"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."
--Hal Borland, American author
Enjoy your goings on today.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Nuggets for December 30
The last version of Nuggets for 2009 (aka the Golden Nugget version). I'm always mining for the best of the rest of the blogosphere and beyond.
If you're on a break and will be toasting with non-alcoholic sparkly stuff because you're working New Year's Eve, this version's for you! I'll be doing the same thing at the Hotel Rehab, looking for the Blue Moon. (Yes, this once in a blue moon--full moon twice in a month-- is New Year's Eve).
Hope you enjoy!
The gifts that keep on giving
Christmas is over, but the spirit lives, before and after in this story of giving in Philadelphia. (from www.nbcphiladelphia.com)
The fmylife.com folks have stories of woe all the time. Another site, using the same script (sorry, the nerd in me comes out occasionally...), is called Gives Me Hope. Check out the equally interesting stories there, when you need a lift and proof there really are good folks out there.
Science non-fiction
A Dissection Project in California Aims to Create A Search Engine of the Brain (from www.nytimes.com) Henry Molaison, known worldwide as H. M., an amnesic who collaborated on hundreds of studies of memory died last year at age 82. His brain will be used for this project.
Resolutions
Yes, the New Year is upon us, so make a difference. Check out this article from Dr. Oz at www.nytimes.com called Realistic Resolutions, about resolutions to get healthy.
The Goals Guy, Gary Ryan Blair has a whole section of his website devoted to New Year's Resolutions. Check it out!
If you're on a break and will be toasting with non-alcoholic sparkly stuff because you're working New Year's Eve, this version's for you! I'll be doing the same thing at the Hotel Rehab, looking for the Blue Moon. (Yes, this once in a blue moon--full moon twice in a month-- is New Year's Eve).
Hope you enjoy!
The gifts that keep on giving
Christmas is over, but the spirit lives, before and after in this story of giving in Philadelphia. (from www.nbcphiladelphia.com)
The fmylife.com folks have stories of woe all the time. Another site, using the same script (sorry, the nerd in me comes out occasionally...), is called Gives Me Hope. Check out the equally interesting stories there, when you need a lift and proof there really are good folks out there.
Science non-fiction
A Dissection Project in California Aims to Create A Search Engine of the Brain (from www.nytimes.com) Henry Molaison, known worldwide as H. M., an amnesic who collaborated on hundreds of studies of memory died last year at age 82. His brain will be used for this project.
Resolutions
Yes, the New Year is upon us, so make a difference. Check out this article from Dr. Oz at www.nytimes.com called Realistic Resolutions, about resolutions to get healthy.
The Goals Guy, Gary Ryan Blair has a whole section of his website devoted to New Year's Resolutions. Check it out!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Surprise!
Fun thing to do to the specialist rounding on your patient...make him work on the floor.
Patient has small, nasty wound requiring mechanical debridement, since the enzymatic debriding agent is not working well anymore.
Said specialist, also the chief of specialty service, comes with his own assistant and the whole medical staff of Hotel Rehab, including our chief, follows him around on rounds recently. Specialist, however, does not bring tools or other goodies from Washington, while slumming at Madison with us.
Yours truly sees the group moving from room to room, then dives into supply closet and packs a debridement tray, scalpels and extra gauze into scrub pockets, and gets back to room just as the pack of doctors comes by.
All my goodies for the patient's wounds I hadn't yet dressed were all set up on the table. Specialist sees this and checks out patient really well. "Looks like it needs debridement," he says, motioning to the nasty, necrotic wound.
"Do you need a kit?" I ask.
"Why, yes, I do."
"Well, here you go." I say to specialist, fumbling for my pocket and coming up with the debridement kit.
Specialist just shakes his head. Rest of room of MDs just look.
"And would you like a #10 or #11 scalpel?" I ask.
"No 11." says the assistant. "He only uses 10s."
"Did I tell you I was thinking of being an OR nurse, once?" I use to change the subject. No dice.
Specialist proceeds to debride my patient, on his first meeting. He grouses, he gripes, because we didn't have the hemostats, etc., that he likes. "You know we don't get the good stuff down here, remember?" I say repeatedly. He still works, carefully removing the dead stuff and providing his assessment to the rest of the medical staff in the room.
"As for you," he says pointing at me, "I'll remember this."
"Me, too. " I say and smile. "See you next year."
Nothing like making the doctors work on the floor.
Patient has small, nasty wound requiring mechanical debridement, since the enzymatic debriding agent is not working well anymore.
Said specialist, also the chief of specialty service, comes with his own assistant and the whole medical staff of Hotel Rehab, including our chief, follows him around on rounds recently. Specialist, however, does not bring tools or other goodies from Washington, while slumming at Madison with us.
Yours truly sees the group moving from room to room, then dives into supply closet and packs a debridement tray, scalpels and extra gauze into scrub pockets, and gets back to room just as the pack of doctors comes by.
All my goodies for the patient's wounds I hadn't yet dressed were all set up on the table. Specialist sees this and checks out patient really well. "Looks like it needs debridement," he says, motioning to the nasty, necrotic wound.
"Do you need a kit?" I ask.
"Why, yes, I do."
"Well, here you go." I say to specialist, fumbling for my pocket and coming up with the debridement kit.
Specialist just shakes his head. Rest of room of MDs just look.
"And would you like a #10 or #11 scalpel?" I ask.
"No 11." says the assistant. "He only uses 10s."
"Did I tell you I was thinking of being an OR nurse, once?" I use to change the subject. No dice.
Specialist proceeds to debride my patient, on his first meeting. He grouses, he gripes, because we didn't have the hemostats, etc., that he likes. "You know we don't get the good stuff down here, remember?" I say repeatedly. He still works, carefully removing the dead stuff and providing his assessment to the rest of the medical staff in the room.
"As for you," he says pointing at me, "I'll remember this."
"Me, too. " I say and smile. "See you next year."
Nothing like making the doctors work on the floor.
Hit the road
Travel is a vanishing act
We're booking a lot of trips out of the Hotel Rehab in the next few days. Some people have to get out before the insurance runs out. Some people just have plans to be anywhere but with us for the new year.
I'll miss some of these people. We've had some really nice folks lately. Mr. S is the guy, who escorted me and a co-worker to the door late one evening when we got a strange call on the intercom, along with his roommate. "Don't worry, girls", he said, "We're coming with you." Mr. C. is going home with his daughter. I know his roommate will really miss him, too.
The second best comment I've ever gotten as a nurse came today, from Mr. Q., who will also be leaving soon. "You know, you should really be a teacher," he told me, "because you're good at it." I replied, "Mr. Q., did you know that's part of my job as a nurse? We all teach folks how to do stuff, like your ostomy care." I did thank him for the compliment. It's nice to be appreciated and for the patient to be able to perform a task after you demonstrate it and let them do it.
As I watch all the vignettes on the news and on the internet of the famous people who have passed away, I think about more than a few of our people. Two folks died on the unit, and I had taken care of both of them for a good while and grew to like them. A few of the ones who got away and discharged also passed away. A couple just had the look, the look of the despaired, that vacant look that tells you they don't really want to live. Living was a burden from which they wanted relief. They got their wishes, and the rest of us just wonder.
More later. Stay tuned...
Monday, December 28, 2009
Rolling into the end of the year...
The cold air is coming, and boy, can you feel it! They're turning up the heat in the Hotel and inside, it's so, so hot!
I went back to work, and it's still work. I realize that it is a feat sometimes to chart as you go so you don't get stuck trying to finish at the last minute. I took care of people I'd taken care of before, so happily, there was no learning curve to figure out who wanted what and when. One of my peeps will hopefully be rolling out of here before the end of the year, so he's happy. The other one could be with us for awhile...yet again. He's tricky medically and strategically, so it's always fun to see what will happen with the situation this time.
Despite all the complications, I'm trying to keep the holiday outlook of goodwill alive. It can be hard when you'd really like to do otherwise, but I've noticed that if I'm calm in the face of the many little adversities in my life, they proceed better. "What, Doc? You want another test after I just sent that boatload? Sure, I'll get it." Kvetching provides momentary release, but is really a waste when you think about it.
The decorations for the holiday came down today, since we expect inspections in the new year. The sparkle and snow and frosty trees were put away, hopefully for another year.
Tomorrow is another day and I'll work on getting all my extra paperwork done. We'll see how it goes. Stay tuned.
I went back to work, and it's still work. I realize that it is a feat sometimes to chart as you go so you don't get stuck trying to finish at the last minute. I took care of people I'd taken care of before, so happily, there was no learning curve to figure out who wanted what and when. One of my peeps will hopefully be rolling out of here before the end of the year, so he's happy. The other one could be with us for awhile...yet again. He's tricky medically and strategically, so it's always fun to see what will happen with the situation this time.
Despite all the complications, I'm trying to keep the holiday outlook of goodwill alive. It can be hard when you'd really like to do otherwise, but I've noticed that if I'm calm in the face of the many little adversities in my life, they proceed better. "What, Doc? You want another test after I just sent that boatload? Sure, I'll get it." Kvetching provides momentary release, but is really a waste when you think about it.
The decorations for the holiday came down today, since we expect inspections in the new year. The sparkle and snow and frosty trees were put away, hopefully for another year.
Tomorrow is another day and I'll work on getting all my extra paperwork done. We'll see how it goes. Stay tuned.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
And it is merry...there is life and love everywhere. I can enjoy it, since I don't have to go to work today. That itself is a wonderful gift. Thanks, Boss!
Recently, we sent one of our cancer patients to the hospice unit. He came back today. He always talks to me when he sees me, because I admitted him to the Hotel when he came to us from Washington.
He was all smiles. From the looks of him, you'd never know he was dying. He was all bundled up in his wheelchair with a seasonal green corduroy baseball cap atop his head. He was happy. He was even more happy when the nurse behind the desk found his smokes. Now he can go to the smoking area and light up. He wished us a Merry Christmas and went on his way.
Our other cancer patient will get treatment until next week. After that, he's going home. Meanwhile, he left today to go spend time with his family. He is such a sweet, kind man. No matter what, we will miss him. He's become our mascot of sorts. He has a gentle personality and a wobbly gait, but we've grown to love him (we don't get too many walking patients). Many of our patients are very angry when they come to us for multiple reasons, but not this character. Despite everything that has happened in his world, he is kind and gentle. He gets up in his wheelchair and rolls next door to see his neighbor every day. The end of the year draws closer and his discharge date is coming. We will miss him.
More later...have yourself a Merry holiday today!
Recently, we sent one of our cancer patients to the hospice unit. He came back today. He always talks to me when he sees me, because I admitted him to the Hotel when he came to us from Washington.
He was all smiles. From the looks of him, you'd never know he was dying. He was all bundled up in his wheelchair with a seasonal green corduroy baseball cap atop his head. He was happy. He was even more happy when the nurse behind the desk found his smokes. Now he can go to the smoking area and light up. He wished us a Merry Christmas and went on his way.
Our other cancer patient will get treatment until next week. After that, he's going home. Meanwhile, he left today to go spend time with his family. He is such a sweet, kind man. No matter what, we will miss him. He's become our mascot of sorts. He has a gentle personality and a wobbly gait, but we've grown to love him (we don't get too many walking patients). Many of our patients are very angry when they come to us for multiple reasons, but not this character. Despite everything that has happened in his world, he is kind and gentle. He gets up in his wheelchair and rolls next door to see his neighbor every day. The end of the year draws closer and his discharge date is coming. We will miss him.
More later...have yourself a Merry holiday today!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Ho ho ho! It's CoS!
Yes, Santa's on his way and Kim's busy filling the blogsphere's stockings with goodies from this week's Change of Shift.
Head on over and enjoy...with your favorite spiked drink!
Head on over and enjoy...with your favorite spiked drink!
For everyone working the holiday...
Have a great one...wherever you are!
A Nurse's Christmas
________________________________________
Twas the night before Christmas.., and all thru the floor
Lasix was given, filling the foleys galore.
Stockings were worn to prevent emboli,
they came in two sizes, knee and thigh high.
The patients were nestled half-assed in their beds,
while visions of stool softeners danced in their heads.
We in our scrubs, and they in their gowns,
Fashions created to hide extra pounds.
When down in the ER it became such a zoo,
they called with admissions for me and for you.
They're coming, they're going, and they're all looking the same.
My patience for patients is starting to wane.
Now call lights are ringing, the patient 400 pounds, says-"
Didn't get my pericare, now send my nurse down."
And now delegation seems the best plan,
We try to send others, to the needs of this man.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa himself and 8 tiny reindeer.
He says he comes from Central Supply.
To bring us LR,NS, & D5.
The doctors then scribbled what no one could read,
Orders on patients, to measure their pee.
We try to decipher illegible words,
orders for patients, to guiac their turds.
The new shift arriving, our day is now through,
How did stool & emesis get in my shoe?
We give them report and pass on the facts,
and tell them of duoderm lining the cracks.
And the nurses exclaim as they limp out of sight,
"Ativan to them all, and to all good night.!!!"
A Nurse's Christmas
________________________________________
Twas the night before Christmas.., and all thru the floor
Lasix was given, filling the foleys galore.
Stockings were worn to prevent emboli,
they came in two sizes, knee and thigh high.
The patients were nestled half-assed in their beds,
while visions of stool softeners danced in their heads.
We in our scrubs, and they in their gowns,
Fashions created to hide extra pounds.
When down in the ER it became such a zoo,
they called with admissions for me and for you.
They're coming, they're going, and they're all looking the same.
My patience for patients is starting to wane.
Now call lights are ringing, the patient 400 pounds, says-"
Didn't get my pericare, now send my nurse down."
And now delegation seems the best plan,
We try to send others, to the needs of this man.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa himself and 8 tiny reindeer.
He says he comes from Central Supply.
To bring us LR,NS, & D5.
The doctors then scribbled what no one could read,
Orders on patients, to measure their pee.
We try to decipher illegible words,
orders for patients, to guiac their turds.
The new shift arriving, our day is now through,
How did stool & emesis get in my shoe?
We give them report and pass on the facts,
and tell them of duoderm lining the cracks.
And the nurses exclaim as they limp out of sight,
"Ativan to them all, and to all good night.!!!"
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Nuggets for December 23
In mere days, Santa's coming to town. Here are a few goodies I've found recently while surfing to tide you over. Have a wonderful holiday season whatever you celebrate.
Merry Christmas from Hotel Rehab, where we'll leave the lights on just for you! (No admissions, please.)
Science and random holiday fare
Everyone knows we get lots and lots of food out for the holidays, including various delicacies. Be careful what you eat. According to this NY Times article, Remarkable Creatures, you may want to steer clear of the puffer. Friends don't let friends eat tetrodotoxins.
Another reason to eat before you get on the plane: Safety of food at airports is spotty. (from USA Today)
It's a fluffy section of Yahoo!, but I really enjoy Shine. If the relatives are at your house now, or you survived the holiday party, this article called 5 Behaviors of Manipulative People may be just the thing you're looking for to get through someone's guilt trip (add your favorite relative).
Doctors, nurses and everyone in between
I've always wondered about this, but Cases in the NY Times health section talks about the etiquette of addressing patients in the exam room. Reminded me of more than a few of my patients..."don't call me Mr./Mrs. So and So. That's my mom/dad/grandpa/uncle/aunt, etc."
Heather Hicks, a Cleveland area CCU nurse, writes about Teamwork, planning and flexibility in her segment of A Nurse's Journal (a regular feature segment) in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Merry Christmas from Hotel Rehab, where we'll leave the lights on just for you! (No admissions, please.)
Science and random holiday fare
Everyone knows we get lots and lots of food out for the holidays, including various delicacies. Be careful what you eat. According to this NY Times article, Remarkable Creatures, you may want to steer clear of the puffer. Friends don't let friends eat tetrodotoxins.
Another reason to eat before you get on the plane: Safety of food at airports is spotty. (from USA Today)
It's a fluffy section of Yahoo!, but I really enjoy Shine. If the relatives are at your house now, or you survived the holiday party, this article called 5 Behaviors of Manipulative People may be just the thing you're looking for to get through someone's guilt trip (add your favorite relative).
Doctors, nurses and everyone in between
I've always wondered about this, but Cases in the NY Times health section talks about the etiquette of addressing patients in the exam room. Reminded me of more than a few of my patients..."don't call me Mr./Mrs. So and So. That's my mom/dad/grandpa/uncle/aunt, etc."
Heather Hicks, a Cleveland area CCU nurse, writes about Teamwork, planning and flexibility in her segment of A Nurse's Journal (a regular feature segment) in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The smells of the season
Off on vacation: (aka scenario 1)
1. Gingerbread...yum. Bubba had a blast with all of Grandma's cookie cutters. Must invest in a gingerbread man!
2. Beef barley soup.
3. Coffee. I love the way my car smells on the trip home from getting my pound of freshly ground coffee.
3. Bleach spray and Lysol, while trying to evade Dahey's cold he got at work from the guy who wouldn't stay home. Thankfully, he feels much better now!
Back to work: (aka scenario 2)
Case in point: patient asks nurse about a "funny smell" the other night.
Nurse: "What smell? (Looks down hall and sees hamper by clogged laundry chute they forgot to fix before we arrived for the shift.)
Charge nurse: "Oh, go by room xx. That's where it's coming from. (points down hall) Not all poop smells the same."
Patient rolls on down the hall, shaking head.
Hope your day is filled with the scents of scenario 1 instead of scenario 2!
1. Gingerbread...yum. Bubba had a blast with all of Grandma's cookie cutters. Must invest in a gingerbread man!
2. Beef barley soup.
3. Coffee. I love the way my car smells on the trip home from getting my pound of freshly ground coffee.
3. Bleach spray and Lysol, while trying to evade Dahey's cold he got at work from the guy who wouldn't stay home. Thankfully, he feels much better now!
Back to work: (aka scenario 2)
Case in point: patient asks nurse about a "funny smell" the other night.
Nurse: "What smell? (Looks down hall and sees hamper by clogged laundry chute they forgot to fix before we arrived for the shift.)
Charge nurse: "Oh, go by room xx. That's where it's coming from. (points down hall) Not all poop smells the same."
Patient rolls on down the hall, shaking head.
Hope your day is filled with the scents of scenario 1 instead of scenario 2!
Friday, December 18, 2009
It's the holiday season...
So while I'm vacationing, I'm...
Baking cookies and, of course, adding to the scar total. At least, this time, I burned the fingers. Just another reminder...don't drink and bake. Bubba and I hope to do some gingerbread before I go back to work all too soon.
Wrapped the gifts and hid very carefully. I always hate it when I wrap something, hide it well and then I can't find it. Not this year!
Made a trip to ye old Post Office and survived. All the relatives, in-laws and outlaws: your requisite goodies and Christmas letters are in the mail. Here's hoping you get them on time this year. (I love tracking packages online. I can tell when a certain brother-in-law leaves his at the post office until New Years' Eve, like last year). Don't say we didn't send anything...I have proof!
Did lots and lots of online shopping. The lines into the nearby HoleyMoleySpaceship Mall are ghastly. Would rather poke myself with knitting needles than get in line to go into the parking lot. Thank you online retailers and online photo processing places. I couldn't live without you (or at least it would be more painful).
Thanking my lucky stars that I am so lucky to be able to shop. So many people aren't. Besides shopping, I'm also upping my charitable contributions. I believe in paying it forward.
Hope you do too! More to come...stay tuned!
Baking cookies and, of course, adding to the scar total. At least, this time, I burned the fingers. Just another reminder...don't drink and bake. Bubba and I hope to do some gingerbread before I go back to work all too soon.
Wrapped the gifts and hid very carefully. I always hate it when I wrap something, hide it well and then I can't find it. Not this year!
Made a trip to ye old Post Office and survived. All the relatives, in-laws and outlaws: your requisite goodies and Christmas letters are in the mail. Here's hoping you get them on time this year. (I love tracking packages online. I can tell when a certain brother-in-law leaves his at the post office until New Years' Eve, like last year). Don't say we didn't send anything...I have proof!
Did lots and lots of online shopping. The lines into the nearby HoleyMoleySpaceship Mall are ghastly. Would rather poke myself with knitting needles than get in line to go into the parking lot. Thank you online retailers and online photo processing places. I couldn't live without you (or at least it would be more painful).
Thanking my lucky stars that I am so lucky to be able to shop. So many people aren't. Besides shopping, I'm also upping my charitable contributions. I believe in paying it forward.
Hope you do too! More to come...stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Nuggets for December 16
Yes, it's Nugget Day, and since I've had some free moments, I've been busy roaming around finding goodies. Here they are, so sit back and enjoy.
The health and wellness section
LiveScience has an interesting article called 7 Thoughts that are Bad for You. As they say, temperament can impact a person's physical health.
Not sure how true it is, but some people claim this PowerPlate thingy can reduce cellulite and keep you in shape. If onlythey weren't so expensive...
One toy I have played with (note: I bought this...I didn't get it free) is the Clarisonic Mia. I love, love, love it. My skin feels much better, and is more cost-effective over time than salon facials (do your math--your mileage may vary). May just have to recommend it to the relative with rosacea.
Fun stuff
WebMD has an entire section (sponsored by EMD Serono, maker of Rebif) for MS patients in a game format called the MS Game center. It's a whole new way to check out treatment options and learn more about MS.
Strange but true
WARNING: If you have a queasy stomach, this may not be for you....
My friends over at Serenity Now Hospital have another good poop tale one that made me laugh just reading it, considering the amount of bowel routines we do at the Hotel. And yes, there is a rating scale: the Bristol stool scale.
The health and wellness section
LiveScience has an interesting article called 7 Thoughts that are Bad for You. As they say, temperament can impact a person's physical health.
Not sure how true it is, but some people claim this PowerPlate thingy can reduce cellulite and keep you in shape. If onlythey weren't so expensive...
One toy I have played with (note: I bought this...I didn't get it free) is the Clarisonic Mia. I love, love, love it. My skin feels much better, and is more cost-effective over time than salon facials (do your math--your mileage may vary). May just have to recommend it to the relative with rosacea.
Fun stuff
WebMD has an entire section (sponsored by EMD Serono, maker of Rebif) for MS patients in a game format called the MS Game center. It's a whole new way to check out treatment options and learn more about MS.
Strange but true
WARNING: If you have a queasy stomach, this may not be for you....
My friends over at Serenity Now Hospital have another good poop tale one that made me laugh just reading it, considering the amount of bowel routines we do at the Hotel. And yes, there is a rating scale: the Bristol stool scale.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Ahh...take a breath...
It's been busy the last few days with my class finishing up. The paper has finally been turned in, I'm officially registered for next semester and my exam is over and I passed! Hooray!
Now the fun of the holidays begins. The halls of ye old snowflaked and hollied Hotel Rehab are full of people going hither and yon to therapy and the reservation agents just keep filling the rooms (since they don't work holidays, anyway!). The holidays are usually a slow period for us, but this year will not be the case. Lots of people are eagerly anticipating the annual holiday party, so we'll see what happens. Last year I missed it, because I got the pleasure of working. This year is different.
Since I'm off today, I'm maintaining the fleet, otherwise known as making sure my car is ready for winter and I'm jamming in my favorite coffeehouse with A Very Special Christmas. With all this global warming, we'll probably end up with several feet of snow or 60 degrees for Christmas. Nevertheless, I'll be ready in my trusty old car, which turns double digits next year.
More to come...stay tuned!
Now the fun of the holidays begins. The halls of ye old snowflaked and hollied Hotel Rehab are full of people going hither and yon to therapy and the reservation agents just keep filling the rooms (since they don't work holidays, anyway!). The holidays are usually a slow period for us, but this year will not be the case. Lots of people are eagerly anticipating the annual holiday party, so we'll see what happens. Last year I missed it, because I got the pleasure of working. This year is different.
Since I'm off today, I'm maintaining the fleet, otherwise known as making sure my car is ready for winter and I'm jamming in my favorite coffeehouse with A Very Special Christmas. With all this global warming, we'll probably end up with several feet of snow or 60 degrees for Christmas. Nevertheless, I'll be ready in my trusty old car, which turns double digits next year.
More to come...stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Nuggets for December 9
Good stuff below...enjoy!
Viral breast cancer video
If you haven't seen it, you gotta check out the Pink Glove Dance.
Fun stuff
Check out NeuroDojo and train your brain.
Forget Tiger Woods and all his girlies, I mean waitresses, for a while and check out this other important controversy with an older gal: The Sun-Maid Girl Makeover Sparks Controversy
The marketing dweeb in me just wants to know...did y'all do your research or what?
BTW I think the new, animated missy looks more like Penelope Cruz in a red bonnet than Julia Roberts! Whatcha think?
If you think your house or apartment is small, check out these digs in Manhattan. (from the NY Post).
Maybe we'll all get along at the holiday party...
In the spirit of the season, 12 things never to say to older or younger coworkers
And that's another edition of Nuggets...adios until later.
Viral breast cancer video
If you haven't seen it, you gotta check out the Pink Glove Dance.
Fun stuff
Check out NeuroDojo and train your brain.
Forget Tiger Woods and all his girlies, I mean waitresses, for a while and check out this other important controversy with an older gal: The Sun-Maid Girl Makeover Sparks Controversy
The marketing dweeb in me just wants to know...did y'all do your research or what?
BTW I think the new, animated missy looks more like Penelope Cruz in a red bonnet than Julia Roberts! Whatcha think?
If you think your house or apartment is small, check out these digs in Manhattan. (from the NY Post).
Maybe we'll all get along at the holiday party...
In the spirit of the season, 12 things never to say to older or younger coworkers
And that's another edition of Nuggets...adios until later.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Not enough time
So many things to do:
Run errands on your day off.
Get your car repaired.
Do Christmas/holiday shopping.
Study for that test.
Finish that darned paper for class.
And I go to work and time goes in spurts--slowly and quickly. Slowly when you look at the clock and say, "I'm ready to go home" and it says you still have four hours. Quickly when you look at the calendar...another year has come and gone.
Time concerns wear on your patients, too. One guy is antsy to go home to be with his family at the holidays. One patient wants time to find out when they can fix his wheelchair so he can get out of bed, because without that fix, he's grounded.
For some, no matter what we do, there will not be enough time. Not enough time to spend with them because they are so anxious and confused that they forget when we tell them we'll come back to see them.
Not enough time for the patients with cancer. One is calm and at peace with his fate--the Sword of Damocles has hung over his head for a while longer than anyone expected and he just savors ever moment...even if it's drinking his supplements while watching wrestling on the big screen all by himself. "I don't feel too bad. This is great!"
Another has the meter running and it's speeding up before our very eyes. If we don't move fast enough, he/she will die with us, not in the hospice unit nearby, not with his family nearby. It wears on us all. "This is no place to die," the doc says with much chagrin.
Never enough time, so enjoy your every moment. Off I go to mine.
Stay tuned...
Run errands on your day off.
Get your car repaired.
Do Christmas/holiday shopping.
Study for that test.
Finish that darned paper for class.
And I go to work and time goes in spurts--slowly and quickly. Slowly when you look at the clock and say, "I'm ready to go home" and it says you still have four hours. Quickly when you look at the calendar...another year has come and gone.
Time concerns wear on your patients, too. One guy is antsy to go home to be with his family at the holidays. One patient wants time to find out when they can fix his wheelchair so he can get out of bed, because without that fix, he's grounded.
For some, no matter what we do, there will not be enough time. Not enough time to spend with them because they are so anxious and confused that they forget when we tell them we'll come back to see them.
Not enough time for the patients with cancer. One is calm and at peace with his fate--the Sword of Damocles has hung over his head for a while longer than anyone expected and he just savors ever moment...even if it's drinking his supplements while watching wrestling on the big screen all by himself. "I don't feel too bad. This is great!"
Another has the meter running and it's speeding up before our very eyes. If we don't move fast enough, he/she will die with us, not in the hospice unit nearby, not with his family nearby. It wears on us all. "This is no place to die," the doc says with much chagrin.
Never enough time, so enjoy your every moment. Off I go to mine.
Stay tuned...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Remember, honor, teach
I'm working and reading my e-mail in between the final paper, but I couldn't not pass this one along. Thanks, sk!
Learn more about the Wreaths Across America project here which will decorate thousands of US veteran cemeteries this year.
Learn more about the Wreaths Across America project here which will decorate thousands of US veteran cemeteries this year.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
MIA
Only temporarily...lots of stuff with school sandwiched in between work, baking and the holidays.
One more week and hopefully, one less dramatic psychiatric episode. One day, highway suicide (not our patient), the next, hostage standoff (not ours, either, but on campus). Those weren't the exciting things I was asking Santa for this year!
Guess in this full moon week, I'll be happy with sedate campers watching movies on the big screen in the dining room.
Stay tuned...more to come!
One more week and hopefully, one less dramatic psychiatric episode. One day, highway suicide (not our patient), the next, hostage standoff (not ours, either, but on campus). Those weren't the exciting things I was asking Santa for this year!
Guess in this full moon week, I'll be happy with sedate campers watching movies on the big screen in the dining room.
Stay tuned...more to come!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Nuggets for December 2
Today's nuggets are decidedly not healthcare related (okay, maybe one or two) nor holiday related, but they are interesting tidbits I thought I'd share.
Hope you enjoy!
Healthcare news
No, it's not Public Option, but the government (local and state) just may get involved in your medical procedure if you're visiting your friendly, neighborhood plastic surgeon. Gotta ask our regularly visiting specialist about this one of these days.
My boss would like this one
This recent BBC news article discusses the Bad Sex in Fiction awards (yes, there really is one).
If they won't read the legalese...
Maybe they'll read a cartoon, as the Madagascar government releases information about changes in their constitution in another fine BBC article.
In the spirit of the season
Having a bad day? Don't like surly customer service people? Check out this convenience store's answer to a new type of employee in Clearwater, Florida, and it's not a robot.
Hope you enjoy!
Healthcare news
No, it's not Public Option, but the government (local and state) just may get involved in your medical procedure if you're visiting your friendly, neighborhood plastic surgeon. Gotta ask our regularly visiting specialist about this one of these days.
My boss would like this one
This recent BBC news article discusses the Bad Sex in Fiction awards (yes, there really is one).
If they won't read the legalese...
Maybe they'll read a cartoon, as the Madagascar government releases information about changes in their constitution in another fine BBC article.
In the spirit of the season
Having a bad day? Don't like surly customer service people? Check out this convenience store's answer to a new type of employee in Clearwater, Florida, and it's not a robot.
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