So long, farewell

Well folks, its about time to say goodbye. I've had a surprisingly fun time writing these posts. They may continue in the future, just probably not as frequent and it might be reincarnated as another blog.  Probably a little less pharmacy talk, and more real life.

But for right now I'm looking to the future. Europe is less than a month away and then ill live out the rest of my summer at Lake Sallie, working at a retail pharmacy. In the fall life will become more than hectic again, BECAUSE PHARMACY SCHOOL! Im so glad I was able to use this blog to document the application process. Im sure ill laugh at myself in a few years, thinking that I was overreacting, but hey, it happens.

See you soon!
ashlyn

The final few

Since countries are so close together in Europe we are able to visit a lot in a very short amount of time. Our last few days we hit several countries. We will visit Switzerland, Luxembourg and Brussels.

In Switzerland we are going to Interlaken, a quaint town located right next to the Swiss Alps. They have very unique buildings, and really have the ski town feel that you would see in Montana! If only i could bring my skis and hit the slopes!

When I say its right next to the Alps, I mean its right next to the Alps. Wow.

I'm not sure what they have in store for us in these cities, my next meeting is next week and I'm hoping we get our full itinerary! 

School is almost done! Summer is on its way! Hip-hip hooray! 

Franceland, Im coming back!

Ahhhh, Franceland.

The summer before my junior year of high school I was very fortunate to be able to visit France with other French students from my high school. Returning back to France has ALWAYS been my dream, I just had no idea that it would be this soon!  Although I'm quite sure that I've forgotten a lot of the French I learned. Sorry, Mrs Hewitt! Im so excited to be re-visiting my favorite sites in France, especially St. Malo. St. Malo, is my all-time favorite place in France, besides being on the shimmering Eiffel Tower at night :)

Here are a few pictures from my first trip, i can't wait to do a lot of throwback pictures to compare then and now!

Behind Notre Dame!

My friend le Tour Eiffel

Point du Hoc in Normandy

This is the center of Paris, they say that if you touch it you will return to Paris one day, how accurate it is :)

The ocean pool that is created at high tide in St. Malo. When the tide goes back out the water remains. It is super busy during the day time but we went out at night and were the only ones there! It was very cold, and a VERY long swim to the diving platform.

Rome, Italy

The next stop on my trip around European continent- Rome, Italy!

This trip is by far the most nerve wracking of our entire trip. Why? Because we're on our own in Rome. Scary, yet so exciting!

During our trip abroad we also get a summer break, in my eyes not really necessary because the ENTIRE TRIP is a vacation! But moving along, we have 4 days and 3 nights to go anywhere we'd like to go. We currently have a group of 11 students that are Rome bound.  Im so thankful that we were able to get a large crew to go, because the more there are the safer we should be. When we're in Rome were staying at someones apartment. Not everyone was comfortable with hostels, and we all agreed this would be the best plan for us.

Were going to try and pack as much as we can into the few days that we have in Rome. Our apartment is located in the center of Rome so we are very close to the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.

We are planning a day trip to visit Florence, Italy. It is a quick trip by train and is a great way for us to see more of what Italy has to offer in just one day!

We also want to visit the Roman Forum, the Spanish steps, any and all ancient ruins, and hopefully the smallest country in the world-- Vatican City! I'm Catholic, and have already been fortunate enough to visit Notre Dame, and I would LOVE to visit the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica.

Im so excited to eat some true Italian food. I already love pasta, pizza, and gelato, so I'm thinking I should just move to Italy now and get a head start ;)

31 days until we leave!

Greece

The first side trip we take during our trip is to Greece!

Our first day there we will get a walking tour of Athens. I love Greek mythology so I'm really excited to see all the ancient ruins on the Acropolis.  Im not sure what the entire game plan for Athens is, but I know that anything i get to see will be fantastic! Athens is just such a historic city and i can't wait to soak it all in :)

It is impossible to think about Greece without thinking about the blue dome roofs, or Mamma Mia for that matter. So thank goodness we are headed to those blue domes right after we leave Athens! Thats right, like the Kardashians we are headed to Santorini! Every picture I look at of Santorini just gives me a sense of calmness. The clear light blue water and the bright cobalt domes create the most amazing atmosphere. All the buildings are so unique, and cute! I've also been told they have the best sunsets in the WORLD, I am a total sunset girl. Personally Lake Sallie in Detroit Lakes holds m record, but i feel that Santorini could give old lake Sal a run for her money. While in Santorini were hoping to get plenty of sun and time in the ocean. My professor told us that Greece will be hot hot hot while we're there. I hope this NoDak girl can handle it!

Here's just a few pictures of Santorini's gorgeous views. I CANNOT wait to soak it all in for myself!

Dublin, Ireland

When I go to Europe I will be staying at UC Dublin in Dublin, Ireland.

UC is pretty much our base camp. I will take all my classes on campus, taught by NDSU professors, and we will be staying in the UC dorms. The dorms are pretty unique, a lot different than what we have here at NDSU. I will be rooming with six people. SIX. Sounds so weird just saying that. But the awesome part? We each have our own bedroom AND bathroom. I think I can handle that.

We will attend class on campus for part of the day, and go out for activities in the evening. The first few days we will have orientation and class. But soon thereafter we have a walking tour of Dublin planned. We will leave and return to Ireland numerous times, taking trips to other countries in the meantime.  During our time in Ireland we will be visiting Causey Farm,  Butler's Chocolates, the Guinness Factory, a traditional Irish Music Pub. We will also take a few day trips to the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Waterford, and Blarney. We will also be allowed free days to explore Ireland on our own!

The Cliffs of Moher is grassy plateau region that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It has been in multiple movies including the Princess Bride and Harry Potter. It looks amazing in every picture I've seen!

Killarney is a town in southwest Ireland that we will be visiting. It is home to many beautiful Abbey's and castles and a gorgeous national park.

This picture is from Killarney National Park

Dingle is another town in southwest Ireland that is apart of the tourist string of towns called the Wild Atlantic Way.

Blarney is home to the legendary Blarney Stone that is said to give you the gift of eloquence if you kiss it!

in every photo I've seen so far you have to lean over like this to kiss it, not quite sure why..

Waterford is home to a major Crystal Factory and is also one of the oldest cities in Ireland.

I'm part Irish so I'm pretty giddy about being able to visit part of my heritage :)

EUROTRIP

I just booked tickets to Rome, Italy. Is this real life.

Yes, it most certainly is, wow. As I mentioned earlier I am studying abroad for part of this summer in Europe for 6 weeks. I think about my trip every single day. Which is why I want to spend my last two blogging weeks laying out my plan of attack for those 6 weeks. We are visiting so many places and countries I can hardly keep track. So for memories sake, Im laying it all out on the blog! Whoop Whoop!

The study abroad program is part of my business minor which will be completed while I am on the trip. I mentioned here.

It's Meredith's fault

Maybe I'm just watching too much Grey's Anatomy, but I've felt a strong pull towards the clinical side of Pharmacy practice these days.

I currently work in a retail pharmacy environment, which I love, but somedays it feels like I am doing the same thing day in and day out. And like I said it could be too much Grey's, but hospital life seems so much more exciting and adventurous, especially in a large hospital. Since I haven't had too much experience besides my local hospital pharmacy, I'm not really sure what the clinical side is like. In a town of 2,000 its usually not too exciting, trust me. Im really hoping that I get the opportunity to work in a hospital pharmacy before I graduate, I know that I will during my rotations in the P4 year, however I'm up for an experience sooner rather than later. We will just have to see where the wind blows.

Ebola Vaccine

While the Ebola pandemic seems to be on its way out the door, the CDC is still in the thick of it.

Currently they are testing a vaccine for Ebola in Sierra Leone. The program is called STRIVE- Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola. They are currently in phases 2 and 3 of testing the vaccine that they have developed. They have chosen to test the vaccine in the 5 areas that were hit the hardest by the Ebola virus. The article on the CDC page stated they may extend their area of testing if necessary, as the Ebola virus has been unpredictable in areas of outbreak.

One of the important aspects of this mission is that they are choosing not to use a placebo. Each participant in the trial will receive the vaccine at one point during the study. For some it may be immediate, while others will be in the deferred group. I think its important that every member receives the vaccine, due to the nature of the virus. It is best to protect as many people as possible while testing this vaccine, leaving no one in harms way if the outbreak comes back in full force.

The FDA is a dog lover too.

I'm a dog lover through and through. Puppy love is the best kind of love, so when the FDA released a statement that they are looking to punish companies who release unapproved pet medications I did a little cheer. The FDA is a dog lover too.

I think its important to look out for the health and safety of all animals, and I'm glad the FDA is bringing this into the limelight. Most of the time we think of dogs, cats, etc, as just pets, but for my family and many others pets are FAMILY and treated as such. Pets are occasionally someone's only family, I can't imagine giving my pet a medication that ends up killing them when it is supposed to help them, its a quick way to lose your whole world.

 They're also looking to increase the amount of drugs available for pets!

Double thumbs up!

Yes! Yes! and more Yes!

I read an article from the LA Times today that I absolutely love! It talked about Pharmacists getting out from behind the counter and meeting with their patients face to face. They help them by going through their medication lists, and working on their diet and exercise plans. This is the pharmacist I want to be. I want to be in front of my patients not telling them, but helping them create their own plan for success. It not only creates lasting relationships with patients, but also gives them a more manageable plan of action.

I think is a super important reason that we need to pass the law that gives provider status. Many pharmacists are willing and able to provide these services for their patients. the article stated that 1/3 to a 1/2 of americans do not take their medications correctly. If we can give pharmacists a greater role in the care of their patients we can create better adherence and make their condition more manageable.

Keep on keeping on California! Hope we will be joining you soon in your mission for healthier communities!

Here is the article from the LA Times

Family

My family is amazing. Each and every member of my immediate and extended family has reached out to congratulate me on my acceptance into pharmacy school. Some have been really sweet, and others have been just plain funny. One of my brothers always wants to embarrass me, and thats just what he did. I wanted to remember these posts for years to come. So i wanted to post them here so I can keep track of them. Everything seems to get lost in the Facebook universe these days.

That guy right there is my pharmacy role model!

Biggest brother is always nicer than bigger brother

See what I mean... I love him anyway!

Easter Weekend!

Here's to a couple days off from school! Im ready for another break!

Im currently in Arizona spending a few days with family, and one very particular person. My number one Pharmacy role model: my Grandpa!

Back in his day pharmacy school at NDSU was a little different. You went to school for four years and chose pharmacy as your major. At the end of those four years they told you whether or not you could get your pharmacy, or else you had to start all over and choose something else to major in. Can you imagine?! That would be absolutely terrifying! And a lot of school if you didn't get in! Im hoping to spend the long weekend talking shop with him and picking his brain with my many questions. :)

Happy Easter!

April Fools

Its April Fools Day, and if you don't have any pranks I am here to help!

I save pranks all year long, you never know when you're going to need to prank someone. I love having a good trick up my sleeve. But I've also had my fair share of misses, ill let you in on them too.

My personal favorite is putting saran wrap on any bottle that squeezes in the shower. It makes it SUPER frustrating when you can get anything out of your shampoo bottle, especially when you're running late! hehe

Another fave- Put some bubble wrap under your roommate's rugs. The moment they step on the rug the popping will commence. Bonus points if they have a rug at the foot of their bed, now that would be a wakeup call!

If your roommate loves a glass of OJ in the morning, switch it up a little bit. Switch that OJ packet and mix water with the cheese packet from a box of mac-n-cheese instead. It sounds totally gross so make sure to avoid it yourself!

One prank i am not recommending, food coloring on the tooth brush. It doesn't work very well, especially if they have a white toothbrush. It also ruins the toothbrush, I learned this the hard way. My roommate said it was okay, and she needed a new one anyway, but I still felt really bad. 

So hop to it folks! Pranks are fun, just watch out for the rebuttal! ;)

something to think about..

The shock and awe has NOT worn off from last week.

But I wanted to talk about something else today. I get emails from the American Pharmacist's Association daily, and today they took a stance on executions.

They are strongly discouraging all pharmacists from providing the medication that is used for the execution of patients on death row. This is one topic I hadn't thought about when it came to my role as a pharmacist, providing the medication that will end someone's life.  I feel that this is no different than prescribing medication for assisted suicide, and that is happening more and more these days. I mean they are two totally different scenarios but obviously have the same result. I'm not sure of my stance on this issue, I understand the need for punishment for people who have done wrong, but isn't life in jail almost the same thing? But I've never lost someone because of an inmate on death row. Would I feel different? It would test every inch of my morals that's for sure.

 I think this is a good topic to bring up to all medical professionals during their training, we all may face this choice someday. Like I said, I have never thought about my role in something like this, but there is a lot of future ahead of me.

Holy Crap.

I did it. I'm going to be a Pharmacist. Holy crap. This seems so unreal.

It hasn't set in yet and I'm not sure if it ever will.
 I'm almost speechless.
I really don't know what to write because all I want to write is I'm going to be a pharmacist 3000 times and thats probably unacceptable. So since I've never published it before, I wanted to publish the essay that I wrote for my application. Because it explains my excitement about this oh so well! I'll never forgot writing down my goals freshman year signing that piece of paper Ashlyn Riedesel, Pharm D. And its coming true, my dreams are coming true. Wow

I'm going to be a Pharmacist.

My application essay:

Through my life experiences and working in pharmacies in both North Dakota and Minnesota, I know pharmacy is my calling. I love the fast-paced environment that requires constant problem solving, stellar communication skills, and most importantly the opportunity to help and serve others. When I put together all the different ingredients of my life, I see a perfectly compounded prescription of a pharmacist. The ingredients of my compound have come from different phases in my life; however, they each play an equal role in creating the precise prescription.   

            The first ingredient is the choosing of my minor. When I began my schooling at NDSU, I decided it would be a great idea to minor in business administration. As a North Dakotan, I visit my local pharmacy and observe the pharmacist serving dual roles. He/She is able to own and manage several pharmacies while still serving patients at all locations. I want to be prepared for the business aspect that accompanies a North Dakota Pharmacist’s role. With NDSU’s tremendous business school, I knew that this was the best plan for me in order to gain an advantage in my future career. I have also chosen to study abroad this summer within the school of business to broaden my horizons and knowledge. I feel that this experience will help me to understand the language barrier that I may encounter with patients as I move through my career.

            The second ingredient of my pharmacist compound is my reason for choosing this career. I have been blessed to have numerous pharmacy role models throughout my life. My grandfather, uncle and cousin are all NDSU pharmacy graduates. I grew up observing their passion for their patients, customers, and their career that left me wanting to discover it for myself. It also lead me to pursue NDSU, as it would be an honor for me to attend the same university that they have chosen.

            There is one other reason why I want to become a pharmacist; I want to save my brother’s life. My brother was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was 7 years old and I was 4. I was too young to know what it all meant, but I was devoted to being his caretaker. As the years went on I was still peering over his shoulder with every shot and finger prick. I tagged along to doctor visits as well as dietetics meetings to help count his carbohydrates at every meal. I was right by his side for all of the high and low blood sugars, the literal highs and lows of type one. Although I have tried to make everything better and bearable, there is one thing I cannot do for him. I can’t cure him of this disease. My hope is that in the course of my pharmacy career that I will be able to dispense the medication that will put him on the path towards a recovery or even cure him from this damaging disease.  

            The third ingredient is my passion. Working in the pharmacy is my favorite thing to do. I go into work wide-eyed and eager each and every day because I know that I will make a difference in someone’s life, and that is pretty incredible. The pharmacy is such a stimulating atmosphere with twists and turns around every corner, challenging me in ways I never expected to be challenged in. This has only deepened my love for this profession, keeping my mind occupied long after the workday has commenced. If I run into any thought-provoking questions throughout the day I either ask my pharmacist or research the topic moment my workday finishes. I never want to stop learning, and I know pharmacy will allow me to do just that.

            The fourth ingredient that needs to be added to the compound is volunteering. I found my desire to work with and help people through volunteering in my hometown. Through the years I have worked with all ages, from the very young to the elderly. Teaching the youngest of ballerinas dance lessons has taught me patience and given me tremendous courage. From the delivery and service to the elderly through Meals on Wheels and the Sports Boosters I have gained compassion and continuously gained respect for others. I believe these character qualities transfer equally to the pharmacy. A pharmacist must be all of these things in order to serve their patients to the highest level.

            There we have it, mix equal parts of the ingredients together until smooth. Store the compound in a cool dry place after mixing. Instructions to the patient are to apply once daily until a pharmacist is created. Becoming a pharmacist requires long hours, a grueling course load, and continuous dedication. I am up for the challenge and I know it will be worth the hard work and effort in the end.

Dear Freshman Me

Ive seen a lot of letters to me lately and I wanted to write one to my freshman self. My first days of college were pretty scary and I would have loved to give myself some advice.



Dear Freshman Ashlyn,

I know you're scared, and you really don't want to be here right now, but college will be the best years of your life. I promise.

I know you're worried about making friends, since you're actually kind of shy. You'll meet your best friend, just three days in. Yes I know you're doubting me, but it will really happen. She will pick you up during your worst days and make you laugh so hard you'll cry. She will let you sleep in her bed every weekend of school just so you can avoid a certain someone. You'll also meet your best guy friends that stick up for you and are always willing to help you out. You'll find lifelong friends that live right down the hall. Dorm life, although it REALLY sucks is where all your friendships will grow and multiply. So meet as many people as you can in your dorm and your friends' dorms.

School will be tough. There is no doubt about that, I'm sure you already have an idea. But don't be afraid to take a study break and hang out with friends. Please don't skip birthday dinners and movie nights just to study, you can't make those memories up. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I know you hate to give in and love to do things for yourself, but you don't know everything. The sooner you go and get hep the sooner you will understand. Your future self will be less critical if you can get A's in all those early classes. Sorry, but I'm still a little bitter.

Don't forget about your friends from home. I know you're ready to make new friends, but like the song, make new friends and keep the old. Sometimes the only people who understand the shock and awe of the latest Facebook post will be your high school bestie. Keep her close, keep all your friends from home close, you're in this big new world together and no one will no you better than them.

Be spontaneous. We've gotten better and better at trying new and crazy things, but I'm going to tell you now to be spontaneous. It's so much more fun that way :)

You're doing well, and I'm proud of you for making the decision to become a pharmacist. Your love for this profession will only continue to increase.

And believe it or not you will actually get a JOB.

Go get'em girl!

The letter.

The hyperventilating has begun.

The letter has been sent out. I repeat, the letter has been sent out.

Within the next 24-48 hours my life will change. Hopefully for the better and not the worst. I mean there's really nothing I can do at this point, whats done is done. I just really want to know! Im so ready for my future and to take the next step.

Here's to hoping I have good news to report on Thursday or Friday.  :)

Geeking Out

Being apart of the pharmacy atmosphere makes me a total geek for all things pharmacy. Just by browsing Pinterest, I found so many cheesy pill shaped things that I would love to have and use.

Capsule Magnets would be perfect to put all my pharmacy related achievements on the fridge!

A USB for all my class projects? Even better! 

Everyone in class would be jealous if they saw my pill shaped highlighters!

I would probably get to class on time if I had this pill alarm clock!!

My fellow pharmacy technicians would get a kick out of getting these pill shaped nail polishes!

And finally.. Pill shaped earrings. I bet my customers would ask if they were real! So Fun!

Our PSA

I wanted to post our PSA that we created for English, because there are a few people out there that see this page.

We had such a great time filming it! It was funny to see all the looks we were getting while filming in the mall. Our blooper reel could have been hours and hours because we were laughing through the entire process! I loved being able to make this video with Lauren and Hannah and our friends!

We all feel that this is a very important message that everyone needs to see, young and old alike!

Enjoy!

I Survived!

I did it! I survived the interview process! Whoop whoop!

The day started way to early, and the night before I was a mess. I did not want to go to sleep at all, and then couldn't sleep, it was a struggle. So, just as I was about to head out the door we had a wardrobe malfunction. I was just about to walk out the door and riiiiip. My pants, they ripped. I had no idea what to do and I was already running late, my roommates were up with me and decided it wasn't noticeable so I just went on my merry way to the interview! I got to do my individual interview first, thank goodness! I was so glad that I could get them out of the way. While I can't say much about the interview process, it was a great experience and I'm so glad I got to do it. The day went buy so quickly I could hardly believe it!

So now we are back to the waiting game, but not much longer! Im so ready to get that final letter. It has been such a long process, but I'm so grateful for the experience.

Tick Tock Goes the Clock

We are so close to interview day, so dang close. Its really hard to believe.

I'm not really sure what I'm feeling right now, both nervous and excited, but mostly nervous. I haven't had much time to practice since this week has been so busy, although thats probably a good thing that way I can keep my mind off of things. But I plan to do a little bit tomorrow night. They've told us we can't really practice for this, we just have to go in and be ourselves. Here's to hoping it goes well, I'll meet you all on the other side. Eek!

Flu Vaccines? Already?

The FDA has endorsed the World Health Organizations picks for the 2015-2016 flu vaccines. It seems weird that they would pick these strains already as the virus still has a lot of time to regenerate and change. 

But nonetheless it is important that they pick the strains early enough so that they have time to develop the vaccines. They have decided to choose 2 new strains to join the one from last year for this next season. There will be an H3N2, H1N1, and type B virus available for the next season. A member of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee said that the committee watches the viruses that affect Asia and the Southern Hemispheres as most of the viruses seem to drift westward as well as northward, and then they base the selections off of that. 

Contraception for All?

I read an article today about making oral contraceptives (Birth Control) available over the counter without a prescription.

I can see both the positives and negatives in this topic.

On the plus side, it would allow for more women to have access to these medications especially low income families who feel they can't afford a doctor's visit. I believe that everyone no matter their economic status should have the access to effective birth control. The article stated that 21% of low-income women would be very likely to use birth control if they could get it OTC. The other positive side to this is the prevention of unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately abortions are still legal in this country, having birth control available over the counter would help prevent this in the future.


On the other side i can definitely see birth control getting into the wrong hands. Teenagers are the most likely to abuse this system. I feel that if they do move birth control OTC and ID should be required and only approved for those 18 and older. Hormones are running wild at this age and I can see young teens who have no idea what they're getting themselves into going out to buy birth control. That decision should be between the parents and the child at that young age, not the teens themselves.

Sanofi Fights Off Competition with the Release of Toujeo

Sanofi, a drug company in France is trying to get their new insulin, Toujeo approved by the FDA before their patent for the extremely popular Lantus, expires later this year. With the patent expiring, other drug companies like Lilly, and Merck are racing to come up with a cheaper version of the Sanofi original. The popularity of Lantus has given Sanofi a 15% share in the insulin market, the largest share of any single company.

They have been having some issues with the approval of Toujeo. Physicians have said that,while this new product is an improvement on Lantus, it isn't as large of an improvement that Lantus was when it was first released. This statement, especially since it was made by physicians, will discourage the prescribing of Toujeo since it will be more costly. Therefore, the future success of this insulin will depend on what the company chooses to set the price at, and if they can get it approved before the patent expires.

NSAIDS

I read a scary article today, saying that NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), that have been used to manage pain after heart attacks are actually boosting a patient's bleeding risk. They are also leading to increased opportunities to suffer another cardiovascular outcome, including death.  Even if the medication was only taken for less than seven days. 1/3 of our population suffering from heart related issues have prescriptions for these NSAIDS. Examples of NSAIDS include ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve).

The study recommended that doctors prescribe aspirin as well as clopidogrel which are also blood thinners.

Major, Minor

Most people understand my reasons for choosing pharmacy as my major, but they have had a harder time relating to my minor, Business Administration.

For me, it was a simple choice. In order to own a pharmacy in ND you must be a pharmacist with 51% ownership. This law gives the pharmacist the challenge of serving two distinctly different roles. I wanted to be prepared to take on both roles head first. It is important for me to feel that I am prepared to run a business, and I know that with the attainment of this minor I am well on my way.

Taking my business classes at NDSU also gives me a break from the endless science classes that I have taken. They can become exhausting at times, plus my business classes are very relatable!
My minor is also leading to some brilliant adventures within the college of business, studying abroad! I will write more at a later date, but I know it will be a trip of a lifetime!

Most Wanted?

Today I got finger printed. Its required by NDSU for the pharmacy program, it is such an odd and awkward process, but really funny. I had never been finger printed before so i wasn't really sure on what the process would be like.

The worst part was letting the printer take control. I always felt like I should help him roll my finger across the paper, but he said that wasn't a good idea. It would have smudged the paper and force me to start all over. When the process began I was doing pretty well, but towards the end I had to keep telling myself to let him do his job.   :)

They sent off all of my materials, the finger prints, a background check form, and a few other things. I know they'll be clean, but for some reason I'm scared they won't be?! I'm sure its just the getting accepted nerves? Who knows?

On a side note,  a little over 2 weeks from the interview!!!

EEK

ObamaCare

The Affordable Care Act is one confusing law, that people are either for, or against. A patient's healthcare plan is in control of what medications they can get and how they pay for those medications. I have been wanting to learn more about the Affordable Care Act for my interview preparations as well as for my own knowledge.

I read up on the Affordable Care Act on several websites, but there were some that made the topic much more simple than others. Obamacare facts was the most user friendly for me. My favorite part about the website? The simple videos they provide that clear up all your questions in about 5 minutes.

I have included the two videos that I watched. I appreciate their ability to explain the content in such a basic manner so that anyone could understand!

Health Insurance Explained

Get Ready for Obamacare

No Smoking

There is a new drug being tested that is getting better than expected results.

The drug Varenicline (Chantix) was being tested in a clinical trial to help smokers reduce the number of cigarettes they were smoking in order to help them quit within the next few years. The trial was more then successful as all the users who use Varenicline stopped smoking earlier than expected and were able to continue without smoking for a longer period of time. 

While smoking rates have decreased over the past few years, it would be great if we could eliminate it in the future. With drugs like Varenicline and Bupropion, as well as nicotine patches and gum we were getting closer. 

Smoking doesn't only affect the smoker, but everyone around them. The affects start small, like secondhand smoke, but can then increase to aftermath dealing with the loss of a loved one from lung cancer. I have experienced this situation personally, and it is one I wish I could have avoided.

The Great Immunization Debate

Lately, I cannot go on Facebook or read the newspaper without seeing a new article on the outbreak of measles all over the country. The majority of the outbreak is being spread by those that haven't been immunized.

Vaccinations can be a tough sell to new parents, but the truth is, they are absolutely necessary. Vaccinations came under fire in the late 2000's for being linked to autism. Numerous studies since then have proved otherwise, yet the stigma still stands. But why? Physicians and nurses have presented the information to new patients and they still choose not to follow their caregivers' orders.

Below is an article published on the Voices for Vaccines website. I believe it is an important read.
Children don't have a say in whether or not they will be vaccinated, which can lead to a sickly future...

http://www.voicesforvaccines.org/growing-up-unvaccinated/

interview questions

Since receiving my interview for pharmacy school I've been looking up some websites to gain some insight on what they may ask of me. I figured that they would be helpful for others, so I have decided to post them here!

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2013/12/medical-school-interviews-6-common-mistakes-that-admissions-officers-hate/

http://sciencepreps.iupui.edu/pharmacy-school-interview-questions

http://www.thepharmacistblog.com/2014/01/30/pharmacy-school-interview-questions/

pharmacy humor is my favorite humor

pharmacy/drug humor always makes me giggle. just as the semester is starting to get more stressful i thought i would post some pharmacy funnies :)

one step closer!

I did it! I got the interview!
I cannot believe my three years of hard work is coming down to these next three months. I still remember my freshman year at NDSU and making all these big plans for Pharmacy school not knowing what the future would bring. These three years have flown by so fast but I know I wouldn't have survived without my amazing family and friends.  They are forever reminding me that I CAN do this.

we're halfway there :)

Diabetes

I wanted to post a paper that I wrote my senior year of high school. Every article I have read on this topic still forgets to distinguish between the many different types of diabetes.

My brother has suffered from type one diabetes since he was seven. Everyone I encounter looks confused when I tell them he suffers from diabetes, because most see it as a disease that only occurs in those that are overweight. We all need to shed light on this disease that affects ALL people.

Ashlyn Riedesel

Advanced Comp

February 23, 2012

Compare/Contrast

Sooo, You Got It Because You’re Fat, Right?

            The effects of this disease are dangerous. Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and even amputation are all possible if you have diabetes (Diabetes Stats). There are two types of diabetes that are most common in our world. These two types, Type 1 and Type 2 are continually perplexed in society today.

            How many people actually have diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects 25.8 million people. In 2010 there were 1.9 million people just being diagnosed with the disease. Also, there are 79 million people who have the symptoms of becoming diabetic (Diabetes Stats).

            Erika Gebel described what diabetes is best with “ In simplest terms, diabetes means having too much of a kind of sugar in your blood.” This sugar is known as glucose, glucose enters the body as food and is then converted into glucose. The job of regulating the amount of glucose in the blood is job of insulin. It tells cells when it is the perfect time to take the glucose out of the blood so that the blood glucose level can return to normal. When a person has diabetes, there is either no insulin left in the body or very little depending on the type. Insulin must be injected into the body several times per day to regulate the glucose levels in the body (Gebel).

            Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as Juvenile Diabetes isn’t very common. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body starts attacking itself. In Type 1’s case, the body starts attacking the pancreas and its insulin producing cells. This disease can also come about from genetics and some environmental factors. The most important part of Type 1’s beginning is that is has nothing to do with a person’s lifestyle or their diet (Type 1..). If someone has Type 1 diabetes they do not have any insulin in their body whatsoever. The body has annihilated all of the insulin, and the body cannot reproduce it (Gebel).

 There are a profuse amount of symptoms that lead to the possibility of Type 1 diabetes. Drowsiness is one, constant drowsiness; falling asleep in the oddest of places, stairs, trailers, and bathrooms; anywhere. Other symptoms are: sudden vision changes, extreme thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination, fruity breath, sugar in urine, heavy breathing, stupor, and sudden weight loss (Type 1..).

Juvenile Diabetes became another name Type 1 because of who usually gets Type 1. Most are diagnosed when they are either children or teenagers, children as young as age two have been diagnosed. This makes it hard, as many of the young children do not understand why they have to be pricked and poked several times per day. It is hard to tell them why they cannot have a piece of cake at their own birthday because their blood sugar is too high. Also, they have resentment towards parents and other adults who administer their shots and finger pokes.

Type 1 diabetes needs to be treated 24/7. Poking the finger with a needle checks blood sugar and then blood is squeezed onto the meter. This will read what the blood sugar is. A shot of insulin then has to be injected into either the leg or arm; the dosing depends on whether there is a high or low blood sugar. The latest and greatest tool in treating Type 1 is the insulin pump.

            The insulin pump was invented in the 70’s but it really came into play around the 2000s. This device pumps insulin into the body constantly. The device is attached to the owner by flexible tubing and a set that goes into the skin. A diabetic enters in their blood sugar and the pump automatically starts pumping the perfect amount of insulin, it can also be arranged so insulin is pumped throughout the night to regulate blood sugar. An entire bottle of insulin is put into the device. The tubing and set has to be replaced every three days along with the insulin. The pump can be suspended when the owner is playing contact sports or swimming. This device has really changed the diabetic life. Type 1’s were used to a strict eating schedule because of the insulin shots; breakfast at 8:00, lunch at 11:30, snack at 3:15, dinner at 5 and another snack at 9. Straying from the schedule could give a diabetic out of control blood sugars. The pump gives its owner more flexibility; they can usually eat whenever they want and whatever they want because the pump will make up for it.

There are two types of blood sugar besides normal. When someone has low blood sugar, they become very confused and often whiny, if the blood sugar is low enough seizures could propel them into a coma and even death. To raise the low blood sugar usually a snack is eaten, unless the person is extremely ornery, then a glucagon shot or gel can be given.  When someone has a high blood sugar they often have frequent urination with glucose in it, and extreme thirst. To lower this a shot of insulin is given. The normal blood sugar range is between 100 and 140.

There can be many complications if Type 1 is not treated properly. Ketoacidosis or ketones are one major complication. Ketones are acids that can build up in the blood and then appear in urine when the body doesn’t have enough insulin. Ketones are more common when diabetics become sick. Diabetics test for ketones by urinating on a stick and then comparing the colors to the colors on the bottle. If it shows that there are ketones, it is an emergency and diabetics must be rushed to the emergency room as soon as possible. If diabetics do not take care of themselves there is a chance for amputations later in their lives; the most common amputations are of the lower limbs such as feet and toes (Diabetes Stats). People that develop Type 1 diabetes also have a greater chance of developing other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, celiac disease and Addison’s disease (Other Diseases..).

The worst part about acquiring Type 1 is that as of right now there is no cure. There is nothing they can do to make the disease go away. It is stuck with them for life. A two year-old who develops the disease will not remember a life without needles. A teenager with the disease may long for the life they had before the disease took control. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund has their team on the hunt for a cure. Until then, all Type 1’s are poking, pricking, and hoping (Type 1..).

Type 2 diabetes is a lot less complex than Type 1. The disease is a lot more common than its diabetic friend too, 85% of diabetics have Type 2 diabetes. Their body has insulin inside it; it just cannot produce enough for the entire food intake. Their body could also be ignoring the insulin (Facts about..). When the cells start ignoring the insulin the glucose levels rise, along with the blood sugar, which then brings on Type 2 diabetes (Gebel). Type 2 diabetes has everything to do with a person’s diet and exercise level. According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Science “ Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity, family history of the disease, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose intolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity.”

Before people are diagnosed with Type 2 they go through the pre-diabetes stage. This is when the body first starts ignoring the insulin. If it is caught early on the diagnosis can be totally reversed by the means of diet an increased activity level and some medication. If pre-diabetes is not reversed, diabetes will develop in 3 to 10 years (Diabetes Mellitus, Gale).  Other than pre-diabetes, which is discovered by a doctor, Type 2 doesn’t usually have symptoms. But if they do, they come about gradually and may include dry skin, frequent infections, fatigue, numbness or tingling in the hands or of the feet, slow healing time for wounds, and increased hunger/thirst.

People diagnosed with Type 2 are a variety of ages. Since the diagnosis of the disease is directly related to weight anyone who is obese has a chance of getting the disease.  A young child that is seven or eight could be diagnosed at the same time as their 65 year-old grandmother. There isn’t one age range that it ignores, but it commonly hits between the ages of 40 and 74 (Diabetes Mellitus, Gale). Females have a greater chance of developing the disease along with Latin Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans (Diabetes Mellitus, UXL).

Treatment for Type 2 is different than Type 1. Type 2ers have to check their blood sugar daily as well as take insulin like the Type 1 folks; however, they also will take an oral medication or two to help out the insulin. People with Type 2 also use different kinds of insulin. They can use both short-acting and long-acting insulin to help regulate their blood sugars. Type 2 diabetics must change their eating and exercising habits or else the disease will continue to worsen (Diabetes Mellitus, Gale). There isn’t a big game changer that helps life as a Type 2 diabetic; it is all about finding the right medicine that helps regulate the blood sugar. Each individual will have a different treatment plan and orders; the same medicine doesn’t work for everyone.

Type 2 diabetic’s biggest worry is their blood sugar. Their number tells them if their medicine is working right and if they are on the road to recovery. Type 2’s rarely worry about having a low blood sugar. It just simply doesn’t happen. They have a high blood sugar most of the time because of their food intake. Their ultimate goal is to bring that number down. They focus on being in the idyllic range of 100-140. Anything higher than 160 is considered high blood sugar so there is not much room for error.

Complications arise if Type 2 is not managed properly. People with Type 2 may develop eye problems; however, there are no symptoms for them, so eyes need to be checked regularly. Feet issues can also develop; they may acquire nerve damages and have poor circulation. Amputation of the lower limbs is also possible for Type 2 diabetics. Fighting infections is tough for people suffering from Type 2. Since they are already overweight, they chances of having a high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also there. Heart disease and strokes are a major thing that diabetics have to be aware of. Type 2 diabetics can enter a coma if their blood sugar becomes to high and the ending result of this could be death (Diabetes Mellitus, Gale).

The best part about Type 2 diabetes is that it can be cured. If the diabetic creates and sticks to a healthy diet and exercise plan and they take their medication the disease can be reversed. It is a happy day for those who struggle with Type 2. Although, it can be cured the disease can also come back. People can go back and forth from showing no symptoms of Type 2 to having legitimate Type 2. Once they are clear of all symptoms they are told to stick with that plan so the disease wont come back into their lives.

Diabetes is a game changer. It changes millions of lives every year. The two types couldn’t be any more different, but they both have sufferers looking towards a common goal. To find a cure for all who suffer from the disease. The dangerous effects could be blown out the window with just a simple pill. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Works Cited

“Diabetes Mellitus.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. 4^th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2012

“Diabetes Mellitus.” U*X*L Encyclopedia of Science. U*X*L, 2007. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

“Diabetes Statistics.” Diabetes.org. American Diabetes Association, 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

“Facts About Type 2.” Diabetes.org. American Diabetes Association, 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

Gebel, Erika. “What Is Diabetes?.” Diabetes Forecast. 01 Apr. 2008: 48. eLibrary. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

“Other Diseases That Are More Common in People With Type 1 Diabetes.”  Kidshealth.org. Nemours, 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.

“Type 1 Diabetes Facts.” JDRF.org. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Dec. 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.