Documentary Review "The Last Mile"

Slow day at work.  We did a flight early and I'm all caught up with all my paperwork.  I decided to look through Amazon Prime and see if they had any good documentaries or films that I could rent and watch.  I have pretty much watched the death out of Netflix, HBOGo and Amazon Prime.  I should read a book...I know.  

I love a good book, movie or documentary on running.  I love to talk about it and plan and buy stuff.  It has really become my life and defines part of who I am.  This documentary addresses that feeling.  Why do we run?   

       

Here is the trailer for it. 

John Burkett is a runner and a film maker.  He set out about the country asking people why they run.  What he found is interesting and fascinating.  I became just a little bored during the interviews with the pros but when he moves to talking to regular people it started my running motor.  Turns out they aren't just regular people.  

In the end it's true that there is no secret.  People who run, and love to run, just do.  For ALL the reasons.  My frustration with not having enough time to put in the training and rest that I need was lessened.  My excitement to get on the next training plan spiked....kinda like a "new running shoe" day.  Well, not quite but close.  

Of course I only have to convince myself.

I rented it for 2.99 off Amazon as a prime member.  It's a little over an hour long.  It's a great way to spend 3 bucks.  I recommend it, especially if you need a little jump start or motivation.  

Speaking of next race.  I don't have a planned race until Oct. 24th.  I'm running the SLC Haunted Half in a penis costume.  I'm kidding.  Probably.

I was sick with the flu after the Timp Half on August 1st and have just in the last few days been able to get back to work and not feel like I'm going to puke.  I'm even feeling my energy increase. 

Complimentary early morning helicopter pic.  

Best job ever.

Hoping for a nice run on Wednesday to kick off a non-training couple of weeks.  I'm going to Bali in September.   (yeah!!!)  I'm taking my running shoes.  I'm not really training until I get back.  It will not be a fast half marathon.  Guaranteed!

What is the least amount of training you've done for a half marathon??

   

Blog on...........

Blank. Completely Blank.

That is exactly the way my mind feels this morning.  You know that feeling of being so tired your eyes hurt and the idea of doing much more then making coffee is exhausting!  I lost an entire day!  I've been thinking about football all morning.  Guess what...its Monday!

This is not a complaining post at all.  I just took a minute to try and figure out why I wasn't having time to post anything.  Well....if I'm not working, I'm doing core work, running or I'm dead tired.  So here is a picture overload post.  (my favorite!)  

Pretty much takes up a lot of time.

Running:

I am running again.  Not completely pain free but doing my core and leg strengthening exercises are directly related to my pain while running.  Laura gave me a big dose of Graston last time I was there.

Same leg.  Each side.  They lasted almost a week.  It's VERY common to bruise after a Graston technique torture session.  I use the word torture lightly.  It hurts like crazy but it works amazing!  

Laura wants me to keep moving.  So I try and get out every other day and I try to go an hour.  If it hurts I walk.  This way I don't have to hit a certain mileage but just get in an hour of moving. Despite my over abundance of pics I didn't even take one when I ran with my friend Deb!  

Here is my running recap.  Remember I'm doing a lot of walking so I'm slow but I'm moving forward and getting much much better.

9/30 - 3 miles in 34 minutes

10/6 - 5.46 miles in 1 hour

10/10 - 4.12 miles in 1 hour (I didn't do my PT the day before and I was feeling it)

10/12 - 5.23 miles in 1 hour

10/16 - 5 miles in 1 hour

I can't be the only one that wears an outfit twice before washing.  Or can I?

I wish I could have ran more, but life got in the way a few time.

What life?

Work:

I love my job.  Thank god!  It's almost wrong how much I enjoy working.  There has been a lot of overtime lately and I have taken advantage of that.  It's not always this abundant (we are down a couple of flight nurses) so why not? This morning I did some math in my head.  True.  It hurt.  I've been working 60 to 72 hours a week.  Add life, kids and time spent recovering and that's how that happens.  

Working in Rock Springs.  We had an aircraft switch out (maintenance) at the end of our shift so we took our stuff and flew home.  YAH! Buddy!

Yesterday we did some training.

One of my favorite pilots giving the run down to Wasatch Backcountry Rescue dogs and their handlers some FYI on the aircraft and getting in and out.

Dry run with a NEW newbie.  PUPPIES!

This puppy was really stressed out by the helicopter.

 I work with the best people ever!  They make my job just that awesome.

We work with Wasatch Backcountry Rescue to help them train the dogs (and the people) to be able to approach a running aircraft, get in and get out with their 2 handlers.  In a real life scenario we would be picking up a handler and their dog plus all their ski gear and taking them up a mountain where a search and rescue was occurring.  Northern Utah has some of the most amazing snow, skiing and back country.  Unfortunately with snow comes avalanches.  We are also taught by avalanche specialist so that we can have information we need to stay safe.

Yesterday I was in the helicopter as we picked up and transported over 20 dogs.  We landed 28 times.  14 of those were in a pretty dusty area that I got out and help the crews in and out of the running aircraft.  A helicopter crew member needs to be part of the process for safety. I was a out for half of them and my medic stayed out for the other half.  Amazeballs!  I can't lie.  Every dog got quite a bit of love from me.  

After we dropped off a patient at the UofU hospital. 

My job does not suck.

Walking down the hall in Ogden.  I've posted a pic like this before but this time it was dark.  Kinda freaky!

There is something about this picture that says my spirit twin was here.  

LIFE

10 months later I've ordered the prints and put them in frames.

I'm a go-getter!

Decided I was sick of carrying so much shit in my flight suit.  I'm bringing the "nurse purse" back!  Nothing says "I'm ready to party" at a scene flight then a fanny pack!

Seriously?  If I had money I would buy it just for the conversation.  

Wow, that's a big.......chicken??

Unblocked by former friend after a year.  Reblocked by me.

Childish?  yes.  But I love Facebook and I love keeping in touch with friends far away and friends I don't see often.  I don't need to see ANYTHING that is going on with that shitty situation.

New work socks.  They are so comfy I can't stand it!

New annual pass for Millcreek Canyon.  Best 40 bucks spent.  They do a great job keeping it in tip top shape.

Glad I found this gem of a coffee press in my cupboard.  YEAH HOARDING!

The fancy coffee maker behind it has some funky smell to it.  I've tried everything.  I'm going to toss it and get a cheap one.  I had a cheap one for 10 years and it was awesome.  Fancy one...less then 2 years.  LOSER.

Oh crap...I have a massage!  Tough life.

Blog on..........

I deserve a treat

About every 16-18 months I get a Breast MRI.  This was my 3rd.  My last one resulting in a biopsy, that was negative.  I don't know the results of this one yet.  

Breast MRI

Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

A breast MRI captures multiple images of your breast. Breast MRI images are combined, using a computer, to generate detailed pictures.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast — or breast MRI — is a test used to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities in the breast.

Breast MRI usually is performed after you have a biopsy that's positive for cancer, and your doctor needs more information about the extent of the disease. In certain situations, such as for women with high risk of breast cancer, breast MRI may be used with mammograms as a screening tool for detecting breast cancer.

So why?  I have a strong family history.  My sister died of breast cancer in 2003 at the age of 44.  I have already lived 6 years longer then she did.  It's very humbling.  My mom has had it also and is doing great.  My theory is not if but when I get it.  I don't live in fear but I am proactive to detect early.  I'm always checking myself.  If you don't, then learn.  It's easy.  Before you jump in the shower or in the shower and before you know it it becomes a no brainer.  

The only picture I have of her right now.  I am in the process of switching laptops.

Here is the contraption you lay on with your boobies hanging down through the holes.

Kind of like this.

It takes 30 minutes.   I ran that morning and premedicated with some anti anxiety medicine.  I still feel like I was hyperventilating.  And you can't move at all. You can't even take deep breaths.   That's why I deserved a treat!

And they were delicious!

Yes, I was driving the Shaggin Wagon.  My car went in on Wednesday and it wasn't done going to be done until Monday.

I can't remember how long the results take to come back.  You know what they say, no news is good news.  I can't have any positive results during this training anyway.  

What is your favorite treat?

Cancer - do you get or plan to get mammograms?

Blog on...........

Just things, running and stuff

It's been a really odd month.  Ever had one of those?  Nothing really to explain just blah.

This month did include some serious bread.  The off duty nurse, Jen, went on a bread making kick and I woke up from my safety nap to this.  I had one of the little pretzels and it was amazing.  She made some sort of sweet bread.  The next morning when my medic and I got back from a call she had french toast ready for us.  So delicious, I couldn't say no. 

When I had my braces I found these gems.  I haven't been able to wean myself off them.  Excellent dental health is important!

I taped my foot.  After pilates one night I had this pain above the bone on the outside of my ankle.  I know that I overdid it on a couple of moves and I wanted to support the ankle a little while it strenthens.  All my pain and soreness is associated with the peroneal nerve and tendons, which were not associated with the surgery.  I am just more aware of the soreness without the extreme pain from my other foot problems.  I taped it for peroneal tendonitis and it seems to be helping a lot.  That and ice/rest.

I watch a Nova show called "Marathon Challenge".  It you can find it, watch it.  It's especially moving after all the Boston stuff.  One of the tests they did on the runners included a V02max test.  Now I want one.  I think it would be fun and interesting.  In the show all the runners showed improvement within just a few weeks of starting their running plan.  The UofU Pulmonary Services will test for 80 bucks.  I'm going to start saving my pennies!

A couple of awesome runs at the park.  I was getting ready for the Idaho Famous Potato 5K (which I already blogged about).  Beautiful weather and lots of people out enjoying the spring.  I love it!

My son and I have decided we have a problem.  30 bucks a week in nuts (Dry roasted/salted) and we go through them worse then candy.  Guess I'm going to have to wean myself off of them a little.  They are just so delicious!  Dang you Whole Foods!

I spent last week in orientation for my part-time job in an ICU at a hospital close to my house.  (St. Marks)  Unfortunately I don't do well in classroom situations and ended up eating too much dark chocolate Dove bars.  At least they had some life lessons inside.

Or just plain creepy information!

So as you can see, pretty lame.  I spend a lot of time in bed reading, studying or watching TV.  Jammies at 6pm?  Yes please! 

Do you have days when you can only think about when you can get in your jammies?

Blog on............

Day in pictures

Lots of watching TV, surfing the web and reading.

New Faucet installed by Matt.  I think the next thing is a new kitchen window.  It's a slow process, replacing old windows.

Our delicious local grown Pork.  Pork chops tonight for dinner.

Ended with watching "21 Jump Street" with Matt.

Lazy day.

Good day.

Blog on.................

Mid-life crisis???

Could I be going through a midlife crisis??  NEVER!  I am way too young to be midlife...or am I?? The last month has had so many changes going on I can hardly tell what I am doing from one day to the next.  I have to keep checking my calendar to see what the heck I am up to for the day.  


Really big change.  I left bedside nursing and changed my work setting to this:

Fixed Wing Flight nurse for AirMed based in Rock Springs.

No I am not moving, just commuting

This will be my work view.  Well, when I'm not crapping my pants trying to keep patients stable up in the air. 

This is a picture I took in February when Al and I were taking off in Salt Lake City to go to Colorado.   Airmed was behind us for take off.  That is my patient care station.  hahah

I applied a year ago to AirMed and the interview made me realize what I really needed to work on to pass the interview.  Not even necessarily to do the job, but to impress upon the team that I could do a great job and work as a team and make decisions best for our patients.  I took my CCRN test and accepted a job in the ER at the U in order to get the experience I need.  Lucky for me all that experience, studying and strong desire to fly paid off and they hired me!  I start this Monday.  NOW, I will spend three months learning a lot of stuff I don't know so I can do my job well.  I can't wait!  I'm a nerd like that.  I like the learning stuff.  That or its my genetically predisposed need to be constantly moving and learning.  (thanks dad and mom!)

The complete downside to that.

Leaving the ER.  A short time there and I have had so much fun.  The people that I have worked with have been so kind and taught me so much!  I usually work at a job until I move onto something else or am just DONE with it. I feel like there were so many more shenanigans to experience!!!  Thanks to everyone who was so awesome!

I also had to say farewell to the SICU.  Luckily Julia (manager) will allow me to pick up extra shifts as needed and I will definitely be doing that.  I am so emotionally and personally involved with the SI that some people are closer to me then family.  I have so much pride in how far I have come as an ICU nurse and how awesome it is to work with such a great crew.  I will miss coding a patient with my besties in the room and we are KICKING ass and taking names.  Not easy to die in that unit.  The only thing that helps a little is that they are going through some major changes and evolving enough that it's like moving on after a great party.  

Who wouldn't want to work with these people??!!

 Of course it's not all a party.  Sometimes we have to get serious!

 

Halloween, I think 2008.  I was charging and Terri Michele made us all nursing hats.  Then we took a picture with our attending sitting on a commode.  Dr. Barton was a good sport!

Then we grabbed Dr. Selzman, but we got him a decent chair.

I think he had been at the hospital maybe a month.  He looks suspicious!

 Marnell left the SICU in December 07, but will never be forgotten.  She was super smart and a blast!

 These are our emergency cardiac med boxes.  We went through three the night before and I was just coming on.  I hope Pharmacist Jeanie sees this and I can tell her.."I didn't open it!"  Kyle should have been proud.  We would break these open when we needed code meds but nothing else and that way we wouldn't break the code cart and charge the patient an extra thousand.  Plus they were easier to keep stocked.

Wasn't the first or the last pair of shoes to be violated in the SICU.  I was always kind of a freak about my shoes and would use shoe covers and all kinds of stuff to try and keep them clean.

 I am pretty sure this is 2007 or early 2008.  Just another great day in the SICU.   Little did I know that they could add a few more machines in the next few years.  Look - it's paper charting!!

 I found this by my computer one day.  Apparently someone wanted to have Jesus be my co-pilot for the day.  I think he's averting his eyes.  Everyone took cover to see if lightening would strike.

 Oh look!  New Bari beds.  Lets see how many nurses we can get in it!!

I was always amazed when they left the chest open.  This one, the tips of my fingers could feel his heart beat.  I know, I'm not wearing gloves.  My hands were super clean!!

 When we first started doing bi-vads it was just so amazing.  Yet again, the surgeons soon added another component to it and later on we were hooked up to this AND an ECMO machine.

In no way shape or form can I forget my Triad of Triads.  Being a charge nurse in the SICU has been a lesson of trial and error when it comes to dealing with critical patients, logistics and SOCIAL politics and boundaries.  After having to send an apology letter and giving many apologies for hurting someones feel goods I came up with my triad.  Because sometimes you have to take the high road and act like the adult.  

I've learned a lot! 

Terri and I share a birthday week.   So I brought us a cake and we had our own party.  

See how we are??

Can you see where I could miss it all?  I have had so much support from my friends there.  When I had bad days as a single mother then Danielle would sense it and make me cry..then she would cry and then Tera would get all mad about why we were crying and she would start crying.  I will appreciate those times forever and so lucky to still have Tera and Danielle counted as friends for life!

Memories of my first patient that was a fresh quadriplegic.  He was fresh off his mission and I just bonded with him.  His family was amazing.  That night I had one of many calls from SLPD about this and that with a particular son.  That night my patients mom and I sat in his room and cried together.  

Becoming so close to a patients family that when she died I think they were comforting me as much as I was comforting them.

Laughing so hard I almost pee'd my pants so many times I can hardly count.  

Watching the miracle that is medicine work.  Sometimes not work.  There is no magical answer it just is what it is.  

Seeing Dr. Vargo's eyes in the OR during an especially tragic situation.  He is the only surgeon that I still get nervous around and I still chase him down and ask him questions.  He's no longer an attending in the SICU, but he's an excellent surgeon there.  He also came to my rescue when a particular CT surgeon decided to give me the smackdown (yelling/swearing) in the dirty utility.  

Sitting in a patients room with David.  She was dying and her family couldn't be there, it was too much for them.  We sat with her so she wouldn't die alone. 

The three circle brain starter.  When you turn three circles around in a room because you have no idea where to start it's all so crazy.

Crashing patient and the surgeon ripped off the ioban and stuck her hand in his chest and held the aorta that was bleeding.  She sat on the bed and we wheeled them both up to emergency surgery.    I always wondered were our dramatic music was at those times. It was just so surreal.   

Talking to Dr. Kimball who I have come to respect so much as a friend and co-worker.  Sometimes we are all just real people with real lives and just need someone who can understand.  Plus I have been in a lot of critical patient situations with him.  After a while when you are with the same doctor, it all becomes smooth and seamless.

Tera across the bed from me in a code.  I have no idea why we have done so many together, but when my patient codes my adrenaline is through the roof and having Tera across from me brings my head back into the game.

Yelling at Dr. Barton.  Not proud, but it was the end of a long frustrating day of trying to get someone to listen to me.   It's ok, he yelled at me too once in a while.  

I can't think of all the highlights and low lights right now.  It makes me think I should start writing them down.  What a great 8 years!

Thank you peeps!

HELLO AIRMED!!  I'm jumping in with both feet and hoping to land safely..every time!!  I can't wait to get to know the crew and learn to be as bad ass as they are.  Because if I ever have to be transported by air they are the people that I want to do it!!!  

Blog on...........