Monday Madness 4.4.16

Happy Monday and happy first week full week of April!

I wish I could say it was looking and feeling like spring here in Michigan, but it snowed on Saturday! Ughhhhh!!! We had a surge of warm weather towards the beginning of March and I was really hoping it would stay. The five day forecast doesn't look so hot either.

Drone photo of our neighborhood taken by a neighbor.

Times like these make me wish I lived somewhere with better weather. I think it would improve quality of life.

Nick and I watched The Walk this weekend.

I'm not a fan of heights and this movie started getting to me! My hands were all clammy and my socks were soaked by the end of it.

Overall, the movie was just okay. I was a really weird role for Joseph Gordon-Leavitt. The main character is pretty eccentric and I found him annoying. Plus, I saw a documentary about it before and the documentary was much more interesting.

Last week I started looking for a transfer between jobs in my company. I still love what I do, but I'm ready to spread my wings and learn a new specialty or go into internal med or family medicine. Plus, my commute is horrible. I can get to work in 35 minutes if there is no traffic (which since I work 8-5 never happens #rushhour). So, it ends up being about 40 minutes in the morning and at least 45 coming home (it took me an hour to get home on Thursday). My main goal is to have a shorter drive and work a little bit closer to home. I had an interview with a pulmonary office and I'm looking at opportunities in  cardiovascular and OB/GYN. Wish me luck!

Treat Your Feet

From eight to five, Monday through Friday, I'm a medical assistant. One of my favorite ways to help patients is through prevention education. I also like to keep my family and friends healthy by passing along information. Today we're talking about feet!

//1// Pedicure Precautions

You can get an infection from the nail salon, but it can be prevented. Limit your risk by taking your own nail polish and nail file. Salon tools can carry germs, especially the emery board, which cannot be sanitized. The brush in the polish bottle is used on other people's toes and can transfer fungal infections.

//2// Check For Spots

Check your feet for signs of skin cancer. Melanoma of the foot can be deadly. Melanoma that starts on the foot or nail can metastasize to other organs of the body. Check your feet closely including the bottoms, in between your toes, and under your toe nails. Do a check for darks spots and red, scaly, or pearly spots. Look for any dark spots or dark streaks on your toenails.

//3// Foot Odor

When your feet sweat the perspiration mixes with the bacteria living on your socks and shoes. Try a black tea bag in a warm footbath. Soak your feet for 30 minutes to help reduce the bacteria and cut down on the odor.

//4// High Heels

High heels put pressure on the Achilles tendon and could cause the feet, knees, and hips to become overworked. This can lead to posture and balance issues. Also, high heels do not allow your feet to absorb shock probably. To avoid pain and injury, only stand in them for two hours. When you get home, run cold water over your feet and legs for 10-15 minutes to help with any pain. Choose a sturdy pair of wedges if you'll be standing for over 2 hours.

//5// Stress Factures

Runners who pound the pavement day after day aren't the only ones susceptible to stress fractures. Anyone can get a stress fracture. Stress fractures can be caused by any kind of repetitive movement. Stress fracture symptoms can include pain towards the end of activity that subsides with rest, localized swelling, and tenderness of one area of the foot. Treatment also includes resting your foot for 4-6 weeks and wearing hard-soled shoes. An initial x-ray can diagnose a stress fracture and it's severity. A repeat x-ray can show healing.

Take care of your feet! You only get one pair.

What I Did This Weekend

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter and a nice weekend.

But, first thing first.

I am such a huge fan of the show Impractical Jokers on TruTv and the comedy troupe (The Tenderloins) from the show are coming to Grand Rapids! I got my tickets on Friday when they went on sale!

Please tell me someone else watching this amazingly hilarious show.

Nick and I drove about an hour and 20 minutes to his parents house for a low key Easter with them, his oldest brother, and his daughter.

The weather was amazing!

Nick and I also went to the movies this weekend. We saw London Has Fallen. It was nothing ground breaking, but I love Gerard Butler as Mike Banning. He's so bad ass. I really enjoyed it.

Hope everyone has a great week!