I think I'm allergic to Beaver

Well the hat making class is back on; went for the first time last night and got my hat making skills underway. I missed the first night because I was out with the medevac crew again for a long haul all afternoon. Still can't get over the excitement of those trips. More pictures to go on facebook soon. But anyways, we were all breathing in beaver fur last night at class- the downey stuff just gets everywhere. I think it's worse than the amount of hair I get covered in when I shave Teaser.
Plans are underway for sightseeing and tourism in Anchorage late next week, including a drive down to Seward to see the ocean and glaciers. Now I have to start thinking about packing all my stuff up after settling in for 7 weeks here.

Mundane weekend

Well after all the excitement of Medevacs it's back to the normal routine of cleaning, homework, and laundry for my Sunday. Not all that exciting. But the reality of only 2 weeks left before I come home also hit me. And a few days in Anchorage makes it seem even closer.

Wound care

I also spent time touring with wound care today. I saw my first case of really bad frost bite. Black toes, black heel, black sole. Literally black skin. But the real kicker was the temperature difference; that black skin is cold (even after 72 hours of being in the hospital). And from there it's just a waiting game. A lot of that tissue won't recover and it's sad, but the patient has their life.

Second memorable experience was the 8 year old girl with second degree burns, all because her older sister got mad during a steam bath and threw the water at her. I can only imagine the amount of pain for that poor little girl but she was a trooper and only shed tears during debriding the wound. She definitely put me to shame on my pain tolerance though. I think she was more irritated by our questions keeping her from her games than being in the hospital. And that courage goes for just about all the natives I have encountered thus far; it's really inspiring.

Village Travel= SUCCESS!

Well I finally reached a village; went on a medevac run (and then some more) to see a few villages. Check on facebook for some photos soon (too tired right now).

Travel was a blast and prop planes really let you see everything. It was so cool! The team was awesome as well; couldn't ask for better teachers and companions.

The trips in all just feel undescribable, there were so many things to see and do. It really opened my eyes to the real challenges of rural health care. We also discussed some other things like weather that can make those challenges even worse and more difficult to overcome.

Well you're not going to give me any blood either

Today I volunteered my finger to complete a quality control test on the equipment we use for testing INR levels for people on warfarin. It was giving us some variable readings and needed to be double checked. Well apparently my body didnt want to give up any blood after the finger stick and the pharmacist used the line above on me. I called her a vampire and said she shouldn't be so greedy. We had a good laugh and then milked my finger for blood.

Only in Bethel

Mandy told me to keep my eyes and ears open for those only in Bethel moments that are inevitable here. Yesterday one stood out above all the rest though.

The history of present illness (HPI) is a space on the visit summary form where the doctor/nurse can summarize the course of the current complaint. Yesterday's patient had listed under thier HPI: shot a moose over the weekend.

...Only in Bethel

Overheard at Lunch today

What is that?

Shrimp curry

I'll take a plate of fries then, thanks.