Rounding out winter

Posted by Mrs. M March 18, 2013

Rounding out winter

Well, have definitely fallen behind on the updates. It has been busy and I have just been lazy during my spring break. :) Anyway, We have been up to a lot in the last month. The unpleasant news first. The world lost another great soul in February. Earl, my SIL's father passed away on February 15th. He is no longer suffering but will be greatly missed. It was a bittersweet reunion for her family but it was great to see them all come together and reminisce about the man he was. I am glad I was able to be a part of it and to have known Earl.
The following weekend my brother's family and us went out to a family fun center in Hendersonville, TN and wore ourselves out. It was a great day and the kids had almost as much fun as we did. Haha! We played rounds of laser tag, raced go carts, bumper cars, and putt putt golf. It was a needed and great break for everyone. See the pics below. Rylence also had his first soccer practice of the season on the 9th. He did pretty well for not really knowing anything about the game. He really seemed to enjoy it but he didn't like all the running. I think it will be a good game for him. Again see pics below. His first game is this Saturday March 23 and I am nervous for him but he will do great and hopefully love it! And we spent this past weekend in Lafayette for the MCHS band fundraising event. They hosted a cakewalk, games, auction and fish-fry to help cover the transportation expenses to go to Florida and march in the Disney World parade. It was a fun night and they did pretty well. My brother ended up with 5 cakes!
Matthew and I started taking ballroom dancing lessons the beginning of March. I wasn't sure he would want to try it but it has been a great experience for both of us so far. It's also great us time! It is fun and a work out, which neither of us was expecting. :) We went to the first party that is held by the dance company and it was so much fun. We danced all night and had the joy of meeting some new people and learning a few more moves. Everyone should try it! We now know the basics of the foxtrot, tango, waltz, rumba, and a push-pull swing. We cannot wait to learn more.
As far as school I have now started and completely finished my pediatric clinical rotation. It was an amazing experience and know now more than ever that I want to work with children and more specifically oncology patients. I was placed on a hematology/oncology floor at Vanderbilt children's hospital with a wonderful nurse as my preceptor. I learned a lot from her and the children of that floor. It was hard to see them suffer but the joy they brought was astounding and the simple smile from playing with them or helping them with a need would melt the coldest of hearts. I have never wanted to go to work or stay passed end of shit until I worked with these children. I just hope I can make a difference in their daily lives while helping to fight the disease of cancer to end all their suffering! I also have passed 3 tests, presented at a clinical grand rounds, and finished my spring break. Grand rounds is a project where you inform other healthcare team members about a patient and you all discuss the plan of care for the patient. It's a mock version for school but a great learning experience. Now a few more tests, critical care clinical and grand rounds, a pediatrics group project, and the NSNA convention in Charlotte, NC. After that is the trip to Guatemala and then Summer!!! :) And that much closer to graduation! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! haha! Oh, almost forgot I have an interview for the Norton Healthcare externship in Louisville, KY this summer! I am really hoping to land this one and get a foot in the door at Norton because its the family that Kosair's Children's hospital is part of and that is where I would like to work. Maybe, Maybe! :)
And now it is time for me to go back to work and learn some more for the next test. Have a great week all!

xoxo