The Diary Game || 04-06-24 || A Boring and Busy Work Day

Dear diary,

I am going to start writing with a pen on these pages more frequently from now on, even though it is my first time doing so.

How was your day today? I would like to share with you. It really was quite the day for me. I arrived at work earlier than I have ever done since moving to this new location. Yes, I’m currently doing my student attachment at a hospital that is supposed to help me hone my skills in the discipline I’m studying that is Radiography.

Let me tell you about my experience: I arrived at work early and informed my coworkers of my presence. That one, I know, is pretty dramatic. Our first patient arrived an hour after 9 a.m. Before our first patient I went to put on my lead coat before seeing our first patient in order to shield myself from any potential scattered radiation that might come from the machine while it was being warmed. The reason my lead coat was so heavy was because it was made of radiation-absorbing lead, and I had to think about my safety.

When our first patient finally arrived and requested a chest X-ray, my coworkers and I handled the situation expertly.

After that, I was told to go to the pharmacy to pick up the necessary equipment for two specific CT scan procedures that needed a lot of it. The first patient for the special procedure was a woman whose doctor had diagnosed her with malignant mouth cancer that had spread to her lungs.

The goal of the scan we performed was to determine the extent of the cancer's malignancy. We used a soluble solution called contrast media, which is injected into the veins and goes straight to the organ of interest, making it easier to see. My supervisor assisted me in managing the initial procedure. Since the patient had been complaining about not eating and being hungry, the second special procedure was performed far too soon.

She had to be prepped for the exams and had a rectal contrast injected into her body through a catheter and a drip set. We were all eager to watch and learn from the experience, for us.

We did not have another case after the second special procedure, so two of my coworkers and I stayed back in the CT suite to talk about our observations. After some time, we returned, and I went to the canteen to have lunch with a friend while I took a break. After finishing up, I visited a different friend who had been transferred from our radiology department to the insurance department.

We had a pleasant conversation after I asked him how he was adjusting to his new location. We did not really see patients again until 5 p.m., when we all went home together. However, I made a stop somewhere during that time.

I took the next bus to go get a perfume that I paid for earlier that morning. I was constantly contacting the vendor to ask for directions because I did not know the route. After finding the location at last and receiving a pleasant welcome, I began experimenting with the various perfume scents before settling on a really lovely berry scent that included my favorite color, purple.

As I left with it, rain started falling and I tried rushing home but I couldn’t find a ride for a while so I was already soaked by the rain and my cover shoes were so soggy and uncomfortable for me but I managed to get home with it where I dissolved into a warm bath, ate, finished my assignments and then settled in with my favorite Netflix series. It was a stressful day but ended with a relaxing time.

I guess we go again tomorrow.