Friday, December 18, 2009

Second Semester Draws to a Close

Friday, December 18, 2009 ended our second semester at Pima.  It was a tough but fun semester and I have to say, I think we have the best class around.  We are a very cohesive group - sometimes we fight but they never last long - mostly we laugh.  And laugh and laugh.  I feel VERY lucky to be going through this program with this particular set of people.  Below are some photos from a 'free' lab day this past week.  We were working on completing our lab competencies in preparation for our clinicals which start on Jan 11.


For privacy's sake I won't name names but it gives you an idea of what we are doing.


Me getting ready to suction Mr Roberts



I don't remember what our instructor just told me but 
I obviously didn't like it .


Me listening to Mr Roberts' breath sounds


Preparing to do tracheostomy and stoma care


Carefully cleaning


Instructing a "patient' on how to use an IPPB




Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Job Shadowing

Starting in January, I will begin my clinical rotations - which is basically where I head out to the hospitals, clinics, etc to begin practicing being a respiratory therapy.  I am beyond excited and a bit on the scared side too.  In preparation, I have been able to shadow (follow and observe) one of our instructors at his hospital and next week I will be able to tag along with the RT's at the small Portales Hospital and hopefully will be able to shadow at the Dallas Children's Hospital - that one is trickier to get into due to the holidays but we'll see.

I am thankful to my Pima clinical instructor for helping me with the barriers and getting these set up.

Some people aren't so impressed with the smaller hospitals but I am fascinated with them.  For one, an RT has many more responsibilities than in a larger hospital where things are more segregated.  I will take all the experience I can get wherever I can get it.  Anyway, I will keep you posted on how it all goes.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 Part II

One night Jewelee, Dad & I badgered (or guilted) the others into joining us in a game of beanbag baseball...  much to their surprise I think they even kinda enjoyed it.  It was of course, Boys against the Girls, and while we let them think they were going to spank us - we rallied and brought them to their knees... It was magnificent!  :-)  It's a silly game - but really a lot of fun.  Dad made the baseball board (see last photo) and Mom made the bean bags.




Catherin contemplating her pitch




Mom and great-grandson, Kale



Scott winding up for the throw



Jewelee spotting her pitch while Allan takes photos




Dee Dee and her follow-thru



Dad showing off his 'form'



Me returning the beanbags to home base

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

Here are a few of the pics from Thanksgiving... we had a GREAT time.  It was so terrific to have my two nephews, Allan & Scott & their families (Allan's wife, Catherine & daughter Jewelee; Scott's wife Dee Dee, daughter Kayli and son Kale) join us.  Grandma, Grandpa and his caregiver, Dee Dee (not Scott's wife :-)  ) also made it over to Mom & Dad's for dinner.

We burnt the dressing but still had plenty of good food and great company!!!


Kale (1 yr old)


Nephews, Scott & Allan



Mom (in pink) and Grandpa


Kayli, Jewelee, DeeDee, Kale & Bryan


Grandma & Dad



Grandpa & Dee Dee (caretaker)



Grandma, Grandpa & Raymona



Grandma, Raymona & Grandpa



Kayli, Grandpa, Jewelee, Dee Dee, Grandma & Mom

Sunday, November 29, 2009

What I'm Thankful For...

A few days late...

The things I'm thankful for, not just at Thanksgiving but every day.

  • I am thankful for a wonderful, fun-loving family that loves you for who you are, no matter what.
  • I am thankful that my my nephews Allan & Scott, were able to come out to my parents place with their families this Thanksgiving.  Really made Mom & Dad's holiday.
  • I am thankful for a wonderful, loving, supportive husband that loves me more and more everyday (even after 19 years of marriage!!)
  • I am thankful to God for blessing me with everything I need and helping understand that everything I want may not be everything I need.
Hope you all had a wonderfully happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Friday, November 20, 2009

School Politics... whatever

So, we have a crappy, disorganized instructor.  We've all had them...  you sit around and complain how bad they are, how you aren't learning anything, wasting time & money, and how you'd run the class if you were given the chance.

Tuesday, I decided I'd HAD it!  Really??  I'm paying A LOT of money, not to mention several hours of my week in a class that has been, thus far, useless.  This RT program is an accelerated program and many classes are very short and not-so-sweet with no time to waste on an instructor that isn't engaged in instruction, that can't get it together enough to pull together a cohesive lecture.  We've had four classes (with only four more to go) and are behind by 3 chapters and have learned - ZILCH.  So after listening to most of the class complain of the same issues I was concerned with... I opted to go to our RT director with the issues.  ON MY OWN, AS MY OWN REPRESENTATIVE...  Wednesday morning, I told many classmates that I'd talked to our director and we'd see if there was an improvement.  EVERY ONE of those classmates supported the act.  A couple even said they'd talked to the director the the week before.  So...

Thursday's class was MUCH better.  Great handouts, fairly good lecture, although we are still a bit behind the instructor took great strides in his lectures and engagement in the class.  Then the last ten minutes he passed out a quick 'quiz' that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the class.  Well, there were about 5 questions that pertained to what we were supposed to be studying although we hadn't really covered those areas yet.  What the hell???  So we grumbled, took the quiz and left.

Then last night a wonderfully, engaging, (she says facetiously) dictating disaster of an email went out to the class stating that if a person feels the need to talk to the director about a class reasons, then that said person needs to get the approval of the class first.  Since, even if its your OWN complaint, it will look like the class was complaining and the instructor just might get mad at us (insert Boo Hoo here).

Several of us took offense to that little statement.  NO ONE has to clear anything with anyone, unless you are specifically going in and stating "I am here as a rep for the class...".  No will censor what I say and to whom I say it.  Anyway, several responses were given by classmates to that effect and I responded with my own.  Today I waited for the fallout by this particular classmate but nothing... I have to say, it was a little disappointing.  I was all fired-up with righteous indignation.

We are adults and we have to work together for the next year and it's a small school - we'll have the instructors more than once over the next 14 months.  We all need to get along.  I get that... but if I had wanted to learn by just reading, I would have just bought the books and stayed home... saved myself a lot of money.  Anyway, I feel justified.  I'd do it again (and probably will) and I'm so not sorry for doing it.

There... I feel a little better and promise to let this go by the time I post this.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fragrance Policy Part II

OK - so talking with some New Mexicans that have been in this area longer than I... they said that many restaurants that are small with many tables sitting close together have implemented "fragrance policies" as they do not want someone's over powering perfume or cologne to interfer the neighboring diner's dinner smells.  I still don't know how they determine who "smells" or not.

Sorry you asthmas suffers that thought it was for you.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Fragrance Policy

The world never-ever ceases to astound me.  Today I found a restaurant, in Santa Fe, that has a Fragrance Policy.   Yep, a fragrance policy... not sure what that means as far as a restaurant is concerned but Trattoria Nostrani has one or is developing one, as the website still has its policy page "under development".   You can bet I'll be checking back to see if they ever post that policy...  And I'll let you know what I find out.

If you have ever heard of such a thing (other than at your workplace) let me know.

    Saturday, November 14, 2009

    Fall is Here

    I wish the colors had come out a little better.  The Fall colors in New Mexico are amazing.  And unlike the PNW the rain doesn't make them come to an early end... they seem to last forever and ever here.  Unfortunately we didn't make it up into the mountains to see the colors before the snow hit but the cottonwoods and various other trees put on quite a show here in the Bosque, even if I'm a little late in getting photos.




    And we thought we wouldn't 
    have to rake leaves anymore!!


    Maggie & Hannah waiting at the door.  I gave up trying to 
    keep it clean but Bryan washes it every now and then...

    Thursday, November 12, 2009

    Ponder This...

    Why is it, when I'm trying to nap, Hannah & Maggie comes in and pesters me about every 15 minutes but when I give up and get up, I don't see hide nor hair of them????

    Love 'em to death but they are an exercise in patience.

    Wednesday, November 11, 2009

    Fed Up & Frustrated

    OK, on the way home from school I had a whole 30 page post written out in my head but... I'm sick and really just too fed up to write it all out so I'll just cut to the chase.

    I have a lot to say but I get to angry and then I ramble so...

    If you don't like it here (America), if you don't like the way the country is ran, if you don't like how we treat terrorists, etc, etc, etc... then MOVE.  I'm sure there is a great place somewhere waiting just for you.  America isn't infallible, we all know that.  But stop bitching & making up crap to suit you the way you think it should be... stop blaming everyone and everything but the ones that should be blamed.  Stop bestowing rights on monsters that don't deserve them, stop lambasting our servicemen & women for doing a job they signed up to do

    I do respect the right of everyone to have an opinion, that's just one of the great things about America is that you CAN have a differing opinion.  But I also expect to be respected for my opinions.  I guess my biggest peeve is the people who think, because I don't believe as they do, then I'm a narrow-minded, right-wing, uber-conservative, religious nut...

    Obviously I had a bad day at school...

    Monday, November 9, 2009

    Asthma Allies



    I have just been selected as a volunteer at this great organization.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with various medical teams, including some of the best pulmonologists in NM, in a wide variety of settings to help educate asthma patients, their families and friends about living productively with asthma.

    Below is a little bit about Asthma Allies and their mission.  To learn more about the company and the services they offer,  visit www.asthmaallies.org .



    Our Company

    Asthma Allies is an Albuquerque-based, 501c3 non-profit organization that specializes in asthma education. It was founded in 2005 by two women, Gerri Rivers and Romelia Rodriguez Walters, who joined forces to centralize asthma resources and focus on collaboration and education. Our founders bring over twenty years of combined experience in asthma education, program development, patient care and support services.

    Our Mission & Goal

    The mission of Asthma Allies is to improve the quality of life for individuals affected with asthma by raising awareness; providing evidence-based education to individuals, families, schools, and healthcare professionals; addressing disparity and access issues; and encouraging comprehensive asthma self-management through a team approach. Co-Founders, Gerri and Romelia, understand that successful asthma management is a team effort.

    Friday, November 6, 2009

    Random Photos

    Here's a few photos from around the house.  Our first 'snow' on the Sandia's, Hannah & Maggie and some blurry ones of a hummingbird nest I found in our apple tree.

    And I have to say - for the moment at least - I am NOT a fan of the new photo pasting tool that Blogspot has come up with.  Maybe it'll grow on my as I use it more...


    Hannah (now weighing in at 59lbs)
    .

    Hummingbird Nest (a bit blurry)


    Maggie (now weighing in at 66 lbs)


    Hannah & Maggie looking for the ball


    Snow on the Sandia's



    Hidden hummingbird nest







    Bird fighting itself on Bryan's truck




    Last shot of the hummingbird nest

    Tuesday, October 27, 2009

    How're You Doing?


    Watching :: Hannah & Maggie chase each other through the yard

    Reading :: Respiratory Diseases text book

    Making :: 'A's my classes (so far)

    Eating :: mini cupcake

    Feeling :: worn out
    Thinking :: about the paper I should be writing
    Hoping :: I get into the Asthma Allies volunteer program

    Wondering :: why I didn't start this RT program sooner

    Hearing :: the dogs playing in the yard

    Liking :: naps

    Wanting :: a long vacation on a beach with a fruity drink

    Playing :: at keeping the house clean

    Wishing :: my Mom was happier

    Enjoying :: my life in general

    Coveting :: a new digital camera


    Thanks Suddenly SAHM for this idea...

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009

    Nothing to say

    Stop laughing... occasionally I DO run out of things to say... like now...  I could ramble but what would be the point?  But I feel like I should change my post, say something witty, be creative, something but today, I just don't have it in me.

    I'll mention the weather instead, talk about inane things, give you guys a break.

    We did get quite a bit of rain yesterday, last night & this morning.  However, our rain gauge only read a little more than a half inch.  I think because it was mostly going sideways yesterday.

    Planning a great Thanksgiving with at my parents with two of my nephews and their wives & kids... should be a lot of fun!!

    Monday, October 12, 2009

    Better Late Than Never, I Suppose

    Bryan got a call today from the Colorado State Police and they have (they believe) located our old truck. They have not recovered the truck yet, but know where it is - they were hoping we could provide the keys so that they could "just drive the truck off".

    We sent them the insurance information since we turned all of the keys over to State Farm when they gave us the pay-out in August.

    I guess its good to know it has been found, and obviously in drivable condition but in a way it also sucks. I wish we could recover what was in the cab - tools, CD's, talkabouts, boots, coats, etc... oh well. Someone else's problem now.

    It was a good truck. :-)

    Saturday, October 10, 2009

    Sat, Oct 10 - Balloon Fiesta - Part I

    This morning we headed out to Balloon Fiesta park for our first-ever Mass Ascension. We awoke at 4 AM and was on the road by 4:30 in the hopes to beat the traffic (which we did). We made it to the park by 5 AM and spent a while looking through the vendor's tents. Freezing our butts off... note for next year: more layers!!!

    I guess the "thing" to do is have a breakfast burrito and coffee while you wait. Bryan's was pretty good, I did not like the green chile's on mine (which is unusual for me). Anywhooo we were there in time for the Dawn Patrol - several balloons go up just before the crack of dawn and sort of test the winds. It was so amazing to watch them set up and then as they fired up the... gas jets I guess... and the balloons glowed in the dark. Magnificent!!!! Next year I need to take a tripod so I can get better photos, but I still don't think they would do it justice. you just have to be there.

    After Dawn Patrol, we had about an hour before Mass Ascension. The greatest thing about being at the park is that you are able to walk around all the balloons as the are inflated and as they lift off.

    Be sure to look at Part II to see some of the special shapes balloons.

    Basket of one of the Dawn Patrol balloons
    One of the Dawn Patrol balloons
    Starting to inflate (using fans to inflate)
    Firing up the jets
    The Intel Balloon at Dawn Patrol
    Row of Dawn Patrols firing up

    Just before mass ascension

    Looking across the Park before mass ascension


    Starting to fill up