Zach off the Backboard

[ZachPSU]

Hello Rebels,
 
As the name implies, some of these goals will depend on some news I will receive in a week or two.  Anyone following along knows my entire last challenge pretty much hinged on passing my boards for licensure as a DPT.  I sat for boards on 7/29 and holy hell did that test suck.  Felt like jumping headfirst into a wood chipper.  250 questions ranging from arbitrary practically erradicated illnesses (Smallpox) to parameters down to the frequency and amplitude for modalities nobody really uses in clinics in most cases (ultrasound, for example).  So, in essence, I shot my shot and it definitely wasn't a 'swish'.  The ball is coming off the backboard, and it might bounce in, or it might bounce out.  Retakes for boards are in 3 months, but hopefully that doesn't matter and I get the good news here in a week or so that I passed.  I will throw a big fucking party in a post if I pass.  Talked to a bunch of my classmates afterwards, most of them younger and smarter than me, and certainly all of them had better sleep leading up to it (courtesy of being a young 20-something without 2 small children crammed into your COVID confined household).  Just about everyone feels like it sucked, but the test is designed to just beat you down, so, it remains to be seen. 

 

Thankfully I have a giant fucking list of projects around the house that has accumulated to keep me busy and avoiding dwelling on some of the questions that really stumped me, or looking up answers to them and then being miserable about it.

 

STRENGTH:

• 2x BW Deadlift for 1x5.

 

DEXTERITY:

• Pain with resisted tricep extension reduced to 0/10. (Resting pain is currently 0/10, passive stretching pain would be about a 2/10.  Active it's about a 3/10, with a hangover around 2/10 for 30 mins or so after activity).

 

CONSTITUTION:

• Get the diet back on track.  I ate like garbage the past 10 days or so stressing about the exam and now coming off of the exam.  

 

INTELLIGENCE:

• TBD, might need some remediation here if I didn't pass boards.

 

WISDOM:

• I will knock off items from the giant to-do list (picture incoming), at least one item per day.

 

CHARISMA:

• Get a fucking job!  This doesn't just hinge on passing boards.  Even if I didn't pass, I need to get something out of the field to get some income.  We cannot go another 3 months on one income.

 

 

May the force be with us all!  Good vibes appreciated for boards results!
 

[ZachPSU]

Attaching said to-do list. As you can see, its massive. So far I have managed to fix 2 small electrical problems with my wifes car and move around some toddler clothes with wifes close supervision. 

[Waanie]

Fingers crossed! That's a very long todo list indeed, but one a day seems very doable .

 

Following!

[juliebarkley]

6 hours ago, ZachPSU said:

250 questions ranging from arbitrary practically erradicated illnesses (Smallpox) to parameters down to the frequency and amplitude for modalities nobody really uses in clinics in most cases (ultrasound, for example). 

6 hours ago, ZachPSU said:

Just about everyone feels like it sucked, but the test is designed to just beat you down, so, it remains to be seen. 

What is this madness? If the licensing test isn't testing your competency in a way that is relevant to the work, someone needs to rewrite the damn test.

 

I hope you pass.

 

6 hours ago, ZachPSU said:

Attaching said to-do list. As you can see, its massive.

It is, but the tasks also fall into distinct categories. So you could pick one category per day and work on that, or try to do one thing from a different categories than the day before. I'm just brainstorming here because I enjoy it - you may not need any suggestions on how to handle your todo list.

[ZachPSU]

5 hours ago, juliebarkley said:

What is this madness? If the licensing test isn't testing your competency in a way that is relevant to the work, someone needs to rewrite the damn test.

 

Yeah, in general it takes them so long to vet items for the exam that the exam tests 'best practices' from 5-6 years ago in most cases anyway, so the cutting edge stuff and current flavor of the month in the rehab world will never make it there, well, not until 5-6 years after it is relatively forgotten or abandoned lol.  Smallpox though, well, that was more than 5 years ago so I'm not sure on why that was there.  I have alot of Canadian students in my cohort (we are close enough that they'd commute across the border for classes), and the Canadian boards are like a 2 day event but way more practical, and includes alot of demonstration and patient interview/roleplay things which are WAY MORE MEANINGFUL than being a good multiple choice test taker and testing recall.  Put me in a room and let me talk to someone and use my hands and work with them to figure out whats going on any day.

[Latrop]

12 hours ago, ZachPSU said:

Good vibes appreciated for boards results!

All the good vibes being sent your way. You killed it and are just waiting on the results go prove it!

[Waanie]

5 hours ago, ZachPSU said:

I have alot of Canadian students in my cohort (we are close enough that they'd commute across the border for classes), and the Canadian boards are like a 2 day event but way more practical, and includes alot of demonstration and patient interview/roleplay things which are WAY MORE MEANINGFUL than being a good multiple choice test taker and testing recall.  Put me in a room and let me talk to someone and use my hands and work with them to figure out whats going on any day.

Isn't PT like, mostly human interaction? I understand that you have to know your stuff, obviously, but your patient-consults are so much more than diagnosing a problem and coming up with a theoretical treatment plan. Both the hands-on execution and the behavioural side of a consult are at least as important for most injuries...

[Wobbegong]

Chiming in with agreement that the test sounds like it tests your test-taking abilities and not the relevant material for the job, and also to agree your to-do list looks long but doable! I think having things to keep you busy and distracted is a great plan. Waiting for information is so stressful, and there's been so much of it going around this year, it's best to mitigate it however you can.

 

Best of luck with the results and with your job search, as well as with your challenge overall! Looks like a great set of goals.

[Chesire]

Ugh.   We have to wait for a passing party?  Man, I hate waiting.  Congrats for surviving your test in all its stupid glory.  
 

That is a massive list but I have a question.  What is “restrain cords”?  Do you have particularly rambunctious cords or is this like the previously discussed toddler restraining for sanity?😁

[Lateral Planet]

I for one am glad to know if you happen to encounter the first case of smallpox in 40 years you can waltz in like Dr House and stop it before it mutates and we all get COVIDpox

 

Good vibes all the way, and good luck with your list!

[ZachPSU]

On 8/2/2020 at 7:59 AM, Chesire said:

That is a massive list but I have a question.  What is “restrain cords”?  Do you have particularly rambunctious cords or is this like the previously discussed toddler restraining for sanity?😁

 

Had to ask the wife, she is the chief architect of the list. It means to secure the cords in toddlers room so he can have more independent play in there, but part of me likes your idea too? Lol

[ZachPSU]

This is all. Most of my classmates that passed are celebrating by slamming some serious shots and drinks this evening. I celebrated by deep-cleaning my toddlers booster seat and then having a Thomas the tank engine race with his wooden trains, and I wouldnt have it any other way (also because I used up my liver too fast in college and drinks just don't agree with me anymore). 

 

Thank you everyone for all of your support. Now to get a job!

[Chesire]

That sounds like the best celebration, and knocking something off the to-do list is bonus. 😁

[Waanie]

Congratulations!

[ZachPSU]

Okay, time for a weekly-ish review.

 

STRENGTH:

• 2x BW Deadlift for 1x5.  Deadlift 245 1x5.  I changed this because I actually did the math and, with my current progression, even if I don't miss a lift ( adding 10 lbs per DL, DLing 2xweekly, I will top out at 255 by challenge end.  Current BW is around 165, so thats a decent mark off of 2x BW.  Set new goal at 245, that gives me wiggle room to have one bad deadlift day where I don't hit my mark.

 

DEXTERITY:

• Pain with resisted tricep extension reduced to 0/10. (Resting pain is currently 0/10, passive stretching pain would be about a 2/10.  Active it's about a 3/10, with a hangover around 2/10 for 30 mins or so after activity). - For now I'd say this is improving.  I've made more progress from simply resting it than doing any low load eccentric work, but I have been doing some work on it every few days.  Pain is probably currently a 0/10 rest, 1/10 passive stretch, and 1/10 active extension.

 

CONSTITUTION:

• Get the diet back on track.  I ate like garbage the past 10 days or so stressing about the exam and now coming off of the exam.  I haven't flown off the rails, but I've slipped some.  Let myself enjoy some takeout with the family, and last night ate sushi and brownies and ice cream with some other family to celebrate the passing of the boards.  Making good choices for late night snacking for the most part.  Could've had seconds on brownie and ice cream last night but went with hot tea instead.

 

INTELLIGENCE:

• TBD, might need some remediation here if I didn't pass boards.  Just giving myself green here for no other reason than to bask in the glory of passing boards.  Not assigning anything new here.

 

WISDOM:

• I will knock off items from the giant to-do list (picture incoming), at least one item per day. - Been destroying this to-do- list.  Did a big one over the past 2 days in shampoo the carpets.  Had my parents in town to watch my toddler and then wife and I moved all the furniture room by room and did the floors.

 

CHARISMA:

• Get a fucking job!  This doesn't just hinge on passing boards.  Even if I didn't pass, I need to get something out of the field to get some income.  We cannot go another 3 months on one income.  -- Okay, buckling down here now.  Got a few applications out this week, going to put a few more out as soon as possible.  It's not a fantastic market right now in my area, but it should be rebounding soon.  It's mostly per diem work being posted right now which is frustrating but better than nothing.  I just hate the unknown with it, that I don't know until that morning where I might be working.  I like establishing a connection to my patients, not just being a sub.  We will see what happens but right now cash is cash.

[Waanie]

1 hour ago, ZachPSU said:

Pain is probably currently a 0/10 rest, 1/10 passive stretch, and 1/10 active extension.

Progress . 

 

Good job on your first week in general, it seems like you're using your free time very productively . 

[Waanie]

Hi, how are you doing? Are you still on schedule on the master-list?

[juliebarkley]

On 8/9/2020 at 3:44 AM, ZachPSU said:

Just giving myself green here for no other reason than to bask in the glory of passing boards.  Not assigning anything new here.

Congrats! Sounds like a good reason to me.

 

On 8/9/2020 at 3:44 AM, ZachPSU said:

It's not a fantastic market right now in my area, but it should be rebounding soon.  It's mostly per diem work being posted right now which is frustrating but better than nothing.  I just hate the unknown with it, that I don't know until that morning where I might be working.  I like establishing a connection to my patients, not just being a sub.

It's not the most secure work while you're doing it, but in my personal opinion, it has a lot of long-term benefits. This kind of work gives you a chance to see what the work load and environment is like in a lot of different places, and you get to work with different kinds of patients too. That makes you more well-rounded in your profession, gives you a chance to make connections in lots of potential future workplaces, and gives you a clearer idea of where you would prefer to work (and where to avoid like the plague).

[ZachPSU]

On 8/16/2020 at 8:55 AM, Waanie said:

Hi, how are you doing? Are you still on schedule on the master-list?

 

On schedule-ish.  It's hard to get the bigger projects done because those blocks of time needed (hour here or there) don't exist in my current setup.  Baby girl has decided to shorten all of her naps to 48 minutes (precisely).  Still chipping away and none of it is super critical stuff at this point (except getting a job).

 

On 8/16/2020 at 9:07 PM, juliebarkley said:

Congrats! Sounds like a good reason to me.

 

It's not the most secure work while you're doing it, but in my personal opinion, it has a lot of long-term benefits. This kind of work gives you a chance to see what the work load and environment is like in a lot of different places, and you get to work with different kinds of patients too. That makes you more well-rounded in your profession, gives you a chance to make connections in lots of potential future workplaces, and gives you a clearer idea of where you would prefer to work (and where to avoid like the plague).

 

Yes, I'm accepting a per diem position today that pays pretty well.  I turned down a full time opportunity last week because the pay was pretty awful, the per diem gig works out to be double the pay (if I ever worked a full schedule, which is not likely with per diem, but possible with vacations, etc).  With the market continuing to bounce back, the full time jobs are quickly snatched up by seasoned PTs who have lost their other jobs due to furlough/restructuring of healthcare models in this area.  We also got a "caution flag" for our region in New York yesterday, so we'll see how that plays out if cases continue to spike here.  The place I'm taking the per diem job is one of the homes that got hit pretty hard here back in March.  

 

So, I've been slammed with interviews and watching baby during the day and then baby+toddler in the evening, wife and I just collapse on the couch at the end of the day.  Our summer guilty pleasure TV is usually the CBS reality show "Big Brother", but this season is so disappointing already that we are watching an older season on the CBS app.  I hope everyone is doing well, I have some phone calls to return and some t's to cross and i's to dot in regards to the per diem gig so I need to run off but wanted to post that I am alive.

 

Keep on keeping on!

[Chesire]

On 8/25/2020 at 10:07 AM, ZachPSU said:

Baby girl has decided to shorten all of her naps to 48 minutes (precisely).

Until you plan for that.  Then, who knows?

On 8/25/2020 at 10:07 AM, ZachPSU said:

wanted to post that I am alive.

Glad to see that. And that some things might come together for you, at least a bit.

[ZachPSU]

Okay, time for a (monthly)-ish review.

 

STRENGTH:

• 2x BW Deadlift for 1x5.  Deadlift 245 1x5.  Accomplished.  Switched workout program completely immediately after accomplishing this.

 

DEXTERITY:

• Pain with resisted tricep extension reduced to 0/10. (Resting pain is currently 0/10, passive stretching pain would be about a 2/10.  Active it's about a 3/10, with a hangover around 2/10 for 30 mins or so after activity). -Currently 0/10.  "Discomfort" when adding some pushing exercises back into the mix, but the discomfort doesn't linger past the end of the set.  If it starts to creep back in I will know I need to back it off again.  Tendonitis can be a finnicky mistress.

 

CONSTITUTION:

• Get the diet back on track.  I ate like garbage the past 10 days or so stressing about the exam and now coming off of the exam.  I haven't flown off the rails, but I've slipped some.  I'd say I am succeeding here now.  Back on FitnessPal for about 2 weeks pretty religiously.  I'm eating on a 400 calorie deficit and I've adjusted my workout away from linear progression/incremental load training for strength to a less volume-intense maintainenace program so that I'm not absolutely murdering my recovery with the deficit.  I'm definitely hungry and get a little hangry around the 5-7 period around dinner time in the evening with the kids losing their minds etc., but aside from that I'm doing fine.  No noticable changes quite yet but I've only been on the deficit for about 7 days, my first week on MFP was to just see where I was.

 

INTELLIGENCE:

• TBD, might need some remediation here if I didn't pass boards.  Just giving myself green here for no other reason than to bask in the glory of passing boards.  Not assigning anything new here.

 

WISDOM:

• I will knock off items from the giant to-do list (picture incoming), at least one item per day. - Been destroying this to-do- list still.  Only thing left on the original is the restraining cords and that's because we are going to move the camera in my toddlers room to the other side of the wall when we drop the front of the crib to convert it to his toddler bed, and will need a different sort of restrain at that time.

 

CHARISMA:

• Get a fucking job!  This doesn't just hinge on passing boards.  Even if I didn't pass, I need to get something out of the field to get some income.  We cannot go another 3 months on one income.  -- Okay, so heres the deal.  New York State can f themselves.  So they furloughed 3 of the 4 people who work in the office that processes the licensure applications for allied health professions (the full gambit from MD to PT/OT/SLP... maybe nursing too, I'm not sure on nursing.).  Apparently this work also cannot be done from home.  So despite passing my boards well over a month ago, my actual license for NYS might be approved "tomorrow, or in a few weeks".  I've been calling every 2 days to advocate for myself and get my name pushed through hoping the guy gets tired of hearing from me.  A staffing agency that wants to place me is calling now too on my behalf.  So, hoping that gets sorted quickly.  I can still work on a temporary permit sort of deal, but it requires a modest lift from a PT who then has to co-sign all of my notes and shadow me essentially.  So, it's not ideal.  Also, NYS will make me pay the fee to work on the temp permit (80 bucks) while they sit on their thumbs with months of backlogged applications because they are too archaic to make this something that can be done on a work-from-home basis.  /soapbox off.

Overall a lot of success this challenge.  I haven't been here much but I've been pretty busy with the homestead.  I'm thinking about what I want my next challenge to include and it might be more suited to another guild, might not.  But I'll be around

[Chesire]

That's looking like a successful challenge to me!  And, yeah, NY can get f'd. 

 

You can run to another guild, but we will find you.