It's April FF

1.  This week has sped by.  I wonder what my neighbors think when they see me leave early each morning and not return until after 10 at night.  They probably think I don't have a life, oh wait they are right I don't really, unless you count working every day as having a life.  It actually isn't that bad.  With it being April and many snowbirds going back to their homes it has been a rather slow week (if 35 patients a day is slow).
2.  My blog book from 2014 came in the mail this week!  I love reading through post from the past year to see the growth I have experienced.  2014 was definitely a growing year for me, not only for my hair but also my testimony and character.  Yes, there are many posts about my time with Mr. J which still brings me some disappointment, but I also see the Lord's hand in the way it all happened.  It is still hard for me to understand it all, but I've learned sometimes we must push through and move on, without knowing every detail of the why's and why not's.
3.  I now have a new favorite breakfast thanks to Aubrey!  1 egg, 1 egg white, fresh basil from my herb garden, salt and pepper and scrambled equals deliciousness!  It has helped to have a pieces of homemade wheat bread which mom made last week.  I think it was a great suggestion to split the loaf and not let Tenielle take the entire loaf!  I miss having homemade bread every morning (Aunt Leslie...hint, hint)!
4.  Every evening when I leave the Goodyear clinic this is my view.  It is beautiful and I so much enjoy it.  There is something about the palm tree's with the beautiful sunsets that I love.

5.  Today I worked at the Mesa clinic which is a sister to the Goodyear clinic.  It was super easy as I saw maybe 10 patient's if that.  After work I delivered a package to Aubreys mother who only lives a few miles from the Mesa clinic.  It was so fun to sit in her home and catch up for nearly 3 hours.  I had to do a double take when I looked at the clock and saw it was already 7.  From there I went to the beautiful Gilbert temple.  It was a sweet experience as I did something that I haven't done since just before I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

6.  Speaking of OVC, I signed up this week for the first Teal Diva 5K.  I am so excited for this, not only to donate to a cause so very close to my heart, but to do this with my sister Tenielle, my friend Pamela (who remember did a 10k in Dallas when I was having treatment), my friend's from Charlotte and other OVC survivor's.  I wanted so badly to do the 10K with Pamela in Dallas.  The day she did it however I was suffering from major side effects from chemo.  We planned to eventually do a run together and since she now lives in the DC area which is only a 6 hour drive, she is going to meet us there! 
7.  This week I had a patient who was diagnosed with an extensive case of Lung Cancer.  She had just finished her first round of chemo.  My heart went out to her and I was glad I could be there that day to talk to her about my experience with losing my hair as she expressed her fears of losing hers.
8.  I love cherries to eat and to decorate with.  I bought this darling dress several year's ago in hopes that I would someday have a daughter who could wear it.  I found it in one of the many boxes that I unpacked a few months ago and so I sent it home knowing it would fit this sweet niece of mine.  She wore it yesterday and Tristen so kindly sent me a picture. A cutie-patootie for sure!

9.  This week I booked my plane ticket for Seattle!  This is a planned trip the end of April when I will attend the WAPA conference that I attend every 2 years; this year it will be in preparation to take my boards again (insert sad face).  But I will get to spend time with Aubrey and Marlene and hopefully will be able to see my cousin Paige who now lives there and I haven't seen in years.
10.  This weekend is the Semi-Annual General Conference.  I specifically take this weekend off from work so that I can be taught from the leaders of our church things that I can do to improve my life!  Hope you enjoy conference as much as I know I will!  You can view it on KSL.com or LDS.org.  

You're Pregnant

Today I had a patient who came in with vague epigastric abdominal pain which she had had for only 5 days.  She had never been pregnant and told me that after a few rounds of invitro without success her and her husband just decided they would never be able to have children....until today.

I told her that her sx. were likely related to acid reflux or a viral syndrome, but that because she was having abdominal pain that I'd like to get a pregnancy test just to be sure.  I had even written up my chart as if this was acid reflux. 

We did a pregnancy test and immediately it turned positive.  She was in quite the shocked state.  It was actually pretty funny, but I was so happy for her.  We put her positive pregnancy test in a bag and I told her she should do something fun to surprise her husband. 

It's kind of fun being the person to surprise someone who hasn't been able to have a baby that they are pregnant, even though I felt like I kind of sprang it on her.  We both thought for sure it would be negative and we were both very surprised.  Happy Day for this patient of mine!

Come Wednesday

Come Wednesday my life is about to get very busy.  In the next 2 months I will be working every day (nine, 12 hour shifts and the rest 8's) except for when I go home the end of March for 4 days, Sundays, April 4 and April 16, before going to a CME April 23-29.  That is a lot of working days, which means I will probably not have anything exciting to blog about, but if I do, I promise I'll blog about it!. 

Life should slow down some in May.  I can't believe I'm talking about May already.  But it will be here before we know it with temperatures close to 100.  For now I'm enjoying 70's and 80's, evening walks, cool mornings and the smell of citrus blossoms which I caught a whiff of on our walk last night!

It has been so fun to have Mom and Dad here for the past month.  They have worked so hard at helping me put things in place so that I feel like my house is a home.  For this I'm so grateful.  I've relaxed a bit on my exercise program, ate out more than I typically do and eaten more sweets than I should.  Needless to say I'm a bit scared to step on the scales, but I'll have a little time each day to work out in the mornings and the evenings.  Starting today...I already did a spinning class this morning and this evening I will go on my last walk with mom and dad. 

Spring is here and soon Summer.  Did I mention that I always feel like I'm on vacation living here in Phoenix?  I love it!

Fabulous Friday Is Back!

Fabulous Friday is Back!  Yes, I've taken a month off, but I think I'm back to my normal routine of life, well at least I'm feeling settled and most things are put in their place for now so I should be back to my normal FF.
1.  I'm going to have another niece or nephew early this Fall as Tyler and Danielle are expecting the end of Sept/first of Oct.  It is always so fun to have a baby in our family.  I adore these nieces and nephews of mine and love each of them with all my heart!
2. In celebration of having lived after a diagnosis of OVC for 2 years, I bought tickets for our family to go to Disneyland in September.  My nieces and nephews have been wanting to go for a long time and they are all in love with Disney Characters.  I'm excited to see their joy when they experience The Happiest Place on Earth.  They are all the perfect ages to enjoy the magic of this place.
3.  My friend Linda Cook-Jensen and her sister have been wintering in Phoenix.  Last week we met up for dinner at an English Pub.  They had the best cream brulee and dad loved the meatloaf'!  It is always so good to see her.

4.  Saturday evening I took mom to a dinner theater for an early 60th Birthday present.  We had a delicious dinner and then watched the most amazing Les Miserables.  This was at Arizona Broadway Theater.  The play was one of the best I've ever seen.  Mom and I had such a great time!

5.  Sunday we had dinner with cousins at Aunt Leslies and my cousin Amy came from Utah with her new darling baby.  I love family Sunday dinners!  That evening I slipped over to see my friend and hiking buddy Ofa.  I am missing our weekly hikes.  Hopefully when I get on a schedule I will get back to hiking.  It's hard to have a schedule when you have visitors, because for some reason I have this mindset that I'm on vacation too.  I think living in Phoenix makes me always feel like I'm on vacation.
6. Yesterday we drove 3 hours to cross the boarder into Mexico and to visit our friends the Jensens who were down there having dental work.  We had the most delicious tamales and shrimp tacos for lunch and then we went shopping.  I can't believe how you can walk into a pharmacy and buy medications without a prescription.  It was great.  Not that I needed anything, but I bought some medications for others.  I also bought a pair of leather flip flops, a hat, a great wooden spoon/soup spoon, some vanilla and some toffee covered almonds.  We had such a fun time down there.  The Jensens have a trailer that is like a small apartment, it was nice and relaxing to sit in there and listen to the wind chimes.

7.  My brother Tony flew in tonight and will be here for the weekend.  We have several fun things planned, which I've been looking forward to for weeks!
8.  Do you want to see what MVY looks like in the Winter?  This beautiful picture was taken there this week.  It's hard to believe most of the country has snow when it is in the 70's-80's here in Phoenix.  I haven't missed the Winter snow one bit.  I am excited to be going back there this Summer!

 

9.  I finally got privileges so I can start working for EMP next week!  I'm going to work until the end of April both jobs and then only work for Onsite Care as needed, because they found someone to work through the Summer.  Remember I was only PRN for them, but they needed me until they filled the position.  I have so much enjoyed working there and am actually a little sad, but I will still be able to work for them some.  

10.  I have started a little herb garden here which I'm excited to start using in my cooking.  I love fresh herbs, they make everything so much tastier.  First thing I'm going to make will be a drink that my friend Melanie made when I was in MVY which includes limeade, mint and cucumbers.  It's super refreshing and delicious.

Final Decision FF

1.  Last Friday I met up with my friends the Sondrups at Liberty Market where we had lunch on the patio in NOVEMBER.  It was such fun.  I really enjoy spending time with these great friends of mine and of course I love me a delicious Cuban sandwich.
2.  Allegiant Airlines didn't disappoint.  I loved how small the Mesa airport is, how easy it was to go through security and how easy parking was.  I will definitely be flying this airline often, especially because it will be close once I find a home close by.
3.  Speaking of which...I accepted a job in Casa Grande, AZ at an Urgent Care, working for EMP the company I worked for in the ER in Charlotte.  This is a fabulous physician owned company, with wonderful benefits!  I am excited to work 9, 12 hour shifts a month; 108 hours a month is considered full time. I won't however start working until late February or early March because it takes that long to get credentialed.  Oh the joys of paperwork in medicine (something they don't tell you about when you are in school.)  I'm so happy to have finally made this decision after 3 months of thinking and praying for the right opportunity.  Casa Grande is between Phoenix and Tucson.  I will live on the outskirts of Phoenix.  I got the sweetest email from a friend last week that helped me more than she will ever know she said, quoting my friend Laurens husbands talk that I actually remember, "'I don't think there are any WRONG decisions when you are trying to do what will bring you closer to the Lord'. Both of his choices were GOOD choices. There wasn't a WRONG choice. Whew! I guess my point is, I think we're going to meet the Lord and realize that things weren't as complicated as we thought. As long as you are trying to be closer to the Lord, there are no wrong decisions. Different paths on how to get there, maybe. When you make your decision, don't look back. Don't second guess yourself."
4.  When I was in SLC on Monday I interviewed for an amazing job, doing both medicine and health promotion (using my undergrad degree and grad degree).  But I would have had to work 5 days a week, which I didn't want to do.  However they have 2 clinics in Phoenix and opening another one this Spring.  After speaking with them this week I will have the opportunity to work some with this company in Phoenix as well.  I'm excited to see what the future holds with my career!
5.  Friday mom, Tenielle, Tristen, Aidree, Bridget and I went to Disney on Ice.  It was fun to watch Aidree and Bridget be entertained by their favorite Disney Characters.
6.  Saturday morning we had pedicures and then took Tanners girlfriend Kayla dress shopping for her big day.  We then had dinner as a family.  When I say big day for Kayla it means she got baptized.  And the sweetest thing was that Tanner got to baptize her.  The service was beautiful.  My dad spoke, her cousin and her bishop.  I loved her bishops talk about how he believed there really weren't coincidences in life, but that Heavenly Father puts people and experiences in our lives for a reason.  (pictures to come).
7.  Sunday services were wonderful and so was Kaylas confirmation performed by my dad.  The high councilman and his wife spoke on marriage and family.  I loved the story Fanny's Dream that the high councilman told. It gave me hope in finding a good man.
8.  After church we visited our friends who have 6 week old twins and I had a lovely chat with my dear friend Jenny!  We are already planning our next vacation!
9.  Monday I stopped by and saw my friends Jaime and Kristen before I flew back to Phoenix.  I sure love my friends!
10.  Tomorrow I will fly home for my birthday and Thanksgiving for a whole week!  Oh how I love a break from work and to relax at home!
11.  Today is my Grandma Youngs Birthday.  She would have been 89 today.  I miss her cherry filled Christmas cookies!

See You Next Summer MVY FF

I truly have had one of the most incredible Summers of my life here on Martha's Vineyard.  I'm going to miss so many wonderful things about this little island...
1.  I have made some amazing friends here including my friend Melanie.  We had a wonderful dinner last night.  It was so fun to sit and talk with her.  She is always full of good advice.  I really am going to miss her.
2.  I love hearing the sound of the horn from the ferry letting us town-folk know of its arrival several times a day.
3.  I have so much enjoyed everything about my job here in the ER.  The staff have been absolutely magnificent, friendly, helpful and so much fun to work with.  What I have done here is true ER medicine, which I love!  There is a sense of accomplishment when you can stitch someone's laceration and send them out the doors better than when they walked in.  I was walking into work yesterday and thinking of how I felt so much at home here; maybe I'll make this my permanent Summer home...
4.  Nantucket Lemonade is cheaper here than any other place in the country and more delicious than any other lemonade...3 bottles for 4 dollars at our local stop and shop.  I love this stuff.  Lemonade to me screams Summer!

5.  I have loved my YMCA and my morning workouts! The money I paid for 3 months was worth it, definitely more than I pay in a year for the gym off island, but again worth it!  I'm not a fan however of running into Dr. Z there in the mornings when I have no makeup on.  I'm actually surprised that he recognizes me without my face on.  I have always been a fan of cycle and group power/body pump.  I will miss not having the later class in Phoenix, but I've done it enough through the years that I can do it on my own.
6.  Have you ever heard of a hermit?  It's a delicious, soft molasis cookie with rasins, which I get at Scottishbake house.  So yummy!  And my friend Anthony brought me two today!
7.  I'm really going to miss jogging by the ocean.  There is just nothing like it.  Tomorrow I'll be back to jogging down to the park with brown grass and concrete.

8.  It has been healing physically and emotionally after all I have gone through over the past year, to be here, by myself and to have so much time to relax and think.  Sometimes a girl just needs to be alone.  There is something to be said about letting a few dishes pile up in the sink, my shoes left throughout the house and to be able to run around in my underwear if I desire!
9.  Of course my library here!  I'm sure going to miss our times together.
10.  I think what I'm going to miss more than anything is being able to drive a mile or so to the beach where I can let go of my stress and relax while the sun beats down on me and the waves roll in!
11.  This is what fall looks like here today...and I drive by this awesome ski gate daily.

I Saved A Life

I had a really good day at work yesterday.  I saved a mans life.  I don't save lives every day, even though my friends and family think I do like they do on ER, but I do save fingers and toes and prevent people from having ugly scars by my perfection in suturing.  However yesterday I seriously saved someone from the grave and it felt so good.

Mr. 74 year old was put over in the fast track by the cocky triage nurse who told me that the man just tweaked his back.  Keep in mind this nurse had previously put a person over there telling me it might be a dislocated shoulder, which didn't belong over there either.  I admit I never smile when this nurse comes around because he drives me nuts.  Back to Mr. 74...I ask him about why he is there and after he tells me this long story about how he was trying to see if his cat got a hold of his wives jewelry he eventually tells me that he had some pretty severe mid back pain 40 minutes later that radiated around to his chest, but he took a percocet and was feeling better.  Back pain radiating to his chest in a 74 year old immediately makes me think of an aortic aneurysm.  On exam I'm unable to reproduce any pain except for the epigastric/lower chest region.

I get an EKG and blood work which are normal and a few hours later I get the results of the CT scan which shows a hemorrhage of the descending aorta with an ulcer into the diaphragm.  I've never seen this in my entire career.  I go in to talk to this man and tell him that I saved his life.  I was pretty much jumping for joy and Mr. 74 year old was shedding tears and so grateful.  It totally made my day.  I told him that everyday I pray that I'll be in tune with the needs of my patients, that I won't miss anything important or life threatening.  I talked with him about my belief in God and that He hears prayers.  My attending thanked me for not sending diagnosing him with a back spasm and sending him home with flexeril.  Ah, I love my job!