Deadrenalize

Recently I had the experience of needing my nursing skills outside of a work setting (nothing too serious, so don't you worry).  Now, at work when things go wrong, patients start crashing, etc., there is a natural adrenaline factor.  It is most notable when a code blue happens, that is, when someone stops breathing, or their heart stops beating.  Adrenaline is the body's natural response to that stress, and keeps you going and able to get things done.  After a real adrenaline pumping experience, there is usually a period of time afterwards that I have lots of extra energy and usually need to go for a walk.  At work, it's a semi-controlled environment where I can have access to doctors, and medications, and a defibrillator.

Outside of work is a completely different environment.  When called on unexpectedly to use your nursing skills, adrenaline immediately starts pumping, even when you appear to be completely calm and in control of the situation.  I realize I was calm, and I was not really worried during this situation, but 2 hours later, was a different story.  At that point, I started feeling jittery, I couldn't hold still, and felt the need to go for a run or something.  (Me wanting to go for a run doesn't happen often.)  So, in honor of this situation, I have created a new word for myself, and soon it will be incorporated into the medical community. 

The word is deadrenalize (v): the body's need to be active to use extra adrenaline not used during a stressful situation.  Evidence has proved that it may happen minutes to hours after stress occurs. (Deadrenalize does not necessarily apply to people who intentionally get adrenaline rushes, i.e. roller coasters, sky diving, bungee jumping, swimming with sharks, etc.)

As a side note: I always get a kick out of people who come into the hospital and say they are allergic to epinephrine (the other name for adrenaline).  It's a naturally occurring hormone people, and it's supposed to cause an increased heart rate.

Catching up

As my sister recently returned from the Philippines, and my brother in law was leaving for officer training, among other things, I decided to visit home.  It was a quick trip, but good.  It was nice to escape the heat from Mesa and sleep with the windows open at night.  Here are some pics:

 

This is a view of the valley where I grew up.

 

Mt. Timpanogos

Mt. Nebo (don't mind the fence post...)

We went up Santaquin canyon for a weenie roast..the canyon's only 20 minutes away or so.  So much easier to escape the heat when the mountains are so close.

It was great to get out of the Utah heat.  I've realized since coming back that Arizona heat is different from Utah heat.  I haven't figured it out quite yet, but in Utah, you can feel your skin cooking when it's 95 degrees, and in Arizona, it doesn't feel like that, even when it's 110 degrees.  My theory is it's the altitude: when you're closer to the sun, you get burned easier.  My home town is about 4500 feet in elevation.  Mesa is 1200 feet.