Jennifer Vitti

My world got turned a little upside down the past few weeks. I just didn’t feel like writing. But I’m back. I will tell you all what’s been going on and then expect a post Wednesday night or Thursday about my “reflections” of second semester and then over the weekend I’ll do yet another post about introducing my summer semester (which started today, but by the weekend I’ll already have had both my classes, one day of maternity clinical, and one day of school health clinical, so I’ll have lots to share).

Here we go…

The week of May 2nd was my finals week. Refresher: I took Acute Care and Psych this semester (again reflections to come mid-week). The finals were both hard, but I did fine on both. And I PASSED both classes, so that’s all I seem to care about. First semester I wanted my A’s. This past semester I just wanted to pass (80 or above is passing for my school). So I got a B and a B+. Again nothing spectacular, but I passed and I’m moving on.

The week of May 9th I had off. Started off with some sad news about a family member who I won’t name or go into details since this is a public blog and my name is attached to it. But my thoughts and prayers have been with this person since I found out since it’s tough news to deal with.

Then Monday was devastating. We had to put my dog, Shadow-12 1/2 year old Flat-Coated Retriever, to sleep. She was 12 1/2, but it was still very sudden and unexpected. She had hemangiosarcoma. She had a great day-swimming, went walking with my mom all day, then I brought her home, she ate dinner fine and then after dinner started acting weird. She just was shivering a little and wouldn’t lift her head up. My mom came home and we decided to take her to the animal emergency. They immediately said she was very pale and rushed her back. The vet came out and told us there was a large mass on her spleen and blood in her belly. Hemangiosarcoma is a tumor that is RAPIDLY fed by the blood and then bursts. Usually a tumor develops and bursts within 6 weeks! And by the time a dog has any symptoms it is too late. There is a surgery to take out the spleen (usually more successful before the tumor is big and bursts and also tougher on an older dog even if she was in great shape), but the dogs usually only live a few days to months after this. My mom being in the dog world knows a number of people who lost their dogs to hemangiosarcoma and quite a number who have tried the surgery and have not been successful. So it was agonizing, but Shadow was put to sleep. My mom and Shadow especially were inseparable, so it was a VERY tough week in our household. Going back to work on Tuesday (walking other people’s dogs) was tough on my mom and I. Although we are still sad we have talked about what happened as a family, our feelings, and if there was anything we could’ve done differently and we have all come to the conclusion that this was really the only choice and there wasn’t anything we coud’ve done differently keeping Shadow’s specific situation in mind. We know she had an awesome life and was very loved and she did have a fabulous last day as well. (Those of you who have never had pets might not understand my long spiel about the situation and how sad my family and I are, but it’s tough and those of you who have pets or who have lost pets you know how it is!)

Here’s a pic of me and my baby girl:

RIP Shadow-You spoiled us, puppy!! best.dog.ever.

And then I wish I could tell you that my bad week ended there and the rest of the week only was not good because of grieving. Nope! Wednesday I was supposed to have my interview for the position I wanted so badly! It got cancelled because the only days they do orientation were days I was in school. No bad comments about the hospital I would still like to work there again maybe after I get my RN, but I was just disappointed on top of my already tough week. (That was really the only hospital that was convenient for me while I’m full time in school for these two semesters before I get my RN, so although I’m keeping my eye open for other CNA jobs, I’m not actively looking. I’ll work for the dog walking company for the summer and the fall and then get my RN in January. I would’ve liked to have a foot in the door for when I got my RN, but looks like I’ll have to work a little harder. That’s okay. Who knows maybe I’ll get lucky or maybe the economy will turn around for new grads! I will get a BSN from my school as well, so that should help a little bit).

The rest of the week was fair. I worked. I cried a lot. Yesterday was my 23rd birthday (my little sister told me I was almost half way to 50…thanks a lot!) and it was the first day I really was feeling better and more like myself (and I didn’t cry!) Just had dinner and CHEESECAKE (my fave) with my family and that was great! That was exactly what I needed.

Then back to school today until the beginning of August. I’m looking forward to working in maternity and pediatrics!

~love always~

Jen