Perspective

I just evaluated a gentleman who recently had a fairly minor ankle surgery. He was very jovial upon introduction and while we went through his medical history that included and past bout with cancer that has metastasized to his lungs and around his heart. They have given him ~24 months, and he came off chemo to have his ankle operated on as he was having too much pain when he walked.

He told me all of this in good spirits and is excited to begin physical therapy with me as his main goal is to be able to return to walking with his wife. He is not particularly old, and says that he has come to terms with the prognosis, although he keeps an open mind to future experimental treatment options.

He will be working with me till next Friday when he can move to another therapist, although he is considering following me to the main hospital based on how things go over the next 13 days.

Meeting someone going through something like that, well, it just puts things in better perspective for me. I have my health, my family and my friends, and I am so appreciative of all 3!

Marathon Weekend

So, this is the weekend of the big Boston Hash House Harriers event centered around the actual Boston Marathon, which is tomorrow. So many of my favorite out of town people came in for the event this weekend, and it was great to catch up with them all. Especially my VTers... I miss Burlington.

The hardest thing about this weekend by far was having to have similar conversations with people about what happened between Matt and I. I guess his version is rather simplified: "She was planning a future, I wasn't," which I guess gets the point across, but some of my friends wanted to know a little more including how I was holding up...

interesting question

I don't really know how to address that one, except to say that I am keeping myself busy, and that I don't regret the decision to end things. I am disappointed that Matt could not envision a future for us together, but I don't necessarily fault him that. I just want to feel special, appreciated, and to be a priority in someone's life after 1.5 years. The fact that he couldn't provide that does not make him a bad person, it just makes him not the right person.

Not knowing who the right person may be is a little scary, but also thrilling in a way. Well, let's just wait and see how I feel tomorrow... this process is a very day-by-day kind of thing :)

A Second Job

So, an opportunity arose to take a per diem job at a hospital I interviewed at for internship: Shaughnessey Kaplan. The position is for weekend work and it involves working in acute care and rehab. It also pays $50/ hr... I decided to interview with them to see if it was something I might be interested in doing.

I was wavering on the ride up to Salem 2 weeks ago as to whether or not I would be willing to give up weekend days for the extra pay, but then I realized there was no guarantee that I would even get the job. When I got there, it was barely an interview and more of a tour and an explanation of what my responsibilities would be.

I was excited to be back in a hospital setting, and realized that the experience in acute care would make me even more marketable after my internship with MGH ended. Once he explained that 2 days a month would be sufficient to work there, I thought... why not? It would be a new experience, and (like it or not) I have a more free weekend schedule these days.

I still don't know what I will do full time at the end of internship in August. MGH has not discussed hiring me, and I am toying with the idea of leaving the Boston area... Seattle? Chicago? Denver? I guess I could really go anywhere. A patient of mine who works as a nurse upstairs suggested getting my resume together and out there now for potential jobs out of the area. The thought scares me a bit, as I would be leaving some many close friends, but if I am seriously considering it, I need to start looking at potential employers.

I'll try and keep this updated with my search and job decisions. Funny that I started this 3 years ago to cronical my journey through PT school and I am almost to the end of it. Where did the time go?

New Scarf

new-scarf
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

So, the best thing happened yesterday at work. The cute little Egyptian woman I worked with presented me with a present. One my colleagues actually came to get me and said my patient was looking for me after the session was over. I was worried she had not understood to head back to the waiting room as her understanding of English is limited. As I found her in our usually room, there she was with this scarf wrapped up for me.

She had knit it for me after I had complemented her on one she had worn to a visit a week earlier. It is very soft, and brightly colored so it may have to be my spring scarf.

I was just blown away by the gesture, and even wearing it now makes me smile!

Internship Update

I am currently still at MGH West in Waltham, but the count down has started for my move to the ACC. 4 weeks from today will be my first day at the main campus. I'll have co-treat time with two clinical specialist: one who specializes in spine, the other extremities, have a 15 minute bike ride commute, and a schedule with at least 2 late mornings! I can not wait.

I will definitely miss the group of therapist out in Waltham, the gym next door to work, and my interesting conversations commuting in with Alex or Casey. I guess I am also a little nervous that the main campus will be more challenging, and perhaps I will not succeed there as easily as I did in Waltham. Well, I guess it wasn't that easy... I definitely struggled those first 8 weeks.

I have been told to study up on the shoulder including relevant literature before heading down there, so I guess even after the boards, my studying days are not over!

I do like a challenge, and I guess I have to remember that and just plan to do my best.

Golda Mark

Golda
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Another couple who introductions I facilitated had a baby girl at the end of February.

Dasha and Zsolt have been a perfect match since she finally agreed to go out with him 4 years ago. He hounded me for a few weeks, and after she saw how refined his apartment was, she was in it for the long haul.

Congrats on the new edition to the Mark household. I have no doubts that Zsolt is also quite smitten with her.

Malena Devlin

Malena
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Well, Marisa and Julian are now proud parents. It is funny to think that I helped the two of them meet almost 7 years ago when Marisa commented that he was "very cute" at a housewarming party I had.

I now have to say that perhaps Malena is the cutest in the household these days. Congratulations to them!