June 8

I can scarcely believe I have finally finished Basic Acute Care. I began in January! So almost 6 months to complete. Wow. The assessment was a 5 minute dictation from an ESL doctor - I had 8 blanks (at 1/2 point off per blank) but it couldn't be helped. I couldn't understand him. They gave me an hour and it took me 1 hour + 15 minutes to finish. I will get the results back in about a week.

The next module for my class is Advanced Acute Care. It is already difficult. There are 65 reports in a block and 5 blocks before the final. There are OR reports, cancer reports, deliveries, deaths, an assortment of everything that could come up. I was supposed to have finished by July 9. Fortunately the ATK grant paid for my 4 month extension today so now I have until November 9 of this year to complete my studies.

I have the option to continue on with the Medical Transcription Editor Program. The ATK grant will pay for that. But it would be another 6 months to finish....but would increase my employability. I am not sure what to do yet. But the Dept. of Workforce Services has the money for the next class set aside for me....I filed the paperwork yesterday. If I decide to not continue it will be ok - but it will be there if I choose.

This money thing stresses me out. My headaches have been very bad. Also worried about Julie. Also, missing Graydon, also missing Kellye like crazy. I have just grown to love her and wish she were mine - but I'm pretty sure her mom and sisters wouldn't give her up. (Stupid to muse about, I know!)

Collin, Kellye, Ayden, Kayla and Taylor

I have these incredible longings. I know they will pass.

Today I took Marley and Tanner Michaelis up the canyon. It was so beautiful. There aren't enough words to describe the peace I get from walking up there. We only did the mile loop and my tibia doesn't even hurt today (or maybe the headache is drowning it out!) Marley swam in the cold 3 Mile Creek and the water was rushing. She stays close to the bank though, so I was not worried.
No snakes today, thank goodness.

Well - I am off to begin AAC...report by same doctor from assessment: "A 71-year-old woman who developed tingling and numbness in her hands and feet, poor dear. The work IS interesting."

Reading a book about the French round-up of Jews in 1942. Goodness. So sad. I didn't know that the French police rounded up everyone and then sent them to camps. The Nazi's were behind it - but weren't the ones rounding up. It was neighbors and friends who did the rounding up. Fear makes people do things they would never expect they had in them I think.