Hope turns to sadness

This patient's journey to us for rehab was long and arduous. One day you're minding your own business and start having these unusual pains. They find out you have this terrible condition.

The doctors save your life, but it was rough. You seem to be getting better when all Hades breaks loose. You go back to the OR, get almost triple digits of PRBCs, and abdominal washout and have all sorts of complications. You lose so many things. But you are here with us, so you are hopeful.

You come to us, are barely here a week, and we have to send you to World Renown, because we aren't staffed (in surgery or anywhere else) to resolve your latest issue. Unfortunately, we have seen this scenario before. You have a problem even World Renown can't fix. They send you back.

They leave us to tell you the bad news. You cry and yell. But to me and the other nurses, you are nice. You're not sure of what's going to happen, but I tell you, that no matter what I'm here with the staff for you to help give you some control in your room; to help you do what you need to do.

It is bittersweet. I have seen this before, and while the characters change, the stories all end the same. I just hope we can make some good memories before the clock runs out.

Stay tuned.

Endings

It's the weekend, so not only is it the end of the week, but it's been the end of a lot of other things.

One of our patients died late last week. It was a great relief. He/she was in hospice and the illness moved quickly. I'm glad he/she was there, instead of here, because that's the place he/she needed to be. It's quiet, peaceful and appropriate. Our house: noisy, often dirty, and just plain crazy. If I had to pick, I'd take hospice anyday. It's like a park there, it's so peaceful.

My summer class is getting close to the end. It's been a lot more work than it looked. Only two more summer classes before graduation. Not sure if that is a good thing, but at this point, with little to no support from my boss, I just can't handle two or three classes and working full-time. My family just likes to see me occasionally.

And the weekend now is nearly over...I wish they were longer. Summer lately has just flown by. I can't wait to get loose for a few days very soon!

Last but not least, I heard Brainscramble was ending via CoS. Good luck wherever you go! Now you know why I don't use my name. (just a tip for all you potential anonymous bloggers out there...)

But, even with endings, there are beginnings. Registration for the new semester starts soon under a new system. I'm just crossing my fingers that it all works without a hitch.

Stay tuned...never a dull moment here or at the Hotel.