Jane and Grant, decorated my their friends at a St Patty's party.Saturday, March 17, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
ER Clinical
Last night I did my required 10 hour ER clinical. I was nervous because my ride-along for my Basic class was a total bust--not one call. But last night ROCKED!
I got to help/learn from several wonderful nurses and doctors. I finally got IV sticks down (I got 5 in successfully with one miss and 2 that hit valves and I couldn't advance the catheter). I also got to help with a shoulder relocation. I was just observing and the doctor called me over and asked me to hold counter traction with a bed sheet. So while the doctor pulled on the guy's arm, I pulled the opposite direction with his chest. After several minutes *Pop* it was back in. So Cool!!!! I also got to draw up lots of blood for labs, take lots of vitals, administer some meds, give a tetanus shot, set up IV sets, and witness a pelvic exam and the insertion of a Foley catheter. I even got some homework done in the"down time". I learned sooooo much last night and I'm still grinning from ear to ear about the whole thing. Hopefully someday I can actually get a job in an ER. . .here's hoping!!!
I got to help/learn from several wonderful nurses and doctors. I finally got IV sticks down (I got 5 in successfully with one miss and 2 that hit valves and I couldn't advance the catheter). I also got to help with a shoulder relocation. I was just observing and the doctor called me over and asked me to hold counter traction with a bed sheet. So while the doctor pulled on the guy's arm, I pulled the opposite direction with his chest. After several minutes *Pop* it was back in. So Cool!!!! I also got to draw up lots of blood for labs, take lots of vitals, administer some meds, give a tetanus shot, set up IV sets, and witness a pelvic exam and the insertion of a Foley catheter. I even got some homework done in the"down time". I learned sooooo much last night and I'm still grinning from ear to ear about the whole thing. Hopefully someday I can actually get a job in an ER. . .here's hoping!!!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Overcoming
So I started up my EMT-Advanced course 3 weeks ago. It has been so different than the basic course and I feel so overwhelmed with information. But, that said, I also feel like I'm learning A LOT! I'm so excited to be learning these things and to be able to go in a direction I never ever thought I'd go.
Last week we got to practice injections. If you know me, you know I do not do well with needles. So imagine my surprise when it wasn't that bad! My partner was a pregnant woman who has complicated pregnancies so I was a little stressed about that, but I was able to learn the skill and feel comfortable with what I was doing. I came home that night with 7 new holes in my body and beaming from ear to ear! I felt like I could do anything and that I had this EMT-Advanced business in the bag.
Last night we started practicing IVs. My old familiar wozzy feelings started when we had to practice on the dummy arm. Then it was go time. We partnered up and went for it. I got sick. I didn't throw up or pass out and I did my best not to show my discomfort and act tough, but it was hard! I stabbed the IV in my partner's arm (different partner, new challenges=tiny, difficult veins) and I started getting light headed and nauseous. "No! Not now! You can do this! Just breathe!" I kept telling myself. Then she had a go at my veins--twice. I finally had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom and try to get the spinning to stop. I looked at my reflection in the mirror--a pale, ghostly person staring back--and for a moment I thought, "What am I doing?!?!? I can't do this!" And then I remembered a good friend's mantra: "I can do hard things." Yes I can. I collected myself and went back out there. I tried her tiny veins again (this time with several people watching) and I DID IT!!!!! I got the catheter in her vein!!!! I was wozzy and nauseous but I didn't give up. I know that this is going to be one, if not the hardest thing I'm going to have to do/overcome to be an EMT, but if the drive stays there, I know I can do it. And hey, maybe it will get easier. But if not, what matters now is not that I get sick, but that I get back in the game. I can do hard things!!!
**Cool side note: another girl had gotten the IV in her partner's vein but forgot to apply pressure so her blood literally started SPRAYING out of the IV! it was the most horror-movie thing I'd ever seen! Then, after it was all cleaned up, the other girl got to put an IV in her partner and blew her vein so she started bleeding everywhere. By the time they were done, their whole section was covered in blood. Awesome!
***Tonight (1-31-12) I was nauseous for the first few sticks and then it magically all went away! No kidding!! I even watched blood pour out of a few people's veins and it didn't phase me! hooray! (it may have helped I had a bit of caffeine in my system. . .but I'll use all the help I can get!)
Last week we got to practice injections. If you know me, you know I do not do well with needles. So imagine my surprise when it wasn't that bad! My partner was a pregnant woman who has complicated pregnancies so I was a little stressed about that, but I was able to learn the skill and feel comfortable with what I was doing. I came home that night with 7 new holes in my body and beaming from ear to ear! I felt like I could do anything and that I had this EMT-Advanced business in the bag.
Last night we started practicing IVs. My old familiar wozzy feelings started when we had to practice on the dummy arm. Then it was go time. We partnered up and went for it. I got sick. I didn't throw up or pass out and I did my best not to show my discomfort and act tough, but it was hard! I stabbed the IV in my partner's arm (different partner, new challenges=tiny, difficult veins) and I started getting light headed and nauseous. "No! Not now! You can do this! Just breathe!" I kept telling myself. Then she had a go at my veins--twice. I finally had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom and try to get the spinning to stop. I looked at my reflection in the mirror--a pale, ghostly person staring back--and for a moment I thought, "What am I doing?!?!? I can't do this!" And then I remembered a good friend's mantra: "I can do hard things." Yes I can. I collected myself and went back out there. I tried her tiny veins again (this time with several people watching) and I DID IT!!!!! I got the catheter in her vein!!!! I was wozzy and nauseous but I didn't give up. I know that this is going to be one, if not the hardest thing I'm going to have to do/overcome to be an EMT, but if the drive stays there, I know I can do it. And hey, maybe it will get easier. But if not, what matters now is not that I get sick, but that I get back in the game. I can do hard things!!!
**Cool side note: another girl had gotten the IV in her partner's vein but forgot to apply pressure so her blood literally started SPRAYING out of the IV! it was the most horror-movie thing I'd ever seen! Then, after it was all cleaned up, the other girl got to put an IV in her partner and blew her vein so she started bleeding everywhere. By the time they were done, their whole section was covered in blood. Awesome!
***Tonight (1-31-12) I was nauseous for the first few sticks and then it magically all went away! No kidding!! I even watched blood pour out of a few people's veins and it didn't phase me! hooray! (it may have helped I had a bit of caffeine in my system. . .but I'll use all the help I can get!)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmas Morning 2012
Christmas morning was so fun this year! It was the first year both Jane and Grant were excited and knew, for the most part, what was going on. Earlier in the month, we had written our letters to Santa. It was Jane's first year doing it all by herself! She even wrote one for me!
On Christmas Eve we read our Christmas stories, opened new p.j.s, and left out milk, cookies, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. We also sprinkled Magic Deer food outside so the deer would know where to go. Then the kids went to bed and mom and dad stayed up until after 11 putting together toys.
Santa delivered. Grant got a cool car ramp for his cars, Jane got her little dolls, and mom and dad got new pillows. We had fun opening presents and were happy to have Grandpa and Grandma come watch and join us for breakfast.
Since it was Sunday, we had to go to church. Grandpa and Grandma Larsen were participating in their ward Christmas program (and their church wasn't until 11 am as opposed to our 9 am) so we went up to Kaysville and enjoyed listening to their choir's performance. The rest of Christmas day was spent at their house with my side of the family. We had fun opening presents, playing games, and eating ourselves silly. It was truly a very Merry Christmas. We are so blessed!
On Christmas Eve we read our Christmas stories, opened new p.j.s, and left out milk, cookies, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. We also sprinkled Magic Deer food outside so the deer would know where to go. Then the kids went to bed and mom and dad stayed up until after 11 putting together toys.
Santa delivered. Grant got a cool car ramp for his cars, Jane got her little dolls, and mom and dad got new pillows. We had fun opening presents and were happy to have Grandpa and Grandma come watch and join us for breakfast.
Since it was Sunday, we had to go to church. Grandpa and Grandma Larsen were participating in their ward Christmas program (and their church wasn't until 11 am as opposed to our 9 am) so we went up to Kaysville and enjoyed listening to their choir's performance. The rest of Christmas day was spent at their house with my side of the family. We had fun opening presents, playing games, and eating ourselves silly. It was truly a very Merry Christmas. We are so blessed!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the piano bench with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her jammies, and I in my chaps,
Had just settled down for our long winter naps.
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the piano bench with care,In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her jammies, and I in my chaps,Had just settled down for our long winter naps.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a skittle,
Tore open the curtains and threw up, a little.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. 
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than Fed-Ex his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Through the window St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned like a jerk.
And laying his finger inside of his nose,
And giving a nod, out the window he goes!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good-Night!"
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The True Meaning of Christmas
In my family we have started a tradition at Christmas of looking beyond ourselves and seeking out those in need. For our little family project, we were able to get things for the Road Home in SLC. As we were heading out the door to go buy things for our project, Jane said that she wanted to get things for "the poor kids". I explained that we were going to as a family but she had something else in mind. She wanted to spend her own money. We went up to her room and counted out $2 from her piggy bank (which is a lot to a kid that only get's paid a penny a chore). When we were at the store she carefully picked out two things that she wanted to get and then insisted on paying for them separate and on her own. Seeing this brought so much love to my heart. And I was so proud of my daughter. I know we're not supposed to be proud or boast of the service we do, but I don't want to ever forget what Jane did and the beautiful example she set of the true meaning of Christmas. (so I'm recording it here, seeing as how I don't keep a journal).
We went as a family to drop off the stuff. We were so happy with what we had purchased--we were able to get great deals and therefore get more than we thought we could. Our trunk was full to capacity as we drove to the overflow shelter. When we got there we were humbled beyond words. The shelter was a long brick building out by the railroad yards. The road there wasn't really maintained and the outside of the building was sad to look at with nothing but a flimsy chain-link fence to mark off a "playground" (patch of dirt). As we started loading things inside, we noticed that all it was was a big room with 2nd hand mattresses and a small kitchenette off to the side. This is where numerous families, most with young children, stayed to keep out of the cold. As we drove away I was overwhelmed and just kept thinking, "It's not enough! It's not enough!" Here I thought we'd really brought in a haul and we left feeling like we'd barely made a dent. It made all the hub-bub of Christmas seem so superfical and unneccessary. Here we were sad that we weren't going to be able to get an i-Pad or big expensive gifts for our kids or the latest electronics and there were people--right in our midst--that had literally nothing. People with kids our age. It broke my heart and made me feel so grateful for the blessings in my life and realize that I need to be more giving with what I have been given.
We went as a family to drop off the stuff. We were so happy with what we had purchased--we were able to get great deals and therefore get more than we thought we could. Our trunk was full to capacity as we drove to the overflow shelter. When we got there we were humbled beyond words. The shelter was a long brick building out by the railroad yards. The road there wasn't really maintained and the outside of the building was sad to look at with nothing but a flimsy chain-link fence to mark off a "playground" (patch of dirt). As we started loading things inside, we noticed that all it was was a big room with 2nd hand mattresses and a small kitchenette off to the side. This is where numerous families, most with young children, stayed to keep out of the cold. As we drove away I was overwhelmed and just kept thinking, "It's not enough! It's not enough!" Here I thought we'd really brought in a haul and we left feeling like we'd barely made a dent. It made all the hub-bub of Christmas seem so superfical and unneccessary. Here we were sad that we weren't going to be able to get an i-Pad or big expensive gifts for our kids or the latest electronics and there were people--right in our midst--that had literally nothing. People with kids our age. It broke my heart and made me feel so grateful for the blessings in my life and realize that I need to be more giving with what I have been given.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Bassett Family Christmas
We had our annual Bassett Family Christmas Party this weekend. The kids had a blast playing with their cousins, stuffing their faces, and getting a visit from Santa. This year Grant was fascinated with Santa. He couldn't get enough! As the other cousins sat on his lap, Grant stayed close by sometimes feeling Santa's coat or getting a closer look at the man. It was so funny! Chad and Terral's family gave us an instant Popsicle maker and Chad made two little rocking chairs for Jane and Grant. They absolutely love them!!! It was a great party and so wonderful to have the whole family together.
The little Drummer Boy
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