School is Winding Down

So, by the class's calculations (not that we are counting or anything) we have 42 more days to go (not including holidays and weekends) before we are DONE!!!!!!!!!  January 21, 2011 cannot come soon enough.

Our program director was correct in that we've come to love and hate our classmates. Much like a family.  Some you are really close to, others you tolerate because you have to.  We have lots of toleration going on. LOL

On November 18 we will take our last final exam (well, we do have an exit exam in Jan but I'm not counting that). Then it is nothing but clinicals (working at various locations under the tutelage of an RT) until January 6th.  We have 224 hours of clinicals this semester for a grand total of 800 clinical hours in all aspects of respiratory care from general floor therapies to intensive care units (adult, medical, cardiac, pediatric and neonatal), we are taking a spin through a cath lab, doing some rounds at a sleep lab and at trying our hand at pulmonary function testing.  And a few "lucky" souls are going to the hyperbaric chamber therapy center.  I am squeezing in some time at NICU & PICU (neonatal & pedicatric ICUs), sleep & cath labs before I head off to Texas and Oklahoma for some clinicals there.  I am SO excited that these finally came through and look like they will actually happen (dates are set for OK, still waiting on TX).

And the best part is I'll be with Bryan for almost a month (Dec 8 - Jan 2)!!!!!!!!  Happy-happy, joy-joy!  I cannot wait, although I'll have between 9-12 days of clinical schedules, I'll be HOME!!!   We are also planning a trip to the coast from Dec 25-31 too.  Here's hoping to good weather!  We are really looking forward to some quality time away from home - no packing, unpacking, cleaning, working, school work, etc - just us & the pooches.  YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Jan 2 I'll head back to NM and finish up some clinicals here and then start our review classes for our board exams.  There are three of them - a certified (entry level) RT written exam, then a registered (advanced) RT written exam and with that one comes a simulation exam where you are given various scenarios and tested on how well you handle each.  The reviews last two weeks, then we take an exit exam and exit interview on Jan 21.  I plan on being back on the road to TX on Saturday, Jan 22 and there by the 23rd.  I decided, after much debate (which promptly ended about two weeks after Bryan left for TX) that will take my board exams in TX.  They are national exams so it doesn't matter where I take them.  And I think I will study better being home than not.

In actuality the two years have really flown past.  I can't believe that in 42 days I'll be free (I already have a quilt or two in mind to do).  No doubt there have been times when I didn't think the end would ever get here but here we are at last.

I cannot wait!

Sunport (Albuquerque International Airport) Triennial Exercise

So, I guess airports need to go through a disaster drill every three years or so.  Our school volunteered us to be victims of said disaster.  I was actually looking forward to it, some people would be moulaged (have make-up applied to resemble injuries), some would be selected to be transported to area hospitals to receive care and others would be selected to be distraught family members.  Somehow I thought this would be a great learning experience and fun opportunity - perhaps due to the hype laid on by our instructor.

Anyway - it was a learning experience, although I was ticked that my victim status was pretty much A-OK from the 'airplane' wreck.  No blood & guts for me.  Although, the poor moulage person did make me "pale" with blue tipped fingers as I was so mad at not getting a head injury or a broken bone.  Several classmates ended up with shrapnel embedded in various body parts, bruised chests, cut necks, etc... but not I... oh no, not I.

The prep took longer than we all expected - something like 3 hours to sign-in the 130 some-odd volunteers and moulage almost that many. We headed to the runway around 9:30 AM (the whole time I'm thanking heaven above that we are NOT in Texas doing this... ahhh the heat). The actual drill started around 10:30 maybe (I honestly don't know as I didn't think to look at my watch).  And was over by Noon - except for the transportees.

Since I was uninjured I did a lot of sitting and twiddling my thumbs.  I tried to be all "What's going on, you have tell us something" but was told to sit down and be quiet they'd get us information later.  Hurumph!!

Below are a few shots I took with the iPhone (so sorry about the quality) of our experience.

I will say - if you get a chance to participate in a triennial drill or a citywide disaster planning exercise that you do it.

Victims waiting on the tarmac

Our smoking fuselage

No wonder the plane went down - no tail!!

An injured friend (she didn't make it unfortunately)

The calvary (aka firemen) have arrived

Another seriously injured classmate (I think he made it)

For The Love Of Dogs

Being a dog lover, I love the following quote...

Ben (1996 - 2006)

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."
- Gene Hill

Bear (1996 - 2008)

Hannah snoozing 2010 (2008 - )

Maggie (2008 - )