And so ends Maternity-Newborn Nursing....

Our last clinical weekend was to be spent in labor & delivery. However, the only two people in active labor were with one nurse who did not want to deal with nursing students. So we shunned leper people were rerouted to the NICU = most amazing department ever.

I was assigned to a young nurse who had one of the most interesting/heartbreaking patients ever. The patient was a baby boy that had ichthyosis fetalis or harlequin syndrome. This condition is very rare, to the point that the hospital had to download information from the net to get an idea of how to treat it. He was three weeks old. He was already starting to develop a skin infection, was in constant pain, and would only calm down when the nurse or doctor would rub his leg. He could see and hear fine, and would turn to your voice and follow you in his line of sight. Due to the everted lips and not being able to suck, the baby had to be OG tube fed. They had already performed surgery on his eyes for some correction to the everted eyelids. His skin was sloughing off terribly and on his wrists the sloughing was already down to the tendons and ligaments. His prognosis was very poor.

However, I loved working in that department. I guess I am just all about the babies.

After a horrendous final exam, I managed to pull a B out of that class. And I passed my community health class, as well as the OB clinical. GPA dropped another 0.03 points. :( I start psych next Monday.



I just got back at midnight last night from my softball trip. I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! Our team lost 2 out of three games, but it was against a really good (#1) team. However, my team is off to the regional championships in 2 weeks. Wish I could go to that one, too. But that would be an impossibility. Still it was so nice to get away for a while, and to hang out with my friend, and the team. The girls are all so nice, as are the coaches. They are a fun bunch to travel with.

We stayed in Tampa, and the hotel was so nice. Went across the street to the mall for some retail therapy, while most of the team stayed in to study or went to watch the baseball team play. Mostly I relaxed, stayed up very late talking with Danielle, knit some, read some, cheered my team on.

Today I am exhausted. But very happy.

W. :)

I paid $85.00 for some guy to feel me up...

First, thanks for all the supportive wishes that you all have sent. I really appreciate it and needed it.

This past Wednesday, I took myself to the doctor to get the Rx for the repeat mammo and ultrasound. While he says that he didn't feel anything suspicious during the exam, there were more than a few "hmmmms...." that made me very uncomfortable. I hope I didn't offend my dr when I asked if he had actually ever felt breast ca before. He assured me that he had, so he knew what he was feeling for. I guess that it would be an encouraging sign that he didn't ask to see me again until December.

The hospital does not have any appointments until June 1. However, I will be calling every single day to see if there is a cancellation sooner than that.

On the school front, the semester is winding to a close. OB is coming to its finale with my last clinical weekend being in L&D. I am so looking forward to this weekend, especially since we have spent a grand total of 6 hours actually on the floor this whole semester (6 weeks). Once again, I feel shortchanged by my school. On a good note, I already passed my critical thinking, pharmacology and ATI test for the OB rotation, so now it is just a matter of passing my final next Monday.

Next up, psychiatric nursing. This should be interesting. My grandmother assures me that I will be convinced everyone, including myself, is nutso after this semester.

I finally updated my resume and filled out my application for a PCT position at a local hospital. I am turning it in tonight.

I started knitting again. I am making a sweater for my good friend's nephew.
Here's what it should look like completed:



I love the neckline on it.

I already have the back completed, and am halfway through with the front. Making baby clothes is so satisfying because they are completed so quickly. Maybe I will even finish the sock I started 7 months ago.

Tonight is Softball and school. Then next week is Secretary's day, the Athletic Awards Banquet, and next weekend is the Softball trip.

So, overall, I have decided not to panic until I absolutely have to. Thanks again for all your support, and I will update here whenever I have any news.

W. :)

I am officially freaking out...

About 3 weeks ago I had a mammogram at the mobile unit that came to the University. They assured me they would not call unless there was "a problem."

Well, they called. I have to have more films and an ultrasound. I am so scared right now.

W.