Myths busted

I recently had a family reunion, and after numerous questions of people trying to "clarify" the crazy things my grandma has been telling them, I decided to write this post and "bust" several myths she has been saying to people. She has a severe hearing loss that is not treated (not that she doesn't know a person who could help her with this, but because she chooses not to take care of it) and she's kinda always been an exaggerator anyway.  I was not aware of some things people have thought for awhile so my heavens let me clarify!

MYTH 1: "Natalie got a nose job"
BUSTED: Holy Hannah's! No! I have never had a "nose job"/ rhinoplasty. I had a sinuplasty and ethmoidectomy (surgery on my sinuses) 5 years ago, and the ENT, a colleague, did ask me if while he was fixing the inside if he should change the outside (because I'm honestly not in love with my nose). I told him no because it's what the Lord and genetics gave me, and I don't really believe in changing that. I told him, "You can fix the inside that needs medical attention but the outside is what it is." So he left it. I'm sorry but for heavens sake if I was gonna pay for a nose it would not be this one people, come on now! I had no idea this rumor has been out there this whole time....jeez!

MYTH 2: "Natalie's the new head surgeon at the hospital using this new piece of equipment that no one else knows how to use."
BUSTED: First off, I am not a surgeon at all, and am never gonna be- I'm an Au.D., not an M.D., and I'm so done with school I wouldn't go back to get my M.D. I do go into the OR quite frequently and have even as student. That's certainly nothing "new". I did start doing neuromonitoring in October of last year, but it's also nothing "new" to the world or even on "new" equipment, and I'm certainly not the only one who knows how to use it. We hired a new audiologist in October, who does neuromonitoring, and she's been training me. I am, therefore, more frequently in the OR because now I'm not not only there testing of kids, who are having tubes put in or who were unreliable in the sound booth, but now I'm monitoring spinal cases. How does audiology have anything to do with spinal surgery-? Nutshell answer- the technology used to monitor nerves came about because of the testing we use to test a baby's hearing. To me, it looks like I'm monitoring 8-10 newborn hearing tests all at the same time. They figured out a way to expand this technology and use it to monitor all nerves. Tests like x-rays, CT scans or MRIs only show structure. A neuromonitor tells the surgeon about function- can the patient move and feel when they wake up from surgery. I stick needle electrodes in the patient (after they are asleep people- I'm not cruel) and then use electricity to shock them. The brain registers their sensory responses, and they will obviously move if their motor pathways are in tact and I monitor these responses. People are basically wired the same way, but not exactly, and when you're working something as delicate as the spinal cord, it's good to have someone let you know if they are getting too close to it. They've been doing neuromonitoring for 30ish years now, so it's not "new", it's just something I hadn't personally done it till October. I like it so far. It's scary for me sometimes, and I feel more "pressure" about it for sure, but I'm getting more comfortable with it.

MYTH 3: I'm the Young Women's President

dont all these kids look so entertained

BUSTED: There is a kinda a long story that I won't go into but here's the skinny-- I was semi-called to be in the Young Women's, mainly helping the Mia Maids but considered a "floater"- certainly not the president. They never sustained me in this calling, and after like 2 weeks, the Bishop asked me if I could be the Relief Society Secretary. I said yes, and they have sustained me as that.

MYTH 4: I'm getting married/ dating someone seriously
BUSTED: Well, I am getting married....someday...I just don't know to whom or when =). I do go on dates fairly regularly, but I am not dating any "exclusively".  I kinda hate this rumor spreading... NO WORRIES guys- when I do get engaged I will be SOOOO excited that all of you will probably know within the first 24 hours. I will not, however, post about every or probably any dates. I usually don't even tell people when I have a boyfriend until it's a little bit into the relationship. When anything of actual significance happens, the whole world will know- not just my crazy grandma, who thinks she knows hahah. =)