Fun Days at Work

At work we had GE training all week. We had a designated guy helping us with any questions we had about our scanner or computer system. Then he did an overview of all our software and all the options that were available with the upgrade. I love my job, I think it is so fascinating how the body works, as well as the scan that we do on the human body. I thought I would show you a few pictures of the scans I get to play around with at work. Don't worry, the patients names are left anonymous!

This first collage above is of the same male patient. The top left is the CT portion where we can change it to show muscle and skin as well. If you look closely at his chest you can see that this patient has a port. Then the bottom left is another picture of a CT. My favorite is of the skeleton! In the blue color you can kinda see the heart and liver, and then in red you see some intestines. That is why when you get a CT sometimes (depending on what they are looking for) they make you drink oral contrast. It is to give the Radiologists better images of your intestines (otherwise your "guts" wouldn't be showing as well). Then the far right picture is of the CT scan fused with the PET (Positron Emission Tomography...not some sort of "animal" scan like I get asked).


This next collage above is of a woman. The picture on the left is also a fused scan of the CT and PET. Usually if someone has a cancerous spot it is bright orange in the area. If you look at the heart in this picture you can see a little orange- but that is normal for the heart to have uptake. So the bottom right picture is kind of my favorite. The outline of her body reminds me of the old "Cootie" toys I used to play with as a kid (those little plastic bugs/cooties with the Roley poly bodies). Anyway, if you don't know what I'm talking about don't worry about it. But it still cracks me up when I see heavier women scans when the bra and waistband elastic squeezes and turns their bodies into "Cooties."


Before we start our patients we ask them for a history of surgery. You wouldn't believe how many times we have asked female patients this question, and they don't bring up 'Breast Augmentation'. Really??! You don't think getting knocked out to get bigger jugs in the SURGICAL ROOM is a surgery? I'm pretty sure they have to cut you somewhere....Anyway, This picture above is what we call "Mickey Mouse." This is when you can totally see a woman's fake boob job. The black space in the middle is where the lungs are, and the gray blob in the middle of the lungs is her heart. Then you see the two gray symmetrical round "ears" above- silicone!:) This one is mild compared so some in the past where you see perfect cirlular Mickey ears. So for any of you women out there with fake boobs, if you don't tell us...WE STILL KNOW, the pictures don't lie! :)

Creation TIme anyone?

So my mom had to teach about the 'Creation' to a bunch of 7-yr-olds and wanted me to help her with some visuals. I drew what she kind of wanted for each day and this is how it turned out (my sister, Stacy, helped me color numbers 3, 4, & 7...it took me a while to get 5 & 6 done). Don't look too closely at the Zebra, I struggled thinking what they look like for some reason.

(You can click on numbers 4-7 to zoom in, but it wouldn't work for 1, 2, & 3)

Almost one year!

My brother, Steve, had a birthday in April. You know what that means? He has almost been out on his mission for a year, come June. I couldn't be more excited about that thought! He sent this picture of himself in his "sweet shades" pulling a bit of a 'Blue Steel' face. This guy cracks me up so much! I'm just hoping this next year goes by a bit faster than this first one did cause I sure miss him. Nobody can get a laugh out of me like he does.

For his birthday I sent him this little package that he took a picture of for me. It is an edible 5x7 greeting card cookie. They print off your design on the cookie, as well as print it off on a card. I ordered it online from Ediblesinc.com. I've used this company before and love it. You can upload the pictures you want on the cookie as well as type your own message, choose the boarder designs, color of gift box, and stamped charm that is sent with it. So for any of you out there struggling for gift ideas, this is a fun way to switch things up a bit. I hear they are yummy too. So check out this link Ediblesinc.com, they have cookies for all sorts of holidays and occasions. If you create an account they email you coupons to use that usually saves you $5-7. Wow, I should start charging for these little ads I'm promoting :)

Mo Bettah Steaks

My family and I are obsessed with Hawaiian shaved ice! We get these at a place called Mo Bettah Steaks in Bountiful (and I'm pretty sure our family alone is keeping them in business). I hear they have one in Salt Lake as well. But they are so amazing, but you have to remember to ask for the "snow cap" version which means they drizzle sweet and condensed milk on top! It is so yummy, and they don't chince on the flavoring either. So anyone around this area...you might want to check this place out!

Mother's Day Pavlova

So for Mother's day my sister and I took charge of making dinner for my mom. We made these individual quiches that were made from the larger sized muffin tins. The cool part about it was that I made crepes before, and then you line the muffin tins with the crepes then fill them with the quiche mixture. They were very tasty. The picture above is the dessert I made. It is called Pavlova. It is kind of like a fruit pizza- except BETTER and even a bit healthier (if you even care about that mumbo jumbo, which I don't. But know others might). The crust is made with egg whites and sugar and a few other ingredients. It tastes kind of like a roasted marshmallow...HEAVENLY!!! So if you want to take a crack at it yourself here is the recipe for this amazing Pavlova (servings: 8-10):

INGREDIENTS:
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 kiwi fruits, or other sliced cup of fruit
- 10 strawberries, or raspberries or blackberries

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or hand mixer), whip the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a clean, dry bowl until foamy. Add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff, smooth and glossy, about 8 minutes more. On a sheet of parchment paper cut to fit a sheet pan, use a pencil to draw or trace a circle 9 inches in diameter. Line the sheet pan with the parchment, pencil side down (you should still be able to see the circle). Spoon the egg whites into the circle, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top and sides of the disk. Bake in the center of the oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake until the meringue has puffed up and cracked on the top and the surface is lightly browned, about 45 minutes more. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and let the Pavlova cool in the oven at least 30 minutes, to room temperature.

Whip the cream and brown sugar together until stiff. Spoon it in the center of the cooled Pavlova and spread out to within 1/2 inch of the edge. Arrange the slices of kiwi and berries how you like. Use a serrated knife to serve. ENJOY!!! I know I did!