That is Incorrect

Sometimes, I think I really confuse my already confused patients. This is how some of my sessions have generally begun:

Me: Is your name John?
Pt: No.
Me: Good. You're name is not John. Are you wearing pants?
Pt: No.
Me: No, you are wearing pants.

...As in I am trying to say, yes, you are wearing pants. Or, no, you're wrong; you are wearing pants. *sigh*

So my MC gave me feedback and said that instead of confusing them even more, I should say, "Yes, that is correct" or "No, that is incorrect."

As I get accustomed to asking the same Y/N questions, there are some that I get really nervous about asking. Specifically, gender-related questions. Today, my session went like this:

Me: Are you a man?
Pt: Yes.
Me: Good. That is correct. You are a man. Are you wearing a dress?
Pt: No.
Me: That is correct. Am I a man? [as I hold my breath]
Pt: Yes.
Me: No! That is incorrect! I am a woman!

=X
I hope I get recognized as a woman tomorrow...

Wo Men Yao Chi China!

It's final! We're going to China in August!

A little background:
My bro and FBIL have done some extensive traveling in the past. He often encourages me to travel (abroad), but the old-skool Asian in me always felt like I should stay "home," work, and save up. Last year, my bro started planning a big trip to China. He has tried his best to schedule a trip that would accommodate everyone's schedule. Talk about hectic. Finally, he found the winning dates a few days ago.

Then there's my dad. He LOVES China and has talked about bringing me for years now. Probably since my college days. I've missed out on a number of opportunities to go with him b/c of school. I have to admit, I wasn't too hip to the idea of going with Dad b/c I want to do all the touristy stuff; he's not really the touristy type. I'd love to go with him in the future, though.

Come to think of it, my trip has been long overdue. When I was in college, my granduncle gave me an early graduation gift -- flight money to China. The old-skool Asian in me did two things when I finished school: 1) went straight into work and 2) took that money and paid off some of my school loans.

Finally, I'm doing what I was supposed to do 7 years ago!

Sometimes I feel like this whole grad school experience is me reliving my college days, but with a heckuvalot more direction. I'm studying what I am truly passionate about. I am actually participating in my own graduation ceremony (I totally regret not walking in undergrad). Lastly, I am going on a big "graduation" trip with my best friends!!

As if I wasn't excited enough about going with best friends BF, Bro, and FBIL, BSILF and hubby RSVP'd this AM, too!! I can't believe that this is actually happening!

BFF BSILF put it best when she left me a VM that went something along the lines of, "I'm so excited! I feel like we're in HS and we're going on the big senior class trip." For reals, that's how I feel, too. :) (Senior class trip to Yosemite ruled, man.)

This is gonna be an awesome "extended family" trip! LOL :D

Happy Easter!

Beginning Week 2 of Rehab

I am such a nerd. I love inservices. I loved going to all the inservices last quarter, and I was totally excited when I was unexpectedly herded into an inservice for ALS today. The hospital is opening up an ALS Department so everyone needed a refresher/crash-course. Me? I needed this mini-Praxis review! Sweet!

Shortly after, we got back on track with our crazy schedule. Dude, I put a Passy-Muir Valve on a trach patient today. Considering I wasn't mentally prepared for it, I did alright. I even got pop-quizzed (put the oxymeter on, read vital stats, count respirations/min old-skool style). The cool thing is that we helped this person temporarily speak! ;)

Later, I went to see a hypothetical patient (said the almost graduated grad student governed by HIPAA). We chatted a little bit before starting therapy. This hypothetical patient is the "type" that I've read about but never met before -- the "kind" that doesn't let a severe disability hold him back. He is an inspiration to many. He is a young guy who used to be pretty athletic in his hey-day, got a full scholarship to a local university, declined b/c he was afraid he wouldn't be able to cut it, went to another college to major in Math and Physics, and dreamed about becoming an astrophysicist before his disabilities took over his dreams. Still, he didn't let that hinder him. He laughs about how he is now a greeter at a local chain super-store, but in all seriousness, it's awesome to see him inspiring people everyday, even just by saying hello.

The thing that really got to me was our discussion today. During all the time that I've seen and worked with him, we've been all jokes and laughter. He took his cap off (one of our "strategies"), but this time, he explained why he always wears a hat. He turned his head to the side and showed me his scar. One that I, of course, didn't think was so big...but then agreed that the scarred is always more self-conscious (heck, I think my scars on my feet are like six inches long when they're not).

The potential astrophysicist said to me, "I wear a cap to hide my scar. There is a stereotype that people with brain damage are dumb. Just because you have brain damage doesn't automatically make you dumb. I don't want people to think I'm dumb. " I can't quite remember what I said, but I'm sure it wasn't anything smart. =P Or maybe I saved myself by bringing up how I heard him talking to the OT about quantum physics. I really can't remember. Seeing a glimpse of his sadness and pain was the saddest part of my day. A close second was not getting to say good-bye to Rehab's Favorite Returned Customer.

Although this experience has been awesome for me, there are moments of deep emotionality that are hard to describe. I see another hypothetical one about twice a day. This hypothetical pt has global aphasia and apraxia. I just about broke into tears when I was leaving today and she (laboriously) said to me, "Thank you so much." Not once, but twice. :*)

Beginning Review

BF asked how my studying is going with the Infamous Bohemoth Blue Book (Advanced Review of SLP). I said, "I don't know and I don't want to know." All I know is that I have finally completed 2 chapters of this 735 page mofo.

His response? "Maybe you need the Beginning Review version."

My response? "Are you crazy? If they had one, then it'd be like 2000 pages!"

And I have 3.5 weeks left before the exam. Everyone keeps asking me, "WTH are you doing everyday if you don't have class any more?" I get asked this question at least once a week (usually from the same family members who are wondering why I don't call or visit).

Well, aside from waking up at 5:30 to be in the hospital from 6:45 - 5, I am studying for the huge exam that will grant me my license. That's all.

Lord, I hope I pass.

Turtle Report

Yesterday, when BF came home, I gave him the daily report on Lil F. (Yes, we are crazy. We often give each other reports on the turtle's crazy antics.) I reported the typical craziness: splooshing like crazy, eating the doc, basked a heckuvalot, stared at me while I studied, etc.

Then I said, "OMG! I saw the craziest thing! The turtle sneezed!"
BF exclaimed, "What?!"
Me: Yeah! It was so weird!

I didn't even wait b/c I'm such a dork --

"April Fool's!"
:)

Other nerdy turtle news~
I got invited to be a Guest Judge for the January-February-March-April Photo Contest Winner here. I just casted my votes this morning. I felt so special.

BF: how did you get chosen? Do you post a lot?
Me: No, I've only posted 4 times since I joined last March!
BF: That's weird.
Me: I'm telling you, it is b/c Lil F is a celebrity!
BF: You and turtle are crazy!

Yes, I still believe Lil F is a celebrity.

My First Week in Rehab

I didn't think I'd be so fascinated by the hospital setting, but I really am! Last night, I told BF that I really enjoy it and am seriously thinking about working in the hospitals. He was floored b/c not more than a week ago, I was all about working in the schools. I can't believe how indecisive I am about my near future. I hope I have a clearer picture in 10 more weeks!

My first day in the rehab unit was packed with orientation and observations. On my second day, I observed but began documenting sessions in the charts. By the 3rd day, I started seeing patients. Dude, there's nothing like learning things fast through trial-and-error and sink-or-swim scenarios. =P

Fortunately, my MC eased me into therapy by having me see an "easy" patient. He is practically the Rehab unit's favorite patient. Unfortunately, he is a "returned customer," as my MC calls these poor patients. This elderly gentleman makes me laugh so much. I was thrilled when he remembered my name by the 3rd session b/c he can't remember his OT's name save his life (memory impairments secondary to his Dx). He'll remember after we give him cues. On the 3rd day, he called me his OT's name (which was great, but that's not my name!) so I asked him all dramatically, "Do I look like [OT's name]?" He snapped out of his fog, looked me straight in the eye, and said, "No. You're much better looking than him." That had me ROFL. Then he added, "Well, [OT]'s not too bad, either." During another session, I helped him with his next day menu choices. He was so cute; he kept asking me what I wanted, even though I kept reminding him that I wouldn't be having lunch with him. Eventually, he stopped asking me what I wanted and started putting "2" next to the orders: 1 for me and 1 for him.

I don't know why I can't get over this, but I am constantly amazed at how much I've learned from my grad program, and it's such a trip to apply that knowledge. I guess that is why these externships come at the end of this program.

10 more weeks until graduation! (Plus, one "easy" summer class, according to BSILF :)

Happy April Fool's Day!