Eyes Open

Yep, you guessed it. New rotations started this week! Thursday had me gallivanting to the boonies of Kentucky in Jackson County. Not that I associate boonies with a negative stigma, but it is actually quite a lovely area. Nothing too much happened; just the usual orientation and us getting shown the ropes. The three of us (myself and two fellow students) were then sent on a wild goose chase to explore the community and scope out different places. We also had to post flyers of an event that was going on that night. The only slight downside to this rotation is that the entire 35-40 minute drive is BACK ROADS. Now mind you, I used to get car sick. Thank Heavens I don't anymore, otherwise it would have made for a long and uncomfortable way to and fro. What had me interested in this place was that I could see the need. It was so evident almost everywhere I looked. It's a God send that they have this clinic to go to, otherwise they would have nothing.

I thought my hometown was rural. Really. Well, compared to what I saw it's not even close. The entire community was surrounded by mountains. It actually reminded me of the Highlands when I went to Scotland!  But, wow the views are stunning; I kept telling the other students in my group I would never grow tired of waking up in the morning surrounded by lush, green mountains. Not really sure what next week will hold, but all 3 of us will be in the clinic. The week after that my friend and I will be going around with a health educator doing...healthy things!

Today was my second clinical day of the week. I was back in ye ol' Lexington taking care of BABIES!!! The first and only patient I had today was a rather tough one. She had planned for a natural birth but things were not progressing. She ended up having to have a c-section...which yes I did get to see! It was by far one of the most incredible things I have ever seen in my nursing student career. It's very fast too, which I was not expecting. But to see life right before your eyes....is nothing short of a miracle that only comes from God. But yeah. Again, an incredible experience. I really thought a few times I was just going to start crying because there were so many emotions running around all over the place in the room. As the nursery nurses were taking the baby away I found myself whispering "happy birthday, baby boy." After he was born the nurse I was with and I took her back to her room. Later on the nurse was saying if she had went through a natural birth she probably would have hemorrhaged. Doctors do know best sometimes!

That's all to report for this week. Wowie I am loving this weather and hope to encounter more experiences and challenges as the weeks roll on by! Less than 8 months to go till show time!