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

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.

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

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