devil's lake state park

yesterday, my friend danielle and i ventured out to devil's lake state park. an absolutely gorgeous park about 45 minutes away from madison...totally worth the drive! there are numerous hiking trails surrounding a lake that you could only see in movies. we decided to take a trail called balanced rock, which was rated as "difficult, with bluffs and beautiful views of the lake." ok, so here i am in a little sun-dressish-type shirt and sandals...not really prepared for a "serious" hike. i almost didn't do it (i don't know if you guys know this or not, but i'm not really the out-doorsy type), but i'm glad danielle made me. the view was absolutely amazing, and it was one of the most interesting trails i've ever seen...huge rocks forming the whole side of the mountain (picture avalanche or fallen rocks) where you had to look very closely to find the narrow steps that had been carefully placed to disappear into the view.

(sorry, i tried to rotate this pic. couldn't figure it out, oh well.) anyways, the fear of falling caused the adrenaline to rush, and we made it to the top and also got to see the real "balanced rock." on the way up, we encountered some climbers that had literally scaled the side of a huge rock (on top of other huge rocks) to construct a "climb site"...crazy! talk about adrenaline! anyways, it was very cool and maybe next time we'll decided to repel with the best of them (haha, only if i can remember to wear more of a hike-y outfit and bring my carabiner).

so, this is a pic of my "i conquered the mountain pose" and the balanced rock...pretty cool, eh?) who knew?? after the climb we attempted to swim, but since i am used to hotter sw mo climates, i about froze and got out of the water. but overall, had a very enjoyable afternoon of lounging, people watching, and eating potato chips (my favorite part, really). we are going back soon (1. because it's beautiful, 2. we had to pay $35 for a state park permit) to try a new trail called CCC and rent a canoe (since the water is too cold to swim in). after we left the park, we went into a nearby town baraboo, wi. if that sounds familiar to you, it is the historic, original site of the ringling bros. circus. there is a huge museum, and although i don't really like circuses i am going back soon...so keep your eyes open for pictures of that.

lastly, on the way home we stopped at a roadside souvenir shop (i LOVE souvenirs) called mousehouse cheeshaus...HILARIOUS! probably constructed in the 60s or 70s, very tacky. inside there were about 10 teenagers running it; selling souvenirs, making sandwiches, and knowing everything there is to know about wisconsin cheese. i didn't buy any cheese, but i did get an awesome coffee mug and keychain...next time i'll save my money for cheese, i'm sure it's delicious!

well, unfortunately i have to go clean my apartment. thanks for reading, and stay tuned (??) for more exciting stories about my adventures in madison!!

(oh, ps i am still working at the hospital and liking it. but news about the current patients at the hospital don't compare to devil's lake and mousehouse cheeshaus!)

3 weeks down, 9 to go...

well, my time here in madison is really flying by. not good...i have lots of things that i need (WANT) to do before sept. 19. so far, i really haven't ventured very far outside of the city. but i have plans to make it to some area lakes/state parks, chicago, wisconsin dells (wooo waterparks!), and milwaukee...better get on that asap!!

i have officially disharged all of my patients from ot, and look forward to getting new people on monday. no big breakthroughs yet, although i did get my patient who is globally aphasic to participate during my last two treatment sessions with her (after 2 1/2 weeks with very little interraction). she actually seemed to be enjoying my company, laughing and smiling (maybe she was laughing at me). we actually got into a non-verbal, stubborn fight one afternoon. she was trying to cheat during treatment...it was quite hilarious, neither one of us was going to back down. however, in the end i let her win...although i tried to tell her that she was only hurting herself in the long run. maybe that's why she was laughing at me, can you imagine me lecturing 70, 80, and 90 year olds about what is good for them?

one of my patients tried to trick me into letting her out of treatment by wasting time, asking in depth questions about my education and just which classes had been on my college schedule for the past 6 years. she was very disappointed when i told her that she should be able to talk and work at the same time...HILARIOUS! as soon as i told her that, she had no more curiousities about my education...or life, for that matter. she just worked in silence. i actually really need to be careful not to talk too much. i find myself rambling on and on to my patients, and then realize that we might not be doing everything that we're supposed to. but people have such interresting lives, how can i be expected to sit in silence?? i've been "thinking" about setting up a conversational ot hour, one in which i could sit with the patients and talk about their/my life. you know, check their cognitive abilities...it's really not that far off.

anyway, i guess i'd better go clean. my apartment is a scary mess by the weekend because i am just WAY TOO TIRED to clean on weeknights!!

love to all.
tip of the day...walk around barefoot, you'll feel much better. i tried it earlier, no one wears shoes in madison.

oooh-la-la

a different view of the capital (capitol??) building...on the monona terrace, a different patio/deck over the water.

cheesin' out at the terrace...

in the water at the terrace...very cold, a little stinky.

at the student union terrace...a patio on the university of wisconsin campus.

the state capitol building, literally a couple of blocks up the street from my house. on saturday mornings, i go to the downtown farmer's market which is picture-esquely set up all the way around this building.

patients say the darndest things...

(short story, but very funny)

today i had a plethora of cancellations, therefore we got to "pick up" 2 new patients. for an initial visit with a patient, it is our job to create a patient profile by interviewing/evaluating the client about current and previous symptoms and medical problems, previous living situations, goals for rehab, social situation, and other ot-ish things. so, one of the questions that we ask is about alcohol and cigarette use...

patient 1, age 87 said, "well, luckily i don't smoke now. but i do want you to know that there was a brief period of time in my teen years when i had a lapse of judgement and smoked."

patient 2, age 92: "honey, i have great news for you...i've smoked most of my life but i quit last year, decided i should be healthy."

statements noted in charts, and patients are working their way to recovery. hopefully i'll have these two for awhile, seem to be very knowledgable/motivational about life choices...could learn a lot.

my house...

aaaahhhhhh...i got it to work, and it was sort of an accident! so, this is the house that i am living in. the window on the left is my living room (and by living room, i mean pretty much my entire apartment). let's see if i can get another pic to work. (oh, it posted on top)...that is my view on the walk home from work and, coincidentally, the lake that is directly behind my house. gorgeous, right?

ok, so now i have to take more pics...keep checking the blog frequently. i'm sure more entertainment is on the way!

intense caseload

today was my first day to have my own patient. (brace yourself, this is about to get pretty intense- i know).

i was informed yesterday that after a week of observations i could have my very own patient today- how exciting! so, first things first...what is the diagnosis and what should i do? i had to plan a treatment. so, since she was a back surgery patient and pretty much (flat on her back) bed ridden, i figured that i should take it pretty easy. she has been seen by ot a few times, but i would be the first to "treat" her. unfortunately, we were only able to make it halfway through treatment (the really good part) before her pain became EXCRUTIATING and she started having uncontrollable muscle spasms all over her body (i promise, nothing that i did!!)! i know you must all be thinking 'what a great start to a career in ot' (i always seem to enter situations with a bang, it's my nature), but i am pleased to say that i must've done something right because i have her again tomorrow, plus two other patients (who are going to be equally difficult). the lady from today says that she is "looking forward to it. i like you, and we're going to work through the pain together." (that is unless she gives me a nervous breakdown first!)

i still really love it though. those stressful events (ie. unexpected, uncontrollable muscle spasms elicited by the first patient you've ever treated) are the things that really keep you on your toes. not to mention, keep you awake...the hospital can get a little tedious. anyway, i'm still trying to post pics and having a terrible time! i'm going to have to make a "techie" friend to do it for me, and i'll work on that this weekend. until then, peace and love!

kt

So, i've officially made it through my first full week here in Madison...only 11 more to go (that countdown is more for the work part, not the fun sight-seeing part). Everything has gone really well, and the weather has been beautiful. Although, the 8-hour days have really killed this wimp.

As far as working at the hospital goes, I will be mainly working on the neuro and ortho floors. So, i've seen a lot of stroke and hip replacement patients this week- some pretty interesting stroke patients that have been unable to communicate in therapy due to aphasia. My supervisors both want me to eventually work my way up to the cardiac and ICU floors, but I am sort of dreading that because those patients are obviously much less stable. I guess we'll see how it goes. Next week I get to be more hands on with patients, which stresses me out a little...but I guess that's what i'm here for.

Today I went exploring downtown and found lots of places that looked very fun. I think that I am going to have to get a second job so that I can support myself once I start with hobbies on the weekend.

I guess i'll go before everyone falls asleep. Hopefully i'll have something better to say next time.