Yes, I had a lovely weekend, until Sunday morning. I woke up with horrible abdominal cramps and gas. Nothing happened, so I made a breakfast of oatmeal and coffee.
All Hades broke loose, literally and figuratively. I heard a horrible growl in my stomach. That's when the diarrhea started. Whatever I ate at the fast food joint (lovingly known as Jack in the Crack --chicken) or the swanky seafood house near the fancy hotel district (scallops), did me in. After that, it was body aches, fever and diarrhea after every drink. I stayed hydrated by drinking, then running into the bathroom once an hour. Gotta love foodborne illness, or at least that's what I suspect. Needless to say, I won't be volunteering to make anything for anyone for dinner or dessert for a while, just in case.
Since I felt lousy, I actually did something I am loathe to do: take a nap. It helped, but I eventually had to take Tylenol so my fever did not get above 102. Thankfully, it broke overnight and I've been afebrile all day. The nursing supervisor actually answered my call and my boss my text when I called.
I rested today. I felt bad in the morning, but got progressively better. My stomach is still undecided, but I'm sure when I get hungry enough, my appetite will be normal again.
Heck of a way to spend a Monday. More fun to come...stay tuned.
Showing posts with label illness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illness. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2017
Friday, February 12, 2016
TGIF (for so many reasons)
Yes, I'm thankful it's Friday because I don't have to work on Monday. Happy long weekend to all of you fortunate enough to be able to celebrate our country's presidents Monday.
I have been doing research for another conference abstract (the story of my life lately) so I've managed to find some interesting articles, including this one on writing a good one. Some of these are even appropriate for the abstracts. Here are a few of the ones I found below.
While I'm not looking for a job right now, I try to keep my reference list up to date. This article talks about how to ask references the right questions to get good information on candidates. While I don't actually check the references, I have interviewed people. One of the folks I interviewed provided us a list of references to check. Surprisingly, the candidate's name and phone number was on his/her list. It gave me a chuckle, as the other interviewers didn't immediately pick up on this. This got said applicant in my "Interesting Interviews Hall of Fame".
The end of this week was sad, though. One of the national folks for our program died suddenly this past weekend just as he was getting ready to watch the Super Bowl. His team won, so despite everything, there were a few smiles knowing that. He was not old and it was not expected.
We found out that one of our coworkers has a family member with cancer. What makes it worse is that it's a child. Being new at the Hotel is crazy enough, then to have your family member have cancer is just awful.
These moments remind us all to be grateful for health. It's never guaranteed.
Until next time...
I have been doing research for another conference abstract (the story of my life lately) so I've managed to find some interesting articles, including this one on writing a good one. Some of these are even appropriate for the abstracts. Here are a few of the ones I found below.
While I'm not looking for a job right now, I try to keep my reference list up to date. This article talks about how to ask references the right questions to get good information on candidates. While I don't actually check the references, I have interviewed people. One of the folks I interviewed provided us a list of references to check. Surprisingly, the candidate's name and phone number was on his/her list. It gave me a chuckle, as the other interviewers didn't immediately pick up on this. This got said applicant in my "Interesting Interviews Hall of Fame".
The end of this week was sad, though. One of the national folks for our program died suddenly this past weekend just as he was getting ready to watch the Super Bowl. His team won, so despite everything, there were a few smiles knowing that. He was not old and it was not expected.
We found out that one of our coworkers has a family member with cancer. What makes it worse is that it's a child. Being new at the Hotel is crazy enough, then to have your family member have cancer is just awful.
These moments remind us all to be grateful for health. It's never guaranteed.
Until next time...
Sunday, October 18, 2015
If it's time to celebrate an anniversary...
It's time for bedlam and mayhem here in the RehabRN household. Why, you ask? Let me count the ways...
On anniversary #1, Dahey and I had a wonderful hotel stay planned. On our way to the restaurant, we got locked in the parking garage. While we were at Chez Fancy, we got a call that WildDog was throwing up. (Crazy aunt left chocolates unattended while at church)
On anniversary #2, we got someone else's hotel room during that hotel stay. We got a new room on the side of the hotel where all the ambulances would speed by on their way to World Renown medical center.
On anniversary #3, while Bubba was a baby, and Dahey was returning from a TDY job out west, our sewer backed up in our basement. (Cause: random rug in storm sewer main.)
Frankly, I stopped counting after the first three. However, this year, since our celebration was delayed, obviously the mayhem was on hold until we celebrated at Old Restored Building's swanky restaurant. Before we went in, my best friend called to tell me her 40 something year old husband was weak Friday, but now could not walk, so what should she do. This nurse told her (and hubby) to get to the hospital pronto. She couldn't get him in her car, so she called an ambulance to take him and his interesting medical history to the nearest Saintarama hospital (where he normally goes). He's still there, awaiting a diagnosis as to why he cannot move his arms and legs. He passed all the usual guesses yesterday. Neuro hopefully will solve the mystery today.
And while I was savoring a delightful pot de creme, my brother Jethro, decided to call to tell me he was locked out of his apartment. He has a keypad to get in, but no key, and the batteries for the keypad were dead. Since there is no maintenance on site, I had to go over and provide my credit card so the locksmith could unlock his door.
Time to unlock: about 7 seconds. Cost $75. It took him longer to walk to the apartment than to unlock the door and run my credit card.
Alas, no matter when we celebrate, it's always something. Thankfully, Dahey puts up with it. Happy Anniversary.
On anniversary #1, Dahey and I had a wonderful hotel stay planned. On our way to the restaurant, we got locked in the parking garage. While we were at Chez Fancy, we got a call that WildDog was throwing up. (Crazy aunt left chocolates unattended while at church)
On anniversary #2, we got someone else's hotel room during that hotel stay. We got a new room on the side of the hotel where all the ambulances would speed by on their way to World Renown medical center.
On anniversary #3, while Bubba was a baby, and Dahey was returning from a TDY job out west, our sewer backed up in our basement. (Cause: random rug in storm sewer main.)
Frankly, I stopped counting after the first three. However, this year, since our celebration was delayed, obviously the mayhem was on hold until we celebrated at Old Restored Building's swanky restaurant. Before we went in, my best friend called to tell me her 40 something year old husband was weak Friday, but now could not walk, so what should she do. This nurse told her (and hubby) to get to the hospital pronto. She couldn't get him in her car, so she called an ambulance to take him and his interesting medical history to the nearest Saintarama hospital (where he normally goes). He's still there, awaiting a diagnosis as to why he cannot move his arms and legs. He passed all the usual guesses yesterday. Neuro hopefully will solve the mystery today.
And while I was savoring a delightful pot de creme, my brother Jethro, decided to call to tell me he was locked out of his apartment. He has a keypad to get in, but no key, and the batteries for the keypad were dead. Since there is no maintenance on site, I had to go over and provide my credit card so the locksmith could unlock his door.
Time to unlock: about 7 seconds. Cost $75. It took him longer to walk to the apartment than to unlock the door and run my credit card.
Alas, no matter when we celebrate, it's always something. Thankfully, Dahey puts up with it. Happy Anniversary.
Friday, June 27, 2014
The waiting game continues...
Still waiting to see what exactly made Bubba (and Dahey later) sick this week.
Once I know, then Bubba can be ready to play the waiting game for sleepover camp, which is coming soon.
Yes, you got it, I'm stuck waiting, too.
TGIF folks!
Once I know, then Bubba can be ready to play the waiting game for sleepover camp, which is coming soon.
Yes, you got it, I'm stuck waiting, too.
TGIF folks!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Bully pulpit
I have a friend (no April Fool-- call him/her M) who is having this problem, and because he/she felt threatened while we completed our studies, he/she kept quiet until his/her internship was over. He/she suffered.
ANA discusses bullying in their Healthy Nurse section on Bullying and Workplace Violence:
Lateral violence refers to acts between colleagues and bullying is often described as acts perpetrated by one in a higher level of authority. This behavior may involve covert or overt acts of verbal and non-verbal aggression. These types of behavior have been reported to result in enough psychological distress to nurses to cause them to leave the profession (Dellasega, 2009).
The person perpetrating this bullying is in a higher level of authority. Ever heard of C-suite? Well, he/she is up there. It's hard to believe that your former preceptor would, out of the blue, accuse you of theft of intellectual property and assault your character in company e-mail of a prominent hospital system, but the former preceptor did.
All the while, my friend was just happy to receive a national award recently. When he/she came home the other day, there was a family crisis. Off to the hospital, but not for work. One of the family had become ill and required emergent surgery.
After I calmed him/her down, we discussed what happened since school. Everything is documented. Since the degree is done, I suggested he/she contact an attorney. Life's too short to live in fear of this crazy person.
As the saying goes, tough times never last, but tough people do.
More to come...
ANA discusses bullying in their Healthy Nurse section on Bullying and Workplace Violence:
Lateral violence refers to acts between colleagues and bullying is often described as acts perpetrated by one in a higher level of authority. This behavior may involve covert or overt acts of verbal and non-verbal aggression. These types of behavior have been reported to result in enough psychological distress to nurses to cause them to leave the profession (Dellasega, 2009).
The person perpetrating this bullying is in a higher level of authority. Ever heard of C-suite? Well, he/she is up there. It's hard to believe that your former preceptor would, out of the blue, accuse you of theft of intellectual property and assault your character in company e-mail of a prominent hospital system, but the former preceptor did.
All the while, my friend was just happy to receive a national award recently. When he/she came home the other day, there was a family crisis. Off to the hospital, but not for work. One of the family had become ill and required emergent surgery.
After I calmed him/her down, we discussed what happened since school. Everything is documented. Since the degree is done, I suggested he/she contact an attorney. Life's too short to live in fear of this crazy person.
As the saying goes, tough times never last, but tough people do.
More to come...
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Friends don't let friends...
- Name their children after yeast infections. (courtesy of FML)
- Throw temper tantrums at work. (thank you WSJ)
- Suffer from foodborne illnesses. (courtesy of the University of Minnesota)
- Drink while doing homework (after yes, but during, no.)
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
A revelation
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.--Luke 12:2
Diseases and disorders can be eye-opening, in more ways than one.I always thought that a relative had a common neurological disorder. No big deal. You see it, grow up with it, and you deal with it.
Life has a habit of throwing curves, and this relative sure suffered them lately: deathly illness, recuperation, and it seemed, a return to health.
Recently, the relative went for a consult. Normal, I thought. Done at the advisement of the old boss, since "It's a good thing to do." Now, I learn it's not normal, but now it's even more different. The oddities that stood alone put together all make sense.
I almost wish I could put the genie back into the bottle, but it would have gotten out sooner or later, anyway.
More later...
Diseases and disorders can be eye-opening, in more ways than one.I always thought that a relative had a common neurological disorder. No big deal. You see it, grow up with it, and you deal with it.
Life has a habit of throwing curves, and this relative sure suffered them lately: deathly illness, recuperation, and it seemed, a return to health.
Recently, the relative went for a consult. Normal, I thought. Done at the advisement of the old boss, since "It's a good thing to do." Now, I learn it's not normal, but now it's even more different. The oddities that stood alone put together all make sense.
I almost wish I could put the genie back into the bottle, but it would have gotten out sooner or later, anyway.
More later...
Friday, April 12, 2013
Another week done
Hooray! Give me the weekend, even if it's colder than when the week started. If it's sunny (like they say it will be), I will rejoice.
I have seen way too many clouds lately, in the sky and at the Hotel.
One of my old regulars came back this week. He's sick. He tried to stay well he told me, and now it seems, his body's giving up. He sick and he's scared.
Another regular came back right in the "season" as he calls it on his farm. His family misses him and calls him with reports. Even the dog misses him.
Finally, I got to finish the day off by helping some of the case management folks review files for Hotel admissions. I learned a lot about syndromes that I never knew existed. One started when the patient's main complaint was "I keep falling". He fell one time, however, and couldn't get up.
And it's looking like the start of the "season" for me, too. One relative (who was hospitalized last year a long time) is going to the ER tonight. I hope it all goes well. I'm not sure if I'll be a good supporter this year or not. I'm drained after everything that happened last year. It was a wild roller coaster ride.
More to come...
I have seen way too many clouds lately, in the sky and at the Hotel.
One of my old regulars came back this week. He's sick. He tried to stay well he told me, and now it seems, his body's giving up. He sick and he's scared.
Another regular came back right in the "season" as he calls it on his farm. His family misses him and calls him with reports. Even the dog misses him.
Finally, I got to finish the day off by helping some of the case management folks review files for Hotel admissions. I learned a lot about syndromes that I never knew existed. One started when the patient's main complaint was "I keep falling". He fell one time, however, and couldn't get up.
And it's looking like the start of the "season" for me, too. One relative (who was hospitalized last year a long time) is going to the ER tonight. I hope it all goes well. I'm not sure if I'll be a good supporter this year or not. I'm drained after everything that happened last year. It was a wild roller coaster ride.
More to come...
Monday, November 26, 2012
Temps are dropping...
And they are calling for snow. I guess winter really is around the corner!
Bubba is asleep early. I hope none of his classmates shared any special viruses they got during Thanksgiving.
More to come...
Bubba is asleep early. I hope none of his classmates shared any special viruses they got during Thanksgiving.
More to come...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Rejection
I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours - so enjoy the view. --Michael York
It's been a while since you first came back to the Hotel. Yes, I saw you in the clinic while I was in the SU for a regular visit. "I'm going home if they don't decide to keep me, " you said, as I passed you between patients. Once I saw them put you on the stretcher, I knew you were going to stay.
They brought you back to the Hotel Rehab because you got sick.You had a monstrous UTI but the docs said you were stable enough to stay with us for a bit, until it ran it's course. Unfortunately, the course was not typical or easy.
One day you felt bad and the next, we noticed you were sick, and then the week was over and you were really bad. Pretty soon, you were on the fast track to ICU and they airlifted you to the specialty hospital because you were horribly sick. World Renown Hospital took care of your specialty issue and kept your "lemon" as you called the lump they removed from you (damn med students!) but you just wouldn't wean from the vent. It took about a couple of months, but finally you got off it. You still have a trach, which drives you nuts.
And so, you go back and forth, from illness to getting better and just about done, then back again. But now, you can't go home again. Your family can't deal with the trach and they have their own problems. Your parents are sick and old and falling apart, too. Mom and Dad finally relented and told you, "Son, we love you, but we can't physically do it anymore." Your children have families of their own with lots of work, too.
Now, you cycle through the latest illness and wait. Nursing home after nursing home says maybe they'll take you, then they "decline due to staffing". You are still you: silly, gossipy, funny, grandpa, dad, son, but now everything has changed because of that darned "lemon".
It sucks to be rejected.
It's been a while since you first came back to the Hotel. Yes, I saw you in the clinic while I was in the SU for a regular visit. "I'm going home if they don't decide to keep me, " you said, as I passed you between patients. Once I saw them put you on the stretcher, I knew you were going to stay.
They brought you back to the Hotel Rehab because you got sick.You had a monstrous UTI but the docs said you were stable enough to stay with us for a bit, until it ran it's course. Unfortunately, the course was not typical or easy.
One day you felt bad and the next, we noticed you were sick, and then the week was over and you were really bad. Pretty soon, you were on the fast track to ICU and they airlifted you to the specialty hospital because you were horribly sick. World Renown Hospital took care of your specialty issue and kept your "lemon" as you called the lump they removed from you (damn med students!) but you just wouldn't wean from the vent. It took about a couple of months, but finally you got off it. You still have a trach, which drives you nuts.
And so, you go back and forth, from illness to getting better and just about done, then back again. But now, you can't go home again. Your family can't deal with the trach and they have their own problems. Your parents are sick and old and falling apart, too. Mom and Dad finally relented and told you, "Son, we love you, but we can't physically do it anymore." Your children have families of their own with lots of work, too.
Now, you cycle through the latest illness and wait. Nursing home after nursing home says maybe they'll take you, then they "decline due to staffing". You are still you: silly, gossipy, funny, grandpa, dad, son, but now everything has changed because of that darned "lemon".
It sucks to be rejected.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Stormy weekend? Perhaps not...
So maybe we won't have a stormy moon at our place this weekend...why you ask?
Let me count the ways...
1. We lost some patients. Spring has sprung and they'll do anything to get discharged or go on pass for the weekend. I love that part of spring!
2. The supervisors are not micromanaging at the moment. It helps that a few just got back from vacations in the tropics watching baseball and getting a tan. Want to divert them from looking at your drink at the nurses' station? Just ask them about spring training and who they saw.
3. Some of the drama mamas won't be working this weekend due to illness or vacation. At least they can go nuts at home with their families, and not with us!
I'd say the q-word, but I'm not going to jinx it....stay tuned!
Let me count the ways...
1. We lost some patients. Spring has sprung and they'll do anything to get discharged or go on pass for the weekend. I love that part of spring!
2. The supervisors are not micromanaging at the moment. It helps that a few just got back from vacations in the tropics watching baseball and getting a tan. Want to divert them from looking at your drink at the nurses' station? Just ask them about spring training and who they saw.
3. Some of the drama mamas won't be working this weekend due to illness or vacation. At least they can go nuts at home with their families, and not with us!
I'd say the q-word, but I'm not going to jinx it....stay tuned!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sobering
That was how my week ended. My patients were doing well, fluffed and buffed, but elsewhere on the unit, there was a cloud.
No, not the "happy cloud" the instructors told people to go to in the class some of our cohorts took, but a pall of the doom you know is coming.
One patient came in and within a couple of hours got his first order of vitamin K and some more elaborate diagnostic tests. Someone was drinking a little more than they let on...
Another got the bad news that he's got a terminal illness. No timeline yet, so he just hid under the covers most of the day.
Finally, I managed to bugger up the med cart. Technology is great, but the instructions on resetting it were not. Trial and error can be your friend, but when you're busy, you just don't want to go there.
Thankfully, I resolved the problem and got things to work. Hooray! More to come next week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend...wherever you are!
No, not the "happy cloud" the instructors told people to go to in the class some of our cohorts took, but a pall of the doom you know is coming.
One patient came in and within a couple of hours got his first order of vitamin K and some more elaborate diagnostic tests. Someone was drinking a little more than they let on...
Another got the bad news that he's got a terminal illness. No timeline yet, so he just hid under the covers most of the day.
Finally, I managed to bugger up the med cart. Technology is great, but the instructions on resetting it were not. Trial and error can be your friend, but when you're busy, you just don't want to go there.
Thankfully, I resolved the problem and got things to work. Hooray! More to come next week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend...wherever you are!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Nuggets for April 27
A few finds from the blogosphere and beyond...enjoy!
I found this photo link courtesy of Snotjockeys Revisited (a RT blog). You have to see it to believe it. It is one man's last message to the world, and it is very powerful.
Angrier Nurse weighs in on the cons of being sick after her own viral illness.
Dear Nurses is by Margaret Agard is back in business (following a vacation) and the latest installment is geared to all you new grads out there, so check it out: Clinical Settings Step By Step
One of my favorite med blogs is Radiology Picture of the Day. It may not be immediately useful as a nurse on the floor, but it's very interesting and includes a detailed explanation (thank you!) of what you're seeing.
Nurse Ratched's had a lot going on over on her blog lately, and most of it, I would not want, especially that homocidal patient. Thankfully, Mom stepped in and sent this item in a post called Email from Mother: The Banister of Life. NR, may you encounter few or no splinters!
I found this photo link courtesy of Snotjockeys Revisited (a RT blog). You have to see it to believe it. It is one man's last message to the world, and it is very powerful.
Angrier Nurse weighs in on the cons of being sick after her own viral illness.
Dear Nurses is by Margaret Agard is back in business (following a vacation) and the latest installment is geared to all you new grads out there, so check it out: Clinical Settings Step By Step
One of my favorite med blogs is Radiology Picture of the Day. It may not be immediately useful as a nurse on the floor, but it's very interesting and includes a detailed explanation (thank you!) of what you're seeing.
Nurse Ratched's had a lot going on over on her blog lately, and most of it, I would not want, especially that homocidal patient. Thankfully, Mom stepped in and sent this item in a post called Email from Mother: The Banister of Life. NR, may you encounter few or no splinters!
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