Scary Halloween

Things that are scary on Halloween at the Hotel Rehab:

1. Doll eyes on a patient.
2. Change management strategies as cuts loom on the horizon.
3. Rain.

Tomorrow is another day. Hope your day is goblin-free!

Your sense of smell

Some things just stink. Your favorite team doesn't win a football, baseball or soccer game.

However these recent news stories had me wondering where the bad odors could be coming from.

Think the litter box needs emptying? Maybe it's just your laptop according to Dell. (courtesy of the BBC)

Can the smell of the famous "rooster sauce" (aka sriracha) cause headaches? Some people think so. (from the LA Times).

And you thought things were rough listening to Grandma's Lawrence Welk. Those darned Somali pirates can't handle this woman's music. (from www.military.com --thanks to my astute active duty brother-in-law).

Enjoy! More to come...

Friends don't let friends...

• Name their children after yeast infections. (courtesy of FML)
• Throw temper tantrums at work. (thank you WSJ)
• Suffer from foodborne illnesses. (courtesy of the University of Minnesota)
• Drink while doing homework (after yes, but during, no.)

Oh, it's Monday

Since I had an earworm the other day, I very well could have had this as one today. It really was a Manic Monday.

When competent (but lazy) RNs refuse assignment, you just have to wonder.

OMG.

Where are the Magliozzi Brothers when we need them?


 
Blame it on the train/But the bus is already there...

Got an earworm?

You will with this Sunday Stealing.


This is the latest meme available this week at Sunday Stealing, since it's almost someone's birthday over there.

1. as you get older, are you jazzed about your birthday? 
Yes,and no. 

2. do people usually remember your birthday?
Most people do.

3. an ex-coworker used to begin 3 mos. before her birthday flat-out reminding us that it was coming up. it's amazing what no self-esteem does for you. anyway, do you know anyone who pre-announces their birthdays? 

I don't preannounce, but I try to take a vacation day every year on my birthday. If it follows close to or on a weekend (like this year), I make it a three day weekend. (Only Bubba can make it four. His falls very often on a Federal holiday).

4. what was your best birthday? why?
I had a party as a kid (I think I was 7) with tons of people and lots of food in our little house. Not sure how my mother did it, but we had fun.

5. what was your worst birthday? why? 
Can't recall any. Some are better than others.

6. name your best birthday gift.
Hmm...hard one. One year I got an engagement ring right after my birthday.

7. name the best birthday gift you've gotten for someone else.
I like surprises. Totally throws people off.

8. as i age, i value SLEEP as a priceless commodity. i didn't get any for my birthday, however. what do you want this year for your birthday?
Sleep is good, so is a trip to the spa for a day, and a relaxing evening with Dahey and something fun for Bubba to do.  

A raise would also be nice. I'm hoping that really happens, since I'm up for a promotion.


Yes, that Beatles Birthday song is going through my head...

You thought life was rough

Go have a look at FML and this critter story.

Oh.My.Heavens.

I'd be ready to run away...and quick!

That is all...stay tuned!

Sending him off

Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. ~Emily Dickinson

Little Colin was buried today. I took Bubba to his wake. They buried him in his Halloween costume and a bucket to hold the candy was in the casket. 

"Mom, his lips looked funny." Bubba said. I thought he'd be afraid to look at the little boy he knew from school.

"Yes, Bubba, he was probably wearing makeup, too. They do that sometimes when people die." I told him.

The sight of a little kid in a casket in church was bad, but not nearly as bad as the sobs his father cried as we went through the line.

Heartbreaking. 

More later...

What awaits...

I keep telling myself that when all this construction is over at the Hotel, things will get better.

Well, the construction (and power outages) still keeps messing up my rooms and the devices we use every day.

How many more days are left? I keep counting...

This week's In the news

Oh, the full moon's almost over, but that doesn't mean it can't be crazy.

They say everyone says "sorry" in Canada, but obviously not everyone really IS sorry about this topiary in Windsor.

The folks in this train station surely would have gotten an eyeful had they seen these two.

This is a cult I'd really like to join: Cult of the French Pastry Chef.

Some call this store "Whole Paycheck" and boy, did these robbers run off with quite a few paychecks.

Stay tuned...always something new (and even sillier) on the horizon.

Dear Google

I got this nice e-mail below because you have an algorithm that doesn't work.

That's right.

I only link to products I actually use so people know what I'm talking about.

I don't sell space or advertise. Whatever shows up here, shows up because you make it pop up in your templates, or I put it in myself for illustration.

Consequently, I'm not removing any Allegro Medical links to any old posts I've made.

You and your engineers need to fix the problem.

Good luck! I love Blogger and have been here for years. Hope your efforts are fruitful.

Yours truly,

RehabRN

======================================================================

Subject: A question about a link pointing to Allegromedical.com

Hi

Hi

My name is Marie Haynes and I am working with AllegroMedical.com.

Unfortunately AllegroMedical has been given an unnatural links penalty from Google and as a result is not ranking well on Google. We are writing to you because your site links to ours and we would like to have this link removed (or nofollowed). Please know that this is no reflection on the quality of your website. Our unnatural links penalty was not given because of spammy linkbuilding but rather because we have placed too many self made links.

This looks to Google like an attempt to manipulate their search results as they only want naturally earned links to be counting towards PageRank.

Here is one or more example of a link from your site that points to ours:

http://rehabrn.blogspot.com/2009/08/life-and-death.html

If you need a full list of links from your site to ours then please let me know.

Also, if you feel that you yourself placed this link and no one from this website was involved in its creation then please let me know and we will keep it up and tell Google that this was not a self-made link.

Thank you,

Marie Haynes

HISWebMarketing.com

Specializing in Google Penalties

He asks why

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day. It was crisp, bright and sunny. All the kids leaving the church on Sunday ran out onto the courtyard, between the bushes, and up to the pumpkin patch, to pick the perfect pumpkin.

Today, the kids went to school, and found out one of the boys playing in the pumpkin patch will never carve his jack-o-lantern. He won't get to wear his Halloween costume or go to the Trunk or Treat on Friday.

Today little Colin died when his house caught on fire. The fire department doesn't know why. Only two relatives were with him and they were injured trying to escape. Colin got lost in the smoke and died trying to get out.

And Bubba knew him. He asks why. He feels the pain of death for the very first time as we sit and cry together in silence.

More later...

Ahh!

Homework is submitted. Slept late.

Now drinking coffee and enjoying being lazy for a bit.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

More fun with Sunday Stealing

Here's this week's meme: Random Randomness part 3. I omitted the ones I don't like, so go on over and see for yourselves.

1) What room are you in?

The kitchen

2) Can you solve a rubix cube?
No.

3) Are you psychic in any way?
Not exactly. Have I had some seriously funky dreams and premonitions? Yes.


5) What's your favorite color?
Blue

6) What's your lucky number?
7

7) Do you have any chores that should be done now?
Laundry (just finishing right now).

8) Did you have a cherished childhood teddy bear or other toy?
Several, but they got worn out or destroyed when my brother put them outside.

9) What was the last thing you bought from a vending machine?
Soda

11) How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Too many.

13) If you were a super hero what powers would you have?
I like the cloak of invisibility, time travel and teleporting.

17) What would you do if you won the lottery?
Depends on how much money I won. Anything under $10 million, keep on working until my financial adviser and I get a plan together.

Over $10 million, I'm so out of there tomorrow (sorry Hotel folks: no offense, it's not you). Then I would take a round the world trip over the course of three months, then decide what I want to do with myself before my one year anniversary.

I would enjoy being retired so I could spend more time working with the charities I like to support now volunteering. One of my coworkers had an idea to work with rehab patients I'd like to explore in more detail.

18) Would you like to build/design your own house?

Yes, wanna see the plans? Sorry, they're still in my head, but include a backup power supply and lots of energy efficient things, HEPA filtration, and a whole house vacuum system. (That's why I'd need to win the lottery!)

19) Which form of public transport do you prefer?
Streetcar.

21) Can you juggle?
Literally, yes (about three things); figuratively, all the time.

On the ropes

This guy is back again.

Things got better. But time is not his friend. He's getting older, and now he's sicker.  We can flush him out, but will have to wait to see if he will make it through the latest crisis.

He's a guy we like: friendly, funny, loves his doggies (big ones and small ones) and his wife.  He has good friends who've been there with him and her the whole time.

Now, we pray. That he gets up that hill again, before the avalanche takes him out.

Sometimes, we're cutting edge...

And sometimes, we're a little behind.

The cutting edge part: I work in the SU and we have the latest and greatest technology for dealing with rehab patients (and lots of other patients, too.)

The behind part: it's very telling, when your hospital finally gets the hint that this has been a Joint Commission recommendation since 2009.

We've had a few other changes happening, which just adds to the mix.

Why? Because people are starting to complain. And morale is low.

At least, we had some fun today, brightening up the area under construction. It was a blast for the patients, and for me, too.

TGIF all! Enjoy your moments wherever you are. I will!

I'm beginning to wonder

If this is really true.

If some folks who work with personal health records actually have a clue what user testing means. I don't think they actually invited users to do the tests.

If the moon is changing. Why yes it is! Now I know why some of our staff are particularly surly.

Never a dull moment at the Hotel.

Stay tuned...you never know what will happen.

In the news

It's not Wednesday, but it's pretty close, so here are a few things I've encountered so far this week in my meanderings around the internet.

Should you be sincere?
Maybe not according to this CNN article.

Goals
Sometimes you just need a big, hairy, audacious goal to get you going where you want to be (from LinkedIn).

Tips from Harvard
As an escaped business student, I've read the Harvard Business Review for years. Despite the cases, they have some exceptional tips on management and growth. 

It's short and sweet, but Make a plan for professional growth will get you started.

Pearls of wisdom
This article was very appropriate for a couple of folks at the Hotel who just happen to be agitated on the evening shift.

Enjoy!

They are reasons for everything

(This is a public service announcement)

There are reasons why you really need to know what you are eating, drinking or taking as a supplement.

Diet supplement has meth-like chemical (from www.cnn.com)

Reason one: dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA like drugs are.

Reason two: you could develop horrific side effects or worse.

I've always wanted to lose more weight, but I'm just not going to try meth (or anything meth-like) anytime soon.

The risks (and nasty side effects) are just too great.

That is all.

Thank you.

Dear Rand Paul

You should be scared. And every single one of your fellow Senators and Congressmen and women.

If you have taken any economics classes, you must have forgotten some of the key tenets:

1. People tend to be rational actors, but markets may not.
2. Printing money does not solve any problems.

To put it simply:

1. If you tell people you will pay them back, you pay them back.
2. If you do not, they send in the collection agency to take anything of value.

I'm sorry, I don't want the Chinese coming to get our national monuments, etc., if we don't pay them back.

I worry about Aunt Mabel, who has T-bills, if she doesn't have the full faith in credit in the U.S. government she will starts sewing money back into the curtains. This has happened in her lifetime, and I've seen money with those holes from the thread of an electric sewing machine.

All 80+% of us Americans who are mad as hell want two things:

1. You do your job and reopen the government.
2. You take care of the debt ceiling so the US Treasury department can pay the U.S. government's bills.

Remember this tomorrow, while you are off and getting paid, and the rest of the government employees are furloughed.

Here's hoping your Christmas presents (an economics lesson, a clue and a pink slip) get delivered early.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Happy Thanksgiving

To all our folks in Canada tomorrow (I can't remember what day it is!). I wish you beautiful weather and wonderful food.

More random randomness, part two

Thanks to this week's version of Sunday Stealing! Enjoy!

What was your first alcoholic drink?
Probably wine.

What was your first job?
Bank teller.

What was your first car?
A GM product with a 350. Fast!

What was your first mobile phone?
Nokia something or other (with a prominent antenna).

Who was your first teacher?
Mrs. Schweringer

Which fictional character do you wish was real?
Hmm, there are so many...

Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
Boston

Who was your first best friend?
Susie Stewart.

What was your first detention for?
Never served detention (was afraid of getting thrown out at home if I was a delinquent at school).

What's your strongest sense?
They tell me hearing; although, I sometimes have issues.

What was the first film you remember seeing at the cinema?
Snow White (in a re-release one year).

What's the largest amount of money you've ever won?
Probably $162.

What's the largest amount of money you've spent in one spree?
Down payment on my house.

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Do not approach prior to coffee administration.

Have you ever got sweet revenge on anyone?
Many times. Like that old saying, "You give some people enough rope, they'll hang themselves."

Have you ever been to a live concert?
Yes, many.

Have you ever been to see stand up comedy?
A few times in my youth. A couple of my friends also provided hours of entertainment.

Have you ever needed stitches?
Only once.

Products I wish existed

You really, really must follow the Cynical Pharmacist on Facebook.

Everyone really needs some of this, especially on the evening shift.

I can see the commercials now...Cures c-diff, and helps you relax! 

What more could you want?

Marketing fail

I know it's October, I know Breast Cancer Awareness is why we are seeing pink everywhere.
However, I had no idea that this pink bracelet was discussing another rather uncomfortable female affliction until I read Dr. Rupe's blog.

Yes, I may have suffered this affliction after I had Bubba, but there's no way, I'd wear a bracelet so I can tell the world.

Before you know it, I guess they'll have a brown bracelet for constipation awareness.

The possibilities are endless...

Amazing!

I read this in a note written by one of our critical care fellows for a patient who was transferred due to hypoxia. I'm sure all the pharmacists out there will be absolutely surprised by this new use for this drug (or maybe it's an off-label thing, since we are a teaching hospital).

metronidazole currently, added for hypoxia

And if that wasn't amazing enough, I'm not the only "mad as hell" person at the Hotel. Apparently, the good folks at Gallup are getting an earful in their polls, especially this one: Congress' job approval falls to 11%. It's about time.

But, I have to thank my old buddy, Steve, who found this jolly video below that every rehab nurse will love. If only all the toilets in the Hotel could have a bottle of this to kill the smell from some bowel programs.

Enjoy!

Still under siege

Eight days later, we are still waiting for idiot legislators to get off their duffs and comprehensively solve this problem (not piece by piece.)

Wish the bill collectors would wait, but I doubt it.

Just hope I don't get salmonella.

Very, incredibly annoying. Off we go, not for pay, but for an IOU...

The strife is over

I raise my glass(es) in honor of surviving the last day of our rehab accreditation survey recently.

While I wasn't noted as a great help to our team directly by the inspectors, they could not deny our work in the SU. It was especially gratifying to know that some things we do can change the world.

Even if it's only my little world at the Hotel, we change things one person at a time.

Cheers!

It's Sunday...

Here's the latest meme on movies from the Sunday Stealing crew. Enjoy wherever you are!

1. Name your favorite movie actor:  Depends. I like lots of them. Harrison Ford, George Clooney, Daniel Day Lewis, Liam Neeson, so many...
2. Name your favorite movie actress:  Margot Kidder, Kathleen Turner, Sandra Bullock (lots of them too!)
3. You would never watch a movie with: hmm...depends on that too.
4. Favorite candy/food to watch movies with:  Snocaps
5. Three favorite tv channels: NBC, CBS, CNN
6. Cable or satellite? Cable
7. Do you watch more movies at home or at the theater? Home
8. Is there a time of year that you watch more tv? Winter 

Animals make life interesting

I  thoroughly enjoyed this story about the bears that trashed a vacation home for some really good smelling human food.

I also thank my lucky stars that Dahey did not take that job in the wilds of Washington state, or I might have the same problem.

More later...

Inquiring minds...

Want to know if their US Congressman(woman) or Senator is taking their paycheck during the government shutdown.

I do, so I found this list.

Here they are...

Seven senators say they plan to keep their salary. 
Those senators are:
Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma;
Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut;
Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa;
Tom Harkin, D-Iowa;
Roy Blunt, R-Missouri;
Patty Murray, D-Washington.

Nine House members, however, say they're keeping their salary: 
Mike Thompson, D-California;
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida;
Rep. Danny Davis, D-Illinois;
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indiana;
Rep. William 'Lacy' Clay, Jr., D-Missouri;
Rep. Howard Coble, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Susan Brooks, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-North Carolina;
James Clyburn, D-South Carolina.


Some people aren't going to be too happy come the next election. I only have one vote, but I urge all of you out there to use yours, too.

Send these bozos packing. Every.single.one.

If we can't pay research scientists who work on cancer cures, people who take care of little kids, and other "non-essential people" who help veterans get compensation, small businesses run or students like me study (PubMed, my favorite resource, is also under shutdown), then why pay a do-nothing politician.

Remember: nurses (and many other medical personnel) are "essential" and get to show up for work in military and VA hospitals for no pay until legislation is enacted.

Just my $0.02.

More to come...

FIM-what?

Can you tell I have CARF on the brain? Yes, they are going to be here before we know it, and the Hotel Rehab is abuzz with excitement (more aptly called overstress).

I got the following in my Word of the Day e-mail from my favorite people at www.m-w.com.

fimbriated \FIM-bree-ay-tud\
adjective: :having the edge or extremity bordered by slender processes : fringed

No FIM scores were calculated in the definition, but that's okay. FIM and all sorts of other rehab related measures can be found on the RIC Rehab Outcomes page.

I'm still a 7 today!

Stay tuned for more (bad) rehab puns. I'll be playing the Hotel all week...

Bringing home the Bacon

Yes, I'm very thrilled that Dahey has a new job, but the manglement at his employer, Overlord Contracting, leaves a little bit to be desired.

Dahey and I met at PrivateU, when his dreams consisted of being an industrial labor specialist. Throughout his career, he has successfully worked with lots of unions, crafts people, engineers, truck drivers, secretaries, and yes, even the occasional nurse.

Recently, the Overlord people were not amused when he asked about bringing home this Bacon, as in Davis-Bacon Act.

So, after the brouhaha in the break room died down, they made all of the employees hired recently come to a meeting. Telling people they will not get prevailing wage and appropriate overtime as dictated by law is really not a good thing, Dahey said.

Moments later, after much fidgeting, and several calls to the Overlord corporate office, they apologized. Bonehead Recruiter made a mistake.

And that is why I love him. 

The siege continues

One of these days, they will get off their collective arses and do some work.

Meanwhile, I enjoy (yes, I really am) my escape. The fall weather is delightful. I'm cleaning up stuff that has needed to be cleaned and organized for literally years. Is it exciting? Probably not to most folks.

To me, it is freedom, and it doesn't matter how I got it. I saw Giacomo today. It's been a long time. We had coffee and a nice chat about social justice and life in general. He got a new kitchen that's almost done. It's really shaping into something nice.

After I went there, I had to go shopping to make Bubba and Dahey an Indian dinner. The child really likes tandoori and tikka masala. So since I found a nice spice recipe (and Dr. Q. helped me tweak it), I'm using it.

Next, I went by a chocolate shop near Giacomo's office and had one of these. It was heaven.


They may only be small victories, but I appreciate them just the same.

More to come...enjoy whatever your day brings you where you are.

Something different

Yes, the staff at the latchkey have the kids all singing this crazy song.

Yes, it is

This really was the saddest thing I read about the government shutdown.

My cousin's post that both she and her husband got furloughed today was the other sad one. They are both healthy and prepared, so while it's not fun, they will endure.

I just wonder if those kids will, too.

More to come...

Post script to Congress

Oh, good old, do nothing Congress decides to go retro and cause a government shutdown.

Too bad the economy isn't as good as it was way back when and no, the old timers here aren't lovingly talking about what fun it was to work and not get paid.

Nice.

Just wait, Congress, payback is hell.