The Final Stretch

I can't believe it's here but my first semester of hygiene school is coming to an end. I know I still have a couple more weeks and a few more tests but I can't help myself, I'm excited! I have loved school and I know I will continue to love it but I'm in definite need of a break. Then I can come back in the spring ready to go! This semester really has flown by- Looking back at how little I knew and how little I still knew makes me feel like I didn't make a ton of progress but I know I did. I will definitely need to do some reviewing over the break so I don't forget the little I did learn. But it's good and I wouldn't change a thing! I just have to get through: the clinic manual test, the final in radiology, my end of semester counseling with Professor McCoun.... ya I don't know how to spell it and I don't want to look it up, the final anatomy quiz and test, and Costley's last test-- Then I'm done!!!!... for the semester at least. That list makes it sound like I have a lot to do but this coming Monday I will take care of three of them so I will be able to check those off the list! Well that's all I have for this semester but don't worry (whoever YOU are) I'll be back smiling bigger than ever! Happy Holidays!

The Great and Dreadful Day

Yes I know I'm using a second coming descriptor but I felt it was accurate so that's my justification. Anyways, today was the day I saw my very first patient. I wasn't that nervous about it until this morning, maybe that's because I didn't think too much about it until then. I feel like I experienced a lot of emotions today- nervous, excited, anxious, scared, you name it! BUT everything went pretty smoothly. My mom was the lucky soul I got to work on and she was a great patient. She laughed with me and I was able to learn a lot from her mouth because it's a lot different then everything else I had seen. She's actually a Class V so that was really interesting to see. I am still not the best at diagnosing the perio class but hopefully I'll get better at that with time. I realized there are a lot of things I need to go over and review. I still have a lot of improvement to make in areas such as: BWX- I struggle, being thorough and not rushed, using all my resources, and getting things done in a timely matter. I really could go on and on with that list but I'll spare both of us the time. But yes today was good, I'm glad it's over with but it makes me a little nervous that I won't work on another patient for a month and a half! That patient will still be my mom but I hope I'm not too rusty. We'll see I guess! I'm still smiling believe it or not- And yes it's partly because today is over but also because Thanksgiving is in two days! I love Thanksgiving! So have a happy one and be grateful- I know I'm blessed, there's not a day that goes by that I'm not reminded of that. Well, well, well we'll all go stuff our faces and I'll be back before the semester ends at least one more time :)

A Day In the Shoes of A Patient

It was my turn today- I got to be the patient. I was looking forward to it because it meant three hours of laying there doing nothing. It was a good break. Ashlee worked on me and we'll say we lived by the motto "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". Don't get me wrong she did a great job but just as I did to her we caused our hearts to beat in places we have never felt (our gums) and we both may need a blood transfusion due to large amounts of blood lost. Haha but in all seriousness she did a great job and it was good to feel how it feels to be worked on so I know what my patients go through. Lucky for Ashlee I had some calculus built up on my fixed lingual bar so she got to dig at that for a while. You would think being in the hygiene program and all I shouldn't have such a thing as calculus but I do! I'm one of those blessed souls who builds it with ease. So no need to be embarrassed it was just a favor to Ashlee- I'm such a kind person. Overall today was great! I really do love my class and so glad that we are all in this together. Although it may be oozing with blood I'm smiling :)

Mock Patient

So today was the day.. Mock patient day. I don't know why but I was pretty nervous. Mostly because I was afraid I would make a stupid mistake- But don't worry I didn't make one! I made many! It started out in radiology- We were learning how to take panos and I was the smart one who decided to expose and attempt to process the cardboard that the films are sandwiched between. It brought on a good laugh though so I would say it was worth it and plus I learned my lesson so I won't be making that mistake again!

Then we had clinic where we had to see our first 'real' patient.. Not really real I guess because they were still a student but we were supposed to do everything we have learned up to this point. I made it through everything so that was good but I wouldn't go as far to say it was smooth sailing. Ashlee was my patient and she was a gem! She was very patient and understanding with me which I am very grateful for because I wasn't necessarily a master. I made her bleed a few times when I was scaling and I won't lie when I first started I felt like I'd never done it before but it SLOWLY started to come back to me. I was a little frustrated because I felt so behind at the end but after talking to some other students they said they felt the exact same way which was good for me to hear. It's bad but sometimes I find myself thriving on other people's failures and struggles because it makes me feel better about all mine. Not to say I don't want them all to pass and to pass with flying colors it's just good to know that I'm not the only one.

Well, well, well.. I'm peacin til next time. On Wednesday I will see Ashlee one more time and scale her remaining two quads, polish her, and give her fluoride then I will get to be the patient. And boy will I be smiling then :)

Time is Flying

Holy nuts! It is already November! I can't believe it! I said to someone today how it shouldn't be this cold but then I remember it is November and it maybe should be. But guess what?! We only have two more PEs! CRAZY!!! I passed of three today- air-powder polish, fluoride, and sealants. It was great- I love days like today, it boosts my confidence and makes me feel on top of things but I have a feeling these feelings won't last long. Next week are our mock patient days and then on the 21st we see our first patient. Mine is my mom so that will be nice but it's still nerve wracking! There is a whole lot to remember and with a lot of things I don't have a ton of practice. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and keep smiling and all should be good! :)