Patients and Patience

This post is dedicated to all my patients who I have learned so much from... I have unique relationships with each one.  Some I joke with, some I am more gentle with, and some I just have to be a little tough with.  Once in rehab, every patient has about 5 hours a day of rehab--occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.  The patients have long days of hard work just like the therapists...but they have to do their work while recovering from all kinds of injuries, surgeries, and traumatic events.  Often I feel a little bad about pushing my patients to work hard through yet another therapy session...but sometimes they need it.  I just love the reactions I get when I start to push my patients to their limit:

"[hesitant tone of voice:] ok..."
"oh honey, I just don't know"
"uh..... no"
*blank stare*
*the look that says "you're crazy for thinking I can do that"*
*blank stare*
"I just feel like a dummy"
"yeah, I know that already"
*gesture to go away*
*patient tries to push their wheelchair away from me*
*blank stare*
"I'm sorry..."
"I'll try not to fall asleep this time"

Not all patients react negatively to therapy...some are very friendly, and most of their family members are very gracious.  It's great when a patient comes into therapy and smiles at me, or even better when a patient sees me in the hall and says hello as if I'm a friend.  I had a great moment today when a family member told me, "You are so good at what you do, thank you so much.  You communicate so clearly and are so positive and helpful."  I felt as if I didn't deserve such a compliment, and reminded the woman that I'm only a student, and that I'm still learning... but she insisted that I was doing great work and that she was impressed with me.  Wow, talk about humbling... but it was such a rewarding moment to think that maybe I am doing some good in the world.

Moral of the story: "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:4)

Field Trip!

Today was adventurous.  I got to go on a therapy field trip to the Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City, less than 2 miles from University Hospital.  I'd heard of this place before, but it exceeded my expectations... I mean, look at this:

This is a view of the "Fragrance Garden"...they had a rose garden, children's garden (so cute!), herb garden, etc... I think I could have spent a whole day there walking around enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells.  Unfortunately, we did have to go back to the hospital...

After tomorrow, I will officially be half way done with my internship!  I have pretty mixed feelings about it.  Mostly, I'm excited to be finished because of how tiring it is to have 13 hour days (4 hours of which is commuting).  But I know that I am learning so much, and I do enjoy getting to know my patients, and feeling like I'm [hopefully] making a difference in their lives.  When the internship ends, I'm sure I'll miss seeing the people I've gotten to know so well.... but then again.... not having to wake up at 5 am sounds really nice.

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. :)

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

It's been a while...

Why has it been a while?....

Well, that's because life is really hard sometimes.

These last few weeks have taught me that Heavenly Father can take our meager, day-by-day efforts, and make them sufficient to meet our challenges.  I really do believe that this divine strength is conditional upon our faith, patience, and trust in Heavenly Father.  We have weaknesses and challenges so that we turn to our Savior, become humble, and remember that we really do need Him.

As for the details of my life, here's a few highlights:

• I'm now in the 5th week of my internship.  That means after this week, I will be half way done.  To be more precise, I currently have 29 days left.  Not bad, huh?  I'm really getting the hang of things, and becoming quite independent.  It's not nearly as stressful as it was two weeks ago.  
• Yesterday, I attended the Brigham City Temple Dedication.  It was the seventh temple dedication I've been to. (The others are St. Paul, MN, Nauvoo, IL, Palmyra, NY, Winter Quarters, NE, Draper, UT, and Oquirrh Mountain, UT)  I've been so blessed to participate in so many temple dedications.  These occasions carry a special spirit with them...one that brings a renewed desire to keep my life in line with going to the temple.  
• Fall is coming!  The temperatures are cooling off, leaves are starting to turn, and I'm slowly pulling out more cardigans and long-sleeved shirts.  This Minnesota girl couldn't be happier!
• General Conference is now less than two weeks away!  I seriously look forward to General Conference with the same anticipation as I do Christmas.  
• Melatonin has become my new best friend.  There was a recent period of about a whole week when I didn't ever get more than 3 hours of sleep per night.  I would frequently be up until 2 or 2:30 unable to sleep...finally drifting off for a bit before getting up at 5.  Needless to say, this really took a toll on my ability to think, function, and handle stress.  Thanks to the persuasion of some good friends, I tried melatonin, and it has been working wonders (except last night...which was odd).  I simply take half of a 3mg pill, and it does just enough to get me to sleep and help me stay asleep through the night.  I tell ya....sleep is a beautiful thing.  

Well, the bus ride is almost over... more later. :)

Love,

Janelle

Light

Yesterday I had a simple experience that filled my heart with a spirit of love and kindness.  Early in the morning on my bus ride to Salt Lake, a man boarded and the bus and dropped his drivers license as he walked past me.  He didn't notice, and I'm not sure anyone else did besides me.  For a moment I hesitated, embarrassed at the thought of drawing attention to myself.  But the spirit pricked me again to pick up the license and follow the man to his seat.  Thankfully I was quick enough to act before the bus started to move again.  I sat down, and I was suddenly filled with a soft feeling of compassion and peace.  I love how the spirit confirms to us God's love when we serve others--even if it is something so simple as picking up a driver's license.  

I watched a new Mormon Message video tonight that I think gets to the heart of what I experienced yesterday morning.  This video is from Elder Bednar talking about light.  He mentions how this light that each of us are born with is something that moves us to act righteously and reach out to others as the Savior would.  There are actually three short videos in this series from Elder Bednar which discuss various aspects and characteristics of light.  Please take a minute to watch, and feel the spirit ignite this light within you.  

Bring a Sweater

            Traffic right now on I-15 is a beast.  It’s moment like this when I’m glad I’m not driving, but rather spending my time [somewhat] more productively.  My lessons learned from today are these:

1.      I need to bring a sweater to work.  Not only is it getting colder in the early morning hours, but it’s also freezing at the hospital. 

2.      Typically, I’m a quick learner.  I pick up tricks and shortcuts for greater efficiency.  My mind usually does a good job sorting through new information and procedures.  Except for billing.  After a week of practice with charting patient info, I’m finally starting to get it…

3.      I want to be just like my supervisor Kristin…and I told her!

4.      Don’t take a shower at night, sleep on it while it’s drying, attempt to curl it, and then change your mind by straightening it back.  It only results in a pony-tail

5.      I stress a lot about little things (I knew this before, but to be reminded of it is only more stressful.)

6.      Gratitude, perspective, and optimism go a long way.

7.      If we exercise faith in Christ, He really does strengthen us to carry our burdens, that they may be light. (Mosiah 24:14-15)

8.      There are some things I can’t control—like how late the bus may be running.  I’m stuck.  And I may as well learn to sit back and enjoy the ride while I can. 

9.      I need to be more patient with myself as I learn.

10.  Heavenly Father loves me.  I see it every day.

I can’t wait to get home and eat some dinner…

Love,

J