Screaming and silently keeping on…

Working days are long and the body is still trying to adjust to standing on my feet.

Twelve hour shifts two days in a row with a ½ hr lunch break between the two. I literally stand on my feet for 11 ½ hrs and at times it does take its toll.
My schedule is 12 hrs Thurs-Fri, at the other place, 7-8hrs at the clinic on Saturdays and 7-8 hrs at the other place on Sunday. Yes, I still refer to the other place as the other place.

October marks four months and it’s still not comfortable and that’s ok.

I do respect the husband and wife team who are my bosses.

TREMENDOUS respect for them.

Each has their unique style of practicing and the care of the clients (animals) and commitment is there. The husband has been especially kind to me in regards to my struggles with San Juan’s math course.

During down times/crazy times, he’ll place a math problem on the board and we’ll work as a team with other co-workers to figure it out.

I appreciate it.

It’s unusual for me to receive help and whether it’s my own doing as to why it’s voided in my life or the way of the universe-who knows-it is appreciated.

I’m not sure about taking pictures/recording memories there. Obviously, permission is necessary and I’m not comfortable asking for it.

Maybe it’s time to start approaching experiences in a different manner.

Maybe I should just ask the bosses if it’s ok.

Anyway…I will slip in a pix. My second catheter. Clean and to the point.

Yeast in the ears of a spaniel

Doggie Dental Day or Let’s clean the teeth!…

Today at the clinic, which does not fall on a Sunday but on a Tuesday, Tobias received a dental cleaning.

At the clinic, when the vet tech’s personal animals go through procedures, we assist/monitor the procedure (dental) or surgery. Tobias’ last surgery, a cystocentesis frayed my nerves and luckily Ana, the head tech and Chris, veterinary technician took over the prep procedures while I monitored.

With everyone’s permission, I am now able to post photos of the crew I work, eat, laugh, argue, play with. This crew at PPAC-(the clinic) have been instrumental in my learning. The posse I work with, CARE about the animals (clients) in their charge. Information and techniques are readily shared and I can say by this sharing of knowledge, the good of the whole equates good medicine practice with a unified team. Selfishness, insecurity is not good medicine…

Anyway, the pics…

What Tobias saw at breakfast time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Tara-Habby saw and devoured at breakfast time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Tobias looked at me when he discovered his lack of breakfast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Quim holding Tobias 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ana and Chris preparing Tobias for catheter placement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tobias feeling the effects of Propofol

Tobias getting his teeth clean

Recovery

Accomplishment…

A year and three months have passed since my transition to this profession.

What a transition!

At times, it is difficult to allow myself to feel proud of accomplishments gained along the way. Doubt is a hurdle to overcome and confidence gets the job done.
Such as placing my first catheter!!

Although, the catheter was inserted at ‘the other place’, the head tech at the clinic was instrumental in igniting my confidence to do this in the first place.

During a fill-in day prior to a dental surgery, the head tech shared her experience with me in placing catheters and shared a valuable trick, which has to do with a thumb and a vein. She demonstrated her technique by placing a catheter on lamb and I made two attempts on the animal for the procedure and almost got it on the first try but doubt and apprehension took over.

But…

I carried the lesson learnt and when the opportunity came, I was successful.

Anyway, onto the pics and a major discovery…

LAMB IS NOT A LAMB BUT A LLAMA-(my bad)

Kitty Burrito

Syringes and infusion sets I work with

Dental

LAMB…

Meet Lamb…

Lamb is the resident stuff animal at the Clinic.

Thanks to the Lamb and it’s unending patience, I was able to pass my radiology course with a B.

Thank you Lamb.

Your ability to lay still for radiology positioning was…amazing!!
At times a sandbag (used primarily for visual reference) was the only restraint necessary to get correct measurements and exposure times!

Oh Lamb, if only all animals great and small had the unique ability of laying motionless .

Once again,

Thank you Lamb!

Stoned…

Tobias, my 10-year-old mini schnauzer underwent his first senior wellness exam at the clinic.

Yes, he is a senior.

Hard to acknowledge on my part, as my dog of ten years still acts like a puppy, throwing his back legs to the wind and bunny hopping during his runs at PPark (that’s Prospect Park, Bklyn NY to those not in the know).

Pi Patel, 10-years-old as well also had his first senior wellness.

He does act his age and prefers long naps to getting his paws dirty.

Pi Patels’s physical exam led towards finding an enlarged lymph node on his chest area which was aspirated and sent to the lab**. Tobias’ exam was uneventful but Dr Q suggested a sonogram to check his bladder. A sonogram and radiograph confirmed Ca Oxalate Dihydrate Crystals!

STONED!!!

Not the stone effect of doing recreational drugs-just stones, which means LOTS of oxalate crystals of various sizes cluttering Tobias’ bladder! Two years ago, Tobias underwent a Cystotomy to remove the same type of crystals and to my horror, it returned.

Surgery was set for Monday.

I assisted.

Check in

Feeling the effects of Torbutrol

Surgical Packs, intubation, flush and catheter

Surgical induction meds-Valium/Propofol

Surgical tools: syringes for flushing, scooper, catheter etc

Intubation and anesthesia, esophagal tube

Sensory probe monitoring heart rate

Monitoring

Ready for scrubbing

Shaving surgical site

Bladder exposed

Scooping out the stones

Stones

Sutures and closing

Recuperating with blankets

Surgery went well for Tobias and I thank Dr. Q at the clinic for his understanding and patience during the surgery.

It was a surreal and sometimes disturbing experience to assist with my dog’s surgery but I was grateful to be there especially during the post anesthesia delirium which ironically did not happen to Tobias. I guess hearing my voice during his ‘coming out’ of anesthesia was comforting.

**Pi Patel’s aspiration sent to the lab on a slide was diagnosed as ‘reactive lymphoid hyperplasia’. Pi has an ear infection on the same side as the enlarged lymph node so it makes sense with the findings.