Mom

I'm so sorry about the lack of updates. Things around the Schmidt house have been pretty crazy the last month.

If you haven't heard, Mom was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on the 23rd. We've created a website so we don't have to make 30,000 email updates and phone calls. So if you'd like to keep up to date, check out:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/susanmschmidt

We all appreciate the thoughts and prayers.

never been kissed . . .

by a patient until today. He was 94 years old.

I was going in for a side hug. And he came at me. So I tried to pivot. Didn't work.

But at least I got my mouth closed, because he didn't.

Oh, I was so uncomfortable.

But I think I made his day.

Funny thing was, Dr Maloy was seeing him and asked me to go in and freeze off a couple AKs. So really, she set me up. And I'm not doing it again, ever.

And tomorrow I'm keeping my lips to myself. And I think the Burt's Bees Lip Balm is working.

And he patted my butt as he was leaving. Told me to have a good day.

Oh, at least I can find the humor. . .

quotes

So I realized I hadn't posted in awhile.

Today's quote:

"My bronical tubes are hurting."

Many patients here in Oklahoma call their BRONCHIAL tubes that. If it were me, I'd just say my lungs. Such as, 'my lungs are hurting.' That way I wouldn't sound retarded because I was mis-pronouncing a medical term. Just a thought.

funniest quote of my career

This would be MUCH funnier if I felt it appropriate to use the exact words that were said on Thursday, however, it's not. So, please use your imagination.

New patient arrives in office. He's cute, 22 years old, and works out. (Meaning probably uses 'roids) So his muscles are bulging. The girls are following him around the office, drooling.

His main reason for visiting the office: "Groin Strain."

So I start asking him questions. How long had it been there? When did he first notice it? What makes it worse? Had he tried taking anything for it? Where is the pain?

Of course, he points to his inguinal canal. (Or groin)

I ask him if he's felt any bulging or anything different there.

He states: "Yeah, I have two balls"

My response: "Um, no I don't mean those balls"

He gets all flustered and says, "Oh my gosh, I didn't mean that. Yeah, there are two little balls right here."

Well, what he was feeling were not balls but his intestines. Yep, it was a hernia.

Then we had the Friends episode discussion:
"Are you sure it a hernia?"
"Yes."
"What else could it be?"
"A hernia."
"Or?"
"A hernia."

quotes

Two quotes from the day:

Patient #1: "Well you don't look like the doctor. I was told I had an appointment with the doctor. And you're not her. The D-O-C-T-O-R (he spells it for me). Do you know who she is?"
Me: "Well it's your lucky day because you get to see me and the doctor today. She'll be in a little later."
The visit continues. . . .
As I'm leaving the room, Me: "Well the D-O-C-T-O-R will be right in to see you."
He smiled at me. He's ornery and he knows it. He gave me a hug before he left.

It's all in your perspective.

Patient #2, as I'm looking in her ears: "Can you see my sinuses in there?"
Me: "No, only your ears."

Maybe this happy ending doesn't include a wonderful guy.

Maybe it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over.

Freeing yourself up for something better in the future.

Maybe this happy ending is just moving on.

Or maybe the happy ending is this:

Knowing that through all the unreturned phone calls and broken hearts,

Through all the blunders and missed signals,

Through all the pain and embarrassment,

You never, ever, gave up hope.

--GiGi

He's Just Not That Into You

with or without you

U2

It's one alphabetical symbol and one numeric symbol. That's what the Tulsa World said. I say it was one of the top 10 best nights of my life!! I'm sure the next few posts will be about the concert. It was GREAT. If you get a chance to go see them, DO IT!!!! You won't be sorry you did.

the house

Is STILL on the market.

Here's the situ:
Two weekend ago, I was like, forget it, it'll never sell. I'm taking the dogs back. So I did. Went to B'ville--got the dogs, and all their gear, and came home.
Next day, I get a call from a realtor who wants to show the house between 4 and 5pm.
WHAAAA??? I'm 30min away at work and its 1:15pm.
Thank heavens the schedule was light and I drove frantically home. Got there in time. Picked up all the laundry that was 'air drying' on the guest bed--threw them in the car. Threw the rest of the dirty laundry in the car. Carried dirty dishes and stacked them on top of the clean dishes in the dishwasher. (Classy, I know) Grabbed the dogs and got in the car.
Since I'd left work in such a rush, we headed to McDonalds because I'd seen that they have WiFi. Uh, that you have to pay $3 for 24hrs of usage.
So, classy lady and her two dogs, dirty laundry, some clean laundry, are sitting in the parking lots of McDonalds so I can work on my laptop.
Be Jealous, be very jealous.

Get home--they haven't come by. So 20min after 5, they show up. So out the door with the dogs on a leash. About 15 min later come home and can't get in the garage door because it's locked. So I have to call my realtor to call the other realtor to come back and let me in.
All that--and no stinking contract.

2 more lookers after that and no contract.

Today? Open house and no one came.

I'm getting frustrated. But:
1. My pantry is clean, vacuumed and I found some thermoses I'd forgotten about.
2. I now know how long it takes to clean a house: 10min when you can throw stuff in a car.
3. There are variations on 'clean'
3. My closet is very well organized and color coordinated.

It's hard to wait on God's timing. So here's praying I let God take back control. . . .

Oh, and 1 week from tonight? U2!!! I'm so pumped!!!!

where I've been

Sorry--the H1N1 has hit. My hog farmer family members ask that I not call it 'Swine Flu' since it hurts their business. I'm seeing about 5-10 patients a day with it. And Doc was out for a week with it. I'm just now catching up from being busy, ok overwhelmed. I do enjoy being busy and not surfing the net though--now that they've blocked facebook at work.

And the fall is always bad on my mood. . . so I've been eating a lot of oreos, double stuffed. And sleeping.

And patients are really getting on my nerves. The crazies have been out for weeks. Let me just tell you, a please and a grateful attitude really go a long way--much farther than yelling, cussing and complaining. Just so you know.

And no one has come to look at my house in 5 weeks. So I brought the dogs home on Saturday-Mom & Dad have been caring for them since August. I've had 2 lookers since Saturday. Once with laundry drying in the spare bedroom. So I've rushed home to get the dogs and throw underwear in the closet. I just hope I can find them again. And hope that my house sells quickly.

And I'm single and turning 32 quickly.

And with all the steroids over the summer, I'm fat.

See where I'm going. I'm irritable. And need a REALLY long vacation. That's why I haven't posted. But there you go. That's where I am. Being aware there is a problem is always step 1, right?

ewwwwww!!!

So today one of the strangest, grossest things happened. I know, hard to believe. A woman was scheduled for a wellness exam. . . with a pap. And guess who accompanied her? Her husband. WANTED to come--didn't go back to the waiting room during the exam. Said, "I come to all her appointments."

That's just weird. I had to keep saying, "Excuse me, excuse me." I'm just not accustomed to having an audience, who watched.

Weired me out. And the office staff.

I hope none of you have your 'man' come with you.

It's just gross.

the squirts

Heather had them last week. Today she shared. And no, they didn't hit at home. Of course, I was at work where there is only one bathroom for the office staff. After three trips in less than 2 hours, I left. I drove really fast. Thank goodness no skid marks. So this afternoon I've been in bed, on the pot, in bed, on the pot. Just so you know. My job ain't all that glamourous!

the house

Know what I don't enjoy? Having to get up early on a Saturday so people can come look at my house! Oh well. Guess the Lord knows if I had nothing else to do I'd be in bed all day!

I signed a contract with a realtor last week and the house is officially listed on the MLS. Kinda wierd. But I sure am ready to move closer to work!!

Ed and Sus offered, after I begged, to keep Bella and Bentley until the house sells. My house is so much cleaner. And smells so much better. But it's quite lonely in the evenings.

Here's praying it sells quickly--so I can sleep in again and get my dogs back!

crazy comments

ok, so who knows how to delete comments left by crazy people from INDIA???

journey

Lisa, Omega, Cindy and I went to the Journey concert on Wednesday. (Lisa works at the front desk of our office, Omega is one of our MAs and Cindy is the doctor I work with)

It was really fun. We had great seats thanks to Omega. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Journey! I've been trying all day to upload videos and it's not working. So if you want to see some you'll have to come over.

colorado pics

Sorry, I was really planning on getting some pics on the blog earlier. Still working on it but just wanted to give you a peek of the great pics Laura got.

The fam on top of Pike's Peak.

Laura and I hiked up the 'hill' behind our cabin. This is me in front of the 'back side' of Pike's peak. We had quite the few inside jokes about that. Like, is it hairy? Etc.

Then we, actually Sus, found this and knew exactly what the 'back side' meant:

I'll try to get more pics on here! Thanks for the great memories Lou!

Oh, and JT and Ed did some of this:

17 Trout! Pretty Impressive. Except Ed lost a rod and reel--while trying to pose for a pic. I'm just glad it wasn't me that lost the EXPENSIVE piece of fishing equipment in the South Platte. Oh well!

the 'roids

Not those. Steroids. I'm back on them. After the last post I broke out in hives. First it started on my face, I thought it was the suntan lotion, but by lunch time it was all over. It wasn't until 3 days later on our drive home that it hit me that it was probably my blood pressure medicine, lisinopril. A highly likely candidate for angioedema (swelling of the lips, see pictures below) and hives (little red itchy bumps all over). So I texted my PA friend Rebecca and we both agreed to stop the lisinopril, of course I had already taken it that day. So Sunday, after getting home I drove to Sand Springs to see her at the Urgent Care Clinic. So back on steroids I am. They also gave me some 'non-drowsy' anti-itch medicine. Well I took it at 4pm and at 4:30pm I was in bed and woke up the next morning.

Today I went to see my doctor and he agreed. I'm on a new bp med. I'm also carrying around a Epi Pen for the next few months, in case 'my throat closes shut.'

As Laura said, at least I do things wierd. (Is that correct grammar?) I do. Crazy Phyllodes Tumor and the 'possible' Glomus tumor. Now this. I'm wierd. Gotta keep my docs on their toes.

colorado

Day 1: Drive to "the springs." Slober so much while sleeping upright in the 3rd row you wake yourself up. Stay at the Broadmoor. I'm retiring there. Or having a destination wedding there. Just so you know.

Day 2: Drive to Pike's Peak. Get a really bad headache from the lack of oxygen. Next time I'm bringing a bottle of O2. Drive to Lake George. Get caught in downpour in Woodland Park's Walmart. Sleep with the windows open and get up at 9am.

Day 3: Accompany your father and brother-in-law fishing and read a book while sitting on the bank. Bite it--fall off a LARGE granite rock into the stream (head first while holding on for dear life to the rock), scraping my entire left leg while trying to save my dad's rod as it floats down the river. Oh, and Jonathan, he's continuing to fish because he thinks I'm joking, as I'm yelling HELP.

Gotta love vacation

And the previous post about timing? I went on a date and had a couple come look at my house, in the same evening. The couple really seemed to like it. I'm continuing to pray. . . . .I KNOW God has a sense of humor!

my mother's driving

I can't believe I caught this on film. It's documented. This is how my mother took turns in Dallas. And she tells me to slow down?

the lip capade

I've been so busy. Crazy busy as I call it. I had just a little bit of time to post on facebook, but I'm finally getting a chance to get the 'LIP CAPADE' on the blog.

Last friday started off with a day off from work. Mom, Aunt Carole, Liz and I were going to spend the weekend in Dallas shopping. Last week was really slow at work so I took Friday off as well. I got up early to get some things done around the house. I should have stayed in bed.

I went in the backyard to water my plants. I was tugging the hose out of its reel when it came back and hit me smack dab in the middle of my upper lip. Nice, I thought. I'm going to have a fat lip in Dallas. Well, at least I'll have another funny story for the blog.

I've always disliked my thin upper lip. I was looking forward to seeing what it would look like. So I took a picture:

Little did I know this would get much worse.

4-5 hours after impact--I call this my platypus look.

NO PHOTOSHOP

THIS IS REAL

I spent the entire trip to Dallas with ice on my lip and downing advil. See how much it helped?

I called Cindy and Rebecca about 30 times once it got to this point. I was FREAKING OUT!! A hit on the lip from the metal end of a hose should not make your lip this big. We think I was allergic to something. Either the latex on the hose or something that was on the hose. But I'm not sure. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again anytime soon.

Me trying to hide my lip while at Chuy's.

Yes, I went out in public looking like that. And yes, people stared.

Liz laughed at the response I gave people. If I caught them looking at me, I would make my lips even bigger and glare back.

I really needed a sign or tee-shirt to explain. Here are a few of my ideas:

Yes, I realize my upper lip is GINORMOUS

No, I am not an abuse victim

Yes, I am taking medication for this

Less than 24 hours later, my lip was back to normal.

But the next 9 days on steroids, were, well, interesting. My co-workers were really tired of me re-arranging the pencils and note pads on their desks. And I paced alot. And my appetite. I, however, bought candy for the office because if I was getting fatter, everyone else was too!!

Three good things came out of this experience:
1) I realized I could be uglier.
2) I do not need silicone, ever. Anywhere.
3) The First Wives Club should've used me for that opening scene; I could've been a millionaire. Or on HITCH.
4) My cabinets are very clean and organized after a 9 Day course of Prednisone.

I've always been a positive thinker and boy can I laugh at myself.

We're even thinking about making Platypus Sarah masks for Halloween. We'll see. . . .

Hope you enjoy the laughs! And next week can't get much worse. I'm on vacay with the family at Lake George, Co. My PA friend, Rebecca, and her family are letting us stay at their cabin. We are so blessed! Thanks Rebecca!

timing

I am taking a Beth Moore Bible Study this summer with a friend. I was very hesitant because I'm used to lots of homework with my Precepts. This is just fill-in-the-blank stuff so how can you really learn anything? HA!

I came straight home tonight and had to write this stuff down. Not only for me, but for two of my very close friends who need to hear it too. Oh, and me. Did I mention I need this?

Wanna know why my house hasn't sold? Because God.

That's it. For some reason, the timing ain't right. No, I don't know when it will sell or why it hasn't, because it's gosh darn cute. But it hasn't. Either the timing ain't right. Or it's time to WAIT.

Waiting sucks. And you'd think I'd be good at it by now. For God's sake, I'm 31 and 1/2 and still single. I've been waiting.

Maybe it hasn't sold because the timing isn't right for someone else. Maybe Mr. Right isn't totally together yet. Maybe I could what if all night.

I can stand around in my 'paralysis of analysis' and try to figure God out. Or not even that, just His plan for my life. Or maybe I just let it go and move on.

And you know that verse, Isa 40:31? Yea, the one we sang about in High School Church Choir? And the one playing? The one about eagles and waiting on Him? I really don't believe it. And I sure am NOT 'renewing my strength.' I'm tired. Wanna know why? Because I'm waiting on that wedding day, worrying if I'll be 40 and still single. I'm waiting and worrying about the event that I THINK will answer all of my problems. I'm NOT waiting on the LORD. As soon as I stop waiting for the event to come and start waiting on the LORD then my strength will be renewed.

So this is my prayer. That you stop waiting for your event. For your wedding. For your baby. And you start, with me, waiting on the LORD.

Because in the meantime, that's GOD-TIME.

Habakkuk 2:3b
Though it linger, wait on it;
it will certainly come and will not delay

And this fill-in-the-blank Bible Study? Whipped me upside the head tonight.

Thanks Beth

lou lou

Laura got this FABULOUS gift for her birthday, from me of course. A Bamboo. And is finally learning how to use it. Hence the new background/s. As you've probably noticed, it has changed frequently over the past few weeks. I think we've finally found a stopping point. I just love it. And as Laura's big sis, I'm ok with you calling her a nerd, she prefers that over geek. Or Lou Lou--she loves it. :) Thanks Lou.

hero

Sorry for the 'hard' music. But it's Christian. And has great lyrics.

I am just a man

not a superhuman

Who's gonna fight for the weak

Who's gonna make 'em believe

I've got a Hero

Livin' in me

It's great driving music. And it's better if it's really loud. You can play teenager, drive real fast, roll down your windows, and turn up the music. But I won't pay your ticket if you get caught for speeding.

If I were a baseball player, stop laughing Laura, this would be the song they played when I came up to bat.

So if you need a little get-away; turn up your speakers really loud and head bang. You'll feel much better. You have my permission.

swat team

So a patient today was telling about the anaphylactic reaction, really bad allergic reaction, she had to Lasix. She told me she stopped breathing and her heart stopped.

And 'the SWAT team had to be called in.'

I think what she meant was the CODE BLUE team had to be called in. The SWAT team works for the police department. They come in for hostage situations and when people have bombs. So, unless she was carrying a bomb or had a weapon she was unwilling to give up, I think she meant the CODE BLUE team.

Ah the days I have to giggle under my breath. . .

And my sister said something REALLY funny to me tonight and I laughed so hard I snorted a little. But since she's my new webmaster and I really like her, I'm not going to share it. But it was really funny. So maybe if you see me sometime soon and I remember what I was laughing at I will tell you too, just don't tell Laura.

So I was being sassy self today and answered the phone,

"It's a great day at OMNI Owasso MOB, this is Sarah, how may I help you?"

My boss thought I was being serious. I have them fooled! She's going to have the staff start saying that tomorrow at their staff meeting. Because it sounded 'great and pleasant.' Oh how the staff is going to hate me tomorrow. . . . Oh well.

gray hair

So I found my first gray hair while getting ready this morning. And I know you're probably thinking this doesn't deserve a post but it's where I found the gray hair. In my eyebrow. It, actually the pair of them, were not there yesterday. And they were long. Guess they grew in overnight.

I showed my sister who promptly told me she gets those all the time. But she calls them blonde. I'm calling mine 'highlighted.'

So Kylie, don't give away my secret.

Gray eyebrow hairs. No gray real hairs on my head. I'm wierd.

regina

We lost a great co-worker tonight. Please pray for the family in their sudden loss. We miss you Regina!!

One of my favorite, all-time funny stories includes Regina. And paps. So not appropriate for the blog. But I smile everytime I do a pap because of her. And I will always think of her from now on.

new

Let me give a shout-out to my new little computer geek--Laura. She designed this blogsite for me. Isn't she great? Just thought I'd say thanks.

dementia

So, it's been awhile since I've posted about work. But tonight driving home from a Beth Moore Bible Study, Esther--which by the way is fabulous and you should join one or start your own and I've only seen the Introduction, with my fellow PA friend Rebecca I was reminded about a really funny encounter a few months ago.

The Alcoholic Dementia patient who'd forgotten that he drank. It's just funny. I guess he woke up one day and forgot he drank and doesn't drink anymore.

Hope you find it as funny as I did. Makes me smile.

tv timeout

Last summer I was on Channel 8 News here in Tulsa discussing sunscreen. I believe I faked it pretty good.

Summer before that, I was on Channel 6 News about wearing my seatbelt after a traffic stop. Thank goodness I was heading to church and looked pretty cute.

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to be on the Noon News on Channel 6. You know, the one where they have callers. My dad told me he'd call in. Please don't let it be should've used Preparation H.

Anyway, if you're in the area you should tune in!!

summer

Something I've forgotten about summer--smashed fireflies on your windshield at night that still glow! And then take FOREVER to get off with the water the gas station calls 'cleaner.'

my sisto

Have I mentioned how much I love this lady and am proud of her? And don't ask how many pictures we took to get a good one. Love you!

(Oh, and please excuse my legs--could they be any bluer because they're so white? Don't worry. The Avon Skin So Soft Tanner has been applied every day since seeing this picture. And the Weight Watchers is back out. I'm still waiting on that drug that lowers your cholesterol, makes you tan, and helps you lose weight- - - - I think I'll be waiting for a long time!)

the sign's up

I've really been praying about selling the house. I got up this morning and another home on my street is on the market. So, I bought a sign at Lowe's on my way home from work. I made some really fancy brochures. And the sign is up.

I may need some Tums tonight. I had such a peace about it until I actually put the sign in the yard. Please pray with me that if this is what I need to do it will sell quickly.

(My neighbors across the street told my other neighbors that they'd kill me if I put my house on the market, who then told me. I'm hoping they're kidding. They're asking too much for theirs and it's been on the market for a long time. I go out and take a picture of the sign, but I'm kind of nervous. . . . I can never get away from the drama!)

the music

I took off the music because it took forever to load and actually was a pain to update all the time. But this weekend Laura asked if I'd put it back on. So here's a couple of my new favorite songs. I know the Kelly Clarkson song is a bit crude. Sorry. But the rest of her album is AWESOME and I couldn't find any of the other songs. If you don't like the music, guess you'll have to talk to Laura, who, by the way, graduated this weekend with her MAT.

That's Master's in Teaching/Reading. I love those initials! Much better than PA-C, which my friend told all my fellow graduates at our reunion was because I only made Cs. Thanks Rick!

I'm waiting on pics from the graduation--you're going to love them. And be glad I didn't come to your graduation. (We made life-size bobble heads of Laura--because she wouldn't let us bring the fog horn!) Congrats Lou!

idiots

Do you ever have those days that you just need to go back to bed and start the whole day again? Well, today I discovered that I told a patient to decrease her potassium from 4 TBSP per day to 3 tsp per day. That was 2 months ago. Nice. My grandmother, the family living teacher, would be horrified if she were still alive. Good news--her K+ level was 4.6. So not so bad.

But then I stopped by the grocery store. I realized I was not the worst idiot of the day. Here's what the flyer said:

Missing Dog (with picture)

My husband accidentally sold our long haired chihuahua while selling puppies at the corner of 111th and Memorial by the Walmart. Our family is devastated. If you would please call us we will gladly reimburse your expense."

At least I'm not him.

house for sale

It finally stopped raining long enough for me to mow and take some pictures. So here you go!

the house

I think I'm ready to do it. I'm going to sell my house. I hit the wall last week and decided I'm going to try it. I'm really tired of driving 60 miles a day. I love my house though. But I'm not quite ready to use a realtor and have anyone come whenever they want for the next 6 months. I'm going to put a sign in my yard, since there are so many other homes for sale in my neighborhood. If God is in this and wants me to move, it'll happen.

So, if you know anyone looking for a fabulous house in South Tulsa/Bixby. Send them my way! And your prayers. Every major decision in my life has been bathed in prayer and God has given me peace about it. I KNOW he will do the same. Thanks in advance God! You're AWESOME!!

Kitchen

Dining Area

Living Room

Study

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Guest Room

Guest Bath

4652 E 144th Place South
Bixby, OK 74008
Quiet living in Falcon Ridge II. Professionally landscaped. Security System. Scored Driveway. Open Floor Plan. Neutral Colors. Crown Molding. Frieze Carpet. Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware. Stainless Appliances. Granite Counters in Eat-In Kitchen. Double Sinks & Jacuzzi in Large Master Bath. Large Master Closet. Vaulted ceilings in Living and Master. 2” blinds throughout. Ceiling fans in all bedrooms. Wood Burning Fireplace.

swine flu

It's been 4 days since it hit the news. 40 people in the US are confirmed to have it. I think I'm, oink, getting it, oink. Only about 100 calls today, oink, with people asking about it. I think it's going to be a long week. . . . . . oink.

quote of the day

Patient, "Are you going back to become a doctor?"

Me, "No, I'm finished with school. I love being a PA and just can't see spending more time and money to be a doctor when I love what I do."

Patient, "Oh, so you must not have any ambition."

Me, trying not to hit the man, "Why don't you try to get into PA school and then we can talk about ambition." As I'm filling out his FMLA paperwork so he doesn't have to go back to work.

Jerk with no ambition. I tell you. . . . . . . .I did, however, control my tongue. Just not my thoughts. Jerk!

happy earth day

The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains

Psalm 24:1a

why?

Do you ever have those days that you don't understand God? Don't understand cancer? Don't understand why people have to suffer? Why little kids, who don't understand, lose their mom?

I know I don't know why. But I'm still sad. If I were a drinker or drug addict I'd run there now.

This is part of the job I hate.

But tonight I just pray. I just pray. . . . . for healing. In whatever form that takes.

Oct 18th

If you know me at all, you know I love music. All different genres of music. I have all sorts of mix tapes from the 80s, hey, you never know, cassette tapes might come back. I did not, however, save the mixed tapes of my Suzuki piano songs, sorry Sus. I even have a mix on my iTunes for Sooner game day. And I snuck Boomer Sooner onto a Classical CD I made for work--it plays in the halls. My doc is a total OSU fan--she loves me when I play repeat on Boomer Sooner.

But something I've always said is, if U2 is ever around here, I WILL be there. No matter what the price.

Something amazing happened this week. . . I HAVE TICKETS. In front of the stage. For the concert at Gaylord Memorial Stadium on October 18th. Thanks to my friend Bryan Hindman.

He was going to surprise Liz, his wife, who is also a U2 lover, with tickets. Except that I ruined the surprise. I heard on the radio that U2 tickets were going on sale. So I emailed Liz to see if she wanted to go with me, like she would have said no. She emailed back that she would love to but Bryan told her he had a surprise for her in the fall. She didn't know what it was but it might be U2 tickets. Nice ruining of the surprise. So I emailed Bryan. Yup, he had tickets but it was a surprise. So I asked him how he got tickets---told me he signed up early.

So I go onto the U2 website and sign up to be a fan. And pay. And get 2 tickets--not good tickets--but tickets none the less.

Then find out that Bryan has a ticket for me.

No worries, doc is buying the tickets I bought so I'm not out the money.

That's what impatience does for you. But I was not going to miss the opportunity to see them live.

I AM SO PUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

U2. Oct 18th. I will be there.

And I still haven't found what I'm looking for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .It's a beautiful day . . . . . . . . . . . .

far, far away

So I've been away for awhile. SWITCH, the youth group I volunteer with, has been talking about how much time we spend doing 'stuff' instead of spending time with God. Guess what I gave up for a couple of weeks? Facebook and Blogging. So that's where I've been.

Oh, and in bed this weekend. I haven't gotten many migraines in the past few years. Until this year. I got one on Christmas Eve, aura and all. And then I got one Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Barfing and all. Now I just feel hung over from all the meds I've taken.

Quote of the day
"Now how do I administer this medication?" patient
"You put it on your tongue and swallow" me

Gotta love people who use big words.

gotta love oklahoma

One day you're wearing flip-flops. The next day it snows. In March. I'm staying inside today. In the Yoga Pants. And drinking hot chocolate with marshmellows.

so long

It's been forever since I've posted.

The 'crud' (yes, it is a medical term) is now here. I've been crazy busy at work the past 2-3 weeks. Spending evenings, at least 1-2 hours, finishing notes at home. I know, be jealous. And we're still short staffed at work so we're all pitching in to make sure things are finished before we leave the office. I'm just wiped out when I get home. I miss sleep. . . .because the fabulous personality that I have doesn't allow me to sleep when we're busy at work. I dream about work, worry about things, have dreams about diagnosis I missed. I'm sure you all do the same. I just wish I could dream and nice dream. About being on a beach somewhere, tanning my pasty white body. (I know about the melanoma, but I promise if I start seeing dead people I'll see the doctor Izzy Stephens/Grey's Anatomy.)

And I'm finally caught up on Lost. Well, just through Season 4. I've been recording Season 5 on the DVR and Ed and Sus told me I'm not allowed to watch without them. Those season boxed sets really get you spoiled. I try to fast forward through live tv. What did we do without them?

But life hasn't been all bad. During spring break I went with the youth on Switch Break. I hope to post some pics soon. We spent 3 days doing service projects around Tulsa. It was really refreshing. And I got to spend time with some really great kids. And slept on linoleum floors. This old lady can't do that anymore. Sleeping on the floor, ok I brought the air mattress, doesn't count as sleep. It's more of a close your eyes, turn over and bounce for awhile. Then get cold because you only have a sheet to cover you up. Because another child wakes you up crying because she is so cold and you give her your blanket. So you cover your arms up and try to go back to sleep. Then your feet get cold and you wake up and move the sheet to your feet. Get the idea? I did spend the next night in my bed because I had to work. The 'children' spent the entire night at Laser Quest. I knew I couldn't do that and work the next day. . . . Ah to be a teenager.

So that's where I've been. Crud. Linoleum. Sleep. Pretty much sums up the past few weeks.

I hope to have some fun soon. . . . maybe I'll even find some time to post some pics.

quote

The last week has been very busy. We are short staffed so the doc and I have stayed late every night and helped out. Like doing refills and faxing. However, doc 'doesn't know how to use the fax.' And it's true! Everything she touches gets stuck. So I run the fax.

It just makes me laugh. She has a medical degree and doesn't know how to run a fax machine. Her excuse is that fax machines came out while she was in residency. But I can type in a fax number and hit send.

The flu is showing up here. Better late than never. But Tamiflu, which has been our 'go to drug' the past 5 years, doesn't help because the strains of flu are 98% resistant. So my best advice--GET THE FLU SHOT. Because we don't have any medicine to help you.

Anyway, off my soap box.

Quote of the week:

I asked, should we say less educated for lack of a better term, patient about her social history and where she was working.

This was her reply:

"I work at Eggbert's and Kmart. But I'm going to University of Phoenix to get my doctorate in anthropology."

"Oh really," I replied, "What are you going to do with that?"

"Become a medical examiner in forensics. But right now I'm just working on my associate's degree."

"That's cool," I tried to say while biting my tongue.

She was also the patient who was questioning me why I running a pregnancy test since her last period was the first of December.

Ah, life!

Winter Jam 09

Last night I went here
And had a great time! Little did I know we should have arrived earlier than the 6pm door opening time. IT WAS CRAZY.

But I do love tobyMac so I'll sit anywhere to see him. Including behind the stage. The place was PACKED and the only place we could find seats was behind the stage. People were sitting in the aisles and standing everywhere. So at least we had seats.

But way fun. And I know I'm getting old because I was really concerned that I forgot my ear plugs at home. And that I would have to use my fingers to plug my ears all night long. But the speakers were facing the opposite direction. And my ears only rang until I fell asleep.

And if you love tobyMac too, I really suggest buying the alive and transported album. It includes a CD of the live concert and a DVD as well. I told the girls with me last night that we can put in the DVD and watch the show from my couch, and see the front of the stage. :)

Enjoy the short video I caught. It's like you're behind the stage with us!

bowling

Last Saturday I took Jarrett and Bradleigh bowling so their parents could enjoy a night out on the town. It was really fun! And a great way to spend Valentine's Day.

Bradleigh is one good bowler! She actually was the only one in our group to get 2 strikes. After pushing the ball down the ramp, she'd point her fingers in the air and yell, "Go, Go, Go!" I was laughing so hard I forgot to take some pictures.

We also found the snack bar! They take after me and I'm not even related!! Maybe we hang out too much!

wonder where i've been?

In front of my tv. Catching up on LOST.

I got tired of everybody talking about it and having NO idea what was going on. So I started watching shows on-line. But my home office isn't very condusive to comfy tv show watching so I decided to rent the shows at BlockBuster. But $4 a disc x 6-8 discs per season x 4 seasons is a lot of money to have nothing to show in return.

So I bought all 4 seasons. At Amazon.com.

I'm catching up, slowly.

I've also hooked Ed and Sus in. I actually got nothing done last week so I left Season 3 at their house last weekend. Mom called a couple of days ago and asked where Season 4 is.

Dad asked what kind of genre this tv show is. (Not sure he's into SciFi like Sus and me.) But he's still hooked.

So if you haven't seen them and are feeling left out, I'll let you borrow them!

marriage

So as a single gal still gagging from Valentine's Day I went to church yesterday to find solace.

Not so much.

What are we discussing for the next 6 weeks? Marriage. (I know. Princess Bride running through the memory, "Marriage is what brings us together today. Love, true love . . . " with the lisp of course)

I digress . . .

Yeah, marriage. And the Vow. That's the title of the series. Like I need to be taking notes on the Vow. I'm so far from that at this point. Haven't been on a date since the 90's. The recent ones don't count because I was paying for them.

So I'm praying under my breath, "OK God. I like this church. But you know how I lose interest in marriage sermon series." After 31 years of marriage talks, I've heard it all.

But this was different.

(Maybe it was the hunk sitting in front of me raising his hand that he's single. AND TAKING NOTES. No I did NOT introduce myself, that's just sad.)

I again digress.

We were challenged to put God #1 and our spouse, someday, #2. I've heard it before. But this time it sunk in. He asked us if we really were putting God #1 like we were when we were looking for a mate. (Back to the dating above) I've done it all--E-Harmony/It's Just Lunch. Maybe I need to join God.

So I'm praying, every day, for something specific about my future spouse.

This morning, as I'm grumbling and complaining while driving to work still mad that I said I would pray for my spouse and 31 years later still single, I start praying:

OK God. This is it. You ARE #1. I'm not trying to find a mate anymore. I'm focusing on YOU and what YOU have for my life.

And I look up and see a rainbow. And I start crying. A rainbow in February in Oklahoma. Not so much. God--oh, so much! See, a rainbow is a sign that God would never destroy the Earth by water again. For me, it was God showing me He heard--and He wouldn't destroy my desire and my heart and His promise to always provide for me.

So Valentine's Day came on the 16th of February this year for me.

God is #1.

Oh, and tomorrow I'm praying for a Starbuck's Mocha Non-Fat No Whip. God did it last time, He can do it again . . . . :)

Love you all!

HALLELUJAH!!

The lawsuit has been dismissed!! What a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!! Praise the Lord!! Now I can start sleeping again!!!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who's been praying!!! The Lord is Good!!! All the Time!!!

I'm using exclamation marks all night!!!! And maybe into tomorrow!!!!!

And my new theme song is playing to the right. Sorry about the Beyonce--I think we've all had enough of her!!!

quotes

"Itch in virginia" (I think you can figure out what this is) There is more to the story but it's just too much for a blog. . . .

"Cys Its" (for Cysts)

What a day! This is how you know I'm working on finishing notes at home. My distractability kicks in. I get bored. Notes stop. Posting starts. I'm at the computer much longer . . . . . . . .

I hope tomorrow is a better day!

hug me

I've found what will make my life complete: The Hug Me Pillow:

If you really love me, you will buy me this for Valentine's Day. Here's what the website said:

The perfect snuggling companion, the Hug Me pillow provides comfort as well as piece of mind.

• Unique shape provides firm sleeping support
• Microfiber shirt is incredibly soft and conveniently machine washable
• Woven from 100-percent polyester
• Use as a body pillow or neck roll
• Pillow is dry clean only, shirt is machine washable

Is this crazy or what? I just had to share. And by the way, I'm kidding.

scrubs

I love wearing scrubs. Except for last week. After working really late one night on notes and wanting to sleep in, I decided to wear scrubs to work. Then a patient asked me, "Why are you wearing those blue things? You looked so nice the last time we came in and today you're wearing those." Great for the ego.

Granted, the scrubs are part of the uniform. I get to chose if I want to wear scrubs or 'real' clothes. And since we get our scrubs through a uniform service, some don't fit as well as others. And I'm not allowed to wear any other scrubs. Like my cute OU ones or my pink and black with my black crocs. I want to wear REAL scrubs!

(look how long my hair was--this is my trying to look like I'm doing something important look)

There have been times in the past that I don't allow myself to wear the scrubs since I tend to want to "fill them out." ie: gain weight. Since they're not 'real' clothes it's hard to tell how much you really weigh. Although, tight (and I do mean tight) scrubs aren't cute. Some of the scrubs are folded nicely in my closet because I can't wear them.

But these were some of my baggy ones. They weren't tight.

Really? Are you really going to tell somebody that? That they don't look nice?

Almost as nice as the pat on the stomach while asking, "When's your baby due?"

Nope. Just fat. Thanks, though.

Both things that should not be said. Please don't tell your health care provider that if they show up in your room with scrubs on. Why not complement them on showing up for work? Or thanking them for showering before coming to see you. There are other ways to make conversation.

And, on another note, why do Sweet Tarts continue to make green ones? I thought life was better when the yellow stopped showing up. Don't they know no one eats the green ones. I have a nice pile right here by the computer. I would like more blue ones instead. Maybe I can return them to Wal-Mart and ask for a refund. Reason for return: too many green Sweet Tarts!

sorry

Life at Omni Owasso MOB has been a bit crazy since returning from Miami. What ever was keeping the patients away in December must have left. We've been CRAZY BUSY. So I haven't been posting much, since my evenings are spent finishing up notes at home. I've been up to at least 11pm most nights trying to get things finished.

Anyway, I have a great quote from the past week:

A new patient brought her teenage daughter to her new office appointment. We were discussing the lab I was going to order: CBC , Chem 14, TSH, lipid panel, ect. . . When her daughter asked what the thyroid gland is.

So you know me, loving to teach. I begin to explain that thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and helps regulate your metabolism and hair.

And she said, "My thyroid must be curly." (She had curly hair)

I just love kids!

theme song for my valentine's day

Is playing to your right! I just love it. So much in fact that I'm kinda gettin' tired of the song. But who gets to sing about single ladies? I love that Beyonce still remembers us.

And if you're not single anymore, you can still sing along! And dance. And maybe throw your hands up! Burn off some of those holiday calories!

And I don't celebrate valentine's day. I think it's a farce Hallmark made up! I don't participate. But I liked the backgrounds! And my theme song.

So there ya go!

miami pics

florida

So the game wasn't so fun.

But I had a fabulous time in Florida. 80 Degrees. Flip Flops. Capris. An afternoon on a boat in the sun. Life can't get much better.

Let me tell you, I spent Monday in bed. One, because we hadn't slept much, and Two, because I was still pouting about the game.

I meant to get on here and write all about it. But I was in bed.

At least I don't drink or do drugs when I get depressed. I just sleep. Could be worse!

I'm working on getting a slideshow put together and will post it ASAP!

And maybe next year. I just heard Sam is coming back! WOO HOO!! But I won't be going to the bowl game. I'll be at home, saving my money, throwing a REALLY big party!!

And a quote from Ed, "I'm still a Sooners fan!"

Amen.

miami here we come!

After a busy day like today I'm looking forward to this:


And did I mention we found fabulous tickets so we're NOT driving??? I am so excited!!! And I am SOOOO looking forward to some time in the sun!! I've just downloaded some new tunes to the iPod for the trip--enjoy listening to a sampling of my new, upbeat tunes!! (Just stare at the picture and you can be there with me!)

Christmas 2008