Did you notice the countdown?

Did you notice the countdown on our blog?

That's right, Mitch graduates this week!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a preview to graduation. This was his last day of school for . . .ev . . . er!!!!

In my opinion, the best thing for allergies and sinus infections

I feel odd posting this on my blog but since I have heard it has been one of the worst allergy seasons I thought I would share. This post is not only for allergy sufferers. It can be used in colds and nasal congestion (which really is most likely an allergy but you just don't want to admit it).

I have every allergy known. The only thing I am not allergic to? Cats :) How purrfect.

I also get wicked, wicked sinus infections. I mean head exploding, have to take work off, the most powerful antibiotics for 3 months, and needing to take steroids type of sinus infections.

A few years ago I decided enough was enough and I started to really do something about it especially since they got a million times worse moving here to Tennessee. I searched and experimented with almost everything.

Do you want to know what I found is the best treatment? The Neti Pot.

I am dead serious. It has worked wonders. I am not just giving you my opinion, I am giving you objective data. I used to get AT LEAST 3-4 serious and 5-10 minor sinus infections during the winter months up to the end of March. Last year I got 1 minor one and *knock on wood* I have not had one this year.

I realize it looks weird. It is weird and gross but it is by far superior than any nasal rinse. Trust me, I have tried them all. Not only is it the best method but the mixture put in the pot is the very mild on the mucous membranes. It has sodium bicarb and sodium chloride in a perfect mixture.

Here are my tips for use:

• It is best while done showering. I know what you are thinking. Sick! Just trust me. 
• Mix with lukewarm water.
• It is best done in the shower because it is humid and moist which helps to loosen the drainage/crap in your sinuses and throat. Though, you can do it over the sink and it will still work just not as well. 

Do this every day.  I personally think everyone should do this.

When you are feeling more congestion or are sick do it 2-3 times per day.

I am telling you all. It works!!

Since I am a serious sinus/allergy sufferer I also take zyrtec every day. Yep, every single day. I do notice a difference when I miss a day. Also, I often take 2 zyrtecs on bad days. I know, I am not supposed to. (I have to take zyrtec because I also get hives. So, not everyone needs to. But, it does seriously help with the sinuses and nasal passages as well).

The daily use of the neti pot and daily zyrtec has seriously changed my life!!

*I really have not gotten any colds either. For me, colds are precipitated by my allergies on most occasions. But, on other occasions I think it is because my nose and throat are cleared often of the virus that usually sticks around.

If you need more tips on how to best treat a sinus infection just ask me. I am a pro!!!

Good luck!

I have slacked like crazy!!

Well, it seems I haven't posted in 3 months. We have been busy these days! Mitch is studying like crazy as he gets ready to take the biggest test of his life on March 29th, the national licensure exam! THE test!! I have been busy too with things but I will get to that in another post.

Until then, I thought I would add some humor to your day with some journal entries of mine. I have kept a pretty regular journal since I was in 4th grade so I have some quality entries! :))

3/15/1995 (5th grade)
"I hate boys they're jerks (at least the gross ones are) I'm going to tell you something that I would never talk to anyone. Today Garrick said something like on the calculator he said BOOBLESS it made me cry but no one saw me. I'll tell you the rest tomorrow. Got to go bye!"

9/26/1996 (7th grade)
"I've done a lot of things. I went to Lagoon and as always it rocked. Oh and I have started Junior High and it is awesome!" (Yes, Lagoon does rock. Clearly I was only a few days into 7th grade because we all know that 7th grade is the worst!!!)

6/19/1998 (in between 8th and 9th grade)
"We had youth conference and the youth conference dance. It was sssssooooo fun! I don't know, I really wanted to dance with Adam Beckstrom but everytime he was taken. Cutie!" (wt? I have absolutely no recollection of having a crush on him but apparently I did! And, I was bold enough to attempt to ask him to dance!)

2/21/1999 (9th grade)
"We had the dance. It was great! Well, I got a phone call that Antonio Frasero was going to ask me out. Lie. I knew it. But at the dance me and Andy danced 3 times! We admitted to each other that we like each other. It was great! Why can't I be 16!" (It was no secret I thought Andy aka "Antonio Frasero" was fine!!)

10/2/1998 (9th grade again)
"Last night I slept over at Ash's with Heather and Kassie. We made a Titanic video. It was so funny! I can't even explain!" (Yes, we were cool and made home movies. Think, "Iceberg straight ahead!")

Later on down in the entry about school that day " . . .3rd-Buttorf wasn't there! Yes! No creepy man!"
 (ha! ha! El Presidente!)

2/02/2001 (Junior year)
"Holy crap! I haven't written in so long! NSYNC in Vegas was awesome! They were all so hot! It was the funnest thing ever. NSYNC was so good! And Justin Timberlake's hips were soooo good. I love em."
(Um, ew. I was kind of creepy! Oh, wait I still love his hips!)

4/7/2002 (Senior year)
(Referring to Choir tour senior year in San Diego). "I almost peed my pants! Laura, Tricia, Katie, Shannyn, Molly, Ash and I went on these things called rickshaws. We made our drivers Marco and Carlos race. It was so funny! By the end Carlos was dripping in sweat and his hat was covered in sweat! We were screaming and cheering. Marco! Carlos!"

Those are only a glimpse into the many funny things I wrote in my many journals. Hope you got a good laugh!!

One of the rickshaws and our favorite pedalist, Marco.

And just to show you my awesomeness . . .

Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra!

Merry Christmas!

With awkwardfamilyphotos.com being one of our favorite websites, we decided to take a picture of our own to submit. 

Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra!

Love,

Mitch & Meg   (Gabby, Sage, and Zander too!)

Tales of critical care . . . Grey's Anatomy is partially correct

In October I started a new position at an awesome hospital here in Nashville. I am working in the surgical ICU, or SICU if you want to be cool and know the lingo. I am not very smart. Let me explain why. I was going to do critical care right after graduation and had the opportunity to do so because I did my internship in critical care. But, I didn't. Somedays I wish I would have just done that right after graduation because I would be so much further along. 4 years later and here I am, starting over in a way. It is such a toss up. I learned so many valuable lessons at my other positions over the last few years. I have learned how to assess a patient with my eyes and instincts rather than by machines. Also, I learned a lot about people, the good and bad. But, I feel like if that is what I originally wanted to do what took me so long?! Well, here I am. Training for a new job . . . again. I have had so much to learn and re-learn. I have forgotten so many things! It is sad.

Does this look intimidating? I really feel bad for families when they have to walk in a room that looks like this. If I didn't know anything medical I would be frightened out of my mind!

This picture cracks me up. Critical care nurses are really not that cool.


 Now on to Grey's Anatomy. I have worked in a lot of teaching facilities which means I am surrounded by interns (21st grade), residents (23rdish grade), and fellows (25ish grade). This hospital is a teaching facility and I just have to say that there is a lot of shenanigans that go down. I mean these doctors are at the hospital every day for 12 hours or more a day. So, they have to get their flirting action on (and more than flirting *snicker*) somewhere.
Here's the deal. Imagine what you look like after working 7 days straight for 16 hours or more. This is where TV gets it wrong. This is what they look like on Grey's.

Yeah, not so much, this is what they really look like . . .

I really have a lot of respect for doctors. A lot of nurses are very negative and have harsh words for doctors. I tend to think differently (for the most part). They put in a lot of schooling, sacrifice a lot (including sleep!), and work insane hours. I guess it all pays off when they are attending physicians but man oh man, I think it would be rough getting there!


 I would have the greasiest hair of them all! :)

Let the countdown begin!

(I am so getting him one of these cute bears)




I wanted to put a countdown on our blog when Mitch started PT school over 2 years ago but he wouldn't let me because he said he didn't want to look at how long he had. He said it would depress him. But now, let the drumroll begin!!! I have put a countdown on the blog. Here's to May 5th, 2012!!!!!

On May 5th, 2012 Mitch will have his doctorate degree. Yip!

On May 5th, 2012 Mitch will be able to sing . . . school's out forever!

On May 5th, 2012 Mitch will wear one of those fancy gowns with the velvet on his neck and one of those funky hats (wiki says it is called a tam).

On May 5th, 2012 Mitch will have his dreams come true, he will be a member of the workforce.

At the end of the summer 2012 Mitch will realize that school really isn't all that bad, in fact it is awesome. Holiday breaks, weekends off, summers off.

At the end of the summer 2012, Mitch will realize that working is well, overrated at times. Also, Mitch will then take care of paying the bills because I am sick of it!

Until then!

Last minute maybe

+

+

= me.

Possibly.

In a little over a month. I will update more when I decide yay or nay for sure. Right now I am 95% sure.