by smoothly. I think it was because of the nice weather that got people in the right spirits. Everyone was friendly, and very patient. When people are patient, it makes things less hectic and avoids unnecessary confrontations. There was a man today that had an appointment with the psychiatrist at 11:30AM. He was already in the waiting area at 8:30AM waiting because he did want to miss his appointment. When it was past 11:30AM, I had to tell him that the psychiatrist would not be able to see him until 1:00PM. I was afraid he would become upset with the situation but he looked at me and smiled, saying that it was fine. I apologized for his inconvenience, but he said not to worry about it, that he was just thankful for our help, and that everything happens for a reason.
That got me thinking about everything that has happened in my life. All of the good and bad things that have occurred in my life have made me the person who I am today. It looks as if I might not be able to get into medical school this year, but I should not be too down about it. Like the man said, everything happens for a reason. All I can do is trust that things will work out for the best, and do all I can to ensure so.
Quote of the day:
"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."
- Maria Robinson
What a beautiful morning! I was able to get up without any complications, my sickness is gone (for the most part), traffic was not a problem, and volunteering was a breeze!
Even though there was a lot of patients that needed to be seen, everything went by smoothly. I think it was because of the nice weather that got people in the right spirits. Everyone was friendly, and very patient. When people are patient, it makes things less hectic and avoids unnecessary confrontations. There was a man today that had an appointment with the psychiatrist at 11:30AM. He was already in the waiting area at 8:30AM waiting because he did want to miss his appointment. When it was past 11:30AM, I had to tell him that the psychiatrist would not be able to see him until 1:00PM. I was afraid he would become upset with the situation but he looked at me and smiled, saying that it was fine. I apologized for his inconvenience, but he said not to worry about it, that he was just thankful for our help, and that everything happens for a reason.
That got me thinking about everything that has happened in my life. All of the good and bad things that have occurred in my life have made me the person who I am today. It looks as if I might not be able to get into medical school this year, but I should not be too down about it. Like the man said, everything happens for a reason. All I can do is trust that things will work out for the best, and do all I can to ensure so.
Quote of the day:
"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."
- Maria Robinson
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday 3-15-2010
Let it snow! I am not volunteering this week due to me vacationing in Durango, Colorado! I am pretty bruised and banged up right now, but it is totally worth it. The only negative thing about this trip is that it had to happen during day lights savings time...so I lost an hour of play time! ]:
Its hard to escape medicine and science even when you are trying to have fun. The air up here is pretty thin and it takes some getting used to. I noticed that my heart rate was increased and I was often thirsty. I took this opportunity to find out why this was happening and it turns out that it is a side effect of being at a high altitude. That is because at high altitudes, the oxygen content in our blood is decreased. The best advice given to me was to keep my body hydrated and take deep breathes.
I am actually experiencing a headache right now but I think it is because of my body being exhausted from two days of snowboarding. I hate to admit it but I am looking forward to going back home, going to school, and volunteering again.
Quote of the day:
"There's no place like home."
- John Howard Payne
Its hard to escape medicine and science even when you are trying to have fun. The air up here is pretty thin and it takes some getting used to. I noticed that my heart rate was increased and I was often thirsty. I took this opportunity to find out why this was happening and it turns out that it is a side effect of being at a high altitude. That is because at high altitudes, the oxygen content in our blood is decreased. The best advice given to me was to keep my body hydrated and take deep breathes.
I am actually experiencing a headache right now but I think it is because of my body being exhausted from two days of snowboarding. I hate to admit it but I am looking forward to going back home, going to school, and volunteering again.
Quote of the day:
"There's no place like home."
- John Howard Payne
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Monday 3-8-2010
Terrible Monday! It is the first day of the week before spring break which means it is test week...and to make matters worse, it is raining!
I left a little earlier today because I had a test to study for but I did something interesting before I left. I actually got to be in the room while the nurse practitioner was seeing patient today. Yolanda was giving a male patient a general physical examination and since she is a female, I had to be in there with her while she was administering the tests. One would of thought the situation would be awkward but it was far from it. My motto is that it isn't awkward unless you make it awkward. It actually turned out educational. I learned the basic steps to giving a physical. First you check the general appearances. You look for any lesions, and you check their color and warmth of the patient. Then you go and check their respiratory system, making sure there is not any cardiac abnormalities. When the doctor is checking the testicles, he is actually checking the muscles behind it to check for hernia. I never knew this so I found this very helpful.
Sorry to leave it short but I have to study!
Quote of the day:
A wise doctor does not mutter incantations over a sore that needs the knife.
- Sophocles
I left a little earlier today because I had a test to study for but I did something interesting before I left. I actually got to be in the room while the nurse practitioner was seeing patient today. Yolanda was giving a male patient a general physical examination and since she is a female, I had to be in there with her while she was administering the tests. One would of thought the situation would be awkward but it was far from it. My motto is that it isn't awkward unless you make it awkward. It actually turned out educational. I learned the basic steps to giving a physical. First you check the general appearances. You look for any lesions, and you check their color and warmth of the patient. Then you go and check their respiratory system, making sure there is not any cardiac abnormalities. When the doctor is checking the testicles, he is actually checking the muscles behind it to check for hernia. I never knew this so I found this very helpful.
Sorry to leave it short but I have to study!
Quote of the day:
A wise doctor does not mutter incantations over a sore that needs the knife.
- Sophocles
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday 3-1-2010
So it has been a couple of weeks since I last volunteered. The clinic was closed due to various reasons but I was more than ready to be back!
I came in today expecting to pick up where I left off but the whole staff changed! I found out that the medical assistant and the family nurse practitioner were on maternity leave and there were a couple of new interns inside the clinic. With that said, and the clinic host missing today, I worked the host desk again. Things were random today because of the rain so there would be moments when the clinic was empty and there were others when the clinic was buzzing with people. Sometimes, I forget how humbling this opportunity is.
Around 10:30 A.M. everyday, the cafeteria man from downstairs brings up a cart filled with plates of food for the patients that are waiting in the clinic. Each day has a different meal, and each patient must have a lunch ticket in order to receive a plate. Well today, there was a man in his mid thirties or late forties, that wanted to eat but did not have a ticket. A fragile old woman, that could possibly be in her seventies, pushed herself out of her chair, wobbled over to the cart, and got a tray of food only to give it to the man. The man realized what she was doing and met her halfway, thanking her and making sure she did not want to eat. She smiled and said "Son, you'll need it more than I do." I am not sure what she meant by this, but the overall gesture was heartwarming. These men and women, that have so little, are willing to share with one another the little that they have.
When they were eating, all I could hear was how good and wonderful the food was. The meal was simply garlic bread, spaghetti sauce, with a salad but one could have easily mistaken it for a five star meal from all the commotion that they were making. I have never heard of anyone complaining about the food and it really goes to show how these people are not only willing to share the little that they have with one another, but they appreciate every bit of it. Being around such an atmosphere really helps me reflect upon myself and it allows me appreciate the gifts in my life.
Quote of the day:
"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."
- Voltaire
I came in today expecting to pick up where I left off but the whole staff changed! I found out that the medical assistant and the family nurse practitioner were on maternity leave and there were a couple of new interns inside the clinic. With that said, and the clinic host missing today, I worked the host desk again. Things were random today because of the rain so there would be moments when the clinic was empty and there were others when the clinic was buzzing with people. Sometimes, I forget how humbling this opportunity is.
Around 10:30 A.M. everyday, the cafeteria man from downstairs brings up a cart filled with plates of food for the patients that are waiting in the clinic. Each day has a different meal, and each patient must have a lunch ticket in order to receive a plate. Well today, there was a man in his mid thirties or late forties, that wanted to eat but did not have a ticket. A fragile old woman, that could possibly be in her seventies, pushed herself out of her chair, wobbled over to the cart, and got a tray of food only to give it to the man. The man realized what she was doing and met her halfway, thanking her and making sure she did not want to eat. She smiled and said "Son, you'll need it more than I do." I am not sure what she meant by this, but the overall gesture was heartwarming. These men and women, that have so little, are willing to share with one another the little that they have.
When they were eating, all I could hear was how good and wonderful the food was. The meal was simply garlic bread, spaghetti sauce, with a salad but one could have easily mistaken it for a five star meal from all the commotion that they were making. I have never heard of anyone complaining about the food and it really goes to show how these people are not only willing to share the little that they have with one another, but they appreciate every bit of it. Being around such an atmosphere really helps me reflect upon myself and it allows me appreciate the gifts in my life.
Quote of the day:
"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."
- Voltaire
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