palliative care

i think i've said this a lot in the past but this time I'm serious - I love my co-op job. I actually don't dread going to work and i love the people I work with, the patients, the doctors. But before i go on....

palliative care: health care that, rather than focusing on curative aspects, focuses on improving the quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses that may not have a cure. This is done through pain and symptom management; physical, psychosocial, spiritual management; all the way to end of life preparation and care.

A lot of people ask me "Well isn't that depressing?" I thought it would be too, but it's actually kind of rewarding to meet people and sometimes make their day a little better by being a part of their care. I've had patients cry on me when I remembered their name, or patients thank the doctor millions of times saying that they're the only doctor they look forward to seeing. I've had patients who come in grumpy but leave happy and a little less anxious about their state/being.

There's a huge potential for ministry in this field and I think I"m really starting to love it. Although 3 of my patients have already passed away in the 2 months that I've been here, it's still really rewarding to be able to be a part of the care that gives patients a chance to have comfort.

kaput

what do you do with a passion that's kind of died?
something that takes so much energy to even think about.
you used to have a passion for this, but you're just sick and tired of it.
what do you do?

superbowl commercial

cutest kid ever

sit at the table

I had a friend send me this TED video on Why we have too few women leaders. It's SUCH an encouraging and empowering video to not just women but people who doubt their own capability and think they don't really have leadership capacity.

let's work out!

So i've been going to the gym consistently for the past 6 weeks. I have to say i'm actually pretty impressed with myself. I never would have thought that i actually LIKED going to the gym. There's been like one or two days in the whole 6 weeks that I've been like OMG i can't go! But other than that, i've been going every other day or 4 times a week. I can see results which I think is motivating me to go even more.

a friend wrote on her blog today that she loves the feeling of coming OUT of working out but hates the pre-session. THis is mainly written for her as an encouragement.

My fitness tester today said that working out happens in phases.

Phase 1: Foundation
Just get your butt to the gym. You might not see results in this section so don't even weigh yourself

I'm still in this stage but I think it's working so far. I'm getting in the habit of going to the gym - it's almost second nature to me and i feel like crap if i don't go.

So to my friend - just hang in there my dear! And maybe when you've used up all your classes, your body needs a change in exercise!

My goal until september - be comfortable in my own body, be able to run up to the top floor of MC without dying on the way, be a better eater.

My long term goal? Look like them: (teehee)