OSCES are over!

I had my  Objective Structured Clinical Examination, commonly known as OSCEs, this afternoon. I found the entire experience absolutely nerve wracking, but looking back on it , after the fact, I can see how it can be fun, and even relaxing, in future semesters now that I know what to expect. I still have three final exams left (Health and Healing tomorrow, Anatomy and Physiology on Thursday, and Professional Development on Friday), so I still don't have any spare time, but the end is in sight! I know that I have passed all of my courses before going into any exams, so that is reassuring - I can't fail anything even if a bumble through the finals. Nonetheless, I am still studying hard. The nerd in me hasn't burned out, even after four years of university. Perhaps this is a good thing. I know I would be upset if I had a 60% nurse... so I should strive to learn the most and get the highest marks I can. I look forward to having some time off between first and second semester (especially to post here). Unfortunately I will still be kept busy - CT scan on the 20th, appointment with ID specialist on the 23rd, appointment with OS on May 1st, packing stuff to move back to Hamilton for the summer, help mum clean/de-clutter basement before my grandfather visits in June. At least I will be able to sleep in a bit, and sit in the shade with a good, non-nursing related book as the weather improves! Back to studying now... almost done the female reproductive system, and then just have to finish the inflammation unit tomorrow before the exam on Thursday.

Haven't forgotten to post...

I will post about the appointment I had last week to get a second surgical opinion on my chronic bone infection later this week. Posting on here has been something I really wanted to do this past week, but preparing for final exams and OSCES has kept me away from my computer (well... not entirely - I have been typing out tones of final assignments and presentations, but I haven't been able to do anything particularly fun!). I have sat down several days in a row, right before bed, hoping to write out my thoughts, but ended up nearly falling asleep sitting up right, laptop of my knees, head on the keyboard, several times. Fortunately, all my final projects are know done an submitted, a major poster project has been presented, one final exam is already completed, and I feel prepared for osces on Tuesday. I only have one class (Lab - high fidelity simulation day!) tomorrow morning, and then have the rest of Wednesday and all of Thursday off before attending the final clinical of the semester on Friday and writing another final Saturday morning. Sunday/Monday will be off, followed by osces and then three days of finals. After Friday April 17 at 11 am I will be free and able to hibernate for sixteen whole days!

On a sad and unrelated note, one of my guinea pigs, Lumen, has become ill. She appears to have bumblefoot on her two front paws, is shedding much more than usual, has lost a fair bit of weight in only a few days, and has gunky eyes. I am doing my best to nurse her back to health, but am not sure if she will make it. She is almost four years old. While some books I read state that guinea pigs can live til 7 or 8, the average seems to be 5, with some sources saying about 4 years old. I hope this is not the end for my sweet piggy- I got her a few weeks after I was finally diagnosed with chronic osteoymelits, so she has been with me through a lot =) It is also horrible to see any living thing in pain or suffering. You know your guinea pig is unwell when she doesn't even want a carrot to nibble on! I will hope for the best outcome. It would be horrible for my other piggy, Luna, to be on her own - guinea pigs are social animals, and are best kept in pairs. They easily become depressed if they live on their own.