+I MEAN REALLY?

My snuggle buddy yesterday

So I had my first ever rotation at the hospital on Monday night. I was a little nervous when I arrived just because I didn't really know what I was supposed to do or who I was supposed to  check in with. But luckily some of the senior students were there and they guided me through the sign-in process. After about 30 minutes I felt really comfortable.
Within the first 15 minutes of my rotation, I got to assist in a chest xray. It was so cool. I really liked the patient care aspect of it too. Talking with patient, making sure they're as comfortable as they can be in that situation, explaining what you're doing...It was all very VERY cool.

It ended up being such an amazing night. It was very hands on and I got to see and help a lot of patients. I met so many cool techs and it was awesome getting one on one help from them. I spent time in the radiology department, I did some portables up in ICU, and then finished the night in the ER. Amazing. I just had this overwhelming feeling that this is where I belong.

I only worked a 6 hour shift, but because we're students we're supposed to get a 30 minute break. Stupid me, I assumed someone would tell me when to break and so I never asked. Before I knew it, it was already 6:30 and I hadn't eaten since noonish before my shift started at 2. I was feeling a little on edge from not having any food in me, but I decided it was only another hour and a half so I might as well stick it out.

I was smiling the whole way home. Just thinking about what an amazing night it was and all the cases we helped on. I downed a water bottle and ate a nectarine in about 3 bites. The tangy and sweet taste of the nectarine hit my body instantly and sort of made me feel better. But it all went downhill from there.

I get home and I'm so excited to share my day with Justin. I wanted to tell him everything I saw and did and it all came out in a rush. He was so sweet and had brought me dinner home. My favorite tuna sandwich and pasta from a local restaurant. I told him about how I never took a break and that I wasn't feeling too good and he told me to try and eat something. I explained about my nectarine and I thought maybe I had eaten it too fast. I tried to eat the dinner. But for some reason, I just didn't have an appetite. My stomach was hurting so bad and I felt dizzy and nauseous. I ended up laying on the couch curled up in a ball cursing at the fruit I had just downed.

I decided a shower might do me some good, so I went and took a hot one. I didn't even want to do anything else, I felt so weak, I just wanted to crawl in bed and sleep it off. I can't really describe how I felt. It was a weird feeling of being hungover, mixed with stomach pain, mixed with weakness. So painful. I kept telling Justin "I don't feel good" and he kept chalking it up to that I hadn't eaten all day/evening.

Long story short, I ended up getting a fever with chills, which led me to a lukewarm bath that helped for a few minutes. Then, after going to the bathroom a couple times, I thought it might be over. So I went back to bed and prayed for it to end. And then, I felt the tingling in my cheeks. My body's telltale sign that I'm about to puke. So yeah...I ended up spending Monday night hugging a toilet bowl.

I felt like shit ALL day on Tuesday. Didn't even leave the house. I moved from my bed, to the couch, and then back to the bed again all day. I watched a million movies as I dozed in and out of sleep. Brady Dog was at my side the whole time. The little sweet pea dozed with me all day and kept me company. I came down with a small chest cough and had a headache all day. It was miserable and I thought it would never end.

We don't know if I got food poisoning (which is what I initially thought it was because I had a bad lunch that day) or if I contracted something from the hospital (which is more likely).

I just keep thinking back to my hospital night. I washed my hands like a crazy person. I wore gloves for everything. I must have breathed something in or touched something without a glove. Not really sure, but I do know that it sucked. I'm hoping my immune system toughens up through this school process and I pray this is the last time I bring something home with me. OY...what a start to the program. Hope your beginning of the week was better than mine!