Let's Wrap It Up!

I have never done a blog before until I got into my English class. This week is the last week for FINAL posts and I have absolutely enjoyed telling my story. My goal is to become a Registered Nurse. I know this is my passion as I already enjoy taking care of patients. I hope to one day change lives of those who are sick.

To wrap things up, I have talked about vital signs that are given by nurses to check patients health, I went into depth discussion about my job description as a CNA, I talked about the different types of diseases and cancers. Overall, this blog has taught me some information that I was able to research about becoming a nurse. I am ready to take on the challenge! Thanks for reading my blog! Here are some funny cartoon phrases I found. Check it out for fun http://www.nursebuff.com/2014/03/funny-nurse-cartoons-on-pinterest/

The Beginning Of Zombie Life....

I have written in my blog about the majority of what a nurse does. I can not wait to begin my journey as an RN nursing student. I have taken a few classes so far. If I stay on track, I will be graduating from Ivy Tech in the Fall of 2018. My goal is to take as many classes I can handle to get me there quicker. I have learned so much from my friend, Haley who recently graduated and received her RN. I see the tension and the stress and I can not wait for the challenge. 

To get more information about becoming a nurse visit www.ivytech.edu There you will find some interesting information about becoming a nurse. I have many friends who have graduated at Ivy Tech that told me that the school is a great place to go to. I have been a student for a couple of years now. I have taken some semesters off and such and planning on going at a faster pace after the end of this year. Just thinking about the lives I will be changing excites me and I can't wait! 

If you are a nursing student or plan to become one.  Check out this link http://www.nursetogether.com/study-tips-for-nursing-students

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of death in women, after lung cancer. The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is less than 1 in 8.  The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 36. Breast cancer rates have been going down. This is probably because the cancer is being found early and better treatment.

Checking your breast on a monthly basis is important. Follow the steps below to detect abnormalities on your breast. The following should be done once a month.

• Begin looking at your breast in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.  Here is what you need to look for.

Breasts that have usual shape, color and size. 

Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.

If you see the following changes, please bring them to your doctor's attention:

Dimpling, Puckering, or bulging of the skin.

A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple.

Redness, soreness, rash or swelling.

• Now raise your arms and look for the same changes
• While you are at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples ( this could be a watery, milky, yellow fluid or blood)
• Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
•  Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.

 

Click on the links below to find out more about the treatments on breast cancer. 

Surgery

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

Hormone therapy

Targeted therapy

Bone-directed therapy

There is not a cure yet for breast cancer but one day I believe someone will find one. It doesn't matter what your age is, young or old, make sure to examine your breast every month.

DISEASES

Nursing has important roles to play in the prevention of infectious diseases and in the care of persons and families who have such diseases, and it must assume leadership for these roles. 

 The news is filled with stories about Ebola, and breast cancer gets a lot of press too. Would it surprise you to know that neither makes the list of the 10 deadliest diseases? Even more surprising, perhaps, is that several of the deadliest diseases, including the number one killer in the world, are at least partially preventable. Where a person lives, access to preventive care, and quality of healthcare all factor into their risk. In 2014 the top 10 deadliest diseases were:

• Coronary Artery Disease - The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD, also called ischemic heart disease, occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. 
• Stroke- A stroke is when an artery in the brain is blocked or leaks. Oxygen-deprived brain cells begin to die within minutes.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - COPD is a chronic, progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD.
• Lower Respiratory Infection- This group of diseases includes pneumonia, bronchitis, and influenza.
• Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancers - Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer are all respiratory cancers. The main causes of this type of cancer are smoking, second-hand smoke, and environmental toxins.
• HIV/AIDS- HIV is short for human immunodeficiency virus. It’s a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV can cause AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition.
• Diarrheal Disease- Diarrhea is when you pass three or more loose stools a day. When diarrhea lasts more than a few days, your body loses too much water and salt. Death is due to dehydration. Diarrhea is usually caused by an intestinal infection transmitted through viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. This type of infection can easily spread through contaminated water or food. It’s particularly widespread in developing nations that have poor sanitary conditions
• Diabetes Mellitus- Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect insulin production and use. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin. The cause is not known. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t be used effectively. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a number of factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and carrying too much weight.
• Preterm Birth Complications- According to WHO, in 2012, as many as 1.1 million deaths were due to prematurity and complications due to low birth weight. Three-quarters of these deaths happen within the first week of life. Lack of skilled medical care makes this a huge problem in developing countries. Many newborn deaths could be avoided with good prenatal and postnatal care.
• Tuberculosis- TB is a lung condition caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s an airborne disease that is often successfully treated. Some strains of TB are resistant to conventional treatments. Second-line drugs used to treat these patients are in limited supply. Some strains fail to respond to second-line treatment as well.