It's Business Time

I went on my business trip without getting fired...yay!  Which is actually impressive since 6 people have been fired in the last week.  Scare tactics at its best I guess.  Last Thursday morning I flew to Chicago.  I haven't really enjoyed flying lately because I have been getting bad anxiety with turbulence and the bouncy landings, so I was very relieved to get off the plane.  I quickly went down to baggage claim where a suited man was holding a sign saying 'Ostler' on it.  "Oh hello! That's me!"  I wanted to take a picture, but I didn't.  My driver got me settled into my 'luxury car' and we were off.  Chicago was weird because there is no backdrop.  Just completely flat.  My driver gave me the scenic drive and educated me about Chicago and dropped me off at the Westin on Michigan Ave.  I checked into my suite and sat on the bed, confused about to what to do next.  It's an odd feeling being in a city where you know absolutely no one.  Not even an acquantence.  So I decided that to jet on over to the Water Tower Place Mall and enjoy a Chicago-style deep dish pizza.  It may not have been a restaurant recommended by the Food Network, but it was DELICIOUS.  I shopped for a few hours for 'big girl clothes' which means I am starting to stop buying in the Juniors department because it just doesn't look like a business woman.  And that's what I am now...apparently.

The introduction meeting/dinner was that night, and I really didn't want to go by myself, but forced myself to go so I could represent my company.  As I walked down the hall and saw the 'party' ahead, I felt horrified.  Imagine a room of scientists, MD's, PhDs, and pharmaceutical reps all trying to conversate with random people.  *Awkward*  Everyone seemed to be in a group, except a few randoms who were in the corner that looked unapproachable.  I heard a southern accent and flocked to that woman because I knew they are typically very warm and friendly.  Sure enough, she was my lifeline the rest of the night to meeting people.

The next morning was breakfast, followed by the 9 hour business meeting.  I sat with a group from Princeton and was talking to them about how the East coast is gorgeous and a couple of my sisters live there.  The man next to me, with an awesome South African accent, gave me his business card and said, "If you ever need a job, you have one at my company in Princeton (NJ)."  Under his name on the card was "President, Cheif Medical Office."  I won't say the company but it is one of the largest research companies in the world.  They have sites all over Europe and Asia.  We have exchanged emails since and he assures me I should move to the East coast.  I just thought it was pretty cool to get my first business card from someone.

The view from my hotel

The business meeting was actually the best part.  I am very excited to direct this study on Alzheimer's.  The company started out the meeting with how much they made last year.  $8 billion.  How modest.  Why couldn't you guys give me another night here then?  Anyway, the study is very complicated and when I brought all the information back to my company, they told me that this will be very new territory for the company.  I will be following up to 100 subjects on average for a year.  It is a multi-million dollar study, so I am kind of confused why they have put this kind of trust in me, a newbie, but I have a lot of help and I hope that it continues to go well.

I didn't see much in Chicago, probably about an hour and a half car ride in all but I hope to go back soon someday.  But only in the summer...I'm not going when it's twenty below.

Last week and this week I'm working nights and day shifts because we have many study groups 'in-house' and they need an RN supervising at all times.  I was just informed that Sunday morning, I have to stay later (earlier?) after my night shift and perform cerebrospinal fluid draws on several subjects.  So I'll be up for 24 hours, and then pulling fluid from a spinal tap for samples.  One of my supervisors told me this, and I replied that I had never done it.  She said she would tell me how.  But someone is going to be there watching me right?  "Well no...we will be helping with a surgery."  Okay...I hope it's not too hard.  But let's keep in mind that I am NOT the one sticking the needle in the spine, that is what the anesthesiologist will do.  I'm just using a syringe to pull back the fluid.  But it is still creepy and I hope that it doesn't severely effect the patients!