I don’t mention these things to be a downer, or to draw
attention to myself, or to make you all start thinking something is terribly
wrong with me. Because, quite simply, none of these things are true. Rather, as
you all know, I’m an honest person and I also know that many people struggle
with similar things on a regular basis. So, in sharing my struggles, I hope to
encourage those of you who have been feeling the same way. We are normal, I
promise! And, best part is, God is still in control, and loves us even though
we truly are a mess (even at our finest moments).
Enough of my philosophizing. Time for updates all around!
Lots of rotations, per my usual. J
Pediatric ICU Once again, I LOVE peds! I enjoyed being able
to complete assessments of older kiddos (versus the tiny neonates), observe a
new diabetic education for a young child, do an obesity education on my own,
and interact with the peds care teams. I was once again reminded of how
important it is to build camaraderie with patients, considering myself
successful when I cracked a smile out of a previously stone-faced teenaged male
patient. And, as always, the RD’s in this area (as in every area I have been
in) are absolutely amazing. I only hope to one day be as knowledgeable as they!
Behavioral Health Off to psychology! I chose this rotation because I’ve always
been interested in eating disorders (EDO), and UIHC has both partial and
in-patient programs for EDO. Substance abuse and in-patient psychology are also
part of this area, but the primary focus was EDO. Even though I was not as
involved in counseling and assessment (due to the nature of EDO treatment), I
nonetheless learned so much about EDOs and this patient population. It was
interesting to see how interviewing, presenting information, etc., have to be
altered in this area, due to the many other diagnoses and issues experienced by
these individuals. Truly, my heart was daily saddened at what I observed (especially
with the young patients) and the hurts that were visible on these patients’
faces from past abuse, neglect. etc. In
the end, I’m thankful that individuals seek treatment from these disorders, and
that dietitians are able to help them restore their bodies.
Medical ICU Shocking, I know, another ICU. J This ICU is an
incredibly busy area, admitting patients with conditions such as diabetic
ketoacidosis, lung conditions, substance abuse, etc. Always changing and ever
challenging. Naively, I didn’t realize that lung disease was such a common
issue, or overdoses either, for that matter, but this rotation opened my eyes
to both. The MICU dietitian was a nurse before becoming an RD and thus is a
great teacher for how to physically assess patients (examining hair for
nutrient deficiencies, examining skin for edema severity, etc.). Also, given
that she has a minor in biochemistry, she has immense physiological knowledge,
which I thoroughly enjoyed. I just wish I could have soaked up more of her
wisdom!
Surgical Cardiology My last clinical rotation before staff
relief! Looking back, I wish I would have done more cardiology, but I honestly
didn’t think I would enjoy it and thus didn’t pursue it at the time. However, I
really enjoyed this area and am glad for the knowledge I was able to gain. The
surgeries done at UIHC are intensive (left ventricular assist devices, coronary
artery bypass grafts, heart transplants, ECMO, etc.) and dietary precautions
with such patients follow suit. Many biochemical, medication-related, and
lifestyle factors to consider, resulting in challenging and yet rewarding
assessments. I was also able to interact
more with the diet techs and menu system, which made me feel like I was able to
make more of a difference in these patients’ lives. Additionally, my RD
previously worked in renal for many years, so I was glad to be able to gain
even a little of expertise in this area. Oh, and, the other cardiology
dietitian’s name is Martha. Enough said. As much as I enjoyed these rotations, in the last three I particularly noticed a common theme: Lack of hope. From my EDO patients who were struggling with so much, to my MICU patients who tried to overdose one or more times, to my cardiology patients who (often) had been making poor lifestyle choices and now have to deal with the consequences, I’ve been left daily pondering just how much these people need Christ. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I think we need to overtly evangelize while treating patients, or that medical treatment isn’t necessary (because it is). What I have realized is just how dark, dreary, and, at the cost of being repetitive, lacking in hope this world is without Him.
So, friends, I encourage you to ponder just how much Christ
has given us, even in the little things, and realize how completely lost and
helpless we are without Him. That’s what Lent is for, reflecting on our absolute
depravity and need for God’s grace. During this season, I charge you to reflect
on these things, looking forward to the celebration of our Savior’s
resurrection.
Staff relief starts tomorrow! I’m blessed to have received
my choices, which consist of two weeks in NICU and two weeks in in-patient
peds. I know it will be intense, I will be doing lots of research at home, and
I will be daily (and hourly, for that matter), challenged. However, I’m still
excited for this opportunity to learn and gain more experience in these areas. P.S. I ran a 4 mile race today, the Chili Chase in Davenport, IA, in a little under 34 minutes (not sure of the official results yet), which was under my goal time. This was probably due to training with someone who runs significantly faster than my usual speed. Yay for a running buddy! In the end, my time was good enough to be in the top 40 women finishers and receive a sweet new stainless steel travel mug to that effect. Perfect for use during my 7 AM mornings in the NICU. J
