So I was afraid that once I became a 4th year vet student I would have trouble finding time to blog. Thus far I have been on relatively non-demanding rotations, and yet I still don't get this thing updated. I do, in fact, have more time to blog than before. However, I'm finding many other things to take the place of "blog time". Some of those things include: laundry, finding the floor in my room, hanging out with friends, actually having a small amount of a life, etc. Don't worry - this probably won't last. Once I'm on more demanding rotations, I imagine I'll become a more typical stressed vet student, and out of necessity, I'll update this thing more often just for therapy. For now, however, things are low-key and I'm enjoying being a bit lazy with the blog upkeep. Don't get me wrong - I'm not being totally lazy. My on-call and in-house schedule for Production Animal Medicine kept me tired and bewildered with all the equine cases I had to handle or at least help with. (Why the equine people think I know anything about horses or where their supplies are is beyond me, as I had been seeing next to no patients on the cattle side of things during the day!) Wrestling calves and working cows and bulls can wear you out, too. And much to my surprise, once I finished that rotation and moved on to observing at The Oaks Veterinary Clinic in Des Moines, my hours got significantly longer. I'm up before 6am to get ready, it can take up to an hour with traffic to drive there, and I observe and discuss cases with the vets there from 8am til they close (on my feet 95% of the day), and then they have after-hours things to do most days of the week. For example, last night we spent 3 hours doing surgery on a 38-pound Burmese python to remove 7 eggs that she was unable to lay with the rest of her clutch. That put me home at about 8:50pm...
I was able to see a bunch of family for Mother's Day weekend in Rockford. I almost didn't think I'd make it there, as I was on call Thursday night and got called in to take care of a colicky horse, leaving me with no time to pack and very little sleep. That meant I had to pack Friday after getting home, and we didn't get done early so I couldn't get ready in time to make the drive that night. That meant leaving at 5:15am the next morning to arrive on time. I'm still not sure how I stayed awake til 11:30pm on Saturday. When Mom informed me that she, Grandma, Aunt Linda and I were all going to "Lucile's Tea Room" I thought it was going to be boring or at least cheesy, but we actually all had a really good time! The food was great, the hostesses were entertaining, and the weather and setting was gorgeous. I think Grandma will cherish that for the rest of her life. Hopefully we can do it again some time. Mom, Dad, Ryan and I all went to Anderson Gardens in the afternoon. I especially liked all the waterfalls there. That evening, many other family members from the Rockford area joined us for dinner at Lino's. It's a very neat Italian restaurant, complete with its own leaning tower inside. It was good to have so much of the family there! I don't think I'd seen many of them in years, and none of them besides my parents and grandparents had ever met Ryan before. (He was able to memorize all their names, too. He's so much better at that than I am!) I finally got to show my parents pictures from Haiti, too. It was a good weekend, but way too short. It will be nice to be in IL for two weeks in June (2-17) for Ryan's birthday and Father's day. Let me know if any of you will be around and want to see me and I'll try to arrange a visit.
On Wednesday I took an unscheduled leave of absence from The Oaks. My car decided it was time for a flat tire on the way back from Des Moines on Tuesday night. Thankfully, Mimi and Ken were able to come help me put the donut on. It had been WAY too long since Dad taught me how to change a tire... I'm sure Ken could have talked me through it, but that would have still left me with a big problem. Why? Because my hazard lights were found to be non-functional, my turn signals spontaneously followed suit about 80% of the time, and the donut was also half-flat. Not the best combo for driving home on busy I-35. So major thanks to Ken for changing my tire and to Mimi for being in a mini convoy with me to provide flashing hazard lights and turn signals. I had been super-tired, so I decided this was all God's way of telling me to sleep in on Wed., get my car fixed, and take the day off. Luckily I'm not getting credit for my time at The Oaks and they were very flexible. So the tire repair was cheap and the electrical issue was MAJORLY NOT cheap, but at least I feel safe driving in trafic now. Not that Iowans are great about using turn signals anyway, but I like using mine at least!
Well, that will have to tide you all over for awhile. Comments are welcome as always!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Saturday, May 05, 2007
An Interesting Testimony
So I always get these e-mails with updates about what is going on in the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners), but I rarely read them. Today, however, I decided to read one and I found this very interesting testimony of a life lived for Christ.
Dr. Jim Richards, a friend and leader for feline practitioners around the world, was killed in a motorcycle accident that occurred the afternoon of Sunday, April 22, 2007.
The following information was graciously provided by Dr. Fred Scott to help us better understand and cope with the shocking news. The accident:That Sunday was a gorgeous day in Ithaca.Spring had finally arrived after a long, cold, several weeks, and 1-2 feet of snow the prior week. All the motorcyclists were out enjoying the weather. Ironically, the cause of the accident was a cat. Jim apparently swerved to avoid the cat, the bike flipped, and Jim suffered severe head trauma when he landed, or perhaps when the bike landed on him. He always rode with complete protective gear including an excellent helmet, but that could not protect him in this case. He never regained consciousness, and was put on life support as soon as the EMTs arrived. He was air lifted to the local trauma center at Johnson City, NY. But, the little neurological function detected late Sunday afternoon had stopped by Sunday evening.
Life is short, and life is fragile. We never know when our time will come, and we must be prepared for that event, which will happen to all of us at some point. Jim had a tremendously solid faith, and was secure in his future. I will try to unfold a side of Jim that I saw regularly, one that you were seeing but in most cases you probably did not realize you were seeing. Jim would easily and eagerly talk about his faith, but he was never “in your face” about it. He lived his faith. I will share many of the following points about Jim’s faith at his Memorial Service.
One of the verses that Jim highlighted in his Bible was Galatians 5:27: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Jim attempted to live his life such that the Holy Spirit could shine through him, and these fruits became his personality.
I first met Jim in 1988 when he interviewed for his position at the Feline Health Center. After a day of the usual interview process, we went out to dinner and started sharing about our families and our personal lives. It quickly became apparent that we had much more in common than just our love for cats and the veterinary profession. Jim asked about the church that Lois and I attended, so I filled him in on this unique fellowship in Ithaca called Bethel Grove Bible Church, or BG for short. (You can get a glimpse of BG at www.bg.org). After dinner we drove out to BG, parked my car on the highway, and walked down the unplowed driveway through 6 inches of snow. I unlocked the door to the church, turned on the lights, and showed Jim around. What happened next I vividly remember as clear as if it happened yesterday. We stood at the front of the sanctuary and shared our lives for a good two hours. We bonded as brothers in Christ!
I shared how I, as an unchurched, success-oriented professional, had my life completely changed, and my marriage saved, by a dramatic encounter with the living Christ 15 years before. Jim shared how he struggled in his early adult years, how he met this charming little Jewish lady named Anita, and how they each eventually came to know Christ as their Savior and Lord. He shared how he had come to admire and accept the Jewish traditions, and about the small Messianic Christian fellowship that he and his family attended in Cleveland. One of his delights was leading the worship service at that fellowship.
I have had the privilege for many years of attending worship services at BG that were led by Jim. With his guitar, and with his pleasant singing, he would lead the worship service, read from scripture, and lead the congregation in prayer. He would reflect on how meaningful a certain verse of scripture was to him, and how this scripture impacted his life. He often would teach a Hebrew worship chorus to the congregation, starting out slowly, then increasing in tempo until things got pretty exciting!
I recall one delightful evening Lois and I spent at the Richards’ home celebrating a traditional Jewish feast. How meaningful for us to learn something of the Jewish tradition, and how this opened up to us a portion of the Old Testament.
One thing I am absolutely certain of is that Jim is now in Heaven, in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jim is not in Heaven because he was a good person, nor because he did many wonderful things for people and for cats. Good works, as important as they are, did not get Jim to Heaven. I know Jim is in Heaven because many years ago he asked Jesus into his life, and Jesus said so, some 2,000 years ago when He walked on earth: “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.” (John 6:40). “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47) Another couple of verses that are high lighted in Jim’s Bible. I also know without a doubt that someday, when my days here on earth are through, I will meet Jim in Heaven, I will once again see his smiling face. What a reunion that will be! This is the hope we have in Christ, and this gives me tremendous comfort as I approach my final day, whenever that may be.
If I could speak for Jim, I am sure he would want to pass on his blessings and thanks to all of you. He would say something like: “Thanks for all the good times we have had in AAFP. Thanks for all the tremendous support each of you have given me over the years. Keep up the good work improving the health and welfare of cats everywhere. But please, would you pause for a moment and consider your own life. Where do you stand with Jesus Christ? Are you secure in your future? Will you join me someday in Heaven?”
If anyone would like to explore this relationship Jim had with Christ, I would suggest you read, and re-read, the Gospel of John in the New Testament. Reflect on these marvelous passages, and let the Lord speak to you. He will.
Keep on improving the health and well being of all those cats that Jim so dearly loved.
Blessings to all,Fred Scott
I thought that was amazing, especially being posted on and e-mailed out from a secular source. Perhaps that can give us all a little hope for how we can live out our faith and have an impact on this crazy world we live in. If nothing else, it can amaze and encourage us by how Christ can change lives at any stage.
Dr. Jim Richards, a friend and leader for feline practitioners around the world, was killed in a motorcycle accident that occurred the afternoon of Sunday, April 22, 2007.
The following information was graciously provided by Dr. Fred Scott to help us better understand and cope with the shocking news. The accident:That Sunday was a gorgeous day in Ithaca.Spring had finally arrived after a long, cold, several weeks, and 1-2 feet of snow the prior week. All the motorcyclists were out enjoying the weather. Ironically, the cause of the accident was a cat. Jim apparently swerved to avoid the cat, the bike flipped, and Jim suffered severe head trauma when he landed, or perhaps when the bike landed on him. He always rode with complete protective gear including an excellent helmet, but that could not protect him in this case. He never regained consciousness, and was put on life support as soon as the EMTs arrived. He was air lifted to the local trauma center at Johnson City, NY. But, the little neurological function detected late Sunday afternoon had stopped by Sunday evening.
Life is short, and life is fragile. We never know when our time will come, and we must be prepared for that event, which will happen to all of us at some point. Jim had a tremendously solid faith, and was secure in his future. I will try to unfold a side of Jim that I saw regularly, one that you were seeing but in most cases you probably did not realize you were seeing. Jim would easily and eagerly talk about his faith, but he was never “in your face” about it. He lived his faith. I will share many of the following points about Jim’s faith at his Memorial Service.
One of the verses that Jim highlighted in his Bible was Galatians 5:27: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Jim attempted to live his life such that the Holy Spirit could shine through him, and these fruits became his personality.
I first met Jim in 1988 when he interviewed for his position at the Feline Health Center. After a day of the usual interview process, we went out to dinner and started sharing about our families and our personal lives. It quickly became apparent that we had much more in common than just our love for cats and the veterinary profession. Jim asked about the church that Lois and I attended, so I filled him in on this unique fellowship in Ithaca called Bethel Grove Bible Church, or BG for short. (You can get a glimpse of BG at www.bg.org). After dinner we drove out to BG, parked my car on the highway, and walked down the unplowed driveway through 6 inches of snow. I unlocked the door to the church, turned on the lights, and showed Jim around. What happened next I vividly remember as clear as if it happened yesterday. We stood at the front of the sanctuary and shared our lives for a good two hours. We bonded as brothers in Christ!
I shared how I, as an unchurched, success-oriented professional, had my life completely changed, and my marriage saved, by a dramatic encounter with the living Christ 15 years before. Jim shared how he struggled in his early adult years, how he met this charming little Jewish lady named Anita, and how they each eventually came to know Christ as their Savior and Lord. He shared how he had come to admire and accept the Jewish traditions, and about the small Messianic Christian fellowship that he and his family attended in Cleveland. One of his delights was leading the worship service at that fellowship.
I have had the privilege for many years of attending worship services at BG that were led by Jim. With his guitar, and with his pleasant singing, he would lead the worship service, read from scripture, and lead the congregation in prayer. He would reflect on how meaningful a certain verse of scripture was to him, and how this scripture impacted his life. He often would teach a Hebrew worship chorus to the congregation, starting out slowly, then increasing in tempo until things got pretty exciting!
I recall one delightful evening Lois and I spent at the Richards’ home celebrating a traditional Jewish feast. How meaningful for us to learn something of the Jewish tradition, and how this opened up to us a portion of the Old Testament.
One thing I am absolutely certain of is that Jim is now in Heaven, in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jim is not in Heaven because he was a good person, nor because he did many wonderful things for people and for cats. Good works, as important as they are, did not get Jim to Heaven. I know Jim is in Heaven because many years ago he asked Jesus into his life, and Jesus said so, some 2,000 years ago when He walked on earth: “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.” (John 6:40). “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47) Another couple of verses that are high lighted in Jim’s Bible. I also know without a doubt that someday, when my days here on earth are through, I will meet Jim in Heaven, I will once again see his smiling face. What a reunion that will be! This is the hope we have in Christ, and this gives me tremendous comfort as I approach my final day, whenever that may be.
If I could speak for Jim, I am sure he would want to pass on his blessings and thanks to all of you. He would say something like: “Thanks for all the good times we have had in AAFP. Thanks for all the tremendous support each of you have given me over the years. Keep up the good work improving the health and welfare of cats everywhere. But please, would you pause for a moment and consider your own life. Where do you stand with Jesus Christ? Are you secure in your future? Will you join me someday in Heaven?”
If anyone would like to explore this relationship Jim had with Christ, I would suggest you read, and re-read, the Gospel of John in the New Testament. Reflect on these marvelous passages, and let the Lord speak to you. He will.
Keep on improving the health and well being of all those cats that Jim so dearly loved.
Blessings to all,Fred Scott
I thought that was amazing, especially being posted on and e-mailed out from a secular source. Perhaps that can give us all a little hope for how we can live out our faith and have an impact on this crazy world we live in. If nothing else, it can amaze and encourage us by how Christ can change lives at any stage.
Friday, May 04, 2007
I'm a 4th Year!
Or at least I assume I didn't fail anything. Nobody knows what to think about radiology grades, but I'm confident that I passed. I think I have grades back in almost everything else except pathology, and even though that final took us all down some unexpected paths, I don't think I did badly enough to fail the whole class. I had a high B going into it, so I'm hoping it won't bring me down to a C, but it is somewhat likely that it will... Despite all my best study efforts, this last round of finals was rather rough. As in "I got almost all D's on my finals" - that kind of rough. However, as long as I passed, it ultimately won't matter much to me. Good thing I was doing okay in everything going into finals!
So I started today on Production Animal Medicine. Yes, on a Friday. The seniors graduate tomorrow and have their banquet/party tonight, so we have to start immediately after finals. At least we ended up not having a Thursday final this semester. Yay for Dr. Betts' take-home write-your-own-questions final. But anyway, PAM is basically all things cattle and pigs and sheep and goats, but mainly cattle. It was apparently a very busy day (although it didn't seem too bad to me), so there are still some rather basic things to be taught. However, I think I'm very glad that this is my first rotation, as some of the others are much more demanding. It's nice to be able to "ease into things" with a more laid-back rotation. Granted, I am on call tonight. Let me tell you, THAT is an odd feeling!! I'm kinda afraid to go shower for fear that they'll call when I'm in there, plus then I'd just have to shower the barn smell off of me again. I'm especially nervous because my phone has been wierd lately and not telling me I have messages until I've had the phone on for hours, and I'm pretty sure some of those calls were when the phone was on, but it never rang... Perhaps I should go see Verizon about an upgrade tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I'm eligible for one now.
Next weekend I made sure I wouldn't be on call so I can go see my family and Ryan. It's been a long time since I saw either!! That will be a nice, although short, break.
Please be praying for Karen, Ryan's sister. She's had a very rough time with her health lately. In the last week or so, she was in a car accident and sustained lung contusions, then was diagnosed with mono (goodbye soccer season), and then developed a double ear infection and a sinus infection to top it off! It would be nice if she were well enough to do all those fun things high school seniors get to do, like Prom...
Well, I think I'm going to risk a quick shower now. Here's hoping they don't call me in, or at least not until I'm dry! :-P
So I started today on Production Animal Medicine. Yes, on a Friday. The seniors graduate tomorrow and have their banquet/party tonight, so we have to start immediately after finals. At least we ended up not having a Thursday final this semester. Yay for Dr. Betts' take-home write-your-own-questions final. But anyway, PAM is basically all things cattle and pigs and sheep and goats, but mainly cattle. It was apparently a very busy day (although it didn't seem too bad to me), so there are still some rather basic things to be taught. However, I think I'm very glad that this is my first rotation, as some of the others are much more demanding. It's nice to be able to "ease into things" with a more laid-back rotation. Granted, I am on call tonight. Let me tell you, THAT is an odd feeling!! I'm kinda afraid to go shower for fear that they'll call when I'm in there, plus then I'd just have to shower the barn smell off of me again. I'm especially nervous because my phone has been wierd lately and not telling me I have messages until I've had the phone on for hours, and I'm pretty sure some of those calls were when the phone was on, but it never rang... Perhaps I should go see Verizon about an upgrade tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I'm eligible for one now.
Next weekend I made sure I wouldn't be on call so I can go see my family and Ryan. It's been a long time since I saw either!! That will be a nice, although short, break.
Please be praying for Karen, Ryan's sister. She's had a very rough time with her health lately. In the last week or so, she was in a car accident and sustained lung contusions, then was diagnosed with mono (goodbye soccer season), and then developed a double ear infection and a sinus infection to top it off! It would be nice if she were well enough to do all those fun things high school seniors get to do, like Prom...
Well, I think I'm going to risk a quick shower now. Here's hoping they don't call me in, or at least not until I'm dry! :-P
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