Mo vs. Snow

Let's just say that Mo does not like the snow.

Christmas at work

This was my first Christmas away from home as I am currently assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. I am on the night shift working from 7pm to 7am. This year I worked Christmas Eve and Christmas night. As it is the holiday season and I work on a surgical floor we had a rather low patient population allowing us the staff to have a little more free time. Don't worry, we kept a close eye on our patients during our "play time".

There was so much food. People donated an amazing amount of cookies and chocolate to the facility and the soldiers. In anticipation of the insane amount of junk food we brought healthier food for a potluck. There was some good food to be eaten. A few pics to give you a glimpse of our night... dance party during change of shift, giving each other fluids following some IV practice, all while our Charge RN for the night keeping a close watch over our fun.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

My New House

Becca and I moved! We moved out of our 2 bedroom apartment in Wheaton and into a 4 bedroom with 2 bathroom house! We have plenty of room for all of our stuff and storage everywhere! We have a front yard and a fenced-in backyard with storage shed for our bikes! It is awesome! I am excited for people to come out ot DC and visit and stay in our new home! As we get settled I will post some more pics showing you the inside.

I even tried to snowboard down the little hill in my new backyard.

Let's just say I need some practice.

Happy Thanksgiving

I spent Thanksgiving weekend down in Charlotte, NC with my Uncle John, Aunt Tammi, and cousins Anita, Allison, Brittany, and Alex. It was a blast. Starting with an amazing Thanksgiving Dinner, the weekend included Bravo Broadway with the Charlotte Symphony, Midnight Shopping on Black Friday, and many games of Bohnanza. It was a wonderful weekend away from real life filled with laughter. I hope you too had a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Military Advanced Training Center Opens

Craig Coleman published an article on 13SEPT2007 with Military.com entitled "Military Advanced Training Center Opens at WRAMC". The article highlights the purpose of te buidling in mission to continue to create a seamless transition from Wounded Warrior to reintegration or retirment. Here is an excerpt:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center's new Military Advanced Training Center opened its doors today to offer rehabilitating Soldiers the latest in cutting edge equipment to help with their recovery.
The facility is designed for ease of use and has the latest in computer and video monitoring systems and prosthetics to help enhance amputee and patient care.

The 31,000 square-foot facility will house more than 15 specialties, including physicians, nurse case managers, therapists, psychologists, social workers, benefits counselors and representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Charles Scoville, WRAMC's chief of amputee service, said the building is designed to bring to
gether the multi-disciplinary team that cares for warriors in transition. "Our team will provide care from initial surgery through reintegration of warriors to their units, or a seamless transition to VA care," he said.


Clck here to see virtual floor plan with actual pictures of some of the equipment.

"Through the generations, America's men and women in uniform have defeated tyrants, liberated continents, and set a standard of courage and idealism for the entire world. On Veterans Day, our Nation pays tribute to those who have proudly served in our Armed Forces."

President Bush

Kelli's Visit

A friend and fellow APU SON grad came to visit. The world traveller had never been to DC so we went and saw the sights! Having moved so far from those I had spent almost every minutes with for three years has been a little rough at times so anytime I get a visit it brightens my day.

Notice something missing?

On Monday after work I had a few appointments at WRAMC then headed over to Julie's apartment to watch her dog while she and her husband moved to their new house. I helped out a for a while but Chris decided to play hookie from work and stay I chose to head home as I had been up all night working. When I started up my car there was something very wrong. My car sounded like one of those trucks boys spend way too much money trying to make annoyingly loud. We took my car to the shop where I was informed that someone had stolen my catalytic converter. Yup, someone had climbed under my car in broad daylight, taken a saw and removed it. I have since learned that this is a very popular problem as these pieces are worth roughly $100 on the street for the amount of platinum inside. Thanks to my awesome insurance company I have a completely new exhaust system.

Anita's Visit

One of my cousins from Alaska is currently studying down in South Carolina for the next year or
so. Anita was on her "Fall Break" and drove up to say hello. Unfortunately I had some prior commitments (work) that kept me tied up a little more than I would have liked, but I did get to hang out a bit. We saw the DC sights one night and went to dinner another. Having grown up so far away from this side of my family, it is fun to now be able to catch up on some of that quality time.

Seahawks Game

Becca and I went to the Seahawks vs. Steelers game up in Pittsburg. While we had a lot of fun, the Seahawks did not. They lost to the Steelers 21 - 0. Yup, a sad score. We sat just between the 30 and 35 yard line front row on the Seahawks side. Nice seats if I do say so myself... The fans were crazy! When the Seahawks had the ball the stadium erupted with boos and loud noise in an attempt to prevent the team from communicating. When the Steelers had the ball it was as if you could hear a pin drop while the QB called plays and received the snap. And yes, I know that we are both wearing Steelers hats. In our defense, it was crazy hot with no shade on our side. We still cheered loudly for the Seahawks.

In the middle of the other picture is Seahawks Head Coach Mike Holmgren. Whatever team he is coaching is the one I cheer for. Go Seahawks!!!

An Awesome Surprise

While at work last night I actaully took a moment to look in my box in the breakroom (a once a week occurence). On top of the pile was an envelope from the Office of the Commanding General (CG) of Walter Reed (WRAMC) and the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command (NARMC). I thought it would a generic invite to some hospital wide event coming up, we get things like that a lot. But to my surprise it was a signed letter from Major General Schoomaker. He had received a letter from a patient I had taken care of a few months ago in which the patient mentions my name in his appreciation for the care he received while recovering. In the letter the patient mentions his MD, two of the PAs, and two RNs from Ward 46. LT Falvey worked with the patient on nights while I worked with the patient during the day. On yet another boring night of work, there was an awesome bright spot courtesy of the CG's letter. It is pretty cool to know that the little things do get noticed by our patients, it makes it worth it.

One Final Picture

Today I had the unfortunate experience of taking Munchkin to the SPCA to be put down. Over the past few weeks a mass had been growing just inside her right leg. I had been hoping that it would not grow too large however, it had grown large enough that Munchkin was no longer able to climb around the cage to get to the food dish. She was still spunky but was beginning to slow down. While Cruz and Pheonix are still running around as usual, the cage seems a little empty. I know it seems strange as she was just a rat, but she was my pet rat.

Just Because

As Mo gets a little bigger it is fun to watch him explore and learn new things in the apartment. He has a few toys around the apartment, but sometimes I think his favorite is his water dish.

Root for the home team!

A fellow Nurse from OBC and WRAMC invited me to go with her to a Washington Nationals game. It was a lot of fun. We sat just above the first base line. We were surrounded by both National fans and NY Mets fans (it got a little more fun as both sides continued to get a little tipsier with each inning). The "Nats" eventually won the game, GO TEAM! Julie and I don't get as much time as we would like to hangout so it was a great way to spend our evening, talking and rooting for the home team!

Guess Where I Am Going?!?

Go Seahawks!!!

Back to Gettysburg

We went back to Gettysburg to finish our tour. Thankfully the weather was not nearly as hot as our first trip. This time we focused on the Union's strategies during the battle. Let's just say high ground will always be the best position for open field combat.

The Brass I Get To Meet

I am now working the night shift. Yup, I am a night nurse...

One of the privileges I have at Walter Reed AMC is I get the honor of working with a few of the men and women who have been injured while deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Last night we had a surprise visit from General Cody, Vice Chief of Staff for the Army. General Cody was touring WRAMC visiting with many of our Wounded Warriors thanking them and their families for the sacrifice and encouraging them to continue their fight to recover.

One of the fun traditions of the military is the giving of coins by senior Officers. It is a tangible way to say thank you. General Cody was not only handing out his coins to the Wounded Warriors, he was also handing them out to the Nurses who were caring for them. Back in CA it was always fun to see the TV and Movie stars walking around town, here at WRAMC when the TV/Movie stars come it is a "who cares?" moment. However, when our Army Leadership come it is awesome to see them spend some time encouraging our Wounded Warriors and their families.

Family Reunion

Every thee years my mom's side of the family gets together for a week of catch-up and crazy games. It is a week that everyone looks forward to for three years. This year we went to KY to spend some time visiting the places where my mom and her siblings grew up before moving to Alaska. From meeting friends of my grandparents, to climbing through Mammoth Caves, to hanging out on the water, this is one week that I will forever love and continue to look forward to.