God being so kind, yesterday was good. ER sent a patient up. As most times, report was shady but the nurse mentioned that the patient, who presented with blisters on bilateral feet that was infested with maggots, was all cleaned up and they'd gotten rid of the maggots. YAY or so i thought.
So up came the guy, btw, he is one of the sweet homeless folks ( i need to blog about the kinds of homeless folks who come to the hospital one of these days) but anyway, after getting him settled, i proceeded to do a skin assessment. when he walked in, i noticed an open wound, from a blister that had burst, on the plantar surface of his left foot. my goal was to figure out the length, breath and depth of it so i can apply an appropriate dressing. In so doing, i noticed something black between his great toe and 2nd toe so i went ahead to take a better look thinking it was gangrene. I mean with all the diabetics in bmore, i see gangrenous toes so often it almost looks like a normal variation of the foot and toes. Anyhoo, i open up the toes and out comes MAGGOTS!!! I freaked silently because i'd hate to have the patient think whatever. Anyway, i say maggots and the nurse doing the validation with me goes "let me see.
" Seriously?! if i was doing a skin validation with someone and they said maggots, i don't think i'd be so quick to see although on second thought, i'm soo nozy when it comes to medical stuff. Tell me a patient in room so and so has this and i'll make sure that even though i've no business in that room, i'll see it. So in hindsight, that would have been my reaction as well. Anyhoo, i call the resident asking if she'll like to order something for me to use to get rid of the maggots because i was told the ER had the guy soak his foot in something. The nurse wasn't sure what.
She turns around and asks me what would you like for me to order? I find it wierd that after 4 years of medical school, you expect a nurse to make a medical judgement for you. So i tell her i think the ED used betadine and she says i'll order it and she never does.
Anyway, the thing here is that there are tons of homeless people here who live in terrible conditions and go through awful things that Christe Eleison! makes my heart ache at times when i see them. To come to the point where maggots feed on you feet? boy, i thought the dead were the ones who had those little creatures feed on them. Are you better off than the dead or not? i mean the only difference is that you breathe but like the corpse underground, you're organic matter.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Another whew and the importance of practice.
ochem is done. I think i've been speeding through my last bits of reading just so i can get done. i think i want to see myself doing practice questions. i've been thinking lately, actually just yesterday and today, about the importance of practice. I thought about the nclex. i really didn't study for the exam during the 3-months post school that i took it. Even the last quarter of school, i didn't study for the HESIs i took because i'd done so much practice i knew the stuff by heart. I mean between the reviews and rationales i did along with nclex 3500 and other CDs i had, i'd gone through tons of questions. i did most of the nclex 3500 in review mode but did some few in test mode. So come test day, i remember when i sat in front of the computer to take the exam, it seemed like me sitting in front of my laptop in the library tyring to do some practice questions in test mode, except this time i can't review right after i'm done.
Likewise in Ghana, i knew my physics, chem and math so much because it was all "solve questions, solve questions, solve questions". Mr Brew used to say that about math. He said math can be taught in an hour. The rest comes from "solving questions". So i practiced, practiced and practiced. i had the 1001 book for physics and i think i had other physcis books. i went through KOVs soo many times for chemistry. And it's no surprise that after doing one year of high school at Blake and another year without chemistry, i was able to take chem 1 withiut studying for it 2 years later and then tutor chemistry 3 years later because i remembered the stuff. I mean now i've forgotten.
So in both instances, i practiced a lot and that's what me better. I've been reading posts from sdn i saved and each one of these 40+ scorers practiced, practiced and practice. For the nclex, i was able to think like the testmakers because after doing all those questions i knew how they tested. Someone on SDN mentioned by taking practice tests, you get to know how the testmakers think. i couldn't agree more.
So, point here is that i should be lots of practice questions. i started EK 1001s for some of the chapters but laziness ....
So, beginning today, i'm going to practice, practice and practice. All i have left now is physics so i think i'll work hard on these last chapters and then practice. i've soo much study material with lots of practice. Aside from that, i think i need a break from studying before my brain gets into overload mode. I'm just glad i've gone through my first cycle of studying. I still feel that i need serious prayers and the love of God to make it through.
Likewise in Ghana, i knew my physics, chem and math so much because it was all "solve questions, solve questions, solve questions". Mr Brew used to say that about math. He said math can be taught in an hour. The rest comes from "solving questions". So i practiced, practiced and practiced. i had the 1001 book for physics and i think i had other physcis books. i went through KOVs soo many times for chemistry. And it's no surprise that after doing one year of high school at Blake and another year without chemistry, i was able to take chem 1 withiut studying for it 2 years later and then tutor chemistry 3 years later because i remembered the stuff. I mean now i've forgotten.
So in both instances, i practiced a lot and that's what me better. I've been reading posts from sdn i saved and each one of these 40+ scorers practiced, practiced and practice. For the nclex, i was able to think like the testmakers because after doing all those questions i knew how they tested. Someone on SDN mentioned by taking practice tests, you get to know how the testmakers think. i couldn't agree more.
So, point here is that i should be lots of practice questions. i started EK 1001s for some of the chapters but laziness ....
So, beginning today, i'm going to practice, practice and practice. All i have left now is physics so i think i'll work hard on these last chapters and then practice. i've soo much study material with lots of practice. Aside from that, i think i need a break from studying before my brain gets into overload mode. I'm just glad i've gone through my first cycle of studying. I still feel that i need serious prayers and the love of God to make it through.
Another whew
I'm done with bio. Took me forever cuz i wasn't focusing and i think i spent 30% tops fo the last 6hrs studying or maybe less. Part of me wished i'd taken bio II this past semester but i still remembered most of the stuff. Now i need to finish ochem and then do EM. I'm not sleepy. i hate it when my sleep schedule is messed up. I'll try to sleep anyway and see if i can get up in the afternoon and get back on schedule.
Whew!
Gen chem is done. OMG. i did start redox yesterday and my expectation was to finish before work. Well, i started reading KOV's which i believe is better than TBR. So that made reading TBR easier. it was just hard to read. Thanks God it's done. It's after midnight. I'm soo tempted to read bio and finish that off. I actually worked on gen chem at work last night but it took me forever to understand one of the exercises in TBR that my entire time was wasted. That and the fact that i was relaxing with my legs elevated at the front desk and laughing at catherine's jokes. Work isn't all bad. It really isn't bad. Actually, all that sux is the stupid politics and cliques but other than that, i love my patients, i love being there, i learn a lot each day and i like most of my night coworkers. i used Most because i don't care much for those who go to the "office" to rat people out.
On funny note, i got off work on time, got to church premises right at 8am because for some reason, i thought the morning service started at 8am. what was i thinking? So i sat in my car reading gen chem and then i fell asleep. i made it to the service. If i'd known it was father's day, i think i'd have skipped church. I thought it was next week. On the bright side, i figured out where the prayer center is at. I need to start praying some serious prayers if i need this to succeed.
On funny note, i got off work on time, got to church premises right at 8am because for some reason, i thought the morning service started at 8am. what was i thinking? So i sat in my car reading gen chem and then i fell asleep. i made it to the service. If i'd known it was father's day, i think i'd have skipped church. I thought it was next week. On the bright side, i figured out where the prayer center is at. I need to start praying some serious prayers if i need this to succeed.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Yet Another cancellation
So i've pushed back tonight. I saw it coming. I'm trying to finish the last but one chapter for ochem, amines. it's not going to great. So, i ate some haagen-dazs and i'm reading the 6/17 MCATers reaction thread. It's always the same reaction. People come back and write how hard it was, and a month later, they do better than they thought. Goal for tonite is to finish the ochem chapter i'm reading, finish bio lecture II in TPR and finish gen chem 10 in TBR. That'll leave me with the last ochem topic which i'm thinking i may do on sunday with the last section of EM cuz the EM chapter in TPR is long, almost a 100pages. I still need help with fluids. Plan is to go through Nova and see if that help with my physics intuition, review TPR gen chem quickly and TPR ochem next week. Then start all over with TBR only.
So far, bio has been intuitive. I think my approach of just knowing my Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology for nursing school helped out. Honestly, those are all that matters, i actually think physiology is the main thing. Know how something normally works, the pathophys is the opposite. medical and nursing interventions are geared to reverse the pathophys.
Alright, back to studying. i'll finish going through the SDN threads at work tomorrow nite.
So far, bio has been intuitive. I think my approach of just knowing my Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology for nursing school helped out. Honestly, those are all that matters, i actually think physiology is the main thing. Know how something normally works, the pathophys is the opposite. medical and nursing interventions are geared to reverse the pathophys.
Alright, back to studying. i'll finish going through the SDN threads at work tomorrow nite.
Cancellations
So here's the thing about working overtime. I don't do it anymore. Primarily because i have better things to do such as school but during the semester and now i've lots of studying to do. But the other reason why i don't do overtime anymore is the fact that on 2 occassions last year, i was called in for overtime and my name was put down to be cancelled on the saturday. On one of those 2 ocassions, i was working the thursday, i wasn't put down to be cancelled sunday. Instead i was put down for the weekend so i don't make the differential. Couple other people have stopped coming in for overtime primarily because of the latter reason.
Anyway, coworker of mine did overtime during the week. On saturday which she was scheduled to work, they cancelled her and pulled a nurse from a different floor to come work on our floor so they wouldn't pay my co-worker overtime. Now, this is just aboveboard but it leaves me with the question "how far are they willing to go to save a dime?"
Anyway, coworker of mine did overtime during the week. On saturday which she was scheduled to work, they cancelled her and pulled a nurse from a different floor to come work on our floor so they wouldn't pay my co-worker overtime. Now, this is just aboveboard but it leaves me with the question "how far are they willing to go to save a dime?"
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bless me Father for i've sinned....
I just spent $115 at victoria's secret online store after spending more money at their store in the mall today. Awful. I feel like an alcoholic or drug addict that's relapsed. Technically, i should feel like one cuz i'm used to be a shopaholic. I spent so much money at Victoria's secret last year, it's a SIN! I mean from the bra tops to the dresses to the pants. So last year, i had them unsubscribed me from their catalogs, i stopped their emails and cut off all contact with them.
But, i purchased today because i need pants. I like their pants. They're colorful, different, not like regular pants. I actually went there to shop for underpants but then i remembered i needed work pants to wear to the clinic. Then i saw a bra and then a top, and then an oversized top. Honestly, if i didn't purchased that on-sale $25 oversized top, i'd have purchased one at saks for $84. So here's to saving! Yes, i'm justifying but the fact of the matter is, this is all my summer shopping. Heck, i can't fit into some of the summer clothes i purchased last year and i never wore them, some i only wore twice. I've soo many clothes and i've a bunch in a bin i need to donate. i really don't need any more clothes. All the closets here, my huge walk-in, dresser and whatever i have, closet outside, my shoe closet (yes, i've a closet that's just stacked with shoes.)
So, here's a blog reminder to self that this is my summer shopping. I think i've spent 200 bucks if i add the 5in heels i got on amazon (may i say those are so hawt!!). Here's to saving.
But, i purchased today because i need pants. I like their pants. They're colorful, different, not like regular pants. I actually went there to shop for underpants but then i remembered i needed work pants to wear to the clinic. Then i saw a bra and then a top, and then an oversized top. Honestly, if i didn't purchased that on-sale $25 oversized top, i'd have purchased one at saks for $84. So here's to saving! Yes, i'm justifying but the fact of the matter is, this is all my summer shopping. Heck, i can't fit into some of the summer clothes i purchased last year and i never wore them, some i only wore twice. I've soo many clothes and i've a bunch in a bin i need to donate. i really don't need any more clothes. All the closets here, my huge walk-in, dresser and whatever i have, closet outside, my shoe closet (yes, i've a closet that's just stacked with shoes.)
So, here's a blog reminder to self that this is my summer shopping. I think i've spent 200 bucks if i add the 5in heels i got on amazon (may i say those are so hawt!!). Here's to saving.
Things you can't cheat: work and sleep
Let me speak physics in layman's term. Pressure is defined as the force acting on a unit area of a substance. Work is defined as the force x distance or the force that moves something through a given distance.
So back to pressure. If you apply pressure on fluid, it distributes evenly and each part of the fluid experiences the same about of pressure. That's how hydraulic lifts work. so imagine applying a little amount of force to a piston of a hydraulic lift. it allows you to lift a heavy item on the cylinder barrel which would otherwise be very difficult to lift. Thing is while you apply a smaller force to move the piston a large distance, the cylinder distance moves a smaller distance. You can see a better demonstration at the hyperphysics website.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
Fact is, while you use a smaller amount of force, you only move the force through a larger distance. So in the end, the same amount of work is done cuz if you used a smaller force to lift the heavier load on the other side of the cylinder, you'd move the same small distance as using a smaller force but moving that force through a larger distance. So, thing i learned is you can't cheat work.
I think the same can be said for sleep. Your body needs X amount of sleep. it'll get X amount of sleep, doesn't matter when. i went to bed at 5am hoping to get up at 8:30 to go to the clinic. My eyes opened at 10:02. My body got the 5hours of sleep it needed. And i'm sure if it didn't, it'll try to make up during some time during the day. I really feel awful for not showing up at the clinic. I think i need to get a new alarm clock cuz this read one can't be trusted.
So back to pressure. If you apply pressure on fluid, it distributes evenly and each part of the fluid experiences the same about of pressure. That's how hydraulic lifts work. so imagine applying a little amount of force to a piston of a hydraulic lift. it allows you to lift a heavy item on the cylinder barrel which would otherwise be very difficult to lift. Thing is while you apply a smaller force to move the piston a large distance, the cylinder distance moves a smaller distance. You can see a better demonstration at the hyperphysics website.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
Fact is, while you use a smaller amount of force, you only move the force through a larger distance. So in the end, the same amount of work is done cuz if you used a smaller force to lift the heavier load on the other side of the cylinder, you'd move the same small distance as using a smaller force but moving that force through a larger distance. So, thing i learned is you can't cheat work.
I think the same can be said for sleep. Your body needs X amount of sleep. it'll get X amount of sleep, doesn't matter when. i went to bed at 5am hoping to get up at 8:30 to go to the clinic. My eyes opened at 10:02. My body got the 5hours of sleep it needed. And i'm sure if it didn't, it'll try to make up during some time during the day. I really feel awful for not showing up at the clinic. I think i need to get a new alarm clock cuz this read one can't be trusted.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Something Holy
"We were born to be a part of something holy all of us are restless till we find...
we were born to be a part of something holy, bigger than you and I."
Grammatically, the you and i should be oops "me". I'm not a stickler but it's amazing how most people say you and I.
we were born to be a part of something holy, bigger than you and I."
Grammatically, the you and i should be oops "me". I'm not a stickler but it's amazing how most people say you and I.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Brief encounter
So i went to barnes and noble to study gen chem today. First of all, their wifi isn't working, which isn't so much of a big deal. Guy working up the roof got dust all over my stuff so i stood up to move my stuff, girl sitting behind me who's been talking since she walked in asks if i'm studying for the CAT and how long it takes to go through "that book". Turns, we both had TBR gen chem books. She tells me her plan is to go through each chapter within 3 days and then do the passages. She's taking the exam in july, 5 weeks from today. I told her it takes forever to go through the chapters but i usually do 2 chapters in a day, not the same subjects. Good thing that's working for her is that she states she doesn't need much bio and ochem review. Come to think of it, i shouldn't need much bio review either. Ochem, I'm good on the SN1,2 and E1 and 2. NMR, i have it all nailed down. So i think i need to crack down a lot more on the PS section.
Good thing for her, she just graduated, stuff is still fresh in her mind. Me, i took these classes so long ago that i don't remember anything. So she shuld be good in 5 weeks, at least for a person smart enough to get into columbia, she should be. I actually left the store because i couldn't study anymore. Two guys walked by and she's been talking for the last hour. Still talking as i left.
Good thing for her, she just graduated, stuff is still fresh in her mind. Me, i took these classes so long ago that i don't remember anything. So she shuld be good in 5 weeks, at least for a person smart enough to get into columbia, she should be. I actually left the store because i couldn't study anymore. Two guys walked by and she's been talking for the last hour. Still talking as i left.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
i should prolly be studying
It's almost midnight. i've ochem to cover and i'm tired. i really need to quit facebook again. I've been having too much sweets. In trying to empty out the freezer, i've found two unopened Ben & Jerry's: strawberry cheesecake and mint chocolate chunk. For a second i thought i purchased them and kept asking myself why would i buy these flavors. then i saw the 7-11 bag they were in. So looks like my roommate purchased them. However, it also looks like he put them there and somehow forgot about them. I've been digging into them. along with the truffle cake i got at Costco.
On a less important note, someone upstairs is getting on my nerves. But, it appears me hitting the roof with the broom stick seems to stop the nonsense. I moved to the 2nd floor because i didn't wanna see a leaking roof again. Well, Yesterday, my 2nd bathroom had a leak coming up the top, AGAIN! Same thing happened last year and i know the complex hired some people to fix the roof upstairs. So what happened?! Somehow, the neighbors upstairs were able to damage it? or was it a job poorly done? I was too lazy to move this year because i needed all the time i could get. Hopefully, my prayers get answered this year.
On a less important note, someone upstairs is getting on my nerves. But, it appears me hitting the roof with the broom stick seems to stop the nonsense. I moved to the 2nd floor because i didn't wanna see a leaking roof again. Well, Yesterday, my 2nd bathroom had a leak coming up the top, AGAIN! Same thing happened last year and i know the complex hired some people to fix the roof upstairs. So what happened?! Somehow, the neighbors upstairs were able to damage it? or was it a job poorly done? I was too lazy to move this year because i needed all the time i could get. Hopefully, my prayers get answered this year.
Hibernating
So i took a week off work to study for the MCAT. so far, not good. Headaches are slowing me down. I did nothing saturday and sunday. i have been doing ok so far. Only thing is i had to cut out my 3rd day review since saturday and sunday was wasted. I'm on track with bio, and gen chem. i'm a chapter behind in physics, hoping to catch up today and a chapter behind in ochem. The ochem part doesn't matter so much because it's only 8 chapters so missing one is kinda ok. Gen chem is proving to be a challenge. i need to do more practice passages and examples when it comes to the ps section. While i'm studying, i'm still praying for a miracle because i'm gonna need it. Christe Eleison.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)