In a hurry

If we are in a hurry, there are a lot of things we don't see. We run past people on the street, in the halls, in their rooms. Just like this guy, a noted researcher in a hurry.

Some people just don't move fast enough: they're slow. E. was one of those folks. He just meandered around in his wheelchair, sometimes numbed and slowed by his brain injury. Frankly, I was surprised when he wandered into my clinic a couple of weeks ago to ask some questions. It was something he rarely did, but he needed help.

A staff member at the nursing home told him he needed to be seen at the Hotel. So when I looked into things and checked his appointments, I saw, he was right. I sent a message to our clinic nurse down the way, Q. and he/she said they'd get him on the next clinic list. I escorted E. to make sure he wouldn't be distracted and forget. Our scheduler was waiting and put him right on the schedule.

E. was happy when I saw him last week. He got his appointment, and everything looked good. "Thank you." he said slowly. I smiled and told him, "Any time, E. Just come bang on my door (pointing at it) if you have to."

He smiled, his driving cap, turned jauntily to the side and rolled out to the home's bus, awaiting him outside.
That was the last time I saw him. Today we found out that E. was found dead in his room.

I always wonder when I'm in a hurry about what might happen if I slow down. As I reflect, I see it now. I just might catch a glimmer of a light that may never shine the same way again.

Take your time and remember those little moments. They could be the last.

More later...

RehabRN reading continues...

It's so nice that Bubba's been feeling like reading, so Dahey and I take him regularly to RehabLand's public library (which is pretty darned good).

Here's a couple of things on the burner right now.

1. Child, please by Ylanda Gault Caveness. This author works the parenting sites and has lots of interesting perspectives as the mother of three kids.

While my childhood deviated on many planes from hers, due to ethnicity, etc., there were more than a few common sayings mentioned in the book that I heard in our house among my parents.

I chuckled to myself more than a few times reading this book, and frankly, there are some hilarious moments that will make you laugh out loud. (and even disturb your neighbors sitting nearby).

Little book with a whole lot of parenting wisdom. I highly recommend it.

2. Shrinks: The untold story of psychiatry by Jeffery Lieberman I just started this one, and the intro is just right. It sets you up in a patient story, and draws you in. The stress, anxiety and the ambivalence of the general public to consider the benefits of a medical psychiatric workup.

I can't wait to continue down the road of this story penned by the former president of the American Psychiatric Association.

Stay tuned!

Every parent's nightmare

One morning, your kid leaves home, never to return. This recently happened to one of my therapy coworkers from Saintarama. We also know Marci and her kids, since Bubba is in school with them.

It was hard. We squeezed each other tight and prayed at the memorial. Bubba and the kids went off to look at the many pictures of their dear, departed brother and look at some of his stuff, which was also on display.

A life just begun as an adult was extinguished early one morning on the road.

Hug your kids today and everyday. I know I will.

More to come...

In an instant

A police officer puts a person resisting arrest in a choke hold. He ignores the pleas that the person can't breathe. The person dies.

A guy driving through a protest march hits a pedestrian. He's arrested for assault.

Another guy goes to work. Someone asks him to come out to the parking lot. It's his son. He proceeds to club his father to death with a baseball bat in the middle of the day in the parking lot.

It doesn't take long for a life to disappear. Robbing someone of one breath, one moment, one defensive move can have consequences that last forever.

Life happens in an instant. Be aware. Some things you can't get back after that instant is gone.

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.

Holiday fun

We could hear and even see some of the fireworks from the park down the street if you went outside. That was the closest I'll get to 4th of July festivities, since I'm working at the Hotel.



For the most part, the headaches are subsiding. I'll just chalk it all up to allergies to something. I've been taking all my meds religiously and adding a couple of OTC ones as needed. I hate doing it, but I also hate having a stopped up head and ears.

So far, besides Manglement issues, there's been no trouble at the Hotel. We can only wait  for what  happens next.  I hope I'm spared some of the drama, but suspect I will have to deal with it soon enough. The great  halcyon days of the Hotel are most likely over. It's just going to be interesting to see the kicking, screaming and jockeying that comes next.

Stay tuned...gotta enjoy the moments before it  all starts again.