(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.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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
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
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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.
Monday, June 30, 2008
first day of fw
hey everyone!
(DISCLAIMER: i was told that this was very dorky, but it just seemed to fun to resist...)
for those of you that are unaware, i just moved to madison, wi to complete a 12-week clinical in occupational therapy at meriter hospital. i didn't get to do a whole lot today, and probably won't get any hands-on experience for the next week or so as i have to be oriented and learn the computer system. so far, i love it. they have many 'characters' (including 2 hippies) on their ot staff, and everyone is very friendly and eager to give good advice about where i can find outdoor concerts and drink in public for free. needless to say, i think that this is going to work out for me just fine.
as far as madison goes, it is the state capital of wisconsin and features a quaint downtown area with a gorgeous capital building as the centerpiece to the square. ANOTHER FACT: madison is an isthmus, so there are lakes everywhere! however, i am a little concerned about my capabilities driving on the roadway system here as roads seem to go in circles and change names about every block or so. also, you are never really sure if you are on a 2-lane or 4-lane road, so you just decide which you would prefer and hope that no one really cares (i don't think that many 'madisonians' really would). so, i've decided that i need to get brave and take up biking (like so many others in this city) so that i don't cause any catastrophic car accidents or hit a biker/pedestrian. lucky for me, my landlord (forest) told me not to buy a bike, but to feel free to use any of the bikes in the backyard, as no one will really care if i use their bike (but he also told me to jump in the ditch in the backyard in case of a tornado, so i don't think i'll take his word on everything). i'm pretty sure that's about it for now, but i'll keep you all updated if anything happens in my 'so-called' exciting life.
xoxo
(DISCLAIMER: i was told that this was very dorky, but it just seemed to fun to resist...)
for those of you that are unaware, i just moved to madison, wi to complete a 12-week clinical in occupational therapy at meriter hospital. i didn't get to do a whole lot today, and probably won't get any hands-on experience for the next week or so as i have to be oriented and learn the computer system. so far, i love it. they have many 'characters' (including 2 hippies) on their ot staff, and everyone is very friendly and eager to give good advice about where i can find outdoor concerts and drink in public for free. needless to say, i think that this is going to work out for me just fine.
as far as madison goes, it is the state capital of wisconsin and features a quaint downtown area with a gorgeous capital building as the centerpiece to the square. ANOTHER FACT: madison is an isthmus, so there are lakes everywhere! however, i am a little concerned about my capabilities driving on the roadway system here as roads seem to go in circles and change names about every block or so. also, you are never really sure if you are on a 2-lane or 4-lane road, so you just decide which you would prefer and hope that no one really cares (i don't think that many 'madisonians' really would). so, i've decided that i need to get brave and take up biking (like so many others in this city) so that i don't cause any catastrophic car accidents or hit a biker/pedestrian. lucky for me, my landlord (forest) told me not to buy a bike, but to feel free to use any of the bikes in the backyard, as no one will really care if i use their bike (but he also told me to jump in the ditch in the backyard in case of a tornado, so i don't think i'll take his word on everything). i'm pretty sure that's about it for now, but i'll keep you all updated if anything happens in my 'so-called' exciting life.
xoxo
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