Lessons learned

This week was random as well as every other week of my life. I spend most of my time here in Tampa getting lost and honked at.

Monday- I decided that google directions without a co-pilot in the car is just a great way to get in a wreck and get whiplash when you read a street name that looks familiar. I refuse to get a GPS system only because I enjoy saving money and its just another piece of technology that doesn't require brain work. So, to elaborate on how random my life is I had to find a truck stop outside of Tampa to pick up something for school (another story). I do get credit for actually finding the place 20min later, but sadly my Spanish speaking skills are non-existent at this point and I was unable to get what I came there for. Tampa's road system is full of one-ways that jet you pretty far outside of the city without finding a connector to turn you around the other way. Google directions do not work in reverse for one-ways, if that makes sense. So, basically I end up in ghettoville near Ybor City with only one bar left on my phone and no GPS. 45 minutes later in my car, I decided that I might have a full on panic attack.  Nobody was answering their phone and of course my phone died attempting to do so. It was getting dark and I already lost sight of the skyline...so I figured this was it. I was going to get car-jacked, mugged, or drive around until daylight. My life-saving device was my compass on my car. I knew I needed to go south, so I trusted that and by the grace of God I made a few lucky turns and found a road that looked familar. I came home and didn't eat dinner or shower. I just jumped in the bed and hugged my pillow.  I'm sure people think I'm so sketchy here, because I can never find people's houses or find places where I need to be at. As for tonight goes, I got lost going to hot yoga which is 5 minutes away using Google directions. That's sad.

Lesson learned # 1- Never drive in a new city with google directions. Bus systems aren't so bad afterall and never hesitate to 'bother' people and call them for help. My co-workers were shocked I made it out of that area without any problems. I'm so hood.

Another lesson I really took to heart was from one of my pediatric patients who suffered a hard blow from a medical condition which resulted in brain surgery and a partially shaved head. For HIPPA purposes I cannot disclose too much information so I'll just make it as simple as possible. This little girl has thrown toys in my face and has used the shower head as a weapon against me. I ended up going to a very important meeting, drenched. She is one of my more difficult patients to work with. Anyways, I knocked on her hospital room door and came in to start working on her ADLs. She was extra quite that morning and I knew something was up. So, I turned my head and stared at her to initiate a reaction. She looked more sad than usual and all she had to say was, "Miss Laura, Can I have your hair?" How do you answer that to a pretty little young girl who has lost her hair? I have touching moments everyday with these kids who are very sick and still have so much life to live.

Life Lesson #2- Appreciate what health you do have and never let go of your more 'difficult' friends/family. They need you more than you even know.