Skills

   The second week of school has thought me a few things:

1. Do not be over confident in my math skills. (Also do not rush on quizzes.)

2.  There will be a lot of time spent practicing fundamental skills on my own.

3.  Other people will not understand if you prioritize school above tragedy.

4. Cancer is now even with burning on the list of ways I do not want to die.

     Watching someone close to me die of cancer is by far the most depressing experience of my life. In fact I can see now why people claim that they would rather, 'live fast and die young'.
      As you watch someone transition over the course of six months from uncomfortable to writing in agony it provides plenty of think time about how you want to go your self. I suppose that most people hope to live a long life and die in their sleep. Some hope to lose their mind first while others want their body to shut down with a mind fully intact.  None of us get to choose how it goes so I guess there is no need to dwell, but when staring death in the face it's hard not to consider.
       I have also learned that different people handle things in different ways but there is a lot of strain put on entire families when people have a terminal illness. No one wants for them to be abandoned at hospice, but it is affects a person to sit and watch a dying friend fade in and out of consciousness  according to pain level. No one person can handle the load. We as nurses should also be mindful of the profound pain the loved ones are experiencing as we administer treatment to our patients. I'm sure there are other people in class who have been affected by cancer and to all of those I wish you my deepest sympathy and respect.
       Sorry this was a sombre blog. Next week will hopefully be better.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Mahatma Gandhi