I love my child

And I really enjoyed this section on happyplace.com on the darnedest things kids say (on homework).

Happy Monday all! I'm trying, too!

Jazzy Sunday

Hope you all enjoy, wherever you are...

A case of senioritis

I should be studying for my next test coming up very shortly, but I've been surfing again. Surprisingly, I've found articles on some other kinds of seniors, you may want to check out.

Senior citizens find the grass is greener (from Daily Reckoning) I'll bet our clerk M. who retired, is at one of their seminars (he was thinking about this when he left).

An unusual pilgrim (from CNN's religion blog) College kid (may or may not be a senior) takes a hike in search of a saint.

So now, off I go, to study again...stay tuned.

Ode of the tired (of the BS) nurses

The boss told me today it's important to network in your field, if you don't have any grinches (aka the Professional Development committee) at your hospital.

Lately, I've spent way too much time justifying my needs in nearly 50 pages of forms, brochures and supporting material. And if life were really like a Hollywood musical, this would be my song to perform below. (My apologies to David Bowie).

To the committee:

I've nothing much to offer/There's nothing much to take/
(How many more forms can I possibly fill out?)
I'm an absolute beginner/And I'm absolutely sane/
(and I absolutely read every stinking thing in the handbook twice)

As long as we're together/ (me and all the other nurses at the conference)


And to the bureaucratic horses behinds...y'all
(The rest) can go to hell

Can I put it on Craigslist?

Dear Hospital Equipment Engineer Guy:

The portable equipment has been waiting for six months already for you to pick it up. They even came and installed a new, handy, dandy one, so the techs don't even use this one as backup. We've called, cajoled and asked nicely multiple times.

So if you don't come and get it, here's what's happening.

1. I put it in the lobby. I'm tired of walking around the dinosaur every time I need to get one of my patients with wheelchairs in the room.

2. I'm calling you one more time.

3. If you choose not to pick it up, I'm turning the inspection form on the front over, writing "FREE" on it, and parking out in front of the building.

4. Right after it's staged there, I'll post that ad on craigslist to come by Madison Hospital for a great free "rare" equipment deal.

I know security won't do anything about it, because it's too heavy, but call you.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Divine providence

Who knew, that at 18, she'd be embarking on a career of a lifetime? Well, that's what's happened for one of our staffers who just celebrated not 10, not 20, but 40 (yes, 4-0) years at Madison. She has a work ethic most people don't have anymore: come to work, and do the work.

Another one of our staffers had the day off today. She was hemming and hawing between going to the gym and staying home to sleep in. Some nagging feeling just told her, "Work out, girl." There was a reason and not just to stay healthy. The middle aged man on the treadmill next to her dropped suddenly to the floor and had an MI. She did CPR with another nurse for several minutes before the ambulance arrived. The man lived.

Finally, one of our patients got a horrible diagnosis. He is living on borrowed time. He is denying it, and the way things are going, he won't get to spend his last days at home. I went into my goody stash and found several tools our team can use to help him deal with everything going on from his diagnosis.

I'm just wondering if it's just the way it's supposed to be...

Happy!

So, so, so happy. Found my lost gas cap AND...

I'm a RN-BC. Woo hoo! Those months of studying paid off. And I sent special thanks to two former Navy nurses who helped make it happen. I couldn't have done it without them.

It is indeed a Happy Monday in RehabLand.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Rebirth

No, I don't believe in reincarnation (sorry!), but I am reminded how much hard work goes into anything worthwhile. I cleaned, scrubbed, cut, chopped, mixed and baked away for today's Easter lunch. It was gobbled up relatively quickly, but many happy, content smiles were shared sans alcohol. (Yes, they were driving!). We had a grand time at the RehabRN house.

I'm saving my alcohol (as tough as that was...I enjoy a nice glass with a good meal) for tomorrow. When the test is over. Yes, I'm taking one of the biggest tests of my career so far. I'm as ready as I can get. 

Back to studying. More to come.

Son, we need to talk

If this were my kid:

"Friends don't ask you to sell your organs for an iPhone and iPad. If they do, they're no friend of yours or mine."--Mom

So glad I don't live there, since I'd probably not be allowed to tell my kid that.

Back to work...time's a wastin'...

Enjoying my time off...sort of

It's like my baby. I've managed this project from the beginning when Boss told me I was going to take it.

Now we're set up and ready to see our first patients.

I am nervous. The first encounters have to go on without me, since I'm going to take one of the biggest tests of my life that day.

I've trained my people, but I won't be there to support them. I have phone numbers, backup numbers, and more numbers. The tech guys will be on standby and my newbie is fully trained.

I'll be doing a lot of praying this weekend, and not just because of the Easter weekend.

Stay tuned...

Duude! Can she work on me?

RIIIGHT! Thanks Grumpy! I'm sharing this with the docs at work. They will be total windblown by the whole thing.

The Rehabilitator

Glam up your physiatry practice with one little device. Wind machine, comic book profile and mod outfit not included.

Might even convince more people to get invasive tests and procedures.

Technical difficulties...

Please stand by. Unfortunately, I'd like to be the only person standing by...not the tech people because standing around is just not going to work.

Maybe we're too logical...

Bwahaha!

Take that you lazy Slugs who tell people who do a good job that they're just lackeys. (Especially our newbies and students)

You won't get anything posted on a major specialty nursing organization's website with that horrific attitude. Lateral violence WILL come back to bite you, dearies.

Nyah!

More later...

Monday madness, part 75

Maxim of the day: If it can go wrong, it will. Don't take it personally.

Oh, the joy of coming to work to hurry up and get things done since I'm going to be in training, have to get subs for my appointments, and have to get people at the office in Nashville (who want to talk to our specialists) all to come together in the same room at the same time. Specialty Doc is just picky about that kind of stuff!

Well, I get my subs lined up and I get a call from the training guy. His room is not really his room so training is cancelled. Wonder what the consultant is going to charge for that...and will I be able to make the replacement date. Ugh!

Next, I go to plug in a fancy-schmancy piece of equipment and find the specialty outlet has been damaged. Funny, it just worked last week. Score one for the movers, who obviously aren't careful. Expensive equipment 0, Idiot movers 1.

And what day wouldn't be complete without a head-case specialist ('cause it is his specialty) going all prima donna e-mailing people hither and yon for an appointment I won't even be able to attend, since I'll be out of town. Thank goodness I got him under control quickly. I don't want him to make my sub cry (he's been known to be cranky and mean.)

At least, the patients I had to deal with today were pleasant. Amen to that!

More to come...stay tuned.

I'm sure you're jealous...

Yes, I actually had a couple of people say they were jealous of me today.

I am terribly lucky. I have a job I love that has intermittent idiotic things happening. That saying "you can't fix stupid" really is so true in my day-to-day life. I just strive to work around it. My favorite idiot this week: our surly office secretary. Yes, she's supposed to answer the phone, file, sort mail and process time cards, but heaven forbid she do any more than she has to do. Her job includes providing customer service to phone callers. She's so useless in that regard, and I'm tired of the complaints, that I'm asking all those wronged to file formal complaints because that's the only thing she seems to understand. (Reprimands are expensive at Madison...)


On a beautiful spring day, I headed up to our mother ship, Washington and was working on a site-wide demo with the kids (our new techs) from the SU. It was fun. I got to meet one of my nursing counterparts who works in another rehab unit. A. got me plenty of marketing materials for one of our programs (and hers) so I worked it over and put it out at the Hotel. She was thrilled.

I took my time on the way back. The sunshine-filled day had me taking the back roads to the office, so I made sure I called my favorite restaurant and picked up lunch for Dahey, my travelling partner and me.

Happy Friday all. Enjoy your weekend, wherever you are.

No way!

"I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!" --Sally Field

Thanks Doc C for inviting me to Public U to read my submission to your poetry journal.

I know it's really because you did your internship here in RehabLand, and if someone decent comes along, you just invite him/her.

Shucks, now I'm just gonna have to tell the boss I have a reading date at PubU that day.

More to come.

This is why...

I love being a rehab nurse. Being able to get people home, to live their lives, take care of their kids, and keep going.

You go, girl. Beat them whippersnappers!

Everybody needs a mascot

In case you thought March Madness was over, it's not, in basketball or in oddities.

I got this very letter (masked to protect the guilty) in my grad school e-mail box. (I'm not making this up.) I'm so glad Bubba is protected from all this later.

Enjoy!

=====================================================

Subject: Does a medical school campus really need a mascot?

March 22, 2012

Dear Fellow Students:

As all of you now know there has been a process underway to establish a mascot for Public University.

I have gained considerable insight into the views of the Medical Campus after speaking to, and reading survey comments from, members of the various constituencies (students, faculty, staff and alumni).  To summarize, MC stakeholders overwhelming favored the ‘no mascot’ option.  After discussing these results over the past few weeks, the Student Senate of the Medical Campus has voted unanimously to withdraw the MC from the mascot selection process at this time. Therefore, the mascot selected at the Metro campus will not serve as the mascot for MC.

After meeting with Chancellor Wartley and incoming Chancellor Ellis, I have been assured this action does not preclude a future generation from undertaking this effort for MC. It is quite clear that a mascot is not currently in the best interest of the Medical Campus; however, I did not want this decision to permanently prevent MC from choosing a mascot should the need arise in the future.

We are anxious to hear what the Metro campus chooses for their campus’ mascot and wish them well in their endeavors.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact me by replying directly to this email.  Thank you.


Jay Thomas
President, MC Student Senate

Monday Fun Day

As one of my coworkers from nights says, "What's not to love about Mondays?"

There are
Meetings,
Madness, and
Minute after minute on support calls trying to get problems fixed (actually only 30 minutes with a quirky guy who asked me out when I was done).

Nevertheless, it's over now. Back to school for me. There's an evidence-based practice article waiting with my name on it (I wish I were kidding.)

More to come...

Almost over...

Spring Break ends tomorrow for me and Bubba.

It's been an interesting week. Training, appointments and a couple of days of vacation thrown in. Overall, I'm happy, even if I didn't get a week to enjoy with Bubba or to have fun roaming hither and yon at whim like I'm apt to do on staycation.

I've been reading lots. Books, blogs, you name it.

Here's my reading list of the past few days, because tomorrow, it's back to being a grad student in the last part of the semester. No more breaks until May.

Fun books:

CSI by Anthony Zuiker talks about the show of the same name.

Brandwashed by Martin Lindstrom talks about marketing and manipulation. Ah, I get warm fuzzies thinking about my time in the marketing department as a contract worker bee. Such fun with product focus groups!

And even though it might not seem like fun, I really enjoyed Help! for Writers by Roy Peter Clark. I figure it can't hurt with those assignments coming up!

Blogs:

I like to read Doc Grumpy and Nurse K regularly. Two really different points of view, but I enjoy the randomness of things that happen, because that is my life, too. 

Since I had time to meander, I also visited a few blogs I don't normally get to enough. Everyone needs Therapy is an interesting blog and I particularly enjoyed the post on March 18 about Paul Carr and drinking.

At Your Cervix is another blog I pop in and out of intermittently. I like this blog because the author is a student like me.

The snarky ones: FML, Apostrophe Abuse, and my all-time favorite, Passive Aggressive Notes, had a section on Tourist Terrorists in Spain. Just priceless. However, the best of the snarkiness category had to be this entry on the Daddle (with comment) in UHpinions. No, I'm not making this up.

Alas, I'm getting back to a delightful Hefeweizen and getting ready for the week. Can't wait until the next vacation.

Stay tuned...

A classic

Just another reason why someone needs to leave this book out on the break table at the Hotel. We can't change everything, but we can change ourselves, one person at a time.

What I learned in kindergarten:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Fun weekend

I plan on having a bit of fun this weekend if it ever stops raining. Today was beautiful and sunny, until one hour before I was going home. Things turned stormy and the thunder boomed and lightning flashed. I was happy to make it home without getting caught in any hail.

This weekend I'll do two things I don't get to do much: hang out with my girl friends. For part one, it'll be sans little kids (one office mate is bringing her adult daughter along). What fun could a few girls have on a weekend: a spa day,trip to a winery, or retail therapy, you say?

Nope. We're going on a scavenger hunt. Yes, a scavenger hunt, which is held every year at the largest park in RehabLand. It's a cooperative thing among the local municipality, the parks department and the cultural attractions (museums, schools, etc.) that are around located near the park.

It has tons of rules, like no cell phones can be used, and you can't separate in your groups. This includes when you go to the bathroom. (Your group is expected to wait for you outside and not scope out the rest of the course). Besides that, like any other public fun thing to do anymore, you have to sign a release saying it's not their fault if you fall off the carousel or trip down the steps of the museum.

For part two of the girls weekend, my pharmacist friend is coming to town, with husband and kids in tow. It's her annual pilgrimage back to RehabLand, and happily, it coincides with the kids' Spring Break out on the coast. If we're lucky, we'll get a group of friends together and we'll just go to dinner or visit at somebody's house.

While she's here, we plan on starting the book. Still working on a title, but we're starting a chapter called the Top 100 Ways to Annoy Your Pharmacist. She's got 50 and says we can get more by the time she gets here. Should be an interesting weekend!

Enjoy your weekend, wherever you roam! Stay tuned.

Stupid things people do at work

Just some recent observations. Happy Friday all!

1. Plugging in items so people can trip over the cords. Safety first (at least on this list!)

2. Letting your lunch explode all over the microwave. Bonus points (you think) if you get away without cleaning it up. Bounty (not the quicker picker-upper, either) if caught in the act.

3. Filling up the Shred-it box so full that the company is refusing to pick it up (I wish I were kidding.) I'm not sure where someone is finding all these phone books to disassemble.

4. Bringing in a coffee pot to a conference room, then unplugging the video conference equipment because, "Oh we don't need that anyway. We need the coffee pot plugged in."

5. Wondering why they can't get anyone from New York on the conference call. (see #4) Obviously, they were drinking decaf...

Mutiny

That's the way it's getting to be in the Hotel. I thank my lucky stars I'm not on the floor anymore. It's just too ugly. I don't think I could stand it. The insolence some days is so thick, it's as if a fog has rolled inside. Add to that some crazy allied health people who are in trouble with HR and it's even more exciting.

The SU's been plenty busy. We're getting clinics up and running and upgrading equipment. I even get to share my spot with some very expensive equipment (haven't done that in ages!).

Spring is here again and soon, it will be very busy. Lots of people are antsy and wanting to go home.
We'll see how it goes...

More to come.

Signs of the season

I always know when a certain tree is really pollinating in RehabLand.

Bubba went outside with Dahey and WildDog to wait  for me to come back from the store with the ice cream and his eyes are already red and swollen.

One genetic trait I wish I could have avoided passing along...

Fritterin' the day away

I had an enormous task today: entertain Bubba and keep him out of trouble on his spring break.

Our task list:

1. Eat breakfast at McDonalds early in the AM. No kids were on any of the Playland equipment. Run, dance and sing in there with reckless abandon. Why not?

2. Go on errands with Mom, which included checking out all the spice blends and providing commentary for other customers: "Oh! Mom, this Greek one sounds interesting." as he read the information on the shelf.

3. Visit the library AND the bookstore. We went out of the way to a different library, so this was a fun diversion. The bookstore moved some of his favorite books, so we went searching for them, and he's been reading it all day.

4. Go to lunch with Mom, don't order anything, but eat about half of her lunch. "Wow, salmon is pretty good."

5. Visit relatives who also happen to be off. Fun times when your retired great aunt gives you the remote control and you watch every cartoon you can.

I enjoyed that, because I could talk without interruption.

6. Come home and help Mom make dinner and dessert.

I didn't do all the things I wanted today (or this weekend), but I did do one thing. I had fun with my family.

Stay tuned...

Some people

Dear Specialist:

Please do not call me when I purposely put my status (out of office) on my e-mail, phone, voice mail, Office Communicator and the call list. I will not answer because I have your number in my phone.

Just because you think of something while you're on vacation with your kids on spring break is not an emergency for me. And while you're at it, please stop cc'ing the world on e-mails because it makes you feel better. All it does is drive the people listed (including me) crazy...and fills up our mailboxes.

Go have fun and stay out of our hair. It's our vacation, too (if you'd ever stop checking your e-mail and voice messages.)

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Just another reason...

I don't have guys like this as a lot of my patients.I do have a secret to share though, if you're nice. I'll ask for a lidocaine order to go with it, so it takes the edge off.


I am a professional rehab nurse and do this a whole lot. In fact, I'm pretty good at it.

Just remember: No nicee = no lidocaine, and nurse may get nervous and go really, really, slowly.

Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend

Here in RehabLand, I'll be wearin' the green and cranking out a load or two of Irish goodies, like soda bread and corned beef for the up and coming holiday here in town. Three words: parades, corned beef and cabbage.

And just maybe (wink wink) raising a glass of some other nice Irish beverage or two, I leave you with this toast:

"May the lilt of Irish laughter
lighten every load.
May the mist of Irish magic
shorten every road...
And may all your friends remember
all the favors you are owed!"

Out of the mouths of babes

I always call myself an "amateur mother" because, with only one kid, I feel that I am. I do not have to manage the chaos that is two or more kids vomiting at the same time. I call WildDog my furry kid, but he's pretty self-sufficient. I guess it's that herding breed or something.

Bubba and random kids have given me much food for thought lately.

"Mom, what's your favorite kind of cherry: the tart ones or maraschinos?" Bubba
Translation: I really want you take me to Bobby's Famous Frozen Custard for that ice cream you get me. I did get him distracted by arguing the merits of Rainier cherries.


"He won't come down when you call. Why?" Little girl at McDonald's recently about Bubba
My answer: He will when I tell him I'm leaving without him. He thinks climbing to the top of the play land and hiding in the tallest part until he gets threats is fun. Crazy boy.

"Mom, I think there's a storm watch. Do we go to higher ground?" Bubba
Somehow, I don't think the recent severe weather practice drill was as informative as when I was in school. I remember the bad old days: teachers had everyone in the central halls, all the classroom doors closed, and everyone was crouched with our heads tucked to avoid flying debris.

Luckily, after that first big hail storm in kindergarten, things were pretty boring at school after that. All the exciting weather, like the blizzard that closed school for a week, happened when kids were at home.


"Dad, do you know you were alive when the Super Bowl started?" Bubba
My child loves math and if you give him a few facts he starts calculating. Ah, like my parents, I have delusions of grandeur: chemist, biologist, pharmacist, engineer, doctor. In reality, Bubba is lucky: all of his aunts and great aunts have done those jobs. (The uncles are the docs.) Or even a nurse (or nursing professor) like his cousins.

What better role models for a boy to have? Aunts, uncles, and cousins in interesting jobs they find fun. That a dream I hope everyone gets to see reality. My job may be crazy, but despite Manglement's perverted view of promoting nurses' work to the "highest level of practice" by denying any education opportunity THEY might have to pay for, they can't take the enjoyment away.

Fun things to do early in the AM

I love getting to work early, because you see things in stillness, when it's quiet and not quite crazy as they will be when the regular day shift starts.

So, I try to be efficient. Yep, I find people who are already there and we work on stuff that might not get done early.  Here's what I did recently.

1. I roamed around with our new campus tech guy (aka New Guy). He saved my butt and I got SU work done the other day. (NG is not new to the role as campus poobah, just the Hotel).

2. During roaming, I helped him with his equipment inventory. It's nice to show up when no one's around and get it tagged and checked.

3. If people were around, he got introduced to the staff: on the floor, in the offices, to the docs, everybody (I didn't leave anyone out who I could snatch as they walked by).

4. Really funny introduction: startling the boss when he/she brings in his lunch, coffee and everything first thing.

Intro went kind of like this, after Jess the admin let us in his/her office:

Me (with NG): "Hi Boss, we're doing inventory. Jess let us in."
Boss: (startled) "Hi! " (Wanders in...coffee cup looks full.)
NG: "Sir do you use this device (pointing at inventory item)?"
Boss: "Not really. I need a different one, like the radiologists use."
Me: "BTW, NG, Boss has to look at a lot of procedures where he needs to know where his needles go, by looking at MRIs, etc."
NG: "No problems, Boss. Mr. R (equipment guru) can get you one...or two if you really want."
Boss: "Thanks. One's fine."
Me: "Bye boss." (exit stage right)

You  just never know what will happen roaming around the office at all hours.

Stay tuned...

Just don't wanna...

I'm not in the mood to do homework.

Today is almost my Friday. To celebrate Bubba's spring break, I'm taking off part of it to have at least one small family get together and a long weekend.

One of these days my boss will figure out that 1) I don't work on the floor anymore, 2) he/she doesn't have to replace me with floor staff when I'm off (I do my own replacements, thanks) and consequently, 3) I ought to be able to take off when I want to do so AND I have coverage.

More to come...it's always something new and exciting every day.

Moral of the story: It's all about the patient

Dear Pissy Nurse:

Yes, I suspect I stayed over one minute recently in the conference room you had reserved because I had a patient in there.

The rule in this facility is when I need to use that expensive piece of equipment, which is used frequently for patient care, but stored in a conference room, I can (and will continue) to use it. I even rearranged the appointment so you wouldn't be disturbed. Why you wouldn't give me one extra minute to get out is odd, because I was done exactly when your appointment started.

It's a tragedy that meeting got moved again, but let's remember, in the grand scheme of things, what it's really all about.

Sincerely (I will bump you again, if it's for a patient),

RehabRN

Monday, Monday

What will the week bring?

I know...meetings! And more meetings! And a couple of clinics thrown in for good measure.

M is not just for Monday, at the Hotel, it's also for Meetings.

More to come...see you all later!

Yes, there's no place like it..

No  place like home. So glad to finally get to sleep in my own bed again.

Stay tuned...

Fun on the road

Yes, I'm wreaking havoc at my conference.

My day today:

1. Get up at 0600. Eat breakfast and look longingly at those beautiful sausages. Alas, it's Friday.
2. Go to  meetings. Actually met someone who knew Mitt Romney back in  the day of the Olympics.
3. Learn way more about standardized testing and statistics than I ever want to know.
4. Come back to the hotel.
5. Stroll around the neighborhood.
6. Get out the credit card and go shopping at the nearby upscale mall and find those items on this travel guy's website. 
7. Drop way too much money on fun travel stuff.
8. At least I get credit on Dahey's frequent buyer card. (Maybe that skirt will get paid for after all...)
9. Go find a Lenten indulgence: sushi and spring rolls.
10. Find my way back to the hotel via Starbucks (might as well start with dessert...yum!)
11. Hang out in the bar, get my freebie (since the hotel goofed) and people watch.
12. Finally, go upstairs, shower and vegetate in the room.

Paradise....ah!

Do I really have to study? I'm not tonight. Stay tuned.

Now I know why

I really, really need to make a list (and/or complete my packing) all at once. I also need to plan ground transportation.

Arrived at hotel tonight for nursing conference and realized that,

1. I only have two pairs of pants.
2. I rode here from one of the nation's busiest airports in a Scion cab that smelled of old socks and clove.
3. I spent more on cab rides today than I would have spent on gas to drive here (close anyway).

So now I'm getting ready to call it quits tonight, I'm

1. Thanking my lucky stars for that package of sanitizing wipes.
2. Cheering that I remembered to buy those little packets of travel Tide.
3. I have free internet, so I can tell you all about my excitement.

Now back to getting ready for the 0600 wake up call...er alarm.

Almost like going to work...more later.

Just a hint

Dear Floor Nursing Peeps:

When you invite the big cheese of the unit to a meeting and he/she offers to buy pizza for everyone, do not freak said chief out by bringing the labor relations staff member to the meeting.

He will eat more pizza than everyone, even though he looks pretty skinny.

Just a thought for next time...

Still really a RN (even if some of you don't believe it),

RehabRN

Sweetness

Salted caramel cupcakes from my traveling partner. They came from a new store down the street from the Hotel.

You made my day, along with T., who bailed me out of technical difficulties.

Yes, life is indeed sweet with friends like you.

Stay tuned...

The week begins...

I love graduate school when I have a group project due on Monday. It just gives that air of despair to your day knowing you're working at work when you could be cleaning up your project and getting a good grade.

Anywho...work can be fun, if you let it. Lots of oddball things going on.

First, Mr. Motorcycle came in to see some people. Then he asked me if the social workers might know where he can get his fishing license (yes, the day after this starts). I know, I'm thinking, "Yeah, if I were a patient, I'd ask the first nurse I saw how to get a fishing license." I passed this ball to my interdisciplinary team member, Mark, the recreation therapist. (The social worker has too much to do right now).

Yes, the unit's still shaken by the antics of the psychotic patients. My favorite one is the patient (schizophrenic) who truly believes his wife is here to pick him up and take him to their home. You guessed it. Mr. Xyz hasn't had his own home in years. Maybe it's time for some more of this injection right about now.

Our other resident with similar psychiatric issues won this handy, dandy drug. He still thinks we're all out to get him, but maybe with the rest of his cocktail, he'll level off soon.

And if that wasn't the icing on the cake, I somehow shorted my iron. Yes, I know, ironing is so old fashioned, but I appreciate the therapeutic benefits of ironing (repetition, steam, accomplishment). Now I'll have to stop by a real store (or look online) for a fancy one. 

It's never a dull moment here, so stay tuned...

My mantra

It's a short week this week, it's a short week this week, it's a short week this week....

Hopefully, this will keep me going.

Stay tuned.

It's all Nurse K's fault...

That I had flashbacks to one of my favorite fuzzy memories of Saturday Night Live. This guy used to have my late father in stitches whenever he showed up, and adjusted the belt.



Nurse K: I like Mr. Bill, too, almost as much as these two characters. Excellent!

Enjoy the weekend, folks, wherever you are.

Party on!

Never forget

That when we lose members of the military, they often leave families behind. Don't forget them.

Braydon's story - updated (from www.cnn.com)

The best and worst of the week

What a week it was and I can say I am happy, happy, happy it's over. TGIF!

It wasn't just the weather in RehabLand that got exciting. The mood on the unit was the same tempestuous mix of turbulence that was the weather pattern in our neck of the woods.

One minute, a patient is telling a student that he/she was physically assaulted by a staff member. No signs, symptoms, or witnesses, but some of our staff members got long weekends, courtesy of administrative leave. I am sure our charge nurse is glad this week was over after that reason alone.

On the subject of psychotic patients...one word: ugh! Thank goodness for security support and the folks who mark patient records for illness and non-compliance with little things like psychotic episodes of verbal abuse of staff and then they get them out of the neighborhood when they clearly don't see the sign going into the parking garage that says "No weapons of any kind allowed on this property. (including a nice drawing of a handgun and a big knife)"

Yes, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 if you violate this rule.

It's not really psychosis, but technical difficulties occasionally bring out the weirdos on our staff. I'm so glad our support person got ours sorted out or I would have had my face planted in the wall permanently after trying to keep people from wigging out over really relatively minor items that did have workarounds.

But, despite many of these things that were downright horrible, there were good moments.

One of my favorites was the look of excitement of one of the patients who just got up for the first time after flap surgery. When I showed him the new big screen TV in our lounge in the lobby, you'd would have thought I told him he won the lottery. It was a lot of fun for him to sit in front of a big TV after being sick so long and trapped in a room with a little TV.

Another one of our patients wandered by and was worried that he was getting sick. We got him in a clinic to see our docs, but now he has to have tests. He was worried, but we talked about them, and his strategies for coping with things at home. I even called one of our team to get him a consult for when he comes back for his next visit. He was delighted, and said, "I can't believe you'd do that for me." I just said, "That's my job...keeping us all employed helping you." and smiled. He just laughed. I also got to make sure the transport people picked him up to go home, so I was busy!

And some of my projects I've been working on got rolling this week after, literally months in process.  Oh, joy, joy, joy! I may actually get something done this year.

Indeed, it was the best and worst of times, but happily, the best outnumbered the worst today.

More to come...

Is the moon changing?

Maybe not according to these folks, but you would have thought otherwise recently at the Hotel.

The big cheese of Madison actually replied to an e-mail I sent to him. We're getting all progressive and the Manglement is trying to "do a system redesign and talk to the people who do the work." I nearly fell over, since he actually asked me for feedback on one of the SU's projects.

The patients, however were not patient. One character was just not happy. One minute, he was mad. Then he was sad. This repeated  over and over again for a while. Somehow I wonder if that lithium was really working.


Another character was about ready to turn vigilante on me on the parking lot. Mr. Explodo was really agitated when some of our fine (and incidentally, not visibly disabled) Madison employees parked right in front of the building in the handicapped spot. Mr. E. got in front of the car in his wheelchair to wait for security and the driver nearly ran him over. Just makes me wonder...ugh!

Thankfully, Mr. B. was a bright spot on my schedule. He came to his appointment in a cheerful mood and he was happy to work with us. It was bliss!

I wish I could order a few more like him. Stay tuned...

Nuggets : Leap year edition

You may not have seen too many of these lately, but just like February 29 coming around every four years, the nuggets have taken a leap and come back.

Here are a few items I've encountered this week out on the internet. I've been reading, but just not the kind of stuff most folks who visit would like to read. (Such is the life of a grad student!)

Sleep? Who does that?
This BBC article discusses the myth of eight hours of sleep. Interesting history.

On the subject of sleep, one WebMD article talks about the safety of sleeping pills.

Dental care
It's really hard for patients without (or with, even) insurance to get dental care due to costs. Some people are going to the ER to get dental care that prevention might have avoided.

Food safety
If it's not one crisis, it's another. Who would have thought you needed to worry about fungicide in your fresh squeezed juice?

And if you think you need to remove any of that OJ from your system, some people are trying detox diets (from WebMD). While there's little science involved, one thing is true: if you eat more fruits and vegetables, (not covered in fungicide, etc.) you just may do better than you think.

Stay tuned...we'll be back.

Happy Pancake Day

Woo hoo! One of Bubba's favorite holidays.

We had a grand old time eating pancakes for dinner.

Stay tuned...leap day tomorrow!

My nightmare

Shooting outside rehab hospital (from Washington Post)

It is my nightmare because some of my coworkers remember when the same thing happened on one off-hours shift at the Hotel. It happened on one of our sister units and our folks were dispatched to respond.

Even though no patients were involved in our incident, the mere thought of it brings shivers down my  spine. I am happy as a clam when security comes by for their regularly scheduled panic button check.

Because I hope and pray that it never, ever happens again.

Thank you Kim

For keeping the story of Amanda on the front page.I am absolutely thrilled that the AzNA bothered to comment about this issue.

Keep it up. We're all waiting to see where it goes.

It just makes me wonder what will happen if and when the rights of nurses are fully recognized and acknowledged. So many possibilities...and maybe that panacea of practicing to the "fullest extent of our licenses" will actually be true and respected among ALL our colleagues.

Stay tuned.

Another one's coming...

Another week that is. And a busy one at that, so I'm getting ready.

Enjoy your day wherever you spend it!

Here's to the chief

Or at least to the general...In the Off the charts blog (AJN) Shawn Kennedy, AJN editor recently noted about the new Army Surgeon General, who is not only the first woman, but the first nurse:

General Horoho said in an interview, (following) “the Vietnam era, we lost sight of the importance of rehabilitative nursing and health care,” and noting that this would be a significant area of emphasis for her.

Moral of the story: Never underestimate the power of a rehab nurse.

And from Dahey, a profound bravo zulu!

More to come...

Demotivating employees

Ah, spring is in the air (for the moment) here in RehabLand, and the hospital administrators (aka PHBs) have emerged from their coccoons, er lounge chairs, to start rabble rousing the troops and demotivating away.

How can they do that you say? Well, here are some stories (I wish they weren't true) on how they do this.

NOTE: the names of all parties and sexes, etc., have been centrifuged to protect the guilty and the innocent, since I don't want the HIPAA police to come carry me away.

1. Medical personnel are allowed $xxxx per year for continuing education. (Not nurses, though). But, good luck, Ms. Overworked MD trying to use yours. You're not properly certified yet, so your slug compatriot MD gets your share. Call HR and file a complaint.

2. Allied health person gets invited to a national conference to speak. Your boss, who's been at the place forever, fills out all your appropriate paperwork. In the meantime, you sign up to present and pay your conference fee, hotel and airfare.

You get an e-mail that you've been disapproved, but when your boss tries to appeal to the higher-ups, he doesn't get the dignity of a response. Nice. So much for having seniority. You can't even take off unless someone with more seniority lets you have the time. Go file an EEOC complaint.

And my personal favorite...

3.  Become an advance practice nurse, get certified, speak at a national conference, and then submit your request for one lousy conference (subsidized by a private foundation) because you need more education to take care of new patients we have on the unit. All you want to get are your days off as official absence.

Get rejected because the "man with the plan" says we "can't afford to give you days off to learn" at the premier (and also free, since you got it paid for) conference in the world.

Reminds me of this Dilbert scenario...stay tuned for more to come!

PHB: You may have heard that our company has been accused of unethical business practices.
Alice: Is it the falsified product safety reports?
Wally: Is it the false stories planted in the media about our competitors?
Dilbert: Is it the crime family connections?
PHB: What?! Are you saying those are considered unethical too?!? Good God, this thing is just snowballing!

A thought

Maria: When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. --The Sound of Music, 1965

Dear Chief of Staff:

You are not the Lord of anything but that imperial desk of yours.

Please stop closing my doors of opportunity and making me go through the windows to get my patients the care they truly need and deserve.

Cancelling everything (after some other committee approves it) my boss does will not win you too many friends.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Love the stranger

Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. ~ Tecumseh 

If I were not a rehab nurse, I'd want to be a transplant nurse. I've enjoyed working with transplant patients and learning about how to care for them, particularly while they stayed at Saintarama or at the Hotel.

Lately, I've enjoyed reading the articles in the news about transplant chains. This BBC article describes how one chain brought together 30 patients and 30 kidney donors. Another NY Times article discusses how the system isn't perfect. I even found one on a complication: CMV infection, which I could have used when I took care of a patient who got CMV post-transplant.

Always lots to learn...more to come.

Phone calls you don't want to get

"Hi. We're calling to tell you that your xxx credit card number has been compromised. We're sending you a new card."

Nice...

What a time it was...

A human life is a story told by God. ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Dahey's Aunt Gracie's story ended yesterday. She was 90 years old.

Aunt Gracie was a sweet lady who welcomed me to the family a dozen years ago when I first met her at her son's house. It was like she knew me my whole life. She and Uncle Ralph were very sweet when we visited them down the street from where my cousins lived. We did not know that they lived about half a mile away from them.

Uncle Ralph died almost four years ago, and she started going downhill. After a while, Aunt Gracie couldn't live alone, and she got too bad for family to take care of her. She spent the last years of her life slowly slipping away.

While it was sad, she was comfortable and with family at the end. Since one child is a physician, and her daughter-in-laws are very good nurses, we knew she was well cared for. We may be sad, but we rejoice in the life that was hers, and was shared with us all: children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and even in-laws like me.

My pharmacy friends

Part 1: SmartRx's story

I talk to one of my pharmacist friends at least weekly. She lives far, far, away from the area we grew up in near RehabLand. We talk about kids, husbands and the public school systems. There's always something going on.

SmartRx went to school in the cornfields and developed a sense of adventure out on the prairie at a PrivateU syndicate school. She met her husband there, and after working a year in the midwest, she decided it was time to follow her man. Just like the Beverly Hillbillies, she loaded up the truck (and the car) and headed west to Californie. She stopped plenty of places along the way with one of our high school classmates who hitched a ride, including the Grand Canyon (a la Thelma and Louise).

After making her homestead, marrying the man she followed, she built a successful practice with a big pharmacy chain. She's known as a miracle worker, so she's often sent to places that really need a lot of TLC (code name s&%t hole). Her most recent store is no exception.

What could you say that might make a two decades long career in community pharmacy exciting? How about this for a week:

1. Your store makes the local top 10 list of places you never want to shop at. SmartRx told me what to look up in Google and lo and behold, there it was.
2. Customer (in a muumuu) comes to your counter and while walking out, in the middle of the waiting area, leaves a surprise (and it ain't a nice one).
3. Crazed customer takes a swing at you because you blatantly agree that you won't see your doctor for an appointment and he refuses to renew your script.

This last one was exciting. "Whoa!" I said. "What did you refuse? Narcs? Benzos? Amphetamines?"

"No. Metformin", she replied.

"WT...?"

"Yep, the diabetic drug."

Word to the wise, community pharmacists, they must be putting something funny in that Metformin.
Or as SmartRx says, the crazies just like her.

Someday SR, I'm really gonna help you write that book. There are too many stories not to share about life behind the counter.

More to come...stay tuned.

The perils of non-ergonomic chairs

Why oh why did our office manager volunteer me for the random inspection job at the Hotel? Yes, it's required by Joint Commission, but couldn't someone else do it?

Of course not. Send RehabRN. She'll go. Those chairs they made me sit in...ouch!

Nothing like a little sciatic flareup for the team...ugh.

Another view of today's holiday

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.” Washington Irving

I thought of this quote when I talked to a lady who had left the hospital to ride on the shuttle van with me. She had left the hospital to return today to collect some things her husband had in his room when he died.

She told me she wished she didn't have to go back, but she wanted to have the items left behind, not for any value, but to have something tangible. The sudden death of her husband was not unexpected. After so many years of fighting (and winning) after disease and blood clot and everything, she thought this was just another hurdle he'd jump over.

But the race ended, and her trip alone back home to her family faraway begins today.

I just cannot imagine starting a Valentine's Day like that....

So glad...

My PCP likes me.

He/she managed to convince Dahey he needed a DRE and a colonoscopy, since he didn't decide to have his physical on his birthday, like I asked.

Now I just have to get him/her to get him a pain management consult to see why his goofy back and legs are having random pains again.My guess after working with Dr. S. in the SU is that Dahey may have this problem.

Crossing fingers. By the time this year is done, Dahey will be as good as new (at least he'll seem like it anyway).

Stay tuned...

Somedays, I wonder...

Dear Clerk:

Yes, indeed, it is 15 minutes before your day should end and I'm not too impressed that you decided to leave early. There was only a slight dusting (literally, not even an inch) of snow on the ground.

And yes, your cohort really thought I was causing trouble when I asked her to do your job, even when she's supposed to fill in for you when you leave. You are two peas in a pod: Dumb and Dumber, Lazy and Lazier, etc.

I particularly loved it when Clerk #2 called her Clerical lead, then the lead told me I didn't know what I was doing and I'd have to go ask the department IT liaison to fix the schedule. Yes, the clerical lead is the person who does all the scheduling, including inputting the main clinic data into the system.

Nevertheless, after 10 minutes, I got the two step job done by calling the IT liaison at home, because the administration does not allow nursing to input appointments, as this is called "working below our license" (aka doing your job).

Thank goodness the liaison knows how to do a job, doesn't give excuses and really knows that the important thing is that we make sure the patient has an appointment so he can see the doctor and we all get paid.

Too bad the rest of you don't think the same way, instead of just passing the buck.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Resting...

Hopefully, in peace, without the terror of drugs to haunt you.

RIP Whitney Houston.

Some of us will never forget you because of this song.

Cold and snowy

Yes, as Phil predicted, winter is back in RehabLand. It's cold and snowy and I've been snuggled in reading and playing on the computer.

Sometimes, I like the news I read, but this article about shortages of vital drugs just makes my blood boil.

Back to reading...and hopefully relaxing. I'm not going anywhere right now!

Stay tuned...

Friends don't let friends...

Sleep in and miss an opportunity to pick a group for their grad class. We weren't doing this, but at 0330 you'd have sworn we were!

Thanks P for the quickie update on groups, and yes, K., thanks for waking up in a good humor when I called so we could all register for the same group.

No worries about class crazies this semester! Hooray!

I remember

We lost a local hero recently. He was from my old neighborhood, and my family knew his family.

He was a Navy man in Korea. "Cold, cold." was all he would say about it. But beneath the wavy dark locks turned white was a smile that lit up the room. He was a hero on the seas of war, and on the sports fields.

Eventually, this government employee turned sports coach led NCAA championship teams, not once, not twice, but for years. He became a legend at my alma mater, PrivateU. Legions of kids in town went to his sports camps to learn from the youngest man who played on a legendary team that brought down an international power house in one of the biggest upsets ever.

But to me, he was a neighbor, a friend, a man who told a good story about what our town was like in the old days, when ethnic groups stayed close together for support. How the community went wherever they needed to help each other. Because Mom said, "I want you to always be a good person."

After I heard the news, I went online and I watched the interview I recorded for the local historical society and smiled.

His stories live on in a web site dedicated to the area, for a man who was a hero, father, family man, neighbor, coach, and friend.

Godspeed Tom....and may you get all the goals in Heaven, before the clock runs out.

How to have fun at work

I am so happy now most of our inspections are over for a while. Whew!

Now, I'm back to having fun doing other random stuff. Here's a few of the fun things I've gotten to do.

1. Keep the patient who wants to get me a plant for my office from getting in trouble with security. He keeps telling security he'll just borrow (er, steal) one or two from the lobby.

No thanks, I'm allergic to tropicals, especially ones that don't belong to me.

2. BLS class. Wow, things really have changed in the last couple of years.

3. Regular rehab groups. These support groups are arranged by our psychology staff and mediated by the presenters, which could be a physician one day, physical therapist another day or recently, yours truly.

I had the interesting class: I talked about education materials (like these) available at the Hotel's web portal. I even had handouts. To make it easier for patients to find information, the occupational therapists loaned me some laptops for patients to use.

I didn't have snacks, but it was a lot of fun.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Dr. X. is back in the house and she had me researching some equipment for the home health nurse to use. If we could get it, it would be very, very cool.

I won't hold my breath, but stay tuned...

Amen!

Finally, the ANA has a decent post about the Amanda Trujillo situation in Arizona. There's a great thread on Facebook in the American Nurses Association area for more information.

If we don't support our own (i.e. other nurses), who will?

Stay tuned!

Sometimes, I wonder

We're up for a big inspection soon and the Big Boss has an all-hands meeting.

He/she basically says, "Well, it probably won't be good." and doesn't tell us much anything else. WT...?

Thankfully, we have enough people who've been around long enough that they asked good questions and got more information out him/her. It was not very promising.

Yes, he/she hasn't been at the Hotel forever, but you'd think he/she might learn a few tips on how to be not only a good, but better leader.

I'm just gonna cross my fingers and pray...stay tuned.

Ah, Sunday!

The window on my week. The beginning, even if I'm not yet at work. If Sunday goes well, there is hope for the rest of the week.

And for a little light relief, I head on over to Sunday Stealing, to see what Sunday excitement they have.

Now, back to the music..and even one on Sunday.See you next week!

Homework

In the house, in the office, in the laundry room.You name it, I've got all sorts of homework: the housework kind as well as the school kind.

Assignment #1 due next week. I think the weekend will be busy...

More to come...if I survive the onslaught.

Heard on the unit

"Here's something for your office." Mr. G.

One of our patients made a ceramic planter in an art therapy class (part of our OT department) and put a small houseplant in it. He gave it to me because I told him my artwork in the office (made by another patient and Bubba) had flowers and plants in them.

It made my day.

A shout out to the docs

Yes, some physicians seem to think lately the nurses are out to get them. That we don't appreciate them. That we're conspiring.

Why? Because we talk amongst ourselves in online forums, blogs, etc., when we see injustice perpetrated in our hospital, in our state, in our nation. Injustice meted out by insurance companies, circumstance and by our fellow human beings.

And yes, some people think if we disagree with one thing, we're automatically against all physicians. So, I'm forced to use those debate team skills and favorite marketing tricks to demonstrate that I'm not.

Some days I am in awe of the physicians with whom I work. The physiatrists who know just how to stop spasms that wrack people with pain. The internists who craft treatment plans for some of our awful medical messes patients find themselves in. The surgeon, who even though he can be surly, stops everything in the hallway and says, "Do you need me? I'll be right there." when they page him from the floor.

Luckily for me, in my little world at the Hotel, respect is a two-way street. I make sure Dr. X gets coffee when she shows up because she takes care of my surliest patient first, and by the time he's done, he's singing. It makes life much better for me. When that spasm-reducing physiatrist Dr. Y sees me in the hall, she stops me to ask me what I think and she thanks me when I help her. Dr. Z, who works with us remotely, stays on task and does whatever she can for our patients to make them comfortable, and she teaches me something every day, by her actions, her demeanor, and her enthusiasm.

As the saying goes, there is no I in team. It's a good lesson to remember.

Stay tuned...

The ultimate irony

Dr. Richard Olney was an ALS researcher.

The irony: Dr. Olney died of the disease he fought to eradicate. RIP Dr.Olney. May your clinic (and your dreams) live on.

More stories

"A balanced life is the centered intersection of your values, time, and action. That's where integrity resides." Don Blohowiak

I decided as one of my New Year's resolutions, I'd do more volunteer work this year. My first gig: I was a judge for a writing contest at Madison.

I love to write, hence the reason why I volunteered to judge the writing contest. Patients submit poetry and short stories for our local Creative Arts Festival. There's a performing arts section, too, that's really good. The winners get to have their work/performances submitted to the National Creative Arts Festival.

I dawdled with the task at hand, but I finally sat down recently and read my entire book of submissions. Some were good, some were okay and only one or two was really not my cup of tea. Although, some of my counterparts said I rate too easy, I don't think I do. I like stories, poetry and other work that take me away.

Two pieces transported me to places I could see in my mind. One poem talked about the author going back and dancing with a woman, from the perspective of a guy in a wheelchair. I could almost hear the music, see the low lights and smell the perfume in the air. I also wondered which of my patients might have written this poem.

The other was a story, of love, disappointment, joy and unbridled happiness, woven into a story of birth. The center of the story was a curtain, sometimes open and sometimes pulled to protect her. In the  end, the author knew she wasn't alone, if she dared open the curtain up. It had a picture in the ending that was happy and bright, without being saccharine.

Hope you enjoy your next volunteer experience as much as I did!

Goodies in my world

Modern technology is a very good thing. The more we work with patients with disabilities, the more I am inspired. Ordinary things can do wonders. Extraordinary things blow our minds.

I heard one of our therapists talking about interacting on Facebook. We're finding more and more of our patients are doing that. So why not engage them on Facebook and let them know about our programs? Just another fun part of my job. At least I'm learning about what can and cannot be marketed on social media.

When I'm not getting people to use Facebook, I can evaluate more and better ways to interact with our specialists at Washington. As a rehab nurse, I am thrilled to be working with patients and using these tools to make their experiences better. I can do education in person, phone and via messaging devices.

Working together with a number of disciplines is not only making the experience better for me and the patients, it also makes it better for our providers and the rest of the healthcare team.

And yes, that is a very good thing!

Some good news, some...

Other news....

The good news: I don't have anything sinister, I'm not even halfway plugged up with polyps, and there is no rush to do surgery.

The okay news: I can take some new nasal sprays that might alleviate my symptoms. If that doesn't work, I can get antibiotics as needed. Finally, if that doesn't work either, I can come in and get that nose job, because I really do need one. It won't be cosmetic, but it will be functional.

More to come...

The saga continues

Kim's keeping the Amanda Trujillo story out front on emergiblog.

So while I'm not writing a bunch, it's not because I don't care. I do. I know but for a slight change of circumstances that could be me or any other nurse I know, here in RehabLand, or anywhere throughout the country, and it scares me. I'm not the most religious character, but I will be talking to my praying friends to get them to pray for Amanda, and for the Amandas to come.

The people who need protection--the patients--are being sacrificed. For what? The almighty dollar.

Friends, it is true: if you want peace, work for justice. Let's hope there will be justice for Amanda and for those patients out there, now and to come.

Christmas is now officially over

The decorations have finally been boxed and put away at the RehabRN household.

It's amazing how much you can get done when you don't feel like your head is going to explode.

That is all. Enjoy the remaining moments of your weekend.

The plot thickens

Lots of craziness going on in the Hotel. Hustle, bustle, and renovating in my world. The painting part is going slowly, so I've been relocated to the office I started out in when I transferred. I don't really mind, since I enjoy my office mates.

I may get some new compatriots in the SU, or the ones who are there may stay on permanently. This is a hot topic on the unit, since everyone wants to run away from the boss. They'll do anything to get on day shift so they can take off and run.

Very few people are happy right where they are. They think there are too many changes. It would have come to us no matter what. It's been a year since Boss said he/she was moving on, but he/she didn't leave right away. Many people are still marooned and not coping well. The New Boss had to reiterate that his/her door was open, so ask if you want something, don't gossip. Seems like an easy concept, but it's not really as much fun to not gossip at the Hotel.

We will just have to wait and see, as the plot thickens.

More later...my Malbec is calling me. I've been good!

Merry Christmas to me

No it's not a mistake. I still have the Christmas tree in my office, but it is put away. I put away a lot of stuff in the office, since I got my Christmas wishes fulfilled recently. The office that's as old as some of my Generation X coworkers, finally is getting painted. Yes, some of the retirement age painters at the Hotel remember painting offices that "Government Beige" (their words about the color of my office) color in their early careers.

So Rex and Mike, the two former occupants of my office space will be invited to a "officewarming party" as soon as the painters are done.

On top of that, I also got some equipment I need for another project. We have a support person in our area who deserves a medal for what she does. Suzy has been around forever, and really does know where everything is. Thanks to her and a lovely lady in another area named Rose, I got my supplies. I've been trying to get them since I started my work in the SU months ago.

Thank you Santa. It's all just what I wanted...even if it's late. Those elves are the best!

More to come...

Still reeling...

The specialist I've been waiting to see for nearly two months cancelled my appointment. I'm feeling better now, but I'm still nervous about what might be going on. Waiting sucks.

However, I don't think I was more unnerved than to read this post on emergiblog. Reading about a nurse doing her job, working to the maximum of her license, a doctoral candidate, a patient educator and compassionate advocate in the face of death could lose her license.

For. doing. her. job.

Yes, that's right folks, doing her job. Talking to a patient at death's door who had NO FREAKING IDEA of what exactly she got herself into when she signed the consent form for transplant. A patient who clearly stated, "I don't want to do that."

And for her work, this nurse is not only being punished by management, she may lose her job, her livelihood, her home.

It is disgusting.

Stay tuned....

Stories

I was at work recently when we had a bunch of people talk about their work. I was very surprised at some of the things the non-clinical things people mentioned.

One of our housekeepers told a story about how she was totally unprepared when a patient died. H. was one of the last people to talk to Mr. Z. before he did. She said it was the first death that ever hit home at the Hotel. Not the last, because she still talks to patients while doing her job, but one of the ones that really affected her.

Another technical guy remembered a request he got while he was fixing some equipment. A nurse pulled him aside and said her patient had only one wish: to talk to a faraway relative who was in a hospital. Bob the tech guy searched high and low and was able to pull off a videoconference between the patient and her relative. The patient was so stunned she was shaking, smiling, reveling in the moment that had evaded her for so long.

Not long after the teleconference, the patient died peacefully, her final wish fulfilled.

I'm special and I know it

In nursing school I was a fine example in Assessment class of this anatomical trait.

I have had these since I was 8 years old, and one of these since 10. Now my ENT tells me I need this.

And just to add a little excitement to the mix, I think my cold is turning into this.

Okay! (lifting arms into air) I give up. Please stop the onslaught so I can get well and get my sinuses cleaned up before my favorite time of year: allergy season. I'm tired of being special.

Stay tuned for more excitement...

Blasts from the past

I get a message on a professional network I'm on from my former boss. Didn't even know he was still around. After that, I managed to catch up with a few other coworkers, too.

Then I read this story about Mr. A. on Grumpy's blog.

Reminds me of that song, "Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days."



Enjoy the weekend, all, wherever you spend it.

There will be partying

My dear Bubba is having another birthday. I, of course, will be running around like crazy to make sure all the party tasks get done.

Dahey, however, will be relaxing and helping kids wreak havoc with all the balloons, crepe paper, and marching through the halls.

Should be an interesting time...stay tuned for updates.

Retreat

So much for Mucinex. I finally relented and called my favorite internist. He didn't want to see me, but was nice enough to send me antibiotics.

I can't wait for this bug to be dead!

Stay tuned...

Word of the day

Mucinex.

Even better with cough suppressant.

When you absolutely, positively want to feel better when the stranglehold cold has you down.

Stay tuned.

International affairs

I have always said I have an international stomach. There isn't much food I don't like, so lots of my nursing school friends (from many countries of origin) used to drag me to go out with them to some of the ethnic restaurants close to Private U.


Ethiopian? Check. Pakistani? Check. Nepalese? Check. Vietnamese? Check. I've been just about everywhere.

In an effort to broaden Bubba's horizons, we took him to a Vietnamese restaurant, since he really likes Chinese food. He enjoyed it immensely, especially twirling noodles in his soup with chopsticks. He's been to a Chinatown nearby and loved it, so we guessed correctly that Vietnamese might work.

On the way out the door, we saw a sign for a lunar new year concert. Bubba remembered what that was from social studies class and chimed in, "Mom, I'm going to get some money, right?"

The perils of raising a kid who likes social studies...

There must be glue on my chair

I just do not want to get up today.

Too much Scrabble and other computer pursuits...must get going! Too many things to do before going back to work!

And Bubba is ensconced by the TV waiting for football with his donuts.

Yes, indeed, it is Sunday.

Stay tuned.

A little inspiration

For me, and  my patients. Just makes me feel like a slacker when I don't particularly feel like getting anything done.

Jean-Christophe, you make me proud to do the work I do.

I loved this quote:
“I’m going to appoint a quadriplegic man as a prefect, not for his handicap,” Mr. Sarkozy said, “but for his competence.”


A Champion of France’s Downtrodden, With Limits of His Own (from www.nytimes.com)

Winding down

Ah, so glad the week is nearly over. It's been taxing with this random assorted virus I have--one moment constant nose running, another coughing. I can't wait until it's run its course and is over.

Ice, snow and mayhem have come to RehabLand. Why do sane looking people think it's okay to try to do 80mph down a snowy road with black ice and winds at 30-40 mph? People died here on the roads today. So glad I don't have to drive where these crazies are. I wish my boss understand why I want to telecommute (yes, I can!) on days like today.

I'm happy despite the snow and biting cold. My people in our sister hospitals are finally back from vacation! (only took what seemed to be a month). They are answering e-mails AND participating. Joy, joy, joy! I am thrilled. And, yours truly did her first group presentation, to a group of nurses all over the place via computer. It was very, very cool.

Bubba and I enjoyed playing in the snow with WildDog when work and school was done. It was the highlight of my day.

More to come...

It figures...

My life has had shades of Murphy's Law the whole day.

1. Painters came back to the Hotel, right outside my office. What does this mean? Paint fumes galore. Thankfully, my friends upstairs let me hide out at the spare desk in their area. The painters stayed away from there.

Still don't know if our office staff chief got the painters a work order to paint my office, which hasn't been painted since the Ford Administration (which was also when the building was built...love those historical cornerstones!)

2. WildDog fell down and strained his front leg. Poor thing! He's a geriatric dog.

3. I feel a cold (or other random virus) coming on, just in time for my presentation tomorrow.

I'll be crossing my fingers (and hoping I have a voice tomorrow). Stay tuned.

Like risky sports?

Just another reason why I won't be taking up bungee jumping anytime soon.

https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/01/08/world/asia/AP-AS-Australia-Zimbabwe-Broken-Bungee.html

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...

The week that was

I'm always happy when the week is over, if for no other reason than the respite. This week, while short, made me want another day.

It was fortunate that I got over my vacation pretty quickly. I dived in at work and got things started faster than I imagined. Having the stomach flu/migraine/sinus headache from hell one day only slowed me down a little bit. When I got back to work, things just clicked.

And every single day, I'm working toward my goals being achieved for the new year.

1. Doing more patient education.
2. Getting my docs, NPs, CNSs, PAs closer and closer to working in our new clinics.
3. Seeing the lights go on among those providers now that they've actually digested that training I did. (Priceless! Don't feel like I'm speaking Greek anymore).

I still have to wait for the machinery and bureaucracy that is the Hotel to churn, but I've found ways of working around it. This makes me very happy indeed!

Stay tuned...

From 0 to 60

It sure seemed like my day went like that this morning. I got in, started and away I went. I even volunteered to judge a contest at work. (Thankfully, I won't be judging my coworkers.)

The weather was unseasonably warm in our neck of the woods, so I was enjoying every second of it.

Ice and snow surely will be lurking out there somewhere...stay tuned.

2012 in with a bang

Yes, I wasn't hallucinating when I heard that my windows rattling. Turns out the flight patterns are changing and even though we're not too close to any airports, I did hear a loud plane overhead.

Got to work and found out one of our patients didn't make it to 2012. Mr. X. died and was buried by the time I got back. It was sad really. We liked him. His trip to the Hotel seemed in vain at first, because we couldn't do exactly what he wanted, but we did get him some good ol' QOL. (Quality of Life).

One of the managers at Madison also passed away after a tragic accident right around Christmas. They thought he was fine after surgery, but was put on life support. He made it to 2012, but barely. The family let go just after the New Year, when they told them he would not live without the vent. Some of our staff took it harder than most. This manager had been on campus for many years, even though, he wasn't yet retirement age.

When I thought I'd finally dodged all the random GI bugs my friends and relatives seemed to have, I got caught with something equally ugly--the nasty sinus headache that literally made me sick. Nothing like telling your boss you'd love to come to work but can't in between running to the bathroom. I just may have to download this app for the New Year, or make a date with the surgeon to fix the messed up sinuses once and for all.

Stay tuned. It's never dull here...

It's been that kind of a day

A B-52s kind of day to be exact. Dahey decided it would be the music du jour as I was finishing up some stuff before heading back to the office tomorrow.

So in between cooking dinner, watching every sport that's on (football and hockey) and pumpkin pie (yes it's Bubba's favorite), I'm gonna do this in a little bit, just to get some time for me.

Roam if you want to...'til next time!

A decent start to the year

Slept in...finally! No fireworks, dogs or snoring husbands woke me today.

Had a nice brunch, a lovely stroll and a good start to a relaxing day at home. So glad my relative who was having a party cancelled, since she's got some intestinal bug of the month.

Some things I just don't want to share this year...

Happy New Year 2012

May your greatest worry be how to use your spare time,
and may your year be filled with cherished old friends and interesting new ones.