Monday finally flew by at the Hotel. I went in early to check mail and messages, and my phone rang. One of our patients passed away over the weekend. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but that call really changed the tone of my day.
Mr. C. had a wonderful Christmas according to this relative. He even got to celebrate a major wedding anniversary. He saw family and friends and experienced the fun of the holidays with his immediate family around him. His grand kids all opened gifts at his house.
Ms. Relative thought he was getting a cold and was possibly getting sick. Mr. C. said, "No, I just need some sleep." Mr. C. went to sleep smiling, she said, because he had so much fun seeing his family. When she went to check on him later, he was gone.
Considering the wild, crazy last few years Mr. C. had, this was the best way for him to go: at home in his sleep.
I worked a lot with Mr. C. and his family in the last year, I'll miss him, too.
More later.
Showing posts with label anniversary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anniversary. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Sunday, October 18, 2015
If it's time to celebrate an anniversary...
It's time for bedlam and mayhem here in the RehabRN household. Why, you ask? Let me count the ways...
On anniversary #1, Dahey and I had a wonderful hotel stay planned. On our way to the restaurant, we got locked in the parking garage. While we were at Chez Fancy, we got a call that WildDog was throwing up. (Crazy aunt left chocolates unattended while at church)
On anniversary #2, we got someone else's hotel room during that hotel stay. We got a new room on the side of the hotel where all the ambulances would speed by on their way to World Renown medical center.
On anniversary #3, while Bubba was a baby, and Dahey was returning from a TDY job out west, our sewer backed up in our basement. (Cause: random rug in storm sewer main.)
Frankly, I stopped counting after the first three. However, this year, since our celebration was delayed, obviously the mayhem was on hold until we celebrated at Old Restored Building's swanky restaurant. Before we went in, my best friend called to tell me her 40 something year old husband was weak Friday, but now could not walk, so what should she do. This nurse told her (and hubby) to get to the hospital pronto. She couldn't get him in her car, so she called an ambulance to take him and his interesting medical history to the nearest Saintarama hospital (where he normally goes). He's still there, awaiting a diagnosis as to why he cannot move his arms and legs. He passed all the usual guesses yesterday. Neuro hopefully will solve the mystery today.
And while I was savoring a delightful pot de creme, my brother Jethro, decided to call to tell me he was locked out of his apartment. He has a keypad to get in, but no key, and the batteries for the keypad were dead. Since there is no maintenance on site, I had to go over and provide my credit card so the locksmith could unlock his door.
Time to unlock: about 7 seconds. Cost $75. It took him longer to walk to the apartment than to unlock the door and run my credit card.
Alas, no matter when we celebrate, it's always something. Thankfully, Dahey puts up with it. Happy Anniversary.
On anniversary #1, Dahey and I had a wonderful hotel stay planned. On our way to the restaurant, we got locked in the parking garage. While we were at Chez Fancy, we got a call that WildDog was throwing up. (Crazy aunt left chocolates unattended while at church)
On anniversary #2, we got someone else's hotel room during that hotel stay. We got a new room on the side of the hotel where all the ambulances would speed by on their way to World Renown medical center.
On anniversary #3, while Bubba was a baby, and Dahey was returning from a TDY job out west, our sewer backed up in our basement. (Cause: random rug in storm sewer main.)
Frankly, I stopped counting after the first three. However, this year, since our celebration was delayed, obviously the mayhem was on hold until we celebrated at Old Restored Building's swanky restaurant. Before we went in, my best friend called to tell me her 40 something year old husband was weak Friday, but now could not walk, so what should she do. This nurse told her (and hubby) to get to the hospital pronto. She couldn't get him in her car, so she called an ambulance to take him and his interesting medical history to the nearest Saintarama hospital (where he normally goes). He's still there, awaiting a diagnosis as to why he cannot move his arms and legs. He passed all the usual guesses yesterday. Neuro hopefully will solve the mystery today.
And while I was savoring a delightful pot de creme, my brother Jethro, decided to call to tell me he was locked out of his apartment. He has a keypad to get in, but no key, and the batteries for the keypad were dead. Since there is no maintenance on site, I had to go over and provide my credit card so the locksmith could unlock his door.
Time to unlock: about 7 seconds. Cost $75. It took him longer to walk to the apartment than to unlock the door and run my credit card.
Alas, no matter when we celebrate, it's always something. Thankfully, Dahey puts up with it. Happy Anniversary.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Anniversary, it is...
But a happy one? Not exactly.
This weekend is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. It has gone on record as one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.
We should learn a few things though.
1. No matter where you are, you should have an emergency plan. Yes, my plan's not the best, but I am fortunate, that most of the time, I work close enough to walk home if anything happened here in RehabLand. Bubba is close to home at school and we have some basic supplies on hand.
Don't forget your desk/locker/car trunk. You can store some basics in there too, just in case.
2. Figure it will take three days to get help. We are fortunate that a lot of important public services are less than a mile from us, but we still stay ready. When it's time to evacuate, you need to evacuate.
However, there are happy things. Very soon, in September, many rehab professionals will descend on the Crescent City (or the Big Easy) for their annual conferences. If you are there, and are free, I'd highly recommend one or both (ASCIP for all you SCI nurses or professionals and/or the Annual ARN conference, for any rehab nurse). New Orleans is a pretty city with lots of history and delicious treats. Don't miss it.
Who knows...maybe I'll even see you there. Stay tuned!
This weekend is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. It has gone on record as one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.
We should learn a few things though.
1. No matter where you are, you should have an emergency plan. Yes, my plan's not the best, but I am fortunate, that most of the time, I work close enough to walk home if anything happened here in RehabLand. Bubba is close to home at school and we have some basic supplies on hand.
Don't forget your desk/locker/car trunk. You can store some basics in there too, just in case.
2. Figure it will take three days to get help. We are fortunate that a lot of important public services are less than a mile from us, but we still stay ready. When it's time to evacuate, you need to evacuate.
However, there are happy things. Very soon, in September, many rehab professionals will descend on the Crescent City (or the Big Easy) for their annual conferences. If you are there, and are free, I'd highly recommend one or both (ASCIP for all you SCI nurses or professionals and/or the Annual ARN conference, for any rehab nurse). New Orleans is a pretty city with lots of history and delicious treats. Don't miss it.
Who knows...maybe I'll even see you there. Stay tuned!
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Deja vu all over again
No school due to a snow day. Supposedly, they'll take them back tomorrow. Some parents kvetch on the school's Facebook page. Others, like me, rejoice.
Bubba needs to learn something. The school year is flying by so fast.
On top of all of it, another great relative has died. This one was special. Before he married into the family, he was the doctor for most of the folks in town. He even delivered some of Great Aunt Marion's kids (when she was married to dear departed old Uncle Gilbert, the guy who threw some great parties, known for their food). Dahey was their wedding photographer.
The day he died would have been their 12th wedding anniversary.
More later
Bubba needs to learn something. The school year is flying by so fast.
On top of all of it, another great relative has died. This one was special. Before he married into the family, he was the doctor for most of the folks in town. He even delivered some of Great Aunt Marion's kids (when she was married to dear departed old Uncle Gilbert, the guy who threw some great parties, known for their food). Dahey was their wedding photographer.
The day he died would have been their 12th wedding anniversary.
More later
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Weekend fun...for a while anyway
Yes, RehabRN goes retro. Really wish Dahey and I took ourselves to the beach for this anniversary.
Will still celebrate nevertheless...cheers. This retro tune just got into my head after Dahey told me about his morning adventures talking to a character who knows this guy...
Will still celebrate nevertheless...cheers. This retro tune just got into my head after Dahey told me about his morning adventures talking to a character who knows this guy...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Profundity
I have known Dahey more than half of my life now. (We passed even not that long ago.)
It's funny to think that a decade ago this week we were eating, drinking and being merry. And so many terrible and wonderful things have happened in our life together in the interim.
May we have many, many more years. Happy anniversary, dahling!
Love and kisses,
RehabRN
It's funny to think that a decade ago this week we were eating, drinking and being merry. And so many terrible and wonderful things have happened in our life together in the interim.
May we have many, many more years. Happy anniversary, dahling!
Love and kisses,
RehabRN
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Lest I forget....
Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. Simone Signoret
Tonight...6PM a decade ago, I changed my life. Happy anniversary Dahey! What a wild ride it's been.
(clink) To many more...
Tonight...6PM a decade ago, I changed my life. Happy anniversary Dahey! What a wild ride it's been.
(clink) To many more...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Happy Anniversary
Oh, a few years ago, I was fretting away getting my hair and nails done right about now, just before the wedding.
A few lost in-laws and nine wild years later, here we are...and we're celebrating with the modern anniversary gifts this year! Woo hoo!
Happy Anniversary Dahey!
A few lost in-laws and nine wild years later, here we are...and we're celebrating with the modern anniversary gifts this year! Woo hoo!
Happy Anniversary Dahey!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Never forget...
That on this day, and at this hour, eight years ago, New York was burning, the Pentagon walls were breached, and multiple heroes on a plane gave their lives in a Pennsylvania field to stop further carnage.
And our little, insulated lives as we knew them changed forever.
And our little, insulated lives as we knew them changed forever.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Escaping the paper monster...
Sure, I was off, but most of my days were doing paperwork. It was nice to go outside periodically when I wanted and drink coffee whenever I wanted, which is relaxing.
I've learned a few things lately:
1. Gonna have to get creative on financing for grad school...don't you just love regulations (and I'm sure someone's going to say "It's the economy, stupid.")?
2. Learned a few more things about research nursing. I joined a journal club in the area and got together with some local nurses, one of whom I met recently before the meeting. We had a great dinner and talked about Kaplan-Meier curves and hazard ratios. Just remember: it never hurts to network!
3. You can powershop in a hurry and sometimes get lucky. Even with the heady material we had to read, I had a great time and since I didn't want to get lost, I got to the restaurant early to check out everything, then I went and scoped out the local, swanky shopping mall. There were sales galore, so in the last few minutes before the meeting, I found something. I'd show you all the link, but I'm saving it for my anniversary, and I know for a fact someone who reads this blog would click on it just to see it. (Yes, Dahey reads this blog...)
Anyway, should be a fun day at work...more to come.
I've learned a few things lately:
1. Gonna have to get creative on financing for grad school...don't you just love regulations (and I'm sure someone's going to say "It's the economy, stupid.")?
2. Learned a few more things about research nursing. I joined a journal club in the area and got together with some local nurses, one of whom I met recently before the meeting. We had a great dinner and talked about Kaplan-Meier curves and hazard ratios. Just remember: it never hurts to network!
3. You can powershop in a hurry and sometimes get lucky. Even with the heady material we had to read, I had a great time and since I didn't want to get lost, I got to the restaurant early to check out everything, then I went and scoped out the local, swanky shopping mall. There were sales galore, so in the last few minutes before the meeting, I found something. I'd show you all the link, but I'm saving it for my anniversary, and I know for a fact someone who reads this blog would click on it just to see it. (Yes, Dahey reads this blog...)
Anyway, should be a fun day at work...more to come.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Shifting gears
RIP Paul Newman...now there was a guy who could really shift gears!
Yes, I'm back to the evening shift and so far, things have not been too bad. I've had two patients and a med cart to lug around, but since our census is lower than it's been in a while, it's not too terrible. Our nurse who's famous for calling in on his/her shift to work on Friday even showed up last night.
Our census may stay low for a while since we don't have too many admissions scheduled for next week and only one or maybe two discharges. I'm sure all of the admissions will wait until I come back from my time off next week (Sometimes I think my middle name should be Murphy...as in Murphy's Law.)
My patients have been pretty good considering everything. Mr. AB #1 was back on my list. For some reason, I don't complain about people and I get to take care of the same people over and over. I hear my co-workers say things like, "If I have Mr. X for another day, I'll kill myself." so the boss reassigns them...to me. I must have "team player" or something stamped on my forehead in invisible ink, since I'm always "taking one for the team." At this point, I'm beginning to think that some of my coworkers have more mental issues than some of our patients, or just a heck of a case of compassion fatigue. I think my own compassion fatigue and stress from being the newbie has resolved itself...for now, anyway.
Mr. R. is also one of my customers. He's a trainwreck, who's heading to Washington this week for surgery. He's been made aware that it's very likely he could die during the surgery or not be weaned off a vent after, but he's going for it anyway. His chances of long-term survival are slim. I watch him very carefully, and thankfully, he's been pretty calm when I'm working. He desats when we reposition him in bed, so it makes things really interesting. The one good thing is that his bed actually goes into Trendelenburg mode, so we can move him more quickly and easily.
Finally, I have been busy planning in my off time along with other things, like buying a new furnace and air conditioner (ours is 20 years old and the furnace is dead) and going to doctors appointments. I'll get to do some fun stuff (manicure and pedicure) before Dahey and I go out and celebrate our anniversary. What joy! I love the pedicure place and by a stroke of luck, I found out about a deal with them, and it starts next week!
Gotta run and do work before I go to work. More later...
Yes, I'm back to the evening shift and so far, things have not been too bad. I've had two patients and a med cart to lug around, but since our census is lower than it's been in a while, it's not too terrible. Our nurse who's famous for calling in on his/her shift to work on Friday even showed up last night.
Our census may stay low for a while since we don't have too many admissions scheduled for next week and only one or maybe two discharges. I'm sure all of the admissions will wait until I come back from my time off next week (Sometimes I think my middle name should be Murphy...as in Murphy's Law.)
My patients have been pretty good considering everything. Mr. AB #1 was back on my list. For some reason, I don't complain about people and I get to take care of the same people over and over. I hear my co-workers say things like, "If I have Mr. X for another day, I'll kill myself." so the boss reassigns them...to me. I must have "team player" or something stamped on my forehead in invisible ink, since I'm always "taking one for the team." At this point, I'm beginning to think that some of my coworkers have more mental issues than some of our patients, or just a heck of a case of compassion fatigue. I think my own compassion fatigue and stress from being the newbie has resolved itself...for now, anyway.
Mr. R. is also one of my customers. He's a trainwreck, who's heading to Washington this week for surgery. He's been made aware that it's very likely he could die during the surgery or not be weaned off a vent after, but he's going for it anyway. His chances of long-term survival are slim. I watch him very carefully, and thankfully, he's been pretty calm when I'm working. He desats when we reposition him in bed, so it makes things really interesting. The one good thing is that his bed actually goes into Trendelenburg mode, so we can move him more quickly and easily.
Finally, I have been busy planning in my off time along with other things, like buying a new furnace and air conditioner (ours is 20 years old and the furnace is dead) and going to doctors appointments. I'll get to do some fun stuff (manicure and pedicure) before Dahey and I go out and celebrate our anniversary. What joy! I love the pedicure place and by a stroke of luck, I found out about a deal with them, and it starts next week!
Gotta run and do work before I go to work. More later...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Remnants of Ike...no Tina
Yes, we're getting that rain here in our neck of the Midwest. The yard now has a big lake in it. Three of my five evening shifts are done and the last few days have been interesting enough.
Friday I went to a prescription drug abuse seminar put on by a local psych hospital. They even had free CEs for the RNs and all sorts of goodies. I registered via e-mail and got a confirmation but I forgot to bring the e-mail along. I show up early figuring my name is on the lists there and my name is no where to be found (for CE people and non-CE people). I was very agitated about this, but a lot of other people were, too, (and they actually paid for the CEs and need them this month for their various licenses) so I decided the best course of action was to find the local Starbucks, get a coffee and read my e-mail.
I had plans for lunch, so I found a Starbucks in the neighborhood, so I didn't have to drive around in rush hour traffic. I couldn't get on to the wifi hotspot on my Palm, so I read my Rehabilitation Nursing magazine from cover to cover (it's on polytrauma), which I had meant to do for a couple of weeks. It was a good read and I highly recommend it. I wanted my e-mail, though, so I headed up the street to a local eatery that had accessible wifi and I found a nice booth and newspaper and I read my e-mail and the paper until lunchtime. It was a diversion, but a pleasant one nevertheless.
After my fun surfing and reading, I met my friend C. for lunch. C. was happy I got bumped so she could escape the office a little earlier. We had a great time.
At work, I've been lucky enough again to be pushing the med cart. Supposedly, we get a less taxing assignment when we're giving pills, but it's not necessarily the case. I had the AB boys (that's what I'm calling them because of their bug--acinetobacter) up in the front and it was hellish. The room was so hot. Something is wrong with the HVAC system and these guys have fans, but to go in their room garbed up in an isolation gown makes me sweat like mad. It's a lot of work. They can be needy. Thankfully, C. the charge on Thursday kept them quiet for me while I adjusted to being back at work and on the pill delivery route, which, incidentally is all the way at the other end of the unit. (Our boss is really good at crazy geographical assignments like that!)
Outside of that, our new schedule came out and yes, I did actually get those vacation days I asked for recently. I got lucky and found a couple of blank spots on the calendar and asked my boss if I could take off three days in October and three days in November. I'll actually be away for six whole days, since those days are right before my normal weekend off. My husband Dahey is going to surprise me this year for our anniversary. He's making all the plans. All I have to do is show up. At least that was a good excuse for buying a new dress and some other new clothes recently. Bubba will be hanging out with my friend's boys while we're out, so he should have fun.
More later. Stay tuned.
Friday I went to a prescription drug abuse seminar put on by a local psych hospital. They even had free CEs for the RNs and all sorts of goodies. I registered via e-mail and got a confirmation but I forgot to bring the e-mail along. I show up early figuring my name is on the lists there and my name is no where to be found (for CE people and non-CE people). I was very agitated about this, but a lot of other people were, too, (and they actually paid for the CEs and need them this month for their various licenses) so I decided the best course of action was to find the local Starbucks, get a coffee and read my e-mail.
I had plans for lunch, so I found a Starbucks in the neighborhood, so I didn't have to drive around in rush hour traffic. I couldn't get on to the wifi hotspot on my Palm, so I read my Rehabilitation Nursing magazine from cover to cover (it's on polytrauma), which I had meant to do for a couple of weeks. It was a good read and I highly recommend it. I wanted my e-mail, though, so I headed up the street to a local eatery that had accessible wifi and I found a nice booth and newspaper and I read my e-mail and the paper until lunchtime. It was a diversion, but a pleasant one nevertheless.
After my fun surfing and reading, I met my friend C. for lunch. C. was happy I got bumped so she could escape the office a little earlier. We had a great time.
At work, I've been lucky enough again to be pushing the med cart. Supposedly, we get a less taxing assignment when we're giving pills, but it's not necessarily the case. I had the AB boys (that's what I'm calling them because of their bug--acinetobacter) up in the front and it was hellish. The room was so hot. Something is wrong with the HVAC system and these guys have fans, but to go in their room garbed up in an isolation gown makes me sweat like mad. It's a lot of work. They can be needy. Thankfully, C. the charge on Thursday kept them quiet for me while I adjusted to being back at work and on the pill delivery route, which, incidentally is all the way at the other end of the unit. (Our boss is really good at crazy geographical assignments like that!)
Outside of that, our new schedule came out and yes, I did actually get those vacation days I asked for recently. I got lucky and found a couple of blank spots on the calendar and asked my boss if I could take off three days in October and three days in November. I'll actually be away for six whole days, since those days are right before my normal weekend off. My husband Dahey is going to surprise me this year for our anniversary. He's making all the plans. All I have to do is show up. At least that was a good excuse for buying a new dress and some other new clothes recently. Bubba will be hanging out with my friend's boys while we're out, so he should have fun.
More later. Stay tuned.
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