LABOR AND DELIVERY

I am so happy to be in my OB rotation in clinicals and I have had the privilege to be a Nurse in the Post partum unit. Babies are cuties!!

However, I finally had my turn in Labor and Delivery .

Within the first hour of being on my floor, my patients water broke. It seemed more someone threw a bucket of water on the bed...SO MUCH LIQUID!!

spontaneous breakage of the membrane: baby is coming!

After frequent checks, the words finally came: " Yep, you are at 10cm +2 dilated, let's start pushing in a few minutes"

Long story made short, I walked into my patients room at 11:00 am, and literally did not step out of that room until 2:40pm .

I assisted with holding her leg, AKA i had a front row seat to the most beautiful experience a woman can go through. Needless to say, this was my face throughout it:

"ONE MORE PUSH THIS IS IT!!!"....here came the head followed by a splash of amniotic fluid and lots and lots of blood. "Mom, look down and see your baby"...."HOLY CRAP!!"...hahaha her reaction was awesome!! Seconds after suctioning, the body of the baby followed the delivery of the head along with the most beautiful sound in the world: Babie's first breath- its first cry. cut here, cut there, "here dad cut the cord", wipe wipe wipe,..

We immediately placed the baby on mom's chest and welcomed into the world a healthy baby. I was a hot mess crying and saying Happy birthday to the baby <--- haha I WOULD!

The Physician cleaned up the mess of the birth and fixed up what needed to be fixed down there. I stood watching in disgust at how GROSS the body can be...all the things coming out from down there were nasssty. BUT IT IS ALL BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME. WE WOMEN ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE GIFT OF CARRYING LIFE WITHIN US FOR 40 WEEKS.

AMAZING. I still can't believe i experienced this, im so grateful to be a part of such a special day for mom and dad.

Life...is beautiful.

Lately

Life has been a roller coaster ride and i dont know how the heck i'm holding on


Okay, that sounds like i mean it in a bad way, which i don't. I just mean it's been SO BUSY with so many responsibilities that I have no idea how I have the strength to do all of it.

Example of my life:

Monday: wake up at 0500, hit the road at 0545, clinical from 0630-1600. Home, dinner, clinical prep work for Tuesday, bed.

Tuesday: Wake up at 0430, hit the road by 0500, clinical from 0545-1900, home shower dinner BED!

Wednesday: sleep in FINALLY. homework, study study study, work, study study, BED!

Thursday: wake at 0600, school till 1400, work, home dinner bed.

Friday: Wake at 0600, school till 1400, work, home, PLAY TIME, BED.

Saturday: WORK WORK, study study study, Church calling, PLAY TIME. bed.

Sunday: THANK GOODNESS FOR MY BELOVED SABBATH!! i can breathe!!


okay, so laying it out it doesn't seem TOO bad. But when i barely have time for my family i know i have to prioritize better. School is ripping me apart but im grateful to be doing well.

Clinicals have been an adventure. I learned that i am a lot more emotional than i thought i was. You won't ever see me crying over a boy or something like that,..but you will see me bawl with some of these special patients i've had that have touched my life. Im grateful for my career choice and grateful for supporting parents that have dinner waiting for me when i get home from a 14 hour day. For my mom's kindness in doing my laundry cause she see's me asleep over my books after a long day of clinicals. I'm so lucky!

Life has been full but im learning so much and growing so much. I have a sweet fella that im dating and he has been so supportive with school and doesn't complain on how little time i make for him. Nothing serious with him, we're still getting to know each other but i'm just grateful for his understanding and patience with me and for the sweet friendship i have with him.

Also, I GET TO GO TO PERU IN 6 WEEKS!!!!!!! AHHH IM SO EXCITED I COULD PEE!!

i.am.grateful.

Alma The Younger,...??

So, many of you know the story of Alma the Younger. Wicked at one time but righteous after a sincere change of heart. Probably one of my favorite stories because it shows how it's never too late to come unto Christ and repent of our sins.

But here's my dilemma, what does a worthy Young Woman do when faced with the decision of dating a modern day Alma the Younger?

This modern day Alma the Younger is a recent convert with the sweetest testimony of our Savior. I love every bit of the conversion story and it's all a testimony builder to me on the truthfulness of the Church. I know Satan tempts us the most when we are trying our hardest to live righteously but I know our Savior knows the righteous desires of our heart.

So what if my modern day alma the younger recently fell into temptation and went against the word of wisdom? I believe in the righteous desires of the heart but when it comes to dating a modern day Alma, it's a lot harder to see the big picture.

So, should a dating relationship with a modern day Alma the Younger be put on hold and establish just a friendship until they strengthen themselves, or should a dating relationship continue and hope he doesn't fall into temptation again?


- Oh the beauty of life and choices!

why can't people read minds?

seriously.

dumb moment

Today was my first day of Junior year in the Nursing Program.

I was exhausted cause i'd studied all night for a medical math test we had to take today and with those tests, if you dont get 100% you dont pass medications in clinicals.

Anyways, keep in mind im tired.


LUNCH TIME: My friends and I run down stairs for some hot pizza. The pizza is in one of those rotating pizza racks.

" great, how am i supposed to get it?" i thought to myself.

I stood there calculating the correct timing of when to grab my piece of pizza as the rack rotates in circles. "1, 2...3!!" I went for it and BOOM BABY! i grab my pizza...SUCCESS!!


Then i hear a guy laugh and say "See that button that says STOP next to the door of the rack? That's to stop it from rotating so you can grab your pizza. I saw you start to calculate when to go for it and was going to tell you about the button but...I thought i'd get my laughter in for the day"....THANKS JERK!


PIZZA RACK 1:DARLENE 0

On a good note, I aced my medical math test with flying colors.

I have a huge fat crush...

...on the one and only, RYAN GOSLING...aw yeah!

We all know "Remember the Titans" and his young cute self...

and he dances...


(i couldn't find a better version)


And of course, the legendary tear jerker, "The Notebook"...

...and then a certain movie that, let's be honest, was crappy. "Lars and the Real Girl". It stunk but...whatevs he's creepy and cute.

AND THEN....*cough*...*breathe*...I saw a little movie named "CRAZY STUPID LOVE"...and woah. Ryan manly spicy spice Gosling is...handsome. no, not handsome. Smoking. No not smoking...SEXY! I can't even handle it.

AH!


AND AS IF HE WASNT ALREADY A TALENTED ACTOR...I FOUND THIS LITTLE JEWEL....




Yep,...HE SINGS!! haha ...sigh. Oh ryan!

cholycystectomy- July 12th, 2011

That's me in the pre-op stage. I had already been prepped with my IV and monitors. I felt pretty calm knowing that i was going to be in good hands for surgery. I met my entire OR team and they were hilarious and so knowledgeable on the procedure. I asked about a million questions and they answered every one with a smile.


Around 1:15 my RN anesthetist put some morphine in my IV as well as a sedative that would start my anesthesia. At that point they asked me to say "see ya later" to my parents and i remember doing so.

HOWEVER, my surgeon said that after i said bye to my dad, they began pushing my bed toward the OR room and that i flung my arms in the air and said "WEEEEE!! WEEEE!" ....awesome, i WOULD do something like that. hahaa!! (i definitely dont remember it though, so i wonder what else i did)

I remember opening my eyes a little bit when voices were asking me to push myself unto the surgical bed. I remember barely opening my eyes and seeing the lights above me.


about an hour later, I remember hearing the sound of oxygen and feeling the face mask on me. I remember hearing "Darlene, ohh darling darlene we are all done now, can you open your eyes for me?"...I slowly opened my eyes to my cutie nurses who were hovering over me. I remember saying I was cold so my nurse ran and got me warm blankees. The oxygen was left on for a little bit as i fell in and out of "sleep". It wasn't until 3:30 that my parents were able to be back in the room.

I dont remember a whole lot cause i was in and out of consciousness, but i do remember feeling so comforted by the spirit and not scared at all.

after surgery.

I have some sweet pictures of my gallbladder but im too weak to get up to scan it. i've been in a lot of pain but the pain killers help a lot. I can walk a little faster today which is awesome and i can actually FINALLY lay on my side without feeling agonizing pain. I still can't laugh but i can at least talk. I lost my voice due to being intubated.

I have the most amazing testimony of friends. I have been blessed with amazing sisters who have brought me flowers, and goodies and have come over to spend some time with me. They've called me or text me but they keep checking up on me. Granted i dont remember a whole lot, i do remember feeing their love and care. It's a sweet feeling to know i have amazing, true friends who are willing to drop whatever they have to spend a few minutes with me. They're amazing and im so grateful for them.


Im still recovering, slowly but surely. Chances are i wont remember posting this so, stay tuned for a later posting with sweet pics of my gallbladder :)