ROUND TWO

(Sorry, this post is a little late..)

I can remember our discussions of deciding when to get married, the obstacles we'd face if we did so prior to the completion of our education, and the struggles we'd endure if we chose to wait. We were warned of the difficulty of our first year of marriage, but were encouraged that a strong focus on God would make all things possible. Some thought marriage would be a distraction from our studies, others thought Robbie would be just what I needed to survive the stresses. We knew our time together would be limited, but at least we could be next to each other at night.


So here we are.. celebrating our 2nd year anniversary, with big things happening and big things to come. We're both done with our formal educations, and we're taking on new titles/job responsibilities as we enter 2010!

As a graduation/anniversary gift, each of my siblings and their significant others gave us a certificate for a night out at the Sawgrass Mariott Golf Resort and Spa. It was just what we needed! So on our anniversary, we packed up our bags and headed up to Ponte Vedra from St Augustine via A1A, enjoying both wonderful scenery and conversation.


Robbie and I spent some time in the room prior to our dinner at 619 Ocean View. As we were out on the balcony, holding hands, I slipped off his wedding band and told him we really needed to get him a new one. (As a result of his Body For Life diet, he went down 1.5 sizes in his ring, and he often wouldn't wear it as it was continiously falling off.) Little did he know, I had purchased him a new one and rather than returning his old one to his finger, I slipped his new one on. As he glanced at his hand, he was completely caught off guard at what he saw. So I did what I intended to do - reclaim that man as mine! :)

Two years may be short to some or it may not even be reached by others, but Robbie and I celebrated with joy from the past and excitement for the future. Thank you, Danette, Eddie, Leanne, Michael, Jusin, Kim, Megan, and John for allowing us to have this time away. It was just what the Dr. ordered - no pun intended. :)

NO WORDS EXCEPT "THANK YOU"

Dear Mom and Dad,

You have provided me with an overwhelming amount of love and support and were a constant reminder of what I was going through then would be worth it now. Well once again, you were right! I cannot thank you enough for your emotional and financial assistance throughout graduate school.

Mom, your inspiring words as early as 6:15 in the morning were calming. You gave me courage at each written, oral, and practical exam as I knew you were praying for me at each of those exact moments. You took an interest in what I was learning and were one of the few who appreciated "all those big words". You found the "disgusting" things intriguing, the body's pathways fascinating, and the anatomy captivating. You were consistently engaged in my education and motivated me to keep pushing through each bump, obstacle, and every single tear. Thank you for being you.

Dad, your reassurance in my performance and reminder of God's presence gave me peace. Your confidence in me motivated me to do better. Your involvement in the little details was few, but your participation during the big events was influential. Your encouraging words made me emotional each time you spoke because it is during those times that there is a true sincerity in the tone of your voice that reaches my heart. Thank you for being you.


You have each been a huge part and reason for my success. It is because of the hands that raised me that has now allowed me to hold this in my hand.

I love you with all my heart - and even though it's not the biggest or strongest muscle in the body, it is the one that holds the biggest piece of you in my life!

Love always, your daughter

AN ENDING WITH A NEW BEGINNING

The time has come - I have completed my doctorate in Physical Therapy and Robbie has completed Paramedic school!

Dear Robbie,

I cannot thank you enough for being by my side throughout this process. I thank you for your encouragement, your strength, and your abundant patience. I know I was not easy to live with throughout these years, but somehow you were still able to make me feel loved. You tolerated my books and notes scattered throughout the house, many nights of tears due to fear of failure, my dirty dishes in the sink, laundry on the floor, and my stress induced short fuse. Thank you for redirecting my focus from the negative to the positive.

Additionally, I want to congratulate you on all of your accomplishments! If you think about it, you have been through more programs than I have - Criminal Justice, EMT, Firefighting, and Paramedic school. So what if it's not a doctorate.. but I consider "Hero" a higher title. :) Robbie, you go after what you want and excel at everything that you do. You have made yourself who you are. I respect you for your trust in the One who makes all things possible and for being the leader in our household. Thank you for your strong commitment to us. I could name a hundred more reasons why I chose you and why I love you, but there is one that is obvious to all:

They get me everytime! I love you, Robbie, and am excited about all the other great things God has planned for us!

~ Love, Me

INTENSIVE CARE, INTENSE EXPERIENCE

The first 8 weeks of my summer consist of an internship at a Trauma One hospital. I am working on the intensive care unit with patients who have experienced trauma, cardiac, neurological, surgical, burn, or general medical issues. As far as physical therapy goes, most treatments consist of passive range of motion, where I basically move my patient to keep them from getting too stiff or tight, and then transfer them from the bed to the chair (if they are medically stable). For those patients that can understand what I'm asking of them and who have the strength, I assist them with active range of motion, where the patient attempts to perform the movement themself. Although rare, I have walked with a few patients, but the distance has been very limited.
As far as trauma is concerned, the most common reason people are admitted include motorcycle accidents (UNHELMETED, might I add), motor vehicle crashes, or car vs. pedestrian incidents. The injuries are usually extensive - I have seen fractures so involved that one bone looks like four or more on the x-rays. I have seen an open book pelvic fracture, which basically means that the two pelvic bones spread far apart (as if opening a book). Many of my patients have experienced head injuries that affect their function, cognition, and behavior - and as a result, some become very agited and combative and require restraints on their hands and legs. It is always an unknown adventure when I release their restraints in order to move them around. I have worked with someone with a spinal cord injury that now has no function of his arms or legs. In addition, I have seen a couple of burn patients, one of which was involved in an explosion and the other who lit herself on fire - both with approximately 40% of their body involved. Many others have had bleeds in their brain, back and heart surgery, cancer, amputations, and various other medical complications.
About 75% of these patients are intubated (with a tube going down their mouth to the lungs) or have a trach (with a tube entering the front of the neck and going down to the lungs). They typically have an a-line (arterial line) which helps get an accurate measure of blood pressure, a feeding tube, multiple IVs, an additional blood pressure cuff around their arm, an O2 sat measuring the amount of oxygen they are receiving, a catheter, and often times a chest tube that drains fluid and/or blood from around their lungs. My first reaction to all of these lines and wires and tubes was one of uncertainty. I had no idea how I would ever learn to work around them, what I would do when the monitors start beeping and making noises at me, and more importantly, how would a person requiring so much assitance/medical attention ever get better??
Over the past two weeks, I have seen progress made by patients who, prior, could do nothing else but stare into space. I know that these patients will never remember who I am or perhaps that they ever received physical therapy, but I also know that I will not forget them. Working in such a setting is a real eye opener. I have noticed a change in the way that I drive and I find myself being more aware of the blessings in my life. Unfortunate for Robbie, but my argument against a motorcycle in the future is now stronger than ever.
We all know that we shouldn't take things for granted, but how easy is it to fall into a routine and not notice the simplest things about life? Be thankful.. thankful that you're not relying on a machine to take your next breath.. grateful that you can move your arms and legs when you want or without having to think about it.. appreciate the fact that you're not strapped down to a bed, relying on others to tend to your every need.. and most importantly, give thanks to God who makes all this possible..

MY HEAD HURTS

I recently completed my 5th semester, which means I now have 4 months of internship. My first one is in Orlando at a hospital where I will be working on the intensive care unit. I will see such things as traumas, burns, and patients with neurological and cardiopulmonary conditions. My second internship is at an outpatient facility in Jacksonville, which is the direction I believe I want to go. My hope is that I absolutely fall in love with the clinic, they fall in love with me, and that they will be looking to hire in December! :)

While this break from "school" will be much needed and enjoyed, it certainly will not be a breeze. One thing specific to the grad school I attend is what they call "Exit Exams". This includes a 200 question written exam, one oral exam, and one practical exam, all of which covers information from my previous 6 semesters. The oral and practical portions of the exit exam are completed with the use of a case. I will walk into a room, be provided with a case scenario, have 20 minutes to analyze it, and then randomly meet with any two of my professors, where they will ask me a series of questions related to my case. Following the oral portion, I have to perform techniques from any of the previous labs I have had since August 2007. In order to pass, I must receive an 80% or better - if not, I have to repeat the process again at a later date.

PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE

22 Notebooks / 32 Classes / 1 Exit Exam

3 FEET 3 INCHES OF INFORMATION

(IF ONLY MY BRAIN WERE THAT BIG)

NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH EYE

Robbie and I are currently experiencing role reversal. As a result of being in PT school, Robbie often became my guinea pig on new techniques I learned. In my opinion, it wasn't so bad, as it often involved some type of stretching, strengthing, massage, or mobilization technique.

Well now that Robbie is in paramedic school, his assumption is that I am now his guinea pig. And yes, this includes drawing blood and inserting a catheter - for the IV line and nothing else, folks. So I willingly agree.. because I know how practice makes perfect..

WARNING: What you're about to witness is the picture book of Robbie's first blood draw.

Parental Guidance Recommended.

Reality Hits..

And So Does The Needle..

And it hurts.. and it burns.. and it bleeds..

But she survives.. and lives to tell it..

NOT ME MONDAY

..sorry for the lack of the pretty picture everyone uses.. I'm tired and don't feel like figuring that out right now.. :)

I most certainly did not start typing this up last week so that I would have it ready to post by today. And I did not start typing it at 7:00 am, which was the first day of my "Spring Blink". My school refers to it as that, rather than Spring Break, because they could not be more generous and give us more than two days off.

Earlier this week, I did not find myself staying up extra late watching the Bachelor. I did not cry when Jason broke Melissa's heart, only to turn around and not ask Molly for another chance.

I did not cook my first whole chicken this week. I did not freak out when I realized the insides were still in the chicken and then stab them with a knife in an attempt to get them out. I did not cut the chicken straight through the top so that I could get a better view of what I was getting myself into. When all else failed, I did not pull them out with my bare hands and then attempt to name each organ as I threw it in the trash. I did not take pictures of the before and after, and I most certainly did not open the oven door and stick my hands and camera inside of the oven to take a picture.

On our vacation to Fernandina, I did not ride the bike trails through the woods sitting down. It was not because I was too lazy to stand. I most certainly did not have a sore butt the next day from all the bumps and stumps I ran into. Oh yea.. I did not almost get hit by a car and then later yell down the road at Robbie, "You're not supposed to leave your wife!" The couple walking down the road did not start laughing at my attempt at making him feel bad at my almost fatal incident.

And one last thing.. I did not have any fun doing this. It was not the most enjoyable post I have ever written! :)

Proverbs 3:5-6 .. and a Prayer Request

"Trust the Lord with all your heart,

and don't depend on your own understanding.

Remember the Lord in all you do,

and He will give you success."

I'm not usually one to do this, but my heart is heavy and my emotions are running high. This semester is getting the best of me. I am allowing the workload to overwhelm me and the practical exams to stress me beyond what they should. I feel guilty for what it does to my relationship with Robbie and because I allow it to interfere with quality time spent with my family and friends. I know that what I am doing will pay off in the end, and I am grateful for all of the support I have in my life.. but sometimes it's hard to focus on that. For this reason, I'm requesting prayer for confidence in what I do and what I know and for strength to focus on God's word. I know His word and I trust His word, but too often I let it slip away from my heart.. thank you in advance..

WHERE AM I?

For Christmas, Robbie received one of those desk calendar things. Each day, there is a different word, its definition, and then it is used in a sentence. According to Robbie, this weekend's word was designed for me:

"Geotard"

A person who is incapable of figuring out how to get from point A to B without instructions like "turn at that pretty blue house," does not know which direction is north, and/or points in the wrong direction when talking about a place. Combination of "geography" and "retard".

If I have to tell her how to get there one more time, I'm going to kick her in her geotard butt!"

As my sister, Leanne, states, "Debra can get lost in a brown paper bag." So I guess the reputation remains..

But know this.. I can tell you how pain travels up your afferent nerve, enters your spinal cord via the Zone of Lissauer, synapses in the Substantia Gelatinosa and Nucleus Proprius, crosses through the anterior white commissure, travels to the anterolateral spinal thalamic tract and spinal lemniscus, synapses in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus, and then terminates in the primary somatic sensory cortex. And then it turns back around and travels back down a different path, telling your muscles to pull yourself away from the painful stimulus.

I may be a geotard, but I also consider myself a "Bodenius" - a genius of the body. :)

MINE IN '09

I'm not typically big on New Years' Resolutions. Perhaps it's because I fail to follow through with them. However, I think I'm going to give it a shot this year. Although a goal, I'm not going the whole "weight loss" route. I'd rather set myself up for success. A friend of mine did what I'm about to mention last year and found it to be quite productive. Each week, I plan to write down at least 3 things that I am thankful for. If I am committed, I will have at least 156 things to post this time next year. My hope is that I focus on the positives and the blessings in my life, rather than those things that are a negative distraction. I think it will also give Robbie and I a chance to reminisce on some of the things that happened throughout the year, as I realize that not everything on my list will be super serious. A goofy moment and the ability to laugh is certainly something to be thankful for!

So what about you - are you making any resolutions?

Or does your resolution involve not making one at all?