Feeling the Stress

Why do I do this to myself? I am studying a part of the nervous system and am having a very hard time with it. Can't even formulate a good question. When I left class yesterday afternoon and got to work, I couldn't take my mind off of the fact that I may get to a point that I have to admit to myself that this pre-nursing program is academically more than my "seasoned" brain can handle. Especially when I read the section in my text book on aging and its effect on cognition and other brain functions. I was on the verge of tears.

But, then, morning came today and I have a much more positive outlook on the whole thing. A nice sunny day sure helped, I must add. I decided to use a tutor as I did last quarter, and to do my very best. I've got a solid "B" going for the course right now, and it certainly isn't a foregone conclusion that the grade will drop below that level by the end of the term. And, if it does, I just have to work harder when I get to A&P III. The bottom line is, that until I quit, they (whoever they are) are going to have to tell me that my grades aren't high enough to get into the nursing course and kick me out! Until they do, I'm in the game!

Things always look brighter after some time to reflect.
Cheers!
Ima

Letting Go

I'm taking a stress management class this quarter; it was a pickup class, so that I'd have enough credits to qualify for financial aid. But I must say, the tips and techniques I have learned really helped today. You see, for years I have had a heart arythmia and get bouts of tachicardia (hope that is spelled right...haven't taken cardio-systems yet.) Yes, I have meds that I'm supposed to take daily, but who remembers to do that! Anyway, I'm totally stressed out about today's lab practical, because I haven't been able to get to school for most of the last week due to snow. So I'm up at 4 AM, and at school to be at lab when the doors open at 7...do my lab work, study the models, etc., get a coffee at Starbucks and cram for three hours before the practical at noon. Whew! I'm tired typing this!

So, I'm at the lab building and a heart "event" hits. Simply stated, my heartbeat suddenly elevates and I feel faint. My body simply doesn't get enough oxygen when it beats at 180 bpm. I am forced to find a bathroom, and...don't gag...lay on the bathroom floor to get my breathing under control so my heartbeat will "break." Uggh. But I digress...the best part was that I had studied about deep breathing, and reducing stress by breathing and visualization. And voila! It all worked. Best of all, I went into the practical refreshed and relaxed.

But - lesson learned. Take your meds and lay off the dark roast coffee....
Cheers!
Ima

So What Else Has Changed?!?

I have been amazed recently by the fact that things have changed since I was in high school. OK, no laughing about how that was back when we used a horse and buggy. But seriously, since when did they vote to change the name of body parts? Why wasn't I consulted!

We have been spending the past few weeks studying the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. We are also learning about how the body receives and processes sensory input from both outside and inside the body. Our last class was about what are called the "special senses." I was all ready to learn about "sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing." But now the sense of "touch" has been demoted to a category of "general senses", and in its place is a new "special" sense.....balance." Huh???? And, to top it off, do you remember studying the mechanisms of the ear? To refresh your memory, there is a structure inside your inner ear system that is curled up like a shell...called the Eustachian Tubes. Ring a bell? (Pun intended) But no longer. Some over-educated person (obviously not Mr. Eustachian) with way too much time on their hands decided at some point in the last 35 years to now call it the "Auditory Tube."

So what's next?? Will they change the name of our head to "Hat Holding Appendage?"
Till next time.

Cheers!
Ima