VA # 4

Tuesday was a productive day at the VA for me. I saw two young men...one was 23 the other 25. I decided i like seeing people my age because i feel like i can relate to them more, or i can just think of more things to talk to them about than some of the older pt's. I guess it totally depends on the pt, because i absolutely adore some of my older pts too. Anyway, they were both class II's and i sure needed em. I was nervous a few weeks ago that i would have a hard time finishing my requirements, but the VA really is helping! PBJ is so nice and i enjoy working with her there.

My afternoon pt was the 25 year old. He was very kind. I reviewed his hhx and my heart just ached for him. He had lupus--an autoimmune disease and Raynauds disease--when you have bad circulation. He had a few other things and was on quite a few meds and i was so sad for him. I just thought to myself that's just too much for a young person to have to deal with. He seemed a little shy about his conditions, but we got through everything ok. I have never seen such diffuse redness in gum tissue. It was from a combination of homecare, and meds and his diet. We had a good OHI discussion and as a hygienist (wanna-be) i just hope he can take the new knowledge and info and really put it to use. OKAY, Dr. Gupta came in to do my pt's exam and my overhead light buld EXPLODED!! It scared the crap out of me---and the dr, and my pt! It's dang good thing dr gupta was the one in his mouth with an instrument or i probably would have put it through his lip or palate! It was so loud and my heart was pounding for like 10 minutes after. Thank goodness for those plastic light covers or we would have all been splattered with light bulb schrapnel (not sure on the spelling)! So i was minus a light now and we ended up moving operatories so i could finish my work. In all, the day was ok...long, as usual. Only 3 more to go! yay!