Christmas Presents!

Our Family Christmas Photo! Eric got me a new camera for Christmas, so we had lots of fun taking photos and videos. Peanut on the other hand, didn't understand the need to wait for the timer in our group shot, so I had to pin her down! After we opened presents we enjoyed egg nog with brandy, mashed potatoes, turkey for Eric, beans and Fruits of the Forest pie. I think we watched "A Christmas Story" four times! And of course, there's no better way to round out the day with a climbing video!

Peanut loves to open presents! She got her stocking opened all by herself and promptly destroyed her stuffy!



























Eric showing off his new pants, shirt and drawing model! We both got razors from my mom, which for some reason, made for great photos!

Peanut Christmas Video

Here's my first go at uploading a video. This is Peanut enjoying the packaging rather than her present. More photos to come later. Merry Christmas everyone!

Getting Ready for the Holidays and Fall Semester Wrap Up

This picture is from last year's Christmas, but I thought it was cute and wanted to post something reflecting the holiday spirit at the Harrisman family household! Next week I'll be through with finals and we will have time to do things like take photos, make cookies, and send cards out. On Friday we're leaving to drive to Missouri to visit Eric's parent's for Christmas. Peanut will be very excited about another long car ride I'm sure. We're also looking forward to seeing my parents again as they'll be driving to Missouri also. It should be a fun weekend introducing the parents to one another before the wedding.

Today was my last day of OB/GYN clinicals. Our clinicals were six weeks long, two days a week. There are three "units" we got to work in while we were there. One was Labor and Delivery, the second Mom/Baby (also known as post partum, or the place where mom, dad and baby recover and prepare to go home), and the third was in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). The NICU is for babies who are born too early or for newborns who are sick. We got to spend four days in each unit, which was a great experience. They were all very unique. I liked working in the NICU because it's so amazing to think these are babies who were suppose to be in the womb for another month or two, yet with years of research and advanced technology, these babies have a pretty good chance of survival. One of the first babies I cared for was born eight weeks early when mom's water broke. There was no stopping labor, but they were able to give a steroid to help the babies lungs develop. This baby spent about five weeks in the NICU and was sent home doing very well. They don't let students do a whole lot in the NICU but I was able to have two babies one day that I took care of. The nurse I was working with followed behind to make sure I didn't miss anything or mess something up, but it was a very cool experience to do almost everything on my own. I was also able to bottle feed her for her whole feeding, which was the first time she had milk by mouth instead of tube. She did amazing!

In Labor and Delivery I was able to attend two Cesarean sections and two vaginal deliveries (Eric thinks it is hilarious that I call them "vaginal deliveries," but that's what they are!) The second C-section I got to assist. I was the person who got to "wring" out all the bloody towels and make sure they were all accounted for and none of them were lost in the patient. I also did my first foley catheter insertion in front of the entire operating team, which was a little nerve racking. For the vaginal deliveries, I saw one woman have a natural childbirth with no pain relievers. The other woman chose to have an epidural, which made for two very different childbirth experiences. It was very interesting to see the natural ways to help progress labor and provide comfort. Boulder Community Hospital has a newly built campus with an exceptional maternity floor. Each room is equipped with an over-sized jet tub for women to relax in during labor. They also have a variety of those big yoga/pilates balls that they call "birthing" balls. Some women find sitting on these to be a comfortable position while they are waiting for labor to progress. BCH also uses massage, imagery, aromatherapy, music therapy, and has it's own team of Midwives.

Mom/Baby was the unit as nursing students we were able to act the most independently. For the last two days of my four there, I was able to have my own patients. We were able to provide complete care to mom and baby. Yesterday and today I had a post-operative woman and her baby, which required a lot of work because she had a reaction to anesthesia. I have to say I kind of though OB/GYN would involve a lot of holding babies, but this wasn't true at all. At Boulder Community Hospital, there is no nursery. Every baby stays with it's mom in her room. Mom's are encouraged to "wear the baby" for the first twenty-four hours, which means they should be skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, and bonding with the baby. It's a very different philosophy from many hospitals in the area.

After clinical today, our very cool and supportive clinical instructor Mari, brought us all out to eat at an Indian buffet across the street where we filled up with Chai tea and saag and talked about all the cool shots, catheters, iv's and assessments we got to do. It feels very good to have completed our first clinical and only have three days of school left!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Feast





We have a lot to be Thankful for and had a wonderful few days off. We were lucky to be able to spend a lot of Wed, all of Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday together. We ate well, enjoyed the weather, caught up on sleep, went to the gym and watched some movies. We were also able to catch up with friends and even went out to a wine bar in Boulder with our roommate Ryan.

This weekend I received an update about a family friend who was diagnosed with cancer over the summer. He is 22 and until then in great health. He was athletic, smart, and ate well. Apparently they've tried all kinds of treatments and clinical trials, but they don't believe he will live until Christmas. This really upset me as I recalled almost the same scenario with my friend Jeff from two years ago. He was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23 and died a few months later, just before Christmas. It really made me think harder about what I'm thankful for. We all say we're thankful for our family and friends, for our health, for the ability to work and go to school, for the food we're able to afford and for all the other blessings we've had throughout the year. The news of his progressive illness made be doubly appreciate all that I have. I am very fortunate. I have happiness, a wonderful family, the most amazing finace, a dog that is a handful, but loving nonetheless, the opportunity to attend school full-time and give that all the attention I need...I have friends who care about me, a mother and father who do everything they can to help me and for today, I have my health.

Going to nursing school and learning about disease process and all the things that can go wrong can be overwhelming, especially when you have friends who are being diagnosed with cancers that were formerly thought to be cancers in men in their 60's and 70's...I guess for today, I am thankful for my health and for the health of my friends and family.



We started cooking this feast Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Eric made orange-glazed salmon in the back right pan, roasted sweet potatoes (not pictured), and I made vegetarian stuffing in the back middle, dinner rolls (which were really more like mini-loaves of bread!) from scratch, butternut squash soup in the middle, and pumpkin cheesecake pie. In the front right is Emeril's recipe for green bean casserole that Eric and I spent like two hours making! We had to actually fry the onion rings for the top! It was all amazing though!

Eric's New Truck

Eric's New Truck

He's so psyched :o)


Eric got a new truck. I make fun of him for trading in his vehicles all the time, but I must admit, I like this one. It's automatic, so I can drive it and it's not as big as the Xterra, which I felt drove like a tank!

He built a little bench in the extended cab part for Peanut to sit on and even covered it with carpet. Peanut wasn't sure what to think at first, but she's grown used to it now! We haven't gone camping in it yet, but I'm sure excited too. I think the back of the truck will be much more comfortable than the car or the Xterra. Sleeping in the Xterra was hard because we always managed to be lopsided and crushed between the wheels.

A request to share :o)

Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup

Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

This silky fall/winter puree tastes rich, though there is no cream or butter in it.

Recipes for Health

This series offers recipes with an eye towards empowering you to cook healthy meals every day. Produce, seasonal and locally grown when possible, and a well-stocked pantry are the linchpins of a good diet, and accordingly, each week’s recipes will revolve around a particular type of produce or a pantry item. This is food that is vibrant and light, full of nutrients but by no means ascetic, fun to cook and a pleasure to eat.

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 medium-size Yukon gold or russet potato, peeled and diced

6 cups water, chicken stock, or vegetable stock

Salt to taste

1. Heat the oil in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger and stir together until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the squash, sweet potatoes, regular potato, and water or stock, and bring to a simmer. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, or until all of the ingredients are thoroughly tender.

2. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup (or you can put it through the fine blade of a food mill or use a regular blender, working in batches and placing a kitchen towel over the top to avoid splashing). Return to the pot and stir with a whisk to even out the texture. Heat through, adjust salt and add pepper to taste.

Yield: Serves 6

Advance preparation: You can make this a day ahead and refrigerate. Reheat gently. The soup freezes well. Once thawed, whisk well to smooth out the texture, and reheat.

Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 189; Calories from Fat: 29; Total Fat 3.2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium,776mg; Total Carbohydrates,38.6g; Dietary Fiber, 5.7g; Sugars, 3.6g; Protein: 3.5g; Vitamin A 163%; Vitamin C 61%; Calcium 7%; Iron 8% (Approximate nutritional information provided by calorie-count.com)

Hats

These hats rule! I was about to get Eric one at Wal-Mart when my mom insisted she'd get us both one so we could match...she's calling it our Christmas present! These should keep us nice and toasty on the Peanut walks throughout winter :o)

Greenbriar Inn

Mom, Dad, Eric and I went out to Sunday brunch at the Greenbriar Inn which was expensive, but very good. We had waffles, french toast, omlettes, eggs benedict, salmon, chicken, lamb, salads, desserts, champagne...you name it! Mom and I drank our $6 worth of unlimited champagne, Dad got a headache from it and Eric ended up driving!









This is the upstairs of the Greenbriar Inn, which where we will have the reception. We'll have our own bar and dance floor, and we're able to go an hour and a half early to decorate!

Wedding Dresses

Wedding Dress Shopping

My mom and dad drove out for the weekend from Minnesota to get some of the wedding details in order. We managed to accomplish a lot this weekend! We went to the Greenbriar Inn, where we will hold our wedding ceremony and reception, then went to Tee and Cakes, where we were considering getting cake and/or cupcakes for the wedding....Next, we were off to David's Bridal to try on wedding dresses. This was fun, but it was very crowded at David's Bridal. We almost crapped our pants when they told us the cost of alterations. They cost as much as the dress! So, we're trying to figure out something cheaper...for now, we picked out a dress, decided on a veil and tried on shoes.



I feel like I must have tried on a hundred dresses, but I think I tried on about ten. I had been looking through the catalog for some time before we went, so I had an idea about which ones I liked. My mom wanted me to try on the one with the see through back. This was her favorite, but I liked some of the others better.

Having a picture of everything was essential. Here my mom captured the shoes I tried on. They were easy to walk in with a low heel, but I think I'm going to have to get a higher heel so we don't have to pay as much for alterations!

OB/GYN

We're entering week three of our Maternal Health and Childbearing class, which is a fancy name for Obstetrics/Gynecology. This course is five credits in eight weeks and includes ten hours of lecture, two hours of lab, and sixteen hours of clinical per week. This of course, is in addition to three other classes...no big thing for a nursing student, right?! Class has been extremely fast paced, lab has consisted of practicing baby baths and breast feeding a doll (okay, not quite, but we had to do the motions!), and clinical has had it's ups and downs.

I am at Boulder Community Hospital, which is without a doubt where I want to have a baby. They have brand new "suites" for labor and delivery, as well as suites for recovery that include a queen sized bed to include dad, spectacular views of the Flatirons (mountains for those of you unfamiliar) and jacuzzi tubs. They also highly encourage breast feeding and do everything in their power to make it work for mom and baby. They even supply donor breast milk to babies who need more calories than mom can provide. Lastly, they use cloth diapers, and let me tell you, cloth diapers have come a long way! These have velcro tabs and everything.

Above a really bad picture of me holding a very sleepy newborn! This was a highlight of my day today as I have still not seen a delivery, either C-section or vaginal. So far I've spent two days in Labor and Delivery and have seen very little action. I've not even seen regular contractions. Instead, my two patients have come in to be induced, which is a lengthy process. I've also spent a day in the NICU (Neonatal or Newborn, Intensive Care Unit). This is for babies with problems. Most of them were born premature. Luckily they were all stable when I was there and are just working on gaining weight and getting stronger. They are so tiny! The two I had were between three and four pounds! The other picture is three of the girls at Boulder. Alexandria, Erin and Jacinda. There are six of us total.





As of now, I'm not sure I have any interest in being an OB nurse. I could however, see myself working in the NICU someday. It's very interesting. Denver and Regis has a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program, so maybe someday I'd consider that? Who knows. Hopefully next time I write I'll have a story about a birth I saw!

New Pad!

My New Pad!My birthday isn't until Monday, but we celebrated yesterday and it was a fantastic day! We went to the Poudre Canyon to go climbing, which is by far one of my favorite places in Colorado! We forgot the camera, so unfortunately I don't have any photos from the day of climbing, but I do have the above photo of my new birthday crash pad! On our way through Fort Collins, we stopped off at Kelly's house to "pick up shoes," as Eric told me. When we got there he came around the corner with this crash pad instead! My old crash pad was very, very thin and not worth much of anything in terms of protection. I was very excited! Eric chose purple because it's my favorite color, but then decided that purple and black wouldn't be good so he also chose yellow. So, now I have a Vikings/Lakers pad! I guess that fits us well since I am from Minnesota and he's from California!

After climbing we went out to eat at Sherpa's in Boulder which is becoming birthday tradition. It's always a lot of fun and yesterday couldn't have been better. We had perfect weather, Peanut behaved herself (for the most part!), and I didn't think about studying once! Thanks Eric for the pad, and Kelly for helping in the transport, and Josh at Organic for making it happen :o)

Peanut's Backpack

A couple of weeks ago I wandered into REI during the last couple hours of the garage sale and scored this backpack for Peanut. Eric and I have been talking about getting her one for quite some time, but the good ones (one's that fit well!) are around $70. So, I was very happy to find this one, really dirty and smelly, but for only $7! After a couple of garden hose treatments, good as new! We let Peanut use it empty for a few walks and then put a small amount of weight in it. She was terrified at first because she could hear the water "swooshing" around in it. She kept turning around to see what was behind her!

One class down and politics

I am ending my eighth week of school now. I have completed my first nursing course called Foundations of Nursing. It was five credits and included eight hours of lecture and six hours of lab per week. I am fairly confident I got an A in the course, as I scored 100% on my final exam yesterday. This made me very happy, as I have felt very frustrated taking these tests. All of our exams are designed to prepare us to take the NCLEX-RN exam after we graduate. Graduating from a nursing program doesn't guarantee that I'll be able to practice as a nurse. First, I have to pass the NCLEX. The questions are tough and I compare it to a question written like the one below.

What color is a tree?
a) green
b) brown
c) purple
d) yellow

Well, we can throw up purple right away. Given that it is October, many trees are green, yellow and brown right now. What a person has to do is choose the BEST answer, even though all three are correct. Trees are not always yellow, so we should throw that out next. Most trees have a brown trunk, but not all. Birch trees have white trunks. I can't think of a tree that isn't green. Most people think of the color green when they think of a tree. So, a) green, is the best choice for this question.

This is a very frustrating way to take a 40, 60 or 100 question exam! But, it's good practice, and I feel that in the last eight weeks I have made strides in my ability to rationalize and choose the correct answer on these types of exams.


Here is a photo of Main Hall on campus. It is the oldest building and smells funny, but really is a cool building. I don't think pictures do justice to the beauty of campus.

This is my fourth attempt at creating another post to this blog since my last one. I cannot seem to get a handle on the format of this. So, I've decided that I'm not going to care if the words match up with the pictures anymore.

These are pictures from Regis University's "Register to Vote" week. One of the students donated his time to create these amazing pieces of art outside the student center.

Being involved in politics while starting nursing school has been difficult. Even though I've known for a long time who I would vote for, I've still found it interesting to watch the debates and talk with people about their ideas about politics. This election has really bothered me because I think that politics really brings out a dark side in people. There are so many video clips and stories about people who get so angry and intolerant of other people's opinions. More than ever, I realize how far left I am when it comes to politics. I don't understand how people make some of their decisions. I understand how people who own business would be concerned about Senator Obama's plans, and I can respect their opinions regarding politics if they're educated about the candidates. What I can't understand is how some people can claim to be so involved in church, and be so concerned about upholding Christian values in our society, yet be so brutal verbally toward people with differing opinions. How can a person who is borderline violent about their pro-life thoughts, be a fervent supporter of the death penalty? How can a person who claims to be so religious turn around and say that Senator Obama is a terrorist not to be trusted? It makes me very sad to know that people can still be caught up with the color of Obama's skin. I believe that Senator McCain and Senator Obama are both doing and saying what they whole-heartedly believe is right. Just as I am so adamant about pro-choice and universal healthcare, so are people who are pro-life and want less government. Interesting how liberals are perceived as troublemakers and anarchists, yet it's republicans who don't trust that their government is capable of handing something like healthcare.

Getting Deeper...

Here I am nearing the end of week four of nursing school. Things are beginning to feel hectic. In some ways, I feel like this program is mapped out and set up in a way to keep us on a straight path. Other times, as a transfer student, I feel a bit overlooked. I'm still trying to figure out where the computer labs are on campus, recently found out I have a physical mailbox somewhere after I was told that my health documents were there, and I'm feeling frustrated with schedule changes. The craziest class of the semester is Foundations of Nursing right now. It's not that the content is that in-depth, but that the amount of time required for it is insane. It's a five credit course to be completed in eight weeks. This means eight hours of lecture a week along with six hours of lab. The labs bother me a little. I'd like it more if our lecture teacher had something more to do with our labs. In Foundations of Nursing we started out learning basics like bed making, assisting with walking (ambulation) and bedpan use. Recently, we've started doing a few more procedure type things, like inserting a Foley catheter, nasogastric tube and nasopharyngeal suctioning. We have two weeks left until we start our clinical rotations. I will be going to Frasier Meadows in Boulder, Colorado. It is a long-term care facility. I think the biggest challenge I will personally face will be making the transition from CNA to nursing student. As nursing students we will have more responsibilities, but mentally I'll probably view myself as a CNA for some time.

I had two exams this week and one quiz. Exams are serious business; quizzes can be retaken without penalty if needed. I had a Foundations exam covering the topics of ambulation, wound care and vital signs. I did well and finally managed an "A". Pharmocology was my other exam, which went equally as well. I'm having troubles making myself study as much as I ought to. I just find myself so tired of thinking about this stuff after such long classes. I want to do well, but my brain needs a break. When I get home I'm busy cleaning, playing with Peanut, and talking to Eric. By the time dinner is over with, the night is gone and I'm ready for bed! Today I feel kind of in the dumps. I'm not sure why. My lab instructors have been stressing me out a bit I think. Today we were given a set of instructions for obtaining a Psycho-social assessment, which we had never heard of our read about until the moment we were given the handout. Then we were to go to the simulation lab for the first time where we were given a scenario to read about a patient. The manikin in the room is high-tech and our instructors have the ability to hook it up and talk through it. There's a giant glass window that instructors can look in and watch you through. So, I went in, read my scenario and attempted to talk about the questions we were suppose to cover with this "talking" manikin. There were three instructors peering through the window, watching me "interact" with my manikin.

I'm not an actor. I felt stupid. Some days are just better than others. I had a pounding headache, was uncomfortably hot, and became extremely anxious. After I left, feeling as though I had been examined under a microscope by competent nurses, I had bit of a meltdown. I'm a crier and I hate that about the way I deal with anxiety and stress. It's made me feel shitty all day. So, I've been studying for a few hours and think I'll now try to go find my mailbox somewhere on campus. Ridiculous.

Cornerstone Experience Presentation (Nursing Role Introduction)

This blog is devoted to an assignment for my Nursing Role Introduction course. For our second class, each of us are to do a five minute presentation answering the following questions:

1. Who am I?
2. What culture do I identify with?
3. What makes me unique?
4.. What strengths do I bring my fellow classmates and the Loretto Heights School of Nursing Program?
5.. What am I going to do to take care of myself and my classmates while a student?

Who am I? I am in no particular order a daughter, fiancee, sister, climber, nursing student, volunteer, Boulder Community Hospital employee, mother of a pitbull, advocate, nature lover, believer in peace, environmentalist, vegetarian, explorer, and a spiritual being.

I do not identify with any particular culture. I am American. I sometimes feel bitter about not being affiliated with any particular culture. Other times, I feel very free because I do not identify with any particular culture. I love all foods, am free to celebrate many holidays, believe in reincarnation, karma and Eastern medicine, but I also celebrate Christmas, believe in a higher power, and that all religions believe in essentially the same things.

What makes me unique? Well, I consider myself inter-religious, have spent over two years in a sleeping bag, was almost killed by a cow during my short-lived dabbling in virushunting and consider myself to be failry spontaneous and adventurous.

I believe the strengths I bring to the program include a very open attitude about people. I am human and have judgmental moments, but I have also had many life experiences which have prepared me for a career involving diverse interactions with fellow nursing students, instructors, patients and advisors. I am a mostly optimistic person, somewhat organized and dedicated.

To take care of myself while in the nursing program, I plan to maintain my sanity by setting aside time each week to train, continue rock climbing and set a goal to have "date night" once a month with my fiance Eric. I also set aside at least ten minutes every morning for meditation.
For my classmates, I'm willing to teach people to climb! I've taught a number of people, and believe that it is an amazing form of prevention to many health related problems. Anyone can learn to climb! Even those with fear of heights!


Eric, myself, Eric's brother, Troy, in the far right picture. Our two-and-a-half year old pitbull, Peanut in the center picture. She's a lot of time and work, but she's worth it!



Eric, my fiance, on a boulder problem in Bishop, California (Bubba Gump, V10).



HERA Climb 4 Life is a non-profit women's cancer foundation raising money to help educate and empower women whose lives have been affected by ovarian cancer.

This photo is the second year I have participated as a pro volunteer with Evolv climbing shoes to teach new climbers who have donated their time and energy to raise money for research, support, and community awareness. Here I am belaying a new climber at the Boulderado Wall in Boulder Canyon.

This photo was taken at Lower Chaos Canyon in Rocky Mountain National Park. Early in the season, climbers hike through many feet of snow to get to the boulders to climb in cool temps. This is Lake Haiyaha, always glorious, and especially picturesque with snow!This is a view from a campsite on one of my trips to Squamish, British Columbia. This is the Stawamus Chief, also know simply as, the Chief. It is a 2000' monolith, requiring climbers an entire day of light to climb up it.

Hueco Tanks State Park is located 32 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas. It is here that I've spent five months camping. During this time, I have resided in the campground pictured below, also known as "The Rock Ranch," popular to many climbers from around the world.

The tent pictured below was missing an entire panel from it's rain-fly. I used a garbage bag and a roll-and-a-half of duct tape for repairs. This quick-fix lasted withstood a number of dust storms as well as the occasional rain and even snow showers for three months!



The rock art on this page is from North Mountain in the park. These masks were left by the prehistoric Jornada Mogollon culture. A day of exploration into slots, crevaces, and narrow passageways reveals some of the more than 200 rock art drawings in the park.

Banjo Billy's Bus Tour, Summer 2008 Part Three

Troy (Eric's brother) to the left. Eric and I in front of the bus below.




Eric and I were fortunate enough to have lots of family visiting this summer! My mom, dad, brother and his girlfriend, grandparents and Eric's brother all came to visit us. Erin left for Squamish for two and a half weeks but came back the end of July. My mom and Erin had never met, so they finally got to meet. We all had a lot of fun and went on a bus tour of Boulder on Banjo Billy's Bus Tours. It was a 90-minute ride filled with interesting facts about Boulder including ghost stories, history and wild-west adventures!
Above left, Eric and Troy in front of the bus. Above is our group shot. Channa (Corey's girlfriend), Corey, my mom Tami, Troy, Eric, Grandma, Grandpa. Front Row, Matt Kennedy, Banjo Billy, my dad Chris, Erin Drasler, myself!


To the left is my dad, myself, my brother Corey and my mom...all several jello shots down!

Summer 2008 Part II

In July Erin and our friend Hesam set out from Minnesota across the great states of Iowa and Nebraska in Hesam's VW van. Crazy enough, they made it and the two of them stayed with us for a week. After a week, Hesam decided to move on to Rifle while Erin stayed back and contemplated visiting Joel in Squamish, B.C. One rare day that I had off work, Erin and I decided to head up to Rocky Mountain National Park and start working on some boulder problems. We had big plans for a boulder problem called Potato Chip. After an hour hike, we arrived to the warm-up boulder and enjoyed a snack before a couple of climbs. Just as we were about to get on Potato Chip, a few people showed up so we decided to go find some other warm-up problems and then come back. Long story short, we began hiking from one boulder to the next across the snow and over some rocks. Along the way, Erin slipped and fell off one of the boulder landing on an angular, protruding rock with a bare foot that had falled out of her flip-flop. She was immediately in pain. After waiting for ten minutes or so, she tried to put weight on it with no luck. Our friends Shannon and Ben came along to help carry her stuff out and we began the long hike out, this time much slower with Erin's hurt foot.

When we got to the Emergency Department in Boulder several hours later, our fears of a broken foot were confirmed. She would need to see a specialist in a few days to determine whether surgery was necessary. To the right is Erin at the ED, below is Erin in the scooter at Target. A broken foot will not stop girls from shopping!














Erin ended up going to Squamish but when she flew back to Colorado the ortho doc said she needed surgery. So, she had surgery and the photo to the right is a couple days after surgery. She was naughty and took that splint on and off about seven times a day!