Tonight’s Update: Everyone that follows my updates knows that I’ve been going to a lot of training classes. My commitment to taking this training has many motivators: to make me a better Firefighter/EMT, to allow me to teach other first responders about what warning signs they need to watch out for when responding to an emergency, to make me more employable, to apply these credits towards a degree in Public Safety Administration, and, well, because I really enjoy doing it. I am learning so much information about how foreign terrorists are recruiting and training their new radicals, and what first responders should be looking for when they are called into action. I’m constantly training to medically evaluate and stabilize people, ensure safety of an emergency scene for everyone involved, and how to use national resources for any emergency regardless of size. Over the past six weeks, I’ve done a tremendous amount of traveling in order to keep myself mentally stable and to be present for these classes. I’ve been throughout Pennsylvania, visited Niagara Falls, spent a couple of days in Toronto, had lunch in Buffalo, flew through Chicago on the way to Alberquerue, then flew through Phoenix on the way back from Socorro, New Mexico, and I have been in and out of DC and MD constantly. Tomorrow morning, I fly to Atlanta on the way back to Alabama. It’s no surprise at all that I’m sick right now, and I loved the doctor’s reaction today when they asked if I’ve travelled recently. She had no idea where to begin, so I politely told her that I’m an EMT and have a keen awareness of my own body, and having had strep, a sinus infection, and bronchitis in the past, there has been no exposure to Ebola that I’m aware of, and I’m really only seeing her to get some antibiotics because I feel confident that it’s bronchitis I’m dealing with. I imagine I was her easiest patient of the day! In any event, the update portion about why I’m writing tonight is two-fold. First, today is really the first day I’ve used any medications since my prescriptions stabilized. I have been extremely drowsy, but that’s to be expected considering I’m now taking an antibiotic and codeine-spiked cough syrup, as well as allergy medication, in addition to my normal regimen for depression and heartburn. I’m anxious to see how I perform over the next few days, because I’m not only sitting in a classroom, I’m also giving presentations. I’m sure I’ll post more about that in the coming week since the material isn’t classified data. Second, I was really looking forward to this weekend because Beth’s best friend, Jackie, is visiting. I was happy she would have someone else to go out and do things with and just have fun, because she’s been incredibly patient with me throughout this whole process and she deserves to have some fun. Now, I’m sick and had to have her drive me to the doctor today after picking me up from the airport last night and dropping me back at the airport tomorrow, and they had to shorten their brunch date this morning. I feel bad that I was originally meant to be a part of their fun activities, but now I’ve somewhat gotten in the way. They are currently making homemade pasta while I’m laying in bed coughing up a storm. I’m sorry I’ve had to have you take care of me this weekend, but thank you so much to Beth Terroni Driscoll and Jackie VanZelst for putting up with it! Also, during this post, I have learned that there is a Thai rock band called Ebola. I really wonder how this global outbreak has impacted them.