OCTOBER 25, VA

So, today was our first official VA day. I didn’t really know what to expect, but was a excited for a change in the environment. The worst part of the VA day has to be waking up at the crack of dawn! I don’t know why it is so difficult. I am really only waking up an hour earlier than usual—but it seems like an eternity when my bed it so comfortable and it is cold and dark outside!

This morning I was able to do a class 3 exam. He was my first class 3 of the semester. This guy was a regular at the VA. He knew PBJ and all about the dental hygiene area. He was even telling me where and how to take his x-rays. What a pal! Things were going great. PBJ numbed him up—and even let me give two injections. They were my first ones on a real patient. YIKES! When PBJ was telling me what to do, the patient piped in to tell me that he could see the needle and that it was a good idea not to show the patient the needle. So—I told him to close his eyes. I was sick of him telling me how to do my job. I was happy to give the injections, and I was so glad for the experience.

The best part of the day had to be lunch! Not only for the food—but for the great conversation. We had lunch with the dentists and were able to get the inside scoop on Dr. B and Lori. YEA! I can’t believe that things are really working. He seems really nice and interested. We had a good time telling him about Lori and finding out more about him. We had a lot of good laughs together. One thing that I can’t quite figure out if it is funny or just plain disturbing is that all of the single dentists (3/4) live at home with their parents. WEIRD! I guess Dr. B. won’t be taking Lori back to his place for some midnight action on their first date—because she would have to meet the future in-laws! I can’t wait to see what next week’s lunch break will bring! Ha ha ha

This afternoon I saw a class 2. He was a kid my age—but in much different shape! He was taking all kinds of medicine. He had every problem that these 70 year old patients have! He was telling me how he parachuted for the Army, but was injured on a jump and was asked to leave the Army. He seemed really nice, but I don’t think that he had ever brushed his teeth. I hate it when people lie and say that they are brushing at least 2 times a day and flossing every day—ya, right! On top of all of that, he had chewed tobacco since he was 15. So for 25 years he has been damaging his mouth! His gums looked like they were just flapping in the wind! He has a lot of work ahead of him. I had a hard time talking to this patient. Not because he was difficult to talk to, but because Crystals patient was coughing up lungs and other important organs into a cup. It was so thick and creamy! YUCK. I was having a hard time not loosing my lunch. But Crystal—oh, she’s a trooper—she survived the whole thing! I guess Jami’s patient was doing the same thing, but he was further down the line and it wasn’t so “in my face”. I’m glad that I didn’t have to look at that today because hearing it was bad enough!

One thing that I really enjoy about the VA is working with PBJ. I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated in the beginning. But now that I have spend a couple of days with her, I really like her. She has been so helpful and encouraging to us. It makes a big difference when you feel like your professor is on your side.