Long time, I see.

In reference to the post below, I still haven't seen the results.  It's been almost a year.  I still remember that day-- I curled up on the floor of my apartment and cried.  I should have remembered that science takes forever.  Not their fault, I understand that.  I just should have known to not count those chickens just yet.

Hello world! I don't post much for a few reasons but primarily because I grew tired of it.  Occasionally, like today, I'll decide the posting isn't sure a tough thing to do.  It's nice to be heard every so often.  I do have a second "blog" for my personal thoughts and feelings. Things that don't need to be shared with the world around me.

I also don't post as often because a lot has changed in 10 months (shocking, right??).  I moved home in June of 2012 and finished out college commuting back to my college town.  I also took a few classes from home and held an internship at a local gym for the final two quarters of college.  Then, on Nov. 17, 2012, I graduated college early by two quarters.  *high fives all around*  Backing that time-table up about a month, I also started a "big girl job" in mid-October.  After I graduated, I went on a graduation cruise with my mom, and began working full time (8-5, M-F) the Monday I came back from my cruise.  Very exciting, very busy.

I also shifted away from the blogging world with my new job because, like a fellow blogger (Unknown Cystic), I don't want to put my career in jeopardy just because of my health.  The internet is an incredible thing, but has the potential to ruin lives.

I also recently turned down the chance to be a local "face of CF" as a part of a really great fundraiser locally.  I've supported and attended the gala they host when I'm able to, but this would have made me the key speaker and face in the media.  I was all for it until I was employed.  I'm sorry, but I just can't.  I was a recent speaker with my mom on the Mother/Daughter Perspective of CF for local CF families hosted by my clinic.  It was a great event and we had fun doing it.  It's on YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube, my work did a Harlem Shake video.  We're the first in our industry to do one and the other companies got called out by observers.  It was tons of fun.

Ironically, after noting that I would like to keep my job despite my genes, I'm home sick today.  It's the first full day I've taken off for feeling UGH.  Remember all that belly pain I've had since late elementary school? It still haunts me.  I actually had a recent colonoscopy to see what was wrong.  Verdict? "You have a normal colon. Nothing is wrong with you."  WRONG.  Just because we can't see or determine the problem does not mean nothing is wrong.  The highly respected doctor who performed the colonoscopy suggested it might be my diet.  I mentioned this to my CF doctor who scoffed.  "Doubtful."  Still back on square one, in pain and still "nothing wrong."

For the record, I cried before my colonoscopy many times.  Was I afraid? Was I in a lot of pain? No and no. I was HUNGRY.  I was waiting for them to put me to sleep and tears are running down my cheeks.  The nurses were great and worked to console me letting me know that there is nothing to fear and it will all be over soon.  I just looked at them through my teary eyes and said "I'm not afraid, I'm hungry.  I just really want to eat."  I'm not sure they quite knew what to do with me.

Think about it! I couldn't eat for 24 hours.  ME.  Or drink Dr. Pepper.  ME!! I had a lot of juices to choke down the solution to "clear me out."  I got so physically sick of sweet drinks that I started sucking on the cajun sweet pickles that my mom makes at Christmas time for some spice.  Sad, I know.

Recent doctor visit revealed that I would benefit from some IV antibiotics, but it wasn't an emergency.  I made a deal that she let me wait 6 weeks and be reevaluated because I was beginning playing soccer again and running once more.  I was making a serious effort to improve my cardiorespiratory health and I wanted to see if that would help before we made any decision to send me to the hospital.  I've been running every day since.

My running partner, aka the boyfriend, has been great.  When our work schedules allow us to run together, he meets me at the gym closest to me and we run.  He gives me the push to keep going without pushing me to a breaking point.  I've also lost several pounds over the last few months and he's declared that I'm going to eat as much as he does, if not more.  We'll see how that works out!

Speaking of the boyfriend, all is well in that department.  ("well" is the understatement of the century, actually.)  We're extremely happy and things just make sense.  It's nice when your best friend is also your boyfriend. :)

Speaking of friends, one of them (aka Emmons) is turning 21 in August and someone in her family got the great idea to have a serious celebration... IN VEGAS.  Come late August I will be flying out with her family for a 21st birthday party in Sin City.  I'm sure there's nothing that can go wrong.. haha!

Two of my other close friends are getting married in November.. on the same day... in different cities! Bummer! I'm very excited for them both and can't wait to celebrate with them!

On that note, I think that's all the updates I've got so far.  Well, I'm sure there are plenty more, but that's all I've got for today. One more reason I don't blog, before I forget: I spend all day at work at a computer.  I really don't want to get on my home computer once I leave.  It's just not appealing to me.

Ciao.

My trip to Austin,TX

The ride to Austin was a solid 6ish hours of reading. It was amazing. I have been reading The Lovely Bones, loaned to me by the roomie, and finally finished it a few days into my Austin stay. I highly recommend it. From page one, it held my attention. Since then, I picked up Vonnegut's The Cat's Cradle. I'm a Vonnegut fan, and it's very very Vonnegut. So I'm enjoying it too.

Let's talk about job-shadowing! I followed around people at the Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, TX, from Mon-Thurs and I saw many different types of physical therapy/occupational therapy (PT/OT). I will not be giving out details about what I saw, patient privacy, but I will just note that this is a trauma hospital: I saw some crazy stuff.

On Monday, I followed Jeff 2 as he was on the floater shift. That means I saw neuro patients (with spinal cord/brain injuries), wound care, and mobility PT.

On Tuesday, I followed Laura as she did her PT rounds in the ICU. At a trauma hospital, you can only imagine the things I saw. It was the most exciting day for sure.

On Wednesday, I followed Shannon in the morning and Sheila in the afternoon. Shannon does outpatient PT. So if you've ever broken a leg or something, you've seen a PT like Shannon. Sheila was an inpatient PT who did similar stuff like Shannon, but for those people still in the hospital.

On Thursday, I following Sara/Gina/Missy in the morning and Lisa in the afternoon. Sara/Gina/Missy are hand therapy OT. So if you injury your hand or have surgery on the elbow or lower, that's what these ladies specialize in. Lisa is an OT. Her job is to work with your injury/limitation/whatever and make it possible for you to once again function on day-to-day tasks. Brushing your teeth, putting on clothes, showering, etc.

One part of working in a safety net hospital in Texas is that a high percentage of the people they see speak Spanish as their first language. I loved listening to the translators or the broken English/Spanish mix in a conversation that people work around to get the job done. I worked with 2 translators (which was awesome) and then most of the other therapists knew broken Spanish to get points across.

I really enjoyed the ICU work, but I don't think I could do it as a career. It takes patience, a strong stomach, a cheery personality, the ability to remain calm in INSANE situations, and being okay with a lack of structure to your daily responsibilities and never know what's coming next. I really really really enjoying spending a day there, and I could spend a long time there, but as a career, maybe not. Who knows!

So far, I still would like to do outpatient PT (like Shannon). It's a calmer environment, for sure, and more structured with the "ok, this is my 9 o'clock person, she is my 10 o'clock, no one is scheduled for an 11 o'clock" etc.. However, I would still like to shadow a Sports Medicine PT if I have the opportunity. That's has the potential to be amazing.

Aside from work, I spent time with the family. One of the most fun parts was trivia night at Pluckers. The food wasn't bad, but the company/trivia was awesome. Sure helps my opinion that we WON! lol. Here is a picture of the trophy:

Yes, that is a picture of a "Baby Sith". The winner takes it home and adds on to it.

On a final note, I wanted to give thanks/kudos to Jeff, Leah, Spencer, Laura, Chase, Shannon, Georgina, Sheila, Edgar, Sara, Missy, Gina, Lisa, Eric, Brian, Frank, Patty, Dayne, Anjea, Amy and anyone else in the therapy department I missed who was so kind to me and allowed me to tag along, ask questions, and interrupt the normal flow of things. And the kudos is because you do amazing work and I applaud you.

-Annie