Isolation, Tears, and Kentucky Basketball

DUE TO A POLICY AT WORK I AM NO LONGER ALOUD TO POST PICTURES OF PATIENTS FOR CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY!! ……

What a great couple weeks. I’ve definitely been busy. And definitely missing home…..

So for a couple weeks ago I was in the Primary Procedures barn……LOVED LOVED IT!! I think that is my favorite place to be! But it came with a lot of ups and downs. The one VERY IMPORTANT lesson they never taught us in orientation was “DON’T GET ATTATCHED!!!” Well of course my tender heart does just that no matter what…..

 Long story short we had a yearling in the clinic for about 3 weeks, (1 week @ surgery—2 weeks at primary) the yearling had a fractured elbow and at surgery it received plates and pins. Amazing right? Well the wound got infected and the horse stopped weight bearing. So in the Primary barn they treated the wound and elbow with the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber and various treatments. We did some intense physical therapy and had a specialist come in to do Ozone Therapy.  Well things seemed progressing. But the yearling was just on a lot of pain and not wanting to get up. The horse laid down for hours and rest lots. It became more and more difficult to ask the horse to stand. So the doctor decided to try the horse out in a full body sling that would help her move around. We were kinda on a deadline for progression/recovery and fighting other infections. The yearling did GREAT in the sling; she was able to move across the stall to food and water. The best of the entire process was the yearling would totally use the sling like a hammock; when it didn’t want to stand any longer the yearling went completely limp and hung there swaying and sleeping. It was such a funny sight. So having the horse in the primary barn for two weeks this thing kinda grew on me as I helped assist in taking care of it. Well in the end we were fighting a losing battle. The bone around the plates/pins had started to become infected. The Doctors and Owner’s decided it was time to give her a better quality of life.  It was a pretty long day, very hard to see the hurt in everyone’s eyes that were involved. We had put so much time and put some extensive care into saving the yearling’s leg and fought a great battle -- but in the end it came down to quality of life! My strong spirited yearling now runs happy and free in Horse Heaven!  

The rest of the week went well…many of my other patients healed and were able to return to their homes/farms. I was able to treat c-section mares, colic patients, pneumonia patient (who got 3 chest taps, and a chest tube inserted), dystocia mares, renal & bladder issue foal, and my other mare in the sling that was due to foal.

This past week I finally got to experience the “Isolation Barn” WHOOO….. It’s pretty crazy over there. It starts out sooooo slow because only one patient…. So you do the regular treatments, do the cleaning list, check on patients, do some extra deep cleaning, check on patients, read the pharmacy formula, check on your patients, read a couple pamphlets, check on patients, go through the stock list,  then just when you think you are going to fall asleep because you’ve got EVERYTHING done, WAM-BAM two more patients show up and its putting together stalls, water buckets, dip pans, check/read charts, start doing treatments again and you are BUSY BUSY once again!!  In isolation my patients were clostridium positive foals. Yeah for DIARRHEA!! And if you know me well enough I don’t do bugs, boogers, or POOP!! Well fantastic me… I DID POOP ALL WEEK LONG!! From catching it in my hands, wiping dirty bums, changing nappies, GAGGING, wiping some more, and did I mention changing nappies and wiping dirty bums!?!?! Hahaha I just have to laugh cuz it was like having my own child with diarrhea and diapers! There were a few times I just had to get up and walk away to regain my composure from gagging! HAHAHAHA I made it through loving every minute!! One of the foals was a bed baby and we all know high maintenance they can be. But with being in isolation every time I entered the stall for whatever reason I had to put on a full gown on, plastic booties, and double gloves. My other patient was a colic surgery recovery who developed diarrhea too! My first foal got better and went home at the beginning of the week; the colic recovery got better at the end of the week and got to go home today. And my bed baby progressed leaps and bounds this week getting off its bed, walking, no oxygen or NG tube anymore. …….. What a pooptastic week is all I can say.

And while I was over in Isolation this week my sling mare over in Primary, went into foal. SOOOO EXCITING. Unfortunately I was unable to be there for any of the procedure do to being a different barn. BUT I still got details afterwards…. They laid her down and tried to keep her comfortable, mare unable to get the foal in position, the surgeons had to come down and help position and pull the foal. It was a great healthy foal and went to the ICU barn. They will be getting a nurse mare for the foal. They put the mare back in the sling and assisted her to stand again. So far so good for mom and baby! There has been a debate whether the mare would be able to completely recover from foaling and her neurologic disability. Assessments will be made over the weekend on a decision of quality of life for her.  I pray and wish only the best. Because of course I grew quite fond of this mare being a care taker for her for 2 weeks.  

Now for things outside of work and poop!! My ward is still fantastic. Monday night is FHE with the singles, on Tuesdays the women play volleyball, Thursdays the women have basketball, and Fridays is single’s activity. Also I have been tutoring on Thursdays after work! So I am trying to keep myself busy in the best way possible.  

TODAY (Saturday) was the Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Basketball Game!! What a blast I must say!! Penny and I had sooo much fun. They don’t have college sports in Australia like basketball, baseball, football. This was Penny’s first experience in a stadium with sports. The color blue flooded Rupp Arena and IT WAS GAME TIME!!! The man who sang the National Anthem nailed it. He was an opera type singer! Then the starting lineup announcement equipped with lights dimmed, various spot lights, lots of cheering and fireworks for each starting player!!

The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats beat the Vanderbilt Commodores 83-74 to win the Southeastern Conference regular season title for the 45^th time!! The Wildcats have won 51 straight at home and are on a 20-game winning streak overall!!  

MISS YOU ALL SOOO VERY MUCH!!! Thanks again for the constant love and support! Take care....

xOxO

-- love moLLy jo!!

Half Time Show

UK vs. Vanderbilt

Warming up for the Game

mE!!

Kentucky Basketball Never Stops!!

Penny and I at the Game

Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

Singing "My Old Kentucky" after the Win!

WE WWWOOOONNNNN!!!!

65 Years & Don't Talk to Strangers!

Hello Everyone!

This week was just a little extra long… 3 days in the ICU and 3 days in the Barn!!

Most exciting thing that happened this week was I got to see my first foal born. They called into the ICU and said we had a dystocia coming in twenty minutes and to get ready! Dr. Kelly Jones a fellow doctor poked her head in the door and asked if anyone was coming with her. My boss Lynne looked at me said, “Want to go?” Of course I wasn’t turning her down told her to check my 2 o’clock treatments and I’d be back. So I got really really excited because I had never seen a foal pulled or even born for that matter.  At the clinic we have a small truck called the “dystocia truck” it’s this tiny two-seater flatbed. Its right hand drive and stick! It’s pretty wicked I’d have to say! So hopped into the truck and headed up to the surgery barn. We set up and shortly after the farm arrived with the mare. She was a little feisty so they put her right under general anesthesia and in less than fifteen minutes we had ourselves a foal. It was soooo exciting. They all move soo fast.  It’s very very different from pulling a calf. If they have to put the mare under anesthetic they hoist all four legs in the air and pull baby then. They also used a jaw snare along with the two leg chains!

Not the exact truck we own but this is what it looks like
BEEP BEEP!!

Dr. Kelly Jones and I

The ICU doctor and Dr. Jones assessed to the foal taking vitals, giving oxygen and overall quality of the baby, while the surgeons and others assessed to the mare. We took the foal back up to the ICU barn and later when the mom was awake and in good health they brought her up to her new foal.  I sat in the back holding the foal in the truck while Dr. Jones drove us back. WOO she sure knows how to take a sharp fast corner! Hahaha So good news about the baby it was healthy as ever- so no IV catheter, no oxygen tube, just a vial recheck and a fleece blanket in the straw!! It was a pretty large baby. Weighing a whopping 126 pounds with long ‘ol legs!

My first dystocia baby

The rest of the week was pretty lax..I spent a few days in the primary barn-procedures. After I went home the day of my dystocia...later that night they had two more mares come in for dystocias. They both ended up being c-sections and unfortunately were unable to save the foals. So my days in the barn I took care of these mares and a couple others. I got to assist with treating a yearling in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Then our other horse in primary is a neuro horse in sling. She is due to foal in a couple weeks. She stumbles and trips over herself a lot so they placed her in this sling to keep her from injuring herself or the foal before birth.  

Fun in the ICU

Some of the Fellows and I doing treatments

Looks complicated but She is in really good care!! 

Outside of the hospital this week was pretty great. I went to FHE and afterwards went to Wal-Mart for groceries. Now just a side note about Wal-Mart here in Kentucky IT SUCKS!! Hahaha There is a Wal-mart down the street from me but its letters are green, it’s only a grocery store. Then farther down the road is a Super Center Wal-Mart aka NORMAL WAL-MART!! Then there is one on my way home from FHE it is a just a Wal-Mart no grocery store—well like 5 aisles, then there is another Wal-mart on the other side of town that is a normal Wal-mart too!  Like really?? Why so many varieties!! Ok ok for the story… I ended up stopping at the Wal-mart that only had 5 aisles of groceries. So with my disappointment I didn’t wander very long. As I walked out of Wal-mart I was whistled at from across the parking lot. Kentucky people do this a lot because the other interns have mentioned this happening to them. So as I started to drive away I passed by the boys and decided to stop and see if they knew where a “Normal” store was. He (Brent) began to explain directions and I guess my look said everything cuz he could see the confusion on my face. So he asked me if I had a smart-phone, my reply, “if I had a smart phone I wouldn’t be talking to you.” His next words, “well it would be a lot easier if I could call you and tell you how to get there!” I just laughed and told him I didn’t want to give out my number. Then laughed at him again! He was very disappointed… I just kept thinking very classy Brent…picking up girls in Wal-mart parking lot! So he gave me his number instead and said to call him when I got a chance! Ya well haven’t had a chance yet!! OOPS!!! Guess my mom was right DON’T TALK TO STRANGERS!!

It was definitely a long week working 6 days. But I made it through! I honestly couldn’t have gotten any luckier with the people I get to work with everyday! Jeanine has been more than kind to show me the ropes of ICU and the Primary Barn!  Next to learn is the Isolation barn….

Grandma Sally, Me, and Papa in 2009
CONGRATS and LOTS OF LOVE!!!!

Well another week down and only a few more to go! I have finally become homesick! I told my mom and sister I’ve had my fun, seen what I wanted to see, it’s time for me to come home. That was of course after a very long stressful day at work. I do love it our here and have met some extraordinary people but honestly THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!! Especially this week… I want to congratulate my Papa Boyd and Grandma Sally on their 65^th wedding anniversary on Tuesday Valentine’s Day!! DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF!!! They are people I have always looked up to for all their hard work, dedication, and countless service for others! Oh how I wish I was going to be home to be to the open house celebration!!  I LOVE YOU PAPA and GRANDMA!!!

Love to all and God Bless!! xOxO

--moLLy jO

Swim Or Get Eatin!?

So my first week with the sharks… let me just say AAAMMMAAAZZZIIINNNGGG!!!! Monday morning I was scheduled for the day in ICU!... little did I know I would be spending the whole week there!! I was very nervous because during orientation there was so much to remember and so many protocols! Intensive Care Unit is indeed INTENSE!! …..Well when you get thrown to the sharks you either sink or swim right? I’m proud to say I SWAM!!

My first day or two were getting the hang of things, mostly assisting and monitoring! My head tech Jeanine N. was SO SO SO GOOD to me! She was very kind and patient with me. It was also nice that I could talk to her about not only work but life things. Family, friends, beliefs, and all around things! She has been with Hagyard for 10 years! She is nothing less than an amazing woman!

A few of our patients included bed dumbee babies, some hemorrhage mares, colic, premature babies, lepto, orphans, and whole lotta miracles!! I worked on to tube feeding foals, rotating foals and keepin ‘em sternal, assisting to stand, making mare’s match, urinary catheter care, butt washing, hanging fluids, preparing and giving different medications, TPR’s, LOTS of cleaning, stocking, setting fluid pumps, milking out mares, drafting a baby to a nurse mare, and some client interaction! First off milking horses is not like anything else and definitely NOT EASY!! I struggled the first time for sure. Pretty sure I got more on me than I did in the cup. Lucky me I got the sweetest and patient mare. And I have loved getting all the draft horses in as our nurse mares. Gentle Giants… LOVE’EM!

                    Gotta Love Pan Feeding!!!

 

The one story I want to focus on was my first bed baby! Monday I had a premature foal in a stall. This poor thing had a rough first few days in this world. To myself I thought that it would never pull through and survive.  The veterinarian on the case was very positive and told the client to not give up because the foal really has a great chance of pulling through! Well yes its nice to be optimistic but when there aren’t any light on up stairs, it is easy to be doubtful! The foals that are considered bed babies are usually a dumbee foal! They have very little response and understanding of their surroundings. This was our premature patient. It’s truly heartbreaking to see. But because of the amazing staff of Hagyard and these clients not giving up, the foal’s lights came on! TRULY I WITNESSED A MIRACLE!! By the end of the week the foal was getting up with assistance, standing on its own, walking around, it had gotten off its bed, tubes pulled, urinary catheter gone, and was getting back to being a normal foal! My heart swelled bigger and bigger everyday witnessing the small improvements this foal had made. It was so special for me to be a part of this experience. The joy I got from feeling I had helped make a difference is the best indescribable feeling! To see everyone’s hard work pay off is very satisfying! Also to see the client’s confidence grow in his foal was exciting to see. We began to pan feed our foal and hopefully in the next couple days they will have it on a nurse mare and later down the road it will be a healthy, happy, strong racing horse!!

Beginning...

...Middle...

...The End....

(Little side note on this miracle, the client of this foal would make a daily visit to check in and get updates! He truly cared about his investment and wanted the best for his foal. I had seen him once before in the ICU talking to the Doctor and other techs. When I first met him I was assisting with treatments for his foal- He shook my hand introduced himself and those were basically the only words exchanged. The following day late in the afternoon the client was back in for his visit, I was doing other treatments on patients but when I passed by his stall he said to me, ”Hello Molly, how are you today?” I replied politely and continued with my work. So no big deal right?.. I’m just someone passing through. But to me it was a big deal, because the fact that he had remembered my name and recognized me as person and not just someone who was just there running around the barn. His consideration really impressed me. Maybe because other clients that visit never really give you the time of day unless you have Dr. written on you!) Kinda makes all the hard work that much more worth it…..

By the end of the week, in the mornings during rounds the senior tech would give me my own patients who I was to look after, give medications, and make sure I filled out their charts. I WAS TO BE A TECH!!! AAAHHHH!!!! Slowly but surely I got the hang of things and how to make the most of my time. Words will never be enough to express how this week has changed my life!! I owe a huge thanks to Lynne and Jeanine for being so positive, patient, and trusting in me! We exchanged many laughs and great conversations! They both told me this week that they were glad I decided to come to Hagyard. Also the other staff members, fellows, doctors are great people and teachers. I have been kinda over whelmed at how kind people are here. There are a few here and there that are not so kind and act as though they are higher above us but those that are genuine make it all bearable. Well everyone l said I would be busy and worn out and they were right! I was so excited for Friday to finally be here.  Yes I have had a great week at work but MAN-O-MAN it’s a stressful thing to have sick babies and mamas!! It’s a lot of work too!! I do love tho that it keeps me on my toes!!

My BIG bed baby.....Laying content and comfortable...

LITERALLY 30 seconds later.....

So outside the hospital I just kinda hang out and relax. My Church Ward out here is THE BEST! It is exactly what I needed. The Relief Society and Bishopric are absolutely amazing! I kind of checked out the singles ward this week too! Wow lets just say its SOOOO little! There were 7 kids including me at FHE Monday night. But mayb I’ll give it one more chance..haha mayb.  I have also hung out with a couple of the other interns. My friend Penny have gotten close,  talk most days, and have planned to do dinner at least once a week to keep caught up-since we are on different shifts! Some good news for Penny and I too; We discussed the first week how we wanted to go to a UK Basketball game. Well I jokingly mentioned to my Relief Society President the other night that I need to find some friends that can get me tickets to a game. She told me that her husband works in the athletic department and usually gets tickets that I could have! AAAHHHH…. And they come in pairs!! They actually were trying to find someone to use their tickets for last week’s game. She said next time they get tickets she’d let me kno!! WOOOOO  LOOK OUT UK CUZ PENNY AN I ARE GOING TO A BASKETBALL GAME!!

The Crew @ Winstar Office

 I call my mom and sister everyday on my way home from work and I love that I have such a blessed relationship with them. They have been my foundation of getting to me where I am! I could NEVER EVER EVER thank them for the love, support and prayers they have given me! Also this goes to many others out there! I was so nervous and stressed about coming out here. But honestly with my family, friends, and the Lord on my side I never should have been.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU TO ALL!!        

LOVE MY MAMA!!

Blessed to be Sisters and Lucky to be Best Friends!

  

So I guess that concludes my week… Best roller coaster ride evers!! Really hope it only gets better from here!!  Hope all is well at home…. I still miss the sunshine, mountains, and my boys at the farm! Kinda miss seeing cows too!! Weird! Jk! But for now I will just enjoy and soak in ALLLL this rain! Too bad I can’t bring it back with me…. God Bless …xOxO

LOVE, ME!! 

Missed a Picture....

Artie Schiller 

Breeders' Cup Mile Champion

America's #8 Sophmore Sire of 2011

Fee: $10,000

Other Horses on the farm and their fees:

Distorted Humor: $100,000
Super Saver: $20,000
Tiznow: $75,000
Drosselmeyer: $17,500
Harlan's Holiday: $25,000

So to finish up the week....
Thursday went by so fast. We spent a few hours in the ICU learning foal protocols. Lynn is a fantastic teacher. Man did we get a lot of brain overload but all well worth it.

Lynn showing us how it is done!! 

 Later that day we were sooo sooo lucky and fortunate to have a tour of the Stallion Barn, Paddocks, and Office of Winstar Farms. Let me just say "WOW!!" Uhhh this place it amazing!! Our tour-guide Raul was very gracious and a very kind man! He has been with Winstar for a few years and said plans to be there for life! We first started out in the Stallion barn where they keep the money makers. This place was just unbelievable... padded flooring, everyone has their name on all their own stuff and all the bedding they want. Next we went out to the paddocks to see the real deals!! It had rained the night before so things were pretty wet and muddy! After we got all our pictures, we headed up to the fertility barn! As one of the men said, "This is where the magic happens!" hahaha Well they definitely have got it all though... special flooring, padded boots for the mare (to protect the stud), a back strap to place on the mare to protect her, an in house lab, stalks, sinks, and stalls to keep the mares for the day. People are paying up to 100,00 or more for a stud fee!! AHHHH!!! Afterwards Raul took us back up to the Stallion Barn Office and showed us a few videos of previous races the horses had won! I was in utter BLISS!!  [each picture has some fun facts about each horse]

Drosselmeyer
2011 Breeders Cup Winner

Drosselmeyer
America's Leading Money Winner of 2011
Multiple Grade 1 winner of $3,728,170

Super Saver
Kentucky Derby Winner 2010

Super Saver

Won $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 1/2, defeating 11 other G1 winners

Liz an I with Super Saver

TizNow
Still the only two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic
He placed or won 14 times in 15 starts, earned $6,427,830, and was voted Champion three-year-old, champion older male, and Horse of the Year.

Paddocks at Winstar Farms

Pretty Awesome how everything is green right??

Next was down the road to the Main Office!! Uhhh it looks like a mansion house!! So we took pictures out from and then got to see all the trophies that Winstar had on display!! OU OU!! I think I'm going to make me some new friends!! Wink Wink!! Needless to say it was a great day and we all had a blast!

Main Office of the Winstar Farms

Penny and I at the Office

Practicing my "Horse Whispering" skills

Dubai World Cup Trophy 2009

Pretty AMAZING!!
Horse to win Well Armed

"Well Armed" 

The Trophy Case at Winstar Farms

Jockey Stand @ the Door

Well FRIDAY OH FRIDAY!!! YaY last day of orientation! Had a really good day! Finished up protocols and reviewed a test of everything we were taught that week. I got the opportunity to go to Isolation. We had to patients over there. I helped assist giving oral and I.V. meds and taking vitals. The other girls lucky them got to do his bum-wash!! The babies are so awkward and so cute. Feel bad that they are so sick and such rough lives their first few weeks in this ol' world!! We finished up the day helping with rounds and re-stocking in primary care!! There i got to help take vitals, hang fluids, and re-fill dip pans. All in a good days work of a Vet Tech!!
Later that night a few of the girls and I went out for dinner! We had a blast laughing, joking, and getting to know each other. The girls continue to ask about my religion and i am loving having the missionary experience! Rumor the week-- When the millennium comes, all the Mormons will meet up and be picked up on a boat to be taken away!! Don't worry i cleared things up!! hahahaha

Well tomorrow i get thrown to the Sharks and I CAN"T WAIT!!! Its going to be the real deal!! Hope I don't mess up! I like it a lot out here and hope to continue liking it! My family ward is great and everyone is so kind. I feel really blessed to have been accepted out here! Thanks again to all of you and your support. Its definitely needed and appreciated everyday!! God Bless.....