As 40 quickly approaches, I am becoming increasingly aware of the medical screenings that are in my future. With a history of breast cancer in my family, I have already been getting mammograms since I was 33. Recently, I was reading the May/June issue of the Journal of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, I found an article about ...

Last week I had to have surgery to repair an inguinal hernia. This is a rare type of hernia for women and I initially had difficulty finding information about it on line. It usually afflicts men. I first had to look at what could have caused this. I have had several surgeries to my lower abdomen, I have lifted weights for many years, and I ...

This week I made a special connection with one of my patients. There are just those people who you feel instantly drawn towards. I could tell by looking into his eyes that he was in a lot of emotional pain. He was so kind, honest, and open that the conversation just flowed. He used to work as a phlebotomist so he was patient and helpful with ...

Anyone who has ever CT scanned a patient who is allergic to the IV contrast knows how scary it can be. Previously, I only dealt with inpatients so I could confirm with the nurse that the patient had in fact received the allergy prep medications. Now I am working almost exclusively with outpatients. This week I had five patients who were ...

The tough job market continues to affect me. I got hired at the VA as a fee-based CT technologist on a part time basis. I was told that I would work 5 days a week every other week until the two full-time open positions were filled. This was supposed to take me at least into the fall of this year. In an unprecedented turn of events, the usually ...

Today I took the NBCOT certification exam.  Wow.  That was not fun.  I have studied diligently for the past 2 months and I do not if I will pass.  It is just one of those exams that you do not walk away from feeling great about your performance.  I say this not only based upon my experience, but of that of my ...

     I only have 5 days left until I take the NBCOT certification exam.  I cannot believe how fast these past few months have flown by.  While a part of me wishes that I had more time to study, the other parts knows that there's not much more I can do, so lets just get this over with.  I hate taking tests.  ...

I spent most of yesterday at the VA Hospital having various tests performed and handing over copies of my fingerprints at the police station. I first met with a nice woman from HR who needed me to sign yet another form. She also informed me that I have more paperwork to complete on line. These forms seem to have no end. She then escorted me ...

     Yesterday I sent in the last piece of paperwork (and check) required to get the licensing/certification ball rolling, now I just need to pass the test.  It is all out of my hands for the moment and I am so anxious!  Before, I was able to exert some control over what was happening by choosing when to send in the ...

Now that we are back in Florida, I am eagerly looking for a job. Thanks to a wonderful former colleague, I am now in the hiring process for a CT position at the VA Hospital. If any of you have ever applied for a government job you know it can be a lengthy process. They have told me it can take up to three months. I am trying to be patient as my ...