Therapeutic Communication

This has been our topic of conversation for the last week at school, and we are utilizing it in our clinical sessions right now. Today and tomorrow I will be at a Rehab center. We started the day in group therapy and then we had lecture after that. I felt really comfortable in my group and I really enjoyed hearing everyone's stories and it seemed as if everyone wanted to be there and get help.
Part of therapeutic communication is listening.
I ask you, Do YOU really listen? Are you really paying attention to the person you are talking to? If you are thinking of what you want to say, while the other person is still talking, then YOU are not REALLY listening. I find it fascinating that most people don't listen well. I am included in that population. I feel my communication has improved over the last few years, however, it still can improve.
I challenge everyone to try "listening". Look the other person in the eye when you are talking to them, give them your undivided attention, paraphrase what they just told you and then respond accordingly.
I think we would all be surprised how our communication would improve, if we just take the time to listen!!

AA Meetings...

Tonight I went to an AA meeting as a requirement for part of my clinical experience for my nursing program. It was quite interesting. There were people there that had been sober for years, months, and even only a month. There were some people there that looked like they were still drinking, but were trying to recover. I enjoyed listening to everyones stories and experiences. Now, I get to write a paper on this experience.

I am very proud of myself, in the aspect that I am trying to be proactive about my school stuides. I am usually the type of person who waits until the last minute to do anything, but when I did my summer class, I decided that I needed to always get my assignments done as early in the week as possible, and I ended up with an A in the class. I have had the same approach with my classes this semester. I have am halfway done with my readings for class this week, I attended my AA class, which my paper isn't due until next week, and I got all the stuff for my online class done, which isn't due until next sunday. In addition to the above, I have started working out 3 times a week, and this week I will be aiming for 4-5 times. I have also started eating healty, I have been bringing my lunch to work, and eating healty snacks throughout the day. I started doing these things before I started school, with the intention that I would have the energy to do the nursing program, but also to be a little more healthy. I am happy to say that I have lost a few pounds in the process and have noticed my mucles taking on some defination. Jeremy has also started working out, he is working out every day before he goes to work. It's nice that we are both able to do that together in the morning.

I start school on Wednesday, and I am very excited. I know I keep saying that, but I really feel that way. Even though I know that I will be busy, I know that the end result will be worth it. I don't feel overwhelmed, like I think I should, I am just taking everything one day at a time.

Bad restaurant luck

I always seem to have bad restaurant luck, so when we get bad service or something goes wrong, it now comes as no surprise.

Last night, me, Jeremy and our friends went to La Iguana for dinner. I have eaten there once before and the food is really good. We get there about 8:30, get seated, order drinks and some guacamole, and then we order our food. Well about 9:15, our server comes over and says that our order got lost, something about the systems crashing, and he needed our food order again and they were going to make it on the fly. Well about 9:30, still no food, and no manager had even come over to our table to apologize. Oh and inbetween the time we were waiting, they brought us a complimentary salsa appetizer (it had 4 different types of salsa, kind of like a little salsa bar). Well by the time they brought this, we were all pretty full and didn't even want our dinner. So when the manager comes over about 9:30, she says "It will be a few more minutes" and Jeremy looks at her and says "we aren't even hungry anymore, cancel our order" So she did, comped our apps, all we had to pay for was our drinks, and we got a $20 gift certificate to come back again. What an experience, it seems as if I always have bad luck with restaurants!

So Excited!

I start nursing school in less than 2 weeks now, and I am jumping for joy. I know this will be a very busy 9 months, but it will all be worth it in the end!!!
I have 2 orientations next week, which I think will make this whole thing real.
Don't really have much more to say, than, I AM EXCITED!!

Time to play catch up

This weekend was very eventful. Friday night, Jeremy and I went to his grandparents house to see his dad, Twila, sister and brother. We had a nice dinner and then hung out for a while. Since we had the BBQ the next day, I made my potato salad at their house so I would not have to get up early the next morning to make it. We got home probably about midnight or so.

The next morning, we slept in (which was really nice) and then we went to the family BBQ (we were really celebrating his grandparents 60th wedding anniversary which was in April). The entire family was there, minus a few people. There was about 33 people (including kids). We all gathered at Brian's house, he grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and there was tons of food. It was nice to sit around and talk and hang out with everyone. After a while, we had some cake (compliments of Voni) and homemade ice cream (compliments of Aunt Sherry). I had not had homemade ice cream in a really long time, and let me tell you, it was delicious!!!

Later in the day, Larry and Twila left to go to his reunion of the 70's, the rest of the cousins stayed behind. We decided to play a game of spoons. There was 12 to start with and there could only be 2 winners. Me and Michelle. We are the spoons champions!!! This was the most vicious game of spoons I have ever played. Blood was shed, bruises were had, scratches happened and there were many instances of people jumping across the table to get a spoon. In the end, there could only be 2 winners (co-champions). Michelle and I made the Masons' proud.

After that, Me, Jeremy, Michelle and Walter came back to our house and then went out for a while. We made a taco bell run at about 2:30 in the morning, in which we ended up going through the drive thru twice. We ended up back at our house and went to sleep about 4 in the morning. We had to get up to be back at the grandparents house by 10am for breakfast, so essentially we only got a few hours of sleep. Sunday we hung around the house, played the wii, Jeremy kicked everyones butt at golf, then we bowled, and then went to dinner at Tarahumaras. That evening we enjoyed card games (you call it poker). That was also fun.

Monday was the day of my brothers bone marrow test. I was a nervous wreck. I am so thankful to have a wonderful work support system, I feel very helpless not being near my family in Colorado. His test went well, they won't have any results for about 7-10 days, he has a follow up appointment on the 24th and the doc said he would call my mom if he needed to come in sooner. I really hope they figure out what is going on, and start treatment. He is supposed to start school this week, but he will be staying home for a bit until they figure out the cause of his illness. My mom is scared to death that he will get sick, if he goes back to school. His WBC count is still 1200. He has been taking it easy.

That evening, after I found out that the procedure went well, I started to feel better and not be so nervous. Jeremy and I went golfing with Larry and Twila, and I felt that was really nice and relaxing for me. We played a scramble game and I forgot what our final score was, but we did pretty well.

Larry and Twila left the next day, Jeremy took them to the airport, since he is on vacation. I'm not sure when they will be back, but hopefully it is soon!!!

I think that is it on the updates. Please keep my family in your thoughts as we try to figure out what is wrong with my brother!

Last night was fun

After work, Jeremy and I went over to his grandparents house. His dad and step mom flew in on Thursday and his brother and sister flew in yesterday afternoon. They had made dinner - Lasagna and bread, vegetables (from the garden) and salad. It was delicious! After dinner, we all sat around and talked and had a good time. I went ahead and made my potato salad for the BBQ. Once I got that done, I joined everyone again.

During the visit, Jeremy was gathering some books. These were "child craft" books. There is a set of about 15 books, all different types such as fables, stories about families, the world, etc. Jeremy has been wanting them for a while, and he was really excited to get them. Michelle grabbed book 3, which is everyones favorite, and started reading the pancake story. I dont' know the correct name, but the story was hilarious. Michelle did such a good job reading, she did voices for the characters, and entertained us all!

Jeremy and I left about midnight to go home. Everytime we are around my parents and siblings or his parents and siblings, it makes me really want to be around family more. I really miss them. As time passes, I get the strong desire to move back to Colorado. I miss being able to drive to my moms house anytime I want. I miss being able to hang out with my siblings any time I want. I miss everyone! Maybe one day we will make it back there to live!

Jeremy hasn't lost all his wisdom

Just his teeth!

Silly, I know, but I couldn't think of a better title....
So...the surgery went off without a hitch. It took about 1 1/2 hours, they were able to pull all 4 teeth out with no problems and NO STITCHES! They sent him home with pain meds and orders to rest, and he is on a soft diet.
I got him home earlier this afternoon and made sure he had everything he needed and then went back to work. I picked up some mashed potatoes for him on my way home and he ate those up. He is feeling OK, still sore, and getting lots of rest. He will need it, especially since his family is in town.

Wisdom Teeth

Jeremy got some sad news today - he will have to have his wisdom teeth removed tomorrow. Last year when he went to the dentist, they told him he would have to have them removed because they had cavitites. He scheduled his appointment last august, but the doctor cancelled because something came up. So fast forward to Monday, he starts having tooth pain. He took some advil. Tuesday it was worse and tuesday night he woke up 2 times with pain and this morning the pain was unbearable. He called the dentist, they called him in an antibiotic and he goes in tomorrow morning at 10am to get them removed. I will take him to the dentist and then bring him home and make sure he is comfortable and then go back to work.

Tomorrow is the day Jeremy's dad comes in town, so I'm kind of hoping he makes a speedy recovery. I did stock up on ice cream and soup for him, so he should be set with foods to eat.

I got my school schedule

And I am very pleased to say that I will have a little bit of a life. Class 2 days a week, clinicals 2 days a week and most weekends off! Woo hoo!!

Now, I am super excited to start school. Only 3 more weeks! My first 8 weeks of class will be psych nursing. We are doing clinical rotations at the psych hospital. That will be so much fun. I really can't wait. Reality is sinking in that I will be an RN in 9 months!!!!

Where has the year gone?

It seems as if this year has flown by. I can't believe it's already August.

Here are some updates on our end.
Last week I finished my summer class. I had my final on Thursday and got my final class grade that same night. I made an A!! I was really excited. I hope this sets a precedent for how I do on the rest of my nursing classes.
Jeremy had a busy week last week. His store was broken into on Monday, he got called at 4:15 in the morning. The person hit the storefront with their vehicle and it broke 2 window panes and they stole 6 TV's. He had worked many long days last week. He is getting excited for his vacation starting next Saturday.
I am stressing about school and financial aid. I got a letter last month saying that I don't qualify for student loans because I have too many credit hours. The school I am going to is a 2 year college, so 100 hours of college work is way to many for them. I called up there the other day and asked if they make any exceptions for people in degree programs (i.e. RN) and they said I had to fill out some additional paperwork. I plan on getting that paperwork signed when I enroll tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. I also found out that I won't be able to come in an hour early to work to help get my 40 hours, so this means that I will probably only work 34 hours a week. This may be a blessing, but not if I am having to pay for nursing school out of pocket. We will see how this works out.
One of my brothers has been sick for a while now and his primary doctor has not been able to figure out what is going on, so they referred him to a specialist. That doc has been running many tests, and my mom has to call and schedule yet another test for him tomorrow. He has it narrowed down to 2 things, and hopefully they will have answers soon.
This past Sunday, Jeremy and I, and 3 other friends took a motorcycle ride to Mt.Scott (Elgin, OK). Yes, there are mountains in OK. It took about 2 hours or so to get there, we rode up the mountain, ate at a place in Medicine Park (never heard of that town) and then rode around the mountain and back home. We left about 10:30 in the morning and got back about 6:30pm. It was a long day. I had lots of firsts on this trip. I passed through or stopped in many cities and towns, some that I have never heard of (Medicine Park, Cement, Cyril,Gotebo, Eakly, Binger) and some that i have heard of but wanted to go to (Chickasha). We went through 7 different counties. We (Jeremy) tipped the bike, we were both OK, both of us had scrapes on our hands and knees, This was our longest bike trip, EVER! I got sunburned, and so did Jeremy. Oh, and we saw 2 hears of buffalo. My ears got sunburned for the first time in my life, and both of us are extremely sore. So I'm sure you are wondering a little more about the bike tipping incident. We were traveling along, Jeremy was leading, and he pointed in the direction toward Meers, Tim did a thumbs up, and Jeremy slowed down to turn that way, well he was only going about 5-10mph and his back tire hit a little patch of gravel, and the bike tipped over, landed on both of us, I was yelling for him to get the bike off of me, he asked if I was ok, I said just get the bike off me, he asked me again if I was OK, I said "Yes, please get the bike off me" and he tired to stand up, but couldn't lift it. Neil was standing in the way of cars that were turning so they wouldn't fly through and run over us, Tim and Dave were standing on the other side of the road in shock. Finally they come over and pick the bike up, I get up and run to the side of the road. My hand has road burn and my knee hurts, but thank goodness didn't have but a scratch on it. This other couple stopped to make sure we were OK, and the lady said to her husband, "I see why I have to wear jeans on the bike" We were both lucky to have little scratches. Our friends said from the way we landed, it looked like I landed on my shoulder, I didn't, it was just my wrist. Well, my hand was throbbing for the rest of the day. The best part of the entire trip was when we drove around the mountain, we came across a heard of buffalo. The car in front of us stopped and there was a momma buffalo and a baby buffalo in the middle of the street. They took forever to cross, but it was so neat to be close to them. I took a few pics from our trip. We came home, I took a shower, and we both crashed. I feel asleep about 9 and then didn't sleep well for the rest of the night.
The rest of the week should be fun. I enroll in classes tomorrow, so I will either have a life or no life. My father and mother in law come into town on Thursday and then Jeremy's brother and sister come in on Friday. I am excited to spend time with his family, I really enjoy their visits.

The first picture is of the heard, the second is of more of the heard and a baby, and the third is of the momma and baby that just crossed the street.