News and Views From my kids accomplishments, to my heretical perspective of the world

Devon is in Rochester, NY this weekend where he was invited by the Rochester University Institute of Optics.

This is one of the universities he applied to for Graduate Study. They accepted him, and he’s there now to review their offer.

The Institute, funded partly by the US Department of Energy, has one of the most powerful lasers in the world. Devon did most of his under-graduate work on high-energy lasers, and is interested in their programs. He has some other offers he will consider too, and it’s possible he will put off graduate school for a year in order to travel and be a young man.

Devon gave notice at his job in California as he prepares to take the summer off and decide his future.

This semester Derek has been training to be an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). As part of his training he worked a shift in the Emergency Room at Banner Desert Hospital (used to be Desert Samaritan) in Mesa.

It sounded very interesting, as he shadowed a certified EMT on his job, treating wounds, taking vitals, and working with Doctors and Nurses.

Most EMTs end up working either Emergency Rooms, or riding in Ambulances or Rescue Vehicles. The course ends in May, and at that time he may have to decide what sounds most interesting, or see what’s available.

Many EMTs eventually work up to Paramedic, Nurse or Physician. These are options for the future, but who knows?; this may just be a temporary side trip en route to another unrelated career. But it’s a good skill to fall back on if he needs it.

I still play basketball usually 4 times a week, and it happens that some of the regular players are physicians.

This morning I ran into someone’s elbow with my face (it really was my fault), and the edge of my glasses cut a long deep slit in my cheek. Blood was running down my face as I ran to the bathroom to get paper towels.

After I came out, huddled around me in conference to determine the best way to proceed were three physicians : an anesthesiologist, a gynecologist, and a general surgeon.

They all had their opinion, but in the end I went with the surgeon who put in three stitches. I’m going to have a black eye for a few days and probably a scar, but otherwise I’ll be fine.

I’ve had similar injuries before and usually just put on a butterfly and band aid, but this one seemed a little deeper, and it’s nice to have professional help when you need it.