Tag Archives: health

Connectivity

Connectivity

Ya know that time when you tried to connect to the internet and for whatever reason there is a delay and the cursor just sits there spinning? You can yell, “Oh, COME ON! CONNECT ALREADY!” You will it to connect as though you had no control over the glitch. This is what happened when I tried to move my right foot while standing during physical therapy. I was willing my foot to move, watching my foot remain stationary. In my head, I’m yelling, “Come on, we know how to do this!” I thought of a few other expletives but I digress…Standing is also painful. I read about this with GBS. I was not prepared for the pain in my left foot that brought me back down to sitting. It’s not my tendon or anything of that sort. My cursor was spinning. What I wanted to do was in my brain but would not connect with my foot. It’s most likely associated with weight-bearing again after 15 months of sitting. My body is not used to it, But it will be.

Physical therapy is going very slowly but well. I’ve stood with help on either side of me and can get on all fours while extending an arm or extending a leg out. I do a lot of core work, laying on my back while bringing my knees to my chest and extending my arm with a 5lb weight. All of this is encouraging. I wanted that foot movement though. I really really wanted it. It’s not that I can’t feel good about what I am doing; I’m grateful every day. I want to walk. Weight-bearing on my legs and feet has to and will happen.

I can type with two fingers. This is how I completed my college degrees and how I write this blog. It’s a painstaking process but how I plan to continue with school. Right now I position my fingers accordingly on the keyboard but what I intend to type and what gets typed are two different results. So two fingers it is. No one knows what my new norm will be so whether or not I get full use of my hands back is yet to be seen. I’m trying to adjust not only to prepare myself but to find ways to remain productive. Reading is challenging with my visual changes but I’m going to pick up a book from a friend and attempt it in small bouts.

Have you seen What About Bob? It’s all about baby steps.

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

(Note-This is not an exact timeline, but a rough recall of events.)

Last October I was admitted into the hospital. I had been having strange symptoms for which there was no answer. I’ll explain what happened first then give an update.

I had numbness in my legs and all of the sudden walking up the stairs made it feel as though I had sandbags on my legs. My brain told me to chalk it up to being fatigued but deep down I was nervous. The numbness and tingling was spreading and had made it to my arms and legs. I felt “heavy”.

After talking to a couple of wonderful friends I met in nursing school and explaining my symptoms, they both immediately brought up Guillain-Barre syndrome. I had the symptoms but needed to be diagnosed. Out of an abundance of caution, I headed to see my primary care doctor who shortly after examining me and evaluating my symptoms, instructed me to go to the ER, which we did.

MRI, check. CT, check. Blood work, check. All normal but nothing pointing to answers. I’m released still not knowing what is wrong with me. I called my doc back and she insisted i go to the other hospital here and ask for a lumbar puncture, the only way to formally diagnose this. Once there, I was seen promptly and they informed me that I would begetting this procedure. It’s not a walk in the park and I hope I never have to have one ever again.

The results came back positive. A year ago this month, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre (GBS). Life as we knew it would drastically change.

GBS is autoimmune, My immune system is attacking my peripheral nervous system. There isn’t a lot known about it’s cause but we do know that certain vaccines and infection can cause it. Mine was likely caused by a gut infection I didn’t know I had until after a surgery.

My immune system is not strong enough to get my usual flu and covid shots, or the shingles shot since turning 50. GBS usually reverses itself but you don’t know what deficits you’re left with for some time. Hope is always alive as we patiently wait for a verdict. Time is a bitch.

Without going into the nitty gritty, the past year has involved a total of nearly 6 months inpatient between the hospital, a skilled nursing facility. I was paralyzed from the waist down, was on multiple meds for pain that barely touched it, and worked through grueling therapy to get where I am now. I’m still in a wheelchair but can move my legs, am off the heavy duty pain meds. I am on a medication for severe nerve pain. My hands feel like sandpaper and numbness still plagues my extremities, but every week I get a little more feeling back. This has been a hellish experience but therapy is helping me cope.

I’ve not lost sight on how far I’ve come.In many cases you can end up on a ventilator. Fortunately, I escaped that nightmare. I’ve now been home longer than inpatient. There are things I can do myself like comb my hair, get dressed, and do some make up. It’s normalcy that I crave the most and strive for. Getting to see family and friends, being able to transfer from a wheelchair to the car is physical and mental freedom.

I start back up with therapy in January ( I maxed out my visits with insurance, another blog post) and continue with my exercise regimen at home. My drive to walk is impenetrable and I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach that milestone. My physical therapist is incredible and has helped propel me forward, albeit slowly. Progress is progress.

Gratitude is forever etched into my heart. Friends that have helped with meals, financial contributions, and visits (I LOVE visits). often brought me to tears. Family has been so supportive an helped beyond measure. I hate to use colloquialisms. Reeeeally hate to, but-the phrase, “It takes a village”, is not lost on me.

Most importantly in the gratitude department, my hubby. His care is tireless. His support unending. Working full time, caring for me, our two cats, keeping up on housework, and cooking our meals-he’s an incredibly amazing human with a sturdy heart of gold.

Lastly, I jumped back into school, determined to finish my last three classes before I transfer to Oregon State University to complete a degree in Public Health. It’s an online program which will work well given my situation. Career options are key since I’m now more susceptible to getting a flare of this again and being able to work remotely or even in a wheelchair is big. I will still work as an end of life doula but not until I’m walking since accessibility will be a challenge.

A lot to ingest. That’s how life feels but we are trucking along one day at a time.

Class – Take 2

Have you thought about your mortality? How your death may play out if you had choices about where, when, and how you would die? Let’s face it; it’s a topic most people would much rather avoid. We don’t make coffee dates or plan happy hour around discussions of deathbeds and rituals. Should we?

I’ve seen family and friends caught off guard around the death of a loved one. There were no plans and no discussions around what that person may have wanted. These difficult decisions, financial planning, and logistics were all left on the shoulders of the survivors.

A death doula can help with planning, and we discussed this in our second class on Saturday. I was on time for that one, by the way. We talked about planning and how important it is to ask open-ended questions and be completely present and silent to take in the patient’s desires, fears, and concerns. We also discussed self-care and its importance for our physical and mental well-being. Finally, we had to write out what we do for self-care now and what we plan to add or change once we are working. I had a lot of respect for this conversation because this type of work requires so much mental acuity and physical presence. Hours can be long and emotional. Self-care is critical.

We also talked about the early signs of dying and what to expect. For example, dying patients often stop eating, and this can be disturbing for the family. The body knows how to die. It knows how to shut down organs slowly and in what order. If you feed a body whose stomach is no longer moving food along, it will cause discomfort for the patient. This information is not just for our knowledge but, more importantly, so we can educate the caregiver, family, and friends- whoever is present during the vigil (active dying process).

Our homework for Wednesday is to plan our death vigil. I’m not going to lie; this is weird and brings up a whole plethora of emotions. Our family has had a lot of discussions around death due to terminal illness and other unexpected health events that have come up. Sometimes we use dark humor when things are serious. “Lightly used casket, pet, and smoke-free environment.” Everyone deals with death differently, and that’s the beauty of this.

I recently read about being buried in a shroud and covered with flowers before being placed directly into the earth. No casket. Another place will compost your body. There is water cremation (much more environmentally friendly). You can be cremated and made into a record. You can donate your body to science. There are many options, but the options people think about the least are how they want their dying process to look, feel, and sound. They aren’t easy conversations, but they are necessary. I told my hubby if he cremated me, I’d come back and haunt him, but that’s another story.

Sunny Saturday

So I’m standing in the garden area of Home Depot just minding my own business and enjoying the sunshine. Hey- I hadn’t been out in two weeks due to being sick (and staying away from places due to COVID-19). It might not be the most exciting place but it involved flowers and sunshine so it made me happy. People were wearing masks and distancing so I felt OK being there for a short time to pick up a couple of flowers for our porch. I kill all plants and flowers but have recently grown a wild hair and decided to entertain keeping a couple of things alive.

As I’m looking at flowers that are virtually kill proof- boom! I’m hit with a crushing chest pain. My heart feels as though it’s being squeezed of life. If that wasn’t enough, the pain radiated up to my jaw with an intensity I had not ever felt. EVER. It scared the hell out of me. With my limited medical knowledge, the first and only thing that popped into my head was heart attack. I wasn’t profusely sweating but I was dizzy and had an overall feeling of being “unwell”.

I made my way to the car where Pat was waiting and I was walking, it intensified. Do I call 911? Do we drive to the ER? I told him what was happening. We opted to drive. My temperature was taken and since I was clutching my chest, I was asked if I was having chest pain to which I promptly confirmed. My heart was racing and I felt light-headed. With there being no visitors allowed to keep people safe, Pat had to leave, which was pretty emotional. At a time you need someone the most, you’re alone.

I kept my phone close by as I was promptly triaged. My BP was far higher than it had ever been. It’s usually low to normal. After my symptoms were documented, vitals and EKG done, I waited, alone in the ER waiting room. I texted Pat so he could communicate updates to my family. After about four hours (short by ER standards) I was wheeled back to a room and had an IV placed. My blood work, CT (given earlier), and chest x-ray had come back normal. The doctor and I were both perplexed.

I know what I felt but more importantly, she believed me and listened to me. She could see my BP and heart rate were high. Especially just laying in a bed. A brief mention of anxiety was made to which I promptly dismissed. Smelling flowers in the sunshine was the most zenned out I had been in weeks and in the room, I was calm as a cucumber believe it not. She laughed and understood. She then suggested that with our extensive family of heart history, my early stroke, and having diabetes that it would be prudent to keep me overnight for observation. I agreed.

During my stay, I had an extensive heart workup consisting of an echocardiogram, frequent troponin checks, and a chemically induced stress test. My heart rate would shoot up to 141 just walking four feet to the bathroom in my room. I felt out of breath. I didn’t get it. It was a long night. No sleep, I missed having my other half there with me to calm me and keep me laughing (humor is our best weapon in my family). The hours crept by. The chemically induced stress test was bizarre. It was not the worst thing, but certainly not anything I ever want to repeat. The staff was outstanding. All of my nurses were wonderful. They took a few minutes to chat with me and engage with me.

At 6:00 PM the next evening, I was informed that all of my tests came back great. Nothing wrong with my heart, in fact it was very healthy. My cholesterol was great so my dietary changes and daily walks are having positive impacts on my overall health. I should have been really happy about it and apparently even though I was, the look on my face said otherwise. I explained that while that’s great news, it doesn’t explain the frightening symptoms I experienced. No answers, just silence. Their job was to rule out any heart-related issues, which they did. So I’m to follow up with my primary doctor.

The whole experience was really strange. Not having answers leaves me feeling really uneasy. More importantly, being a patient without any support with you was really depressing. I get it. I support why they are doing this. But from a patient’s point of view, it sucks. No other way to put it. Yes, I had my phone and watch to text with but texting or even face time/ messaging is not a human connection. It’s not a hug or encouraging voice. It’s not someone joking about your butt hanging out of your gown as you traipse across your room.

Mental health and support are just as crucial to healing as any physical aspect of it. Perhaps if we had enough tests (don’t get me started on this) a support person could be tested then cleared to come in. I say this from a point of privilege. Not everyone has a phone or watch to communicate with. Some don’t have a clean, safe home to return to or place to stay healthy. I saw patients in tears, in pain, angry, upset and no one to calm them. There wasn’t anyone there to offer to make a call for them, hold them to offer comfort. It was a brutally isolating environment to watch unfold.

A call has been made to my primary doc to try and figure out just what happened but for now, I’m not banking on getting any answers. Oddly enough more of my concern comes from knowing I’ll see thousands in hospital bills from my stay because our healthcare system is so broken. I was honestly more worried about that as I laid in my hospital bed watching my heart rate bounce around. It’s wrong on so many levels.

This weekend I’ll focus on getting some much needed fresh air and try to forget about the event the prompted me to enter an ER during a pandemic.

My flowers are still alive, so there’s that. Hope always remains.

A Change is Gonna Come

I had no idea how I’d feel or react. It was 4:47 as I exited my patient’s room, walked over to a computer at the end of the hall and pulled my phone out. The nursing program email notifications would be sent at 5:00. When I unlocked my phone I saw 120 text messages waiting for me. They read, “OMG I got in!” and “I got in!!!” and “We did it!”. The emails were sent early. I nervously opened my Gmail app and saw it sitting there like a glaring at me in the face. It took me a minute to work up the nerve to open it. When I did, I read the words “Congratulations…” I nearly passed out. It was as if I’d been holding my breath for the past two years. I was accepted into the program for this coming fall. A wave of panic, joy, and fear washed over me as I realized that all the hard work, the stress, and exhaustion had brought my dream to fruition.

The icing on the cake was that my study group- every one of them, were all accepted too. We worked HARD, passing up social invitations, nice weather, and all else to focus on our studies and put the program first. Sometimes it sucked. BIG TIME. Sometimes we wanted to scream. There were tears, moments of utter frustration and prompting us to question whether or not we could actually do this.

My friend made an excellent point as we waited for the news- this path had made us doubt ourselves even though we did everything “right”. We put in the time and dedication, got the grades, etc. Yet we continued to wonder if it really was enough or if we were cut out for this. Every one of us was accepted. That answer is yes. We need to continuously remind ourselves that in the face of fear, being nervous or even scared shitless as some of us- we earned our place and need to believe in our abilities and ourselves on the same level that we believe in one another.

We celebrated last night. My friend and I kept repeating overzealously- “We got in!” as we clinked our glasses together. There may have been shots involved. I’ll leave it at that. We had a moment through all of this to let loose and celebrate what has been a somewhat hellish path to get this far and make it in. In the fall, the real work begins and we know that what we’ve experienced so far doesn’t come close to what is in store for us but we also know that we are ready and for now will relish in the moment to recharge, celebrate, and get ready for whatever is thrown as us next. Bring it!

Coming Up For Air

That’s what it feels like. I’m surrounded by a sea of flashcards, notebooks, and mass quantities of information. My math and micro test loom like sharks circling while I hold my fear in so they can’t smell it.

The past two weeks look like a tornado unexpectedly tore through my life. CNA 2 class ended which means I have my evenings back. However, I’ve since been playing catch up with micro and math, studying non-stop until the wee hours of the morning. It has not been easy. I’m tired. Really tired. The kind of tired where I’m mentally exhausted as though my brain has been in sprint mode. Microbiology is interesting, to say the least. We’re learning all about bacteria and viruses. I’m no germaphobe but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me think twice about touching a public doorknob. Our bodies are amazing machines in that we can fight off all the harmful things both inside and out of it. Seeing E. coli under a microscope was fascinating and disturbing all at the same time.

I can’t say I’m thrilled with our instructors. Our micro professor, while funny, is a hot mess. His lectures are scattered, his notes totally and utterly disorganized. It’s as though the Tazmanian Devil has been running the class. He doesn’t like technology and it shows when he pulls out an overhead projector that looks like it’s been around since 1985. He doesn’t allow us to video record his lectures, only audio. While this may seem harmless, it’s challenging when the guy mumbles most of what he says, skips around, and uses a lot of visuals. When students volunteer an answer to a question he asks in review, 99% of his response is, “Yeah, I wouldn’t accept that on the exam” or “That has nothing to do with it” (when it comes out of his notes). Labs are hurried and lack much direction.

Our math instructor is super particular. Even that is an understatement. I definitely lost the instructor lottery this term. But that’s how it goes sometimes. This term has been about adjustment. It’s been completely and utterly out of my comfort zone. What worked to study previously did not work for micro so I’ve had to pivot and redirect my focus and study methods several times to be more efficient in taking in the high volume of information in a short period of time. Inside my head, I want to scream. I miss the warm, fuzzy AP study zone where I had a routine. In hindsight this will be a good lesson. The nursing program is fast and furious. It requires being self driven and the ability to flex. I have to have this skillset or I’ll sink.

In less than a month I’ll start working two days a week and will again have to readjust. As much as I hate it, I also appreciate that I have the time to test run new study techniques between now and the fall when the program would begin. I’m grateful to have such an awesome study group- who works hard but knows when to laugh and when we’ve “hit our wall” after hours of studying. Study group has been crucial to my success in my previous classes and I don’t see that changing any time soon. We bounce ideas off one another. We use A LOT of humor to come up with creative ways to remember terms and concepts. It’s a wild ride, but being on it with such fun, driven people sure makes it better!

Time to dive deep again. See you when I surface in a week.

2 Is the Magic Number

This morning I checked the Oregon License verification website and saw this. For the past 12 days, I attended a CNA2 class at night. We had only one day off through it all and on 1/8 I began my regular college classes during the day. It wasn’t easy and I’m still catching up on sleep as I type this. The first day I was able to sleep in I slept for 10 hours. Anyone that knows me is fully aware I’m up after 7 hours of sleep. Anything beyond 7:30AM is considered sleeping in for me. I got up at 9AM that day. Sheer exhaustion had set in.

CNA2 care is more focused on an expanded scope of care versus the type of work you do in long term care (think nursing homes). After nearly 8 days of lecture and skills practice, we started our clinical shifts at a local hospital Thursday evening through Sunday evening, for 8-hour shifts. There were skills we needed to complete and some required our instructor to see in order to get signed off on to show we were proficient such as CBG blood tests, adjusting oxygen flow up or down, and JP drain emptying. Other skills we were able to apply were bladder scans, IV withdrawals, and emptying/ “burping” ostomy bags. I clocked in just under 4 miles walked per night! Cue the music . Yeah, it’s a horrible video, don’t hate!

There were so many different illnesses we dealt with. Night one I was very nervous. These were real patients; some scared, some irritable for a variety of reasons, and some with memory issues. I had to do to a CBG test (Capillary Blood Glucose) which is a finger stick- on a patient with a disease that causes shaking and when they curl their fingers is not easy. It was quite the learning experience! The word nervous would be a gross understatement. I had to look confident and act quickly while inside my head were thoughts of, “Oh shit!” and “You’re holding a sharp!”.

I was very fortunate to have a CNA2 mentor (the person we were paired up to shadow with) that loved to teach and was patient as I learned. Night two was better. I was starting to feel more confident entering the patient’s rooms and with what I was doing. The nurses were great to watch (when that was possible). Night 3 followed suit. It just kept getting better and my nerves were less rattled with each patient I dealt with. When all was said and done, it really solidified that I was in the right field and got me excited about all the “firsts” and experiences that would come later. Of course the nervousness, fear, and adrenaline come with those moments too.

Next month I’ll start working part time as a CNA2 in a hospital. I can’t wait to see more and learn more. During my brief time in clinicals, I saw several things we had studied such as “barrel chest“, Cheyne Stokes breathing, palliative care, learned what a GI bleed smells like (good times), and saw Parkinson’s up close. Seeing what you’re learning about really puts things into perspective.

I’m not gonna lie- I’m grateful to be done with class and just studying for my current daytime courses. That last two weeks really stretched my focus. With that said, it will give me so much invaluable experience before I enter a nursing program. Or turn me into a complete germaphobe, but we’ll save that for a different post. My brain is a sponge and I plan to soak up as much as I can before that.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sofa waiting for me to collapse into it before I resume my studying and homework routine.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1….

This was our second Christmas living in a new city and it did not disappoint. Organized chaos aside, we’ve enjoyed time with family, I’ve seen a couple friends, and most importantly, have enjoyed some downtime away from the computer. No studying, no homework or books. Just cooking, baking, visiting and getting outside a bit. Oh, and Netflix binging. It’s been delightful and is also why I’ve slowed down on here these past few weeks. During the school term, I’m planted in front of my laptop or iPad, hovering over books and writing endless notes and flashcards. It’s important to walk away from it to recharge and refocus.

Tonight, we will ring in a new year and I’m excited about it. I don’t do resolutions. Don’t believe in them. Never have. Most get broken or forgotten. For me, it’ doesn’t take a new year to set a goal. I actually have many goals approaching; fundraising for a medical mission trip to Guatemala, finding out whether I’m accepted into the nursing program (eek!), and in just a few short weeks I’ll begin a new career as a CNA in a well-established hospital. Not too shabby.

Consistently setting short-term and long-term goals supersede the new year madness that ensues at the stroke of midnight. Cue the weight loss commercials and gym advertisements that charge you fees knowing most will drop off within a month or so.  Fad diets, unregulated supplements, home gyms, and life insurance policies get more air time than a Superbowl commercial. No thank you. Give me a good hike or something outdoorsy as soon as the weather allows. I’ve set ongoing goals to move out of my comfort zone (hence the medical mission trip), reign in my test anxiety and overthinking (always a work in progress) and we have our sights set on living in Seattle at some point (long term goal here) after I have experience under my belt. More hikes this next year than last? You bet! Nothing involves the ticking clock of the new year or stress inducing time constraints.

Live in the moment. Enjoy life as it happens. Be present. Bend to what you need and flex as life is thrown at you. Forgive yourself if you fail. Celebrate the small victories. This isn’t a pep talk or meant to be a motivational speech. Save that annoying fluff for the self-help books. My point is that these things don’t cost $19.95 or involve an annoying, clown-faced (overly made up), spokesperson. It involves following your gut and finding what makes you happy and maintaining forward momentum.

I wish you all a happy new year and am grateful for those of you who have followed me these past 9 months. It’s been a cathartic and fun outlet for me.

Cheers to 2019 and new adventures!

Christmas Tiiiiiiime Is Here

It’s been quite an active week. Grades posted and I ended up with A+s in both of my classes, including my nemesis math. I should have prefaced this with the fact that I was not a good high school student. At times I barely had over a 2.0. So reaching this point feels unreal. Celebrating milestones, no matter big or small is important. It makes the days that push self-doubt to the surface, somehow feel shorter. 

In other news, last night I got a phone call with a part-time job offer at a hospital. Once I complete my CNA 2 class in January, I will start orientation. To say I’m excited would be a gross understatement. In a hospital environment, the potential to learn and see things I’m studying in school is great and the fact that my manager is an educator is pretty awesome. I’m so excited. 

On Friday I’ll be submitting my nursing program application and then the wait for April will begin. This is when notifications go out to let you know if you qualify for an interview. It’s going to be a long few months for those of us applying. Everything we’ve worked for will be out of our hands. Friday is also when our CNA 2 class orientation takes place. Once Jan 2nd arrives, I’ll be hitting the pavement at full speed and back into my study routine.

Maybe I shouldn’t use the word routine. The microbiology instructor we have is far different from our AP series instructor. This will be a significant learning curve. I’ll be studying around the clock for this class. Add another math class to the mix and it’s going to challenge every cell in my brain. Our study group somehow manages to find a way into a study ritual. It just works. Finding our way to this point is the challenge. Once we begin, I’ll post on that. The nursing student accounts I follow on Instagram have been such an eye-opener. Study habits, how to plan your time, study resources and tools abound. It’s like a bountiful treasure trove with 24-hour access. So sharing how we study and what we use will be a part of my posts. 

I plan to post once more before Christmas then Nursing Scribbles will take a brief reprieve for time with family. This is my favorite time of year, not because of the shopping (although I do love the hunt for the right gift). Holiday traditions carry on another year. We get lots of family time. I get to pour my heart into baking and cooking. It’s somehow catharsis amidst the chaos and I live for it.  

Monday Monday Monday…

Today was finals day. I won’t say it went swimmingly since my math final was pretty hard and I always remain cautiously optimistic but I went in with a high grade so there is that. There were a few people that left the room looking quite pale and horrified. With that said- I’m done and fall term is officially behind me. Fall was my 7th consecutive term since returning to school. I’m tired. Not bitching or anything but I’m exhausted and so grateful to have a month break before the start of craziness that will be winter term.

After our final, I met with a nursing program advisor to go over my application points. Everything we’ve done to this point is for this application. So far so good. I wish I had my language requirement met by now but there are other areas I’ll get points that will likely make up for that so I feel pretty good. Bottom line, as my friend reminded me, is that we can’t do anything more now. Our work is done. Thursday we go to a “Getting Ready to Apply” workshop. We are all giddy to have reached this point after working so hard. It’s a milestone and we’re pretty excited. Yeah, we’re nerds. AND PROUD OF IT! 

After only a few hours of sleep last night I don’t have anything really witty or funny at this point. Without fail- before finals or any big exam or even race day ( I  was a distance runner)- my brain will not shut off. Nerves get the best of me and I don’t sleep. Fortunately the next night I crash and I’m already feeling like I”m fading a bit. I call that being “zoney”. Zoned out, space cadet, hazed- however you want to put it. It’s setting in.

I’ve been writing a bit less to focus on school and make sure I’m away from the computer more than I’m on it. So once a week seems to work for now. If I feel like writing more, I certainly will but maintaining balance is important. This month I plan to rest, cook, bake, plan Christmas dinner, apply for scholarships, and complete my nursing program application. It will be a nice combination of work and play among the holiday craziness. Applying for scholarships is a new thing for me so I’ll report back on that process too. I bought a ginormous scholarship book to apply for money outside of my college. There is so much that goes unclaimed each year. Anything helps since school is so expensive. It’s worth the time.

I have a celebratory gin and tonic waiting for me so I’ll leave you with this.