…Been to South Street Philadelphia

So while this is a little bit later than when the event actually happened, I figured it was worthy of still mentioning (because after all, better late than never, right?!).

So Reshica, Kat and myself decided one Saturday night that we should go out on the town – Old City. So it was my responsibility to research good bars/clubs and Kat would take a train into the city to meet up with Reshica and myself. Needless to say, we are not timely individuals, so Kat arrived at our place and about an hour later, Reshica and I were ready about an hour later – oops.

I found that FLUID nightclub had free cover for ladies before 11pm and was located at 4th and South Street. So we decided to take the MFL (Market-Frankford Line) from 34th to 5th street. While we were there, we had to decide the directions ourselves to determine where 4th street was. Needless to say….we started going the wrong direction. At this point, it was shortly before 11 and we were determined to get to FLUID before free cover for ladies was over!!

We finally stumbled upon it, passing South Street. I wish we would have seen more of South Street, because this street has become a tourist landmark.

South Street is an east-west street in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The stretch of South Street between Front Street and Seventh Street is known for its "bohemian" atmosphere and its diverse and urban mix of shops, bars, and eateries. It is one of Philadelphia's largest tourist attractions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Street_%28Philadelphia%29)

So once we walked into FLUID (http://www.fluidnightclub.com/) we realized it was incredibly dark, minimal people on the dance floor – but we headed straight for the bar. We each ordered a drink (helping Reshica choose a drink that we thought she would enjoy), and were told $9. Initially, this is not a bad price for drinks in the city, but then the bartender told us it was $9 for all 3 drinks, or $3 a piece! Not only was it free cover for ladies, but discount on drinks till midnight!! So Kat and I reached for our debit cards, when the bartender tells us “$30 minimum on cards” !!! WHAT!! Now what were we to do, with $3 drinks and $30 minimum?!?!? Well, Kat decided she would just start a tab, and each of us would get 3 drinks and each owe her $10. So our night began.

We looked around, and realized the atmosphere at this club was not one in which we were very familiar with. So we saw a lonely lit-table in the corner and sat down with our drinks. We enjoyed our time, chatting and sharing stories while we just observed the ongoings at the club. We noticed the DJ approaching the bar, carrying the mic while holding a bottle of vodka in the other hand (talent).

Kat had coworkers who were out at another place in Old City, and since our tab was complete, we decided to move on to the next place! We walked from 4th and South Street to 2nd and Church Street. We walked through a part of Old City with cobblestone streets and brick buildings. It was a beautiful walk.

Once we arrived at the new place, Sugar Mom’s, we met up with Kat’s coworker and some of his friends. One of the greatest things about this bar…they had DUM-DUM lollipops! Ive never seen a bar that served DUM-DUMs! I was so excited that I didnt care about the drinks, I just hung out with everyone and enjoyed the company. While we were out, Reshica had been talking about how she liked the “idea of being from the south” and “southern accents,” so she decided that since we were meeting new people, she would introduce herself as from Kentucky with a country accent. So picture an adorable girl, from Napal, speaking in a decent country accent, telling people she is from Kentucky, with two Kentucky girls (who do NOT have country accents, haha). We were a sight, it was precious.

This was another first for me: It became 2am, and the bar was closing. I have never been out at a bar when they close, because at home the bars do not close until 4am (and I am never out that late!). So the large group of us were gathered together, discussing what we were going to do next. I asked if anyone knew of a Taco Bell/Waffle House/White Castle in Old City, but the response was NO. Really?!? So first of all, the bars close early and second of all….NO food?!? What a difference this was from Louisville’s 4th Street or Bardstown road!

Since it was closing time, and no food was to be seen, Reshica and I decided to venture back to our place. And since the subway stops running after 1230am (go figure, the subway stops before the bars close….hmm..), we had to take the Night Owl bus that runs the same course of the MFL. This was not as predictable as the subway schedule, and we were standing at the bus stop with others for about 45 minutes until the bus arrived. Once it finally did, Reshica asked the driver if he could drop us off right by our place (and he agreed – since it was on the course but not a typical stop). So together we sat on the bus, and watched as more people got on at each stop. The Night Owl, on a Saturday night, at 3am – an ADVENTURE!

We finally made it home…safe and sound – and crashed into bed. We had such a busy night…but I would not have traded it for the world!! Whenever you put Reshica, Kat and myself together = GREAT TIMES!

Had a Total Thyroidectomy…

(Part Two)

So my blood was tested at 5 am (Wednesday, June 30th), and I mentioned to mom that I knew my results were not going to come back clean because I still felt tingly. But with that, we both went back to sleep until about 7 when my surgeon arrived to my room. He turned on the lights and woke me up, but this morning was unlike the last morning. My tingling was now so severe that it was all down my legs, arms, my entire face felt like it was tingling and twitching, my arms and legs felt like lead and it was hard to pick them up. My hands were so tight that I could not squeeze into a fist and my lips were puckered, sort of like an old man. I was rather freaked out by such things and when my dad walked into the room for the morning, I realized I was freaking out my parents too.

When my lab results returned for the morning, my Calcium levels had dropped from 7.2 to 6.5. So even though I was taking Calcium, my levels still dropped. This alarmed my doctors and my nurse, because a 6.5 I was very close to seizure levels. So they administered IV calcium and oral calcium with the addition of vitamin D in hopes that my levels would return quickly. My levels would be checked again that afternoon to determine how my levels adjusted to the new calcium.

During the second day, I started to have more visitors. Josh’s father, Phill, and friend John came by to visit me. It was nice to see and chat with them. I even had beautiful flowers delivered from the entire Duckworth family, which was so kind and thoughtful. Later in the day, Molly stopped by and brought me a balloon and silly bandz (zoo animals, which I have three on my arm now :-)).

She stayed and chatted during the afternoon and helped the day fly by. While she was there, my nurse came in to inform me of what my afternoon lab results were (7.6). This showed improvement from the morning, but the doctors still wanted me to stay another night to recheck the levels in the AM to see how I could hold the values. So….this meant one more night (#3).

Mom had already mentioned that if I were to stay another night, she wanted to see if she could borrow a wheelchair for me and take me on a little field trip. The nursing assistant said they don’t normally allow trips (since most patient’s choose to go smoking) but she realized that this was not my reason. So we were allowed to go down to the 2nd floor mezzanine (OUTSIDE!!!). We left a note on my bed and mom and Molly transported me around. Mom wanted to show me around the 6th floor Park Towers where I was staying because she was so impressed with all the amenities. We traveled outside to the mezzanine and it was fabulous. I never realized what it is like to be stuck inside for several days and not even feel outside.

Molly was so gracious to take my picture and I was so delighted to show off my sweet gown and newly revealed steri strips!!

While we were on our field trip, I ran into two other ladies from school: Cristina Carillo and Rachel Amshoff. It was so nice to see more people and talk with people (outside of my hospital room). It helped me feel a little more “normal” if that is even possible!!

After we returned back to my room (my mom was very nervous about staying out too long), Molly had to head back but before long I had more visitors! Leanne came by and brought me delicious sushi and a chocolate frosty, while my Aunt Nancy and cousins, Amanda and Hayden stopped by with magazines. While the four of them were there, it was nice to enjoy typical conversations and just chat with people (again, that were not associated with the hospital). It is nice to have outside influences to keep you going. Before long, it was time for each of them to leave. But it wasn’t too much after that when Jenna showed up. She was so sweet to bring me a PINK Louisville shirt, body fragrances and a fantastic little tote bag! She was too kind and it was great to be able to talk with her too. You never really realize how much your friends care for you, or how much you care for your friends, until you are in a time of need. You realize that your friends are there for you, no matter what.

Around this time, dad had stopped by with dinner for he and mom (left over Fazoli’s spaghetti and two bottles of wine!). It was cute to see them catching up on the past days events (whether it was about the dogs or dad at work), while they enjoyed their wine.

It was getting late, and Jenna had already left. Dad and I were watching a show on TV and mom was starting to settle in for yet another night. We tried to convince dad he could stay longer, but he said he needed to get back to the dogs (understandably so). So he left with a few of the items we had accumulated over the past few days and mom and I decided to settle in for the night (hoping that this would be my last night).

Day #3

My calcium levels were checked again Thursday, July 1 in the morning. My surgeon and endocrinologist stopped by in the morning to chat about discharge plans, because my calcium levels had returned to 7.9. (I had called my general practitioner regarding previous calcium levels taken in March and found out it was 9.3). While they told me I was discharged, it still took several hours for them to get everything together. But it allowed me time to clean myself up and put on NORMAL clothing (what a concept!)

So I was all ready to get my orders and head out of there. But in the mean time, my lunch had not been delivered, so mom and I decided to take a walk to the family lounge. On the way, I saw my fellow classmate, Kevin Beale (whose clinical internships were all at Baptist East, and ironically today he was on my floor!) and sat to chat with him some. It was nice to see yet another friendly face and be able to talk about some PT things too!

While we were out there, my nurse came back to my room with my lunch tray (that for some reason was not delivered to my room…), so I returned to eat up. And before long, my nurse had returned with my discharge papers (which seemed like a decent stack) and my mom went to go grab the car. It seemed like forever before wheelchair transport was at my room to pick me up, and ironically the transport tech was yet another student from Bellarmine (they are ALL over Baptist East!). He took me all the way across the hospital and landed me at mom’s car.

Now I was on the way home…to continue to recover.

For the next few days, I went to the lake with mom and dad. Throughout the weekend, I realized I started to feel stronger, gain more endurance and feel a little more like myself. By Tuesday, July 6th, I was flying back to Philadelphia to return to my internship at CHOP on July 7th. What a whirlwind of a time….

Thanks for taking the ride with me :-)