Hearts, Birthdays, and Potter...Harry Potter

My "heart" is slowly recovering. He was moved out of the CVSICU on Monday afternoon. He's been fighting kidney and lung problems since the operation. He is so weak that he can't walk. But, he keeps his motivation and his determination to get better. Every day, when I go in his room, he motions me to his bedside and grabs my hand. He tells me how much he appreciates my dedication to him. His son gave me a hug in the hallway the other day. It's been a humbling experience. Who could've guessed that a pharmacy student could have such an impact on a patient? Not only have I been something of "cheerleader" for my heart, but I've also been monitoring his drug therapy. I've made 4 recommendations for changes in his drug therapy, all of which were accepted by his physicians and implemented. It's reaffirmed my faith in the future of pharmacy...as well as my desire to pursue a residency and solidify my future as a clinical pharmacist. My preceptor told me that I will make an excellent resident. She also recommended that I don't stop at a general residency. She thinks I would make an excellent cardiology or intensive care specialist. Intensive care has become my new love. I find the ICU extremely challenging and exciting. When my heart was in there, I'd work with his nurse for hours on end. It was awesome. In the ICU life is maintained with medications. My heart was receiving infusions to maintain his blood pressure and heart rate. It was quite amazing to see pharmacology from that aspect. So now, I'm thinking...intensive care specialty...2 years of residency...I like the sound of it. :)

Finally ~ my birthday. Ah, to be a year older...does it really matter after 21? Not really, with the exception of car insurance discounts and ability to rent cars (as Roma pointed out). I've now reached that age where birthdays simply mean "another year older" instead of "a right of passage." It's hell getting old... To maintain my youth, I had my mom buy me a birthday cake. I haven't had one in at least 5 years. The best part - it was Harry Potter! My brother's mother-in-law baked it. She had to call my mom to reaffirm my age. I'm sure it's the first Harry Potter cake she's made that she wrote "Happy 24th Birthday" on. :) I'm going to post a picture of it, because I won't be able to describe it correctly. Tonight, I'm going to see the 4th movie. Am I excited? Hell yes! I'm sure my brother and I will be the oldest people in the theater...and the only ones who can go out for a beer afterwards. Hey, they say you're only as old as you feel. Is it ok to feel like a 10 year old and drink a beer???? :)