First Day of Being Vegan

I went to my primary care physician the other day to get a yearly physical and got my lab results back for my liver enzymes. One of the enzymes returned slightly elevated in my liver function test: specifically the alanine aminotransferase (ALT). For those of you who don't know, an increased presence of ALT in the blood signifies liver inflammation. In order for ALT to be present in the blood, hepatocytes (liver cells) must be damaged due to some sort of etiology. Concerned, I asked my doctor for an abdominal ultrasound. The results returned showing that I have some fat in my liver, which really isn't a big problem at all... there aren't any big issues that can arise from a fatty liver, but all that it really means is that I have been eating very badly lately. In fact, research shows that a vast majority of Americans who are "overweight" or have a non-ideal body mass index (BMI) have increased ALT enzymes and a fatty liver. The condition really is benign and doesn't warrant any medical intervention. I just think it's time for me to change my eating habits.


I mean, I eat like the worst foods known to man; therefore, I've decided to give the vegan diet a try to see if I could improve my health and feel better while I'm at it! Today is my first day, and I can say that it is very difficult. I don't think my gastrointestinal tract is acquainted to this and I'm already feeling fatigued and lethargic. I'll keep you guys updated on how this goes... if it even goes at all. 

What ACTUALLY Happens To Your Body When You Eat Sugar???

I received a lot of messages asking about the effects of sugar on the body. Have you ever wondered what sugar ACTUALLY does to your body? Here is the scoop on the step-by-step physiological events that happen when you consume candy, soda or any of your favorite sweets:

1. Your teeth: Once sugar enters your mouth, the teeth are the first victims. Candy and sugar cling to your molars and other teeth. The sugar will mix with bacteria in your mouth, creating an acid that can start breaking down protective tooth enamel. Erosion of tooth enamel occurs. This means you get sensitive teeth and possibly, a cavity!!

2. Your stomach: Obviously, you swallow the sugar into your somach. After about 15 minutes in your stomach, the sugar passes to the small intestine, where your body metabolizes the sugar into glucose and fructose molecules. Both are then broken down further, enabling them to pass into the bloodstream!

3. Your blood: A surge of glucose enters your bloodstream, with blood levels peaking about 30 minutes after you've eaten. At this point, your pancreas is working its BUTT OFF to pump out extra insulin to deal with the glucose influx. Meanwhile, the fructose is heading for your liver!!

4. Your brain: After all of that, insulin begins rushing the glucose throughout your body, giving you a surge of energy for the next two hours! Your brain cells actually run solely on glucose so a binge delivers a huge fuel infusion here and you may feel more "alert." Sugar also activates the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are neurochemicals linked with pleasure and reward--- hence, the sugar high. The effects, however, are short-lived and you eventually drop into a "low."

5. Your cells: About two hours after eating, your body has burned through all the glucose it could process and GUESS WHAT? It stores any extra glucose as FAT... and it also turned the fructose into BLOOD FAT!! With no sugar available, insulin and blood glucose levels dip, leaving you feeling cloudy and lethargic. Guess what happens next? You reach for more sweets to achieve that high again which will only cause the cycle to repeat. Grab a piece of fruit and get a natural (and longer-lasting) sugar boost instead.

How do you get "highs" without "lows" ?

You want to eat sweets after a balanced meal. Digesting everything together slows the surge of glucose into your bloodstream, which helps to keep energy levels steady! Also, limit those desserts and other favorite sweets because too much can lead to other avoidable health conditions and of course, you will gain weight.

Ti Nhong

Some Easy Ways to Eat Less in 2012!

Lots of us tend to say that we'll lose weight or eat less in the new year, but after a few weeks or days of commiting, we give up or say, "I'll do it next year." I work in the medical field, and I still have trouble sometimes getting proper nutrition everyday! Here are some easy ways you could put into practice that may reduce the amount of foods you consume :)

As a medical professional, I have found the following things very helpful in maintaining a healthy weight:

1. To maintain a healthy weight, you should do things that reduce stress and increase serotonin. Serotonin is sometimes known as the "happy hormone." Serotonin is actually a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. It is the modulation of serotonin at our synapses that is thought to be a major action of several classes of pharmacological antidepressants. Research does show that serotonin helps to reduce appetite and higher levels make you more likely to burn fat!! So make sure to find things in your life that will make you smile a lot!

2. As some of you know, nuts help to reduce your appetite because they are packed with proteins which help to make you feel "full" longer. In a study done at Eastern Illinois University, people who were given shell-less pistachios ate 211 calories' worth while those who had the in-shell variety (you crack 'em open) consumed only 125 calories in the same sitting. The point is the slower you are forced to eat, the quicker you will be satisfied or "full."

3. Use your fork or spoon in your non-dominant hand. You'll be more mindful of what you're eating and probably end up consuming less. (If you're not Thai or Chinese, you might not be an expert at using chopsticks, so try eating with chopsticks, especially if you're not a pro. You'll definitely eat slower.) Just have plenty of napkins on hand. The slower you eat, the less you may eat.

4. Add protein to your bison. Grill up a 3-ounce buffalo steak every now and then. It has only 148 calories and 4 grams of fat. Plus, the 26 grams of lean protein in that bison steak can keep you satisfied enough to decline dessert.

5. Wake up early!! According to a study done at Northwestern University, late risers not only eat more calories (almost 200 more at dinner and another 375 after 8 p.m.) but also eat more unhealthily than those who wake up around 8 a.m.

6. Eat with the opposite sex. A study done at the State University of New York at Buffalo shows that people eat 37% less when they eat with a spouse or partner than when they dine out with their buddies.

7. Lastly, although it'll make your body and organs happy if you consume less food, it's important to still consume the proper amount of foods recommended by dietary guidelines.

Here is a link to the USDA's Food Pyramid:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/Fpyr/pmap.htm

Make sure you always drink plenty of water (8 cups/day) so that your cells and organs are able to perform properly. Staying hydrated and eating properly allows for your defense mechanisms to proliferate in your body so that they can do their job in defending your health from "the bad guys."

If you aren't getting the proper amount of foods and nutrients, talk to your primary care provider about adding to your diet: vitamin supplements. Always keep your medical provider in the loop about any changes in your diet, especially if you have health conditions that depend on a certain prescribed daily diet!

Happy Eating!
Ti Nhong

Amazing Skin Care Product: Nerium AD

Never have I been so amazed by skin care product as I have with this one. It's called Nerium AD. I've just started using it for about 5 days now, and my skin has changed dramatically! Everyone knows that I used to work with a plastic surgeon, so I know all the "ins" and "outs" of skin care, but never have I seen a product like this one! You start to see results in just 5 days of using it!

It helps with: fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (when you have dark spots on your skin), uneven skin texture, enlarged pores, aging or sun-damaged skin.

For me, it has gotten rid of all my acne, and my acne scars are hardly noticeable, and it has only been 5 days of using it!! The large pores on my nose and cheeks are gone! And it also gets rid of all black heads!
My skin looks & feels like it did when I was like... 12 years old.

And the awesome part about this product is you only have to use this ONE product. There's not a lot of stuff you have to use, and you only apply it at night! I am using this to replace ALL of my skin care products! I just wash my face and then apply this serum at night. Your skin just looks so different in the morning after using it! And for those of you who don't have trouble skin, this serum seriously just improves overall skin texture!

I am a medical professional, and trust me, it takes A LOT to amaze me this much! I am so glad that I found this product because I don't have to worry about acne, large pores, blackheads and other annoying spots on my skin anymore. You guys seriously have to try this! I can give you a sample of it too!

I'll keep you updated on my further usage of this product, but seriously, only 5 days!

Dealing With Winter Blues

Does the winter time make you sad or depressed? There are a lot of people who undergo mood changes which can range from mild "fall/winter blues" to severe Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which can mostly be attributed to the decrease in daylight that occurs during the fall and winter months. This decrease actually causes hormonal changes in your body, which can affect your mood significantly. And of course, if you live in Seattle, you never see the sun!


SAD is a serious disorder that is a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder in which your life can severely be burdened by low mood, fatigue, anxiety, reduced sex drive and many more symptoms. SAD is really just a tiny aspect of the entire realm of depression. Many of us experience similar but less severe symptoms which makes us just short of being clinically depressed. And I think that's just, well, sad!      


Here's a few things you can do to prevent or treat symptoms of SAD:       


1. Don't hit the snooze button. Oversleeping, even if on the weekends, causes your circadian rhythms to drift later, which can cause the lethargy and SAD symptoms associated with winter.


2. You should eat at the same time daily and never after 8 p.m. for dinner. Just as with light, our circadian rhythms respond to meal times as well.


3. To counter the season's reduction in light, create it by purchasing a light-therapy box (a box that emits bright light that mimics natural outdoor light, which is more intense than normal household. I believe anybody can benefit from light therapy. It's just a highly convenient and effective breakfast-table routine. By the time you're done with your eggs and the paper, you'll likely have received enough therapy to prevent any mood shifts and stay energetic throughout the day. I recommend light boxes that have been clinically tested and provide a broad field of illumination from above the line of sight.
Also, UV radiation should be filtered out, and the light should be smoothly diffused, to eliminate glaring bright spots.


4. To a lesser extent, indoor light can also help combat symptoms of SAD. But you don't need full-spectrum light bulbs. Instead of scouring the aisles for full-spectrum bulbs, I suggest you choose light bulbs based on color temperature ratings. A color temperature around 4100 Kelvin is ideal. Higher color temperatures of 5500 Kelvin and above should be avoided.


Still feeling blue, despite actively trying to brighten your days? You may have clinical depression. To get an objective assessment of where you fall on the seasonal-depression spectrum, check out the Center for Environmental Therapeutics' Personal Inventory for Depression and SAD, an online symptom self-assessment at www.cet.org. And, of course, consult your doctor.

How To Give A Good Compliment and Boost Your Self-Esteem

There’s nothing like a warm, sincere compliment to make your day. Instead of waiting for one, why not give one out? Take it from me, the more you give, the more you find you’ll receive.

1) Make your compliment specific.

“That necklace looks really good on you” makes a bigger impact compared to “you look really good today”. The more specific, the better it makes the person feel like you notice them.

2) Back up your compliment.

Don’t just stop at “that necklace looks really good on you.” Your compliment becomes stronger when you say why you think so: “that necklace looks really good on you because it matches your eyes."

3) Ask a question with your compliment.

And if you want to use it as a conversational starter, ask a question about the subject of your compliment: “that necklace looks really good on you because it matches your eyes. Where did you find it?”

Why Giving Compliments Raises Your Self-Esteem:

It takes confidence and self-esteem to notice good things about others and to make the first caring move to tell them about it. 

When I first started giving compliments, I was awkward and shy about it. I kept wondering if I would offend them in some way or make people suspicious about what I wanted from them.

I’ve since discovered that a sincere compliment is always a boost to someone’s day. There will be those that reject it or will even argue with you, but that’s usually their problem and not yours. A compliment is like a gift, if someone doesn’t want your gift, you’ll still end up owning it. The best way to accept one is also like a gift, just say, "thank you."

You’ll also find when you start noticing good things about people, you’ll notice more good things about yourself as well! And the more you do, the more your own self-esteem will grow.

Ti Nhong

walking away...

I think I'm missing somebody.

I find myself struggling with words this morning, trying to express how I feel.  I'm missing someone a lot.  I'm missing the little things that mean so much to me.  Glancing over to see if she is online so we can talk or chat.  Hearing her voice, hearing her laugh.  Checking to see if she has had time to write.  Looking to see if she's posted anything that I can read online.

I would like to know if I will hear her voice again.  I'm trying to be strong.  She has her own life to live, her own family to be with, just as I have my own.  But I am missing her terribly...  I just hope she is enjoying the time with her family and everyone else.

I see her when I close my eyes, but it's not enough.  I hear her voice in the back of my head, but it isn't the same... And I know that she'd tell me I'm obsessed because of all of this. And I'd admit that I am.  I couldn't, wouldn't deny it...

But at least I feel and see her when I close my eyes and dream.  I know my love for her is so strong and true-- she completes me.  Even if we can't talk, I know she's there. 

The only thing is it hurts knowing that we were so close, and I had so much to say and tell her.

But now... all I can do is watch her walk away from me. 

I will be okay though. I just need to realize that it's time for me to walk away too. I'm walking away from the troubles-- to find a better day. I'm sorry to say, but... I'm walking away. 

the purpose of life

Take a moment to think about this question, "Are you living your dreams?"

If the answer is no, then ask yourself, "why not?" Life is short, and you never know when it will come to an end. Do you really want to say that you lived a life of unfulfilled dreams?

But "hold it!" you say, "I'm waiting for the perfect time" or "I'm waiting for the perfect situation." All this waiting is an excuse not to go out and try. Or, maybe it's not that you are "waiting" per se, but rather that you are afraid.

So, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid of making a mistake? Afraid of making the wrong choice? Are you afraid that you may not be good enough, or that the people around you might laugh at your dreams, or won't support you? Are your fears enough to stop you?

And what happens if you do end up living your dreams? Are you afraid that once you get there, then you'll have to live them? Meaning that what you've been talking about for so long will now come to fruition and you might not actually succeed?

I find that fear is the number one reason that people do not live their dreams. Fear holds us back, sometimes paralyzing us, and prevents us from moving forward. But, when you look back at your life, what do you want it to be about? Do you want to say, "I could have" or "I did"? The choice is yours. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

check your compass periodically

I will be celebrating another birthday this August 5th and, as I occasionally do, I glanced over my shoulder to see where I've come from, and then peered ahead to confirm where I was going. Priorities change, situations change, views change, and I find it comforting to check my compass periodically and make sure I'm still on course for what I desire.
Such is my life: a series of adventures within adventures. Each having its own course and destination. Why the planning and periodic comfirmations? It lessens my angst about where I'm going, and helps me get back on track if I get blown off course. It's life right? So storms are always possible.
There are lots of ways to stay on track. I write my goals and steps to get there in a little yellow book. Whether I've got too much on my plate and need to prioritize or too little and need to fill free time, my action is the same. I glance at my goals and get really honest with myself about whether I'm doing the right things to achieve them. If something is missing, I add it. If something is unnecessary, it's gone.
Life is too short to just be busy without being productive. No matter what the goal, whether it's your health, wealth or something else, choose your destination, set your course, and check your compass every once in a while. You'll thank yourself for it!
Yeah, another birthday... I'm gettin' old!

Vitamins Essential for YOU

Women 20 to 40:  

D3: 1000 IU daily.

F (folate): 800 mcg daily. (can also be known as folic acid, folicin, or vitamin B9)

Niacin: at least 30 mg daily, preferably more. (check with your doctor if you are on a statin drug)

Pantothenic acid: 300 mg daily.

Calcium: 500 mg twice a day in divided doses (you cannot absorb more than 600 mg at a time)

Magnesium: 400 mg daily.

Selenium: 200 mcg daily.

Potassium: 4 fruit servings plus a normal diet should do it.

Omega-3: 1 gm of distilled fish oil or 6 walnuts daily.

Co-enzyme Q-10: 200 mg daily if on a statin, hypertensive, or diabetic.

Women 40 to 50:

D3: 1000 IU daily.

F (folate): 400 mcg daily. (can also be known as folic acid, folicin, or vitamin B9)

Niacin: at least 30 mg daily, preferably more. (check with your doctor if you are on a statin drug)
Pantothenic acid: 300 mg daily.
Calcium: 600 mg three-times a day in divided doses (you cannot absorb more than 600 mg at a time)
Magnesium: 400 mg daily.
Selenium: 200 mcg daily.
Potassium: 4 fruit servings plus a normal diet should do it.
Omega-3: 1 gm of distilled fish oil or 6 walnuts daily.
Co-enzyme Q-10: 200 mg daily if on a statin, hypertensive, or diabetic.
Aspirin: 162 mg a day (check with your doctor) with 2 glasses of warm water.

Women 50 and up:
D3: 1000 IU daily.
Pantothenic acid: 300 mg daily.
Calcium: 600 mg three-times a day in divided doses (you cannot absorb more than 600 mg at a time)
Magnesium: 600 mg daily.
Selenium: 200 mcg daily.
Potassium: 4 fruit servings plus a normal diet should do it.
Omega-3: 1 gm of distilled fish oil or 6 walnuts daily.
Co-enzyme Q-10: 200 mg daily if on a statin, hypertensive, diabetic, or if over 62.
Aspirin: 162 mg a day (check with your doctor) with 2 glasses of warm water.

Men 20 to 35:
D3: 1000 IU daily.
Pantothenic acid: 300 mg daily.
Calcium: 500 mg twice daily (you cannot absorb more than 600 mg at a time)
Magnesium: 400 mg daily.
Selenium: 200 mcg daily.
Zinc: 15 mg daily.
Potassium: 4 fruit servings plus a normal diet should do it.
Omega-3: 1 gm of distilled fish oil or 6 walnuts daily.
Co-enzyme Q-10: 200 mg daily if on a statin, hypertensive, or diabetic.

Men 35 to 50:
D3: 1000 IU daily.
Pantothenic acid: 300 mg daily.
Calcium: 600 mg twice daily (you cannot absorb more than 600 mg at a time)
Magnesium: 400 mg daily.
Selenium: 200 mcg daily.
Zinc: 15 mg daily.
Potassium: 4 fruit servings plus a normal diet should do it.
Tumeric: As much as you want but at least 1/2 teaspoon of strong mustard or a curry dish daily.
Omega-3: 1 gm of distilled fish oil or 6 walnuts daily.
Co-enzyme Q-10: 200 mg daily if on a statin, hypertensive, or diabetic.
Aspirin: 162 mg a day (check with your doctor) with 2 glasses of warm water.

Men 50 and up:
D3: 1000 IU daily.
Pantothenic acid: 300 mg daily.
Calcium: 600 mg twice daily (you cannot absorb more than 600 mg at a time)
Magnesium: 400 mg daily.
Selenium: 200 mcg daily.
Potassium: 4 fruit servings plus a normal diet should do it.
Acetyl-L: 750 mg twice daily (while this one comes in dehydrated beef protein, Carnitine, that's not so appetizing, so I recommend the supplement.
Tumeric: As much as you want but at least 1/2 teaspoon of strong mustard or a curry dish daily.
Omega-3: 1 gm of distilled fish oil or 6 walnuts daily.
Co-enzyme Q-10: 200 mg daily if on a statin, hypertensive, diabetic, or if over 62.
Aspirin: 162 mg a day (check with your doctor) with 2 glasses of warm water.

Remember, it's always best to get these nutrients naturally through your diet, but if you are unable to eat nutritiously, be sure to supplement your diet accordingly. Please discuss any changes to your diet with your primary care provider! Good luck!

about feeling alone

Of the many studies I have read concerning health and longevity, they have all agreed that people in relationships were generally healthier and lived longer than those who weren't. Yet, there are people out there, on their own, who live long, happy, and healthy lives. Others, surrounded by friends and family, are miserable and die young. How is this possible?

Perhaps these studies could have looked at the data in a different way. What if they divided surveyed people into two groups-- those in a healthy relationship with themselves, and those who were not? After all, some of my best mentors and pastors taught me that if you don't love yourself, you can't really love another.

Have you seen this? People, content with themselves, glow when alone and shine even more when they are partnered? Conversely, people, unhappy with themselves, look discontent no matter where they are or who they're with. What if feeling alone is all about attitude and not about the lack of actual company? I've known some awfully lonely people who were physically surrounded by others. At times, I've been one of those folks.

I think it happens to many of us throughout our lives. We have moments when it seems nobody is cheering for us, not even ourselves. It's important to see those times as just passing moments, something that we experience and move beyond. We need to be there for ourselves, and we need to know that He is always there for us even when we feel most alone. We are never really alone because when we eagerly seek Him, He continually reveals Himself to us. After all this time, I have finally come to understand that it's when I'm alone that I begin to realize that I am NOT.

Another summer day has come and gone away-- in Paris and Rome, but I want to go home...

"I may be surrounded by a million people, but I still feel all alone. I just want to go home."

I've been away from home since the beginning of my freshman year in college: 2004, and I haven't returned back to my parents-- back to where I called "home" before Seattle. When I was home, I wanted to leave so badly-- to experience being on my own and to escape from the ever-so-tight grasp of my parents. I wanted to be educated, to think new ideas, and discover a new "me," but now I feel that I've done all that.

"Another aeroplane-- another sunny place-- I'm lucky, I know, but I want to go home."

I miss having a simple life where I didn't have to worry about rushing to the coffee shop every morning and driving thirty minutes to work. I miss having dinner ready and parents who are always there to lecture me in the evenings-- being a child.

"Another summer day has come and gone away-- in Paris and Rome, but I want to go home..."

It might be time for me to return home.

Before the Sunrise

I actually woke up really early this morning several hours before my alarm clock and made myself some coffee and breakfast... I went outside to my little herb garden and picked some fresh cilantro and made a scrambled egg sandwich. It is very unusual because I never wake up voluntarily before the sunrise unless I have to go to the hospital or to school.
My morning: A simple prayer of thanks and praise, breakfast and a cup of coffee, morning news, and the fading embers of last night's fire... what a great way to start the morning!

Fish Tank

I've been in my apartment for almost a year now, but my fish tank has been empty the entire time. I guess I haven't had the motivation to do anything with it until now. I recently went out with a couple friends and bought some fish for the tank. They are Gourami fish from Thailand, and the picture above is my actual tank. The tank is sitting in my living room, and sometimes, I just sit and stare at the fish swimming. It really calms me down from a long and rigorous day. I always look forward to coming home and feeding them. Once they sense my presence in the room, they all swim up to the glass to greet me. I am glad that I am appreciated :)

Puppy Love?

 

How do you know you like somebody? I mean like really like-like somebody and not just "puppy love." Wikipedia defines puppy love as: "an informal term for feelings of love between young people during childhood and adolescence, so-called for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection of a puppy."

So how do you know when you really like somebody and when it's not just puppy love? 

Is it when you can't stop smiling when you see her? Is it when you feel a burning sensation or butterflies in your stomach when you're near her? Or is it when everything she says makes you laugh and smile? Or is it when you can't stand seeing her cry? Or is it when you can't seem to find the words to speak when you are near her? Or is it when you speak to her, you stutter? Or is it when you look out your window at the stars at night, you wish she were beside you leaning on your shoulder?

How do you know? "Love" or "Puppy Love?"

Just Some Thoughts

It is long past sunset, yet I sit here with a cup of hot chamomile tea and some light music playing in the background. Today was very relaxing. I woke up very early before the break of dawn to study for an exam. I was 15 minutes late to the exam, but it didn't bother me much. After class, I went and slept in the car for a few hours. Early in the evening, I met up with a few awesome people, and we drove off to dinner as the sun began to set. Why did God bring these people into my life? I think simply for the sake of laughs and smiles... but maybe more...
It was a pretty relaxing day. Now I'm in my warm room with my almost empty cup of chamomile and some light music in the background. I should be asleep-- why can't I stop thinking about it?

Content

I was talking to a friend today about being single on Valentine's Day. I am bold enough to say that I am content with being single. I am so busy with life that it doesn't seem to bother me like it bothers many other people... February 14th is coming up, yet I am still satisfied with spending time with friends and family. Hearts, teddy bears, flowers... I think I'm okay. I think I'll be fine... I think so.

Post #5: The Hallways of Tears, Confusion, and Heartbreak

As I walk contemplatively through the hallways of tears, confusion, and heartbreak, I hear whispers and dreams that once were alive-- that once were in motion, but now have been silenced by the years.

I have noticed that some of my colleagues have found a certain joy in caring for these people, but as for me, I have continually found it to be very sad and rather depressing. I have tried to "talk" myself into enjoying the work, and I've tried to put on a smile when assisting residents with ADLs and extra activities, but all I find myself doing is feeling sorry. I have been learning a great deal of clinical skills, and my nursing proficiency has increased during this clinical rotation, but I also feel that I have not found much joy. I do find satisfaction in making the residents happy, and it isn’t the residents who sadden me, but it is the loss of their dreams that drown my heart in tears.

I see people who once were joyful and full of life, but now are being treated like babies; they are fed and have scheduled times when they will go to “activities” that they are expected to enjoy. I see people who once had dreams and expectations. I see people who once had a best friend. I see people who once laughed. I see people who once cared and once loved.

But it’s as if a thief suddenly robbed them of all their possessions.

The dreams that they once had are now forgotten, meaningless, and are only whispers that they sometimes mumble in our ears. The friends and family that they once knew are now strangers. The sounds of laughter that once came from these people are now replaced with cries of confusion, anger, and dismay. The people they once cared for and once loved have abandoned them, and their hearts don’t understand. They are lost.

Now essentially, my job as a nurse is to use my skills to care for and bring back health to these aged bodies, but I find myself only doing that much for them. Anything else I do doesn’t seem to bring back the dreams and the joy that they once had. I cannot give back their lost possessions, and all I can do is try to help maintain their health until God decides their time is up.

As I walk contemplatively through these hallways of tears, confusion, and heartbreak, I hear myself crying inside for these people. I realize one day my dreams and my hopes and my joys will only be a whisper that I will mumble into somebody's ear. But gladly and fortunately, I can hope, and I can know that after those years have passed, and my aged body has rested, and I have breathed my last breath, I will be in the care of my Heavenly Father who will whisper more than just dreams into my ear.

Post #4: Aurevoir!

My resident and I have developed a special relationship. She is an ex-nurse and a very skilled one for that matter. When I first started working with her, she would always be adamant that I do certain techniques better and more efficiently. To be honest, I was a little insecure most of time because of her background, but after a while, I began to appreciate her knowledge. She has taught me so many things that I didn't expect to learn from this clinical rotation. She has also taught me A LOT of confidence.
I watched Professor Haldeman do a physical assessment on a resident, and the professor did it with ease and confidence. It is that confidence that I wish to possess one day. That confidence is what my resident noticed that I lacked. She has continued to talk to me about how I should speak to the patient, how I should stand, how I should state requests, and most importantly, how I should educate the patient.
I feel that God has blessed me with this resident, and I feel so sad knowing that I may never see her again. I do not like to let go of people who have made big differences in my life, and this resident has impacted me very tremendously.
She is such a strong person; She does not live life scared of anything. She has no fear in death and is pretty at ease about all her conditions. I hear no complaints from her about any of her conditions. She has also opened up to me saying that she is a Christian, and it makes me so happy to know that because if anything does happen to her, I will know in my heart that she will be with the Savior.
Her confidence, fearlessness (even in the face of disease and physical deterioration), and caring attributes will always remain in my heart even when I graduate. I don't think I could ever forget this resident.

Post #3: The Many Languages Spoken at Cascade Vista

Wow! That's all I have to say about the things that are said amongst the workers at Cascade Vista! There are about 3 languages (other than English) that are spoken at my clinical setting in which I can understand: Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Mandarin. It really is amusing sometimes when they don't know that I understand the things they are saying. I have walked by while they were speaking about my colleagues and about other workers; it makes me cringe sometimes when awful things are spoken about others there. I really wonder why there is so much tension between the NA-Cs and the nurses. I can somewhat understand why there could be possible tension between those two groups of people, but I have also heard horrific things said about the residents as well.
I recall being in a room with a colleague and her resident; two NA-Cs were behind another curtain getting an non-ambulatory and non-cognitive resident ready for lunch, and they were just being obnoxious with the things they said about the resident. They cursed, laughed, and even judged the resident. I almost wanted to cry because of the fact that the resident was incapable of understanding their words; inside, she has entrusted her care to these people, and instead of loving and caring, they mocked the resident. As for me, I kindly walked over there and said, "excuse me." I didn't want to say anything further because I potentially could have offended them, and conflict was the last thing I wanted during clinicals.
It bewilders me when people work at a place that requires love, patience, and perseverance, but these people harbor hatred, judgment, and intolerance.
Sometimes, I wish I didn't understand so many languages so that I don't have to hear hate coming from people's lips. It puts me in an awkward situation because when they do find out that I understand, they start acting weird around me.