After 13 years of marriage, everyday is still like Valentine's Day for BSILF and Husband. :) It is such a joy to see them together -- and even to just hear of the wonderful things they do for each other.
Happy Anniversary to BSILF and Husband!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Dysphagia Faux Pas
I work with a hypothetical patient who exhibits severe dysphagia. He is hypothetically my first silent aspirator. He is also just a mind-trip. On some days, he is a real pill (for understandable reasons). On other days, he is easy to work with. Unfortunately, he did not make a delightful first impression with any of the therapists (OT, PT, nor ST).
I was quite surprised when I saw him yesterday b/c word up and down the unit was that he got into it with the PT in the AM, so the PT's student was extremely reluctant to work with him. MC sent me in alone with the tip, "Just don't let him walk all over you." When I saw him, he was all charms. Imagine my surprise! The other day, we barely chatted; he rushed through the OME so he could kick me out. But yesterday, in b/t OME, we talked about the places he's traveled to and his favorite countries to vacation at. It is seriously hit and miss with this guy.
Today, when I saw this hypothetical guy, I casually asked him, "So, have you eaten lunch yet?" (1) He politely said, "No, not yet." I exclaimed in shock, "What?! You haven't eaten yet? It's already 2 o'clock!" He shrugged. Me and my big mouth kept pushing, "Did you not want to eat?" He shrugged again and finally responded, "Well, I can't." "Huh?" (I am infamous for my obvious facial expressions, too.)
"I'm not allowed to eat."
Dude, it finally got through to my thick head that I had just committed the hugest dysphagia faux pas. Here I am, interrogating a guy that is on tube feeding (NPO - nothing per os) with a trach who cannot wait to get back to eating. I was mortified!
I apologized profusely for that faux pas right when my MC walked in. Fortunately, she fessed up that even after 14 years of experience, she still makes that mistake from time to time!
The "best" part was that this person was so nonchalent about it, and I even graciously commented on how he was so "nice" about it.
Sometimes, I wonder who's the patient and who's the therapist.
***
(1) In retrospect, this question cracks me up! I have totally become "acculturated," but sometimes, I think that maybe it's just that I've "assimilated" to the American culture (and that I'm truly a FOB). The other day, BSILF commented on how Chinese/Taiwanese people greet with, "have you eaten yet?"
It just struck me today that I've been doing that a lot! IDK why I use it as a conversation starter when I'm working.
I was quite surprised when I saw him yesterday b/c word up and down the unit was that he got into it with the PT in the AM, so the PT's student was extremely reluctant to work with him. MC sent me in alone with the tip, "Just don't let him walk all over you." When I saw him, he was all charms. Imagine my surprise! The other day, we barely chatted; he rushed through the OME so he could kick me out. But yesterday, in b/t OME, we talked about the places he's traveled to and his favorite countries to vacation at. It is seriously hit and miss with this guy.
Today, when I saw this hypothetical guy, I casually asked him, "So, have you eaten lunch yet?" (1) He politely said, "No, not yet." I exclaimed in shock, "What?! You haven't eaten yet? It's already 2 o'clock!" He shrugged. Me and my big mouth kept pushing, "Did you not want to eat?" He shrugged again and finally responded, "Well, I can't." "Huh?" (I am infamous for my obvious facial expressions, too.)
"I'm not allowed to eat."
Dude, it finally got through to my thick head that I had just committed the hugest dysphagia faux pas. Here I am, interrogating a guy that is on tube feeding (NPO - nothing per os) with a trach who cannot wait to get back to eating. I was mortified!
I apologized profusely for that faux pas right when my MC walked in. Fortunately, she fessed up that even after 14 years of experience, she still makes that mistake from time to time!
The "best" part was that this person was so nonchalent about it, and I even graciously commented on how he was so "nice" about it.
Sometimes, I wonder who's the patient and who's the therapist.
***
(1) In retrospect, this question cracks me up! I have totally become "acculturated," but sometimes, I think that maybe it's just that I've "assimilated" to the American culture (and that I'm truly a FOB). The other day, BSILF commented on how Chinese/Taiwanese people greet with, "have you eaten yet?"
It just struck me today that I've been doing that a lot! IDK why I use it as a conversation starter when I'm working.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
It's the Little Things
- I got free Starbucks yesterday! The OT student meant to get decaf but the barista made it caff so she offered it up for grabs and y'know I was the first one waving my hand. I really needed it after the disastrous morning.
- Yesterday, there was a volunteer who played her harp in the rehab unit. It was so beautiful. It was perfect therapeutical music for my session w/ my possibly-depressed patient. Ironically, he was the only one that I had a "good" session with yesterday. (I had a GREAT session with him today. He is getting better and better everyday!)
- The neglectful-duck-owners got 2 more ducks! It is nice to see ducks in their pond, but sad to think they may be neglectful.
- I got free Starbucks again today! It was one of those bottle frappuccinos, but free and from Starbucks nonetheless!
- I got to do thermal-stimulation today. IDK why I find that blogworthy and exciting, but it is! (I'm sure the novelty will wear off by the end of the week, but for now I find it exciting.)
- My MC said to me today, "Good job today." That was nice considering how disastrous yesterday was.
- We got out at 4:25 P.M.
- I don't have to be in until 8AM tmrw. I am sleeping in an extra hour!
- Tonight is ANTM.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
One of those days
Today was one of those mofo'n days. I kept trying to keep my spirits up with "at least" clauses and "it's not that bad" sentiments.
The real reality check was on my drive home. I tuned into a local radio station that replayed last night's recording of a student who was on his way to the classroom at Virginia Tech. He spoke about his good friend being in the classroom. When the cops/SWAT got into the room, they yelled, "anybody who's alive, stand up now!" The good friend was the only one that stood up.
I don't know how to start writing sympathies and sentiments to those who are affected by this tragedy. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to them.
***
ADD: I think this tragedy really took a toll on the day. It seems like many people had a dreary day -- not just my patients and me.
The real reality check was on my drive home. I tuned into a local radio station that replayed last night's recording of a student who was on his way to the classroom at Virginia Tech. He spoke about his good friend being in the classroom. When the cops/SWAT got into the room, they yelled, "anybody who's alive, stand up now!" The good friend was the only one that stood up.
I don't know how to start writing sympathies and sentiments to those who are affected by this tragedy. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to them.
***
ADD: I think this tragedy really took a toll on the day. It seems like many people had a dreary day -- not just my patients and me.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Anniversary Shout-out
Happy Anniversary to BGF and hubby! On Friday the 13th (ha!), they celebrated their 6th year together. Today is their 2nd year wedding anniversary. :)
They also recently purchased their first house! The only thing missing now is a baby!
They also recently purchased their first house! The only thing missing now is a baby!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Memories of Food and Family
Today, I went to Souplantation with bro, FBIL, and LLP for lunch. I like to think that Souplantation is one of me and my bro's favorite restaurants partially for nostalgic reasons. When vegetarian Mom still lived in So Cal, we used to go to Souplantation all the time. I never got tired of it. What could be better than a frozen yogurt buffet? (One of my unrealistic dreams is to open up a frozen yogurt/ice-cream buffet.)
At Souplantation, we reminisced about Dad's pizzeria. When I was in Kindgergarten, Dad opened up a pizzeria for a year. We used to go there after school all the time. FBIL asked if we ever got chunky from eating so much pizza. Not really because the typical routine was that we'd get there, grab a cup, and fill up from the soda fountain. I'd drink myself silly with root beer until one day, my bro said, "Root beer's gross; it's made of beer." Then I stopped drinking it. What a curiosity; I don't like root beer now (1) but don't mind an occasional Stella. I remember my bro and I used to make little figures out of pizza dough, bake it, and eat it. In retrospect, I wonder why we never got to make and eat pizza! We just ate plain baked dough! WTH was that about? I love pizza!
Anywho, I came back home and started studying again. Shortly after, BF came home with a dozen YumYum donuts. I thought I had never had YumYum donuts until just a few minutes ago, bro called and said they were going to get donuts and asked what 6 we wanted. What a coincidence! (Seriously, we don't have donuts all the time.) I said BF bought YumYum donuts this afternoon, which I don't think I've ever had. He said, "Don't you remember? We used to have YumYum donuts every morning.(2) At the hotel. Until we got the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie machine."
I totally forgot. Back in the 80s, my family owned a hotel. Many of our childhood days/years were spent there. You could say my first job was filling up Coke machines, rolling up the coins, and folding fresh linen. Many meals came from Del Taco, Carls Jr., pizza delivery (not from Dad's pizzeria), and YumYum donuts. Dang, I wish we still had that Otis Spunkmeyer machine.
(2) When my bro said "donuts every morning," I thought he meant the donuts we had every morning when we lived in Glendora. We'd wake up before God did to drive in traffic for 1.5 hours to get to school (that's another story). I always missed first period and went to second period late. I remember this brat used to announce to the class as I tried to sneak in, "Cheryl's late again!" (Junior high was rough man.) Regardless, I looked forward to the morning breakfasts. Almost every morning, my dad stopped along the way to buy us donuts and chocolate milk from a little hole-in-the-wall. That was probably the best part of my day.
ADD: When I say my dad stopped for donuts, I mean, he had us wait in the silver Volvo while he jumped out really quick. So, we never knew exactly what we'd get. On the really special days, my dad would surprise us with donut holes! :D
It skurrs me to realize how easy my mind wanders onto Memory Lane, when I desperately need to study. Back to the Bohemoth Blue Book. Less than two more weeks until the exam...
At Souplantation, we reminisced about Dad's pizzeria. When I was in Kindgergarten, Dad opened up a pizzeria for a year. We used to go there after school all the time. FBIL asked if we ever got chunky from eating so much pizza. Not really because the typical routine was that we'd get there, grab a cup, and fill up from the soda fountain. I'd drink myself silly with root beer until one day, my bro said, "Root beer's gross; it's made of beer." Then I stopped drinking it. What a curiosity; I don't like root beer now (1) but don't mind an occasional Stella. I remember my bro and I used to make little figures out of pizza dough, bake it, and eat it. In retrospect, I wonder why we never got to make and eat pizza! We just ate plain baked dough! WTH was that about? I love pizza!
Anywho, I came back home and started studying again. Shortly after, BF came home with a dozen YumYum donuts. I thought I had never had YumYum donuts until just a few minutes ago, bro called and said they were going to get donuts and asked what 6 we wanted. What a coincidence! (Seriously, we don't have donuts all the time.) I said BF bought YumYum donuts this afternoon, which I don't think I've ever had. He said, "Don't you remember? We used to have YumYum donuts every morning.(2) At the hotel. Until we got the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie machine."
I totally forgot. Back in the 80s, my family owned a hotel. Many of our childhood days/years were spent there. You could say my first job was filling up Coke machines, rolling up the coins, and folding fresh linen. Many meals came from Del Taco, Carls Jr., pizza delivery (not from Dad's pizzeria), and YumYum donuts. Dang, I wish we still had that Otis Spunkmeyer machine.
*****
(1) As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice-cream, I will not have it in a root-beer or soda float. A part of it is b/c the soda melts the ice-cream, which totally bums me out. I want to eat ice-cream, not drink it.(2) When my bro said "donuts every morning," I thought he meant the donuts we had every morning when we lived in Glendora. We'd wake up before God did to drive in traffic for 1.5 hours to get to school (that's another story). I always missed first period and went to second period late. I remember this brat used to announce to the class as I tried to sneak in, "Cheryl's late again!" (Junior high was rough man.) Regardless, I looked forward to the morning breakfasts. Almost every morning, my dad stopped along the way to buy us donuts and chocolate milk from a little hole-in-the-wall. That was probably the best part of my day.
ADD: When I say my dad stopped for donuts, I mean, he had us wait in the silver Volvo while he jumped out really quick. So, we never knew exactly what we'd get. On the really special days, my dad would surprise us with donut holes! :D
*****
I feel like this is a "Joy Luck Club" post -- writing about family memories that are centered around food.*****
It skurrs me to realize how easy my mind wanders onto Memory Lane, when I desperately need to study. Back to the Bohemoth Blue Book. Less than two more weeks until the exam...
Friday, April 13, 2007
Wernicke's Perseveration
Yesterday, a few of us were talking about Wernicke's aphasia (which I still think is such trip). One therapist worked with someone who perseverated on bad words; the "good" thing is that he was somewhat intelligible so the cussing was mingled with not so bad words. (Can Tourette's Syndrome be comorbid with Wernicke's aphasia?)
I said, "man, if I ever get Wernicke's aphasia and perseverate on ONE word, I hope it's a happy word." So one of the therapists suggested the word "happy" for me. "Happy happy happy! Happy? Happy." She sent me off with the therapeutical recommendation that I begin "practicing perseverating" on it so that the motoric action becomes automatic (in the event that I get W.A. or apraxia). When I got home and told BF about the lunchtime discussion, I decided right then and there that I wanted my "word" to be "turtle."
Turtle turtle turtle. Turtle turtle? Turtle TURTLE turtle.
For BF, it doesn't matter whether I have W.A. or not b/c that's already what he (thinks he) hears from me everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.
TURTLE TURTLE!
The plumbers stopped by while we were both not home. I laugh imagining what a crazy "welcome" my turtle must have given them.
I said, "man, if I ever get Wernicke's aphasia and perseverate on ONE word, I hope it's a happy word." So one of the therapists suggested the word "happy" for me. "Happy happy happy! Happy? Happy." She sent me off with the therapeutical recommendation that I begin "practicing perseverating" on it so that the motoric action becomes automatic (in the event that I get W.A. or apraxia). When I got home and told BF about the lunchtime discussion, I decided right then and there that I wanted my "word" to be "turtle."
Turtle turtle turtle. Turtle turtle? Turtle TURTLE turtle.
For BF, it doesn't matter whether I have W.A. or not b/c that's already what he (thinks he) hears from me everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.
TURTLE TURTLE!
.·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·. .·:*¨¨*:·.
The plumbers stopped by while we were both not home. I laugh imagining what a crazy "welcome" my turtle must have given them.
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