I don’t think I have ever asked my readers (cough, are any still out there?) to donate to a cause. Until now. I ran my first half marathon in December 2009. It was benefiting St. Jude here in Memphis. It was, by far, one of the most memorable events in my life. Running through the campus of St. Jude nearly took my breath away. Sick kids out in the cold cheering us runners just proved their courage and strength to fight cancer. Last year, I didn’t sign up to run before it sold out. This race sells out every year, and every year, the sell out comes earlier and earlier. The race is not until December but it sold out in July. I want to do something more this time. I want to know I did more than just pay my entry fee. I am so excited to be running as a hero this year. Can you help me? Can you help the kids at St. Jude? My goal is just $500. It takes $1 million a day to operate the hospital. Any amount helps. You can ask something of me in return if you would like. I am pledging to personally raise money for St. Jude this year.

Jana Sterling’s Page.

What I am really referencing is my journey through pharmacy school at the awesome UT! Two years survived. Two years left! I’m still thrilled every day about walking into class. And this Fall, I’ll be walking into class in our new, very own pharmacy building!! Yea, we’re that awesome.  I feel like I have grown more in the past two years, than I have ever before. I’m finally at a level I am proud of. I just finished a brief intro rotation at a local women’s hospital. I LOVED it. I must admit, I liked walking around in my white coat. Yea, I said it. The white coat does something to your confidence and self-worth. I enjoyed being included in meetings with the big wigs. It was a bit of an ego booster for my opinion to be valued.

I am ready to enjoy the rest of my Summer with my girl. I’m also excited about what’s ahead in the near future for me and my career. I know it’s been a long, challenging road, but it really has been worth it. I can honestly say this path I have chosen has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I feel like I’m at a good place and things can (hopefully!) continue to get better.

When I hit ‘publish’, I was told it was my 500th post. Icing on the cake. What a perfect 500th post.

So, let’s back track a bit. December 2009, I ran my first half marathon. For the best cause in the world, St. Jude. I took about a 5 month rest and started running consistently May 2010. Ran 5ks here and there, but I mostly just ran for myself. In January 2011, I did a winter trail series (of 4 races, a 3k, 5k, 8k, & 10K). I loved it! Some of the toughest runs I have done. I had finally gotten my confidence up and unofficially started training for another half marathon. I ran my second half marathon in April of this year. I might just love this half marathon stuff. I’ve signed up for another in October. It’s just a little personal accomplishment that makes me smile for myself. The two medals that hang on my living room mantel help.

So, I think that’s the big things about me.

Who’s next………Like I could forget my girl!!! Sheesh, this girl of mine. She is definitely her mother’s daughter. This could get ugly. She’s 4 and every bit of thinking she is 14. She plays soccer, she takes gymnastics (2 days a week on a little developmental team), she goes to preschool 3 days a week, she is so freakin’ smart. She asks questions about everything. If she doesn’t know what a word means that she hears, she wants to know what it means. She wants to learn about the workings of everything she sees or hears about. She is so inquisitive. She is scary smart. That girl’s memory is amazing! I know, I know. I’m bragging, but that’s what mommies do. (seriously, the girl is smart) Anywho, the girl also just got a puppy. A brand spankin’ new 6 week old black lab mix she named Sidney. I’m sure there will be stories.

As far as the husband, he’s still around. Our 10 year wedding anniversary was in March of this year. Crazy. He’s still putting up with me (and I’m still putting up with him). No, seriously, he’s a trooper for juggling these past two years between his work schedule, my school schedule, and Lovey’s life. Yes, Lovey has probably a more active social life than we do! The girl is little miss socialite.

We’ve managed to squeeze in several vacations over the past two years. I am SO grateful for that! We haven’t had any major life changing events. We haven’t moved. We haven’t lost jobs. We haven’t had a baby (thank goodness!!) My Lovey did have her tonsils removed in July 2010. Wow, she was amazing with that. No problems whatsoever.

So, that’s that. I KNOW I have left things out. They’ll come to me. I’ll share them as they spill out of my already full brain. As for now, I’m going to bed. This thing called ‘work’ demands my presence tomorrow. I don’t do it very often, so I probably should give it my full attention while I am there.

Next time, I may just have a dump for you. A photo dump, that is.

P.S. I totally  need to new blog design. I’ll get right on that. *wink*

I know I kinda left everyone in the dark about school last year. Classes weren’t near as interesting as they are this year. I am totally in love with cardiology. Not so much kidney disease. Diabetes is a little interesting. Electrolyte balance, nah.

It’s exciting figuring out your passion and learning about the possibilities for your future! I can believe I’m on the verge of finishing my first semester of my second (of four) year! Just two more didactic semesters before a year and a half of rotations where I’ll get hands on experience.

I’m headed out to supervise some first year students as they do blood pressure screenings!

Let me begin with what I have been up to lately. I finished my first year of pharmacy school!! I made it through with a small piece of sanity  in one piece. My wonderfully supportive family made it through, too. I could NOT have done it without the help of my mom & step-dad, my dad & step-mom, my sister, my awesome pharmacy friends, and, of course, the hubs. Lovey was a trooper, too. Going wherever I would take her for the day. I’ve made not only myself proud, but I know I’ve made my family proud, too. At least, I like to think so. I will owe them big time in 2013! I can’t believe I am where I am. I feel so blessed for the way my life has gone these past 10 months. I’ve made forever friends. I’ve learned SO much. There was finally a day that I realized I really DO belong in one of the best pharmacy schools in the country. I’ve accomplished something I only talked about for YEARS. I know my friends and family didn’t think I would actually go to pharmacy school. It seemed that aunts and cousins were always asking ‘how much longer?’ and I would have to answer ‘once I finish pre-reqs, it will be 4 more years at UT.” Now, I can say, only 3 MORE YEARS! Boy, has it been a long road. Worth every minute though. I’m still giddy. I’ll be a 2nd year student this August. I’ll be ‘experienced’ in the eyes of the first year kiddos. Wow. I look forward to being a confidant to someone. I’m enjoying applying my newly acquired knowledge whether I’m working in the pharmacy or talking with my friends and family. I’m on my way to being someone Lovey will be proud of. I’m on my way to being someone I’M proud of.

We get to bring our preparations home. I have yet to use any of them. Technically, they are “not for human use”, but there are days I don’t feel human, so there. Ha.

Sweetening Syrup

Potassium Iodide Oral Solution

Antiseptic Mouthwash

Cinnamon Water

Chocolate Syrup (it tastes just like Her.sheys)

Belladonna Tincture

Camphor Spirit

Calamine/Zinc Oxide Lotion

Strong Iodine (Lugol’s) Solution

Hypotonic Nasal Solution

Benzocaine Toothache Drops

Citric Acid in Lactose

Ketoprofen Gel

Ketoprofen in PLO Gel (ointment)

So while I may not cook much in the kitchen, I play in the lab once a week!

I’m going to start with a bit of OTC (over-the-counter) fun facts.

• Let’s just skip the law stuff, eh. I will say that dietary supplements, i.e. vitamins, herbs, etc, are not regulated by the FDA. The manufacturers only have to prove safety, not efficacy. An herbal medication can claim to do anything but not have to actually prove that it does.
• Fever: higher temps are associated with bacterial infections (as opposed to viral). Tympanic (ear) thermometers are not the most accurate way to measure temperature. You can imagine where the ‘best’ place to take a temp is. Dehydration is the main concern with fever, especially in young children. Onset of Ibuprofen (~30 min) is faster than the onset of Tylenol (~1 hr). Can alternate doses of APAP and IBU for fever but there is a lack of evidence to support efficacy.
• Smoking Cessation: Did you know that Kentucky has the most smokers?!  Clove cigs are bad, bad, bad. They contain 2x the tar and nicotine as regular cigs. Nicotine reaches the brain in 7-10 seconds! There is NO safe level of exposure in humans. Nicotine stimulates the reward center in the brain. Withdrawl symptoms peak 48 afters after quitting. All withdrawl symptoms go away within 1 month. I won’t go into the therapies to quit.
• I think I’ll skip hemorrhoids and jump right into pin worms. If you suspect your child has them, just go into their room at night, take a flashlight and look at their, how do you say this nicely,  anus. Why? That’s when the females come out, COME OUT, and lay eggs.

Ha! I’ll think I’ll end on that note tonight.

Stay tuned (’til who knows when) for the 2nd edition in which Cough, Cold, and Allergy as well as headaches.

Until then….I’m off to run in this beautiful January sun! Oh, I can’t believe I forgot to blog about my half marathon! In time, my friends.

So, I was daydreaming sitting in class today thinking about a weekly post I could shoot for. I know, pitiful, right? Weekly? That’s just bad blogging etiquette. I’m busy and tired, so shut it. No, kidding. Not about the busy and tired part.  You got that, right? What’s with my sass today?

So, no, I just used that word. Let’s see…..Thus? Consequently? Furthermore?

So, tell me what you think about a weekly learning for your entertainment feature? Of course, it would be material I have learned at school that week. It would surely help me, maybe even answer some of your own questions?

Intriguing minds want to know?