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. 

Contusion

Contusion: any mechanical injury (usually caused by a blow) resulting in hemorrhage beneath unbroken skin. (Thanks Stedman's medical dictionary)  Also, a really fancy name for bruise.   Mostly I think they came up with this name, because when someone is admitted to the hospital for a "cardiac contusion," it sounds much more serious than a "cardiac bruise."

So I had a patient who came into the hospital because he was so drunk he couldn't walk to the bathroom.  He told me that he drank "socially," but not excessively, but told the ER that he drank 7-8 beers a night.  As far as detoxing patients go, this guy was pretty nice.  What got me was he watched the history channel on t.v. for over an hour: a documentary of beer-making, and then of breweries themselves.  Made my night.

Recently, I have added some new records to my "list."  I keep a tally in my head of the wackiest lab values I've seen in people.  This week, the following made the list: a sodium of 107 (which is so low that you don't remember your own name, and could seize and die at any minute).  And a carbon dioxide in arterial blood at 103 (which is so high that you've been breathing through a straw for months, and again critical.)

Surprise Cookies

So today I tried a new cookie recipe.  Mostly what caught my eye was the simplicity of the ingredients, and the fact that I had them all in my house.  But the real kicker, was the recipe called for cottage cheese.  That's right kids, cottage cheese.  I had never in my life thought about putting cottage cheese into cookies, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  They are actually pretty good, flaky and pastry-like, and also soft.  Not a lot of sugar in it either.  Here's the recipe for your convenience:

1 cup butter softenes
3/4 cup small curd cottage cheese
2 cups flour
1 egg, beated
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon (I doubled it and it was heavenly)

Cream butter and cottage cheese until smooth; gradually add flour.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.  On lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/8 inch thickness.  Cut with a round cookie cutter, place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet.  Brush tops with egg.  Combine walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon; sprinkle over cookies.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Place on wire rack to cool.

Enjoy! 

P.S. If you like to make cookie dough to eat it and not bake it, these are NOT the cookies for you.  Butter, flour, and cottage cheese tastes about as good as it sounds when mixed together. 

Recent reads...

A while ago, I finished reading "The Count of Monte Cristo" which is fantastic!  Almost every word has to do with the plot, and it's so intricate.  I would definitely suggest this for a great read.  I know it's 1400 pages, but it's worth every one of them.  Before "Monte Cristo" I read "The Three Musketeers."  It too is incredibly long, something like 1200 pages, and has moments of brilliance, but not nearly as many as "Monte Cristo." 

My next big read is "Les Miserables" by Hugo.  We'll see how long it takes to read it.  I'm told that it's amazing, and I will let you know.

Arizona resident

I am officially an Arizona resident.  I got my Arizona driver's license and registered to vote.  Happy day right?  Well, even more joyful is the fact that my Arizona driver's license is good until I am 65 years old.  That's right everybody.  I don't have to renew my license until 2048.  I might have trouble going back to Utah where you have to get it done every 5 years.  I have a concern about my picture though.  What happens if I have gray hair by the time I'm 64?  How will they recognize me?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

So I was able to visit home for about a week in April.  I ran around like crazy trying to see everyone I know and love, but it just didn't happen.  I had a blast though.  We celebrated Elmina's birthday the day I arrived.  (Yes, only Elmina's birthday.  For those who don't know, my sister and I share a birthday, but apparently I'm old and patient enough to wait to celebrate my birthday.) 

Doesn't she look happy?  Sadly, I couldn't get a picture at the right moment.

Herschel wanted to show off his pogo stick skills:

And Edith wanted to show off her bike riding skills:

Wednesday I went horse back riding with some friends from my old ward:

Duchess likes to smell hair...she does it to me all the time too.  Can't figure out why.  I'm pretty sure it's because my shampoo smells like freshly cut alfalfa or something.  

Sadly, it rained and we had to cut the party short.  

The rest of the trip was spent with friends and family and enjoying the cool Utah air.  It was sad to leave because I realized how much I miss from home.  But then, I realize that it's still snowing in Utah, and down here it's fabulous.