I spent my morning at the base in the Coumadin Clinic with one of the contract pharmacists - aka non-military personnel. She reviewed how the clinic functioned and it's purpose and explained her role in patient care. We met with a couple returning patients and reviewed their INRs and warfarin doses adjusting them according to protocol. For those reading this that think I'm speaking in a foreign language, INR = international normalized ratio. This value is used to determine the clotting tendency of blood. Therefore, in the clinic we make sure people don't develop blood clots (eg. deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms) by managing their medications, diet, and lifestyle. I really enjoyed this type of patient interaction. The patient's were all motivated to better their health which makes a pharmacist's job a bit easier.
During the afternoon, I worked on our self-injection video project which will instruct patients how to use their injectable medications. Somehow I ended up being the only one okay with being on camera, so I get to inject myself for the videos. After working on that some, our Captain took Jenna (a Hawaii student) and myself on a "field-trip" around base. For some of our rotation activities we must drive to the other side of base which can be quite confusing with how large the base is, and it is also a "joint-base" with Fort Richardson Army Base which we also travel to. Therefore, I wrote out detailed directions and highlighted the multiple locations and routes on a map for the other students. I think I might be developing some organizational skills. It's a weird feeling... I even typed up my handwritten notes from the paste week today. I'm hoping this good habit will stick!
To explain the title of the post:
Flick - my lacrosse stick - traveled with me to Alaska for the purpose of playing in a women's lacrosse league. Tonight I went to the first gathering where I met ladies that grew up on the East coast playing lacrosse and played at colleges in New York and Maryland. We also had a couple of newly graduated 18 year olds that picked up sticks for the first time tonight. Therefore, Tori (coach from Maryland) and myself taught the new girls how to play. It was a lot of fun teaching the first timers the basics of the sport, but it definitely made me miss my high school lax girls who are about to start camps. The last portion of the night we sat around and got to know each other better which I really enjoyed. I haven't been around lacrosse players from across the nation like this since I played on the Midwest Team when we traveled to Pennsylvania. (Laura, do you remember that trip?)
Also, there's a youth boys league going on as well on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, so I was able to meet their coaches and talk to them about how much lacrosse has grown in Anchorage. It was definitely an encouraging time. A lot of the guys that coach the boys play in the men's league, and they invited us to watch the men's games on Monday nights. So you all know where I'll be Mondays. I just can't get enough lacrosse!
Tomorrow, Becca and I have the day off (because our preceptor is awesome), so we are planning to drive North of Anchorage to hike Reed Lakes. I'm hoping my legs won't be too sore from the 7 mile bike ride to lacrosse and 4 mile ride back. Why the difference in mileage to get there? Well I took the scenic route going there which just happened to be the wrong way. Don't worry, I used a Bus Stop map to figure out how to get there. Also, I'm pretty sure I looked ridiculous with my lacrosse stick poking out the top and bottom of the back of my jacket while I rode Celeste's bike.
Anyway, today was a rather surreal day. I never thought I'd have the opportunities - professionally and personally - that I have had experienced while in Alaska. I really can't wait to see what else is in store this next month!
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