My Monday midweek

Yes, when I start rotating my shift, I always feel like it's Monday. I work several days in a row, and then, eventually it's over, but it never fails that the first day is momentous.

First fun item: one patient gets taken off the floor after much nurse cajoling of MD because his oxygen sats wouldn't go up. Diagnosis in the ER: PE. So glad he didn't get to code on us!

Second fun item: the dualling trach patients. Who would have to be suctioned the most...patient #1 at one end of the hall who swore he didn't need to be suctioned, then asked as you left the room or patient #2 who would get turned, then need suction or would need suction at the most inopportune times?

Third fun item: Mr. C. got rejected  for his colonoscopy that day, so let's just prep one more day and have him drink a gallon of GoLytely again to clean him all out. Yes, he got cleaned out, but it was fun changing linens all freaking shift. Clean, clean, clean to keep him from breaking down. Heavens!

Fourth fun item: Mr. Needy. Move this, move that, lift me up, 'cause I can't see my computer, etc., etc. I  would have killed him if it wouldn't have made a mess. (I really like our housekeeper Bob, and  he'd probably run away if I made a big mess like that.) Mr. Needy just made my shoulder pain turn into back pain very quickly.

Thankfully, one of my menagerie of patients, Mr. S. was so sweet. He's been training to do some of his care I'd normally do, so he was ready to fly solo. I was so happy. (One less thing I had to do.) I made sure he got his snacks and whatever else he  needed on rounds. He was the highlight of the night.