Adventures in Nursing School...Clinicals day 3 & 4

Ok, last week I neglected to post anything about my clinicals. So, I will combine for this week. I don't really have any great funny stories this week. I had 2 very serious patients. I know last week was a real eye opener for me. I realized that there are so many things that we take for granted every day. After observing my patient last week with Parkinson's disease, I was acutely aware of how fortunate I am. Even the simple things, like feeding himself, became challenging. I had to fight back emotion as I assisted him with his lunch. He was such a sweet man and didn't want to be a bother.

This week my patient was even more serious. Very young (in my opinion) and terminally ill with cirrhosis. An illness that could have been prevented had he made different choices. This week was hard. It was sad to see someone in this stage of this disease.

So what are some things I have realized these last two weeks.....

Family is sooooo important, the most important.

Compassion..you can't have too much.

The little things are what make a difference....when you care for the person's heart it makes a lasting impression.

There is not enough time.

You know you are old when....

...you dress your kids in a costume and you actually wore it back in the day!!! Needless to say, today was 80's day at school. I remember these fashions...sad, but true!

Little Brother Married

My little brother got hitched tonight! I can't believe it. Here are some pics from the wedding, not all of them by any means, just a sampling. By the way, Leah was at the wedding, but my wonderful friend took her home for us. She was through being there. We were there almost all day. Enjoy!

The happy couple!!!

Adventures in Nursing School...Clinicals-day 2 (slight revision)

I couldn't help but add this to the previous post...I am revising funny story #2

2. Little man stopped in front of the nurses station and proclaimed loudly, "Hey, what we gonna do about this!?!" (He was pointing to the front of his gown that had a nice, round, fresh stain from a leak in his device.)

Apparently later on that afternoon (after I left) the same little man proceeded out of his room pushing his IV pole, stark naked! Too bad I wasn't there for that one!! (I won't reveal my source at this time, but you know who you are and I appreciate the info.)

Adventures in Nursing School...Clinicals-day 2

Another day of clinicals gone by. I must admit, I love this floor I am on. We endearingly call it the "poo poo" floor. I know you think that's gross, but it is. I mean, it's a GI floor. We deal with poo all day long! Anyway, I had another great patient today, a sweet little man and his very funny wife. She didn't let him whine or complain for one second. I have definitely now added a couple more skills to my repertoire. Which isn't very large :) I am thoroughly enjoying my schooling right now and realizing this is totally what God has called me to do. I just hate that I am just now figuring that out, but at least I'm figuring it out, right?

A few funnies from the day....

1. A patient with red socks on should not be walking herself up and down the hallways! (red socks indicate a fall risk)

2. Little man stopped in front of the nurses station and proclaimed loudly, "Hey, what we gonna do about this!?!" (He was pointing to the front of his gown that had a nice, round, fresh stain from a leak in his device.)

3. Thought I was going to have to give my male patient a bath, but to my surprise the PCA had already done it! (Glad she was Johnny-on-the-spot!)

That's all for now...I'm sure over the next 4 weeks there will be many more stories! I said it last week, but I realize it more each week...thank a nurse!! They don't get enough recognition.

First Day Realizations

Most of you know I am in nursing school....enough said. I started clinicals this past Thursday. It was lots of fun. Even though we were on a GI floor, I loved it. Really, I didn't get to do that much. A few vitals here and there and I made lots of beds. I thought I wouldn't like dealing with sick 'grown-ups' but things really changed once I actually got there and in the middle of it all.

Here are a list of my realizations...

I realized that they don't want to be there, I mean who really wants to be in the hospital sick.

I realized that as much as I am embarrassed for having to help them do things, like potty, they are equally embarrassed that I have to help them.

I realized that elderly people are very wise and love for you to sit down and talk. One little lady said, "ask me anything you want." She was very witty and just wanted some company. (Don't we all!)

I realized what a tiring job it is to be a nurse. We never sat down, I mean never, until our 6 hour shift was over.

I realized why I want to do this. One of our teachers said that if this is truly for us, we would know in clinicals. She was right!

I realized that I want to treat my future patients exactly like I would want or how I would want my family to be treated. (That little 'golden rule' never goes away!)

I realized that laughter is good for the soul, especially when you are laughing at something you shouldn't have done! (I won't divulge my errors at this time)

I realized that the real hospital is much different than the one my books speak of.

I realized that when my patient said "you can go on to lunch now," that was code for "get out of my room and quit messing with me!"

I realized that you must pay very close attention to any 'CODE' announcement over the intercom. (We had a CODE GREEN, which means they were about to blast for some construction..felt like an earthquake.)

Lastly, I realized I have a lot more to learn!

That about sums it up! Oh, if you get a chance, you should thank a nurse.

She's One

It's official...Leah turned one today.  Where did the year go?  I know, you hear parents say that all the time, but I really think her first year has gone by quicker than any of the others.  Here are a few pics from today.  All I can say, is she LOVED her cake!

Here it is...cake everywhere.  At one point she was putting the icing all over her hands like lotion!

This is what she does when she wants you to pick her up.  How can anyone say no?!?

Lots of presents...she got such great stuff and played herself to sleep.

More cake....

By the way, she's walking a little too.  She takes a few steps from one person to another.  This milestone she did much quicker than her older brother and sister, they were almost 14 months.