June 9

So tomorrow is June 10. A year ago tomorrow I walked out on Novacoast and was "Laid off". At the time, I knew it was the right thing to do to accept being laid off and receiving unemployment. I also knew I was going to try to go to school. I had such a good feeling about it. Robby was very nervous, but told me that he was going to trust my feelings. I am SO grateful that a year ago Rick was such a jerk that I finally walked.

I am loving my externship. I love the ladies who work there. The doctors are starting to trust me more and know that I want to help and will do anything to learn. Occasionally, I see heart breaking things. Occasionally, I see things that really bother me. Today an 86 year old lady came in who had been to visit her husband at the home where he is staying. She was getting into her car and fell. The people at the home saw her fall, came and brought her back in and cleaned her up. She came to us right after that. She really tore up her elbow and hand. Her skin was like parchment and the doctor had to use three different threads to stitch her up. It took him a long time. My heart just broke seeing her like that. Sometimes we get these sassy old guys who think they are funny and pretend to be these ornery old guys. One guy today had a cap that said "World War II veteran" so I knew he was Dad's generation. He was wearing a t-shirt that someone had written "The Italian Stallion" on the back. He was there for a dressing change. I started putting on gloves and he immediately yelled, "Why are you doing that, putting gloves on? Well, maybe it's a good thing because I probably have HIV" I turned to him and said, "I'm putting these gloves on to protect you from ME!" That shocked him and he gave out a shout of laughter. The doctor must have heard us because he came in and told me that the guy had fallen off a bar stool. He paused for a moment and then said, "At an ice cream parlor!" Another old guy comes in to get his blood checked to see how it clots. If they get blood thinners for strokes, clots or high blood pressure, they need to be monitored to make sure the blood doesn't get too thin. He is notorious around the clinic. I went out to get him and he barked, "What are ya smiling like that for? Are you looking forward to poking me?!" I replied that that is precisely why I went into this line of business and that is why I was smiling. Once again, he took a double take and then laughed. They remind me of Dad.

I love the ladies that work there. When it's slow, we sit around and chat and I get along with them really well. Carolyn was telling me that she is going to put in a glowing review for me. She would love for me to work there. I actually look forward to going to work, unlike my last job. I dreaded every moment going there, hated being there and was thrilled to go home.

Now onto more depressing news. Ollie. We are going to have to put him down. We found out from the vet yesterday that he probably has a tumor in his pancreas. It is causing him to have hyperglycemia. It is a very common thing among ferrets. We could pay for the surgery to have the tumor removed, but there is no guarantee that he won't grow another one. Plus, if we don't have the surgery, he will waste away until he goes into shock. I know this is going to really upset Emeli. I am just grateful that we still have the cat and Teddy. She has been bonding with Teddy and I think that will help a little. Robby and I were talking about all the cute things about Ollie today. It is killing us to watch him literally wasting away. There is no life left in his eyes. He literally lies in a heap in a little blanket. Today he went potty and collapsed in his potty. I can't believe how much this little ferret has wormed his way into our hearts. He is just so darn cute. I will really miss him. I'm just glad we have had an opportunity to have him in our home. He has brought us so much laughter.