Spiritual Tests

It's been a rough week in the Relic household. We've had some major spiritual tests come our way, and I failed. Miserably. My husband, however, did not.
We often pray for God's perfect will to take place in our lives. At the same time, we also often have in mind what that is. When we place our trust in God and ask Him to take over, yet reality doesn't match what we had imagined coming into fruition, the most difficult thing is to continue to trust in Him.
This should be an easy task if I look back over his "track record" in my life. Disappointments that later became blessings and closed doors that redirected me to better opportunities are the hallmark of my life. Yet it only takes the newest disappointment for doubt to creep in.
One of the areas in which I struggle most is anger. Over the years, I've really grown in handling those emotions when others attack or hurt me. However, I still struggle when others attack or hurt my loved ones. It's like someone awakens a sleeping bear inside me. Mama bear, who sets out to trample anyone and anything in my family's path. Mama bear was poked this week, and I'm ashamed to say I let my emotions rule me. Was my anger justified? I believe so. My actions, however, were not. As I mentioned earlier, I failed. In continuing to trust God, and in how I conducted myself.
The light at the end of the tunnel was my husband's actions. In a marriage, you see each other at your very worst. Trials like those that occurred this week often bring out major character flaws (example: me). Yet I had the opportunity to see the strengths in Aaron's character this week. He recognized that God sees things we don't, and that even if we don't understand at the moment, it's all a part of His plan. He handled himself impeccably, both in expressing his thoughts at home and through his actions at school. How blessed am I to have an example to follow in the man I chose as my life partner? How rare is it to continue to discover integrity and character rather than disappointment in your spouse and best friend?
I couldn't be more proud of Aaron, or more disappointed in myself. I'm a work-in-progress, and I hope that I pass the next trial in our lives as well as my husband.

Baby Shower

Several ladies and I hosted a baby shower for Lindsey, a sweet staff member at our school. It's her first child, and it's a BOY! 

For the "storybook" theme, guests were asked to bring a children's book in lieu of a card or as their gift. We built quite the library today! 

Lindsey, our Guest of Honor

Everyone did such a great job - it came together so nicely. Cupcakes, lemon cookies, candy, and fruit to satisfy our sweet tooth's.

Janelle's adorable diaper cake w/ book topper

I modified a punch recipe I found online, and it turned out to be quite tasty! The bonus? It was super simple. I quadrupled the recipe twice to ensure I had enough for everyone, but the standard called for 1 can lemonade concentrate, 3 cups of water, and 12 oz Sprite. I added ice to cool it down and sliced lemons for presentation. Yum! 

You could also substitute raspberry or pink lemonade concentrate...if your party were for a baby girl. :)

Miss Hadley served as entertainment. She previewed most of the books to make sure they were kid-approved.

First a lick...

Then a nose-dive! Silly girl.

Jaye Bea made the cutest onesies - I'm going to need a tutorial!

 This picture makes my heart melt.

 We had a wonderful time and a great turnout. Lindsey's going to be a wonderful mother, and I hope she and Jack have lots of sweet moments with their noses in a book. 

We can't wait to welcome you to the world, Baby Jack!

Week in Summary

This past week was crazy, and things are only going to get more hectic over the next couple of weeks. Here's a little update from our non-stop schedule.
We finished writing our papers for our Elderly Assignment for HPDP (Health Promotion Disease Prevention, also known as Most Pointless Class Ever). The first was a summary of our interview with an elderly individual, and the second was a reflection of the summary. Please, keep assigning us busy work. We crave it, because we have nothing else to do but twiddle our thumbs all day.

Wednesday was our designated time slot for the Surgical Assisting Lab at TTC. Now that we've mastered (?) scrubbing in, we moved on to learning how to announce ourselves, how to follow the surgeon's sutures, what tools to request from the Scrub Tech and when, and how to pass said tools to other assistants and the surgeon. I'm soaking up all of these practical lessons for rotations! We're very blessed to be able to have these opportunities.

Trying his hand at laparoscopy

Thursday afternoon was the first of two Clinical Skills labs over bedside procedures. We were introduced to the newly remodeled Anatomy lab, which looks fantastic, and were able to practice everything from punch biopsies to thoracocentesis on the cadavers. I was unable to take photos due to school policy and out of respect for the individuals who selflessly donate their bodies to vastly improve our education.
We also received our Doctors in Training Step 1 Study Guide Thursday. Yikes. I coped by practicing my surgical knots on my shoe string.

 

 
Friday morning was our fourth Pathology exam, which we took in the newly remodeled lower level of Merkel auditorium. It's so much more spacious and light! Plus, it smells new. I love that new smell.
Unfortunately, I developed the worst ulcer I've ever had earlier in the week. I may or may not have come home and cried after the exam until the Prilosec + Pepto Bismol kicked in. I am in need of some major stress relieving activities! I believe Aaron and I will resume our evening walks along Riverside, or I may not survive Boards.

My current best friend

We attended my cousin Mark's wedding at the Philbrook Museum Friday evening and visited with all of my family members that came into town for the occasion. As usual, we received some great advice from my Uncle Doug for our upcoming rotations. We are very excited about our first month in Tahlequah this July.
Whew! What a week! The excitement keeps building, but so does the stress. I'm looking forward to June 12 more than I can express!

Scrub Run

The 32nd annual Scrub Run hosted by our school to benefit LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma took place this past Saturday.

It's a great cause, and my family participated to show their support, get a little exercise, and spend some time together.

 Mom and Dad before their races - matching Razorbacks!

Mom ran the 10K, which she enjoyed because there aren't many options between 5K and half-marathons in the area. Dad participated in the 1 Mile Fun Run; he went over Sunday's sermon and chatted with a policeman along the way. :)

 So proud of her! She works hard to stay in shape and healthy - a doctor's dream :)

Two of my favorite people...and Dr. Pete!

 Aaron ran the 5K. He's only recently begun to get back into running and did very well, finding a running buddy in our classmate Josh along the way.

We were worried about stormy weather, but the sun peeked out right after the 5K and it turned into a beautiful day along Riverside. 

After lunch at Dilly Deli and a little Target shopping therapy, we bid my parents and sister adieu and tortured ourselves with a little Pharm.

If you haven't heard of the Scrub Run before, I encourage you to participate next year!

Overwhelmed

This weekend will be dedicated to Pathology and Pharmacology...I can hardly finish uttering the latter without throwing up a bit in my mouth. However, this unit covers all antibiotics, which are kind of (crucially) important.
Luckily, I have a new set of Sharpie pens in colored inks from my trip to Sam's Club this afternoon after class. All you type-A nerds out there know the excitement I'm feeling right now (the purple is beautiful!). It makes Beta-Lactams so much more tolerable.

I'm beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed.
In the next two weeks, I have three exams, a paper, an online assignment, and a Sterile Technique Lab in addition to my normal lab schedule.
Finals immediately follow: 5 written exams and 2 practical exams in 6 days.
Then comes ACLS training the next day, so I can actually save your life by reviving you if need be.
Next, two weeks of board review from 8-4 with Poppie, and as many hours as humanly possible of cramming impossible amounts of information into my brain for the 2 weeks after that.
On June 4, Aaron and I will take the USMLE Step 1.
On June 11, we will both take COMLEX Step 1.
Then I will sleep for one week straight. 
I can't wait for my last finals, EVER, to be over. And then again, at the same time, I don't want them to end, for it signals that boards are imminent.
Is it possible to hook myself up to a continuous IV infusion of Diet Dr. Pepper for the next 2 months?

Easter Blessings

I am 26 years old, and I still dye/decorate eggs and receive an Easter basket. Don't you?

I still love to watch the tiny bubbles!

I love that my family continues these traditions despite the number of years that have passed since the time frame others deem them "age-appropriate." We retain that childlike excitement over the holiday and what it represents, and we don't have to miss out on any fun just because we're getting older!

My mom texted Macee and me a picture of a carton of eggs and a NEON egg-coloring kit last Thursday evening. We added 3 tablespoons of vinegar to each container to achieve the neon look, and they turned out beautifully!

Fun with wax crayons!

 Immediately after our alarm went off (early, I might add... I tend to run late on Easter morning), I asked Aaron to open the door to see what the Easter Bunny brought us!

 Our favorite candy in fun Easter shapes, a magazine, Easter panties (for me), a subscription to Traditional Home and Veranda (I LOVE magazines!), and chaise lounge chairs for our deck! I can't wait to spend some quality time with my First Aid book and the sun. :)

Hot mama and sister

Love my family! So proud of my daddy and his hard work!

Matt brought his mom to church and they joined us for a big Easter lunch afterwards. Ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, homemade bread, blueberry cheesecake, pecan cobbler, white chocolate cake, and apple cobbler courtesy of Matt's mom. Yum!

Handsome doctors-to-be

Easter cards

 Mom and Dad wrote a passage to Aaron in his card, stating that he is the son they never had. It warmed my heart so. :)

A great Easter message, meal, and fellowship. Isn't God so good?! 

Happy Easter everyone!

Scrubbing In

Thank goodness for today's Clinical Skills lab, for it will save me much embarrassment (and possibly tears) in the near future.
The folks over at TTC were kind enough to teach us how to "scrub in" for a surgery. I had no idea how many steps were involved, and how meticulous one must be to prevent contamination. Luckily, it fits perfectly with my Type A personality.

Your hands can't go above or below certain points on your body, or you have to leave and scrub in again.
You must bend over from the waist when drying your hands/arms so as not to let the towel touch your scrubs, or you have to leave and scrub in again.
Your back must face away from the table and equipment at all times, or you have to leave and scrub in again.
Are you seeing a pattern here? I could go on and on. And on.

The most difficult part was putting on the gloves over the gown with no assistance. It's supposed to be one fluid motion. Mine was about 32 adjustments to just get my fingers in the right place.

Aaron getting super clean!

I also had no idea how long it actually took to wash your hands up to just beyond your elbows. Or how warm and steamy my face and glasses would get - and that's sans the intense lights.
I now feel much more prepared for the first day of my surgery rotation, and much less likely to get yelled at/kicked out of the OR by my attending. I have no misconceptions about looking like I know what I'm doing - one afternoon isn't going to accomplish that. However, we're not going to just be thrown to the wolves. It's so nice to be taught the practical stuff that most people assume we automatically know!
Surgery, here I come!
Now, to not pass out...

Pathology Preparation

It took me until February, but I finally nailed down a study routine for Pathology that has served me very well.

1. Attend class with my laptop unopened (Pinterest is only a few keystrokes away if not!).  Between looking at the slides on the projector screen, glancing at the professor, skimming the Pathology text and simultaneously highlighting important facts and phrases, my ADD attention span is able to last the majority of the way through the 50 minute lecture. Two hour lectures on Monday and Friday require much more Dr. Pepper power.

 Apparently it IS for women, as it's my coffee substitute. Coffee: blech.

2. Review Aaron's lecture notes...if Poppie taught the block. Aaron's notes because of said ADD and computer temptation problem. And he takes amazing notes.

3. Painstakingly work my way through each packet of study questions, reading the corresponding section in the text, studying the images related to each question, and inserting notes. This ensures I don't have to re-read the chapters, as I have all of the important details listed in the packet.The endocrine packet, which was 37 pages, took me over 3 hours. Time-consuming, but it pays off in the end.

4. Review packets. Repeat as many times as possible before the exam.

5. Day of exam: flip through the relevant chapters in the text and focus on the images and tables as a refresher.

6. Take the rest of the day off and do something relaxing, such as go fishing, which we did post-exam Monday afternoon. Be as mindless as possible.

 
I caught my first fish on that trip - a small bass - and skinned it. I also learned that the term is "filet," not "skin." I'm a work in progress.
Add a pond to the list of must-haves for our future property, right alongside the gun range...

Sowing Seeds of Bitterness

I've been struggling with feeling hurt and rejected by a few people with whom I've desired to have a more positive relationship for the past several months.
Last night, the struggle came to a head and I realized that by dwelling on the words and actions (and in some cases lack of action) of these people, my initial feelings of offense and betrayal were beginning to progress to extreme anger and bitterness.
The issue has also been distracting me from my studies, which I can't allow (especially with a Pathology exam tomorrow).
I asked Aaron to pray with me that God take away the hurt and allow me to view my "enemies" in a different light.
This morning, our daily Bible reading happened to deal with the subject, and a separate devotional we've begun dealt entirely with the topic.
It discussed how a simple offense/disagreement allowed a seed to be planted within Judas that would fester and eventually lead to his betrayal of Christ. I realized that by holding on to my feelings of resentment, I am allowing a seed to plant and grow within my heart that will eventually lead to bitterness and an even worse relationship than the one at present.
I'm asking God to soften my heart, and attempting to view those who have rejected me with a different perspective - one that enables me to have greater compassion.
Bitterness and an unwillingness or incapability to forgive hurts no one but myself (or possibly my husband, worst of all). By continually seeking God in this matter and thanking Him for the many blessings I have in my life, I'm hoping to let go of past and present actions, and to better cope with future disappointments.
I hope that you'll consider the same if you're dealing with a similar situation. It's for our own good!