Bones and Bones and Bones

Day at the Beach.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:53:22 GMT

Brittany and puppy.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:20:50 GMT

Last night Brittany stopped in with her puppy. Who was adorable and small and had the cutest little stuffed toy. She licked the baby and everything. We went on the shortest walk ever, but there wasn't too much sunlight so that had a lot to do with it. I miss the sun setting at 9pm.

Tenth Week of Nursing School

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:42:44 GMT

Holy crap! I can't believe I'm almost a 4th of the way through this program already.
This week was pretty easy. I've seemed to have kicked up my grades a notch, I haven't gotten anything below a 100 in the last 4, 5? tests. Which is very exciting, I'm really very pleased with myself. I'm aiming to get a 100 in the Nutrition section. Today a girl in the class called some other girls out about a number of things that have apparently been going on for a while now. I was kind of baffled by it. I mean... I know I'm out of the social loop, I just didn't realize I was that far out. I also managed to stick my foot quite far down my own mouth today, eh, winsomelosesome; I am over it.
In skills this week we did all of the cathing information, so likely we'll get to mess with that next clinical week if the opportunity arises.
I'm also going to look into student loans this weekend, and I'm really considering moving to Watertown to avoid the snow this winter. I can think of at least 4 good reasons to do it. If I do take out a student loan, Kevin and I will definitely be moving.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:06:31 GMT

Ninth Week of Nursing School

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:00:05 GMT

This week was my last week of Clinicals at Mercy. I'm almost sad to go, but excited about moving on. I can't believe it's week 9 already.

Skills I performed at Mercy Clinicals-
Bandaging and wound care
Feeding patients
G-tube feedings
G-tube flushes
Colostomy care- observation
C-Tub Baths
Bed Baths
Occupied Bed Changes
Range of Motion Exercises
Oral Care
Peri Care
Cath Care
Hoyer Transfers
Vital Signs and Assessments
Weights

I also spent an afternoon this week at Geri-Psych, which is for the old crazies. It was extremely interesting, I got to spend most of my time there in the charts and it's so bizarre seeing how psych diseases age. Also, charting behaviors is a whole can of worms.
We began Nutrition this week in Mrs. Dupee's class and it really does tempt me to fore go moving to an RN level and just getting a BS in Nutritional Science.
One of the teacher's sons died in a car accident this week. She subbed for our A&P class just last week. There has been so much death this last week. A man I cared for just the other day in the hospital passed. The man who I did my chart for is still at CCU.

Eighth Week of Nursing School

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:57:44 GMT

Weekends seems to be getting busier and busier.
Firstly, today is Kevin's birthday!

And now onto what happened last week.
I didn't have clinicals all week, which was very refreshing. On Thursday Brittany and I had lunch at Panera's. And I had an incredible week for pumping. Halloween was fun, we gave out candy at my father's. Button's sleep schedule is not quite back to what it was and with the time shift she and I are waking up at 4am. I'm wide awake and I can't wrap my mind around actually getting out of bed at that time, but I really should just start. Button also has discovered stuffed animals! One in particular.... Totoro!
November I'm doing good things for myself, I've officially gone back to a veggie diet! And I'm working out pretty regularly, with a goal to work out everyday this month. It looks like Kevin and Colin are planning on getting a treadmill which will be nice, I'm really interested in starting the Couch to 5k. I've also started NaNoWriMo, I'm not sure how far I'll get but I'm thinking of pushing my bed time back about an hour after Button goes to sleep.
In school we finished hygiene and personal care, and in AP we finished all of the nervous system. I wish I had more to say about class, but right now it feels like everything is something I already know; or common sense. Everything from clinical is basically protected by HIPPA so I'm really not sure what to say about it.

I'm thinking about starting a nurtrition newsletter, would anyone here be interested in it?

Seventh Week of Nursing School

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:15:22 GMT

I couldn't seem to find it in me to post over the weekend, but overall last week was exhausting. I had clinical from M-F; and at some point Button has gotten really strange with her sleep, she doesn't actually wake up in the night but has begun thrashing. So, overall it was very tiring.

In A&P we spent the whole week learning the Muscle System, the test was today and actually I think it went very well. I got a test back from Mrs. Jones from last Wednesday and that went phenomenally, I only missed one question which was a very stupid mistake and I can't think about it anymore.
In Skills we did a brief Nutrition chapter, but she didn't cover too much because Mrs. Dupee will be doing a whole Unit on it. November is Good Nutrition Month as well as National Novel Writer's Month. I plan to accomplish a lot this coming November, including continuing yoga everyday which I started earlier this month. I've missed two days, but other than that I've managed to keep pretty good momentum.

On Wednesday last wk Kevin and I had a court date for medical reimbursement, but it was thrown out basically as soon as the Judge saw it. And Thursday evening Brittany stopped by for a visit, and hopefully she and I will be getting together sometime this week during lunch.

For those of you who get prints made from a digital camera, where are you going?

Sixth Week of Nursing School

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:28:20 GMT

This week was a little crazy because of the holiday. Columbus Day was spent mostly laying around the house and enjoying extra time with Button. Tuesday we were late from sleeping in, and Thursday we had to leave early for an appt. On Friday we went for a playdate at Thompson Park and all of my milk spoiled in the car when I traded my bags for Button. (Andrea, I'm sorry I didn't call you- I forgot to put your number in my phone I just kind of hoped that we'd find you up there. We were there from 3:15ish till about 4:30.)
The whole wk is kind of a blur, everything we did in skills had to do with making an immovable patient movable and immobalizing a broken patient. And all of A&P was the skeleton and next week we start the muscle system. Most of this is review for me because I did this course at JCC. I'm starting to look into RN programs and considering picking up extra NCLEX studyguides. If you know a good LPN- to RN bridge I wouldn't mind recomendations of places to look at.
I have clinicals all next week, and while I'm not exactly looking forward to I do want to get it under my belt.

Most exciting news:
Button is 4 MONTHS!!

Fun with Advertising.

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:52:23 GMT

Did you guys ever play spot the differences? A game like this...

Alright, now try it with this one:

Abortion, breast reduction, hair extensions & bleaching; Beach vacation

Fifth Week of Nursing School

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:13:43 GMT

This week was much better, especially coming up on a 3 day wkend. I received two separately wonderful comments from both my instructors this week, Mrs. Dupee called me clever. "Abigail -you have this cleverness about you, it will get you far in life." And Mrs. Jones told me she loved my sense of humor, which was actually way more relieving than complimentary since I thought I grated her wrong earlier in the day. I did really well over all this wk in both classes, 2 100's in A&P and my first 100 ever in Skills. So satisfying. A few class members suggested I go the route of biology instead of Nursing, and while it's something I'm considering I can do this now, and that's what really matters to me.
This week Kevin had clinical every afternoon, so we couldn't eat together. He was over at Samaritan, he actually _did_ a bandage change. And he didn't seem to enjoy clinical much more than I did. It really put him on edge, and he's wondering if being in school is worth it. We finally settled on that we probably won't be looking for jobs in Nursing homes. He's actually commenting in the background; what joy of being blissfully ignorant about what aging was like and lack of affinity for the elderly. Conversely, I love seeing how people age; I'm taking note of how important my health is to me.

Button also had a much better week than last, and I'm hoping to get into a morning routine of baby yoga with her. I've also book marked a bunch of 10 minute exercises on Netflix and this wkend I'm going to find the one that really works for me and start my mornings at 5 with that, then a baby yoga and Button can nurse, we can shower, I can make oatmeal. On Wednesday, I took a long lunch and watched Button during Mom's dentist appt. it was so nice seeing her midday, and she came in to meet my teacher.
I'm realizing despite my best intentions I'm only accomplishing really small goals. I haven't missed doing a weekly update since begining school which I'm quite proud of, though vague they at least note I had a week. Among other things, the weather was lovely, spooky and dark all week. Much rain makes me feel open to something more spiritual than the average day. I finally talked to Tara this week, she sounds beautiful in that far.far.away way. I'm considering buying one of these- mmcoffee. I bought the DONA doula package, I'm looking into IBLCE. And trying to figure out where I would like to do an RN program. We bought a cord of wood, and have had these yummy fires all week.
On a muchmuchmore interesting note, here were some pictures from Button's week.

Fouth Week of Nursing School

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:17:43 GMT

I started clinicals this wk. And they are incredibly exhausting; in part because the teachers usually have 6wks in class with us before beginning and this semester the only had 3wks with us. Today, I did a sponge bath and occupied bed change. And was pretty much molested by the resident in the bed. Only a little horrifying. Also, it has motivated me in great ways: advanced directive- please, just let me die.

First wk of Clinical Accomplishments
*Observing the vaccum bandage care. We need to do an inservice before preforming ourselves, but it was neat.
*Observed a G-Tube feeding
*First Charting Assignment, Nursing Assessment and Note.
*Sponge Bath
*Occupied bed change

Kevin and I also received our CPR cards today, ... technically I get mine Monday, but we've finished the CPR/Red Cross AED blahblah. And I had my first AP test, which went well. [100!] And we started doing Nursing Assessments and Nursing Notes during clinicals.
This week was very hard on me concerning Button, I was miserable the WHOLE week. Everyday I was ready to bolt home and was super anxious all day. More over, Button was having a hard time at the house and she went on a mini bottle strike. Clinical also notably changed my pump output, or that's what I'm blaming first. Button's reduction of eating at the house could mean she is just readjusting how hungry she is.
On a happier note, Kevin and I have a new favorite show, Dexter. A few mornings this week we put it on as we woke up and it was really nice. Waking up all slowly, nursing Button and watching a serial killer do his thing. Kevin's class hasn't been at Clinical's so they are serveral ch. ahead in AP, he's been deemed the 'smart kid' in his class. I'm still relieved that there are not homework assignments.
Next wkend is our long wkend so it looks as if we might go spend at least part of it in Rochester.
I'm just ready to relax.

Third Week of Nursing School

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:01:44 GMT

Finished ethics with a 97. I'm pretty happy about it. I'm also very happy that there is nearly no homework, it makes life a whole lot easier. We've moved onto A&P which is just a review subject for me, so this whole first semester is going to end up very light. On Monday I start clinicals! I'll be working with Elderly through these next 2 months and then moving to different areas of the hospital (maternity!) and different clinics around Watertown and Carthage.
Pumping at school has become fairly routine and I'm getting around 12 ounces a day. Which is working out, I'd like to be pumping closer to 15 but the timing doesn't seem to allow me quite enough to empty my breasts and clean up on my shorter breaks; I've been pumping on the way to and from school to make up the 3 ounce difference. Button seems to be more okay with us being gone at the end of the week than at the beginning where she is confused why we've left.... again. She has cycled herself to sleep the last 2 or so hours before we come home so that she wakes up to us, it's quite sweet.
In other news, Button has met all of her 3mth mile stones. She met most of them last month, except for using her arms to prop herself up. Which she has started this last wk! Also, she's way ahead in regards to standing, and will stand herself up and even support herself walking/stepping if you hold her hands. Veryvery exciting stuff. Conclusion: my kid is a ninja genius of epic proportion and finally in vain Mummy news I was 131lbs this morning!

OhSky

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:58:34 GMT

Bitty Button

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:50:09 GMT

Second Week of Nursing School

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:32:33 GMT

Things picked up this week, we had a test everyday except Monday. Both Kevin and I did very well, he slightly better than myself on Mrs. Jones's tests and I did better than him on one of Mrs. Dupee's. I have satisfied that if his grades are better than mine at least I will get to brag about him to the other students. It's fun being in class together, though we're not really together; did I mention that? They split us into two groups and he was not in mine. And on a side note there is a cute girl in his class that I think has a crush on him. (She has on 2 occasions now given me that- 'So you're the girlfriend' look where she does a mental comparison. And she also is kind of mean. Alright, she's downright rude, in that I'm half way joking at your expense kind of way. But she's very nice to Kevin with big smiles and laughs.) She snowboards so Kevin is thinking of asking her out at somepoint this winter, I'm kind of looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
Our Ethics Final is next week, and I'm hoping to finish that whole portion with a 100%, of the three Ethics tests I've had a 100 on all. So I think I can manage it. After this though, we'll be picking up the A&P which I'm really looking forward to. And then later in the semester we will be switching to Nutrition. That said, being that I'm finishing the Ethics portion I'm really realizing that I don't believe in the practice of Nursing nearly as much as I do Naturopathy. I do believe I will finish out to the RN level, but ultimately I will move to dietetics or naturopathy.
With Mrs. Jones we've finished the most basic skills you need before entering the clinicals, asepsis/comfort care etc. I will be starting clinicals the 28th. I picked up a bunch of white shirts at Target today, and Mom said she would like to buy me a watch. I do need more pants, but I'm fairly certain I don't want to buy them through the people I bought the first ones from. If I can find the time I would like to make them myself, but I really don't see that happening. I do want to find the time to make Kevin some out of a really nice material like bamboo or linen for his birthday.

First Week of Nursing School

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:55:54 GMT

First week of nursing school is finished!
The first day of leaving Button was kind of relieving/exciting, in that I had time to think and just a general break which was kind of nice, but I ended up super freaking miserable the next few days. This morning though I started a new system which I think is going to help a lot; instead of getting up at 7 and getting ready to leave and being gone by 7:30 and missing her all day, I am getting up at 5 and spending 2 hours with her in the morning before I get ready and leave for school. By the time I leave I'm ready for a little break and it makes the day a lot easier. So I think that's going to be the schedule from now on.
Pumping is only sort of an issue at class, I get two 10 minute breaks and one 55 minute one. They are spaced really well, but there is no private room! So I've kind of been pumping in the lab behind a curtain. I'm not particularly modest so walkins don't bother me too much, but once the school year gets going and people will be in the lab full time I think the teachers are going to have me relocate for policy purposes. Annoying but doable.
I keep ended up engorged in my left breast, and for the last day and a half the whole breast feels bruised. I'm hoping it will clear up over the weekend and I can work out a better pumping regime so it stops happening all together. Even if it means leaving class for a moment to hand express a bit in the bathroom.
We start clinicals the 28th, and have to wear these awful polyester scrubs. I'm going to try to find the time to make some cotton ones. It shouldn't be too hard, but I have absolutely no time. Today our first assignment and quiz/test thingy happened, both went really well.

♥

Little Tiny

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:05:06 GMT

tinyfamilyportraits

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:14:33 GMT

WTF

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:33:02 GMT

wtf‏

From:	James Adam Kessler (jakessler@wjkessler.com)
Sent:	Wed 7/29/09 12:20 PM
To:	Abby (teawithgail@hotmail.com)

http://wildammo.com/2009/07/27/unusual-paintings-of-obama-naked-with-unicorns/

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:51:53 GMT

Today WIC called and offered me a job as a Lactation Peer Counselor. Someone in the office mentioned that I was very pro-breastfeeding and that I seemed like a real advocate for the cause. I'm really excited, it's a very small position. Only about quarter time. I have clinic hours and possible home visits. The training is at the end of August, so I need to figure out how available I'll be alongside the nursing which begins in September.

Also, look at Button!

<3Tara

Tinybabybabybaby

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:34:55 GMT

Eleanor Eve

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:36:53 GMT

Baby was born Wednesday morning at 9:12am.
She is deliciously small and cuddly.

35wks

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:47:22 GMT

35wks, and officially off bed rest.

32wks

Wed, 20 May 2009 13:16:45 GMT

Preterm labor hospital visits are not fun.
I have a sneaking suspicion I have one of those slipper outer babies.

Thu, 07 May 2009 13:27:26 GMT

The rain is so lovely.