All By Myself

My mom left Philadelphia this morning to head back to Dallas. I'm so thankful that she came with me to help me move in. I could not have done this without her. She helped shop for and put together furniture, set everything up in my apartment, and was a trooper in all of this cold weather. Us Texans aren't used to these conditions. Although I don't think she was going home to anything better. I heard Dallas was having pretty cold weather too. Thanks so much mom!!!

So, now I'm adjusting to being here by myself. It's a good thing I had to go to work so I didn't have time to be sad. I'm miss everyone so much, but I'm here to learn and then I can head right back to Texas. That is, unless I fall in love (with the city, or a boy!) and take a permanent job up here (just kidding Amy!)

Today was another adventure. The Center City office had a different set of therapist working today, other than one who makes his home there. Tuesdays, Lauren is at the CC office and she is our main splint instructor. So, Tuesdays Jennifer and I will be learning how to make all sorts of splints. Today was the basic wrist cock-up splint. It's probably the most common splint they make. What's real nice is that they have pre-cuts so all you have to do is slap one on a patient, trip it up, and you are good to go. Well, almost. Lauren is a great teacher too! She is so laid back and patient and let's us learn by doing. We jumped right in and practiced making splints on each other. When we get a little braver (an better!) we will be able to make them on patients.

5 Things I Learned on Day #2

1. The optimal position to splint in is supination, but not all of your patients can get into that position with gravity assisting you. So, you just have figure out a way to get them into supination.
2. When cutting down splint material, move the splint, not the scissors.
3. Use Goo Gone to clean velcro glue off of scissors. (I know, not rocket science, but I always just use hot water. Goo Gone is so much easier)
4. Methodist Hospital is not in the best of neighborhoods, so make sure not to stay too late when observing surgery.
5. The Broad Street Line is the subway line to take to get to Methodist.

Another day down. It really is going to go by fast! Tomorrow is going to be an early and late one. I'm mentally preparing myself to be at work for about 15 hours tomorrow.