Back in the Saddle

So I only got one Child Life application out, but the next deadline for internships and practicums is quickly approaching, January 5th.  I dragged my feet getting this first one out in part because I wasn't really getting anywhere with my Baclofen pump.  Things are still the same for the most part and PT/OT haven't gotten any easier.  If I was told in June I would be at virtually the same place come January even after multiple adjustments and PT/OT twice a week I would be in shock.  This isn't to say I wouldn't have gone forward, I just wouldn't have expected so much from the beginning.  That said, because I am still largely stuck in the land of appointments, it is hard for me to think of being able to do things on my own schedule when I'm spending so much of my time going back and forth to appointments.  PT/OT and frequent adjustments will come to an end, I just wish I knew when, so I could plan a life outside of a medical record number.

The one and only CL practicum application I got out was to Connecticut Children's Medical Center.  I have Cohen Children's in NY basically ready to go, but I need to figure out if I may need an official recommendation letter with a John Hancock on the envelope seal.  (I just have one copy of each of the original letters.)  I also need to call Boston Medical Center to see if they are offering a summer internship (I never heard from them in the fall).  I am working on the practicum application for Children's Hospital at Dartmouth, in NH.  (The key difference between practicums and internships is one is full-time.  While it would be great if I got a summer internship, my lease doesn't end until August 31st.  So getting an internship in Philadelphia is out of the question, but a practicum is not.)  CHaD requires three recommendation letters (at least for the internship) hopefully just two for the practicum.  They also require a CPR Certification which I will regardless at some point, I had just never seen it before on an application.

General Update and Maine Tomorrow

Today is August first which means the lease to my very first apartment ends in 30 days.  I received two leads from a wonderful realtor who finds roommates AND apartments.  The first was too far away, while the second had a weird layout and I didn't get a good vibe from it.  My expectations are much lower this year since time is not on my side and my budget is much lower.  I was going to meet with someone I found on Roommates.com today, but she had to work so we will have to meet when I return from my vacation.

Things have been slowly progressing on the Baclofen pump implantation front.  In Philly, we need to schedule the intake appointment at Jefferson (neurosurg, anesthesia, and pre-op tests).  I need to do the same in Boston at the Brigham, but I am rather hesitant since after multiple messages, I have yet to hear from Dr. L at Spaulding to get the OK to proceed with implantation surgery.

I have made progress in the Child Life practicum/internship department!  So far I have applications for and am planning to apply to the practicum at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, Alfred I duPont Children's Hospital (in Delaware), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children (in Philly).  I also have the internship applications for Bristol-Meyers Squibb Children's Hospital (in NJ) and Hershey Medical Center (in PA).  I am slowly and steadily working on these applications as I contact other hospitals for applications.

I leave for Maine tomorrow.  My mom and dad spent the night here in my apartment and I will sleep on my futon.  I have been going to Maine for about as long as I can remember and you can bet I will bring my laptop along so I can blog while I am there.