tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92013306935615456812024-09-05T17:24:51.557-04:00Chasing JessieCollecting passport stamps, making new friends, teaching biology dissections, and rehabilitating baboons around the worldChasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-86051968720847285092014-12-20T10:07:00.000-05:002015-01-02T14:26:07.416-05:00Moving: All to come, All that is left behind
Moving is hard work.
Organizing your entire life into tiny boxes is not fun. Hauling boxes to moving trucks, moving
containers, or USPS is exhausting. But
honestly… the really hard work comes in the weeks preceding the move and I am not talking about boxes.
My last Memphis sunset as a resident
Many people tried to warn me of moving to Memphis last
year. “The crime Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-81594674399750973362014-12-14T12:09:00.002-05:002014-12-14T20:24:16.767-05:00Hugging Strangers
In 2006 Oprah conducted
an interview with Juan Mann, the founder of the “Free Hugs Campaign.” Free Hugs is a campaign that started when Juan Mann came back to his home country
of Australia, walked through the Sydney airport unaccompanied with desires of
embrace or friendly recognition; he felt alone and hopeless. Instead of rolling in his own sadness, he
acted (proactivity, one of myChasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Main Street, Memphis, TN, USA35.1145548 -90.059638735.1145548 -90.0596387 35.1145548 -90.0596387tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-66944108604803759622014-09-02T21:37:00.000-04:002014-09-03T15:37:10.447-04:00A coffee a day makes a registered dietitian?
At the end of the day on July 19th,
I was officially unemployed. My dietetic
internship was complete,
I was a few weeks away from eligibility to take the Registered Dietitian exam (paperwork, etc),
and I had a lot of studying to do BEFORE I would be prepared. Alas once again I was a student with no job
and at that moment, no credentials. In
the words of Scooby doo, “Ruh roh.”
Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com2Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-83169637288893558252014-06-24T19:50:00.001-04:002014-06-24T20:05:21.420-04:00Dietetic Internship Graduation! Week 41 of 41!
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Week 41 (of 41)
Graduation Week: Week 41 - THE LAST WEEK!!!
It felt like Staff Relief would
never end but hallelujah it did and the last week of this Dietetic Internship
has finally arrived! Graduation week!! This week spilled over with presentations,
final training, and paperwork; no work days were completed in less than 10
hours. To make this week even Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-32892929453647596442014-06-14T16:11:00.000-04:002014-06-16T14:09:48.622-04:00The Blackberry Walk Most days after work I exercise. Before I moved to Memphis, I was a bike
commuter for two years in Athens, GA, climbing 6-9 miles of hills daily in weather
ranging from 19°F to
92°F. I got used to it, donning a ski mask and
windproof gear in the winter, and buckets of sunscreen in the summer. Honestly, I really liked the sweatiness, but
I liked even more the constant Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-17529344953949614802014-04-29T10:00:00.000-04:002014-06-24T19:32:52.597-04:00Dietetic Internship: Staff Relief
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 38, 39, 40 (of 41)
Staff Relief: Weeks 38 - 40
Finally! The last
phase of the Dietetic Internship is upon me: Staff Relief. For three weeks, I will take over full
responsibilities for one Registered Dietitian role at the Memphis VAMC, manage
her floors, her patients, set follow-up dates, and complete other required RD
administrative duties. I haveChasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-72144904908836490552014-04-07T20:11:00.000-04:002014-04-07T20:41:57.815-04:00Specialty 2-week rotation to Florida!
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 36 & 37 (of 41)
Alternative / Specialty rotation in Gainesville, FL: Weeks 36 & 37
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to Florida I go! My Dietetic Internship included a 2-week “Alternative
/ Specialty” rotation at a facility outside of the Memphis VA Medical
Center. It is the intern’s
responsibility to seek out the location, find the contact informationChasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com2Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, 1601 Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA29.6368636 -82.3453322000000329.416150100000003 -82.668055700000025 29.8575771 -82.022608700000035tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-10132556911850045232014-01-13T17:14:00.003-05:002014-01-14T09:58:44.841-05:00Diabetic spirits
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 33 & 34 (of 41)
Intensive Diabetes
Management: Week 33
Pediatrics: Le Bonheur Week 34
What type of pills would you like to take?
Let me be honest. I
didn’t take many (personal) notes during the above-named rotations. I toiled, but I left significant lacunae in
my bank of memories. Here are a few
memorable moments:
Intensive Diabetes
Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-20904676142128813462013-12-12T20:50:00.001-05:002013-12-13T08:08:55.205-05:00Levitt Shell & Cotton
Cotton blossoms in Henning, TN
A funny thing happened as I drove out to Mud Island one late Saturday morning: I
saw things flying through the air everywhere, like great big allergens just
waiting to cause a giant sneezing fit.
My afternoon plan was to sit outside at a café, read, study for the RD
exam, and have a cold drink. With my
allergies, this plan suddenly seemed impossible…&Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Overton Park, 1914 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, USA35.1428072 -89.99639709999996735.1298232 -90.016567099999961 35.1557912 -89.976227099999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-2866497237785757732013-11-25T22:18:00.000-05:002013-11-25T22:18:14.159-05:00Memphis: World Championship Barbecue CompetitionFriday
What a riotous event!
Sheer gluttony! A weekend
dedicated entirely to … BARBECUE!
After work on Friday, I quickly headed to the Mississippi River in search of myoglobin-outlined perfection. After a 10-minute
weaving search for free parking, I stepped out of my car… into what seemed like
a meat smoker of goodness. ALL of
Downtown Memphis: Smelled. Like. Barbecue.&Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Tom Lee Park, Memphis, TN 38103, USA35.1366332427469 -90.06327867507934635.1350102427469 -90.065800175079346 35.138256242746905 -90.060757175079345tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-58684273907696103412013-11-04T21:48:00.002-05:002013-11-15T21:01:23.366-05:00Tell Me What You Eat
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 31, 32 & 35 (of 41)
Foodservice Systems: Weeks 31 - 32
Culinary : Week 35
Where do Registered Dietitian’s work? As of Oct 2013, there are approximately 89,000
RDs in the US and abroad, the vast majority of which (~70%) are employed in
a clinical field (healthcare in hospitals, long-term care facilities,
etc). The other main RD fieldsChasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-19692728565158247212013-10-18T00:24:00.002-04:002013-10-18T15:14:02.642-04:00Breastmilk, fiber, and fried rice
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Week 30 (of 41)
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Week 30
WIC = Women,Infants, and Children. Yep, that
is all I saw this week during my week at WIC.
WIC serves the financially underprivileged through a nutrition commodity
program. Directly, no money changes
hands, only vouchers and education. Registered Dietitians play essential party to Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0South Memphis, TN 38116, USA35.0198297 -90.0225116000000335.016578700000004 -90.027554100000032 35.0230807 -90.017469100000028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-19666303043663257982013-10-07T14:38:00.002-04:002013-10-15T16:52:21.641-04:00Going Back to School
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Week 29 (of 41)
School Food Service: Week 29 - Memphis City Schools
Who remembers what it is like to be less than 10 years old? What about in high school? How did you respond in ‘social interactions’? What did you like to eat? When did you like to eat? How much?
What an interesting change of pace to transition from medical maladies Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-59275136006019639592013-10-03T13:41:00.000-04:002013-10-15T16:51:52.068-04:00The Old and The Restless
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 26, 27, & 28 (of 41)
Vacation!: Week 26
Geriatrics & Palliative care: Weeks
27 & 28
These next two weeks were filled with the old, the very old,
the young old, and the very sick. I
spent two weeks alternating between Geriatrics (>65 years old, often
inpatient 4-6 weeks for rehabilitation) and Palliative Care (less than 6 months
to live).Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-74478731984370611432013-09-21T21:37:00.000-04:002013-10-15T16:52:40.071-04:00Sight, Smell, Texture, & Feeling
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 24 - 25 (of 41)
Spinal Cord Injury: Weeks 24 & 25
The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) population is a very unique group that ranges from tetraplegia (formerly known as quadriplegia) to
paraplegia,
with various stages of injury severity (complete v. incomplete) and mobility. For example, an incomplete tetraplegic
patient may walk with a cane or walker, but a Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-46500722538802956372013-09-15T23:06:00.000-04:002013-09-17T11:32:10.390-04:00Every Body, Every Day: How to Get FitI had a blog post published nationally under the VA! Read the original here, or below:
Every Body, Every Day: How to Get Fit
May 9, 2013 by Jessie Furman
How many times in one week do we hear about exercising? Eating right? Losing weight? Keeping our heart healthy? Many have heard and understand that exercising is beneficial for health; however, there are often many Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-47272189998138041352013-09-08T21:48:00.002-04:002013-10-15T16:53:00.909-04:00The Administrative Side
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 20 - 23 (of 41)
Management: Weeks
20 & 21
Professional Development: Week 22
Research: Week 23
The Registered Dietitian’s exam includes various managerial
topics, from theory (Maslow, Herzberg) to application (human v. technical v.
practical skills). In a pair with fellow
intern Nick, we spent two weeks working with two different managers: the Chief Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-10642599749337394472013-08-30T16:57:00.000-04:002013-08-30T16:57:29.842-04:00Hair Shopping
When I travel or move to a new place, I am a Tourist,
Explorer, Dweller, and Shopper. When it
comes to shopping, my favorite way to spend time and money are at grocery
stores and farmer’s markets. I know, I know,
the stereotypical female gods now scream blasphemy as clothes nor malls have
entered this favorite list! Alas, one of
my favorite (economical) shopping centers in Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-85058367634816782002013-08-27T11:38:00.001-04:002013-08-27T11:53:08.873-04:00Tagxedo & Chasing Jessie awesomenessI found this great website that allows one to customize a (pre-loaded) shape with words, colors, font types, and themes! What is the standard shape representation of dietitian? An APPLE, of course! Here is the Chasing Jessie (Dietetic Internship only) word art!
Make your own at Tagxedo.com :)(It is legitimate, this is not a spam posting!)
Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-5856058831119812392013-08-21T22:58:00.000-04:002013-10-15T16:53:20.555-04:00Rock On: The Kidney Stones!DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 18 & 19 (of 41)
Renal (Kidney) Disease
The renal world (i.e. kidneys) poses a lot of complications for patients in many arenas, from medication management, coordination of many healthcare specialists, and very importantly, drastic nutrition alterations. Unless you develop some form of kidney troubles, most people have no idea what the kidneys do, where Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-67056948591664164022013-08-16T13:13:00.000-04:002013-10-15T16:53:39.061-04:00MIFA & Meals on Wheels
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Week 17 (of 41)
Week 17 - MIFA
The past few weeks/months have been very busy in my world as
a VA Dietetic Intern. Actually, it
varies by Intern, as every rotation has different requirements and associated
assignments, which may demand a few extra hours that week, or 10-20 hours more. The latter category was starting to get
tiring, in addition to putting in Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com2910 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA35.1337007 -90.03332770000002935.0817587 -90.114008700000028 35.185642699999995 -89.952646700000031tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-12757754574759813892013-07-25T14:11:00.002-04:002013-10-15T16:54:17.766-04:00Halitosis, Grouchiness, and OrgasmsDIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Week 15 (of 41)
Week 15 - Psychology, Oncology, Cardiology
This is week 2 of a very wide mix of patients: oncology,
cardiology, and psychiatry. I have a
personal interest in psychiatry patients, and needless to say, those
conversations were *always* very interesting.
Because I do not like to poke fun at others when the handicap is not
within their realm of Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-85153752369760737752013-07-19T16:01:00.001-04:002013-10-15T16:54:46.083-04:00Swapping weighty stories & Ted TalksDIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Week 15 (of 41)
Week 15 - Psychology, Oncology, Cardiology
Weight management education and counseling is a required, regular aspect of a Registered Dietitian’s arsenal, particularly in America’s
overweight/obesity cauldron. As I counseled one patient this week on weight loss he listened patiently, but had a pressing question on his mind. His question did Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-72028561002790843602013-07-13T11:51:00.000-04:002013-07-24T11:42:10.282-04:00Holidays away from home
Yeah, Yeah, I know, this post about Thanksgiving and Christmas is a little late... OK, fine, A LOT late. I don't mind, though... do you?
Discovering American Buffalo at Shelby Farms in Memphis
(largest metro public park in America)
For this government internship, I luxuriously receive all
government holidays off; however all of my vacation days have been pre-planned.
Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com0Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201330693561545681.post-55358380214840627092013-06-29T14:49:00.000-04:002013-10-15T16:55:10.378-04:00Doing the Impossible
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP: Weeks 13 & 14 (of 41)
Weeks 13 & 14 - Nutrition Support, continued
My Nutrition Support rotation continued for two more
weeks… Now I am rounding in the Medical
ICU, or really just what people normally refer to as the “ICU.” This rotation, Nutrition Support, feels a lot
like Walt Disney’s words coming into reality: “It’s kind of fun to do Chasing Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07156530711591549573noreply@blogger.com1Memphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.048980134.7339688 -90.6944271 35.5650998 -89.40353309999999