Time For An Update, Ya Think?

Hello there...it's been a while, huh?

Well, first off I'll recap the end of last quarter.  I'll just show you my Final Exam Scores for Anatomy and Physiology :)

I studied like hell to get those grades, and it obviously paid off :)

Now, for Pharmacology.  It was definitely my most difficult class, and I had a 93% going into the final.  Our final exam was weighted 30% of our grade, so I had to do very well to get an A in the class.  I decided to host a Study Sleepover with some of the girls from school.  We had pizza, drinks, girl talk, and studying until 4 in the morning....and it paid off.  All of us got better grades than we had on most of our tests all quarter!  I got a 96% on mine...and it actually RAISED my grade to a 94%!

I finished the quarter with all A's again :) 4.0 after three quarters!!

New Quarter
October 3rd I started a new quarter.  I am taking Hematology (Blood), Parasitology (Feces), Imaging (X-rays), and Spanish I (Online).  It's going pretty good so far.  On Monday I stuck my first dog with a needle, and got it in the vein on my first try!  I've developed some x-rays, although I haven't taken any yet, and looked at some fecal samples for parasites.

I've also started my new job at school and I love it!  I do random tasks every day, such as filing, file making, laminating and stocking.  Every day is different and they are extremely flexible with my school schedule.  I basically set my own hours and I get paid!  Best job I've had... so far ; )

Next week I have several quizzes and a lab practical.  I've been very busy, being at school about 8 hours on Wednesdays and Fridays, and almost 11 hours on Mondays.  I have Tuesdays and Thursdays off, which is really nice.  I use Tuesday as my homework day and I work at Marketplace Thursday mornings.  I usually have Saturdays off, which is really really nice to have, and I work Sunday mornings.  I really like the schedule I have.

I'll try to keep you updated a little better.  Sometimes I just forget to blog, and other days I'm just too lazy :P

Will write soon!
-Cherie'

Week Seven Wrap-Up

Good Evening!

Earlier this week we used our Cat Cadavers to dissect the main arteries and veins of the circulatory system.  We went through them several times and I can now identify them just by looking at them :)

Ironically enough, I also gave blood on Monday for the second time ever.  My first time was in High School and I never did it again.  My sister Alicia and I decided to donate in memory of our Grandpa who donated over 16 gallons in his lifetime!  The blood drive was right at school, making it easy and convenient (for me, anyway!).  Our lobby was transformed into a Red Cross blood donation center!  I found out my blood type was A+ (just like my GPA ;)

After donating, I got to show Alicia around school including the classrooms and labs that I get to work in.  One of our instructors even had a dog out that we could see.  It was pretty fun...I felt like a little kid at open house ;)

Tuesday we had our final math comp, and everyone in my class passed.  I'm happy that no one has to take the class over again.  We also did a role-playing activity where we got to practice giving a client a prescription and explaining how to give it, what the possible side effects are, and what to look for in an allergic reaction.  I was told I did very good, and that I just had to work on my "Um..'s"

We also did a couple of vaccinations.  One person in our class gave a SubQ injection (I didn't volunteer because I have given them several times already), and I got to give a nasal vaccination for Bordetella (Kennel Cough).  The dog was really good, but she sneezed all over me after I gave it...which Dr. O says is pretty normal :P

Wednesday, we had a Physiology exam and I got 50/50 :)

Today in Pharmacology, we took a bunch of notes and practiced "Pilling" cats.  We basically use the same technique as for dogs, only we have to be more aware of their sharper teeth and claws.  I did mine without a hitch.

Earlier this week, I talked to my High School guidance counselor about my blog.  She told me that she would share it with students who may be interested in going into my field!  I love my school and coursework so much that I want to share it with others who may want to travel down the same road.  I am also considering going to the school and speaking to some students about my program here at Globe.

I was also told yesterday that the main veterinarian at school (and my new supervisor) would like me to attend a meeting she is having with the Wisconsin Veterinary Association as part of my student worker position.  I don't know much for details yet, but it sounds fun and interesting!

Now, I have a four day weekend (because of Labor Day), and a couple exams when I get back.  Hopefully I can set aside some time this weekend for studying!

Peace!

Have a Heart (A Cow Heart, That Is!)

Hey :)

I forgot to mention yesterday that we got to play with a cow heart in Anatomy!  We are studying the Circulatory System (heart, blood, arteries and veins), and Dr. Olsen brought one in so we could see the inside of an actual heart, and learn how it works.  I don't know if you've ever seen a cow heart in person, but they're pretty big (think the size of a REALLY thick steak!)  We took turns going through (as in sticking our fingers through!) the valves  and compartments explaining how the blood flows along the way.  It was pretty neat to actually see and feel a real heart to get a good grasp on how it works!

When we were done and cleaning up, I attempted to spray out the sink and accidently sprayed Dr. Olsen....twice!  The sprayer was in a really awkward position and I hit the nozzle while I was trying to manipulate it.  Luckily, Dr. O. has a good sense of humor and thought nothing of it.  It gave my classmates and I quite the laugh though!


Today, we took a Pharmacology exam and I got a 93% on it :)  We also took notes, and did a small lab.  We took out a couple dogs and practiced giving them "pills" (cat food pieces).  Basically, you just open their mouth (protecting yourself from their teeth), and put it right down their throat so their normal reflexes will swallow it the rest of the way.

I'd never pilled an animal before, so it was fun to try, and the dog swallowed it right away for me :)    We also practiced giving "liquid oral medications" (water).  Here, you just take your syringe (without the needle), pull their cheek open, and squirt it right in.  That was a lot easier than I thought it would be too!

Dr. O mentioned that next week we will be giving vaccinations!  I'm very excited and a little nervous.  We'll be doing injections in locations OTHER  than SubQ (under the skin between the shoulder blades), which is the easiest one to do.  It should be interesting!

On Deck for next week is our third and final Math Comp (which I don't have to worry about), and so far no exams!  (We'll see if that changes ;)

Have a good weekend!


P.s. This blogpost was a little longer, but I hope the pictures kept you interested ;)

Living the Dream :)

Hey guys!
This week has been a great one as well! :)

We had our second Math Comp (which I didn't have to worry about because I passed it the first time), and I was the only one who technically got 13/13 :D  Today, we took an exam on the Digestive System in Anatomy and I aced it!!  It was really tough and I felt like I guessed on some of the practical part (where he puts pins in a cat cadaver and we have to name what they are), but I did great!

After class today, I started my job as the Student Aid to the Vet Tech Department!  It is really exciting, even though I just did inventory!  I got to see the things I'll be working with (like stocking, the bulletin board, filing paperwork, etc).  I will have access to places most students won't, like the storage closets, the faculty room, etc.

It's been an awesome week! I need to get to studying though, because I have a Pharmacology Exam tomorrow.  I will let you know how it goes!

Exam after Exam after Exam...

Hello Friends -

It's been a long week, and an exciting one!  I had exams in all three classes, and I'm very excited to say I got A's on all of them!  I'm beginning to realize that we're halfway through the quarter and I'm still getting A's.  This isn't a fluke, this isn't "easy," I'm REALLY just doing really well!  It's a phenomenal feeling!

Today in Pharmacology we did another Lab.  We used the math we've been practicing in a clinical setting.  We used an animal's weight to calculate the correct dosage of a drug for them, and then calculated which size tablet we should use (50mg, 100mg, etc).  Then we practiced counting out the meds for the pill bottle to send home with the client, and also splitting pills.

Once again, it is so exciting to learn hands on!

I also talked with one of my instructors, and I will be beginning my position as a Student Aid to the VT Department on Wednesday!  I know that I will be starting off doing inventory and will also work on the VT bulletin board and other things.  I'm pretty stoked to start it, since it's been "in talks" since last quarter!

I will write more next week and let you all know how it's going!
Thanks for the support!
-Cherie'

Math Comp Two

Hey All -

Just wanted to write a quick note that I passed my Math Comp on the first try!!
I was one of the about 20% that passed it, so I am very proud!

Have a great weekend!

Fluids and Muscles

Yesterday in Pharmacology we had a fluids lab.  We spent the class time using math calculations that we've been working on to calculate fluids for various things.  Then, we got to physically prepare the things we calculated!

For example, we calculated the correct amount of fluids to give to a dehydrated animal, and then got to dilute and set up the IV bags, including the drip rate.  We also did calculations for making a cleaning solution (and actually mixed one up), reconstituted a powdered medication, and drew up medications into syringes.

It was a LOT of fun to finally take these calculations we'd been working on for three weeks and use them in a carefree environment!  Doing anything hands - on makes it that much easier to learn.

Today, we disected more muscles in our Cat Cadaver and we were verbally quizzed on them.  It is so much easier to learn about muscles when you've actually dissected them and felt them.

In Physiology we took and exam on muscles - I got a 87% :)

Tomorrow, we have our first Math Comp for Pharmacology.  This is an "all or nothing" exam, meaning we have to get it all right, or we fail the comp.  Fail it three times and you fail the class.

Math has always been a strong suit for me and I have received 100% on all of my practice worksheets, so I'm not too worried.

Will write later :)