SLP 101

At first it was “business as usual”. Observing patients who had an accident or condition of some kind, and were a little slow and foggy with word or memory recall - but with decent to good functional communication skills. Such has been every patient thus far. 

I informed the SLP whom I shadow that I needed to leave early today, because I had a final exam. I mentioned that I probably shouldn’t follow her to her next session, because I’d have to leave at some point during it. She said it was alright for me to leave mid-session despite the interruption, so I decided to sit in on her next patient for about 10 minutes before taking off.

Boy, was it worth it.

This patient had had a stroke (which she referred to as a ‘strake’) this month (which she referred to as “Richard” rather than “December”) and was extremely confused. She created nonsensical speech and made horrendous phonological errors when attempting to read or repeat a word. It was the first time where I was very confused as to what was going on in her brain, because there seemed to be so much wrong. 

As heartbroken as I was for this woman - you could tell was probably sharp as a whip before the stroke and was extremely frustrated at not being able to communicate - it was absolutely fascinating to observe her.

The SLP, exasperated and with her hand poised on her face, asked me when I stated that I would be leaving, “It was worth sticking around, wasn’t it?”

With a smile I answered that, yes, yes it was.

I’m excited because today was supposed to be my last day, but the SLP said it was alright for me to stop in once more next week. Which is awesome because school will be done with, and I won’t have to rush off to a class after two hours of shadowing (which feels more like 20 minutes). I’ll probably stay from 8:30-1:30. :D