Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan

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I began reading this book yesterday, partly the reason for the lack of blog post. The novel is a self-written case-study of Susannah Cahalan's "month of madness" in which she succumbs to an illness unknown by many healthcare professionals. Fortunately for Cahalan, a doctor on her team of practitioners was familiar with a contemporary study that identified the cause of a certain set of symptoms in young women.

Cahalan describes her symptoms as she lived through them. Although she does not remember much about her experience in total, she combines snippets of memories with extensive research into her case. She relies on several friends, family members, and healthcare providers' recollections and documents recorded during her period of illness to fill in the gaps. The result is a tale of determined young woman battling an illness that nearly claimed her life.

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As much as I want to go into details about the novel, I will leave it up to the discretion of the reader. It can be heartbreaking and hard at times to read, but it is well worth the time spent on it. I will, however, discuss a detail Cahalan writes about her neurologist. In discussing her case with the neurologist, he states he is unfamiliar with her diagnosis - despite it being publicized nearly everywhere in the media and in various journals of medicine for the last few months.

It is a fact that medicine is constantly evolving. Healthcare practitioners are (and rightly so) expected to follow the latest developments in medicine. Not only should healthcare providers be up-to-date with contemporary practices, they should understand them as well. Without understanding the developments, healthcare practitioners increase the risk of misdiagnosing their patients and decrease the level of care they provide.

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Although healthcare practitioners are required to continue their education, the most valuable practitioners will be the ones who actively seek to learn despite the various time and energy constraints all healthcare practitioners face. Ultimately, the importance of a doctor lies in their knowledge of medicine and humanity than their academic achievements.

Edge of Tomorrow

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Edge of Tomorrow begins by hastily explaining the current global situation: the world is under attack by aliens and humankind has developed robotic suits that help the army's soldiers combat the enemy. Amidst the chaos, two warriors join forces to strategize a way to win the war against the aliens. One of the soldiers, Tom Cruise, has the ability to relive the same two days - an ability his partner, Emily Blunt, had in a previous battle.

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The interaction between the two characters made me think about sacrifice, forgiveness, and humility. Cruise's character repeatedly sacrifices himself for members of his squad and for Blunt. The end goal of course, is the battle's victory. As the battle continues and Cruise and Blunt get closer to defeating the aliens, Cruise discusses the difficulty in proceeding. He tells Blunt that however many times they have succeeded, she always dies after a certain point. Blunt sacrifices herself on multiple occasions and Cruise must ultimately sacrifice his life to ensure victory.

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Of course, no science fiction movie is without a semi-happy ending. The overall "forgiveness" that occurs as a result of Cruise's sacrifice is expected. For what sacrifice is made without some form of benefit? Does that not defeat the purpose of it being considered a sacrifice?

I have been thinking especially about the things we, as children, do for our parents. Parents frequently talk about sacrificing things for their children, yet also expect something in return. A sacrifice is not part of a transaction. Or can it be? Think of the sacrifice God made for humanity. We, in turn, are expected to follow His Commandments. Or are we expected?

Some final thoughts on the matter: God is love. Sacrifices are made expecting nothing in return. Respect and love, however, are great ways to show thanks for the sacrifices that are made. Forgiveness should be given, not earned.

Universal Class

As I mentioned this past week, I have been exploring Scout, a Pierce County Library System online program for adults. In my exploration, I have discovered an online education website that is free through the library. I knew Tacoma Library System had it, but I did not know that PCLS did - as you can imagine, I was ecstatic!

The name of the website is Universal Class. If you have a Pierce County Library card, you should be able to access it for free. I hope that this information will be useful to those in Pierce County as well as those who may be interested to see if this option is available through the local public library system.

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I have been trying to keep up with my study habits this summer and thought, "what better way than to use online education?" I browsed the website for the kinds of courses it hosts and almost immediately signed up for Prenatal Care. I wanted to see what the courses would be like and thought the prenatal class would give me a good head-start on next semester's rotation through labor and delivery.

The courses are designed for anyone with a high school education and offer unlimited time for completion. In every lesson, there is the information which can be printed for later use as well as an exam (that is more like a quiz in my opinion). Some lessons have assignments which have the student review what has been discussed in the lesson. Some courses have more lessons than others. The course instructors tend to answer emails and return grades in a timely manner. The longest I have had to wait for a response was two days - and that was over a weekend.
Currently I am taking Organic Chemistry 101, Alzheimer's Disease 101, and All About Herbs. I have completed Prenatal Care and am concurrently taking a nutrition class through the Tacoma Public Library System's online education website.

Hiking with Saul

I use the verb "hiking" loosely in describing the long walk we took yesterday. I still feel a little shaky after the flu, so I thought of things that could get my brother and I out of the house and into an abnormally warm and sunny day. There are several parks nearby that I have yet to visit this summer and I decided on one that was a few blocks away.

Kobayashi Park, our park of choice for the excursion, is located in University Place near Chambers Creek. It is currently open while the housing structure is under construction. From what I understand, the property used to be owned by a couple who had a small house and pool overlooking the creek. The couple tried selling the house, but instead turned it into a rental home. The rental home eventually became too much of a liability and is now under construction. Supposedly it is being turned into a gazebo for public use. 

The park has two distinct sets of trails, the easier of which we explored. It was a good outing to say the least.

Our signature "bored" look. Well, close enough.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem

Months ago, I had the opportunity to attend Cirque du Soleil's Totem in Portland. This post has been a long time coming - for some reason I could not stop myself from raving about how much I loved Totem and how much I wanted to run away with the circus. I think by now I have finally formed a semi-coherent message.

Just looking at this photo makes my heart race. The entrance to the grand chateau.

As soon as I saw the tents from the highway, I squealed. There is something about the swirl of blue and yellow that excites my inner child. The circus is here! The circus is here! I look forward to seeing the strange costumes, listening to the beautiful music, and watching the amazing acrobats perform. Every show is unique, but each re-ignites my imagination. Entering the tent is similar to walking through the wardrobe into Narnia; a magnificent world lies within.

The inside of the tent. The umbrellas changed colors sporadically.

It is pronounced To-tem, not To-tem. That is one of the first things I noticed about the show. The next thing I noticed was the staging and lights. There was a mountainous rock placed at the base of a hill-like structure. A life-like stream of water was projected over the structure leading down to the rock. It seemed as though the audience was amidst a rainforest with reeds swaying at the top of the hill.

My brother and I stare in awe as we walk through the tent's entrance.

One of the things I will always appreciate about le Cirque is its theatricality. It always has the perfect mix of flair and humor balanced with a message. For several shows now, I have taken in the performance then reflected on its meaning. Sometimes I will purchase the program to gain insight into the story flowing through the performance, but oftentimes a deeper message is presented. Either that or I truly do find meaning in nothing...

I do love a good bucket of popcorn.

Staging and lighting - beautiful as ever.

Apart from a wonderful message and beautiful audio and visual effects, I enjoy spending time with others who appreciate the performances. Each have their own thrilling feats and incredible designs that are only possible in Cirque du Soleil. Take a moment to consider that circuses, in essence, celebrate the spectacular. It seems that no organization does it best than le Cirque.

My family and I posing after the performance. Or at least trying to.

Communal Illness Brings People Together

Recently a few family members, including myself, befell what can be called the 24-hour flu. In all honesty, it was not 24 hours. Some family members are still recovering from it, while others have already washed their hands (literally and metaphorically) of it. In reflection, I noticed some camaraderie amongst family members and it seemed to bring us closer together under a shared, awful experience.

Thinking back to the days when it was "all the rage" to catch chicken pox, I remember slightly hating it because it seemed as if I was the only one in the world to have caught it. My sister had passed it onto me a week into the new year. Unfortunately, she recovered earlier than I, having suffered from chicken pox weeks before I did. I suppose it would have been nice to have her around while I lazed about, struggling not to itch every inch of my body and being reprimanded if I did.

My thoughts also follow to a lecture in my chronic illness course this past semester. We were discussing cystic fibrosis and the lay community surrounding the disease. Up until recently, children with cystic fibrosis were roomed in hospitals together to also share in the camaraderie of illness. Children were allowed to play together and families encouraged to mingle in such wings. Unfortunately and fortunately, it was discovered that the risks for respiratory infections increased with co-habitation of the children. The shared environment also encouraged the growth of antibiotic-resistant organisms as well as their transmission to the room's inhabitants. Thus, the social aspect of the illness was put aside while the importance of the physiological aspect emerged.

Needless to say, we are human. We seek for interconnectedness even within illness and it is a fact that I hope all healthcare providers will acknowledge, if not cherish.

My Cousin's Graduation Part #2

My cousin graduated this past Wednesday in the top 5% of her class! Family and friends all congregated on Saturday to celebrated her accomplishments, including but not limited to committing to play soccer at a local college. She is also one of the most humble people I know - a trait that will be exemplified in the following reflection.

The graduate on the right along with her sister, her brother, our cousin and I.

The celebration itself was wonderful - lots of conversation, food, and fun. The majority of my extended family was there as well as the majority of my cousin's extended family was there. I have spent more and more time over the years with my cousin's family and thus have spent time with my cousin's extended family.

My great-aunts and grandma having a lively conversation on the couch.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got out of the car near my cousin's house and two of her small cousins ran up and hugged me. They were happy to see me! I ventured inside and saw that there were people who I recognized from previous gatherings including my cousin's neighbors and fellow church members. It was great to see familiar faces.

My cousin playing chair for my brother.

As I spoke about my education thus far and how passionate I am about nursing, I imagined my cousin in a year's time doing the same thing. After a while, I noticed that my cousin spent most of her time huddling in corners and generally looking worn-out. When I finally got the chance to speak to her, I found out she was ill. Can you imagine? Feeling ill at a graduation celebration, nevertheless one's own! My cousin tried to be as present to others as she could be while she was battling nausea and a severe headache. Bless. I may have enjoyed her party more than she did.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I initially did not notice that the girl
on the cover of the book was floating in midair.

By the title alone, one might expect the book to be an... unusual sort of book. Written by Ransom Riggs, the novel covers the formative years of Jacob Portman and his relationship with his grandfather, Abraham Portman. Born into a comparatively wealthy family, Jacob was fostered by his grandfather's stories in his youth only to disregard them in his teenage years as "fairy stories." One evening, his grandfather calls him hysterical about the monsters he had spoken to Jacob of years before. What follows is Jacob's search for the truth about his grandfather and his grandfather's stories.

The plot itself is not what I found most fascinating about the book... It was the story intricately woven between the black-and-white photos enclosed in the book. Riggs used strangers photos to highlight the mysterious and strange children described in the novel. The photos were taken from various collections, making them all the more valuable in the detailing of an interesting story.

I often wonder about old photographs and what stories they hold, portraits in particular.

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Who is this girl? How old is she? Why is this photograph being taken? Is it a special occasion? Is she unhappy? Is she serene? What is she looking at?

All the questions and more stem from one simple picture. It takes a certain kind of storyteller to be able to weave a story out of several random photographs - not to mention an intriguing one.

Traveling with Liv: Airports and Flying

With my increasing interest in traveling, I thought I would do a post about my traveling essentials. (Not that I am in any way qualified as a traveling guru.)

Firstly I gather all my traveling bags. I start off with choosing a bright, versatile purse. Then I bring out my gunslingers - my backpack and suitcase. My backpack is deceivingly large. I typically use it for overnighter stays as it is easy to pack and carry and is suitable for almost any change in weather I may experience. The suitcase is actually borrowed from my father, but I loved it so much that he "permanently-temporarily lent" it to me. It has separate compartments perfect for electronic cords, shoes, and liquids. The compactness and reversible wheels of the suitcase make it all the more appealing for traveling. 

Next up to pack are the electronics: my laptop, camera, and earphones. My camera is a Nikon Coolpix - not the best, but perfect for traveling. I use rechargeable batteries for my camera so I typically also pack the battery charger. Depending on the destination, I may also pack an external battery pack for my iPhone. The earphones I use are Skullcandy. I have had them for years and I will never use another kind! They have a volume adjuster and a microphone on the left ear strand which makes multitasking so much easier. They also stay in my ear really well during exercise making them all the more valuable.

I also pack an empty water bottle - REMEMBER TO KEEP HYDRATED!

I typically arrive around 2-3 hours before my departure in order to bustle through security and whatnot. As bad as everyone makes getting through security seem, it is not the worst experience one could have. Granted, I do spend a majority of my time the night before a flight checking and double-checking security information to make sure I am in compliance.

Once through security, I immediately head for the nearest Starbucks or other coffee stop available. Although flying can be dehydrating, I make sure I am caffeinated for the flight so I do not experience jet-lag.

Sometimes I will buy extra snacks, as pictured. Lately I have been trying to not snack as much and stay healthy while traveling, but I felt a few solid weeks of nursing school was deserving of a small tin of Pringles and gum.

After my mini-shopping spree, I settle in for about an hour with various forms of social media, such as Blogger, Twitter, and Tumblr. As much as my online interaction relaxes me, oftentimes I find myself befriending others on the flight - which can prove useful in situations when there is a full flight!

Occasionally, I spend some time writing out lists or jotting down thoughts as they come to me. Then, I will simply sit and people-watch for the remainder of the time before boarding.

After I board, I try to make myself as comfortable as possible to endure a long flight. Frequently my friendliness pays off and I am able to enjoy a conversation or two before either dropping off to sleep or settling into a good book.

At some point during the flight, I make sure to fill my water bottle if I have not already. I also try to remember to take a stretch break every once and a while to walk to the bathroom and back. I tend to get restless toward the end of the flight when seatbelts are required and aisle use is limited, so taking stretch breaks alleviates any tension that accumulates.

Upon landing, I make sure to thank and say goodbye to all those that I encountered on the flight. Depending on the airline, I sometimes see the stewards and stewardesses on my return flight. I figure if I am nice to them then they may remember me the next time and will return the kindness. 

Gathering my belongings can be tedious, but I try to remind myself that despite its discomforts, flying allows me to enjoy my destination for longer.

For example, hopping off a plane and driving straight to the beach.

Scout: Explore - Create - Share

I have always loved libraries, but I am definitely starting to appreciate them more now. The Pierce County Library has recently begun an online program called Scout in which members are encouraged to explore different subjects, create works of art and projects, and share experiences.

The program rewards members with points that add up to badges. The leaderboard allows members to show the points and badges standings in the community to encourage others to continue their progress with Scout.

Badges include Book Reinvention, Transit Authority, Bubblesmith, and more. They involve all areas and ages of life, but the program itself is particularly geared towards adults. Each badge consists of various activities that are worth a certain amount of points. For instance, in the Rebelious Reading badge one activity is to find a challenged or banned book to read. Some activities are more time consuming than others to complete, but each badge requires some form of community interaction.

I am enjoying Scout very much - it is broadening my mind to ideas to add to the List. I encourage everyone in the Pierce County area to join in the fun. Click on one of the links above or visit scout.pcls.us for more information.

Pentecost: Happy Birthday to the Church!

As I may have mentioned, I am a Catholic and today I celebrated the feast of Pentecost. Although I do not know what the word "pentecost" actually means, I do know what it stands for in the Church. Centuries ago, the apostles were visited by the Holy Spirit and were given the ability to speak in different languages to spread the Good News.

The first thing that I am reminded of during Pentecost is my inability to speak more than one language comfortably. The gift that the Holy Spirit gave the apostles was an incredible gift and one that was not taken lightly. The ability to communicate with thousands upon thousands of people without language barriers impeding on the direct message is amazing. It reminds me of a character from one of my favorite books, Bel Canto, who is a translator of many languages. His actions brought together a people who had otherwise lost their common link.

The second thing that Pentecost reminds me of is the Holy Spirit. I have always had a better relationship with the Holy Spirit than God the Father and God the Son, or so it feels like. I trust in the feelings that move me to do something kind or compassionate because I know it is the Holy Spirit. I frequently ask God to let the Holy Spirit guide me in such a way that I do His Will and that my thoughts and actions will be sensitive to His presence in others.

The last, but not least, thing Pentecost reminds me of is the Church. The Holy Spirit is one of the most important parts of the Church, whether or not we realize it. It is the Holy Spirit which united the early Church and which continues to unite us today.

That being said, Happy Birthday Church!

My Cousin's Graduation, Part 1

My cousin is the baby of her family, although you would not know it based on her height. The tallest of three girls, my cousin excels in athletics the way the tallest shrubs absorb the most sunlight. Meaning, my cousin has had the support of her older sisters throughout her career. She recently signed with a local college to play soccer and will be moving away from home for the first time come August.

My cousin, the graduate, surrounded by
 her cousins, aunt, and great aunt.

First of all, I am ridiculously proud of her for going away to college. It takes a lot of determination and courage to decide to move away from home to pursue education, whether or not it ends in a "successful" career. Being away from family for an extended period of time is an experience I recommend. It has helped shape who I am - and as homesick as I get, I do not regret living away hours away from home. 

Secondly, my cousin is pursuing a collegiate career in a sport. How incredible is that?! I can only imagine the increased level of competition athletes face in college. Not only that, but they are students as well! In the hopes that student athletes take advantage of the opportunities given to them to further their education as well as career, the strength it takes to endure the pressure they face is admirable. 

Thirdly, my cousin is adventuring into higher education with an open mind in regards to her career. She has interests that will guide her, but she is entering with an undeclared major. Knowing my cousin, she will not let the array of course choices faze her in determining her path. If she is one thing, she is headstrong.

My hope is that I can play some role in her college career - helping her whenever she needs it or giving her the encouragement she needs to continue on her journey.

Summer is Here!

Packing for the summer was tedious.

Thank goodness for summer! It has been almost a week since I left school and I have spent much of that time with my family. I may have had an over-indulgence in self-care this last week - I went to the public library several times, re-organized my room, did a bit of spring cleaning, and snuggled with my pup, Echo. I am so happy to be home!!

The end of the semester came more swiftly than I would have ever imagined. Preparing for exams was a lot less stressful than it was last semester, although knowing I had to pack everything away for the summer was taxing my concentration.

Taking the HESI this semester was quite an experience. We were told that there was a focus on mental health and pharmacology, both subjects in which I excelled. The exam itself was more difficult than I anticipated and it was disturbing how unprepared I felt for it. Considering it started off finals week, the unexpected results shed a pall over the second semester students. As if we needed more excuses to drink.

Enjoying the sun with my brother and aunt.

Despite the challenge finals posed, it was such a relief to be able to pack and move on my own. Usually my parents come and help, but... sometimes three is a crowd. I was fortunate enough to find storage nearby the campus. After my last final I hastily packed up my things and, with the help of several friends, moved them into the storage unit. Neither my things nor us movers sustained damages, physically or otherwise.

Before I came "home" home, I was able to have drinks with my traveling aunt and help my cousin with a graduation speech. I adopted for the summer my friend's fish and was even able to bond with it slightly before making the long(-ish) journey home.

Now that I am home, I am waiting on my CNA license to come through to practice at a local clinic or hospital. The licensing process, however, is taking much longer than I expected. I may end up job-shadowing for most of my summer, but in any case I would rather that than random summer activities. I will be traveling a bit this summer for various reasons which I will explain at a later date. In any case, I will be blogging more frequently and hope that each post will be interesting enough to spend a few minutes of these long summer days reading.

(P.S. I passed all my courses, in case anyone was wondering.)

I look forward to more sunny days spent outdoors!