January 15, 2019 – Write From Karen

My nurse has plantar fasciitis in both feet, though her left is worse than her right. I know, by the end of the day, she’s hobbling around and in a lot of pain and has to sleep with an ice pack on her feet at night. I can’t imagine what she has to endure and I’m very thankful I don’t have that problem.

This has been going on for quite some time though when she was pregnant with her girls, the pain only got worse.

She has seen a podiatrist for treatment options but our own neuro radiologist (who is AN EXCELLENT DOCTOR) offered to do a PRP injection on her.

A PRP injection is a platelet-rich plasma injection.

What is platelet-rich plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a patient’s own concentrated platelets. PRP contains a large number growth factors. These growth factors stimulate healing.

What are the goals of a PRP injection?
When PRP is injected, it can aid the body’s natural healing of injuries. The goal is not only to relieve symptoms but to create actual healing. In some cases, PRP may reduce the need for medication and/or surgery.

She wanted me to accompany her and I went. I knew I would feel awkward, and I did, but I went because she’s the daughter from another mother and I wanted to be there for.

I watched as a fellow nurse drew her blood. She seemed nervous. I’ve never drawn blood (thank goodness), but I can imagine it’s nerve wracking to draw blood on a fellow professional. I know my nurse has had to draw blood from our doctor before and she said she was really nervous.

After her blood was drawn, it was put into a centrifuge and spun at high speeds to separate the platelets from the blood.

It was fascinating to watch the nurse put together a sterile environment with all of the syringes he would need for the procedure. I helped, but mostly I feel like I was in the way. But it didn’t seem to bother the doctor that was there with her.

When it’s done, the liquid that has been separated from the blood looks like thick urine making really thick blood.

The doctor numbed her up and then injected her platelets into her foot. The doctor’s nurse helped to distract my nurse but I was left to watch the actual procedure. He was repeatedly stabbing her in the same area while slowing injecting the platelets.

It was a little disturbing to watch but fascinating at the same time.

After it was over, I brought her the wheeled knee walker she will be using to get around for the next two weeks as the doctor has recommended that she not be on her feet for two weeks, after that, she can walk around but will need to wear a boot.

She will be back next week to help with clinics, it will be interesting to see how she navigates around the clinic and helping patients with any surgeries we schedule.

It’s times like that, when I get to watch procedures, that I’m thankful that my job doesn’t require any type of blood draws or other procedures. Not because I can’t do them, I’m sure with training and practice I could, but because I really don’t WANT to that sort of stuff on people.

I’m a spoiled medical assistant, no doubt about.

I’m attempting to force myself to write in my blog every day. I’ve gotten SO BAD at keeping up these past several years and someday I’ll be dead and then what?

I’ll be gone but hopefully not forgotten. (Feel free to use these prompts for your own writing).

Today’s prompt(s):

Would you rather be less attractive and extremely intelligent or extremely attractive and less intelligent? What do you think the pros and cons of each combination would be?

Wow, what a conundrum.

I mean, let’s be honest, if you’re attractive, life is easier. People tend to be nicer. They tend to make allowances and bend the rules a bit more. If you’re attractive, you’re more approachable.

Just don’t open your mouth.

I think being attractive opens more doors than just being smart.

Though if you’re smart and not that attractive, there are ways to MAKE yourself more attractive. And no, I’m not talking about plastic surgery though I guess that might be an option for some. (Not for me). I’m talking more about wearing clothes that highlight your particular body type, having a flattering hairstyle and wearing appropriate makeup.

But can you really make yourself smarter? I sort of feel like you are either smart, or you’re not. You can ACT smart but people typically see through the facade fairly quickly. But would anyone really care if you’re not smart if you’re nice to look at?

I guess one could make a lot of money if he/she was attractive – modeling, acting, etc. Not saying those careers don’t require intelligence but come on, not many people get past the packaging in that industry.

You can also make a lot of money if you’re smart. But I think it would take longer and require more effort to get to that stage since so many people take one look at you and make a judgement.

I think for me, I would rather be less attractive and more intelligent. Hey, I’m smart, I can figure out how to get past the outer flaws and transform myself into something, or someone, to get what I want.

I feel like I do that now. 😉