Tryin' to stay warm...
The weather in Iowa today was a balmy
-16 degrees. Yes, that is right NEGATIVE 16 degrees outside. They closed the schools because they said the temperatures were too dangerous! Of course, I still had my night class!!! It's been three days of frigidness--but I hear it will get up to 20 tomorrow--so we are preparing for the heat wave. I must admit, however, the snow is quite beautiful.

On Monday, I had the most AMAZING day. I was able to spend the day with the surgeon who performed my surgery & took such wonderful care of me, Dr. Gerry Baker. This was the 2nd time that I was able to scrub in & watch a full day of his surgeries & make rounds as he went to see his patients who were admitted. To say I loved EVERY second of my time with him is an understatement. I don't even mind the fact I have to get up at 4:30 A.M. in order to get to the hospital to meet him!! On Monday, I saw a laproscopic hernia repair (which was pretty awesome, it was the size of a basketball), a thyroidectomy, a breast biopsy, & the removal of some metastatic melanoma sites. The best part is that I get to stand right (of course on step stools since I'm a bit on the short side-ha) & see everything that goes on. He is an amazing teacher--the whole time he is telling me what is going on, giving me advice on things he's learned in that particular procedure over the years, & answers any questions I have. I also love it when it's time for a few minutes of break & we go into the Physician's Lounge & have a snack & chit chat about lots of things--usually about the Hawkeye's latest victory! ;0) I met several doctors while we were in there--it was fun & a wonderful opportunity.

After he had finished his surgeries, he brought me to the surgical board & asked me what surgery on the board seemed interesting--I said "the Aortic Valve Replacement." He took me into that OR, introduced me to the heart surgeon & said he would like me to be able to observe. It was an amazing surgery. I got there just as they were cracking the chest open! WOW is all that I can say. I was mesmerized. So many people thing I'm so weird because I love to watch surgery--but everyone has their passion--mine seems to have always been medicine. I don't know how anyone could look at the human body & not believe in God. The details of our body are absolutely amazing. My day was wonderful with Dr. Baker & I cannot wait to do it again--he says I'm welcome to come as many times as I would like. Dr. Baker is an amazing example ont he kind of medical professional I want to be someday. His bedside manner, compassion, energy, & true love for his job is something I really want to have. He is a brilliant surgeon, with a wonderful personality--a rarity! (ha)

I am quite excited because I also started my Anatomy & Physiology class this week (Genetics starts next Tuesday) & I began working for my Dad as well. It's so nice to be busy again. I'm just praying my body will keep up! It's certainly a radical change for it--it's not all the way healed, but I'm thinking that having productive things to do, could help it along a bit. I know it makes my heart & mind feel better!

Another exciting note: Abby is coming up to visit on Saturday & staying until Monday morning. I cannot wait to see her!! I just love it when she comes to visit (as does my Grandma). It really should just be illegal to live in another city than one of your best friends! We always have such a wonderful time when we are together & we always manage to laugh hysterically at something, usually ourselves! (SMILE) I cannot wait for her to get here & to have some fun. I'm also excited that it won't be as frigid as it has been--maybe we can be out & about a bit more! Needless to say, I'm counting down the hours until Saturday!!!

Hope everyone is staying warm & that things are going well!!!!

Picture: Abby & me in November when we thought it was SO COLD...ha...that was swimsuit weather compared to the past few days in Iowa!!!