Spring Break Tampa

At BYU I never got a Spring Break. SLU is the university of breaks I love it. We have good friday easter break, a month break for Christmas, a Spring Break. It's good to be a student. I'm going to miss it. We YOLOed and went to Tampa Florida for vacation. Chris had to study for Ocaps...but still studying at the beach is way better than studying at home.
We stayed with my Aunt Julie in Tampa. It was fun to be with Julie and Todd in their natural habitat of humid hot florida. I felt like it was a higher end Galveston. Beaches are way better in Florida though. My favorite part is walking on the beach looking at shells. Julie and I looked for a few hours while Chris studied. I didn't bring my phone and apparently he called me twice. Time flies when your looking for shells! My neck was even sore the next day.
We took off to Orlando for a couple of days and stayed at the Hilton while soaking up the sun and swimming in the pool. We played a little mini golf and sat by the bonfire and tried out their fitness gym. It was a fun hotel, and a lot to do.
So Chris has this thing...where he likes to be SUPER early to amusement parks and be the first ones there and be the first one on the ride. I go along for the ride and have no complaints, just happy to be at Universal Studios. We wait 30 minutes until the guy in yellow opens the park and kids in front of us start sprinting. We first test out the HULK ride. I wanted to just go straight to the Harry Potter Park. The guy said it was already busy and the amusement park had just opened! I guess they let people in an hour early who stay at the hotels at Universal Studios. We then make our way to HP Land but go on the rides a long the way. So I guess Universal Studios is known for these virtual reality rides. I had no idea that that was the majority of their rides, but we gave them a shot. After the first few I started to get a little nauseous. Then after the Simpsons ride, Chris needed a break from the virtual reality and just to sit down. We headed to Hogwarts and looked around Diagon Alley and Hogsmead. This was by FAR the coolest part of Universal. I think they just need to get rid of the other rides and expand the HP park. Everything was centered on it anyways. They had props from the movie there and HP music playing. They had a shop where you could buy your own wand and where the "wand picks you". Even moaning myrtle was in the stalls of the bathrooms, well her voice anyways. We had lunch at the Three Witches where we got ButterBeer. Basically like creamsoda and butterscotch syrup with cream-- super sugary and the frozen kind is the best :).
We shot aliens at Men In Black and went on a super cool roller coaster where you choose your music and you rock out while riding. At the end of the day we were worn out and made our way back to Tampa where we saw the sunset and watched entertainers on the street swallow fire and ride a giraffe unicycle not to mention the guy who got out of restraints and chains.
Running on the beach is one of my favorite things to do but running with my husband on the beach is my favorite! He is a speed demon and likes to make sure he is running faster than me:).
The last day we went swimming with the manatees. I honestly admit I had no idea what a manatee even looked at. I looked at a picture of them on the internet and thought they are so ugly! But they are so ugly that they are so cute...they are " gentle giants" and we were able to spot one in clear water and go swimming with it. They sleep with their head buried in the sand and then they go up for water every 5 mins. I don't know how you get sleep with that need?
Now back to reality where Chris took his Ocaps and next week I have two 12 hour shifts and two tests. What fun!!!!!!!!!

Tons of swamps and alligators in Tampa!

                                                          She sells sea shells by the sea shore

                                                                    Looking for Manatees...
Love the St. Louis Smith's

Finals Week!!

What is getting me through this cold St. Louis weather is our trip to Florida this next weekend! I am so excited to be in the sun! But to get to Florida I have to finish all my finals! I have a Peds test monday, maternity tuesday, and friday is HESI (cumulative of OB & Peds more NCLEX style). It is going to be a BIG week for grades. 60% this week is our grade. What if I was sick and throwing up and not able to get out of bed. Would I still have to come? I would rather just get it over with then study one more day for these tests!
This week was pretty low key since we are just getting ready for finals but I did have the opportunity to shadow in the ED! I shadowed a nurse and a paramedic. He let me do all his IVs which was about 15! It was awesome practice. He said he does about 50 a day, so I didn't worry when I spilled all this lady' s blood on the floor because I didn't push hard enough on the artery to stop the bleeding. Maybe I should have worried she was 97... it came out so fast though! I got to put in a couple of follys and watch a couple of codes...it's a little crazy in that ER.

Snow snow snow everywhere. It has been snowing so much in St. Louis! We had a couple of snow days last week and this week we had a church snow day. No church due to snow?? That has never happened in my life. But I guess it makes sense, why risk their eternal salvation for making them travel in bad weather?

Chris and I had a busy week this week, didn't get to see much of each other. But we can't wait to go to Florida and the beach and Universal Studios and swimming with the manatees! It is going to be so much fun!
Now just cross my fingers I do well on these tests next week!!!

The last mile!

What a journey it has been! 2 months and 17 days until I am done with Nursing School. Cannot believe it...I have learned so much this year and quite frankly that's all  I have been doing, studying... Chris and my life right now is not very exciting we come home around 6-7pm eat a quick dinner and study a little bit more together. Quite romantic :). I love that we are both studying about health, it definitely helps to have an expert in the room when I get confused if the pulmonary arteries carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood :).
So much has happened and I have loved all my clinicals. Right now I am just finishing pediatrics and labor and delivery. I love learning about this especially since it will only help me to be a better mom someday. I love assessing babies and holding them figuring out their developmental level and milestones they will meet.
I don't know what specialty I want to do yet, I always thought I would be good in Peds or OB. This week I am shadowing in the ED and surprisingly like the fast pace work environment, I also like the challenge that comes with the ICU and the learning opportunities there.
I also had my first interview for nursing! Of course they have to ask me a question on the spot what I would do as a nurse given this situation. A patient of yours is going to surgery with an amputation and has an INR level of 20 what would you do as the nurse and what do you expect would be ordered. I'm glad I knew the answer but really...are all my interviews going to be like this!?!
My favorite moment this week happened upon my Psych rotation at Mercy Hospital. I was in a therapy group and it just made me acknowledge how thankful I am to have my life how it is right now. I know sometimes I think I have it hard but when I realize how many people around me are suffering it just makes me want to help them, I think this is a major reason why I want to be a nurse.
I am getting ready to take midterms which can be pretty stressful, this week is more low key than usual but it picks up fast and soon i'll have three tests within a couple of days of each other.
It also helps that the weather is freezing cold here in St. Louis, already have had 2 snow days this year. I never have had snow days so that is saying something. This Saturday I had clinical and went outside to start my car when I realized it was completely covered in ice. I had already broken my last ice scraper from scraping my car but there was still two hooks I could try and pry the ice off it. Finally I gave up and sat in the car with the heat on full blast.
The one thing I think that is getting us through this brutal winter is our trip to Tampa in a couple of weeks! So excited to stay with my Aunt Julie and her husband Todd. We have never been to Tampa but I feel like it would be an injustice if I didn't go to Disney World or Universal Studios. Of course we are going to go to the beach and bathe in the sun before we go back to the freezing cold.
We miss our little rascal, Maggie. She is happy in Utah for the time being (While I finish nursing school). She gets all types of treats from grandma jodi :) collars, coats, and bones. She is a spoiled puppy. I even try to facetime her and call out to her. I think she may be a little confused of where her mom and dad went... poor girl.
Chris is studying to take his Ocaps soon in March. A big test that allows you to specialize in a certain field of Ophthalmology. I am so happy for him and his enthusiasm for his work. I have never met someone so optimistic and positive about going to work, maybe not so much about being on call though ;).
Life here in St. Louis is moving fast! Sorry no photos, haven't had to many things going on or else I would. Live life to the fullest and we will too!

Love you all.

Cameryn

1 Month Early Birthday

For the Holidays we got Protesters! As we waited for the verdict on the Mike Brown case we counted down the minuets until the verdict came no inditement. We watched the craziness in St. Louis, especially Ferguson as their city was destroyed to pieces. We especially liked the event where all the protesters got near ABI where Chris works. We watched as they stood under the bridge. That's the bridge that's my work! It was kind of funny to see that the protesters were literally right where Chris works. Yet, the next day everyone showed up for their clinical appointment...We even had a whole hour dedicated to the whole shindig at church today. 

So that was the start to the Holiday Season, Thanksgiving was a peaceful day. I didn't see any protesters on the way to our friends house which was nice since the day before I44 was blocked off. Thanksgiving Feast was a hit! Thanks Pappy's! Chris and I love their ribs... seriously BEST ribs ever. I am not even a huge fan of ribs. That says something for having it for Thanksgiving. Everything was delicious, the coconut sweet potatoes, the fruit salad, the green bean casserole, mashed potatoes. Mmm but the best part was of course our company, it was nice to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving even though both our families were away. I think Chris and I are getting used to it since it's been a while since we have gone home for Thanksgiving. We played Mexican Horse Races... Chris's game wasn't sure if everyone knew what was going on..and we played Wolf. Guess who got out first? Ya me and Chris sought me out! He just knows me too well. 

Because of our busy schedules: Finals coming up, Chris going to San Diego, Being on call, and going home for Christmas, we decided to celebrate my birthday this weekend! 

Friday night I drug out Chris to go Black Friday Shopping at the Outlets. Honestly, Black Friday is a bust there really is not many good deals but I'll always take a shopping trip:). 

Saturday morning we went on a gorgeous hike on a gorgeous day! It was in the 60's this weekend and perfect hiking weather. We went to Hawns Hiking about an hour south of St. Louis. We hiked for a little bit and then went back and got some Pi Pizza. My favorite! To end the birthday extravaganza we went ice skating in Steinberg Ice Skating Rink, Chris and I both agreed probably one of the coolest ice skating rinks we have ever been to. It had the feel of Rockefeller center with a cool burning fire. No Christmas tree though, I feel like they were trying to be politically correct while playing holiday songs and no stereotyping colors of Christmas. Had such a blast! Here is to year 23! One of the most stressful years in my life!!!

Maggie Posing like a Person

 Ice Skating at Steinberg Skating Rink

 Self-Timer, as my water bottle drops into the rushing river 

Maggie cocking her head as I am screaming to get her attention

One happy puppy

Vanessa, Lydia, and I taking a Indians and Pilgrims Shot

 Our St. Louis Family :)

Best Part... Doing the dishes...

Grand Jury Decision

That scene from Hot Rod where people from all corners of the city join in and unite with THAT epic song. Peaceful walking and then all of a sudden violent RIOT.
Bob McCulloch, the St. Louis County Prosecutor. Grand Jury of 12 people selected in May.
The group of 12 includes nine white people (six men and three women) and three black people (two women and one man), court officials said.3 autopsies
"The Decision"
40 degrees 8:17 P.M.
Drug analysis, toxicities, blood analysis
In Missouri, grand jurors don't have to be unanimous to indict, as long as nine of the 12 agree on a charge. BUT the decision was unanimous. 
No indictment of Darren Wilson.

"Peaceful protest" Obama says, half screen shot to the protests and they are rocking the police car. 
This will be an interesting week. Especially with Thanksgiving and all let me be the first to say I am grateful for a country that keeps me safe!
Clinical canceled tomorrow and no make ups? Unheard of but that is what is happening, I even researched my patient and all his medications!

In other news, last Sunday there was  a little bit of church drama. As we were standing up singing "Redeemer of Israel our only delight..." A woman passes out behind me. Orthostatic hypotension! A "reason why we don't stand for the hymns of Zion" something like that at the MTC Chris says they announce. I totally would have been the first one I could have checked her BP and Pulse! But the other 10 doctors in my ward beat me.

I am pretty excited for Thanksgiving, I am not cooking a Turkey like last year. That was an epic turkey, but we are going to go with Pappy ribs and burnt ends mmmmm so tasty!! 

A lot is going on this week, and finals are not too far away! I can't believe I am halfway through with my Nursing program and on my way to being an RN! I can't wait and love every second of it! Even the countless hours of studying nursing has lovingly given me :)

Nauvoo

We just love our Houston friends so much. The have come out and visited us twice within the last 4 months. We couldn't ask for better friends :). The first time around we did the typical St Louis tourists activities-- listed on my other blog. This time around we went to Nauvoo, Mark Twain's Boyhood Home, and Carthage Jail. It was an amazing weekend so nice to have a little break from nonstop nursing school. 

We started the weekend off with a little Ted Drewes. I had never been there before and thought we would give it a try. I love custard ice cream. In Utah, they also have a little custard shop that I used to go to all the time. This Custard place is a little unique in that they have all these unique flavors and mix-ins. So good! Lewis and Jesse got the best by far. PB cup, banana, and hot chocolate syrup. MMM! So tasty. Also, when they hand you the ice cream, they turn it upside down and give it to you. Since it is so thick the ice-cream does not fall out! Amazing..

We woke up early and set our trek to Nauvoo. We stopped in Hannibal where Mark Twain grew up. No they are not cannibals... 

Carthage jail was BY FAR my favorite. The spirit that was there was eminent and we all could feel the love for the prophet Joseph Smith. The women taking us on the tour also started getting teary-eyed at the end of the tour. I wonder how many times this happens to her. It is a very spiritual place but I felt that maybe we had a little different of experience. The spirit drew closer as good friends were coming to learn more about the life of Joseph Smith and where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. 

Of course I had to tell the missionary workers that we had a descendant of Hyrum Smith in our group. They said they had a great great grandson of John Taylor come in just that morning. It is crazy to see the descendants of our ancestors Lyman Wight (sold Adam-Ondi-Ahman  to the Mormons) , Anson Call (bodyguard to Brigham Young), and Hyrum Smith (brother to Joseph.)

We followed Carthage Jail with a visit to the Nauvoo Temple. We wanted to do a session in the temple but it was closed! Bad timing. We still walked around in the chill 40 degree air and took pictures. 

We walked the old streets and went to Josephs Store and learned that the upstairs room was where the revelation for Relief Society took place! 

We went home with some good Old fashioned fudge, a Nauvoo Red Brick, a metal diamond ring, horse shoe, and a very tired puppy. 

Had a great weekend with some great friends 

Relief Society Revelation taken place here. 

Replica of original key

Josephs Store

Top window was where Joseph Smith fell when he got shot by the mob

Great Great Great Grandpa Hyrum and Great Great Great Grandpa Joseph...Any resemblance?? 

Bullet shot at the door

First week of Clinicals!

5:20 wake up call! We carpooled to Christians Hospital 40 mins north. Most people say you need to be careful when driving up to this area because this is the area you hear on the news, last nights shooting…
We had our pre-round meeting for the nurses and went over all the medications and what our patient had etc. We worked on the oncology floor which was pretty hard. Everyone who was dying basically was on our floor. My patient was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and renal failure plus she got MRSA while in the hospital. Not a pretty sight. She was due for surgery when I learned she was NPO. I thought I was going to be so bored today! Not even administering meds? Boy was I wrong!
My professor/ nurse called the OR manager and asked if I could go down and watch the surgery. They said yes and I got in the get up and wore the surgical hair net and shoes plus the scrubs. I even managed to take a selfie in the locker rooms :) The OR was amazing! I loved the adrenaline rush. This was the first time I witnessed medicine physically working before my eyes. The anesthesiologist put her under and taped her eyes shut. They sliced her nose in half and got all the infectious MRSA out. I thought HOLY CRAP! While they suctioned out half liter of blood and sputum. I mentioned to the surgical team that she has an ulcer on her left leg. After this they started asking me all these questions, is she diabetic? Any allergies? They got me a stool so I could see the whole surgery. After they were done the surgeon said she looks like Muhammad Ali. Probably because of her nose…?
The next day of Clinicals was interesting to… I wasn't there when it happened but another nursing student went into the hospital room with a tech. He was looking straight at them but not blinking…A little creepy but it happens… So they bagged him up and told us students that we were able to go to the morgue. He was a tall fellow so as we were putting him in the morgue we tried to shut the door. "pop" close the door again "pop" close the door and hold it a few sec. "pop" The door would not shut!!! So Kyle our strong nurse had to push his legs so that they were bent. He was a little stiff because by this time he was dead several hours. The door shut and as I walked out I noticed the morgue was right next to the foods services. Why is this? I have no idea…Wasn't very hungry the rest of the day.

Had to post a picture of maggie 

Super Super excited

Selfie!!!