First of all, I want to thank everyone that has sent me a card, letter, and especially my parents, Aunt Sandra, and grandparents for my fabulous Thanksgiving package. It is so nice to get mail while I am here in Arkansas, especially around the holidays.
Second of all, I want to apologize that I have not talked about my assignment or the hospital more in my blog. It’s difficult to tell much about my days without discussing patients and interactions with them, but I obviously am unable to share too much information about them and don’t feel there is too much else to share outside of those interactions.
I can say that the hospital is gearing up for the holidays and preparing for one of the busiest times of the year there. I helped the nurses in the Neuro unit decorate the playroom by cutting out and hanging snowflakes from the ceilings. The room is pretty plain and doesn’t have too many activities in it, so I think it made the room much more welcoming for the patients. I have also been helping prepare for Christmas day by pulling toys and different stocking stuffer items for the patients that will be spending the holiday at the hospital. I can’t imagine being sick on Christmas day, much less spending it in a sterile hospital room without a Christmas tree or a big dinner at my grandparent’s house. Volunteering there over the holidays has definitely made me appreciate being able to spend that time with my family.
This morning at the hospital I was able to record 2 music groups that came to perform for the patients. A Spanish class and a hand bell choir came and performed various Christmas carols and some religious songs. I couldn’t have asked for a better job. I got to listen to the groups perform and broadcast it in the patients rooms, so that the ones on bed rest could enjoy them as well. My supervisor says that we will be having at least 1 group perform everyday for the rest of the time I am here and all the way through the end of December.
This week my team and I did our first Independent Service for this round. We were able to volunteer with a group called CARTI, which provides transportation and treatments for Chemo and Radiation patients. Every year CARTI hosts the Festival of Trees as a major fundraiser for the organization. The Festival of Trees is a big three day event that has several different things going on including a father-daughter dance, a silent auction, and a black-tie ball. We volunteered to help with the set up of the space that these events will be taking place in, so we were able to help with clean up and small jobs and even got to decorate a few trees. This weekend we are going to do two more ISPs involving the holiday season. Saturday morning we are going to help with pet pictures with Santa for Care Rescue Center, and that afternoon we are going to help with crowd control for the annual Christmas Parade.
It’s crazy to think that we only have a little over a week left here, and then we will be returning to Denver, and I will be returning home. Arkansas has been fun; I went to my first and probably last Razorback tailgate, went ice-skating for the first time, and met some unforgettable kids. I can’t complain, this was a great first round.
Unfortunately, I am not thrilled about our second round. We found out yesterday that we will be in Wichita Falls, Texas doing taxes. Yup, taxes. Not only taxes, but working with a predominately Spanish-speaking community. We are all trying to stay positive and remember, “there is no such thing as a bad project,” but it might be a struggle for us to come to grips with this. Once we get there, I know we will make the best of it, but for now I am going to sulk about it. Hopefully, I will find some fun things to do there that will boost my spirits. If anyone else feels the need, please find something fun to do for me!
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