Living the Dream

Skeleton

2012-10-07T07:29:00.000-06:00

Talia's costume for Halloween!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

The Mom Reviews

2012-09-27T06:14:00.003-06:00

On proofing the following, I have a lot of grammar errors, but remember I am low on sleep and have little bits of time here and there to write, so I apologize in advance.

So, usually I post on the joys of neurosurgery, but since I am on the research part of my rotation things are slow for a change! I am trying to squeeze in study time, do house work, and spend time with Talia before my schedule gets demanding once again.

I didn't know one thing about being a mom before having Talia.

Luckily, my nursing staff hosted a baby shower for me, and gave me tons of advice. So I thought over the course of the next several weeks, I would post it for anyone else out there who might find it useful. So my first product I am going to review is car seat! Actually, my Program Director gave me mine at my shower

The car seat should be the one thing you purchase new (not knowing their past history of accidents may make them defective....the small amount of money buying them used is not worth it). Mine cost ($75) and can be used until she is 22lbs or 29 inches in length.

Also to note, car seats all have expiration dates as well, in which they should not be used past.

Once you have installed them in your vehicle, their are places (dmv.virginia.gov for our area) in your community which will inspect them for you to make sure you have done this correctly. A simple google search will point you in the correct direction. On this same line, car seat and booster seat should be worn until your child is the correct weight and height where they don't need them anymore. I have seen trauma associated to the seat belt being too high on the abdomen so this should not be taken lightly either as your child gets older don't let them talk you out of the booster seat if it is necessary.

Talia loves her car seat! Here is her first trip in it when we were going for a check-up to her pediatrician.

The other cool thing about this infant car seat is that you can place it in the associated stroller. (Brian and I registered for both not even realizing this until later. Thanks to the faculty at Brian's school got us the stroller:

It is nice, and easy to use. I took Talia on a walk around the neighborhood on Monday in it and here is a photo. (You can actually only see the car seat, but the stroller had a place for me to take my water and lots of storage space underneath). Brian did register for a $300+ stroller on Amazon, but I personally like this one ($60) at Target.

So in summary, if you have a car.....a car seat is a MUST! The stroller isn't a must, but it is pretty high up there in the you need category. Having one which accommodates an infant carseat is practical and affordable.

Amazon Mom Membership

2012-09-17T10:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, I know, I would never had been interested in baby deals before having Talia, but Amazon Mom has to be the best place to purchase diapers. From google searches, they did make moms mad a little over a year ago when they started charching ~$80 a year for Amazon Mom membership and cut the discount on diapers to only 20%, but for me the value is still there. Brian already had an Amazon Prime membership so I am now able to get Pampers Swaddlers for $.16 when we went to Sam's yesterday and those were inexpensive but still $.19! the other positive, and I don't know how long this will last, but in Virginia we aren't paying taxes, so the diapers are tax free and shipping is free as well and you get them within 2-3 business days. To get the major 20% discount you sign-up for a delivery schedule for either monthly, every other month, etc. which can be canceled at anytime. For me, this service is great. It keeps Brian or me filling up our shopping cart with Pampers instead of other items as well as giving us at least a several dollar discount on diaper even when compared with the mega discount stores like Wal-Mart and Sam's. I would say I figured this out myself, but one of Brian's old high school friends who is a CRNA told Brian about it. So, I figured it was something that was spread mostly from word of mouth, especially to those who don't get much extra time to figure these things out.....

Talia

2012-09-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

LeslieRibbons: My New Etsy Shop

2012-08-26T08:38:00.001-06:00

Free shipping for Orders on $15 or more!

Talia

2012-08-26T08:37:00.000-06:00

So, it has been quite a while since I've posted on this blog.

I thought in November I was truly blessed and thankful. However, God blessed me on a short time after that with the news of being pregnant with a little girl. I brought Talia home from the hospital one week ago today. When I thought I had it all, God gave me even more.

I am truly thankful to him as well as my husband, our families and friends who have supported us during this time in our lives. I also thank my co-workers (fellow residents) who despite me being on my research rotation are holding down the fort while I'm on maternity leave spending time with Talia and recovering.

Again, I apologize for my hiatus, but it was a busy year at work as well as at home. I will try to stay in contact more, or at least for the next few months while I study for my boards and work on research projects!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T13:04:00.001-06:00

It's been awhile since I have posted.

I have been working 24/7 this year, but I still enjoy my job!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Trip to Maymont

2011-07-03T14:33:00.009-06:00

Last weekend, Brian got home from his trip to see his family. I had finished my morning rounds on the VA service, so we decided to go to Maymont on a date to visit the gardens. Right when we were finished, I got called back to the VA for a STAT neurosurgery consult, but nonetheless, Brian and I had a good early afternoon together. Brian took all the photos....so I can't take credit for them, but they are beautiful.

Brian & Me in the Japanese Garden.

Flowers in the Italian Garden.

@ the Petting Zoo

VCU Headed to the Final Four

2011-03-27T15:13:00.003-06:00

@ the 9:00 minute mark Coach Smart refers to Kansas having a 44% odds of winning a title vs. VCU's 0.9% chance. He quotes the movie Dumb and Dumber. Well, VCU's odds just got a little bit higher after the defeat of Kansas. Good job to Shaka Smart and his basketball team! Too bad I'm on call at the hospital next week for the Butler game.

Who is this Guy?

2011-03-26T06:43:00.003-06:00

In November this past year, we got an email that instead of attending our weekly Neurosurgery Grand Rounds, we were going to crash the Department of Surgery Grand Rounds. Dr. Neifeld, the Department of Surgery Chairman, is a fan and supporter of VCU Basketball. He had organized for Coach Shaka Smart, the Head Men's Basketball Coach to lecture the residents and faculty on "leadership and teamwork". The email sent out defined the outline of the talk:

Define philosophy of teamwork both on and off the court

Outline how we apply leadership principles within our jobs, and how we strive to develop leaders among our student athletes.

Describe how our world of leadership and teamwork might relate to those at the health system.

To be honest, I was a little skeptical. Who is this guy? How can basketball relate to surgery? What can this new coach teach me?

However, 10-15 minutes into his talk, Coach Shaka Smart had my attention. He was frank, honest, and had the attention of all the residents and faculty. I could see why he was invited to speak to us. Thus, his recent run and his team's ability to make it to the Elite 8 doesn't surprise me.

He touches a little bit on leadership of his team in the following news clip following the victory over Florida State. He has strong leaders on his team, in fact, he has a team of leaders.

VCU has Kansas, which is a big hurdle nonetheless. But this recent run in the NCAA March Madness tournament shows the rest of the country what I witnessed first hand at our Surgery Grand Rounds.

Coach Smart has potential, is not only a leader himself, but is able to create a teamwork atmosphere and make leaders out of his players. Thus, he has gone from who is this guy and why is his team in the tournament???? to a household name in the last 2 weeks.....

He has a promising career ahead of him.

VCU in the Sweet 16!!!!

2011-03-25T15:52:00.000-06:00

Chocolates

2011-03-21T14:22:00.002-06:00

So, I am on my last two weeks out here at the VA. (I do have to come out and rotate in June, so honestly, I'm not completely finished with my PGY-3 year).

Today, I had one of the worst headaches this morning. We were closing, and I scrubbed out to grab me some Motrin.

When I got to my desk, I had a box of chocolates and a note stating that one of my patients in spinal cord injury had wanted them given to me.

Let's just say, it turned my "frown upside down".

Back in January, I had met this patient. I was in a bad mood that day. All the demands of my job can be very daunting. He was so inspiring that I just was uplifted when I came out of his room. I told him, I think we needed to operate. It would make him better, and with his determination, he would get better. I remember him saying, "you know what is best, whatever you say."

Since his surgery, I check on him weekly, and sure enough....he gets better every single time I see him. He is determined to walk, and if anyone could, he has the heart and the determination to.

However, the box of cholocates was covered with a picture of flowers and a bible (which means a lot to me since I'm always missing church because I work all the time).

On the box of chocolates was a scripture:

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live...and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26

Once again, my patient made my day. He reminded me again why I do this job and in his own way he let me know I have been a witness to others concerning my faith.

Double Take

2011-01-10T14:42:00.004-06:00

So currently, I am rotating through the Richmond Veterans Hospital.

I was down in the spinal cord injury checking on a patient. I was walking out to the lobby when I heard "Hey Doc!"

I looked up, there was one of my old patients.

I replied, "almost didn't recognize you without your wheelchair....you're walking now....look at you!" In the same sentence I saw he was in his Indianapolis Colt's jersey. I replied, too bad about your team.....

He said, "I know...."

He introduced me to one of his friends...and said, "This was the Doc that made me better, if I ever break my neck again, I want her operating on me". I blushed.....

I do remember him. I remember the fact that he wanted me and only me to do the surgery. Which is quite unusual. Some patient's only want the attendings, but not him. I remember consenting him for the procedure. He could barely sign his initials.....now he was walking.

So after we talked about the past weekends football teams, we parted.

However, I took a double take, and watched him walk down the hall.....I couldn't believe it, but it was possible.....he was in fact walking.

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-26T07:33:00.003-06:00

Mom & Dad are visiting for Christmas. Had a wonderful day with them yesterday. Saw the movie True Grit which I recommend highly. We then celebrated Christmas Dinner and it began to snow even harder and I awoke to this Winter Wonderland picture this morning. I took the photographs from my second floor office, and as you can see, I still have procrastinated getting the newspaper. I'm waiting for everyone to get up so I can fix breakfast!! Anyway, I wish everyone a happy holiday season!

The newspapper in the driveway..........

World Of Jenks | Ep. 12 | Black & Gold

2010-11-26T08:06:00.002-06:00

World Of Jenks | Ep. 12 | Black & Gold

My mom asked me to watch this documentary on Herschel Sims, a running back for Abilene High School. Even though I bleed Red & Blue (Abilene Cooper High School), I must commend this young man. World of Jenks is a show on MTV where filmmaker Andrew Jenks spends time with individuals from all walks of life.

The last episode of the season is about Herschel Sims, a star running back for Abilene High School. It talks about the struggles he has undergone in his life, and how he has overcome them.

If you have 45 minutes to watch, I would recommend it.... Just click on the link above.

Being Thankful

2010-11-26T07:23:00.002-06:00

I am a day late with this post, Thanksgiving was yesterday. And yes, I got the day off and spent it with my husband eating and baking!!!

On Wednesday, I cried for the third time in my residency career with a family. To be honest, I don't cry that often. The last time I did was on Christmas Day last year. I do pray though. I pray every morning on my way to work. I pray for my family and then for my patients. I pray for God to be there when I fall short and to be with them and their families.

Last Christmas, I went back to the resident room and called my dad. I had gotten off early and was talking to my dad this last Wednesday as well as I drove into the Walmart parking lot to buy some last minutes odds and ends before Thanksgiving.

God must have been listening because....

I was in the nut and dried fruit aisle and there was a full basket sitting there, with no owner around. It had bread at the front of it, so this lady pulled up in her scooter and asked me where I had gotten it. I was ready to say it was not my basket but I could show her where the bread was when I noticed it was one of my patient's spouses from the VA. I showed her the bread aisle and she went on to say how wonderful a physician I had been and her husband was somewhere up at the front of the store.

I remember when he had come in. Sometime in the evening hours, but I had stayed up there all night pretty much. The family had asked me to pray with them, I do remember that. I remember thinking in my heart it could go either way and to be truthful I wasn't optimistic.

However, I saw my patient while checking out. His wife said, this is Dr. Hutchins.....she is the neurosurgeon that took care of you, operated on you, and saved your life. He grinned from ear to ear.

We don't usually see the good outcomes. Sometimes their families will bring them back to the unit to visit, but they rarely remember that part in their hospitalization.

Only God could show me through others, I have a lot to be thankful for.

Management of Concussions Presentation

2010-11-26T07:19:00.000-06:00

Management of concussions

View more presentations from LeslieHutchinsMD.

Sunset with Brian

2010-11-06T14:53:00.004-06:00

Last weekend, Brian and I went out to eat on Saturday since I was on call on Sunday. (I escaped Halloween night and handing out candy). We spent the evening at a restaurant about 3 mile from our house called The Boathouse since I found a coupon in the local paper for $10 off.

Anway, we had a wonderful time. Afterwards we sat on the lake for 15 minutes, enjoying the sunset.

It is interesting. A lot of people will ask me about Brian, especially a lot of people at VCU who I work with. They probably wonder what type of man is supportive to have his wife gone at least 70-90 hours every week. All I can say, I am very lucky. Whether it is date night or doing a TV marathon of all the shows we missed all week off the DVR, we try to enjoy the time we do have off together. Brian usually will have supper ready or I will bring something home. He also pretty much does the routine housework, unless I have a day off and the energy to be Mr. Clean. Again, I am lucky to have such a best friend.

Besides Brian, I have my family as well as some close friends and mentors, and most importantly my relationship with God. That is really how I do it day in and day out. Otherwise, I couldn't. My job is just that physically and emotionally demanding.

But the main thing I have learned in my profession, you must enjoy each and everyday you have. So even if you go even more than I do, be sure to take a break every now and then, especially with your loved ones, and enjoy the beauty God has blessed us with....enjoy the sunset.

Some iPhone Photos from My Vacation

2010-11-06T14:45:00.003-06:00

My Grandparent's Okra....maybe because it was so dry this year,

okra grew well in my garden as well.

Nana by the okra

Grandy in his Diesel

Blue Boy stays in the truck at the farm to keep him from chasing all the farm cats.

I strike a pose at my high school reunion....for all you wondering, I look exactly the same pretty much except now I wear glasses since I work such long hours my eyes wouldn't support contacts.

Sporting the Letter Jacket.....

2010-10-19T19:50:00.004-06:00

Class photo during half time at the Cooper vs. Permian Football Game

Kelly, Shelana, Celeste, Nikki, and Me @ Half Time

....Hopefully more photos to come once my friends forward them.

Back Home

2010-10-16T13:31:00.002-06:00

So I set up my vacation time where I would be able to come back for my 10 year high school reunion. So I'm back in Abilene for the first time since my sister's wedding which has been ~2 years. I am also going to spend some time in Dallas visiting the sister as well as East Texas visiting my grandparents as well as my aunt and cousins.....then back to work.

Last night spent some time with my fellow classmates at the game.

Cooper beat Odessa Permian (for all those non-Texas folks aka "Friday Night Lights).

It's weird being back. You don't feel that much time has past, but the player and the band have new uniforms. Shotwell (the stadium) now has paved parking and the field is now Turf.

It's great seeing everyone. Our dinner is tonight and it will be neat to see where everyone has moved and what they are up to.

Of course I forgot my camera.......(I did pack post-call and barely made it to the airport in time). However, maybe some will post some of the pics on their facebook page and I can post those later.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Mileage

2010-09-18T12:08:00.004-06:00

My Pontiac Firebird hit 150,000 miles last Sunday. I hope it keeps on running for many miles to come. (crossing my fingers).

I decided to post this because I think a lot of people have misconceptions of physicians. Yes, I'm just a resident, but I'm looking at +160,000 in loan debt (~$500) I am having to pay off every month right now and the other $1500 a month I try to defer each year because right now I can't afford that and have a roof over my head at the same time.

Especially with Detroit and the auto industry taking a bust and everyone complaining how American cars weren't dependable, I use to say if my Firebird could give me just ten years I would be happy. We are past that now, and I pray everyday that it keeps on running. However, when we passed the 150,000 mile mark, she made me proud and I took a picture.

A Message to Garcia

2010-09-07T14:43:00.003-06:00

A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard is a story that is a motto to our neurosurgery department.

A Message to Garcia takes place at the time of the Spanish-American War, when the United States decided to join the Cuban revolutionaries. President McKinley wanted to send a message to General Garcia in the mountains of Cuba, stating that the United States would join his effort.

President McKinley asks a number of people if they would be willing to carry this message. However, he was met with responses such as "How do I get to Cuba and, once I get there, what do I do?" and "What do I do when I meet General Garcia?" The President couldn't find anyone who would deliver his message. All he encountered were excuses or obstacles keeping them from doing so.

Finally, someone said, "Mr. President, I know someone who will deliver the message; it is Colonel Rowan." Colonel Rowan was invited to appear, and President McKinley said, "I have a message that I would like you to deliver to General Garcia." Colonel Rowan said, "The message will be delivered," and walked out, not asking how, why, or when.

Thus, there have been multiple times when obstacles occur and I must figure out how to get the task done. Sometimes the task seems pretty much impossible.

However, Friday, one such task came across my plate. Again, I thought of the motto and with the help of others, got the task solved. Many of times over the last two years, no one seems to notice. They notice when it isn't accomplished. However, today, my attending did notice.

I got a huge bag of treats to share and a Thank You note on my desk. I took a photo, to keep on my phone to remember that people do notice. I swear, it made my day, and to be honest, it made my year. So, I will keep on.....keeping on with our motto, and never looking back.

Welcome to Boston

2010-08-01T18:22:00.003-06:00

So, this weekend I went to Buffalo for a Endoscopic Neurosurgery Conference, and I'm coming home changing planes in Boston. Much to my dismay, I have to go back through security to get to the terminal to catch my flight home to Richmond.

So I say to the Homeland Security Agent......I can't believe I have to go back through security, I have never had to do this at any other airport (not that I'm a frequent flyer but I have flown out of JFK, Newark, Ronald Reagan, Dallas, Atlanta, O'Hare, and Phoenix.....) & not once did I have to go back through. This meant, throwing away my water bottle. To my dismay, the agent tells me all the stuff "make sure you take off your belt and shoes....." Before he can't get much more out, I reply, I know how to go through security, I have had my fair share of traveling....just never been to Boston.

He grins and in the thickest Boston accent you can get he says, "well Miss, Welcome to Boston."

Four decades later, VCU doctor gets a special thank you

2010-07-23T16:52:00.002-06:00

Thought I would share the following newspaper article concerning my Chairman. I was able to meet Mr. Mason at our neurosurgery's grand rounds 2 weeks ago. Our grand rounds as well as the following article made me very proud of my Chairman, and an honor to be one of the residents he is training.

Bill Lohmann: Four decades later, VCU doctor gets a special thank you
By Bill Lohmann TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNISTPublished: July 21, 2010

The first time Dr. Harold Young made Donald Mason's acquaintance, Mason was lying on a table with a hole in his head and death was a fair bet.
The scene was Vietnam, December 1969. Young was an Army surgeon and Mason a young soldier who couldn't get out of the way of an exploding grenade. His prognosis was poor, Young recalled.

Mason, in a coma at the time, remembers none of it.

Months later, Mason again found himself in Young's care at an Army hospital in Colorado, and still again in Kansas City. And then Young left the Army, and though Mason thought of the doctor often, he never knew Young's first name -- after all, there are a lot of Dr. Youngs across America -- and didn't know how to call him and say thank you.

That was until last Thursday when Mason, with a cane and a smile, walked into Young's office at VCU Medical Center and did just that.

"Fantastic, fabulous, glad, happy, proud. There's no words to describe it," Mason said yesterday of meeting Young as we sat in a conference room on the sixth floor of the medical center's Ambulatory Care Center -- the sixth floor, I might add, that has a name: The Harold F. Young Neurosurgical Center.

"To me," Mason said of Young, chairman of VCU's Department of Neurosurgery, "he's a hero."
Not many patients from his Army days have followed Young here, so Mason's arrival for a visit clearly delighted him. It's really quite something, Young said, "to see someone come back 41 years later that you treated in the jungle and has made something of his life and is grateful."
Mason's wife of 29 years, Donna, discovered Young's full name last month while combing through her husband's medical records and tracked him down through the Internet. They traveled to the East Coast from their home in Lebanon, Mo., to call on Young, to attend a reunion of his platoon in Connecticut and to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.
"It's been quite the trip," Donna Mason said.

Don Mason, now 61, was a 21-year-old machine-gunner when his life changed forever. It was just after dark on a rainy night when the grenades started landing all around him in the mud.
"You'd hear a KER-THUD and then in a little while they'd go off," Mason said.

A medic, who later told Mason he "looked like a hopeless case," bandaged his buddy and put him on a chopper to Chu Lai where Young worked on him. His life saved, Mason's task turned to a long recovery from what has come to be known in more recent times as traumatic brain injury.
He has been medically retired since wartime. He has held occasional jobs but finds his brain doesn't function as it once did.

"I can do the job, but I have to do it in my own time," he said. "My brain, whenever I get too much in it, it's like overloading an electrical circuit."

His injuries have kept him from working, but not from doing good work. He volunteers for groups like the Red Cross, and he helped Donna oversee the establishment of a Fallen Warriors Memorial in their hometown. In addition to their kids, the Masons have taken in 46 foster children over the years, specializing in "failure-to-thrive" babies who have serious medical problems because of abuse, neglect or other issues.

"Most of them were [diagnosed as] unattachable and unadoptable," said Don Mason, "and every one of them learned to attach and got adopted."

The Masons adopted one of the children, a girl who suffered a brain injury before birth. But Don and Donna Mason know all about brain injuries, and they didn't give up on her. The child? She graduated from high school, got married and has children.

"This guy has nearly a lethal wound, yet he turns his life around," marveled Young, "and he's grateful and has given back so much.

"He's my hero."

Contact Bill Lohmann at (804) 649-6639 or wlohmann@timesdispatch.com.