RIP

Dahey lost a relative this week. It was one we never actually met.

R. was from the old sod, a place from which Dahey's ancestor had escaped (and occasionally returned) a long while ago. We met him through Facebook. One of his cousins actually met R. last year with her family. It was fun to see some of the family resemblance.

We knew he was a relative once we saw his photo, because he was a doppleganger for Dahey's uncle (so much so, it would have been fun to have a photo with the two of them in it). Dahey's dear departed uncle was one of those folks who traveled a lot and looked for his surname in the phone books wherever he went.

I'd suspect that's how he'd found cousin R.

An Irish blessing

May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

Until we all meet again...

Dear Medicaid

You suck.

Why? Let me count the myriad ways...

One, you are the payor of last resort,  but alas, when you have a loved one who goes to the emergency room because someone else caused their injury as they were going down the street, you are checked first.

It's especially nice when the injury occurs on the same day as the spend down deduction and you freak out said relative by saying, "Your Medicaid rejected you".

Two, you assume so much.

Three, when in doubt, you cut people off. It's way simpler than finding out what the actual problem is (i.e. a little timely communications re: the changing of spend down payments by $4 also helps) I guess.

That's okay. In the spirit of Christmas, besides assisting said relative in hiring an attorney, I'm just going to hang on the phone lines at your place and remind you of what the state laws really are when you've collected your $150 spend down.

And I'll make sure the nice people in Saint Elsewhere ER and the attorney do, too.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Dear paranoid relative

Thank you for travelling across the country, stopping in three different airports. It must have been not just physically, but mentally taxing.

Coming to our house was probably better than roaming around the airport. Yes, I did actually clean your room just before you arrived. I washed the linens that very day, so you'd have the fresh ones. (I also did this because I couldn't find the other ones I normally use, and decided these were good enough for your once a decade visits).

However, when you panic when we are out and about, on every choice of public restroom, I want to throttle you. Throttling a 50-something year old person in public is still not common here in RehabLand, unless you threw a punch at Dahey or said something obnoxious to me or the other ladies in the crowd.

That is all. The secret to life in a public restroom is wash your hands and use a paper towel to open the door. Pure and simple.

Hope you remember this the next time you visit and we take you out on the town.

Sincerely ('cause I'd hate to throttle you in public),

RehabRN

It's beautiful outside, but it's sad

This past week's been a doozy. I'm hoping I never repeat some of it again.

Work was work. We had our yearly inspection and I survived. The inspection team had some new and some old folks, so it was interesting to watch them.

Outside of that, one of my mother's in-laws died. I hadn't seen her (or any of her kids) in ages. I like this family, so it was pleasant. The crazy relative didn't show up for the wake. Still don't know if he/she is alive or dead. 

I was just getting ready to go to bed when another relative called me. Her son didn't answer calls as usual that day, so she went to the apartment complex where he lived near her. No one answered when she knocked and one of the neighbor's let her know she could see inside the apartment from outside, since Max left the curtains open when he worked from home. (He had a job that could be done remotely, and hadn't worked in an office in years.)

When they looked in, Max appeared hunched over his desk. My relative watched, but Max didn't move. She knew Max was probably dead. While it wasn't a surprise (Max had problems), it was sudden.

So, since Max's family (girlfriend and teen child) was out of town and she didn't have a key, she had to call the police to break down the door. She found Max dead. He was in his early 50s. It was sort of a circus arranging the apartment, having the police roaming around, lots of questions, and waiting. Happily, things calmed down before I could get dressed and leave.

Now, we're just waiting for Max's family to get back to complete the arrangements, and for the medical examiner to do his/her part.

Stay tuned...

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

Now, time for a PSA*

*Public Service Announcement

I found a really good infographic that discusses organ transplantation recently.

It's become a bigger deal around our house, because one of Dahey's relatives is now on the transplant list. He/she fits the profile noted on this infographic.

One thing I learned: maybe the US needs to go to an opt-out system versus opt-in, if it will increase the numbers of organ donors.

Transplantation waiting and aftercare is not always the easiest, but neither are the alternatives.

Please consider organ donation. It really is the gift of life for someone.

More to come...

How many more days?

Yes, it's only Thursday, but as one patient relative said to me yesterday, "The days are all running together." Yes, that happens a lot at the Hotel.

So is it flow, as this theory says it is? 

Not sure, so, c'mon Friday!

All about the body

A drive-by view of a few body-related articles on the internet.

Slim is the it word in Sudan (from BBC online)

You gotta eat, but really, in a graveyard? These folks in Georgia (former Soviet republic) do and celebrate with family.

While it's not bodily related, it could be...stop apostrophe abuse. You may save a life, or life's (sorry, just had to do it to see who's watching!)

That is all. Feel free to enjoy among family and friends wherever you are.

More to come...

Is he really that old?

Duh, the most important thing this weekend...

Bubba is 10. I can hardly believe it. He changed my life (and Dahey's and WildDog's...). Bubba is an ebullient character who says things like, "What is going to be OUR commuting vehicle?" when we bought a new car.  He loves music (like his dad) and has a horrible sweet tooth (just like me).

I look at him and see bits and pieces of both of us, with shades of my late father-in-law, the stubborn, yet likable internist.

Time surely flies! I'm going to enjoy every minute.

That bad joke...only real

My relative used to tell this one all the time...giggling like a schoolgirl.

Q What do you call a person who graduates last in his medical school class?
A. Doctor!

Only, it's not so funny when you can't read an x-ray and get busted by the cops.

Have fun in jail, Doctor!

The pleasures of resolutions

1. Started clipping coupons for stuff I needed. Saved $60 (or half of what I spent) in one, two-stop shopping trip. I know it's not extreme, but hey, I'm just starting.

2. Went outside and just enjoyed the lovely weather and did nothing.

3. Visited my relatives, then went over to Saintarama's new rehab hospital down the street from them. (It was needed. The building I worked in was ancient and not in a good way). Got another resume to take back to work to the boss for an open position at the Hotel.

4. Finished exercising and feel great.

Now I just wish I wasn't so happy about Bubba's basketball win today at the celebratory lunch we went to afterwards. I'm counting calories and there aren't many left. Whoops!

Still gonna enjoy the day, anyway. There's a Hefeweizen in the fridge with my name on it.

More to come...

Just say hello, goodbye

One patient, Mr. Smack, leaves, and boy, does he treat the nurses. A humongous box of fancy schmancy pastries and absolutely divine chocolate dipped brownies appear in the nurses' lounge. Can you tell his sister, who brought all this stuff knows how to butter up the nurses? It surely helps that she IS one.

Darlin' you and Mr. Smack have a good ol' time driving to Margaritaville, just keep him away from drunk drivers!

And Mr. X., who I checked in last week with my trainee came back. Nothing like a little crashing to send you out to the ICU. Thankfully, they cleared that all up. What's a little sepsis among friends?

Now, I wait for judgment, er, my trip before the accreditation people tomorrow. I'm going to celebrate by doing homework with P. and my group.

More later...

Nerdly pursuits

Yes, I'm one of those crazies who seek out trouble.

I am no longer employed in the computer industry, but I got to convince my friend to do some networking work at home and buy her kid a new computer. Happy Birthday Nico! Remember, I got you (by talking to mom) that iPod Touch last year, too. Don't pull any crap or mamasita's compadre here will mess up your box (as much as it hurts me...it'll hurt you more!)

Dearest Elderly Relative asked me to hook up his/her new PC....and transfer files. You'd swear the world would end if DER can't get those chain letters!

And because everyone's been buying new stuff and making me salivate, I'm coveting this software for one of my upcoming projects. I've been tagged by one of my instructors to publish a paper that I co-authored this semester. Two of three of us are on board to shop the project out....so we'll see what happens.

I'm heading to the online stores. Stay tuned for more tech toy updates.