Showing posts with label Life Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Thoughts. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

How distasteful can one be?

This just disturbs me greatly. Our soldiers go to Iraq and other foreign countries fighting for us and when one dies people run out to slander them in any way they can.

What does this accomplish? Are their hurtful words not meant to hurt the one that died ... HELLO! Instead their hurtful words hurt the family that is left behind.

My friends buddy died this past Friday and an "anonymous" person has taken to slandering this man. I don't care if he had a bad past, life, bankruptcy, whatever ... don't chose now to do your hurtful actions.

Ok sorry off my soap box now.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Should .... Could

Please forgive me, life is crazy right now. I've gotta get thoughts out there if only for myself.

Sometimes things that are, are things that should not be.
Sometiems things that should be are things that we don't know how to get.
Sometimes we don't know how to changes the things that are, to be the things that should be.
Sometimes we could make things right.
Sometimes we have to get lost so that we can be found.


Again sorry I'm sure this makes no sense.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Beginnings

Well it's been along time since my last blog ... April I think. Things have been crazy. I finished classes last week and now have a short summer break before starting back up. I didn't pass one of my classes which has thrown a HUGE wrench in my plans. If I continue on my current course I'll be behind by at least 6 months. I've been thinking about doing a Surgical Tech program over the LPN as I fell in love with the OR when I did a rotation there.

I'm going this week to pick up an application for that program and see what happens from there. I got a membership to the gym yesterday and have went both yesterday and today. I got on the elliptical machine yesterday and I must say it kicked my butt. My thighs are so sore you'd think I ran a marathon. Today I was smarter and stuck to the treadmill and ab machines. I'm determined to lose this extra weight and not be so self conscious in my scrubs. I'm so excited to watch Biggest Loser tonight too ... I'm really cheering for Mike to win. He's done so well and it just amazes me how much he's lost in such a short time.

Monday, April 06, 2009

School and the never ending schedule.

Gah! I didn't realize that it had been so long since my last post. I've been working like crazy with nursing clinicals and trying to keep my grades up. Things have been challenging and eventful.

I've been having clinicals at the hospital and this past week was very sad to see my patient. She was an elderly woman who had a large ulcer on her leg that has become gangrenous. Her family has elected to have comfort care and not pursue surgery, antibiotics or any other treatment measures. They are strictly keeping her comfortable until the infection does her in. Seeing cases like this makes it hard sometimes.

There have been some events going on with Kate (Wayne's marrow recipient) that I'll mention later.

Hope all of you are doing well. We are expecting some April snow tonight (in Ga of all places) so that will be fun to see.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Crazy life of Clinicals

Well I haven't posted an a while because I have been so busy with clinicals. We have been working at a local nursing home and I have to say that my mother and father will never go to a nursing home.

I've never been a fan of nursing homes because the quality of care is normally not what I would want for my loved one. I know that some families have no other option and nursing homes are a saving grace for them.

My patient this past week was a lady in her 60's. She's been at the facility for almost one year. She was able to walk and such when she arrived and now she is completely bed-bound and extremely rigid. She no longer talks and has to have total care for all of her daily functions.

Tomorrow morning I'll be at a new nursing home. We met our patients this past Friday and my new patient is in worse condition. She is not eating and her weight is down to 86 lbs. She is unconscious all the time and also required total care for all daily functions.

I must say that tomorrow at 3pm can not get her fast enough. Tuesday we have an orientation at the local hospital and then we get a long break for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

They're trying to kill me ....

So I just finished my first nursing class. Proudly I passed with a B so I am very happy. We started our second skills class this week. Yesterday we managed to have two vocabulary quizzes, and two exams for the same class ..... oh and it was all within a 3 hour class!

Today I we had the unit exam which I proudly made a 98 on. We start doing clinicals next month and I'm ready. I've been looking into LPN to RN bridge programs so that I can start planning for my next move.


Hope everyone is doing well and that this economy isn't getting the best of ya!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Crying for a man I didn't know

So many months ago I wrote a post about Randy Pausch. He has become know world round for his 'Last Lecture'. Sadly he died last week. A man who in the face of death chose to live in the now and not worry about what will come, even though he knew that it was coming. He chose to run and play with his children, to spend time with family, and to talk to people like you and me. His words inspired many to examine their lives, he helped parents and children talk, and helped others who are sick to move past the feeling of dread and continue to live their lives.

It's hard to think that we can cry for someone that we have never met, but we do. Every once in a while someone comes along and touches us. I think that Randy Pausch touched millions even though he never had the intentions of doing such, and I think that he may have made the world a better place for it.

I pray for his wife and their three small children and that they may find some peace in a time of horrible pain.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Crohn's Disease and the College Student

I'm in my second year at college now. I have to admit that things have been difficult. I think that the stress of heavy work assignments, deadlines, and the never ending worry about GPA has taken a toll on my stomach.

I've missed several classes because I was just completely sick and unable to move. Some of the professors understand while others could really care less. My college has an ADA department that you can contact if you need accommodations for your disability. While I should probably take the school up on this service, I have yet to go. I have wanted to try and manage things myself however this summer semester has proven to be extremely difficult.

We are two weeks into the summer semester and I have already missed 4 classes. I have explained things to my professor, however she is still suggesting that I drop the class. All of my grades have been in the 90's with the exception of one 80. I'm not sure why I would drop the class if I am able to still keep my grades up even though I've missed class.

Another challenge has been finding a bathroom to use. If you're like me not you're not a public pottier. It doesn't matter how much my stomach hurts I simply can not visit a public bathroom. Luckily I live very close to campus so I can drive home on long breaks between class.

I'm in my second month of open label clinical trial for Orencia. So far for me I have not noticed much if any improvement. I do know that there is another lady that went into remission with the same medication. It's amazing how differently the same medication can effect different people. I'm hoping to get accepted into the nursing program so I am going to have to get things straightened out before August because I can't be sick and missing class while doing clinicals. Well I hope that this holiday weekend is gentle on your guts and that we can all enjoy the long weekend.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

The Last Lecture

Did you watch? It was on ABC tonight. Randy Pausch is truly amazing. He's dying of pancreatic cancer which spread to his liver and spleen yet he is living his life in the now, focusing on today and not tomorrow. He was given 6 months to live, and its now been 8 months! He cherishes every moment that he has with his wife and children yet still finds time to share his valuable time with others. We all live our lives in the future never focusing on what we have in front of us now. Isn't it funny how we never even notice. There are many of us who are sick, myself included, and we focus on whats going to happen next week or the next. People worry about how they are going to pay this bill or that bill. By doing this we never really focus on the now. I think that with society living life this way we miss a lot of the little great moments in our lives.

Moments of our children playing in the living room. Your spouse giving you a peck on the neck. A simple wave from a stranger. Things that people used to cherish years ago are now easily overlooked in the hustle and bustle of our rushed daily lives. I know for me I have been so worried about getting into Nursing School, working myself to death and using all of my spare time to study or work on homework. Last week though that changed, I had a peace come over me and now I'm stepping away from it, not giving up just not stressing about what I can't control. It's amazing how much better you feel ironic as it sounds.

What about you ... have you been stressing over something that's keeping you from focusing on the now?

When you get a moment go watch Randy's Last Lecture at Carnegie Mellon. Its 76 minutes long but I think that its a great lesson to learn.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Crohn's Disease .. its a killer.

I know first hand the horrible effects this disease has on a persons body. I am currently in a flare and my doctors are having a terrible time getting me stable. I found this story and it just breaks my heart. No one should have to die like this. Please take care of your guts.

(article is here)A PREGNANT woman who died with her unborn son after emergency surgery for a chronic bowel condition was sent home two weeks earlier because doctors thought she only had morning sickness, an inquest heard.Former University of Worcester student and newly-qualified teacher Melanie Gough, aged 24, who was six months' pregnant with Luie, died after surgery for Crohn's disease, which doctors failed to diagnose, despite four earlier visits to hospital. Richard Gough claimed in court that his daughter, who was due to marry partner Phil Adams before her illness, would not have died had Gloucestershire Royal Hospital staff acted sooner. Mrs Gough, who fell pregnant in October the previous year, was treated throughout January 2007 for severe vomiting, dehydration and weight loss.
But she was discharged at the end of the month, after doctors wrongly diagnosed an unusually severe form of morning sickness, or hyperemesis gravidarum.When she was readmitted at the end of February, after her symptoms worsened, an expert consultant immediately diagnosed her with Crohn's disease and ordered an operation to remove part of the colon.She died on March 6 last year after she was found to be suffering from a septic infection.Mr Gough told Gloucester Shire Hall that his daughter was one of five children and active in her local community in Longhope, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.He said: "She was a real home-body, and very close to her mother. They did everything together. When it was time for her to go to university we found her a place close to home where she could travel back and forth every day. pregnacy and crohn's
"She went to Worcester university, stuck it out and got a good degree. She didn't get a teaching job straight away, and worked in various pubs to support herself. She also got supply teaching work.
"She had been with her fiancee Phil for four years, and they were due to get married in April. She lived a very happy life and was very involved with her local community. She kept two horses in fields were she lived."She fell pregnant on October 1 2006, and had the couple had named their son Luie.Mr Gough said she had enjoyed good health, apart from being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome at university.
But after Christmas she began to suffer with projectile vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea, he told the hearing. Despite several trips to the maternity unit with ongoing sickness and rapid weight loss, Mr Gough said that nurses urged her to put up with the pain.He told the court: "They said, 'Pull yourself together. This is part of pregnancy. You'll get used to it'."
It was not until February 15 that she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when Professor Hugh Barr, a consultant gastroenteritic surgeon, became involved in her care.Mr Gough said: "They realised there was something seriously wrong. There was 100 per cent obstruction in her bowel and it was so advanced that the intestine had become stuck to the abdominal wall.
They said, 'Pull yourself together. This is part of pregnancy. You'll get used to it.'Richard Gough, father But after the procedure she again became seriously ill and was treated in hospital again on March 6 where it was clear that she was terminally ill.Mr Gough said: "After they injected her through a tap her eyes closed and her chest started heaving. The doctor asked her to open her eyes and wake up. We were in shock."Phil and me were asked if we would prefer to save Melanie or the baby. We both agreed that Melanie should be our priority.
"Shortly afterwards, the doctor said she had suffered a second cardiac arrest and that the best doctors in the country were working on her. They said she was critical and didn't hold out much hope. "After she died she was put into an office full of papers."Our family are absolutely devastated by the loss of our daughter and her unborn child. We feel her death was unnecessary and completely avoidable."We feel that had her illness been treated earlier she could have been saved. There was at least half hour delay before they made any sort of attempt to do anything. We are not happy about her treatment before and after the operation."
Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Mark Whittaker, who looked after Ms Gough throughout her pregnancy said that her symptoms bore all the hallmarks of morning sickness and that she had begun to improve. He said: "I thought she had emesis gravidarum (morning sickness). We see patients on a daily basis with pain and vomiting - it is very common in the first 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. But we thought there might be some other course, that's why a follow up was arranged. "We felt she had hyperemesis gravidarum and we treated the condition we felt was affecting Ms Gough.
County coroner Alan Crickmore asked: "With the benefit of hindsight could anything have been done differently? Crohn's disease during pregnancy is rare isn't it?"Mr Whittaker said: "I think that it was extremely difficult to identify the cause of her symptoms. I think she was seen by four experienced obstetricians and four experienced consultant surgeons, proving how difficult it is to diagnose this condition."The coroner said: "I understand that it is difficult to diagnose because a woman's body produces various hormones that act as immuno-suppressants."Matthew Barnes, the family's barrister said: "She had had four admissions for symptoms that were getting worse and worse..."
Mr Whittaker said: "We were uncertain as to diagnosis so a surgical opinion was sought. I was uncertain about the symptoms but she seemed better - her pain was less and her abdomen was soft. "We felt that hyperemesis gravidarum was the most likely cause. I spoke to her and her partner and explained that because we were really uncertain as to cause and she was welcome back at any time."
Mr Barnes said: "The family want to know why more wasn't done to find out what was going on."The court has yet to hear what part, if any, the delayed diagnosis played in Ms Gough's death.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Open mouth, Insert foot!

OK so I really made a fool out of myself at dinner last night. Nate has started going back to school (read daycare) since I was starting back also. At the school they had a note posted on the door asking for prayer for the teacher in the two year old room named Jessica, her fiance was killed last Friday in a motorcycle wreck. OK there are like 5 Jessica's that work there. I could not put a face to it but I was thinking that it was the Jessica with black hair.

Fast forward to last night at dinner. We decided to go out to eat. We had just sat down when a lady comes over that I recognized as a teacher from Nate's school but I could not place her name. I asked her which room was she teaching, to which she replied the twos.

Clue One!

So I asked her who she worked in there with and she said Crystal, who is the lead teacher. I said Oh did you hear, I guess the Jessica that took over while you were out on maternity leave (she has a one month old) lost her husband last week.

She calmly replied, yeah that was me! OMG I wanted to die right then and crawl under a rock. I felt horrible. I apologized so much explaining to her that I was thinking it was someone else that worked there named Jessica.

I asked her if she was coming back to the school after her leave and she said no, that with all that had happened she needed a better job so she was going back to her previous job.

So Jessica, I am TRUELY sorry. I felt like such an idiot last night but I hope that you do know that I had no clue that it was you. I hope things get easier for you, I know if has to be hard with a new baby.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Slacker!

Things have been really busy here. Sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. I do have some good news to share though.

Remember how we were told by the Dr that my Dad had kidney cancer? Well the pathology came back negative and the Dr was stunned. They have decided not to remove his kidney which is wonderful. Last Friday they went and removed the entire "tumor" and it turns out that it was a massive kidney stone that was starting to grow into the wall of his kidney. There was scar like tissue that was covering it.

Business has been good. I just finished working on some Father's Day cards for a huge event at the Georgia Aquarium. Its a celeb Father/Daughter dance so that was exciting.

I hope to get back into the swing of things this week and start posing everyday again.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Sorry

Sorry that I have been a bad blogger of late. This week (Wednesday) we found out that my Dad has a tumor in his kidney. They said that it is most likely Kidney Cancer. The biopsy results will be back on Monday when he has a follow up visit. The Dr wants to be safe and they will be removing the entire kidney soon.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

I didn't fall off the Earth!

Sorry I've been away. Last week was crazy here and I just didn't get around to blogging. I'm back though and I'll have a recipe posted around lunch time.

Hope everyone had a great week last week.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Who should decide?

Who should decide when to stop life support on a terminally ill patient? I was reading through news stories tonight when I came across the story from Austin, TX about Emilio Gonzales.

Emilio is a 17 month old toddler who is on life support. He is unable to breathe or eat without assistance. He was admitted to Children's Hospital in Austin in Dec. 2006. The doctors evidently don't actually "know" whats wrong with him but they think that he has Leigh's Disease.

Leigh's disease is a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder characterized by degeneration of the central nervous system. There is some treatment for this disease however most die within a few years of being diagnosed.

Emilio's mother is fighting to keep him on support, however Texas has a state law (signed in by then Gov. George Bush) that allows the hospitals to decide when to stop life support. Many are comparing this case to Teri Scheivo but I think that's an unfair comparison. Emilio is not completely brain dead even though he requires assistance.

As a mother of a toddler it breaks my heart to read this story. I understand the quality of life arguments but I don't think that it is the place of the medical facility (or the government) to decide when a family has to stop medical care. According to the mothers attorneys the hospital would not be providing medicine to help the child be comfortable as he is dying, a death that would definitely be hard and painful for both Emilio and his family. Imagine watching your child suffocate to death. That is essentially what will happen to this innocent child when his breathing tube is removed.

Hug your children tighter today and be thankful that they are healthy, and if you can spare prayers/thoughts for Emilio's family today.

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