sick and school

Been sick with a stomach virus twice this past week, now I have a really bad cold or sinus infection. Was awake all night last night with bad drainage, and can't breath through my nose. School is finally over this semester and now I'm sick. Can't even enjoy the time off. Grades are not posted yet, but I think I made:

Motor Development A
Biomechanics B+
Biomechanics Lab A
Drugs and Health B+ (screwed up my A on the final :/ )
Nutrition in Performance A

Still no more information about transfering to another position at the hospital. I call in sick wednesday from work and glad I did, heard everyone was turning on each other and making each other cry... so much drama. Well going to get back to work, i'll update more later

Transfer and Finals

At my current job I do anything the 5 managers come and ask me to do, on top of answering 400 calls a day and scheduling patient appointments. We do have down times where we get on the internet, do puzzels, or just do homework. I heard one co-worker (on a day I was off) took a picture of a doctor sleeping at his desk and posted it on facebook while at work, well needless to say a scan went through on every computer and everyone in the clinic got a verbal write up for using the internet for nonapproved sites such as yahoo. I was so mad, I do my job plus whatever the managers ask me to do and it obviously doesn't affect me job. Needless to say I can no longer put up with doing everyone elses stuff, so I talked with my director Thursday and told her I would like to transfer. I just put in today for a position at Health information Management (Medical Records) for an evening shift M-F 2pm-10pm hoping that I'll be able to go to school in the mornings, still be full time and get benefits, and be off on the weekends to start going to church! I really hope it all works out and goes well for me to be able to do this. So 2010 will be a whole new year for me, new job, moving outta the rents house... hopefully I'M GONNA LOVE IT!

Finals are this next week! If I make a 90 on my Motor Development Final I'll get an A. If I make a 92 on my Drugs and Health test I'll get an A, Nurtition I need a 70 for an A, and Biomechanics I'll have a B. So with much studying and prayers Ill hopefully end up with 3 A's and a B. Or possible 1 A and 3 B's. Wish me luck.

100 cc's!!!!!

My knee swelled up again about 2 weeks ago this past thursday. I had to cancel my tests and go to the dr that morning. Ok, well the dr was full so I saw the PA and he didn't even want to drain it because it wasn't infected, it was just reoccuring fluid.I was in sooo much pain. He left the room for 20 minutes(after being in there for not even 5 minutes) and then finally came back and said they would put in a referral to a doctor at Southwestern Hosptial in Dallas, and they decided (Him and my actual Doc) to go ahead and drain it. Thank the lord! He ended up pulling off 100cc's of fluid! thats a ton! and its now going on three weeks and I still haven't heard back about that referral or next doctor. Figures, its a doctors office. He did give me some pills 500mg for inflammation to take twice a day for two weeks. Maybe that what helped it. (I really only took it for 8 of the 14 days. I have such a hard time though taking pills, and They were so big I had to break them in half. We will see how long until the next time.

November Date, Grades so far

Sunday Will and I are going to see New Moon! I didn't really have to drag him too much! He looked at a few trailors and asked me about the book and kinda the story line and plot of it. (I have to say my favorite one is probably the third book.) Will is currently in College station again with his boys. Their friend Bear had his ring dunk last night and so they all went to join in the celebration and are going to the Texas A&M and Baylor game today. His trip to Hawaii was cancelled, but that just meant I got to spend some qaulity time with him (when I wasn't studying).

An update on studying... Drugs and Health finally got our grades back!......
Test # 1 88
Test # 2 100
Test # 3 80 (He said he was adding two points for a question he graded wrong, but I havent seen my grade change. and I had a question right that he couted wrong and when I asked him about it he just stared blank at my paper so I just walked off. I don't think he was willing to budge on changing my grade.
(Test 4 is the final)

Motor Development
Test # 1 86? I dont remember... and I just took test 2 yesterday morning at 8am on my day off :( didn't even get to sleep in. I think I got an A!

Nutrition in Health and Performance
Test # 1 81
Discussions 100
Assignments 100
Power Point worth 75pts, due in two weeks
Test # 2 is the final

Biomechanics..... hate this class
Test # 1 76
Test # 2 he is still grading should find out next week. probably failed. He did say that he is going to make bar graphs of all the scores and whatever the first platue is he will make that an A the next platue a B and so on. So I think that means he will pretty much curve a letter grade bc its so freakin hard! I may get a B Hopefully. I at least hope I pass.
Still have Test # 3 in about 2 weeks then the final (which he said can't hurt you only help!)


Still super excited about moving out at the end of march!!! Just got some new towels for the bathroom. I have so much stuff I am running out of places to put it! Work is still the same constant drama.

Date Night

Last night Will and I had a date night! We have completely opposite schedules and so this was such a well needed night. It was so much fun! I had to work a 12 hr shift at the hospital, but as soon as I got off at 6 pm I got a shower and met him as his house while he just got off work and took a shower. Then we headed to see Law Abiding Citizen. (GREAT MOVIE!!!!!)





Then we went to T.G.I.Fridays, ate a sample appetizer with mozarella sticks, buffalo wings, and onion rings. Then we split a salad, that was really good, and then we each got a meal. I was completely stuffed! It was such a good night for us to just be with each other without any other distractions. Wish we had time to do it more often! Thanks baby for the wonderful night, it was amazing I love you and can't wait for future date nights.

Is it April?

It is raining cats and dogs outside and seems to have been since umm about the begining of september. It is rare these days that we even see that thing called the sun. I used to think that I'd love to live in Seattle with McDreamy but I'm definatley taking back every bit of that statement. It even took me 30 minutes just to find a parking spot near the library at school. I got completely drenched walking the half-mile to get to the door too, and thats with the umbrella! Now I am in here and better start on my actual homework. Hoping that by the time I am done it will have at least slowed to a drizzle.

Grades Update

So I found out my Biomechanics teacher added two more points to our test so I officially made a 76! Also, we just got our Motor Development test back from 2 weeks ago..... I got an 85!!! Yay! and My Nutrition test I took last thursday I made an 81! So far B's all around (I'll bring up that Biomechanics) Well got to go to class, just thought I'd let everyone know the good news, I passed everything! Now I just have to get through this next class so I can go work on my Drugs and Health Exam 2 thats due tomorrow.

Wishing the cloudy rainy days were over.

It's swollen again

I must've spoken too soon that my knee hasn't swelled up in a month, this past weekend it was so swollen. It started last thursday (always on the weekends, so weird) but it is finally starting to go down! thank goodness. Hopefully it won't swell up again for at least another month.

Just had to share!

I got up this morning at 5 am like I do every weekend to work my 12 hour shift at the hospital, and Will hates that I have to do that. He told me whenever we....whenever I finish school and everything is setteled down I wouldn't have to work anymore! I could just sleep in until 10 am then go work out and just do whatever it is that girls do! He has said this to me before, I won't hold him to it (for now) but it was a really good thought to think about before going into my dreaded shift today. Also when I got off last night he had the electric blanket already on the bed waiting for me, so sweet. We talked about pulling it out a few days ago, I had already forgotten about it. Also, he said when Jody (his brother he grew up with) moves out to go to med school in a year that he will start either looking at houses or possibly build a house here in tyler. Wow, things are going to be moving so fast in the next few years. I am So Excited! I am at work now and another 12 hours to go, but maybe it won't be so bad afterall. :)

I'm not allowed over, What?

I got my grades back. Well only one grade back. My motor Development teacher hadn't graded our tests yet. I did get my grade back on my Biomechanics test. I think i did ok considering it involves physics, and trigonometry and i've had neither. I spent so much time studying how to do the problems I got 24 out of 30 points on that! So I must've not done my best on the multiple choice. I did PASS (with a 74), However I did not make the B that I wanted. After telling Will he was not inpressed that I passed. He thinks highly of school and knows I can do better. Apparently I am not allowed over again until I get my grades up! Can you believe it?

Tests, sick, moving out, stupid insurance

Man has it been a week. I had my two major tests on thursday morning. They were tough! I think I may have miraculously pulled it through but I will see when I get the grades back on tuesday. My brother ran my dads truck into a pole on monday, so ive been getting up at 530 everymorning to take dad to work then picking him up, as well as going to work and school myself and studying for my two tests. I got really sick after my last test was over and thursday night I was in bed with a high fever, bad chills, aches, sinus pressure headaches, stuffy nose. I felt HORRIBLE.

Friday morning I went to the doctor (Brandon went too) and the Medical Assistant told me she was new. (this one I figured out on my own) She started taking my bloodpressure with the mobile one that they use in the hospital that you just hit a button and it reads it for you. In the Doctors office they are supposed to take it manually. While she procceeds to take my blood pressure she sticks the thomometer in my mouth;reminding you my nose is stopped up so now I can't breath. She tells me my temp is 98.6 (odd that is is the national avg, even though I had had a high temp only hours before) and now my blood pressure is raised bc i couldn't breath the whole time. Normally my BP is somewhere around 110/90, this time it was 119/98. not a huge difference and its not bad, just higher than normal becuase of the improper technique. Then she says "ok I am going to count your breath, just breath normally. OK SERIOUSLY?! You are not supposed to say that because you'll get an inaccurate reading, you are just supposed to watch that while you do one of the other steps. She obviously can't multitask (oh except when she took my BP and temp at the same time and I couldnt breath). By the end of the appointment the dr decides I need Kenalog shot and the new nurse is going to give it to me. The girl put it in my back instead of my hip/butt. I was soooo mad. Think Im gonna switch doctors.

On a lighter side, One of my friends is looking for a roomate! It is a cute little duplex 2 bedroom, 2 1/5 bath. Huge walkin closets, double garage, fireplace, everything I could ask for! I am so excited. I am hoping that it will be possible for me, If so I would move in at the end of march begining of april.

So I had surgery June 12, and following that I had physical therapy at the end of june following through mid july. My moms insurance ended June 30 and my mother frances picked up July 1. Well now my moms insurance (aetna) won't pay for the physical therapy that happened after June 30 because I was off that plan, but my Mother Frances insurance won't pay because it is a pre-existing condition?!?!?! So I have insurance and neither will pay. My physical therapy totals over $3,000 dollars! I don't even know what to do or where to start. Some one should pay right? or am I outta luck and ill just have to pay it? HELP

School and Knee update

I had my first Drugs and health test last wednesday, I made an 88 (It was open book!) This week I have 2 tests in Biomechanics and Motor Development. The biomechanics class is just a little tough for me since it involves trigonometry and physics and i've taken neither. One question on our homework was "A swimmer dives off a board 10 meters from the water, what is her speed when she hits the water?" WHAT????? So lost. Last week we went out to University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSC) and got DEXA testing (looks at body fat percentage) in radiology. I am kinda anxious to see what the analysis results were. The test for Motor development involves about 25 questions (ok its not that easy, there are about 4 questions in each of those!)Then her tests are fill in the blank only, no multiple choice or anything so you really have to know the material. Ive got a long week ahead. Plus Ive got my other two test next week! Drugs and Health we have an Essay due that counts as much as a test and in Sports Nutrition we have a test over 1/2 the book! and there are only 2 test the whole semester so it'll count for 50 % agh!

My knee has swelled up 3 times or four since the surgery. It has died off though and hasn't swollen in maybe a month?! I was ready to go to the Dallas Dr he was gonna send me to after the first 2 times it swelled after the surgery but thankfully I waited so far. It still hurts all the time, but oh well as least its not swelling too.

Will is going to be out of town alot these next two months, this weekend he went down to college station with his guys to watch a A&M football game, and go out at night. Next month I think he is going back down there for Halloween. Then he will go to Vegas for 4 days with all the GM's from the Carinos co. And as soon as he gets back from that he will be going to Hawaii for 10 days!!! Lucky! His dad's girlfriends daughter is getting married. So we are both going to be very busy. Well me trying to study and probably going to try to avoid studying, and him off to college station, vegas, and hawaii! man, i think ill trade with him! lol

Wish me luck this week with my tests! Ill need it!

School Started!

So I finally got my car fixed! It only took four days and I got it detailed, carpet shampooed, dusted, washed, even the tires weren't black anymore! Nice to have it back I didn't realize how much I missed it while bumming rides.

School Started back this past Wednesday, I have to say my classes aren't easy. I am trying to get head... well just not get behind but it's already started, I am doing this avoiding my homework and reading. Wish me luck this semester!

My Classes:
- Biomechanics and Anatomical Kinesiology
- Motor development
- Nutrition (they wouldn't accept the one from TJC)
- Drugs and Health (pretty much the same as the Pharmacology class in nursing school, same book and everything)

Wish me luck!

Bad Day

So two weeks ago friday I got into a car wreck, nothing too bad just a little fender bender. (Yes it was my fault)I was driving by the mall headed home and everyone was slamming on their brakes, I swirved into the middle lane to avoid the hit and I was too late, I hit the back left corner of the other car.

This past monday was another bad luck kind of day... It started off with me getting a ticket on the way to work (there was no way I was doing 49 in a 35, unfortunatly I didn't look down at my speed either, and the cop was on a motorcycle (they are always meaner) going the opposite direction and did a complete uturn to pull me over as I topped the hill - another reason why I was on the gas pedal, trying to get over a hill!)

Then at work the moved me from the call center to the welcome desk (which basically means instead of scheduleing patients I'll be checking them in for X-Ray's, Bone Density Scans, Cat, Scans, MRI's, and lab work) Well, I then messed up a Bone Density Scan Schedule. The patient went for lab work first which messed up the schedule for her Bone appointment and I got yelled at and their supervisor sent a note to my supervisor. Apparently Bone Scans are done on a 20 minute schedule and I messed it up for the rest of the day.

I decide it was about time to take a lunch break and breathe.

I go back to work and the day starts evening itself out, then I left early to go to my physical therapy appointment. Of course, I get the guy who doesn't help me at all. I end up doing everything alone while getting yelled at after I do almost the whole set that I am doing it wrong (because he was playing around on the other side of the place and not watching me.)

After that I am starving and mom has made food at Papa Jims's house well after I got done telling Papa Jim my storys for the day I walked around the table to sit down to eat and I knocked over a little peice of china that Lois let him borrow to put his pills into. I felt so bad, he told me "maybe I should've just stayed in bed all day"...

Man what a day!

Quick update...

I had my 6 week follow up last thursday and the doctor pretty much told me its a waiting game. If it starts swelling up all the time again to let him know and he will send me to SouthWest Hospital in Dallas. No one seems to know whats going on with my knee. It can be very frustrating. Luckily he doesnt think I need more therapy even though the therapist did! whew! That's a releif! So I guess now I'll just have to wait and see. (although I must say the pain is worse and in different places now.)

Therapy without a Therapist, Doctors appointment coming up

I have had my one month follow up for my physical therapy yesterday. My knee swelled up huge monday and tuesday and when i went wednesday to therapy they decided to let me skip my exercises and put these stem machine on it (its high voltage stem that is supposed to reduce pain and swelling, I used it for 20 minutes) they also put a huge ice pack over it while it works. I had no idea that yesterday was going to be my one month evaluation. I get there and I start with riding the bike for 10 minutes then he went and did all his measurements (which were quite painful i might add, and it was still a bit swollen) after that I had to do all my exercises then the stem machine with ice packs again for 20 minutes. My 1 hr therapy sessions turned into 2 hours yesterday. The verdict with my measurements...
(and i didn't get all of then, these are just what i heard him say aloud)

from the center of the knee cap up the thigh 4 inches and the circumfrence around the thigh (to measure the muscle):

left leg: 39
right leg: 48

also when they first measured around the middle of the knee a week after surgery it measured 36 and yesterday it measured 37... yup it was bigger than after surgery.

I go to the doc for my 6 week follow up next thursday the 23rd. The physical therapist said he was putting a note into the doctor that i need more therapy. (If they didn't try to handle 3 patients at a time and actually focused on one then I wouldn't have to do more (ecspecially since I am having to pay 125 or so each visit and I go three times a week) The past few times I have gotten so frustrated because they just seem to ignore me or not listen to what I feel like I need to work on... I go from one exercise to another by myself because they are so busy with other patients and then the therapist would come up to me and say "your doing those wrong" ugh then he should've been there to instruct me. Anyways, I am curious to see what will happen after this next visit, I sure don't want to go to more therapy or pay for more therapy for that matter.

Update on knee surgery and the results...

I had my surgery on Friday June 12, It was just a knee scope (Arthroscope). I have recovered really well so far. I was off my crutches a week after the surgery and am now walking pretty normal! I have had 3 physical therapy sessions so far and will continue 3 times a week for 4 weeks. My next Dr. appointment is July 23. I just saw the Dr. yesterday for my post surgery follow up and as always the biospy he did showed everything to be normal...he did say I have the knee of a 70 year old and a ton of Arthritis! I have severe cartilage damage and loss throughout my knee; bilateral. If there has been no change and me knee stars swelling up again (since they still don't know the reason that it does that) he will send me to another specialist in Dallas and eventually I will need a total knee replacement. He did say that for some people just a scope and shaving off the damaged cartilage will fix there pain and swelling for years but considering thisis my second scope and that I have been having this problem for 9 years (since 1998) I am not very hopeful. Here are a few pictures of my recovery:



the unavailing of my knee 5 days after surgery on wednesday



my feet were swollen for 3 days after the surgery

Surgery

I will be having knee surgery June 12. The doctor does not know what is wrong with my knee, but will fix the meniscus tear and biospy some tissue and also look at how much arthritis damage I have. Will update more soon.

New Blog Look

I have a new look and I thought Id share where I got my great background for free...


http://www.simplychicblogs.blogspot.com/


Hope you all enjoy!

{I don't know how to put the link where you can just click on it so you may have to copy the link to get to it, sorry}

Bride Wars/ Girls Night

Just about one of my favorite chick flicks ever! (along with notebook, and 27 dresses) Last night the girls got together to eat delicious spaghetti and salad and cookies. Lauren, Sarah, Amy, Emily, and myself ..... oh and precious Hadley hung out for the great movie. Thanks for having me over last night Lauren, can't wait until next weeks girls night out on the town!

Safe to Say...

Its Safe to Say that because no one at my job ever follows through with what they say, I will more than likely not have that dreaded meeting with Stacey! They wanted me (since I very well update myself on all the "laws" of the hospital, the policy's) to educate her on what she does that creates tension, refer back to policies, and tell her what she can improve on, and what the call center as a whole can improve on. {Are you kidding me? I am not her supervisor and I don't think she would respect my opinion since 1. I am younger than her 2. She is my lead, I am techniqually under her} On an upside Linda the director found out that I am really good at Excel and is going to have me working with her personally doing some spread sheets and stuff.

Work tension has gotten pretty thick lately. Sandra was sick Monday and Tuesday, but still worked 4 hours each morning. In the policy it states that if you miss 3 hours or more it is considered an "occurrence" as with so many occurrences you get a verbal warning, then written up, and eventually lose you next merit increase (which are yearly). So since she missed more than 3 hours on both days she was supposed to have 2 occurrences, and that is what Renee our boss told her. Well she wasn't happy with that so she emailed HR, and HR responded saying that if it was from the same illness and it added up to 8 hours, contrary to what the policy states it should only count as one occurrence. She got her way. Usually Sandra pretty much picks her hours. She will not take a lunch and stay late to make up time missed or to add up her hours to get Fridays off early or to "flex" her time and take off when she wants. Well finally yesterday they told her she can no longer make up her time! Finally! Her hours are 6:15-3:15 with an hours lunch and it is rare that she ever sticks to it. Well she got mad that they are making her stick to it now, and keeps talking about going to HR. I hope someone tells her she needs to stick with her time she was hired for. Plus when she doesn't take a lunch (or even when she does for that matter) she asks me or Crystal to buy her lunch and she eats it at her desk; without taking a break. When I talked with Renee about 2 weeks ago now about school, I told her that it was not fair that Sandra can not take a lunch eat a full meal at her desk then pick when she wants to take her extra time off that she built up. Her only response was that she is not supposed to eat at her desk, and that she would talk with her about that. Well since they never follow through with anything I am sure they never talked. That same day she ate a chickfla sandwhich at her desk, they next day she ate a big mac at her desk, and so on...

Maybe today will be a better day! Just sitting at my desk minding my own business trying to just do my job.

YAY! I get to go to School JUNE 1 official new job date!

Wow so I just had a really long talk with Renee and Linda and Stacey for part of it. First we talked about school. Long story short they are going to work with my school and are letting me start the weekend shifts starting JUNE 1!!! That means I get to go to all the wedding showers I need to in May and birthday partys! They talked with my previous supervisor and they are doing some sheet where they both sign it and share me! I work Saturday and Sunday 6a-6p at the hospital, and Monday (Tuesday for the summer) (Wednesday for Fall) 8-5. They are going to cross train me to work down stairs (of course, I heard that when they hired me) so that I am not just twiddleing my thumbs answering phones, I need more of a challenge.

Then they started asking If I had something I needed to tell them about the tension. Then they told me my letter sounded really good (posted in another blog), then I told them I just don't feel like we are respected, and Linda asked if it would be a true statement that maybe Stacey isn't respected back, I said that was a true. It is hard to respect someone when they say one thing to you but then do it themselves. She asked if I would be comfortable talking with Stacey and Renee about things that have happened or things that could be improved on. Anyways it was a pretty long meeting and I am glad they are going to work with my school. I am kind of dreading the talk face to face with Stacey, I will really have to get my thoughts down on paper tonight so I am not stumbling on my words or freeze up. I can't wait until June 1!

Weekend Shopping and more work

This past weekend me and mom did quite a bit of walking, we started when she got off of work at noon until about 9:30 pm! Ok, we didnt go for the exercise we went to shop! As crazy as it sounds though I just couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy until I found this picture frame at Michaels. (No picture just yet) It was Originally $100.00, but I got it on sale for on;y $40.00! And better yet I got a 40% coupon for any one item in the store to use on Sunday only. So what did I use it on? The same picture frame for Kristy! I got it for $25.00! what can I say I am a bargain shopper.

Sunday was mostly a relaxing day. Minus going to the grocery store 3 times. I watched the notebook, then headed over to wills and watched Lucky Number Slevin, and Old School. It was a well needed realxing day.

Yesterday was crazy busy at work, nothing too exciting happened. Oh, I had gotten an email Friday that Linda (the director) was supposed to talk with me about my school...yeah she never did. And I got an email from my old supervisor that she wanted me back and when could I start?! Well the idea is that I will work there Sat and Sun 6a-6p then work at the clinic monday and wed 8-5 that way I will be full time and still get benefits and still get to go to school. So I sent Linda another email asking her to talk with me about school sometime this week so I can get everything figured out. I hope she talks with me today, because I have to get back to my old supervisor today. Plus all the drama Friday, I had told my supervisors that I have been documenting, and Sandra told me she wants my notes by the end of the week to do something with them... she should've taken her own notes if she wanted to do something with them. Plus yesterday she went home at 10:30 because she could possible have pneumonia... she didnt look sick and she had told me she had just gotten off a sitter shift at the hospital that she worked the night before until 6 then came here to open the lab at 6:15. She just wanted to go home and sleep. Plus she is mad because they are moving her to a module and making her have an 8-5 job. Anyways, I hope today goes well. Wish me luck

Rant, Work Drama Never Ends

Where do I begin?

Last Friday:

Last week me and Crystal hadn't had our breaks in the morning so we were going to take our 15 minute breaks. Stacey (the lead) said that it was ok if we wanted to start our breaks but she needed us to only take a 10 minute break. Long story short it turned into a HUGE deal because I said we didn't get one in the morning so instead of 2 10 minute breaks we should get a 15 minute break. Our supervisor and the Director and Stacey were all calling HR trying to find out what the policy stated then we were called into a meeting! (Crazy right?!) I finally got my point across, that I understood that if we were busy that maybe we would need to take just a 10 minute break, but we weren't and the only reason she wanted us to take a shorter break was so she could put up the mail in the Doctor's mail boxes (she hates answering the phones).

Monday:

Monday afternoon (after Sandra had left) one of us in the call center picked up a call without knowing, the gentleman on the line heard everything that Stacey had said to Maria about her Silpada Jewelry party, and alcohol. Stacey was asking if Maria was going to make Mexican Margaritas, talking about how she could drink some wine, and trying to find out if Friday nights would work. The gentleman hung up and called back to complain, Stacey got the call. She said that she was the supervisor and took his complaint, then turned to me and Crystal and kind of snapped at us asking who hung up on this man, that he heard her whole conversation with Maria and that we should make sure we take care of the patient calls. She did not acknowledge anything about her conversation with Maria that he had heard.

Wednesday:

The last blog I posted discusses this about the letter I wrote to Stacey after she got chewed out for over an hour.

Thursday:

After Lunch Sandra had some Diabetes Education papers on her desk, and while she was up Stacey had asked me and Crystal what she was doing with them. We both said we didn't know and that she would have to just ask Sandra. When Sandra came back she asked her about it, and it became a HUGE deal. Stacey was saying that it was her job to delegate it to one person and that was Crystal, that Sandra shouldnt be doing it. Sandra kinda had an attitude back about it was told to us that we would all learn how to schedule for Kim (the diabetes educator) and Stacey said she never said that, and Sandra said yes you did say that. (It is just a power struggle). Then you could hear them both typing emails to Renee and Linda. Stacey went to talk with Linda for like an hour, then Linda asked both of them to come into the office. Just Drama.

Friday:

So today Sandra hasn't said more than 2 words, Crystal (my buddy in this whole Drama work world) has the day off so I am alone with Stacey (since Sandra left at 1:45)....Well this morning Stacey decided that she wanted to listen to some music so she went and got a radio and blasted it and was dancing in her chair, while me and Sandra were on patient calls. After I got off I asked her to turn it down. After I had gotten back from lunch I swear she had turned it up, and after an hour I finally politely asked her to turn it off, and she snapped back and said well why? I just said because it is a distraction for me and I am trying to answer patient calls, plus that I had always been told that we were supposed to be quite and answer the patient calls as if we were in a library. She had even put signs up that said to be quite when going through here because our phones pick up noise. She just jumped back and said that Linda said we could listen to it, but that it was fine she would turn it off and let Linda know that it bothers me. (by the way Linda is the Director of the Clinic, and Stacey is dating her son; they just bought a house together and she isn't even dicorced from her husband number 3) I could just hear her typing away I am sure sending Linda or Renee an email that I was being rude, when she didn't even ask if it was ok or if any of us minded if she turned some music on.

About an hour later I started taking all the information I had made off the walls and decided to put it all into a binder, well that apparently got the attention of some people and I got pulled into the office with Gina and Renee asking me if I was going to quit. (DRAMA) I said no I wasn't planning on quitting. Gina told me that I am a very good worker and am a valuable asset to the team and they don't want to loose me. Then they asked how everything was going, I said umm ok. They of course didn't believe me. So I brought up Mondays incident, and todays incident and told them that it just feels like I am on pins and needles and that I can't do anything without her knowing, it's frustrating. They told me that a nurse had overheard what happened monday and told Gina that we were getting jumped on for no reason. They told me to send them an email about what happened and they will write Stacey up for it. Plus there is another person having trouble with her. They gave me advice to talk with Linda about what is going on that way she knows it is not just one person having trouble its more. I am meeting with Linda on monday to discuss my school situation and work, so I guess I will talk about it with her then. I hate Drama. I wish I could just avoid it all. So pray monday goes over well.

Work

I still have not spoken with my supervisor about what I am going to do about school. Yesterday was registration day. They have started a new website for everything and because of the difficulties I just got my last class registered this morning. I got all the classes I want too so I am excited. I don't know how it will work out with school and work but we will see. Yesterday the Lead got chewed out by 4 of the administrators/director then she had asked us to write down one thing that would make her a better lead, and to be honest. Everyone else had turned theres in to her and she asked to have mine by the end of the day. I asked her if it was ok if I took mine home and gave it to her the next morning, she asked why I would need to take it home and I told her because I want to go through the employee handbook, and she said it wasn't something that was formal just to write something down. She said it wasn't herself that asked us to do this, but the director she had to turn them in to. So I took a break and got my employee hand book out of the car and wrote about half a page of things, (spent about 2 hours to get it the way I wanted it to sound)and typed it up as a letter to her. Today she was very nice about things, and praised me on how well my letter sounded and about how honest I was. Her and the director said that my letter was written really well and that I am well beyond my years! Finally it made me feel good like someone appreciated me and knew that I am not just here to answer calls. Hopefully things will get better!... maybe

My letter:

----------, 04/21/2009



Since we found information about the breaks in the Employee handbook, I have been reading through it to learn more about the health system. I have found a commitment to co-workers with some very valuable information. For instance, “Our relationships with each other are to be equally respectful, regardless of job titles or levels or education preparation.” “Be sensitive to the feelings of co-workers” “Each co-worker is to be valued, recognizing that each of us has an area of expertise”. I have been a trainer at 3 of my last jobs and one thing I had learned that I think would help is the Oreo effect. As an alternative to “don’t say that,” when you feel we are saying something the wrong way, you say something that the person is doing well at, then politely say what they should work on, and end with another compliment. Instead of making it known that you are a lead or our superior, respect us more, act like we are a team and help us grow when we have questions and want to learn. We are all women who have previous medical experience, and to me it seems like you belittle me like this is my first job and I don’t know anything, especially when you say “my girls in the call center.” I am confused if you are a leader or are our supervisor. I don’t feel like it is necessary for you to tell us when we can take lunches or to make sure to tell you that we are going to the bathroom we all know when we normally take lunches (unless there is a change) and that bathroom breaks are 5 minute breaks and back. I hope this will help you to grow as our lead.

Respectfully,
Kayla Crawford

Date night

Last night My dad took me and mom to dinner then to two movies! It was so much fun. We saw Fast and the Furious 3 and 17 again. I felt like the old person because the last movie didnt get out until 11:30 PM and I thought that was just way too late. But it was so much fun, and it doesnt hardly ever happen because dad is always working. The fast and furious was much better than I expected and 17 again was also a good teen chick flick which made everything even better!

Jimmy Buffet Tailgating

This past weekend me and mom went to see LC and Melissa, it just so happened to be the same weekend as the Jimmy Buffet concert! While mom stayed home with Lucien while me and Melissa headed out to the festivities! There were so many decorated RV's, margarita machines, beer pong, karioke, and lots of fun. I still don't have a camera so I stole these pictures from Melissa's page...


Me and Mo!


The Girls


Me and Mo


Candie and I


Candie and Melissa


Candies Husband Lance!

Thanks again Mo for inviting us up! I have a few pics from my phone of you and LC that I still need to post! See you in two weeks =)

Talked to the Doctor ...

And they said all of my blood work and Urine came back normal, the X-ray showed arthritis (which I already knew) and the MRI that I had Friday confirmed the Arthritis and showed a small meniscus tear. The doctor does not recommend surgery yet, she wants me to see a Rheumatologist and see what they suggest or how they can help. The nurse is going to call me back this afternoon and tell me what time they have set it up for.

Meniscus Tear information:



http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00358

Knee Arthritis information:
Normal Knee

Arthritis Knee


http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/knee-ra-rheumatoid-arthritis-of-the-knee

Knee RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Knee)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious type of inflammatory arthritis that affects 1.3 million Americans. In 75% of cases, RA affects women. RA can affect people of any age, even very young children.

Unlike osteoarthritis (OA), the "wear-and-tear" arthritis, RA is a chronic autoimmune disease. RA usually occurs in a symmetrical pattern, affecting both hands, knees, ankles, feet, hips, elbows, and shoulders.

RA causes severe joint swelling, joint pain, stiffness, and deformity. It also affects other tissues and organs such as the heart, skin, and lungs. RA can also cause fever, fatigue, weight loss, and flu-like symptoms.

Getting dressed, tying shoelaces, or walking to the car may be painful with knee arthritis. But with early and aggressive medical treatment, most cases of knee RA can be managed.

What Is Knee RA?
Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee causes the joints to become tender, warm, and swollen. Although knee osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness, joint pain with knee RA is more severe.

Normally, a small pouch covered with a thin tissue called synovium lies between the two pieces of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a material that covers the ends of joint bones. Cartilage helps to keep bones from rubbing against each other during movement.

The synovium secretes a liquid. This liquid helps keep joints lubricated. When joints are well lubricated, they move smoothly and painlessly. Inflammation of the synovium leads to damage and permanent destruction of the joint.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Knee RA?
With knee RA, you may feel the following:

Pain
Swelling, inflammation
Stiffness
Warmth around the knee joints
Fever
Flu-like symptoms
Fatigue


What Causes Knee RA?
The actual causes of RA are not understood. We know that RA occurs when the body's own immune system doesn't function properly.

RA may be linked to genetics. Environmental factors also may be involved. But, experts are unsure of the exact cause.

How Is Knee RA Diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose knee RA. He or she will do a physical exam, talk with you about your personal and family medical history, and perform blood tests.

Blood tests for RA may be positive for the following:
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Rheumatoid factor (RF), found in about 70% to 80% of those with RA
High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate), which indicates inflammation
Antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP)
High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)
Your doctor may order an X-ray of the joints. An MRI may also be used to detect evidence of joint damage or destruction.

Your doctor may withdraw a sample of joint fluid (synovial fluid) to analyze. People with RA usually have joint fluid that's filled with inflammatory material.

What's the Treatment for Knee RA?
The best treatment for knee RA is early and aggressive medical care. Medical treatments include the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which are used with NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and or steroids in low doses.

DMARDs include:

methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Folex)
leflunomide (Arava)
hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
gold (Myochrisine injected into muscles; Auranofin -- given orally)
minocycline (Minocin, Vectrin, Dynacin)
azathiaprine (Imuran)
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Another category of DMARDs are biologic modifiers -- usually used with methotrexate. Biologic agents include:

adalimumab (Humira)
anakinra (Kineret)
etanercept (Enbrel)
infliximab (Remicade)
abatacept (Orencia)
rituximab (Rituxan)
Other treatments are:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- over-the-counter and prescription strength
Steroids
Along with early and aggressive medical therapy, regular exercise is important. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles around the knee and helps support the joint. Sometimes physical therapy and occupational therapy are recommended.

Is Surgery Necessary for Knee RA?
At some point, total joint replacement may be performed. This surgery is usually a "last resort" instead of the first treatment option for knee RA. Today's advances in total joint replacement give a successful outcome in most cases.

Synovectomy is another procedure that's performed in rheumatoid arthritis. With synovectomy, the surgeon removes the inflamed synovium or joint lining. Synovectomy can be done as an open procedure or by arthroscopy. In general, arthroscopic procedures are associated with fewer complications and faster recovery than a more invasive surgery. The relief in knee pain with synovectomy in RA may last up to five years.

Transfering Jobs again already???

I have been having trouble figuring out my classes for the Fall and if work will deal with my school schedule. My classes are on nights and one on internet the only 2 that are during the day are my core classes that they only offer once time for. My school Schedule would only take up 3 hours on thursday (at which if I don't take a lunch mon, wed, fri that will make up that time. And on Tuesdays from 9-3 (yeah thats a long time)Which is 5 hours because I get an hours lunch too. So it just all around sucks.

So I talked with my boss this morning. There are so many things going wrong where I work and now I am being told they can not work with my school schedule. I emailed my supervisor about 2 or 3 weeks ago with my schedule to see if it would work with my current job. She said they could drop me down to 32 hours and that would still give me benefits. Then yesterday I got an email stating that she can not work with my school (now with registration being less than a week away). I don't really know what to do. I have made a application to ETMC that I typed up all neat and sent it yesterday. For some reason it is really hard for me to find jobs, so I am not looking foward to figuring out what I will do. School is important to me and I will go to school this fall. So this morning I didn't want to wonder about why the sudden change that they won't work with my school. So I met with my supervisor this morning and told her if they can't work with my school I would like to transfer (She is going to talk to Linda (the Director) about it.) My supervisor saw the ETMC Application and said that She didn't want to lose me and she knows they aren't utilizing me in the Call Center. My supervisor and the Lead Stacey (who is dating/living with the directors son) are changing some things in the clinic and are going to split the floors where each of them are over a certain floor. She said even when her and Stacey get there own floors they aren't going to hire anyone else for the call center there will just be the 3 of us, and then Sherrie and Pat (that both do medical recorsd)when they can help.

Since I worked at the main hospital in there "Call Center," They had 4 people consistantly with no lunch just a straight 8 hour shift. Linda (the director) said we are taking more calls than them, and yet we only have 3 people answering calls with all of us taking lunches so we go 3 hours with only 2 people. That just doesn't make any sense to me that we are busier but with less people and they aren't hiring. Agh the ecomomy. And yes I did tell my boss I didn't think it was fair that they could let One employee get away with eating lunch at her desk and not clocking out or going to the breakroom, then getting friday after noons off at 12 because she has overtime for not taking a lunch. But yet they can not work with my School Schedule.

Easter and monday work

Sorry no pictures, still don't have a camera.

I didn't do much on Easter, went and ate lunch at 1:30 with Aunt Laurie, Uncle Mike, Mom, Papa Jim, Bill, Bliss, Peter and his wife. After getting WAY to full on lunch we watched the tape of Uncle Mikes Petty Experience. I was exhausted after that and I guess the Parks syndrome hit me and I slept about 4 or 5 hours! Then got up just in time to go to Sunday night church service. We finally got home and dad had cooked roast and potatoes that were waiting on us! Yum!

Yesterday at work Stacey was still not in because she was helping her mom with her surgery. It was mostly nice and peaceful except for one person that was constantly up and picking her hours, she decided she wasnt going to take a lunch and just leave an hour early... if only we could all do that! Any who since I am such a multi-tasker, I decided to fill out a couple of applications to ETMC. (At which when the other person that picked her hours saw that I was doing something, she asked me and I said I was just messing around, she got up and looked and said are you apllying to ETMC?? Then ran into our bosses office and shut the door so I am sure my boss knows) They don't have it where you can fill out online and submit it, they email you if you are interested the application and you have to fax it or mail it in. I have pretty good handwriting but I am kind of OCD about things being neat and perfect, so I typed everything out cut it and taped it where it was supposed to go then made a copy of it and I had a very neatly typed application! I faxed it yesterday around 5 so today I need to call to make sure they recieved it.

Last night I got to hang out with Will. It was so nice that it was just us, I love all his friends but its nice to just get to hang out with him alone. We talked about my birthday coming up, that he will be 30 in 2 years and I will be 25 when he is 30, my degree when I'll graduate, what I'll get my Masters in, and that I found a store for Teachers that is so cool! (Adventures in Learning in the French Quarter behind Smoothing King) It was so nice to just talk all night. I Love him so much and can't wait to see what is in store for our future!

Hopefully sometime this week I will get a call back about my MRI results, Lab work, and X-rays. Maybe I will get a diagnosis that will fix my knee for good, that would be wonderful!

MRI

This morning I had an MRI on left knee. Last week I had X-ray's and blood lab work done. I haven not heard any results yet, they said I won't hear anything back until next week sometime. My knee is swollen again! It had swelled up March 6, then 3 weeks later March 19, then 2 weeks later, today. Please pray that they find a result to my knee problem and that even if it is surgery that it will fix it.

Lucien Cary Schmoldt

Lucien will be 1 in a few weeks! I can't wait until his first birthday party! We may get to see him and Melissa and the crew this weekend for easter!

Brandons new pet (again)

Here are some pictures of Brandons new Puppy!

Happy 85th Birthday Papa Jim!

Papa Jim's birthday was February 29 (on a leap year) we celebrated this year in Arkansas at Uncle Kevins house with everyone, here are a few pics!

Valentines

For Valentines this year I got Will an Ipod! I got him one a few years ago but I think he broke it, so this time I got the 2 year Warrenty! He got me 2 dozen white roses (that were Gorgeous!) and this ginormous Bear! I mean this thing is bigger than me and maybe even him! he said when he was bringing it home that is loooked like someone was riding in the car with him!

YAY Congrats!

Will made Managing Partner a few months ago, and I got him a card and a few DVD's just as a little something to show that I am proud of him. He is always striving to be better and he is so determined and motivated! That is something I wish I had more of myself!










These were just some little craftey things I did for work for Valentines and St. Patricks day....

A Recap of my B-E-A-utiful Flowers!

Yup these were all JUST BECAUSE he loves me! =)

Hadley Douglas Harris

Me and Lauren have become pretty good friends here latley and I just wanted to show off her cute little one with ya'll, he is about 6 months (born in September)

Sick and Wills Birthday

I went to the doctor Monday after work feeling pretty sick. I do work at a clinic but taking time out of your work hours to see a doctor is apparently not supposed to happen. I tried to avoid the conversations they might have if I went to the doctor during my shift, so I waited until I got off and went to the Direct Care. I was there 2 hours and I have a sinus infection, and pharyngitis (sore throat that is swollen, making it hard to swallow and speak) I was in bed all day yesterday and most of today. I just got up and ate lunch and decided I should be somewhat productive since I never get any pictures uploaded!... This past weekend was Will's 28th Birthday! His best Friend had his wedding the same day so while they were all at the wedding I got my dad to help me make water balloons and had planned on decorating his porch the the appartment with streamers and balloons.






(they kind of look like easter eggs in the baskets!)

We got 250 water balloons made that I put in a blow up football stadium cooler that holds drinks. Dad was a life saver! I couldn't find anyone in town that could help me do this within an hour!

After we picked up all the balloons and fun stuff we went to decorate. We (me and mom) got the front door finished with a gold tablecloth over it with birthday stickers, then had 2 pinatas a army man, and football (since they like to break things! and the pool of water balloons and balloons across the railing) just as I was about to do all the streamers Will pulled up and busted me :( but it all turned out alright, Jody and Brian went up stairs while Will and I talked down stairs...all I heard was hey are these water balloons? then the fight started! they were upstairs and guarded by the balloons we had just put on the railing and we were out in the open! Luckily we made so many balloons we couldn't fit them all into the football stadium blow up so I pulled out a basket from my trunk to throw back! Here are some pictures from my phone since I still dont have a camera, sorry if they are blurry.












After the fight, I went home to get ready for the night, him and his friends went to a movie. I gave him his gifts (4 polo's, 2 pair of work out shorts, and a giftcard to Gamestop, and my parents gave him a gift card to Roadhouse), I was exhausted at that point and went to bed, They all went out to eat for dinner.