I know there are things in life that go on and on, however, I had to take a small tiny break from my studies. Life gets too hectic and it gets stressful, my daughter has a birthday coming up and I want to make it special for her. Saving money is a challenge for me and for my daughter. We decided last night to make it a team effort to leave funds alone on one of our debit cards. Her goal is to save at least $1000.00 for her trip to Phoenix, AZ. I am praying that all will be good to go to do that. It has always been a challenge to do this, but I think this would be a great way to learn along with her and with me in it. I hope we can do it and make it happen. 

I am still on my studies, having a discussion due tomorrow my brain is getting there in exhaustion. I try not to feel exhausted or defeated in my goals towards a better life for my family. My son who is 18 years old will be working on his certificate in Cyber Security, I pray that he accomplishes the final journey to receiving a certificate. So it would be just me and my daughter withstanding the time together. It seems so fast how life just goes on, one of the things in my life is trying to make it as a Native American Woman in Western Society.

As a single mother, it sucks. I have always hated being a single mother, seeing other women work in their household while the hubby brings home extra money to pay for bills. My parents were that way until my mom was hit with diabetes. I hate diabetes too. Life throws those curve balls and you have to dodge them somehow. So I am a Christian woman, however, I like to call myself a Jesus lover, Christ-follower, anyway, I love Jesus Christ. I am constantly talking to Him every day, constantly crying to Him... literally. An example is yesterday, I am not really a fussy employee, I try not to be and I also try not to see differences. I wasn't raised that way. But, since working at the organization that I work at which is over a year, I have never felt accepted. I try to do the job accordingly, I really do my best to meet the needs of the providers and the patients. However, it's that acceptance from others who seem to think I am not good enough to do the job of a Care Coordinator.

It's predominately a white company, the upper people are all white, with the exception of some Spanish employees who work there. I guess what really bothered me yesterday was the fact that I was never given a raise after working my full year. I kept thinking in my head, maybe next paycheck they'll surely put that quarter raise on there. Two weeks go by, and then another, then the same. No quarter raise like I had anticipated. I wonder how many other employees have been given their quarter raise? I know it's just a quarter, but to me, that is my integrity and my pride in my job. I know I shouldn't give a big woop about it, but I do, nowadays, especially being a single Native American Indian woman in Western Society does really mean a lot.

Continuing In Life As Usual

    I am not sure how to start this blog that I have had from time to time, the last blog, I was supposed to run. However, in that month, I was subdued to the flu, the cold, and bronchitis. I hate January's they always seem to bring the most horrible aspect of either being ill from the flu or some unexpected surgical emergency. Luckily, it was just the flu and bronchial infections, that, I am very thankful for. One thing to note is I am doing my keto lifestyle again, and it has been really great. I love feeling better about myself and knowing that I can fail at it and not feel guilty. I don't drink alcohol anymore, completely sober, except enjoying my kombucha (having at least 1% alcohol) now and then, my daughter is always getting on me about that, she is such a little mommy to me when it should be the other way around. She says, "It adds up mom, only drink it... like never!" I am so pleased with her as a daughter, she has been through a lot this past year with the pandemic going on, and changing as a young lady. My son struggled as well, it has been a fight to get through these teen years for him. But his journey still continues, I am hopeful for him to be successful in life with whatever his heart desires. For both my children, their generation is going to be the ones who are going to be the strongest and be the most successful. At least that is what I believe of them.

    Recently, I've had a change in my position as a Care Coordinator, I am taking on a new position. Instead of working with the older population concerning Annual Wellness Visits (AWV), I will be working in the area of Pediatrics at the main building of our division. At first, I wasn't sure if I made the right decision, but the more and more I thought of it, I was thinking this was an opportunity to explore other areas of the division. I am also still pursuing my Masters in Healthcare Management in Public Health. Which I thought would help in understanding the operations or the layout of how a primary care organization would run. In the other area of my job, I learned a lot as far as Medicare and Medicaid are concerned along with other primary health insurances patients utilize. The patterns of ER usage in the hospital and how we can help alleviate the overuse of emergency care. It isn't an easy task to take on, however with collaboration involved with other care management and coordinators, we can at least help patients in a better quality of care. Really, that is what it is all about, quality of care and also being able to help patients have access to healthcare services. These are the things I have greatly learned while being in the healthcare sector, and it has only been a year to learn all these fundamentals of what a healthcare organization is all about. It is so interesting, as well as obtaining the knowledge in an organization that caters to a population in need. It is definitely a huge spectrum of healthcare, and I really enjoy it.