Hi Friend,
I went roller blading today in the 65 degree heat with the sun shining and totally enjoyed the Fox Run Neighborhood exercise. Although it was a bit warm for me---I like 50 or less for outdoor exercise---it occured to me what a beautiful town Findlay, Ohio is. I have been very blessed by our life here---wonderful partners and patients---the Scouts, Indian Princesses, Findlay Light Opera Company, the Findlay Schools arts/music programs, Coffee Amici---Script, our Gateway Church Family. Folks ask me: "Hey Doc, you bored yet"???" The fact is no, I'm not, I have so many enriching chores/hobbies, etc. that I could go on like this forever. Each day I rise to meet my maker, and thank Him for another day---then I go on to take care of the kids, the house, the move, the family---then there is some study time for physician training---then there is some exercise time---a little guitar playing---then, before I know it, it's time for bed!!! The only thing missing is that I am used working with/helping more people than I have lately---and I miss that---just in the last two days the Spirit is moving me to go on to the next mission---so yeah, it's been good having this much time off---it's been good to re-charge and move on!!!!

Disclaimer: My entries are stream of consciousness, for fun, they are not edited for grammatical correctness---even this one!!! Please forgive me teachers!!!

Howdy! Made it back to Findlay from Ft. Wayne elated, I passed the ATLS course!!!! Yay!!! Why am I so elated? Because this is without a doubt the most difficult certification in the ACLS, PALS, etc. realm of certifications anyone can earn. There's no doubt about it!!! This was one of, if not the most intense, rewarding learning experiences I have had as a physician. I'm also patting myself on the back because I saw some seasoned ER Docs have to go back and re-take some things--but this old dumb family doc pulled it off on the first run!!! It's a real confidence booster to know what to do via a very systematic approach in a major trauma situation. I think folks just assume that if you are a "doctor" that you can go out on the ice rink after a hockey player smashes head first into the boards and know what to do right?? The reality is you really need something like ATLS to prepare you completely for that, and for even tougher stuff. I know it will make me a better "Country Doctor"!!! Thanks to my ATLS certified friends and colleagues who gave me tips on how to pass this course---which basically means MEMORIZING THE INTIRE 391 PAGE BOOK!!!

Thanks to my wife Jomay and friend Ed Nelson for coordinating my surprise birthday party at the Rockwell Springs Trout Club last week. It was an amazing surprise to see my Brother Rick and Sister-In-Law Nancy come in all the way from the West Coast. Then there's my Brother-In-Law Brad who came up from Southern Ohio, and friends that came from Quebec Canada to Texas and in-between!!! The limo bus full of Findlay Friends really got me----thanks so much for making my night such a great "50th" (I'm still not quite there, but close enough). The presents brought me to tears, especially the gift of the 44 magnum Smith and Wesson pistol. Now I will feel a lot more comfortable taking friends and family back into the deep bear country in the U.P. This "weapon" was actually discussed in my course book in Advanced Trauma Life Support---it's almost a hand held rifle! Can't wait to shoot it and get those lessons in marksmenship from my friend Colonel Scott Wessinger. We had a great time jamming at the Club into the wee hours, out came the guitars and bases, mandolins and singers---thanks Randy and Dave for setting it all up, and the gals for their support! (However, I still think we stopped at 0100 and not 0400)!!!! We all had a great time with many fish caught. My next fishing report I hope will be from the U.P.!!! Blessings!
Jeff

Thanks for all of your feedback on the BLOG so far, I will try to keep thoughts posted. I haven't written in awhile because frankly, I have been enjoying life without work so much that I couldn't find the time! I can't relay what a joy it has been to be off work for close to a month now. I feel like I have my life and self back. This is not to say I haven't been productive. I am sleeping in, more, roller blading (thanks brother for new blades for my birthday). However, I am also ferrying the kids around, taking them their homework when they forgot it, driving them to lessons, etc. They are, as Jomay will tell you, more than a full time job. In addition, I am undergoing additional training that I have always wanted to get. As I write this I am in Ft. Wayne, IN attending a physician course in Advanced Trauma Life Support. My new employer requires this of is in the event we would have to back up our emergency room physician. This rarely happens, but it is a good requirement. I have had an incredible learning experience. The Trauma Team here at Parkview Hospital has given me a lot of confidence in intubating, putting in central lines, chest tubes, doing a cricothyroidotomy, etc. This training really fills a hole I have felt in my training in several years. I think I will actually start filling in at our ER up north!!!