One of my patients at the cancer center gives me a new recipe to try every week. Usually I don't make them, because I don't cook for myself nor do I have the money to go out and buy groceries. However, he was genuinely disappointed that I hadn't tried anything lately, so I made it to the store this weekend to try one of his meals. It was like a shrimp scampi casserole bake, and it was actually really good. To me, cooking a meal is not a big deal whatsoever. However, that's what I love about the older generation, is that they take pride in everything they do, and they make "the little things" very important to them. This is definitely something to be aware of when I start being a PA and working with elderly patients.

Last Friday I experienced my first time going into volunteer at the ER and not being 100% gung-ho about it. I think the biggest reason was that the night before I only got two hours of sleep, so I was a little mellowed out. Normally only getting two hours of sleep would put me in a big funk, just from my past of being an athlete and constantly feeling the extreme importance of getting a full night's sleep each night. However, it wasn't a big deal for me. I figured it was great practice for when I do rotations and are on call for 24 hours at a time.

I did meet some very interesting people in my rounds. I talked with people from all walks of life. It was great in one case, because I asked one patient how she was feeling, and she said "Well, I have an acoustic neuroma..." to which I nodded understandingly, and she says "Wait, you know that that is?!" I explained to her that I had studied it before, and she was so tickled. After listening to her describe her symptoms and the troubles she had with balance, I asked her if she had received any PT to help ameliorate her problems. She then replied that she had been referred to my undergrad's Center for Balance and Mobility, but because of life circumstances hadn't made it over. Small world, huh :) The person behind my school's Balance Center was one of my main professors whom I had for Neurophysiology and Disorders of Voluntary Movement, where we learned all about problems with the vestibular system. Needless to say, I think she'll be heading over there sometime soon to receive treatment! They just built a brand new facility which is incredible. Actually, the final for my Disorders class required us to "design" the interior of the facility and create a sample workout for people with balance disorders. It's a great place for people to go to who are experience balance problems, whether it be from muscle weakness, or vestibular malfunction, or what have you.

PS--My new favorite show on tv = Hopkins!! Airs on ABC Thursday nights at 10, or you can watch the episodes online. It's a six part documentary following various doctors at Johns Hopkins. I've seen open heart surgery, heart and lung transplants, and so many other cool things. :-)