To our esteemed readers

Dear readers:

Thank you for stopping by to visit. It's been a crazy week. When you bury a relative as part of a large (we have so many kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews) that we can almost rent the entire hotel family, it gets a little crazy. Unlike most Irish wakes, Auntie Em didn't get to come to the party at the Hibernian hall after the funeral. However, she would have loved it.

Lots of food and drinks and even a little gambling going on at the bar in the other room. Since Auntie Em's state allows gaming in bars, it was fun dragging the kids away from their popcorn machine (aka kid magnet) before the state liquor commissioners passed by. Happily, the bartenders shut the door and the kids found the cookies.

The banquet hall was full. Lots of people came out in the middle of the week to say goodbye at the wake, the funeral and the luncheon at the Hibernians. Auntie Em's boss (a retired allergist who was younger) even showed up, which is something that doesn't always happen for folks who die in their nineties. Dahey and Bubba had a good time. Bubba with the other kids, Dahey with his cousins who he doesn't get to see nearly enough.

Dahey's family may start visiting in between weddings and funerals, but it remains to be seen. Sure would be nice to celebrate while we're all here to do it in the same room.

Again, thanks for understanding. It is deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

RehabRN

The latest in the news

This is the etiquette edition (aka don't do this). Enjoy!

They've got it right...and funny
Top 10 things not to say to someone in a wheelchair is a great article from the good folks at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

Not exactly a funeral in a stadium, but...
Don't take selfies at a funeral is the point of this Mashable post.

Don't emit noxious fumes
In the ongoing saga, Huy Fong Foods, manufacturers of the famous "Rooster" sriracha sauce have halted shipments.

Not necessarily a no-no anymore...
In the old days, no one in their right mind would bring their dog to the hospital. This AJN article talks about how your pet can help you just by visiting.

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...

Heard on the unit...2010

I haven't really had too much in a long while for this segment, but it's getting better and better everyday.

Here's a few I've had recently...
"Please call the minister. I want to let him know what I want for my funeral." Patient #1

He's not even dying yet, but this guy wanted us to do everything to get the chaplain on the unit right away recently. Chaplain had already left for the day, so we left the service a message. Now if he starts dreaming about the dead relatives and the farm...that's a whole other story!

"Is that a beer bottle over there on the shelf?"
"Where's my good luck kiss before I go in the ring?" Patient #2

This patient is demented and his worst periods often happen in the middle of the night. No, there is no beer bottle, but the flashlight we keep there sure can look like one in the dark.

I get the pleasure of reorienting him back to the hospital, which isn't nearly as exciting as his career in the Marines, the boxing ring, or as a bartender.

Stay tuned for more goodies!