PA-C

Well, it' s been way too long.
Went to Ecu, it was wonderful and Shawn came to visit... even better! (even got a couple PANCE questions because of my Ecu rotation)
Graduation weekend, spent time with my family - it was so wonderful to have them here. We had an amazing time! Shawn made some extra special plans for everyone that were kept secret until we were there. It was truly amazing. I love my family.
Then after I graduated and was jenni in da hood for a few hours it was back to the books to prep for the boards. I can't believe how hard I studied for the 6 hour, 360 question test.
Then the 26th came and went - it was a long challenging test but done and done. I wasn't going to check my scores - if I recieved them until after Chicago - our yearly trek to see the Cubs (however disappointing their season may be).
Today, when I opened my email.... I saw the email I was dreading that said check to see if you passed..... I wasn't suppose to look until after Chicago but I had to know... and so I checked and there it was: my homepage at the NCCPA that said when I had to recertify, checked exam results and PASSED! YAY!

I couldn't have done it without the love and support of my family. I am so truly blessed. So now on to the job hunt (and the 5 interview process that starts next week for ONE job). But first, a little fun in Chicago - look for us on FOX we'll be close enough to see us wave behind the dugout!

Do I have an Ecuadorian Tale for you!

If it weren't 6:37 am I would have time to tell it, but I have to get ready for clinic. I will have to tell my story later. All I can share now it, don't send packages to Ecuador that weigh over 4.5kg (and even that might be pushing it). More to come of this later (even though I wasted the cool heading already).
SHawn here in Tminus 3 days! HOly COW!

Only In Ecuador

Friday's Spanish moment of the day:

Brit and I were flying solo doing exams - and totally rocking! In the middle of one of Brit's physical exams, a man walks in the room, with one of the clinic volunteers and Dr. Montero close behind. (Being interrupted in the middle of an exam is pretty normal here). The man is holding a black plastic bag. I am frantically scribbling prescriptions and Brit is listening to lungs when suddelnly the man pulls out of the bag.... a human skull of a 20-something yr old. WTF? He was trying to sell it to Dr. Montero to study or for a collection for $300. A human skull!! Can you believe it? Craziness!! As you can imagine Brit and I were flabbergasted, jaws on the floor, beet red and laughing. The volunteer grabs the skull and comes to sit by me asking me if I want it and is trying to hand it to me. I slowly inched away in my rollie chair. After the man left (Dr. M told the guy $300 was way too much) Dr. M told us it's common for people to bring bones of all types to the clinic to sell. It was craziness!!

Spent yesterday afternoon (Guayaquil'sindependence day) with Brit's family at her house. How fun!! Way more fun than my family. We ate almuerzo, had cake and ice cream, sang a little birhtday song and some spanish karaoke and all the festivities nearly ended their dear 90yr old grandmother as she was frightened of all the noises and party-popper suprises. Then last night we went to the Malecon with her host family parents and just walked around. We missed the fireworks, but it was neat to see some of the festivities for 25 Julio! Her dad bought us a hot dog and on the way home a McDonald's ice cream cone. Today when Brit swung my house to walk to the mall, she brought me a slice of cake her host mom had sent... since she said I told her I really enjoyed it - which I did!
2 weeks left and Shawn will be here on Friday! He is in need of a big break from all the work he's been doing. He has been working his tail off (as usual) I don't know how he does it sometimes working 7 or 8 day straight with the patient load they have. ALl I know is how proud I am of him for hanging in there, taking care of the house this whole time and the pups. He's done an amazing job!!

Wow

yesterday I saw 19 patients, by myself in just over 2 hrs. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all, this also meant we got out ... a little early (which is actually on time) So glad I am actually making pogress!!

I taught Shawn on the phone how to ask for me when he calls in spanish - can't wait for him to have to use. I also taught him two functional words: Chevere (Ecuadorian for Cool) and explained to him the use of -ito, -ita, here they use it for everything! Want a little sopita (instead of sopa, or my snot is a little amorillita (instead of just amorillo - yelllow) ( when you you the -ito and-ita it means a little bit or when used with ninos, cute little...) so I taught him nalgita. Look up the world nalga.
I am so excited he'll be here in a week!! (ok 1 week and 1 day - but who's counting). We are going to have a chill weekend and then I am going to take him to clinic with us to experience the bus ride and the clinic. I am so anxious fo rhim to have his first passport -stamping experience.

I rocked my Spanish presentation the other day on Dengue - yup going to add that to the CV: Presentations in Spanish: Dengue, I have one more about Lepra (Hanson's Dz)

Que mas? This weekend is a huge fiesta for Guayaquil's inde[endence day or something like that. There are flags everywhere. There's also a scary circus set up that we see on our way to clinic. And when I mean scary I 'm not scared just because of the "C" word (although those are extra scary here), the tent, the rides, the whole thing just looks scary. Although I think the water show would be interesting, there are half-naked mermaids pics posted for that... hmmm only here in Ecuador.

2 more weekends here. It's going to fly by!

Language

I encountered the first issue with being a foreigner with just enough Spanish to NOT being able to explain exactly what I mean and having someone else in a more authoritative position tell me I am wrong... case in point 66 Hep B shots given to 2nd graders instead of the 2nd dose to the 7th graders... I actually had to sit on some kid to give the shot... I feel terrible. Did the RN today really think it was a good idea to send a volunteer who knows nothing about what we are suppose to be doing, and 2 foreigners 1 who speaks just enough Spanish to a school with a bag full of needles, an icebox full of vaccine and an empty water bottle for a sharps container? Nope didn't sound good to me either.
What a crappy day.

Brits parents are leaving tomorrow. Shawn will be here in 11days. Totally unable to talk to Shawn tonight despite my best efforts to be looming near the computer room when the phone was ringing... is it really that difficult to pick up the phone people? grrrr. so frustrated.

At least I might have another encounter with a 4 foot iguana tomorrow on my way to school or at school. Craziness.

headed to the highlands

Well as I recover from my little bout of Ecuadorian pneumonia I'll be headed to Cuenca for some much needed fresh air, and time out and away from the Ecuatorian family. (And after consulting with an upcoming PA it was decided I should also take a 5 day course of Cipro to better cover my lungs).

1month and 7days until boards, less than 1month until graduation, 14 more days of clinic, 3 more weeks here, 2 weeks until Shawn comes to visit and 2 Spanish presentations (in spanish of course) to go. Amen!

Swine Flu?

I would have enjoyed Quito more if I hadn't gotten really sick on the morning of day 2. Fever, chills, body aches and a wicked cough.

I'd been running a 3 day temp of about 100-101.5 until today when the tylenol finally kicked in. I also went to the doctor, dx: pneumonia.
So, after being tested for swine flu- results on Wed, I am confined to bed -taking my atbx (amoxil) and my expectorant.

I am missing home more than ever!