We all need Encouragement

With everything going on there has been a lot of stress in life lately. I know everyone has seen versions of this list, but it gave me a little needed boost.  

1. There are at least two people in the world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you…take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks

MD vs. Dr.

Has the term Doctor become too generic? Having worked in several health care facilities, I have noticed more doctors are identifying themselves as MD’s on their documentation and even how they are identified by the hospital or clinic.

Here is what I’m thinking. When I was a kid and went to the doctor, it meant sticking my tongue out and saying "Ahh". Followed by some booster shot or needle for whatever was going around. I did not think of the doctor as anything other than medical in nature. Now every time you turn on the news or some talk show there is a doctor of something.

True that anyone with a PhD can call himself or herself a doctor, and I do not take anything away from that accomplishment, because they worked damn hard to get it. However, I don’t associate the PhD doctors of botany, astrophysics, zoology and business with the term doctor I grew up with and recognize.

Yes, maybe Dr. Seuss confused me as a little kid, and I still don't know who he is, but it seems different in how the word doctor is used today. Besides those with a PhD being able to call themselves doctor, in 5 minutes I could think of Dr. Dre, Dr. Oz, Dr. Drew, Dr. Laura, Dr. Phil, Dr. Scholl’s, Dr. Pepper, Dr. Dolittle and the Rug Doctor. Isn’t Dr. Oz the only real medical doctor in this bunch?

Along with that Nurse Practitioners will have to have a PhD starting in 2015. I think I will be happy to just be an NP, even if I get a PhD.

"The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men"

When school ended, I thought I would be smart and make myself available whenever they needed me to pick up as many shifts as possible. I knew that once school resumed in September the last thing I would feel like doing is working most weekends.

Well the idea might have sounded good two months ago, but now they are calling almost every day. In most situations this would be fine, however, now I’m tired of working with patients. Well, it’s not so much the patients, because only a few are the ones who suck your motivation and energy, like the government has sucked the confidence out of the American people. It is more the unit politics and certain staff that make for difficult shifts. You learn quickly who the team players are; they jump in and help when it’s needed. While some are never available, that is unless they need you.

The money helps, but being burned out before school and clinicals even start is not a good idea. So how much is the lottery up to?

Gratuitous cute mouse picture 

Cure for Type II Diabetes ?

The diabetic educator was talking about this research at work and I am surprised we don't hear more, because it seems relevant and another statement about our dietary habits. An English study points out that when people are put on a strict diet for eight weeks that included low calories and mostly non-starchy vegetables, many could actually reverse their diabetes. This is not the first study suggesting these findings and that  by eating this way you can purge the pancreas of a lot of its’ built up fat. In simple terms, this gives the beta cells and pancreas enough of a break from the fat that they produce sufficient amount of insulin again.

Not saying this works for all Type 2 diabetics, or for the 10% of the people who have Type 1 diabetes. Although research has shown for years that most type 2 diabetes is obesity and lifestyle related.

Here is the problem. Most people should decrease the amount of fat built up in our livers, pancreas and bodies in general. However, as Americans and really most of the industrialized world, we cannot change our fat ass lifestyles. We have no will power to the marketing of cheap foods that are laden with salt, saturated fat, sugar, chemicals and preservatives that are thrust in our faces daily in order that food companies can make billions in profits. 

Just my opinion, now off to Costco because I’m sure I need some mega bag of something they are pushing today.