Des Moines weather has been crazy all winter with snow falling almost every other day and ice covering everything in sight. So I have been trying to be extremely cautious while walking anywhere. I have been tempted multiple times to buy tracks or chains for my shoes.
Last week, I was walking home from class later in the evening. I was walking down the sidewalk along my block and was trying to be careful about my footing as I had lost my footing a few times already that day. As I walked, slowly, all of a sudden....WHOOSH, THUMP!
My legs flew out from under me and I fell ony my butt and back. I got the wind knocked out of me. It took me a few minutes to gain orientation and understanding of what had just happened. I looked around, no one in sight. I was now wet, cold, and achy. My neck butt, neck, hands, and head where all pounding and sore.
The next few days I was sore every time I bent over or reached for anything. Interestingly, my nose was somewhat sore each time that I blew it for the next few days. I did not think anything of it until one morning I woke up and I had little red spots on the top of my nose (indicating burst blood vessels).
This whole situation just makes me sad because it shows how old I am getting. I no longer can fall or bump myself and then bounce back like Gumby!
For the next few days, my nose was achy and hurt from the inside. It was somewhat swollen and bruised looking. I went to the health center to just ask about what could have happened to my nose and the nurse practitioner said I had bruised my nose by impact.
Crazy!...My nose had was bruised because I fell so hard on my butt! I guess my head and butt are two in the same!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The $555,000 Student-Loan Burden
Compliments of Mary Pilon in the Wall Street Journal, on 2/16/2010:
When Michelle Bisutti, a 41-year-old family practitioner in Columbus, Ohio, finished medical school in 2003, her student-loan debt amounted to roughly $250,000. Since then, it has ballooned to $555,000.
It is the result of her deferring loan payments while she completed her residency, default charges and relentlessly compounding interest rates. Among the charges: a single $53,870 fee for when her loan was turned over to a collection agency.
But as tuitions rise, many people are borrowing heavily to pay their bills. Some no doubt view it as "good debt," because an education can lead to a higher salary. But in practice, student loans are one of the most toxic debts, requiring extreme consumer caution and, as Dr. Bisutti learned, responsibility.
Unlike other kinds of debt, student loans can be particularly hard to wriggle out of. Homeowners who can't make their mortgage payments can hand over the keys to their house to their lender. Credit-card and even gambling debts can be discharged in bankruptcy. But ditching a student loan is virtually impossible, especially once a collection agency gets involved.
Yet many former students are trying. There is an estimated $730 billion in outstanding federal and private student-loan debt, says Mark Kantrowitz of FinAid.org, a Web site that tracks financial-aid issues -- and only 40% of that debt is actively being repaid.
Although Dr. Bisutti's debt load is unusual, her experience having problems repaying isn't. Emmanuel Tellez's mother is a laid-off factory worker, and $120 from her $300 unemployment checks is garnished to pay the federal PLUS student loan she took out for her son.
By the time Mr. Tellez graduated in 2008, he had $50,000 of his own debt in loans issued by SLM Corp., known as Sallie Mae, the largest private student lender. In December, he was laid off from his $29,000-a-year job in Boston and defaulted. Mr. Tellez says that when he signed up, the loan wasn't explained to him well, though he concedes he missed the fine print.
Many borrowers say they are experiencing difficulties working out repayment and modification terms on their loans. Ms. Holler says that Sallie Mae works with borrowers individually to revamp loans. Although the U.S. Department of Education has expanded programs like income-based repayment, which effectively caps repayments for some borrowers, others might not qualify.
Dr. Bisutti maxed out on federal loans, borrowing $152,000 over four years, and sought private loans from Sallie Mae to help make up the difference. She also took out two loans from Wells Fargo & Co. for $20,000 each. Each had a $2,000 origination fee. The total amount she borrowed at the time: $250,000.
After completing her fellowship in 2007, Dr. Bisutti juggled other debts, including her credit-card balance, and was having trouble making her $1,000-a-month student-loan payments. That year, she defaulted on both her federal and private loans. That is when the "collection cost" fee of $53,870 was added on to her private loan.
She recently entered a rehabilitation agreement on her defaulted federal loans, which now carry an additional $31,942 collection cost. She makes monthly payments on those loans -- now $209,399 -- for $990 a month, with only $100 of it going toward her original balance. The entire balance of her federal loans will be paid off in 351 months. Dr. Bisutti will be 70 years old.
When Michelle Bisutti, a 41-year-old family practitioner in Columbus, Ohio, finished medical school in 2003, her student-loan debt amounted to roughly $250,000. Since then, it has ballooned to $555,000.
It is the result of her deferring loan payments while she completed her residency, default charges and relentlessly compounding interest rates. Among the charges: a single $53,870 fee for when her loan was turned over to a collection agency.
But as tuitions rise, many people are borrowing heavily to pay their bills. Some no doubt view it as "good debt," because an education can lead to a higher salary. But in practice, student loans are one of the most toxic debts, requiring extreme consumer caution and, as Dr. Bisutti learned, responsibility.
Unlike other kinds of debt, student loans can be particularly hard to wriggle out of. Homeowners who can't make their mortgage payments can hand over the keys to their house to their lender. Credit-card and even gambling debts can be discharged in bankruptcy. But ditching a student loan is virtually impossible, especially once a collection agency gets involved.
Yet many former students are trying. There is an estimated $730 billion in outstanding federal and private student-loan debt, says Mark Kantrowitz of FinAid.org, a Web site that tracks financial-aid issues -- and only 40% of that debt is actively being repaid.
Although Dr. Bisutti's debt load is unusual, her experience having problems repaying isn't. Emmanuel Tellez's mother is a laid-off factory worker, and $120 from her $300 unemployment checks is garnished to pay the federal PLUS student loan she took out for her son.
By the time Mr. Tellez graduated in 2008, he had $50,000 of his own debt in loans issued by SLM Corp., known as Sallie Mae, the largest private student lender. In December, he was laid off from his $29,000-a-year job in Boston and defaulted. Mr. Tellez says that when he signed up, the loan wasn't explained to him well, though he concedes he missed the fine print.
Many borrowers say they are experiencing difficulties working out repayment and modification terms on their loans. Ms. Holler says that Sallie Mae works with borrowers individually to revamp loans. Although the U.S. Department of Education has expanded programs like income-based repayment, which effectively caps repayments for some borrowers, others might not qualify.
Dr. Bisutti maxed out on federal loans, borrowing $152,000 over four years, and sought private loans from Sallie Mae to help make up the difference. She also took out two loans from Wells Fargo & Co. for $20,000 each. Each had a $2,000 origination fee. The total amount she borrowed at the time: $250,000.
After completing her fellowship in 2007, Dr. Bisutti juggled other debts, including her credit-card balance, and was having trouble making her $1,000-a-month student-loan payments. That year, she defaulted on both her federal and private loans. That is when the "collection cost" fee of $53,870 was added on to her private loan.
She recently entered a rehabilitation agreement on her defaulted federal loans, which now carry an additional $31,942 collection cost. She makes monthly payments on those loans -- now $209,399 -- for $990 a month, with only $100 of it going toward her original balance. The entire balance of her federal loans will be paid off in 351 months. Dr. Bisutti will be 70 years old.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Living Next Door to College Students
I went to bed late last night mostly because I was busy reading the newspaper after watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics with some friends. Around 3:30am I was awaken by thuds, yelling, and what sounded like rocks falling down the stairs outside my front door. As th thuds continued, I began to fear that someone was trying to break into the building or the firefighters were stomping in to evacuate everyone. Until I heard the arguing...
"I hurt myself. Just let me take a nap here"
"Suzy, you cannot take a nap on the stairs. Just get up slowly and get into the apartment so you can lay down. Here let me help you"
"Bob I do not need any help. I am just going to take a nap and then I will move on. My head hurts and my stomach is tossing around. I can really feel it"
"Suzy, stop yelling! We need to get into the apartment before you wake up everyone in the building. Let me just help you. Here one foot at a time. Slowly"
"Bob, I can do it myself. " (BIG THUD) "!?>#, now my knee hurts too! Make it stop Bob."
"Suzy, if we get to the apartment. You can sleep on a nice bed, your headache will go away and no more falling."
"Alright, well then help me up *@&. Since you know everything." (BARF!!) "Bob, I just made a mess. Whose going to clean it up? I will just use my dress. See!"
"Suzy, just get up! I will clean it up. Alright, Suzy, one foot, two foot, three foot. Almost there."
(DOOR SLAMS)
I laughed to myself throughout the conversation. It was more funny than bothersome. I was not able to get back to sleep however until 5am which warranted a nap the next afternoon.
"I hurt myself. Just let me take a nap here"
"Suzy, you cannot take a nap on the stairs. Just get up slowly and get into the apartment so you can lay down. Here let me help you"
"Bob I do not need any help. I am just going to take a nap and then I will move on. My head hurts and my stomach is tossing around. I can really feel it"
"Suzy, stop yelling! We need to get into the apartment before you wake up everyone in the building. Let me just help you. Here one foot at a time. Slowly"
"Bob, I can do it myself. " (BIG THUD) "!?>#, now my knee hurts too! Make it stop Bob."
"Suzy, if we get to the apartment. You can sleep on a nice bed, your headache will go away and no more falling."
"Alright, well then help me up *@&. Since you know everything." (BARF!!) "Bob, I just made a mess. Whose going to clean it up? I will just use my dress. See!"
"Suzy, just get up! I will clean it up. Alright, Suzy, one foot, two foot, three foot. Almost there."
(DOOR SLAMS)
I laughed to myself throughout the conversation. It was more funny than bothersome. I was not able to get back to sleep however until 5am which warranted a nap the next afternoon.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Preliminary Schedule...
This is a preliminary copy of my schedule of rotations!! I am EXCITED about all of the sites I have but am not too excited about the timing of them all. Plus there is still one rotation that I might get instead. I am trying to get some of the dates changed (praying I can) to be in certain cities at certain times ;)
So this is a ROUGH schedule for now.... But glad that I have some kind of schedule to look at! Yeah, rotations!! My head is not longer at school.....
Missouri Baptist Medical Center - St. Louis
Lakeview Internal Med - Koeningsfeld, Des Moines, IA
Iowa Pharmacist Association - Des Moines, IA
Mansmith Pharm - Emmetsburg, IA
Broadlawns Psych - Des Moines, IA
Vacation
Broadlawns - Des Moines, IA
Diamond Headache Unit - Chicago, IL
Keefer's - Mt. Prospect, IL
So this is a ROUGH schedule for now.... But glad that I have some kind of schedule to look at! Yeah, rotations!! My head is not longer at school.....
Missouri Baptist Medical Center - St. Louis
Lakeview Internal Med - Koeningsfeld, Des Moines, IA
Iowa Pharmacist Association - Des Moines, IA
Mansmith Pharm - Emmetsburg, IA
Broadlawns Psych - Des Moines, IA
Vacation
Broadlawns - Des Moines, IA
Diamond Headache Unit - Chicago, IL
Keefer's - Mt. Prospect, IL
NACDS - Wash. DC
Friday, February 5, 2010
Any Allergies?
Another day at work...
Me: Hello sir, how can I help you?
Patient: Well I need this filled (as he hands me a script)
Me: Have you ever had a prescription at this pharmacy chain before?
Patient: Maybe, I am not sure. Have I?
Me: Ok, I assume if you cannot remember you probably have not in the past two years.
Do you have any health conditions or allergies we should be aware of?
Patient: When I smoked pot I would get a headache and itchy skin.
Me: Hello sir, how can I help you?
Patient: Well I need this filled (as he hands me a script)
Me: Have you ever had a prescription at this pharmacy chain before?
Patient: Maybe, I am not sure. Have I?
Me: Ok, I assume if you cannot remember you probably have not in the past two years.
Do you have any health conditions or allergies we should be aware of?
Patient: When I smoked pot I would get a headache and itchy skin.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Stop Picking on Des Moines!
The weather here has been ridiculous! We have already had over 3 feet of snow this winter, multiple blizzards, and a few ice days. No end in site...as we are supposed to get a few more inches of snow this week and another ice storm this weekend....why did I pick to go to a school in Iowa again???
Monday, February 1, 2010
Free Money?
People ask me how I am able to pay for my college education. I really do not know myself! I was lucky enough to apply for and receive numerous scholarships throughout the years which have helped supplement the costs. I was recently asked by a cousin to share my scholarship sources and this is what I said:
1. Look into scholarships that are available through your school or town. Some schools have PTAs while towns may have academic committees, both of which may offer money.
2. Look for scholarships that are offered through any activities you are involved in (soccer, babysitting, girls scouts, etc.). Many of these organizations have scholarship funds specifically for people involved. Also athletic, academic or musical scholarships are available at most colleges.
3. Check out your local clubs and organizations such as Elks clubs, Lions club, Women's Society, etc., which offer yearly scholarships for students.
4. Look at state or national organizations (Nurses Association of America, Farmers of America, National Engineers Society, etc.) which provide scholarships for students that major in their business focus.
5. Check out websites that try to match up your interests with scholarships from all over the world that fit you. Some suggestions:
scholarships.com
fastweb.com
findaid.com
6. See if your parents are apart of any groups/organizations that might provide scholarships. Life insurance companies, boating clubs, etc. often times award scholarships to members.
7. Look at company websites (coca-cola, walmart, target, tylenol, visa, etc) that provide scholarships for students in a variety of majors, geographical areas or financial situations.
8. Check out your place of employment. Many employers or business may provide some scholarships if you have worked there and done a good job.
9. Think about yourself, your skills, your talents and any other personal aspects. You may be surprised to find that a seemingly insignificant talent or trait could get you money ('tall people scholarship', duct-tape scholarship, scholarly paper scholarships, etc.)
It's FREE so Go After IT!
GOOD LUCK Money Hunting!
1. Look into scholarships that are available through your school or town. Some schools have PTAs while towns may have academic committees, both of which may offer money.
2. Look for scholarships that are offered through any activities you are involved in (soccer, babysitting, girls scouts, etc.). Many of these organizations have scholarship funds specifically for people involved. Also athletic, academic or musical scholarships are available at most colleges.
3. Check out your local clubs and organizations such as Elks clubs, Lions club, Women's Society, etc., which offer yearly scholarships for students.
4. Look at state or national organizations (Nurses Association of America, Farmers of America, National Engineers Society, etc.) which provide scholarships for students that major in their business focus.
5. Check out websites that try to match up your interests with scholarships from all over the world that fit you. Some suggestions:
scholarships.com
fastweb.com
findaid.com
6. See if your parents are apart of any groups/organizations that might provide scholarships. Life insurance companies, boating clubs, etc. often times award scholarships to members.
7. Look at company websites (coca-cola, walmart, target, tylenol, visa, etc) that provide scholarships for students in a variety of majors, geographical areas or financial situations.
8. Check out your place of employment. Many employers or business may provide some scholarships if you have worked there and done a good job.
9. Think about yourself, your skills, your talents and any other personal aspects. You may be surprised to find that a seemingly insignificant talent or trait could get you money ('tall people scholarship', duct-tape scholarship, scholarly paper scholarships, etc.)
It's FREE so Go After IT!
GOOD LUCK Money Hunting!
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