Happy Days

Hi, my title means exactly what it says, Happy Days are here again.

I've got the pain medication straightened out. I guess sometimes you have to find out things for yourself and not always depend on your GP to inform you of possible side effects. This is not the way it should be but with GP's being overworked, this is what happens. I'm lucky that I caught on to the dangers before it got too far, I feel so much more in control now. Knowledge is power!!
I have been given an anti-inflammatory medication which works well but does not relieve me of all my pain BUT it's not addictive, yeah!!!!

Secondly, I LOVE TEACHING!! I have been lacking in my life, something that makes me happy and fulfilled. I was in clinic today and I felt this was where I was meant to be. Students are like an empty cup, just waiting to be filled with knowledge, skills, and confidence.

One of my students today had a patient that required special attention. She handled it well and when I evaluated her I mentioned that on her form. She responded to me after reading my evaluation, that it helped her deal with the situation by having an instructor that was calm and helpful. How cool is that?
I mention this because it is immediate feedback, that I am helping someone become a better student/dentist.

I'm talking about all this because my personal life is on hold for awhile. Nothing bad, just some sorting out I have to do.

Enjoy Your Week-end!!!!!

NEWBIE AND LOVING IT !!!!!

I had my first day of teaching clinic last Friday.

What a GREAT day I had!!
I love what I do and to be able to teach young people what I love best, was absolutely FANTASTIC!! The students that I had were wonderful, eager and anxious to learn.

I didn't want to be the typical teacher, their way or no way. We have evaluation sheets that we have to fill out at the end of the clinic. There is Acceptable or Unacceptable. Before I filled it out, I asked the student questions regarding their work and what they thought of it.
Depending on how they answered, affected my final evaluation.
Remember, this is only their first day in clinic after their summer recess.

I find that explaining where they went wrong in a positive way and discussing it with them, helps them more than just writing it down for them to read later. Also, praise with criticism goes a long way in my opinion.

I also had a couple of students that fibed a bit.
eg. Intra-oral exam, Moi, "I didn't see you using your mirror to observe the palate". Student, "Oh, yes I did". I said, "Oh, I must have missed that".
We both knew that she didn't, but you can bet your bottom dollar that she won't forget again.

We have an employee in our practice that has a couple of friends in the dental program. Today I had a comment on my facebook from her (she's off this week)................

She said, "Hey Maggie, you got rave reviews from your students! Congrats"!

That made my day!!

Have a wonderful week...............................

I Missed You All Very Much!!!

This is part of the reason I've been away.





Be patient with me, I will try and explain as best as I can.

It all started with pain in my left leg and hip about a year ago. At times the pain was excruciating and as time went on, it got worse. Finally, a couple of months ago, I told my doctor I could no longer deal with the pain. I also asked him to send me for tests that would find out the problem. He prescribed tylenol # 3 that took the edge off but did not give me relief.
Then he prescribed hydro-morphine (4 mg) which did take away the pain. (4 or 5 a day).

I have had radiographs (x-rays) of my back and leg, CT spinal scan, Bone scan and they all had no significant findings except some degeneration of the hip joint. I'm seeing an orthopedic specialist in Dec. of this year. (It was booked last January) :-)

The pain I will once again mention, is sometimes unbearable. I work but am getting annoyed at people and patients asking me why I'm limping.

To bring the photo I posted into the picture (no pun intended), here is my story...........

The thursday before Labour Day, I decided I no longer wanted to be a slave to pain medication.
I just stopped taking them..... BIG MISTAKE!!!!
I had no idea how they affected me (except the fact that they relieved my pain) and thought nothing of just stopping. Friday morning I woke up sick to my stomach, severe diarrhea, cramps, shivers....... unable to function normally!!

I WAS ADDICTED!!!!! What a shock and embarrassment that was to me!!

I looked up prescription drug withdrawal online and it said, never just stop taking the medication, wean yourself off it.

Saturday came and I was still very sick. I called my pharmacy and explained the situation. They said the same thing, wean yourself off it slowly.
I was taking 4 pills a day, so I slowed down to 2 a day.
I couldn't eat anything, I was dying. It was like I knew how a junkie felt.

I had a appointment with my doctor the following tuesday. (this was saturday).

Tuesday came and I went for my appointment. I was furious but did not allow myself to show that emotion to my doctor. I did tell him that I was to hell and back that week-end because of the pain medication and to never give me anything of the sort again.

I'm down to one pill a day now and next week I will be completely off them.

I'm still in pain but nothing compared to the week-end of hell.

I'm telling my story because I hope it might help someone else who innocently takes medication from their doctor, not knowing what it is doing to their body.

Positive side to my story...............

First of all, finding out about it before it was too late.( I was only on them for about 2 months)

Secondly, I was so sick and had such severe diarrhea, I figured whatever toxins I had in my body, I had rid myself of them.
So.........I started a new eating regime. No red meat, as a matter of fact, I haven't eaten any kind of meat since. Only fish now. Also, I have stopped eating anything processed or white (bread, pasta, rice, etc.) I have lots of bran products, fresh fruit, fresh veggies, yogurt.

Don't ask me why.
We'll see how it goes. I'm not a fanatic, just more aware of what I put in my body.

I missed you all and can't wait to catch up on what you all have been up to while I've been away.

Mucho Hugs & Kisses,
Maggie

Readin' and Ritin' ........

I have a big confession to make. I like to read blogs more than I like to write.
That's just my nature, I like to listen more than I like to talk. [most times]
But there has to be give and take in Blogosphere, so here goes........

Long weekend here in the City of Universities. That's right folks, we have more universities in this city than any other city in Canada.

That means......... lots of students, lots of bars, lots of drinking, lots of carousing til the wee hours, lots of parties, lots of noise, lots of mischief (destructive)............
Are you getting the picture yet?

They are all moving in this weekend...........

I live in the part of this city that is considered old money and high social standing. Two of the most respected Uni's are also in this area. Therefore we have a mix of snobs, professionals, and drunken hooligans. [That's what they amount to on a friday or saturday nite]

It's interesting to watch them all cohabitate. As I'm sitting here on my computer, I'm looking out my window and I see them all milling about.

HomeOwners:
Some hiding behind their high fences with security. Others walking their dogs, gardening, small children playing outside, friends over for drinks in the afternoon, barbecuing dinner in the backyard........ simple family stuff.

Then there are the..........

Students:
Some playing football in the street, another couple of kids walking by on the sidewalk with chairs on their head. A few minutes ago I saw one fellow go by, pushing a computer chair with a huge mattress doing a balancing act on it, rolling down the middle of the street. While others have yet to arise, still recuperating from the wild party the nite before.

I don't complain about any of their shenanigans. Not my style, I've spent too much time in Toronto I guess. There you mind your own business.
When the noise level gets really out of hand at a very late hour, there is always someone who will call the authorities. There is a special hotline given out to all the locals, just for this.

My tolerance level is pretty high, you are only young once.
As far as I'm concerned, party on, but be respectful to other people while doing so.

How was your weekend??