Sunday, March 22, 2015

Don't Worry, I Practiced On Fruit...

Shots.  We have all had them.  Up until about six months ago, I used to turn my head because I did not want to see the needle.  When I had to get my vaccinations for nursing school, I watched the needle go into my arm.  I figured I could no longer avoid it since I would one day be the one sticking the needle into someone.

You can imagine my surprise when I learned that we give shots during our first semester of nursing school.  Yeah, we practiced on hot dogs and fake arms in class.  I was much less freaked out by needles, but it was still something strange to me.  I thought the videos we watched were traumatizing, since the nurse on the video was basically stabbing the patient with the needle.

At my last clinical, we were told that we were cleared to give shots.  As in into an actual patient and not a hot dog or fake arm.  My patient did not require any sort of medicine via a needle, so I was certain I would not be giving a shot that day.  Wrong.  The nurse I was with needed to give someone a heprin shot, so I was the lucky person that got to do it.

I walked in and the nurse was walking me through the procedure when the patient had a horrified look on her face and asked me if it were my first time to give a shot.  I told her it was but not to worry because....wait for it....I have practiced on a lot of fruit!  She looked at me like I was completely crazy, I gave her the shot and was out the door.  I have no idea why I told her fruit, maybe because hot dogs sounded less qualified???

I ended up giving to subcutaneous (into the skin on the stomach) shots that day and now officially feel like a pro!  So, if you end up in the hospital and I am your student nurse, have no fear, I have practiced on a lot of fruit!!!!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

A Husky Hiking...

This winter, there has been no shortage of Ms. Kya getting to hiking around Kansas.  This girl has logged too many miles to count.  Along with her hiking, she has also gotten to enjoy many miles running with her mama, you know, since her mama is a full time student now.

We had a few small snow falls this year and they happened on the weekend when Ken could join us for hiking fun!  If you know a husky, you know that they love the snow.


Kya and me at the Arboretum

Ken and Kya enjoying the snow at the Arboretum

These two are quite the pair!

Ken and Kya at Perry Lake.  Don't mind Kya's face, she is really happy about the hiking!

A family photo (sans cats) after a 9 mile hike in the snow

The sign that that it was a great day for a husky!  A tired husky equals a good husky!


Kya absolutely loves to hike!  She blazes the trail and loves leading the way.  She is always on her leash, since she is a husky and would most likely bolt at the first sign of a deer or a rabbit.  The furthest that she has ever hiked is 17 miles and usually goes around 12 miles most weekends when we hike.  If you have a husky or a high energy dog, I strongly encourage taking them hiking.  The best part is, it is good for everyone involved!