Archive for the ‘What I am Doing This Week’ Category
Nebraska Humane Society Walk for the Animals 2012
Monday, October 1st, 2012
Happy Anniversary, Us
Saturday, September 22nd, 2012Not US, that is in June.
We had ten year old girls spend the night last night and they were sugared, caffinated and completely wound up. I closed our bedroom door at 2 am because I could not sleep. It muffled the chaos but did not silence it. I must have slept some because we woke up four hours after I shut the door realizing Max the Cat had peed on our bed. I suppose it seemed like the second best option since he could not get out to get to his litter box. Do not judge him too harshly – It is only the second time in two decades that he has done that. I am up (and showered, laundry running – not by choice). And the kids are STILL wound up and yelling.
Remember when Jodi said this?
“Any day you can say, ‘At least no one peed on me,’ is a good day.”
Even so, today I woke up in a good mood. Today is a good day.
I have been officially working at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals for one year today. It is my favorite job I have ever had. (Dr. Munger – working at Companion Animal Veterinary Hospital is ALSO my favorite job I have ever had. Yeah, it’s that good.)
One year and ten days ago, I called Dr. Bashara and asked if I could come work with him. I called three hospitals, including one where a classmate works. Her boss offered me a job too. I knew it was a great hospital also, and I would love working there with her. I said, “Anne I really think I would love working at Gentle Doctor.” She said, “I know Pete. I really think you would too.” We were right. I told Pete during a working interview before he offered me a job that I would like to retire from his company.
Do you see all the extroversion in this story so far? All of what is for me reckless, crazy, dangerous behavior?? Pete, if you are online reading this :) stop here. I don’t want you to know that…
I was desperate. I was wounded. I was done with working in veterinary medicine. I told Russ that I was going to call the three hospitals I knew from growing up in Omaha were awesome, follow through wherever that led, and then basically come home, curl up and recover. Then start over in a new direction.
I am so glad I was wrong. I was also wrong about there being only three hospitals in Omaha that are awesome. There are way more. Apparently, it is the norm in veterinary medicine? Now I remember! I did start over in a new direction, but it is within the career and calling that I love.
I know things could change. I know I may not retire from this hospital. I hope it lasts, and things are truly great here, but no matter what, my love of veterinary medicine and my faith in leadership have been restored. And for me, that is huge.
I know (as you may recall, I needed to remind myself at the beginning of this year) that James said THIS…
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13-14
But remember too that Jesus said THIS…
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Thank you friends and family. Even good stress is stressful, and you have walked right beside me through all the emotions of this past year. Thank you coworkers. I love working with you, and you have become dear friends (yeah, you!) Thank you clients for coming with me, and thank you new clients for making me feel like I have been here forever. It’s been a good year.
Words that are Hard to Spell
Saturday, September 15th, 2012In general, I cannot spell well in English. English spelling is ridiculous. I can spell medical words fairly well because they are usually just obnoxiously compounded Greek and Latin descriptions of medical things.
Dalmatian has never been difficult for me to spell. I have always thought the third “A” looks nice with spots. That is the best I can explain that.
Basset, as in Basset Hound, is almost impossible for me to spell. In fact, I looked it up just now to tell you that. There is a city in Nebraska and there was a furniture store in Omaha, and of course there is the incredibly awesome dog breed. Those three need to get together with each other and anyone with the last name of Basset or Bassett and agree on one spelling. For me.
I need to get all my stupid thoughts out here on Riley and James because at the beginning of the New Year I am helping to develop the online stuff for Gentle Doctor, and it probably needs to be more focused and a bit more serious.
If I start a weekly hospital blog, will you read it sometimes and come discuss stuff with me?
As always, here on my personal blog, you get stuff like my thoughts on how cool I think the word Dalmatian is, which, though less important than medical issues, is something about which I feel just as strongly. Thank you for being here. I think you are awesome.
Also…HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
Things that were Awesome in Kansas City
Thursday, August 30th, 2012Russ and Amanda and Abby and I went to Kansas City last week to go to Lego Land learn stuff. Well, I went to learn stuff. Also, we went to Lego Land which was awesome. The girls had to tell Russ and me it was time to go at the end of the afternoon. You know that sound Legos make when you are mixing them to find a blue 2X4 brick? Yeah, that is what I was not quite ready to leave.
But we did, and I went to CVC, which was as awesome in a grown up sort of way. Central Veterinary Conference is a veterinary conference done by Advanstar three times a year. They publish Veterinary Economics and other journals-I-love and have the website dvm360.
Things that were Awesome in KC…
I played with Legos. I know I already said that one. I just wanted to give you context for how awesome the things on my things that were awesome in KC list is.
I met Dr. Andy Roark.
I met Dr. Dave Nicol.
I learned about feline hyperaldosteronism. (Summary: If cats accidentally make too much aldosterone, it makes them feel like crap. Also, it’s treatable.) I feel like if I can get my head around weird medical conditions, I can probably figure out the less weird things too. It gave me hope. Like I could walk into any exam room with any lethargic kitty and confidently hold his paw from diagnosis through treatment.
I sat through two entire eyeball lectures without getting grossed out. Well, I was grossed out. But I stayed. And I learned things. And I did this –
:|
instead of this –
:O
I went to my first Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board Meeting. You know those guys in the little squares by the articles in journals? And the editor names in the list at the front of the journals? Did you know that they are REAL PEOPLE? They are! I got to meet them in Real Life. And they are super nice.
I only walked into a crowded room and right back out twice in four days. And I walked back in both times. Yay me. I am a grown up. Well, maybe not. But I do think I should get another “I’m a winner” sticker.
I have a list of EIGHT more books to read! Woo! And I bought two veterinary books – one on exotic pets and also the most recent edition of Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. Loving that book does not make me a nerd. I was already a nerd, and that is why I love that book so. Be glad that I am. It is good for your pets!
I came back refreshed and excited about medicine and exited about how social media and veterinary medicine can be friends. They can, and they are, they just don’t know each other very well yet. I feel as though I have more tools to work on that this coming year, especially after spending time with Dr. Roark and Dr. Nicol and the dvm360 group. This is going to be fun, people!
Very, very fun week, and I am already looking forward to next year.
Thank you People Who Made CVC Awesome! (Yeah, you.)
Animal Practice
Thursday, August 16th, 2012I liked it.
I think it will be a funny show.
Here is a link to the The Animal Practice Website.
You can watch the first episode from there if you want. If you do, or if you have seen it, let me know what you think.
How Are You?
Thursday, June 21st, 2012Dr. Phil Zeltzman DVM, DACVS, CVJ recently wrote an article for ImproMed titled “How is Your Attitude When You Show Up for Work?”
While I agreed with his main point – of course we should have a good attitude – I disagree with what he said about asking and answering “How are you?”
The sad truth is, most people don’t really care how you’re doing when they pop the question. It’s a habit, a ritual, a social convention, rarely a true invitation for you to share your misery. So at the very least, if you’re having a bad day, fake it. Say something non-committal like “Good, thank you, and you?” or “I’m fine, thanks, how are you?”
NOOOOOOO!
If you ask such an intimate and personal question as “How are you?” you had better be ready for the whole story. If you do not want to know, do not ask.
Is it wrong to say “fine”? Absolutely not. You may need an opt-out answer. And sometimes we really are fine.
Perhaps we need safer greeting options. If we want our greeting to serve only as a morale booster, we should nod and say “hey” with a smile. Or wave on our way past the front desk. Or something.
But I think we should be checking in with each other, really asking “How are you?” and letting our coworkers decide how much they would like to share.
It is a dangerous question, and yet one worth asking. Whether the interaction is going to be a kind exchange of pleasantries, a door to a deep unveiling or something in between should be completely at the discretion of the one asked.
This is a tough career, people. We have difficult cases. We have clients who need us. We have patients we love who insist on being mortal. We have Life. We need to be looking out for each other. Be brave. Ask the question. Be braver still and answer. Your team needs you, and you need them too. It is a question worth asking with empathy and worth answering with honesty. We are far more likely to reach and maintain a good attitude by taking care of each other than by faking our way through a difficult day alone.
Panties and a Positive Outlook
Sunday, June 10th, 2012At work we dedicated a small corner of the white board at each location to a “Positivity Corner.” Team members can add to the list of random things that make us happy, mostly work related, but anything goes. I post our lists on twitter.
The Positivity Corner was fun but was eventually erased at two of the three locations.
At the third location, every morning, a team member volunteers a (ahem) verbal description of their underwear pattern and we use that for the border of the Positivity Corner.
We are all so amused with ourselves that I truly believe that as valuable as a positive outlook is in and of itself, the last Positivity Corner standing has survived the longest because we just thought we were hilarious.
Sometimes the mortality and morbidity inherent in our veterinary career needs to be balanced with a positive outlook, and sometimes getting through the day takes a little bit more.
Only on Riley and James people.
True story.
Bailey the Goldendoodle Puppy
Sunday, June 3rd, 2012Bailey is our five month old cousin. She is visiting for the weekend. She is super cute. Evidence exhibits 1-12 :)
And today…
We had a very fun weekend with you Bailey Girl! Come back any time!
Congratulations Dr. McIlnay!
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012Dr. Tonya McIlnay, Omaha’s wonderful veterinary ophthalmologist and her equally wonderful team, moved into a new building recently and had their Open House tonight.
Remember when I went to the Farmers’ Market and I saw a dog and Vernon said (paraphrase) “It is going to be alright” and then it was? I again walked into a crowd On Purpose tonight and again it turned out just fine.
In fact, it was a very fun evening. A hug from Dr. McIlnay right as I walked in the door and a tour from Jen and Shelly (MY coworkers, who were just being nice because they know how much I unlove crowds) is equally comforting as seeing a dog and having Vernon say everything will be okay.
Jen and Shelly - Thank you both! I think you are great.
Anyways, I am a grown up now. I join crowds. Because so many of my Favorites were there. And I like Dr. McIlnay so much. And her new hospital is really nice. I would not have wanted to miss THAT.
So here are some pictures. I forgot to get a picture of Dr. McIlnay’s vet tech, Susie, and my coworker Dr. Kanne, who are also my Favorites. The pictures also do not do the beautiful building justice. I bet if you called ahead and were super nice, they would give you a tour sometime. It really is great.
Whitney, Trey and Becky, more awesome Gentle Doctor coworkers
Allison and Rhea, MORE awesome Gentle Doctor coworkers
Angie and Erin, still MORE awesome Gentle Doctor coworkers
Amanda, yet another awesome Gentle Doctor coworker
Pastor Mark and Pastor Wenda - They stayed after the Open House to offer a blessing for the new location and pray for Dr. McIlnay and her team. How cool is that?? I know! Very!
Pastor Wenda and Shawn McIlnay, Dr. McIlnay's husband who is AS NICE as his wife!
Dr. McIlnay and Dr. Backlund, another very nice Omaha veterinarian
May your pets never have problems with their eyeballs. But if they do, may they be blessed with Dr. McIlnay as their doctor.
Happy Memorial Day and…Squirrel!
Monday, May 28th, 2012Happy Memorial Day to you and your families.
THANK YOU to the men and women of the United States military who have kept and continue to keep us safe and protect our country. Thank you Dad and Dad-Finch. Thank you Grandpa Rasmussen and Grandpa Everingham.
View Down Our Street Where Flags are Lined Up Three Times a Year
I love our neighborhood. Reason #93 (or so :)) – The neighbors who have lived here since the homes were built in the mid 1940’s put a small flag out for every neighbor who wants one every Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran’s Day.
This year, Russ and I helped. We also put a flag in the yard of the new bike shop on the corner to say, “Happy Memorial Day. We are so glad you are here and hope you feel like a part of the neighborhood.” The shop owner drove by and waved, which I think meant, “That is exactly what I thought you meant, and thank you.”
Here are some pictures from the week…
Robins' Nest that Abby Found at the Park Near My Work
Baby Gizmo - Puppy at Our Neighbors' Movie Party - Doesn't she look like Joy??
Tucker Dog at Movie Night
Oscar Dog at Movie Night
Baby Gizmo and Tucker Dog are new friends. Oscar Dog and I are old friends. His family is Jeff and Lu and their son and their cat – five of my very favorites in the whole world. Oscar and Henny Penny Cat are also patients, something, surprisingly, they have never held against me.
Squirrel! Black Squirrel playing on our fence
I commented from the Aksarben Farmers’ Market yesterday that if I can focus on the babies or dogs in a crowd, I can relax. Otherwise, I get antsy, and I need to be at the edge of a crowd if possible. Vernon asked if I have a social anxiety disorder, and I said I probably do, though it has never been formally diagnosed. I do okay though.
On a related note, Lu laughed that all of my pictures from Movie Night were of the dogs. But I otherwise acted Almost Normal. I love people! Just more than a few strangers at a time gets overwhelming! I spent much of the evening talking with a friend of Lu’s who raises African Tortoises (How cool is that??) and also Gizmo’s Mom, who it turns out, loves super cute black Lab Something puppies as much as I do.
Pictures from Work…
These pictures are from the @GentleDoctor120 twitter account. Dr. Bashara let me start it for the team, and it is very fun. Because Dr. Krapfl and Angie are also involved, there is helpful medical information in the twitter stream as well!
- This is Trudy, the Super Cute doggy of my coworker Koni
This is on the white board at work. Every day we add things and every day we change the border. Fun!
- Positivity Corner
Here are a few pictures from my parents’ backyard. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful??
Everything I know about fish medicine, I learned from helping Dad with this pond
This is what Mom and Dad do when they find out a ground hog is living under the shed. You see why I am the way I am?? They named him "G" which Dad and I both find hilarious.
This is the view that would be lost if the field behind Mom and Dad's is developed, which may occur soon. To the right of the picture is my high school Millard North.
Websites I am Reading this Week…
I Miss You When I Blink
Thank you Dr. Roark!
The Bloggess
Dr. Grumpy in the House
Veterinarians Behaving Badly
New Games I Have Found…
Logo Quiz
(Thank you African Tortoise Farmer!)
Draw Something
- How sweet is Russ? :)
I would have added you to my Draw Something group if I knew how. I think I am “Finch93” if you would like to play with me. It is super fun!
Happy Memorial Day!