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The great Albert Einsten once said: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."

Last Tuesday, about an hour past noon, I get a text from my brother that read: "Did you hear what happened to dad?" My heart dropped. It was one of those things that you just don't expect. That you disregard. That you don't pay much attention to because you've convinced yourself that everything is good and that there's no possible way that can change. My life was flowing smoothly, I had everything under control. I had completely become ignorant of any possible detours that might come my way down this so-called yellow-brick road. I had let myself become engulfed by the working world...and I didn't see it coming.

"A mini stroke," they called it, "A cerebrovascular accident (CVA)." According to medterms.com, "The sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain." I've become very familiar with the symptoms of a stroke after my grandpa had one in 2004. At that time, I knew nothing about it. Funny how my eagerness to find out skyrocketed after personally experiencing it.

And for your own reference, because they don't teach you this stuff in school (unless, of course, you're in the healthcare field or have taken a First Aid class):

• weakness or paralysis of one side of the body with partial or complete loss of voluntary movement or sensation in a leg or arm
• speech problems and weak face muscles, causing drooling
• loss of or effects on balance, vision, swallowing, breathing and consciousness

Also note that, "A stroke is a medical emergency. Anyone suspected of having a stroke should be taken immediately to a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment." The longer you wait, the more damage it could cause.

If I ruled the world, this is the kind of stuff I would occasionally air on television...or at least at a doctor's office, or school nurse's waiting room.

My dad is doing okay now. Taking a week off from work to "take it easy." This was all but a wake-up call, that's all. To initiate lifestyle modifications to improve our health. To inspire someone to educate themselves so they could be ready to act in situations like these.

Moral of the blog? Live it and learn it. All there is to it.

Operation Frontline

I'm 23, and there are a lot of things I don't know. What to do with my life, for example, is one. I don't know what to do between now until the next round of dietetic internship applications in September. I don't know where I'm going to take grad classes this fall. I have no idea what it is exactly I want to be "when I grow up."

There is one thing I do know, however. I want to help other people. Sounds simple enough, right? And truthfully, it really is just as easy as it sounds...if not, easier.

As of last Monday, I am now officially a Nutrition Educator for Operation Frontline, a Share Our Strength project that provides a strong foundation in nutrition, cooking, and household budgeting by teaching low-income families how to prepare healthy, low-cost meals. I have been assigned to work with teens for the "The Power of Eating Right" curriculum. Can you tell I'm really excited about it? No? Well, I am. BIG TIME. I didn't have to do this. Completely voluntary. But I wanted to, and therefore, I will.

I led a nutrition session in which I reviewed the new food guide pyramid and portion sizes. Even shared tips on what can be used to measure portions. A deck of cards, for example, is about 3oz of meat. We made pizza using english muffins, spaghetti sauce, mozzerella cheese and fresh vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes. But the best part of my day? Knowing that these kids dreamt about this the night before. Knowing that they all wanted to come back and learn more. Knowing that I got to know all their names, and what kind of food they like to eat. I've never felt so alive, so appreciated, so helpful.

On Monday, May 5, 2008, I, Monica, made a difference and now have every intention to continue doing just that.

Moral of the Story? Get Involved.

chocolate lovers.....

I found my new calling!!

So I recently read in an article that British researchers are looking for volunteers willing to eat a bar of chocolate daily for a year, guilt-free and all in the name of science.

The catch? Researchers want to explore whether compounds called flavonoids found in chocolate and other foods can reduce the risk of heart disease for menopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

Studies have shown that dark chocolate is rich in beneficial compounds linked with heart health. Dark chocolate appears to lower blood pressure, improve the function of blood vessels and reduce the risk of heart attack.

The British researchers are going to recruit 150 women that have already gone through menopause but have type 2 diabetes. They will look at whether the compounds help reduce blood pressure, cut cholesterol levels and improve the condition of arteries.

Researchers say "The researchers hope the study could have implications for the wider population if results show significant benefits from the isoflavones contained in soy and epicatechin found in cocoa."

That treatment and therapy sounds good to me!

So Close to Summer Break....

Prior to this semester, I was all about steaming ahead 100% - no holds barred, take no prisoners! I was going to take Physiology and perhaps Pharmacology in the short summer term, even, on the off-chance I might be considered for a position in this fall's nursing student pool.

Yeah.

Not so much now.

The odds of being considered without already having taken those two classes at the time of application? Infinitesimal. Insignificant. Close to zero. Statistically, I'd have a better chance of being eaten by a shark while living right here in Lansing, Michigan. (PS - Initially, I had a photo of Michael Douglas in "Wall Street" there in place of the actual shark, but decided it was too obscure a reference anymore. God but I feel old, sometimes...)

"Still," I thought, "I'll take one, just to get it out of the way."

Again, now? Not so much.

Having seen various of my friends and fellow students sludge through Physiology during the full term, I'm not overly-eager to take it in half the usual time. Additionally... I am exhausted. Taking five classes this term and working 20-30 hours in a mentally draining job has ruined me on the whole idea of summer classes.

Thus, I am taking the summer off from school! Woohoo! I'm really looking forward to the Not Having Any Homework, as well as to the No Looming Deadlines hanging over my head. I'll still be working my butt off, sure, but the pressure will have eased hugely.

I've gotten three exams out of the way, getting a 4.0 in two classes. I have four exams left - two Anatomy, two Micro. I'm struggling, for some reason, with the endocrine system, trying to remember which hormones are produced where causing what cascade, et cetera... but the lab portion shouldn't be too bad. We also have the urinary and male/female reproductive systems to think about. I haven't finished my flash cards yet. Eek. Still, I get to drop my lowest lab exam, and I have yet to get below 102% on any of them, so this is kind of a freebie. Still, my own personal standards demand I do well. I could also tank the written exam pretty badly and still end up with a 4.0, but again - just can't do it (yes, I am Captain Overachiever; why do you ask?)



Microbiology is a bit less daunting. Which, of course, means that it will kick my ass up and down the block. Ah well - I'll do the best I can. Right now, I'm sitting on my 4.0 at 94%, and I think I could get a B on the exam and still be ok. We shall see.

If you are in the midst of your finals, like me, I wish you all the luck in the world! If you are already done, I am insanely jealous, but I still wish you a wonderful break.

I'll be blogging over the summer, despite not being in school; I'll have tales of the Emergency Department and perhaps a few more Phlebotomy lab stories.

In the meantime....

HAPPY SUMMER, EVERYONE!!

sleep problems...yet again...

My sleeping troubles continue...

Between my grandmothers funeral, my break-up with the boyfriend and coming home to find that I have no job for the summer...I have been so stressed out that I have made myself sick and cannot sleep!

The reason this concerns me is because of my doctor says that my "fatigue" is more than just about me being tired. It could actually become harmful to me! Common cases of fatigue like what I've been experiencing have been complaints of people being so drained that they can barely function.

Chronic fatigue can cause anemia, underactive thyroid, diabetes, depression, sleep apnea, insomnia, chronic pain, liver, kidney and heart disease and in some cases cancer.

Now, my lack of sleep is obviously not as severe as something like that, however I just wanted to remind everyone that it can be very harmful to your health when you do not get the right amount of sleep and take care of your body.

I don't know who is still in school and taking finals or if everyone is done for the summer but take care of yourselves, relax and don't stress too much! Just think, its almost summer! Good luck!!