Ted Hose: Feelin' the squeeze!

So I am looking for some good ted hose.......any recommendations? Or are they all the same?  Just in case you don't know, they are also known as compression stockings.  I want the thigh high support.  I stood in surgery for at least 9 hours today.....and the least I could have done was support the veins/valves while I was punishing my legs, feet, back, and hungry stomach.  Ted hose are expensive, so I want some that will be worth the $$.  

The fun part was participating in  the removal of the mid 1/3 of a guys pancreas & watching the surgeons reconnect each end to the small bowel.  Then I watched 'em take out part of a colon & reanast the remaining ends.  The combined surgeries took 9 hours! Yesterday I was quizzed on music & Yankee baseball trivia while sewing mesh into a guy's belly button (yes, I got to stitch something other than skin).  Good times, right?  Aaaahhh, life in the OR........can you believe I like this stuff?

Happy Birthday to Mark!

Happy Birthday to my very good-looking husband!  

He works so hard, and has helped me so much during these last few months.  He cleans, does laundry, dishes, and proofreads master's papers!  Sorry ladies.....he's taken!  I am so grateful for him and the positive and supportive role he has in my life.  He has tonz of drive and is always doing something, whether it be for us or a member of his family.  The time he spends for Grandpa McKell, his parents, brothers and sisters, and any friend in need is amazing.  Plus the guy is an excellent clinician, and cares much for his patients.  I don't know anyone else that follows up as well as he does.  I love you!  

Emerging from hibernation....

If you have been wondering where I have been for the last 3 months.....I have spent all extra time working on my master's paper/presentation.  It is finally complete!  I spent some quantity of time exploring the details of a possible association between Clostridium difficile diarrhea and proton pump inhibitor use in hospitalized patients.  Sounds exciting, huh?  If you are hard pressed for reading material, I would be happy to send you a copy for your reading enjoyment!  Ha!  I am sure all of you want to read about diarrhea.  I look forward to seeing everyone again, and getting some much needed sleep.

By the way, Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!  May your drinks be plentiful (if you're into that), and the greenness surround you!

The smell of the bovie.....

There are several reasons I love the OR.  Who would have thought I would like it this much?  I used to have a serious vasovagal problem, and would pass out in many gory situations....but now I thrive on it! I have been a list maker for many years of my life....I used to do it in class during school when I was trying to stay awake.  This won't be as exciting as the trauma list, but here are the reasons I like the OR in no particular order:

1.  It's like Anatomy class in real time.

2.  Clean is an understatement......it's sterile!

3.  Immediate gratification: bad appendix, take it out (you get the picture)

4.  There is always someone to hand you the equipment you need.

5.  Music! You can do your job while listening to your favorite tunes.  I always thought my life should have a soundtrack =0).

6.  Hands on learning....so much better than class!

7.  I like asking people if they have farted every day. Ha ha!

There are a lot of things I don't like about the OR (pimping, waking up before dawn, standing for hours, some of the extreme Type A surgeons, etc.), but for the most part the good outweighs the bad.  Now if I could just get a job doing this........

Addi's Favorite Aunt

I love her dimples!

You better believe I am the favorite!

Even if Jayli is there in Cedar to hold her more often (location, location, location), I look enough like Jayli (or Shalene, her Mom) for Addi to not know the difference!  Favorite Aunts have strategies like this =0).