Laparascopic Appendectomy.

*VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED*

Laparascopic Appendectomy -- Removal of appendix to treat appendicitis.

I was asked by my charge nurse in the evening if I would like to scrub in the O.R. & observe my patient undergo a Laparascopic Appendectomy.

Of course I said yes...hell yeah.

I was really glad & grateful to have observed this procedure being done laparascopically & firsthand on my patient the operating room.

Great learning experience.

'Til next time.

Deuces.

Bonfire.

Last night was nothing short of awesome.

Aliso Creek Beach. Anna, her debut court (most of them at least), & her friends.

For me, it was really great to see everyone again. It’s been over a year (or maybe more?) since we’ve all seen each other. The good old days of debut practice in her garage with me, my sis, & amanda as choreographers.

I always love reunions with good friends. Not only was it a reunion, but it was also an event where I met some pretty cool people as well. Plus a bonfire with an overload of food. I haven’t eaten that much junk in a seriously long time…& it was nice to live a little bit.

Hotdogs, smores, drinks (the parrot bay & absolute were bomb), being surrounded by awesome people…what else could you ask for.

Anna & her court are like family to me. As well as the other debut courts I’ve choreographed for. It was the kind of night I’ve needed for a while. I missed that group & I was really glad to have gone…

…& this was only round 1. Round 2 again next wednesday.

‘Til next time.

Deuces.

On-Call.

This weekend went by WAY too fast for me. I can’t believe it’s already Tuesday.

I think the main reason is due to the fact that I was on-call in the O.R. this past Saturday. Normally, I’m used to being off on the weekends, but due to a busy surgery schedule at the hospital, I was called in.

Honestly, I didn’t mind so much. Yes, it was short-notice & a last minute thing, since I literally clocked into work 20 minutes after I had woken up. Ergo, I woke up, took a really fast shower after listening to my voicemail, & got to work. I had a very slight headache since it all happened so fast & I didn’t have much time to do anything.

But I still was glad to have worked a few extra hours & made some extra money. Last week was just busy at work for me. But within that week, I met patients that, I believe, made me become more empathetic & compassionate.

I’ve always been that way, especially when working with patients that are enduring some of the worst illnesses & have undergone some painful surgery. In the field that I’m getting into & at the type of health & medical facilities like the hospital I work at, you really must have some kind of compassion for the people you care for.

Unfortunately, I’ve met so many that have lacked this quality. That’s one thing I DO NOT understand. I realize that at times, our patience for others gets kind of worn down & we get frustrated & tired. However, for those that work in healing others, there must be some ounce of compassion.

My philosophy is as follows:

Passion for medicine & healing. Compassion for those being healed.

Whether or not some agree, showing others patience, kindness, & compassion rapidly speeds up the healing process. Why? Because when they see & feel that the ones taking care of them are working their absolute hardest to heal them while at the same time treating them with love & respect, they fight & don’t lose hope.

And that, my friends, is EXACTLY the type of message you want to give them: DON’T LOSE HOPE.

Being called in this weekend was sudden, rushed, unexpected…but great.

Last week itself was awesome. With everything going on in my life, I feel that the numerous patients I meet & care for help me discover more & more about myself & because of that, I continue to grow as a person. The gratitude they show because of my compassion inspires me.

So, if I were to give advice for you today, it would be to show the people around you compassion. Sometimes, the smallest ounce of compassion can go a long way…it gives others hope…

…& it could even save a life.

‘Til next time.

Deuces.

Cadaver.

"Cadaver" by Skek

Nice shot. Reminds me of the good old days in Anatomy & Physiology lab.

The CORRECT Way To Perform Percussion.

Creepy.

What a trippy, creepy piece of art.

But I like it :)

False Alarm

This week has been great so far. The whole summer has been really eventful as well. I've grown to love work at the hospital more, more so as a place for me to learn & grow rather than just somewhere for me to earn money...even though, I must admit, that's great as well :)

Today, however, was going really well, until...it happened.

"Code Blue, GI...Code Blue GI..."

The GI (Gastrointestinal) Lab is in my department, which is Surgery & the Operating Room (OR). At first, me & the RN I was working with didn't hear the code, since the intercom in PACU is slightly weak (something that's dangerous & should REALLY be fixed). We rushed over there as soon as we heard the code, joined the rest of our OR team & were ready to assist in resuscitation. The crash cart was rolled in, ambu bags were out, defibrillator was ready. The Code Blue team from ICU, ER, Pharmacy, Security, & OR was united.

Then, a few seconds later, the patient stabilized. He had stopped breathing during his procedure & had a decreasing O2 saturation of below 80%.

Thank goodness it was a false alarm & he soon regained consciousness.

The adrenaline rush struck me & hit me hard, since I had just been with the patient & had been caring for him with the RNs minutes before.

It was just another example that shows me how short life is, & how it can easily be over in a few seconds.

I'm lucky & thankful to be alive...& to be breathing.

Thank you Lord for bringing that patient back, restabilizing him, & opening my eyes once again.

'Til next time.

Deuces.

Elite.

Talk about the ULTIMATE goal. The biggest aspiration. The elite.

Awesome shot & angle.

The Brighter Side of Life

It's 1am on a Thursday morning & I'm still up. As usual.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a day filled with one word: inspiration.

First, the ability to dig DEEP within your brain to re-access knowledge & skills from the past that hasn't been used in years & being successful at it (despite doubts & honest fears of unsuccess) encourages & inspires one to keep on going & re-invigorates the spirit.

Second, going to work unexpectedly, caring for patients who are suffering from the worst possible diseases & medical problems, & STILL seeing an extremely positive & grateful attitude within them, is rare. And in those rare moments, one can't help but have a mixture of emotions.

For one thing, having patients like that is a breath of fresh air, since most of them have such a negative & discouraging outlook, understably of course.

In addition to that, it makes one re-analyze their OWN life to see how every single day, society complains about so many things, a majority of those things being so miniscule.

It makes you feel kind of embarrassed & ashamed, to be frank. If these patients, who are in the worst possible state the human body could possibly be in, STILL have a much brighter & more positive outlook on life, it makes you realize that we all sweat the little things & should be more grateful with what we have.

I am nothing short of inspired. And encouraged.

Life is something we should all strive to love & respect...

...& to also let go of the little complaints & have gratitude for being ALIVE.

I love what I do. This is what I live for.

To make myself available for the healing & well-being of others. And to become healed myself from the experiences I gain.

I am so lucky & thankful.

'Til next time.

Deuces.

The Healing Power of Friendship

Earlier this evening, I watched a movie that really touched my heart & made me depressed at the same time. It was a movie that showed the horrors of genocide while simultaneously conveying the underlying message that true friendship & caring for one's friends is not barred by background, culture, beliefs, & other differences that may divide them. At least that's my take on it.

The movie that I'm referring to is "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". It's an amazing, eye-opening film somewhat reminiscent to "Schindler's List", in that it portrays the evil of the Holocaust. In a nutshell, the story revolves around the son of a Nazi befriending a jewish prisoner of the same age in a concentration camp. The two build a relationship & sort of "brotherhood" that, despite knowing their differences, remains unbreakable, even until the tragic end.

Not only did this movie move me in a way that both the film "Schindler's List" & the novel Night did, but it re-opened my eyes to the message that friendship knows no boundaries & that truly caring for others, despite certain issues, transcends above all.

I'm grateful that I watched this film. And I am also grateful for the friends that I have in my life. We may not all agree on certain things & we all come from different backgrounds...but at the end of the day, our friendship is what I cherish.

You all are my therapy & the healing that I need in times of difficulty. You keep me going.

If you haven't seen the film, see it as soon as possible.

'Til next time.

Deuces.

Two Suggested Books For The Student Studying Medicine

Here are 2 books that I recommend for any student studying in the field of healthcare & medicine:

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

The Manual of Surgery by Alexis Thomson & Alexander Miles

I realize there are numerous books regarding medicine, but these 2 in particular are what I’ve read over the summer, & I really enjoyed them.

The former explores the world of human cadavers & reveals how many different ways they can be used, either in research, education, or experimentation for the benefit of medical students & society.

The latter is an older written text that dates back to the Victorian Age when surgery & medicine were experiencing great changes. Yes, it’s old, but it teaches the numerous ways surgery can be performed holistically & how various forms of injury can be dealt with…many of which have become the foundations for medicine today.

Two great books. I’m glad I was able to read them.

'Til next time.

Deuces.

From The Eyes Of A Migraine Sufferer

Borrowed from white coat

This is what someone would look like from the eyes of a migraine sufferer.

Crazy isn’t it?

Night Owls, Unite.

It’s nearly 3am & I am still up. And when I say “up”, I don’t mean I’m drowsy & attempting to fall asleep. I’m WIDE awake. I’m what society calls a night owl.

Basically, a night owl is someone who stays up past midnight & into the wee hours of the early morning. Other night owls like me usually work the graveyard shift or swing shift.

I can’t explain why I’m this way. People think I’m nuts, & understandably so. But for years my circadian rhythm has been all kinds of screwed up. It doesn’t help that I’m studying in the field of healthcare & medicine, which inevitably requires you to become a night owl.

Never been a morning person. I’m capable of waking up early, but you’d have to move mountains to wake me up, especially when I’m in deep sleep, as in Stage-4 REM deep.

Personally, I find a certain relaxing & serene quality during the night hours. When the moon is out & it’s light shines through my windows, I feel at ease. All the stresses, pressures, & annoyances throughout the day disappear, & I have time to myself to reflect & contemplate while all the early birds I live with are sound asleep. Even spontaneous night drives with the windows down give me a sense of peace.

I don’t know. Strange? Maybe. Oh well. I’m still awake. Might as well study…or read…or continue watching tv.

Night owls unite.

My question for you: Are you a night owl or an early bird?

‘Til next time.

Deuces.