We are still working on the house when we get a chance, but not near as often as I'd hoped. We should see primer around the windows within a week or so if the weather holds out for us. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Since the last post, I have started my clinical rotations for the Respiratory Therapy program. My rotation this semester is at University Hospital. I have been throughout several floors. We are still pretty new at everything, so what we do is pretty simple.
I have learned many things by working in the hospital outside of my normal sleep capacity. I have learned to not play with pipe bombs. It is always a bad deal when they explode in your hands. I have also learned that if you are being pursued by police officers, shooting yourself in an attempt to blame them for the gunshot doesn't work out. Based on the general expertise given to us by CSI, it would appear pretty easy to determine none of the police shot him....
On Thursday, I was on the Cystic Fibrosis floor. The U is an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Clinic. I have recently researched CF and it was very interesting, and rewarding to work with patients that have CF.
CF is a genetic disease that affects 30,000 people within the United States. Due to so few being affected, the federal government does not provide any funding for research. As of 2006, the life expectancy of a CF patient was 37 years. In 1985 is was 22, in 1969 it was 12, and in 1955 it was only 5 years. CF is a digestive disease which the body creates too much salt. This affects body secretions, meaning that they cannot digest food properly, and their lungs and sinuses fill with thick mucous. Those with CF typically die of respiratory failure.
A typical 2 week visit to the clinic at the U runs approximately $40,000. Most patients come in multiple times a year. They provide rest, medications, and treatments necessary to increase their lung capacity. Lung transplantion is a possibility, however it does not cure the disease. The body is unable to produce normal mucous, therefore a lung transplant is not a cure, it just increases the life span.
Sorry this is song long, but I am also including some funny things from work this week. Perhaps it is because I am always tired, but these really struck me funny. For a little background, our Doctors have the patients fill out an 11 page questionnaire to give them a good medical history, family history, and life style habits. Some of the following responses were hilarious.
This patient's exercise regiment eincludes "walk to car".
This patient's general complaint is... "I cannot get to many women to sleep with me."
This patient was really funny. He has a PhD in Physics. His "Other significant conditions" include: Back trouble, morbid obesity, and excessive intellect."
Preview for next post: I have new RT manikin pictures! Super creepy!
