On an Island, Where We'll Meet: June 2009

June 30, 2009

Wound Care and Carefree

The past several weeks of my internship have been trying to say the least. I am not really cut out for the hospital setting, and I am really not into bodily fluids, regardless of if they were meant to come out or if they are coming out of a new "hole" in the body. My "boss" (aka Clinical Instructor or CI) wants me to sit in on an open heart surgery. Unfortunately I laughed in her face when she told me this--as weird as it sounds I literally feel the patient's pain when they hurt--don't think it would feel good for me to watch a chest be cracked open. My second week of the internship, we had a patient who had undermining and tunneling wounds in her chest (right below her breasts) and the inside of her thigh. The thigh wound measured 7.6cm deep and the chest wound 6.something cm deep. We were asked to place a wound vac in the wounds (essentially the wound is packed with foam and then sealed with tape and a hose is attached to it and a vacuum is created--helps with wound healing). I went into the patient's room and attempted to be present--even attempted to hold a flashlight so my CI could see into the thigh wound to clean it out. I nearly passed out and the nurse laughed at me--starting a vicious cycle of dry heave crying. So pathetic. Fast-forward to yesterday: this same patient is now being seen on an out-patient basis (she is no longer IN the hospital bed, but comes to us 3x/week). I decided to put my big girl panties on and stay in the room while my CI changed the foam/wound vac system. (WARNING: the previous link is a wound VAC system in a buttock wound--it isn't terrible, but you should be prepared...I wanted to include this so you have an idea what I was involved with) You will be so proud: I actually HELPED! I held the thigh wound open so a pic could be made and I held the foam in place in the wound AND I prepped the skin around the wound! No, I didn't do any packing or cleaning of the actual wound--but I was there, I looked, and I touched! BIG STEPS. Today I helped clean road rash on a guy who was in a motorcycle accident...it was pretty crazy and he wasn't really happy.

Last week I had a great week with friends, old and new. On Thursday, Josh and I went to The Big Apple in Murray to hear a band play with Jessica Reed and her brother (David Wayne) and his girlfriend (Hannah). We ran into old friends there and sat with them. We had a great time! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. SO much fun!

At The Big Apple with J.Reed! So much fun :)

Then on Saturday night Josh and I went with our new friends Stacey and Jarrett to downtown Paducah for "Downtown After Dinner". We ate at a place called Toucan's and wandered the streets listening to the bands and going into the little shops. We had so much fun people watching and drinking fru-fru drinks (which were expensive and only full of calories--no liquor, we are sure!). There are some special people to watch in Paducah, too!

Lemon Drops, or lemonade?? More like lemonade.

This is NOT a picture of Stacey--but the people behind her thought it was! HA. Nice shirt on him, huh!

BUG EYE

She wishes she had a brain??

June 22, 2009

Initial Reflection on Jon and Kate +8

I just watched the June 22nd episode of Jon and Kate +8 and could only cry. The emotions that I have right now are so difficult to weed through. First, I am wondering why I watch this, why I am so interested in their lives. Like Jon said, there are soldiers oversees who are dying for our country and I am still interested in their lives. I don't know why, but I am. Secondly, I cry for those 8 babies. It makes me sad/sick for them, that they will have this all documented as their parents separated and then divorced. No child should have to go through that once, let alone relive it forever on TV. They are just so innocent in all this. Third, I feel so bad for Jon and Kate. It is so obvious to me the struggle that they are going through--Jon seems complacent and Kate seems tired. It is so sad that they aren't communicating there feelings to each other, but to camera crews. I am so broken hearted for their family. Finally, and I have talked about this with several girlfriends over the past month or so (glad to know that I am not the only one who is so tuned in to this), but where is their faith in all this? Why haven't they talked about God? Why haven't they turned towards Him? I have not been in their place, and I pray that I never am, so I will not write my gut feelings and place blame on anyone for the dissolution of their marriage. People make mistakes, but I feel so sad that the adults who made the mistakes have caused lifelong suffering for 8 children. I just cannot imagine. Over the past year of Josh and I being "separated" our poor dog has exhibited unusual behavior and separation anxiety that he never had before. I can't imagine what this would do to a child (or 8 children). I just hope they turn towards each other in times of need, and not away from each other. I am not very good at getting my emotions out, so this is just my initial reaction...but it is what it is.

(On a lighter note, did Jon always have his ears pierced?? And does Kate look like Posh Spice/Victoria Beckham to you?)

June 19, 2009

Our Fifth

My amazing husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary today. It amazes me how quickly time flies. It is so hard to believe that it will be 9 years this summer since we first met at Murray State University's "Summer O", realized we have several classes together, and became friends. We both commented today that we hardly remember life without the other in it. I used to wonder why I stayed in KY when my parents moved to Texas with the Army. It was because I was never meant to move along with them--this must be why it never crossed my mind to go. The intentions were already made for me to remain at MSU so I could fall in love with and marry my best friend. And I am so glad that I stayed. The past 5 years haven't always been easy--no marriage is perfect. But instead of turning away from each other during our disagreements, we turned towards each other. The past year has been a true test of the strength of our marriage, with Josh and I being "separated" while I finished school up in Lexington and Josh began our life in Benton. It definitely was the most difficult year of our marriage, but it was by no means hard on our marriage; we have come out on the other side stronger than ever and much better friends. Josh, I love you and am so excited about what the next five years will bring us! It is so nice to have someone to hold hands with as we embark on the journey of life.

"I do" June 19, 2004

June 13, 2009

Kitchen Close-Up, CHAIRS!, and A few "Finishing Touches"

So, I have a few loose ends to wrap up regarding the decorating that has been going on in the Owens household. First, several people have commented on the kitchen pics from an earlier post. In an effort to save space since I tend to over-load the blog with pics (b/c I don't like to think/type), and this led to poor picture quality regarding the kitchen. You have asked for close-ups of the kitchen, and I have answered! Below is a close-up of the kitchen. You can see past the kitchen a yellow hallway, this is the color the kitchen was. It is now "Misted Green" by Benjamin Moore. This hallway will eventually be something other than yellow (maybe the same as the kitchen??) but for now will remain as-is due to my lack of time.

Secondly, the chairs that I wrote of in an earlier post finally arrived (about 2 months ago, I am slow!!). I am in love with them...although the room is still not complete. I keep reminding myself of my "work in progress" and this keeps me from feeling overwhelmed that my home is not 100% decorated. It is okay! These chairs are in the sunroom off the master bedroom. Oscar likes the chairs, too!

If you will scroll down to an earlier post you will see a round mirror that is gold...well, it is now RED! See below...I don't know what piece of furniture I will get to go below it, but it is kind of a fun statement (and only cost a couple bucks for the spray paint...the mirror was a hand-me-down from my in-laws!)

And, finally, a few decorations to make the living room look more tied together. Of course, this again falls under the "work in progress" heading. Time, financials, and lack of ideas make putting it all together a slow process for me. But, as with all, it will come together eventually! (Yes, there are still tags on the pillows b/c I hadn't quite decided if I would keep them or not...I guess I should add "indecisiveness" to my list of excuses. I decided to keep the pillows!) My favorite color is green and it seems to appear all over our house; don't know if this is a good thing or not, but it is what it is and I like it!

Sadly, until my PT boards are over this is all the decorating that I anticipate doing...so maybe my blogs will be a little less superficial for the next few months?? I don't have a real theme to my blog but I like to decorate so I thought I would share this with you, however I reflect back on how tangible it is and I wonder "Am I really this superficial??" I am not..I am just not very reflective! Ha...maybe I will try to be...the next few months of hard-core studying could turn me into a reflective person. Who knows!?

Anyways...gotta give a shout-out to new mommy Julie McDonald! Her beautiful baby girl, Norah, was born this morning...check her blog soon as I am sure she will update when she gets some downtime. Yay for babies, and Way To Go Jules!

June 1, 2009

viva la TEXAS!

I am going to begin this blog by bragging about my baby brother, so bear with me a few lines. Wesley graduated from high school on May 30th, but unfortunately I was unable to make the ceremony (and it turned out the party) because I was "stuck" in Lexington for a PT licensure exam review. Wesley graduated in the top 10% of his class of 247 student (bam!). His plans for the next 4 years of his life include going to Texas A&M to major in aerospace engineering and he has joined the Corps of Cadets to eventually serve his country in the Navy and fly with the Blue Angels. He received hella dolla to go to school and be this the rest of his life (something like $204,000). So, he's pretty much amazing.