'Tis a happy Friday, indeed

See I didn't run away forever! I'm back. It was wonderful traveling to a place that is so unlike the Hades RehabLand has become in the last week. I sure miss outdoor air conditioning.

I didn't have to go to work today, but being the type A personality I am, I had to go see something in my office. First, I spilled my coffee all over and made a huge mess. Then I found it.

At 1150 something last night, one of the service chiefs read her e-mail. She found out what I was going to share with the bigwigs when I got back to work, because they sent her an e-mail.

Yes, yours truly won a prize. Mostly bragging rights, but big enough. I won the top poster contest at Mongo nursing conference. Not just a regular local, state or regional outfit...nosirree, I won a prize in the big leagues, almost Olympics: an international conference.

What was my reaction? Shock really. I hope no one taped it, because at first, I couldn't see the screens at the front (since I was sitting with my new traveling partner Lucita in the back having a good time) with my poster, my name and my employer, Madison General Medical Center on it, either.

My advisor actually gave me the stand in certificate, since they're sending the printing of the real one to Geneva or somewhere and it will come in 6-8 weeks. "RehabRN, you're shaking" she said. "Sorry," I replied. "I just can't believe I won. I went through hell to get to go to this conference."

And she knew that I did. I was rejected by every level of official I talked to at Madison and elsewhere in order to get funding to go to this conference--local, state, district, service line--you name it. Madison couldn't give me time off because my presence was not "of substantial benefit to Madison." (Yes, that's what the Chief Educator said) But, there I was with the lady who gave me the courage to keep going. She got me partial funding, and once I saw the program where she and several other PublicU instructors would be there, I told her, "I don't care. You got me some money. I'm going. I'm going to meet Bob (the other instructor)."

However, in a long career, SK has always looked to make nursing better. And I'm damn proud I could return the favor by winning a big prize in the name of PublicU. Bob even gave me a hug. (He's a prince, really.)

And as Kay, one of my local mentors told me to do, I said hello on her behalf to several of the superstar people (she gave me a list of who I should talk to). They were a bit startled that a nobody like me would seek them out, but since they all know her, they laughed once I relayed her message.

"That's something Kay would do...send a student with a message." one said, chuckling. "Tell her we miss her when you get back to RehabLand."

And so I did. Kay just smiled.

Happy Friday all wherever you are. Dreams sometimes do come true. Stay on them like glue until they do!

Collecting my thoughts...

Yes, I'm still around. Just been a tad busy.

Stay tuned...will fill you all in on the exciting news very soon.

Irony

Two legs of a flight last two hours total (with a brief layover in one of the world's busiest airports I try to avoid--couldn't!)

It's always nice to know, when you don't eat lunch, because you don't want airport food, that you'll stand around for two hours doing stupid stuff, like getting out and getting your luggage.

Should have packed that lunch...

One more day

One more day to get ready for the conference.

One more day to read and look at my homework before I take off.

One more day to refine and check my position paper...ugh!

One more day of work and getting everything ready so Dahey, Bubba and WildDog survive without me while I'm gone.

One more day...

Very, very...

Tired.
Why on earth does graduate school just suck the life out of you?

Thankful.
That my boss let me have vacation next week.

Lucky.
That after a struggle of over a year, HR finally admitted someone was indeed sabotaging my promotion by losing the paperwork. Not once, not twice, but three times.

The promotion will happen retroactively. Retroactive ain't soon enough, especially since the perpetrator will get little more than a reprimand for his/her "work".

Happy.
Nevertheless, I am happy. I took care of a patient who waited forty years for one of these and the recognition that goes with it.

I guess good things really do come to those who wait...if you can endure! Stay tuned.

Come to the dark side...

We have cupcakes.

Bribes are just another way to get patients (and children) to do what you need them to do.

Back to homework...

Let's talk about...

Sex. (No I'm not going to sing THAT song...) It came up quite a bit in conversations around the Hotel lately.

When you have a life-altering operation and you think you won't have sex again, it really is a big deal. It certainly was to one of our young, newer patients.

"Man, all I could think about was not walking, not having any more kids..."

Another patient has a physician who wants him to have a Foley. Great idea, if your "lady friend" isn't afraid of it and the changes you may have to make in your sex life after a spinal cord injury.

Finally, my personal favorite...Mr. Y is going on a vacation. He will run out of alprostadil and asked for it one week early so he could take it with him on his vacation. Pharmacy's answer: nope. You just have to wait.
Not because of insurance, but because the pharmacist said so. Patient (of course) calls the provider to tell him what happened and patient called the ombudsman for the clinic.

Heaven forbid Mr. Y. go have some sex on his vacation!

It is nice to know providers aren't afraid to talk about sex. Just wish we had a few more of them.

Fallen

Sometimes, that's what it feels like. With the amount of homework I have, I feel as if I'm under an avalanche of paper.

Only a few more weeks...

I needed a laugh

Dr. K, one of our specialists who works with us in the SU, was part of a profile article on our program for the local paper. All the PR Hotel staff approved, said all the appropriate PR incantations and they came out to take a photo of us seeing a patient. Patient signed release (and a couple of autographs for his neighbor on the unit who egged him on, out of earshot, of course.)

When I told Dr. K. a few minutes before he came into the room, he says, "Darn it. I should have worn a tie today."

"Why wear a tie?" I said, "You never wear that or your white coat anyway. No one would know who you are."

Monday again

Surprisingly, I did not have hundreds of e-mails when I returned to the office. I had about a dozen.  One of these days, the crazy admin who works for us will figure out that we ALL really don't need to receive a 9MB attachment on every e-mail she sends. (I bounced this request to the tech people today).

I worked with a patient (Mr. X) who always seems to show up in my office. Some therapists need to be working with him, but they're off doing other things, so I think of things for him to do. I allot about 30 minutes a day on this. I wish I could bill for my time in a clinic visit like the therapists do.

Meanwhile, Mr. X thought he was evading the medical staff on rounds by hiding out in an area near the remodeling being done in our part of the Hotel. Nope. They saw him. I managed to coax him out of the corner so he could talk to his doc. Once she arrived, I was out of there.

I also got a referral to one of our docs today. Patient found us on a website, made a phone call, and ended up in my voice mail. Before I could call, he called me. Mr. Persistent wants a second opinion with a specialist who works with us. He has a disease that requires a choice between two medications that will keep his disease at bay, but one, if he's got certain conditions, could actually kill him. Once specialist is back from his family jaunt across the country, he'll be on his consult list.

One patient made my Monday melancholy. Mr. E. has been coming to our place for a few years. His wife has never really coped with his issues very well. The caregiver stress they talk about in nursing school is starting to show. Mr. E. came in to a clinic visit with a week old beard. This is highly unusual for him, since he tends to shave every other day. Mrs. E. didn't come in with him, either, which is unusual.  She told us he had some issues and that she thought he was sick. She was correct. He got admitted.

Staff are getting bend out of shape about Mr. E. not being cared for. He's not the only one. I think Mrs. E. has finally broken. The strain of caring for her loving husband, who was once a tall, strong, highly educated man is killing her. Her back is strained from the weight. The role of loving wife and partner has been permanently replaced with caregiver. It's not what she signed up for. She doesn't say it, but the vacant look in her eyes tells you. The folks who promised to help just aren't doing it anymore.

The burden has fallen to us to carry at the Hotel,  as we wait to see how the rest of the questions in our minds will be answered.

Stay tuned...

Look who's going to rehab

OMG! One of the classic comedy duos from my yout (yes, I left the h off for a reason). No, I'm not making this one up.

Michael McKean (his real name) was injured in an accident recently and sent to rehab. Bet those folks will have lots of fun. Hope therapy's got some fun stuff for him to do.

So glad Friday is over...

You know you'll be saying, "TGIF" when...

1. You finally get your husband prepped and ready for a colonoscopy. After a year of cajoling, coaxing, and finally just scheduling an appointment with the GI, Dahey got his done and survived with only one little polyp. He'll get the results of the biopsy next week sometime.

2. While you're in the waiting room at the GI lab you get a call that another relative just might have to be hospitalized...again. (Said relative was just discharged Tuesday).

Glad it's your readmit rate and not mine! So much for effective communication.

3. You take Bubba to the soccer game, he plays goal, and you cringe every time he dives head first for the ball. Yes, the emergency  room is close, but I'd like to keep my copay, thank you very much!

Now, to enjoy the weekend, since everyone's survived so far.