For Al, at the end

I never knew, Al, you liked this song, until M. e-mailed me from work and I read a story about you singing it in the condolence list.

We'll miss that crazy light-up wheelchair of yours rolling around the Hotel. Godspeed, friend. Your battles are over and the demons gone.

And we will indeed never go this way again.

MacArthur Park

Spring was never waiting for us, girl
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance


Between the parted pages
And were pressed in love's hot, fevered iron
Like a striped pair of pants


MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain


I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no


I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground around your knees
The birds like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing checkers, by the trees


MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain


I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no


There will be another song for me
For I will sing it
There will be another dream for me
Someone will bring it


I will drink the wine while it is warm
And never let you catch me looking at the sun
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life, you'll still be the one


I will take my life into my hands and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
And my passion flow like rivers through the sky


And after all the loves of my life
Oh, after all the loves of my life
I'll be thinking of you and wondering why


MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain


I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh no, oh no, no, no, oh no

Let's hope for a whimper...

Severe storms are rolling through RehabLand, so I hope this year doesn't go out with a bang.

More to come...

Are you really off today?

Yes, Bubba, this is what Mom calls a vacation. And I couldn't have asked for better weather, when the temps today are scheduled to soar into the 50 degree range. Yes, 50, after all that snow and ice the past couple of weeks.

Lots of random stuff to do today before certain places close until next year. Should be fun.

Damp and wet

Susie, my nurse friend in California, told me it was coming our way, but it's really damp, wet and dreary here in RehabLand today. I could complain, but at least, it's not snow, or ice...at the moment, anyway.

I'm just waiting in here with WildDog at my feet while my freshly pedicured toes dry.

In the news today:
Bring robots to the ER (from nurse.com) Forget just ER...can we have one for the little stuff for our patients at the Hotel? That would be nice!

Stay tuned...

A dad and lad kind of day

I'm so happy that I didn't have to do much. Dahey took Bubba to the dentist (two baby teeth are finally ready to come out...very close) and both of us went this afternoon to our regular dentist Mitch, who I've seen since 1980-something. It's been so long, I've forgotten how long.

Bubba shrieked and ran into the room a minute ago, when he saw the football game (the last game on Tuesday night was in 1946 BTW). What might do that? A crazed mascot? A crazed Philly fan flinging frozen TastyKakes on the field? Nope...it was Santa.

And here you thought the blizzard of 2010 only delayed flights. Apparently, Santa was delayed, too. Dad and lad are all snuggled on the couch, watching the game.

Stay tuned...momma gets a day all to herself tomorrow.

Some light reading

How to protect your credit cards from electronic pick pockets. If that doesn't work, get a wallet like this, or you can make your own.

Does higher education lure nurses away from the bedside?

And last but not least, it's not at your airport, but you can check the Body Browser.

If they asked me...

I'd tell them what I thought about renovating our end of the Hotel. Alas, Manglement always thinks they know better.

If they really do renovate, it will be more of the same, with newer stuff, and hopefully, more private rooms. I'd love to get out of the moving business.

If you think you've seen everything...

Has Amazon got a proposition for you! I needed a good laugh.

Too bad my Aunt Mildred doesn't use a computer.

Anywho...more to come.

Day with the boys...

Should be interesting to see what we do and where we end up...nothing is scheduled.

Anyway, if you really want to see something interesting and very non-nursing related, check out the 2010 worst Photoshopped photos. I'm so glad I don't have the distorted elbow, or I'd feel a bit like an octopus.

Back later...stay tuned and enjoy your day wherever you are!

Happy Boxing Day!

Hope all of my Canadian friends (especially Maha and Community RN) and the rest of you all who celebrate have a great day!

It's Simply the Best, here with Bubba and Dahey. Cold, snowy, but doing whatever you want is really the best present ever.

Merry Christmas

It really is a picture postcard kind of Christmas Day here. There's a blanket of snow that is just perfect to make into a snowman or snowballs. The local Govahmint has even plowed the road near us and the temps are hanging around the 30F range.

Bubba, Dahey and WildDog loved what Santa brought them. Dahey and Bubba are having a wild and wooly UNO tournament in the living room. I'm hearing lots of interesting comments:
"Boy, you are mean!", "Succotash!", "Four, Five...", "Reverse," "UNO!".

I am happy this year is nearing an end, though. One of my childhood friends who has been through health care hell in the past two years revealed that just after her birthday last weekend, she had a stroke. It's affected reading and speech.She's got quit a few things she's loved for a while, while she rehabs. She was however happy, because she can still walk and take care of herself.  Another friend's husband passed away suddenly.

The noises have finally quieted. Bubba is the King of UNO. WildDog is lying at my feet and Dahey is at his usual place, surfing the 'net and looking for interesting sales coming up. A little later today, we'll meet with relatives for a nice dinner. I am so happy to be healthy this year. It's a gift I wish I could give everyone.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from RehabLand.

Back by popular demand...

A Nurse's Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas.., and all thru the floor
Lasix was given, filling the foleys galore.
Stockings were worn to prevent emboli,
they came in two sizes, knee and thigh high.
The patients were nestled half-assed in their beds,
while visions of stool softeners danced in their heads.
We in our scrubs, and they in their gowns,
Fashions created to hide extra pounds.
When down in the ER it became such a zoo,
they called with admissions for me and for you.
They're coming, they're going, and they're all looking the same.
My patience for patients is starting to wane.
Now call lights are ringing, the patient 400 pounds, says-"
Didn't get my pericare, now send my nurse down."
And now delegation seems the best plan,
We try to send others, to the needs of this man.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa himself and 8 tiny reindeer.
He says he comes from Central Supply.
To bring us LR,NS, & D5.
The doctors then scribbled what no one could read,
Orders on patients, to measure their pee.
We try to decipher illegible words,
orders for patients, to guaiac their turds.
The new shift arriving, our day is now through,
How did stool & emesis get in my shoe?
We give them report and pass on the facts,
and tell them of duoderm lining the cracks.
And the nurses exclaim as they limp out of sight,
"Ativan to them all, and to all good night!!!"

Just in case...

It's snowing again here in RehabLand, and just in case, you want to add some ambiance to your holidays, don't forget the Yule Log.

Even better...it's now available in 3-D.

Enjoy!

Escaped

What better Christmas present to have...

1) You defrost the office refrigerator to kudos from your coworkers.
2) All of your scheduled patients show up early.
3) You get all of your notes done early.
4) You wish farewell to one of your coworkers who's now off to retirement.

I got all these and a partridge in a pear tree...true, all except the partridge.

Even if one of your friends you haven't seen in a long time can't make it home, you go to the restaurant you all go to every time he/she's in, and have your favorite lunch.

You begin the holiday season with family who loves you, who are healthy, and you are blessed with so many good things, including a toilet that is no longer stopped up (love that enzyme stuff!).

Happy holidays, everyone. No matter what you celebrate, enjoy life this weekend.

More later...

Home for the holidays

That's what I told K, the charge nurse today, when Mr. B. came back to us. As usual, he was a thin, straggly mess, and on top of it, sick. It was so sad; a flashback to Christmases past. I've been at the Hotel for a few years now and I can only remember one Christmas without him. Scary.

Since we take in patients from other hospitals to our lovely Hotel, one of the feeder hospitals and their bright medical staff decided a patient we sent home on hospice needs to come back. For what, pray tell? Why their doc seems to think Mr. I. needs more surgery to address his wounds. Do you remember us mentioning that metastatic cancer thing? Or that Mr. I has a very greater than normal chance of dying far away from home, without the support of his family no matter what we do?

No, Dr. X et al think we are Mr. I's (and Mr. B's) family. It's a shame that a) we actually are closer to some of these people than their families and b) we do our job so well.

The only good thing about all of this: at least Mr. B. will get a hot meal tonight. I worry about him every single time I see him.

Stay tuned...more to come.

Yes, I am gonna...

Take 5, a favorite for Professor G., the man who gave me fits, but eventually gave me the A.

Reading, 'rithing, rejoicing

Right now, I'm reading a book called Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney. I don't expect to find a lot of it at the Hotel, but what the heck?! Gotta learn about how the other half lives somehow.

We had a few people writhing around. Don't you just hate it when people jump and make putting IVs in a bear, since you tend to blow veins (or go through them) when they're squirming. For some figurative squirming, Marissa (not her real name) finally left the Hotel for a job as a wound RN at World Renown. It's about time. How many years has she b*t&ed about her job? Alas, that writhing IS over, too.

Finally, I am still rejoicing that I managed to get an A for the semester in my grad class. It was, by far, the hardest one I've had so far. Hope the next ones aren't terrible! One class like that is enough.

Back to relaxing the night away...more to come.

It really will be merry tonight

'Cause this RN just got an A on the final paper due this semester of grad school. So much relief that I called my class partner...and e-mailed the rest of the group.

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!

Forgot to mention...

It's not a happiness log, but I've been keeping track of the odd disorders and ICD diagnoses since I've been on the SU and my list is getting lengthy.
  
Since I'm now a nurse of leisure, baking cookies and getting spirited, I figure I might as well do something else productive. Sure beats housework any day!

Stay tuned...

The holiday season

The holidays can be both happy and sad at the Hotel.

I was a good person today. After a marathon cookie-baking session with Bubba, I delivered some plates to my coworkers at work, just in time before they got ready for their own holiday lunch. Everyone seemed happy to see them.

I also got to talk to a few folks and I found out one of our regular characters died suddenly. Mr. F. and I got along really well, even if I wasn't always assigned to take care of him. He was a very smart guy, with an actual job, and he died with his proverbial boots on at work as he was getting ready to leave for the day. I'll miss those times when he'd ask me about the clues in the New York Times crossword puzzle in the newspaper. He got most of them, but he was always amazed that I could usually find the one he was missing (thanks to the internet). Overall, he was a decent person and never wanted to be a bother to anyone. While I'm sad, I'm not surprised he'd made a quick exit. He went the way he always said he wanted to go.

The holidays will be upon us soon and I'm very excited to see what happens. Stay tuned.

It's a miracle

The semester is finally over. The parties are in full swing, so now I can really enjoy them.

My only research question now: what cookies to make this weekend?

More to come...so many things coming.

Part of the plan?

"One day, we'll all understand."

And hopefully, I can say the same of this wild roller coaster ride that has been 2010.



More to come...

Oh, the irony...

I'm not sure why, but things keep coming out of the woodwork...

Did you know some medical devices require a certain number of parts? Without those essential parts, which may cost thousands of dollars, they are essentially useless? I found this out today when I was talking to the salesman who sold the SU a device. The administrator was distinctly not happy when I told him what may be occurring. Just imagine explaining this to the big boss.... "that machine I told you was $5k, well, it needs "brains" and they're another 10k."

The unit secretary just "forgets" to do things you ask her to do. Things that just happen to be her job. Oh, I needed so much more than coffee this morning. I needed a drink!

Happily, most of the work got done that I needed today. I'm just crossing my fingers that the rest gets done tomorrow.

We'll see....more to come.

Too cool

Yes, lots of things fit that category today.

First, I woke up to the famous "mantel of white". Usually when it's predicted, we hear the snow plows go by on our road in the early morning. Not today. In an effort to save money, the local Govahmint authority in charge of our road will be plowing a) when the wind abates, and 2) later in the day, since after all, it is a Sunday, and not everyone works anyway. Nice.

And Grumpy, one of my favorite neuros (yes, I have a couple...) posted this dream job recently on his blog. With the way my back's been acting lately, I think my dream job will be massage chiropractic therapy test patient for interning chiropractors or my father's favorite, mattress tester.

Off I go. Time to take Bubba and WildDog out to play in the snow, since we're not going anywhere. Stay tuned....

Maybe I am getting to be a night person...

Or I'm just liking getting these exams over with whenever the house is still.

Mere days left...on to the final paper.

Stay tuned.

Oh, this song was rolling in my head around 10AM...

I don't care where we go/I don't care what we do
Just take me with you.

Sure thought that very thing this morning when I saw A. in the hall getting ready to leave.

Especially when I got back and I had to get five patients' urine specimens and escort one potentially unstable patient to our psych service.

TGIF everyone...whew!

Sick car, sick day

And it's really supposed to be a vacation day, not a sick day...not fun. Going to hide in bed as soon as I can.

More to come...

The end of the specialist

Our specialist and his crew left recently. I hadn't seen them much since I went to the SU, but the specialist, being the old surgeon he is, was as surly as ever. Maybe just a chance to posture before I got out the door. So to be silly, I went and whispered to his senior assistant NP, and got a chuckle or two. I was nice, though, I thanked him for the things I learned while he was around via e-mail. His assistant may come back, so who knows when we'll meet again.

The SU has been hopping recently with the hustle and bustle. As usual, we have our cancellations, but on a recent day, we needed them. The doc can get overwhelmed. I'm just trying to keep him afloat. If  we don't have him, we don't have an SU. He has been a joy to work with.

On another note, the Big Cheese told me first (can you believe it?) that he may have a new job for me, that is right in line with my grad school work. I'm so excited. I'm hoping I get it, and the sooner, the better. Even if it  is a new position, with new responsibilities, I'm ready. Going to the SU has been a good thing for me, and getting out of the floor environment is refreshing. Yes, every department has something going on, but hope abounds up here. Maybe it's the atmosphere or maybe it's the fact that I feel like I'm wanted.

Nevertheless, even when it's hard, it's making my holidays happy. They'll be even happier when my grad school project is done.

Not long now...back to work! Stay tuned!

Snow?

Brr! It's so cold now, does it really have to snow in RehabLand for people to get in the holiday spirit? I'm just crossing my fingers that Dahey and Bubba don't get frostbite goofing off, since they never do that.

The end of semester and holidays are not coming soon enough.

I know why now...

There's a lock on the staff restroom. While stopping by the office, I went to use the unlocked restroom down the hall.

Someone left one large BM on a piece of paper towel in the trash can. This in a functioning bathroom, gross! You'd think I was back in a Third World country.

I'm hoping housekeeping comes by to clean that up...more later.

The next two weeks...

Will either kill me or make me stronger. I'm hoping for the latter. Can't wait to actually ENJOY the holiday season once grad school is over for the semester.

May pop in and out from time to time, but will have to set aside the stories for a bit later. So, so many here in the SU.

Now, I'm writing papers and flying a desk and chilling to these sounds...ahh!



Stay tuned...

I had to do it...

I broke down and bought a clipboard, so I could keep my paperwork arranged when seeing patients.
Guess you can call my a clipboard nurse now.

At least, I'll never lose my pens and paper again!