Dr.Grant

We're into week three and things seem to be zooming by. I'm settling into a comfortable groove at the hospital, I have a bunch of my own clients so I can go off on my own, or I can just watch her do whatever. My preceptor Krista is great, really funny; and she has a lot of experience. The clients all seem very appreciative because I can offer to do extra things for them like make up handouts and reminder sheets to take home. I am doing some NDT and hand therapy, making splints etc. Yesterday we had a client who was coming in for a carpal tunnel splint, because she had pregnancy swelling, that I was supposed to make (we had been getting cancellations so I had missed out on a few) she was 40 mins late for her 11am appt time and demanded we not only make the splint but we make her two. She said she had been sitting in the waiting room for 20 mins, and that the receptionist told her we were with another client (yeah we believe that) SO I tried to assess her as Krista got the splinting material ready and we eached splinted one hand. This lady was demanding! She was in a rush to get out so she could go have a smoke! AH! All my other clients have been dolls though.
I watched a total knee replacement last week, that was pretty intense, you can definitely see why they are in so much pain afterwards, they are nothing close to gentle with you while you are sleeping :P I had to ask for a stool so I could see better and they were hesitant to let me up incase I fainted, I assured them I was fine. After a year in the cadaver lab it takes a bit to faze you...like perhaps your friend standing in front of you with his latisimus dorsi hanging out covered in pottery...haha! I admit that fazed me. Other than that though, bring on the surgery. The anesthesiologist tried to recruit me, he figured another 8 yrs in school was nothing to a young person, and actually...the money would be pretty nice; considering he put the lady to sleep then left the room for a couple hours. He was showing me all the gadgets and what to do if something went wrong. Maybe that will be my next career.
Betsy, her boyfriend, Tavi and I went swimming in the river, it is a lot warmer than the ocean. However, I am unaccustomed to swimming in flowing water so I had to go out and buy some equipment for next time. I got water shoes so I could anchor myself in the rocky river bed, ear plugs because I was clogged up for an hour after the swim and then proceeded to get sick for a few days...I am tempted to get a nose plug and a mask. Oh and an anchor.
I went home last weekend for the lobster carnival, had a mini high school reunion which was nice. And spent some time on the beach. Katie's friend had a skim board so he taught us how to use it, that was a lot of fun, and we were actually pretty good by the end. I think we are all going to get a skim board because thats the only thing you can do in Toney River.
Last weekend was the Irish Festival here in the Chi, I went to the beach with Erin, Suzie, Allison and Jeff and his friends. It was super hot, so the swimming was nice. However you can tell which spots were not protected with sunscreen...like my lips. I woke up the next morning with a swollen bottom lip that was pretty tender. Then last night it started to blister. My preceptor called staff health so now I keep them all lubed up and it has spf in it so hopefully it doesnt happen again. Suzie had some pretty hardcore racoon eyes hehe!After the beach we went to a party at Jeff's friends and then off to the Irish Festival where we did a lot of jigging!!
Last night was the OT/PT Aid appreciation pool party so Betsy and I went to that after work. I am enjoying all this swimming. They also served salmon that was really good, and a homemade oreo icecream cake. I brought bits and bites...oh yeah...I am awesome!
There is another OT student from U of Ottawa there that is really nice too, Ariane. She is really French so she helps me out sometimes, she didnt start learning English until grade 5. We get to play together with the splints and whatever else we want to do. Theres also a Rec student, Mike that I mostly just poke fun at for having such an easy job.
I am planning on going home again this weekend because it will be Emily's 16th Birthday, and Sarah is moving to Alberta, and it is also the humongously famous Toney River chicken BBQ.
I leave writing in this for too long and have too much to fit in when I finally attempt a post...so I will try and get better at that. Even though Chris's dad may be my only reader...haha. Come on girls get working (LB I am proud of your attempts...but I need more...keep me busy). Until next time, I am off to rest for a busy day of saving lives tomorrow (as Jeff says)

Welcome to miramichell :)

So I have been away from a computer for 2 weeks and have found a chance to sit down and give an update to my loyal fans! :P It turned out to not be my last weekend in Freddy and Suzie, Lisa and her boyfriend and I went out on the town that Friday, I have pictures but they are on my computer and I am not. Saturday morning Suzie and I went down to the market one last time and I got somosas (I also even took a picture of them, but alas...) Mom came down Sunday and we left Monday for home, with a pitstop at the blue door so I could have some Thai food before returning to the woods. I had a great time at home, spent some time on the beach, got to go swimming and so did Nanuk (I have the scratch and bruise to prove it), watched movies with my sister and Christopher and went out to Westville for the Canada Day celebrations (can check that off my to do list and never return).
Found out that I lost the apt in Hali and walked home from my aunts in tears, called for the place in Miramichi and found out I lost it too. Had a panic attack. No joke. Haha...christopher had the voice mail to prove it but he deleted (I would have kept it for a good laugh and possible bribe material later but I guess Chris doesnt plan ahead). I am staying with Betsy at her place with her boyfriend, a couple and their 4 yr old daughter. I am quite the novelty to the little girl (Octavia...took me 2 days to realize that was her name, I thought it was tabitha?) She just calls me "that girl". I am her new play toy. She asks Betsy when we get home "Is that girl with you again?" and then shows me a new game we are going to play. I dont think she has realized yet that I live here. The other night at bedtime she didnt want to go and was starting to whine when her dad said, she will be here tomorrow, she said oh, and went to bed :)

Work so far has been great! Interesting clients again, and so far very different from anything I have done so ample learning opportunities! Retraining after a stroke, fitting splints, doing assessments etc. I've gone with physio ot see what they do with my client who was in a car accident and tore his FDP and is now all adhered, I may get to put him on the BTE so thats exciting; I cant wait to set up some programs on that. I watched a carpel tunnel release surgery today and I am pretty sure I could do it myself. It would have to be my specialty though. Only CT releases haha.

And this weekend is the exam for OT certification so I am getting a ride home with Erin so I can see Nanuk and catch some of the lobster Carnival!

oh geeze, I forgot the best part. Betsy's family owns an outdoor adventure business! So I finally get some adventures for Melissa's Adventures. She said I should be able to get some good pictures on our tours. Last night we went there for a Northumberland Salmon Protection Association meeting about how the river is plugged up with gill nets etc....then we had a barbeque...fantastic! I got a bumper sticker from her mom "I fish- I vote" :)