Chapters, chapters, chapters!

I'm taking a break from homework. I've spent the last 5 hours working on assignments and I thought I'd take a break before I started on the readings for the chapters on the muscular and nervous system. The truth of the matter is I'm finding it VERY difficult to be responsible and do my homework, since I have a box of books from Amazon that have been calling my name. I got a little extra money and had been compiling a list of books I've been wanting to read, so the little extra money went promptly into the Amazon coffers and I now have 7 books to read! The thought of books makes me giddy! I started on the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks last night...Henrietta Lacks was a black woman who died of cervical cancer when she was 31 years old in 1951, but before she died, they took a sample of her cancer cells (without her knowing) and unlike every other cell tissue sample hers didn't die, not only did they NOT die, but they started to replicate at a staggering rate. As a result, scientists have been using her cells for research since the '50s, developing polio vaccines and better understanding how the cells work and getting closer to cures for cancer. The only problem, the Lacks family never knew that their mother's cells were being used by thousands of scientists all over the world AND that companies had been selling their mother's cells and had made BILLIONS of dollars, with NONE of that money ever making it back to the Lackses. The story is fascinating and heartbreaking all at the same time.

So as part of my homework this week, I get to test my own urine. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am. No. Seriously. I really am. I've been waiting patiently since the start of the semester to be able to do it and now I can. I mean, who doesn't want to know whether or not they have urobilinogen in their urine?!!

Speaking of urine, I was at the store buying alcohol swabs and came upon a home marijuana testing kit. So I guess that means when Gavin gets older and he starts listening to Bob Marley and going through bags and bags of Doritos I can use this at-home marijuana testing kit to check his pee for vitamins T, H & C!

Annette, I'm sorry about Grayson and his finger. It really is a marvel that any of us survive childhood!

So, I thought it would be interesting to institute a new feature to my blog, entitled, Amanda's Calculation Corner!! This way you call all get an up-close example of the kinds of things I'm learning in my drug dosage and calculations class. So here is today's calculation from my most recent chapter on IV therapy:

The order is to infuse 800 mL over 3.5 hours beginning at 9pm. At 10:30pm the IV infiltrated with 525 mL remaining in the bag. The IV was restarted at 11pm. Calculate the gtt/min rate using a 10 gtt/mL set to complete the infusion on time.

I'll post the answer in my next blog!