April Update

Well, I want to keep up with this journal at least one entry every month. Just because I think it's cool to see on the side bar of the dates that I have an entry for. SO... I just started the process to take my board exam. I had to do this "Fingerprint" thing for a background check that the LA medical examination board must do. It was my first time ever getting my fingerprints recorded. So, yeah. It was an experience. If i ever get arrested, I would have to go through that again. LOL. Hopefully I won't have that experience again. So this process to apply and take the board takes alot of time and money.>_< But it's okay. considering how much I will make after I get it all done. =) I can't wait, just a couple of more months. I can't beleive it's been a year. and I've learned alot. Almost enough to be able to be ready to take that board. We only have this summer to go through. We're going to do more clinical hours and do a more wider range of rotations. Well, the one that really counts. Like intubation and intensive care. Some of the student are even going as far as Washington D.C. to work. I don't think I will go that far. Not yet anyways. I think Convington is the farthest I will go. Yeah. I'm doing a rotation at St. Tamany's this summer. Man, the price of gas !! >_< And then we're also doing NICU at Children's. This semester rotations are fun. I met this HOT phillipine guy that graduated in the same program as I at West Jeff. WooHOo... It was my motivation to wake up extra early in the morning and drive over to the west bank just to look at that man. Damn. I just like looking at him, nothing more. He's a cool guy. Very laid back and taught me a thing a two about the new ventilator the hospital used. He can speak vietnamese too! he says he has alot of viet friends. I really believed him when he told me di an (go eat) for lunch time. LOL. I hope I get to go back there one day.

Oh, I almost forgot. I applied to go to Camp Pelican. There's a mandatory meeting in May during my break that I'm going to. I hope I got accepted to be a member. What is Camp Pelican? Well, student RT's go to play with kids that has ventilator dependency. So, we'll help them do regular kid things that they normally can't do because the ventilator is too big. And it's a Plus to meet new friends who are just like them and they don't have their parents around. I think these kids will teach me a thing or two on how to take care of them if anything happens. Of course there will be cleaning and changing their trachs daily. They will be so occupied on having fun they might forget they're trached. If they want to go in the pool, then we'd be next to them. Simple?! Not really. It's important that they don't drown, but also to breathe even if they're on a floaty high above the water. Since they won't have their ventilator connected to them, we're responsible to be their human ventilator. Yes, bagging them! Suction them if things starts to build up and just keep them in check with all their vitals. All day and all night for one week! Isnt' cool?! I'm going to be their personal caretaker for one week. I'm not sure if I will get two or three kids, do we switch around with kids or get the same kids over and over. I'll find out soon.
I'm supposed to do a case study report right now. But I'm taking a break and write a little. I chose a 1 year old baby who has alot of birth defects. He has holes in his heart. Yes, litereally he does. So all the bllod that pumping out of his heart is not being oxygenated well. The major ones he has is called Pentalogy of Fallot, DORV (double outlet of right ventricle), VSD (ventricular septal defect). He also have non-related heart problems. One is where all his stomach contents from liver & large/small intestines are protruded out of his body through the umbilical AKA omphalocele. Another is Diaphragmatic hernia where some of his intestines are mislocated in his thoracic cavity through an opening of his diaphragm. Okay. All these are not correct medically defined because I'm trying to describce it myself without looking for it in my book. I actually had a look at his stomach to see what it looks like in real life. But he had a cast over his stomach. He just looks like a pregnant baby. I just have finals until this semester is over. This week is a big week for me. And it'll get a little better next week. And then the semester is over. It's been a year since I've been in this program. Wow. I guess I can write more on my next entry next month. Then, it'll really be one year. Also, I want to write about my first experience in a coding situation. With the persistent high-stress this program has, I'm getting real used to it all. I'm taking it easy man.

Ahh!! Crazy

I couldn't wait to get home tonight to wirte in my journal about a significant moment in my life.

I think I saved a life today.
You know that feeling rushing through your veins?! Adrenaline kicking in!! Like you're nervouse and calm at the same time. You're shaking but yet still inside. Makes my life seems worthwhile.

A million things running across your mind:

Do your job Van, do your job!! Ahhh... my fricking hands are so small.. I can't even bag 'em. The freaking mask is so big... it's okay Van, it's okay... just bag against the arm... bag against the arm. Okay.. Okay... Yay!!! He got the tube in. COUGH!! COUGH!!! Whoa, thick mucus. watch out for flying noogies. Dodge this way, dodge that way. Suction that crap. Nasty yellow stuff!! Bagging with both hands now. Taped the tube in place. Secured. Whew* The hard part is done. Just chilling.. Bagging and chilling. Getting tired... Yay! The vent is here. Whoa, whoa... What's going on?! Am I shaking?! Why they twitching? Whoa. It's like crazy!! (While my preceptor and I connect the Vent real quick onto the tube.) Nurse: Look look (pointing) Seizure. get some drugs!! Me: WOW!!! Really.. let me get out the way. OH... It's happening on one side of the body. So this is what a seizure looks like. The EKG is Crazy!! Hmmmm... Oh.. VT signals! Hit the lights. Lights off. Checking out the eyes. Pinpoint pupils. Hey, I studied that!! cool! Whoa... Seizure on both sides now. Very classic sings. Seizure stopped. Preceptor handed me the ABG kit. Whoa. Me?! Really?! =) OK! I got my setup here. I feel the pulse. Here I go. Big Stick. Yeah.. Yeah... I think I got it... Yay!! Red Flash!! I got it! Blood!! Yay! Oh wait.... I think they starting to siezure again! WTF?!!?! I need a little more blood. shit. I lost it. Preceptor: That's enough to analyze. Me: OK! =) Results: Acidotic. High CO2 levels... which is expected. Increase Rate. Decrease FiO2. alrighty. Be back in thirty minutes to do another one. Okay Lunch Time!

My first experience in a coding situation. **Patient's identity protected.** These are just some of my random thoughts that ran across my mind at that time. There's a first for everything!!! and this moment here made its impression in my life. It's amazing how much you can change in a year. I can't believe it! This time last year, I just found out I got accepted into the cardiopulmonary program. and one year later. I'm at the bedside helping to save a life. Wow, it's an honor working with these people and learning from them. Okay it's late. I had a long day. Gotta get up for another. Goodnight

Science Vs. Religion

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. "Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."

"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

This students statements are true, can you or can you not make night darker?

Is it possible for it to get colder after absolute zero -458 degree's F.

Can you feel,taste,see,hear,or smell your brain?

If you support this students statements than repost.

God in heaven won't mind if you do or don't.

No you won't go to hell.