Breathing

If its not obvious by now, I am really excited to have finally discovered the career path that is meant for me.

I knew I wanted to help people but was never entirely sure how.

How weird is that once you become aware of something its suddenly everywhere? I literally stumbled on Respiratory Therapy after a number of random events somehow fell into place. And NOW, every single day something reaffirms the decision I've made. I continue to learn things every single day.

Yesterday, the fact that I know and understand asthma symptoms had a hand in saving the first of many lives that I hope to be able to save as a Respiratory Therapist.

We were celebrating the birthday of my dear friend and RT mentor Susan when her typically controllable asthma suddenly become extremely out of control. She was very obviously having a difficult time breathing and getting oxygen. It turned serious when her skin had gone from a healthy, glowing pink to a sickly gray color. We got up and left for the ER immediately. Running red lights and dodging the crazy snowstorm that we were in the middle of, we made it just in time. Her oxygen saturation was 76%. If she hadn't received treatment at that very moment, I hate to think what could have happened.

I followed the ambulance that transferred her to the University Hospital where she was admitted to the ICU, remaining surprisingly calm the entire time.

It was so scary to see someone completely unable to breathe. Its something that I think most people don't even realize how quickly your body suffers when its struggling to get enough oxygen. All I wanted to do was help.

Knowing that I get to help people breathe, is an amazing, humbling, gratifying feeling.

Days like this one are reminders that I am in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time.

Sleep.

There isn't much more to say.

When you work from 6pm-6am,

(see previous post) all you want to do is be able to sleep.

When you finally do get to sleep, its amazing.

I laid down this morning just past 6:30 and it felt great. Not to be standing. Not to be sitting in a rolling chair at a table. Not even full on lounging in one of those hospital recliners could touch this.

Sleep. Its something I feel like I'm always chasing, never have enough of, but love every time we get to meet again.

Finally.. I get to put these on.

I started school on May 25, 2009. It took more than 7 months before I had a class related specifically to my major. I knew that down the road, the real deal, clinical, practical hours were going to happen. And I could not wait.

My scheduled clinical hours aren't supposed to start until this coming Wednesday, but I've never been known for being patient. I happen to be known as an ambitious go-getter that takes a lot of initiative to maintain my reputation for being an overachiever.

I've almost been in school a whole year, and all I wanted to do was put my scrubs on, throw a stethoscope around my neck and really learn something in a hospital. Last night I finally got the chance.

A few months ago, I took a leap of faith and got a job more closely related to the Respiratory Therapy field that I would ultimately end up in. Luckily for me, its done wonders. I've learned more than I can imagine on the job, and even better have made some incredible friends that have really helped me along.

Respiratory therapists are in their own category. We don't deal with the same things nurses do, and they are pretty happy about that. Respiratory Therapists are science nerds who live for traumas and life saving. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I embarked on an AWESOME career.

Unfortunately, last night, despite all we could do to jinx us, nothing crazy came into the ER, the ICU was pretty quiet, and nothing super eventful went down.

So when it got quiet,I got the chance to practice intubating a dummy. It may sound trivial, but I have been waiting for this chance for a long time! I'm more than grateful today for laryngoscopes, respiratory therapists and the constant reminders that I chose a fabulous profession.

Beer and Ice Cream: Because everyone deserves a reward for surviving the work week

It was suggested after another hellacious work week that I participate in a "wine down." Let go the stresses of the week and prepare for the weekend ahead. Aside from just appreciating the play on words, I think the sentiment is a fantastic one.

So after work, a good friend and I went to have a drink, and in this case, rather than wine it was a "beer down."

This tasty treat was a marvelous locally brewed Hefeweizen and it did the trick perfectly.

To be able to unwind, discuss successes and failures, and have a celebratory airing of grievances over a cold one is the best possible way to end a week.

So today, I'm appreciative for a girl named Sue, making it to the weekend, and a nice cold Hefeweizen. (With two lemons of course!)

Take a look around

When we were kids, there was always something to look forward to. A big treat for a job well done. Someone was there to praise you when you reached another milestone. Growing up, you could count on these accomplishments, feel a little prouder, stand a little taller and enjoy your much needed and well deserved reward.

Soon those victories began to grow further and further apart. Reality is a little less kind. When the heck did we grow up? It seems like one day I woke up and all the sudden I was thrust into the midst of a quarter-life crisis. Instead of being just another twentysomething with a chip on their shoulder, struggling to understand how life is supposed to play out, I'd rather put my energy into something much more positive.

So I decided that I would remind myself, at least once, everyday, of something I am grateful to have accomplished, experienced or become aware of.

How often do you feel like there is something worth celebrating? It doesn't have to be a birthday or some random hallmark holiday...for me even a little victory deserves a pat on the back. I guess it just depends on how aware you are of those little things that happen all the time.

It might just be once a day.

Or once a week.

Even once a month.

But, I'm willing to bet, that the more you look, the more you see. There is plenty to appreciate if you just stop to notice and not take life quite so seriously.

"Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop to look around once and a while, you could miss it."