Thursday, May 28, 2009

My 3rd week of Clinical.......Hummmm

I have just finished my 3rd week of Clinical in my 2nd Practicum (as an RCA) and all I have to say so far about this new experience of mine is that every day so far has not been dull. The residents that I am working with are total care (I do every thing for them) and they all are in the middle to late middle stages of Dementia of various types. So far I have been kicked, pinched, hit, had my scrubs yanked at, been told that I am hated while performing A.M Care (and I don't blame them when they say they hate me, I would hate it to if I was being turned this way and that!) I am counting my lucky stars that I haven't had shoe thrown at me, yet, and I haven't been spit at...so far. As a rule of thumb as I am learning is to always have two sets of work cloths on my person at all times while working.

But aside from the physical and some verbal abuse that I am enduring dealing with this people in Dementia, there is a lighter, even funny side to it all and these are things that I like to bring home with me at the end of the day and in a weird way it is what makes it all worth while.

Remembering back to my first Practicum I was working with an elderly lady. She was in the late first stage of her Dementia and was quite aware that something was not quite right in her world. She was charming and loved to tell stories about her childhood and as it turned out her and I had things in common. On my second week at this facility, I was running late and I did not have a chance to my first coffee in the morning. I was tired and couldn't wait for my coffee break. As I was counting down the minutes, I decided to sit with my elderly lady while she counted down the minutes for her lunch. We got talking and as we were talking, she stopped and looked at me and declared that I looked tired. I said I was and I looked over at her neighbour who was sleeping soundly in her wheel chair, I decided to tell her that I wish that I was able to take a nap. My elderly lady grabbed my hand, looked at me very seriously and told me that was not a good idea because that is when things go missing! (From the memory banks.) That really did put a smile on my face.

She was my first resident and I don't think that I will ever forget that moment.

Monday, May 18, 2009

A little rain is nice....

After a really hot day yesterday it is nice to have some rain today. Yesterday was a prelude of what is yet to come. We sat outside on the front lawn, we had the sand box converted as a wading pool for the little one and we stayed out the whole afternoon and sipped cooler and cider - just enjoying life.

Today I am really enjoying the rain. Not raining to hard, not raining to soft - but just right. And the Temperature is just right to, not to hot and not to cold. Perfect for sitting outside on the deck listening to rain on the roof and watching my flowers grow. However, no coolers and ciders today - we have a 4:30 a.m. start tomorrow.

Friday, May 15, 2009

On the mend.....

It has been a long couple of weeks with my friend the Cold Virus and a bothersome Bacteria that decided to squat in my ears. I visited my doctor and was given an eviction notice for the Bacteria and with great excitement the Bacteria has moved on. So now it is just me and my friend the Cold Virus. I will most likely be sick for the next couple of weeks, but I have great hopes that my friend will find an other host to visit - soon.

I have just finished my first week of my second clinical placement working with complex care residents. And "Oh Boy" I see why care facilities have a hard time finding good care workers to look after these poor souls. Some of them are very Demented. It really takes a spacial person to do this job. I have been given my first two residents to look after so my work load is light. Next week I am to look after two residents and find my third to do. At the end of week five my goal is to have five complex care residents.

And Super Turtle if your out there I am no longer an Enema virgin.....I gave my first Enema yesterday with great results!!! Not that the world really needed to know that.

Anyways CHEERS and have a GREAT LONG WEEKEND.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mothers Day...

Wow, It's Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day Mom....
I will call you in a couple of days when my hearing is better. (ear infection in both ears)

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Friday - last day of classes......



Classes must be coming to an end when teachers are wanting to get photo's of their classes. This particular teacher said that this class photo was special because we were her first 3 term class. Kinda makes me feel fuzzy inside. Yesterday was my skill check test - and yes I past, no classes until Friday (Exam Day). After that it is all Clinical. If you look close, I am the one wearing the purple gown with the leg bag on. Don't ask.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Open Season for Campers and Drivers on the way to Sooke Pot Holes....

Yup, it be that time of year again where I will see an influx of camper's, teen drivers and roll overs on my way to and from work, school and personal shopping on my road that I live on. With the weather warming up and Softball season opening and not to mention our biggest attraction that we have at the end of the road: The Sooke Pot Holes. A very popular place for teens and other weather fanatics and not to mention camper's. It is also a place where the R.C.M.P love to conduct Roadblocks for Drinking and Driving, Seatbuilt checks and Safety checks.


So Drivers beware. Make sure you have your papers handy and no forgotten Drivers licences - happened to me and other's that I know (and I live here!)....just driving to the corner store for cigarettes - why bring the wallet, right?

This blog entree is for people who are googling The Sooke Pot Holes and have come across my Blog. The PotHoles are somewhat over populated on the week-ends. But a very nice place to visit.

So here is some Road Block tips.

Nice weather - expect a Road Block and a delay of 20-30 minutes!! Yes it is that busy on our small road in the summer. Arrive early and if you are going to drink, please don't drive and have no open beers in the car (THEY LOVE THAT). Have everything ready to hand over to the R.C.M.P to make the flow faster for us all.

I have seen alot of accidents (a bad one not less then 100m from where I live not to long ago) on this road; alot of very sharp corners and the road gets very narrow towards the end when you start to get close the Pot Holes - Slowdown and watch out for people crossing the road. Have a good time.