I'm baaaaaccckkkk!

Ah, I made it back to San Antonio yesterday.  After driving 570 miles, I decided to go for a run after checking into my hotel.  I drove on post and ran around the same track we use for our PT tests.  I don't know what my problem was!  I ran my first mile in 8:20!  Then the 102 + humidity heat and 570 miles hit me and my second mile was significantly slower.  I haven't run that fast in years!  It felt good and I think my legs appreciated a chance to stretch out after being in the car.

I have my room and have met my room-mate.  She seems nice and doesn't sleep with the TV on!  Thank God!

Before I left El Paso, a couple of things happened that I wanted to share with you all.  Last weekend, we had hardly any patients.  If the government wants to look at cutting spending, they could start in the ICU!  We had 4 patients and 11-12 nurses!  Can you believe that?  I didn't have my own patient from 1000 Saturday until around 1600 Sunday.  I tried to keep busy by reading policies, looking things up on-line, helping other nurses, etc.  It was brutal!  Monday wasn't much better, but we, at least, had a few more patients.  It was my final day of orientation, so that was great!  On Saturday, one of the nurses, who was off, brought in a puppy she was bringing to her sister.  What an adorable little guy!  He was 8 weeks old and probably no longer or heavier than Snowflake was!  He was sooooo cute and really made me miss Shadow.

On Monday, my final day of orientation, I found a butterfly near the entrance to the hospital.  I helped it off of the concrete and onto a pretty flower since its wing had been damaged.  For those of you who know me, you'll recognize the significance of this butterfly.

Now, I'm just hoping nothing happens to deter me from completing these last 5 weeks of Officer Basic. 

I hope you are all doing well!

--DV