Thankful Thursday | windows open!
This week, I am thankful:
for a lovely, cool morning
As I type this, my office window is open and there's some delightful air coming in.
It's been a little on the hot side this week (high 80s, which is a bit unusual for early May) but we're still having some wonderfully cool mornings.
for beautiful nature
I'm always, always grateful for that!
that the bridges on my trail are getting fixed
The nearby trail that I can walk to has had dilapidated bridges ever since I moved here.
Passable, but dilapidated.
However, in the last few weeks, these have all been getting repaired. Woohoo!
for how much I have learned this semester
I was thinking about things like...how much better I am at knowing baseline levels for not just vitals but all sorts of bloodwork.
I also understand fluid shifts in the body way better now.
In fact, a few weeks ago, I was able to figure out, without even looking at the bloodwork, that a patient's albumin levels were probably low and that's why the patient was having low blood pressure readings, despite having received plenty of IV fluids.
And sure enough, when I came in the next day, I saw the blood results and the albumin was indeed low. I was so proud of myself!
for patients who say yes to student nurses
Not every patient is comfortable allowing us students to assist with their care, but I am so grateful for the ones who say yes.
There is no better way to learn than by getting hands-on experience, and it is impossible to do that without willing patients.
Also, just an FYI in case you are ever asked if you're willing, as a patient: nursing students are always supervised, there are lots of safety rules in place, and the care you get is not going to be compromised if you say yes to having a student nurse.
The care we give doesn't replace the care the assigned nurse gives; you're just saying yes to us getting some practice with tasks at our level, and we are so thankful for the opportunity!
And sometimes when you say yes, you actually get a little more time and attention; student nurses aren't spread as thin as nurses and techs are, so we can devote more time to listening, figuring out what you need, and helping you. 🙂
In fact, a lot of times when I went in at the end of my shift to say goodbye to my patients and to thank them, they were saying thank you to me.
So, a happy experience all around.
that I'm braver than I thought
I can't remember if I've said this before, but I was a little nervous that my dont-rock-the-boat personality would make it hard for me to fulfill my role as an advocate for my patients.
But right outta the gate at med surg, I spoke up for my patients. And if I can do that as a second-semester student nurse, I definitely am gonna be able to do that as a full-fledged nurse with experience.
I'm willing to stick my neck out if it's gonna help someone I'm responsible for. 🙂
that my powerpoint for our group presentation is all done
I tackled it yesterday, and we're gonna give it a run-through over Zoom today. Luckily this one is only 5-7 minutes, so not too bad to work through.
Chiquita sat on my keyboard and tried her best to change my powerpoint, but luckily I was able to hit control-z a few times to get back to my previous spot.
WHEW.
I'm not that good at powerpoint so I would have been unhappy if I had to redo the work!
Good morning Kristen,
You are a delight! Have a great day:)
All of my medical appointments are in a medical system with lots of trainees. I always say yes to medical students, residents, nurses, anybody who is learning. One time the allergist brought two students in to check out my nose! Another time a student looked at a skin thing and said, "Um... let me get my supervisor..." and the supervisor came in and was like, "Oh, yes, XYZ, we do ABC," so the student go to learn that. Several times I've been their first "real patient" exam. I like to think I'm a very typical patient, so they might as well learn from somebody who's going to represent a lot of what they'll see in their careers.
Maybe it was the fault of some early version of Power Point I had to learn, but it made me want to pull my hair out. You get points for pushing through on that one.
I am thankful for the beautiful spring weather, for my sweet girl kitty, and good paint, which may sound weird but I've been painting some doors and using paint from two different companies. One is far better than the other, so lesson learned.
@Ruby, I have to paint two doors this summer. What paint to you recommend?
@Cindi,
Same here, hubs and I have at least three doors to paint some time this spring or summer.....following for paint recommendations!
@Ruby,
Powerpoint was my archnemesis in my teaching masters was Powerpoint. So many teachers are in love with it that it made me quesiton my career choice!
@Cindi, Sherwin-Williams Super Paint. It covers great and is self-leveling -- no brush marks -- if the door has not gotten hot in the sun.
@Liz B., Sherwin-Williams Super Paint is the best exterior pain I've ever used and I have painted three houses inside and out.
Benjamin Moore is very good for interiors. I made a poor decision and used a brand from Ace Hardware on the inside of one door that took multiple coats and I am still not 100% thrilled. It was the closest color match I could find to the 72 year old oil paint on the wood paneling in that room, though. The owner of the house before we bought it took meticulous care of it and the original paint is still in amazing condition.
@Ruby,
We usually use Behr, and it seems to work fine for interiors....but a self-leveling, no brush stroke paint for doors is just what I'm looking for. We conveniently have a Sherwin-Williams store not far from home, too. Thank you!
@Ruby,
Forgot to add - so awesome that the previous owners took such good care of your house! After all those years, you'd think the paint would be in rough shape.
Last Friday, I was able to start medication that I anticipate will significantly change my life for the better. Although it's been less than a week since the first dose, I'm seeing a lot of positive changes. It's been an adjustment, but it's all for good in the end. I'm thankful also for the physician who readily agreed to prescribe the medication, the prescription insurance who quickly provided a preauthorization for the medication, and for the patient and professional representatives I spoke to at the prescription insurance company who helped alleviate some of my anxiety around getting it. I'm also very thankful for my daughter (who is a nurse) who has patiently listened to me stress over this entire process and provided her support, encouragement and love.
@Mary, Good luck with the new medication! It's always magical when 1) you/your doctor hit upon something that works without too many side effects and 2) that everything falls into place for re: paperwork, insurance, etc.!
One huge thankful: DS IS HOME!!!
@Karen A., three hearty huzzahs for DS and your whole family! Huzzah! Huzzah!! HUZZAH!!!
Thank goodness.
@Karen A., Yay!!!!!
@Karen A.,
Hallelujah! Glad he made it home and hope he gets well ASAP.
@Karen A., so glad to hear! 🙂
@Karen A., Thrilled and thankful with you!!
@Karen A., that's wonderful news! Thanks for letting us know.
@Karen A.,
Terrific news!
@Karen A.,
Adding my HOORAY!! that your DS is home!
When I was pregnant and had to have an appendectomy at a university hospital, I had lots of trainees. I was quite happy because I was in pain but couldn't have pain meds, so the students were a helpful distraction for me.
I have a feeling you are so comfortable with speaking up because you are an adult with life experience backing up your classroom learning. I would very much like to have that kind of nurse.
Today I am thankful:
*for the warmer weather that allows me to be outside and more active.
*for the yummy muffins my daughter and I made for breakfast. Strawberry-rhubarb with a streusel topping worked well. For being able to cook with my daughter-- we are becoming a well-oiled machine!
*that my kids understand what few empty squares on the calendar means for mom (and by extension, them). It is good to know they are already anticipating being helpful.
*that my father is excited to be going on a road trip to pick up college boy. Also--he is still able to do this at almost 75 (with the help of my 16-year-old).
*for the beautiful double rainbow we had this week.
*for the lilacs my husband cut for me that are on my kitchen windowsill.
*for toothbrushes and toothpaste. Those two are right up there with indoor plumbing and electricity as the things I like best about modern conveniences.
*for phone calls from friends.
No, I never object to having a trainee of any kind sit in on, or handle some part of, any interaction I'm having with any professional. I even had a trainee financial advisor sit in on a session with my regular financial advisor once--although the trainee might have had his hair blown back by my usual parting line to my advisor: "As always, remember our mission statement: Don't @#$% up or down and lose this %&*$."
I think being a nurse is a little like being a mama bear... If someone does something to compromise the well-being of your patient, you find an inner strength to speak up and defend them 🙂 firmly and kindly, and not backing down.
Loved reading about student nurses from your perspective, and what they bring with them due to having less restrictive time per patient, thank you!
This weeks Five Thankful Things:
1. That my mom is happily settled. So many changes- new home, new town, loss of her longtime pet prior to moving - but she loves her new place, and everyone near her condo in the 55+ community she now lives in has been so kind and friendly. So far she's joined a garden group, a bible study group, an equestrian group, and a lawn bowling group. It's a load off my shoulders to see her doing so well.
2. Life near the beach. Summer is definitely just around the corner here, and everyone just seems happier. We walked down to a beach cafe earlier this week, and the cafe had some classic California surf tunes playing, and the sand was busy with people having fun. The positive energy all around was palpable, and I felt like I was on vacation.
3. Girlfriends. I've had a run of dates with girlfriends recently, and I am so thankful for each and every one of them. Today it continues- I'm doing a 10 mile beach walk, then lunch out with a newer girlfriend. Tomorrow I'm lunching and going shopping with a decade long girlfriend, and then on Saturday I'm kayaking with a 30+ year girlfriend. They each bring a special element into my life, and I can only hope I do remotely similar for theirs.
4. Lemon-Ginger marmalade. A friend gave a jar she'd made to me, and I opened it last night to have with biscuits (plus scrambled eggs and sausage - a breakfast-for-dinner inspiration I got from you, Kristen!) Mind blown is all I can say. We practically licked the jar clean, it was so delicious.
5. My herb garden. I do not have a green thumb, and I don't grow vegetables for that reason, but I have been successful with herbs, and almost everything I make benefits from adding them. Last night I added fresh snipped chives and parsley to our breakfast-for-dinner scrambled eggs. So nice.
@Tamara R, I'm not a huge fan of marmalade, but now I'm interested in trying it again!
@Jody S., It was insanely delicious. I'm so, so hoping she makes it again! I can do refrigerator jams, but this jar was canned, and I have zero canning equipment.
Sunset magazine has some lovely no-canning-required fridge jams, with fresh, flavor combos that really appeal to me. I've made this one multiple times - https://www.sunset.com/recipe/blackberry-lime-jam
@Tamara R, You can can (are able to can would perhaps be less confusing . . .) small quantities of things like jam in a stock pot. As long as you can keep the glass jars off the bottom of the pot--you can use crumpled aluminum foil--and can cover the tops with water, you can water-bath can without the pot and lifters and all that. It's not hard.
@Tamara R,
is there any chance your friend would share her recipe? I just love lemon-ginger marmelade!
@Lea, I'll ask, and return here if so!
@Tamara R,
thank you very much!
@Tamara R,
When I was a kid, we lived in Southern California, and my parents subscribed to Sunset magazine. I always loved looking through it, and ooohing and ahhhing over the photos and the recipes. My mom continued the subscription even after we moved to the East coast.
80s? I am so jealous. We're lucky if we get into the upper 50s right now. Overcast every day and 50s until probably July. <-- Exaggerated to make a humurous point.
Today I am thankful for:
My friends. I rely on them because my sibs etc are so hopeless most of the time.
The puppies providing much-needed joy and humor. It's been hard around here lately.
The handyman and org person. They're both so cheerful and nice.
The window hardware nightmare is over. It's been a thorn in my side for probably 18 years now.
The good physical health my children have, although my son has to go to a cardiologist today for his racing heart. I hope it's just anxiety.
I'm learning to roll with the punches when it comes to job rejections. I was hot shiz for 33 years and now, not so much. Maybe it's ageism, IDK, maybe it's because I'm competing with so many people for remote work. Wish I could retire or go on disability but I can't.
Hope. The sort of hope that belongs normally only to the very young: not hope of anything in particular, but just Hope, its very essence, huge, unfocused, as undefined and as ungraspable as eternity itself.
@Rose,
I hope the right job comes along where they recognize and appreciate everything you bring to the table.
(Not saying this is why it hasn't happened yet, but ageism is alive and well, even if it's illegal to discriminate on the basis of age. I've seen friends, and my hubby, confronted with it ).
I have no problem being cared for by nurses students, except for blood work. I am TERRIFIED of needles, especially blood work, so I need someone who is experienced and will get it the 1st time!!
My 5 thankful:
* looks like I'm getting paid for my vacation next week after all
* A vacation week next week!!!
* Public library buys all my suggested books, and in engligh too (I live in Quebec, where french is number 1, and I'm francophone, but I prefer to read in the original langage a book is written in)
* books!!! Books, books, books!
* a quiet neighborhood
Thankful the Rio Grande is rising and the bosque is beginning to flood. The wetland animals (turtles, fish, toads) are on the move as things “wake up”…
Thankful my Lady Banks’ Roses are blooming profusely after quite a spell of benign neglect on my part. Maybe less is more with some plants?
Thankful all my honeylocust trees have leafed out. I should have given them heavier doses of fertilizer last fall but … life got in the way and yet they’re doing okay. I promised them I’ll do better this autumn. They’re well over 30 years old and mature trees with large canopies are such a blessing, especially for the birds.
Speaking of birds, I’m thankful I found out some of them were nesting in my tall yuccas before I started taking out the dead seed stalks. Will wait for eggs to hatch and babies to fledge before tackling that chore.
Thankful I’ve had some (but still not enough) time to do the spring pruning and general cleanup. Still need to find someone(s) to come clear out some dead saltbush from the horse pasture.
Thankful my super energetic dog/personal trainer drags me outside several times a day for hikes and frisbee.
@JDinNM, I used to have a honey locust. I hated it with a white hot passion. It produced a zillion little honey locust trees all the time and they have THORNS. I shoulda chopped it down.
@Rose, That must have been a while ago, because there are thornless varieties now (have been for a few decades, including when I got mine 27+ years ago). I love them because they're beautiful when they fully leaf out and the leaves are so small that in the fall I don't even bother to rake. I just leave the leaves (sorry - sounds like Kristin @ Going Country's today's submission of "you can can") where they fall and they make for a water conserving mulch (important in this climate and less than optimal soil conditions).
@JDinNM, Ah. Our former house was a farmhouse and barn built in 1820. It came complete with an apple orchard, a black walnut and a pear tree, as well as the honey locust.
@Rose, My house came with a horse pasture that I didn't realize belonged with the house until after I closed. I closed first and when I was leaving the title company and the sellers were heading in, the husband said "We'll pick up the horses later today or first thing tomorrow." Huh?
I always say yes to student nurses. In fact, I was the "star" atypical Crohn's patient at a practice for a while, because that doctor, who's since retired, wanted students to see that not all patients exhibit textbook symptoms, and I don't, although I definitely have the disease. We went through a mini-course lecture each time, but I didn't mind, because I figured I was helping someone else who also didn't exhibit textbook symptoms, down the road.
My thanksgivings, which I missed last week due to my sister's visit.
1. I'm thankful for my sister's visit, of course. It was a good one, and her enjoyment of it, after the stress of losing her husband in March and the paperwork afterwards (still ongoing), made me happy.
2. I'm so thankful for the life of my brother-in-law who just died. Not my sister's late husband, but the husband of DH's late sister. My B-I-L adored my sister-in-law, whom he married when he and she both had grown children from first marriages. He never ceased to miss her. His children wrote an obituary that said how beloved by their dad my late sister-in-law was, which was so sweet of them. I've lost two B-I-L's in a very short time; both of them were greatly loved by their families, and that is a comfort to me.
3. I'm thankful that my daughters each hosted my sister and I for a meal at their homes. It was fun!
4. I'm so, so thankful that my new windows are in. Our weather has gotten warmer than usual (reaching into the 90's) but since I can OPEN MY WINDOWS now (did you hear me shout that?), the breezes are keeping my house cool enough to avoid air conditioning a while longer.
5. I'm thankful for an early Mother's Day present from Daughter #2 - garbage pickup! It's not sentimental or flowery, but it's practical, because we have no pickup out here in the county unless one contracts with a private company, so she did that for me. I was not going to pay for pickup as long as I can drive, and we've hauled our own trash off since the '70's. This will take some getting used to.
@JD, Sorry for your losses. And I think DD#2 chose an amazingly practical Mother's Day gift for you! Kudos to her!
@JD, I second all that Fru-gal Lisa said. The back-to-back losses of BILs must be so hard, but it's sweet that both gentlemen left such good memories behind them. And I'll bet a lot of moms would appreciate such a practical Mother's Day present.
Kristen - I know you are going to be a fantastic nurse!
When I was in graduate school, I got bit by a tick and went to the student health center when I noticed the bullseye rash around the bite location. The doctor diagnosed Lymes disease and asked if he could have other doctors and students come look at it since they rarely saw it. While showing off my hip area to strangers was awkward, it was worth it to help educate people on what the rash could look like.
Five Thankful Things:
1. Our 2-month-old grandson had a routine ultrasound on his hips to check for hip dysplasia because he was Frank breach. Thankful that the scan showed no signs of hip dysplasia! Also, thankful that the doctor gave us the results when the scan was done instead of having to wait for the pediatrician to report the results.
2. I'm thankful that I was able to take off work to go with my daughter to the ultrasound.
3. I'm thankful that after 2 years of looking at houses, we saw one yesterday that we loved. We put in an offer last night, but they had already received two offers after it being on the market for only one day. Fingers crossed our offer is the best one and will be accepted.
4. I'm thankful that we have enough money in savings to cover the earnest money and downpayment on the house if we win the bid.
5. I'm thankful that our current house is paid off so we could finance another house while we get ours ready to sell. Also helped us get pre-approved for a loan in less than an hour.
A pleasantly warm (but not hot) week!
Shorts and swim suits - what is not to like. I bought ice cream, to celebrate 🙂
@JNL, ice cream is a huge thankful, as it temperate weather!
I never mind taking the time for student medics to learn - and have actually found that you frequently get better care because whomever is supervising is paying close attention to making sure their students learn. I consider it an honor to have had my baby be the last baby delivered by a student OB before he qualified as a fully fledged consultant, even if my stitches were a little wonky.
The downside of this is that I have now watched student doctors give case histories on rounds so often that I do a pretty good job of giving one myself, and then get asked if I’m in the profession (I am not!)
My Mom has spent 30 days in the hospital in the three months. We worked with residents and student nurses. The last stay I asked for a hospitalist. I would take a student nurse over a "student" doctor any day. Nurses keep everything running. We had excellent nursing care. Doctors would be up acres without nurses.
@Susie Murphy,
I agree. I've always said that the nurses are more important than what doctor you have, when you're hospitalized. The doctor sticks his nose in your room once, maybe twice, a day. But it's the nurses who are in charge of your hour to hour care, and if they're not top-notch, you're in trouble!
Kristin, I forgot to wish you a happy birthday the other day, so happy belated b-day! Glad to hear you are making good progress in your nurse education; if I was in your hospital, I would certainly allow you to practice on me. Your patients are lucky to have you.
--I am thankful for your lovely nature photos, the next-best thing to being there. In fact, Women's World Magazine has said that even gazing at a pretty (nature) photo helps just as much as "nature bathing" (walking in nature) in terms of helping someone calm down. Bet you didn't realize you were providing therapy to your harried readers! (Oh, and thanks to the reader who posted the link to the historic homes--those were also the next-best thing to being there.) Also thankful for your blog, it takes the edge off of being alone.
--We had a tremendously severe thunderstorm this morning. Thankful that the lights stayed on, and that there appears to be no significant damage. (I haven't walked around back yet, but still...) Thankful for the heavy downpour; it will help our lake to stay full. Even more thankful that the rain stopped when I was needing to commute to work.
-- That my pink eye has cleared up. Rough going for several days!
-- Thankful I got to go out with the ladies at church this past Tuesday. Living alone, it's important to socialize even if it's not always frugal. Also thankful for the delicious fish dinner.
--for Medicare. I had been without insurance for many years, and it's nice to have doctor's visits, Rxes and treatments covered. (FYI, I'm on Humana Medicare Advantage here in Texas and would recommend it to others.)
--For free You Tube streaming on the internet. I was able to watch a Wednesday night praise service originating at a church 250 miles from my home, and it certainly lifted my spirits.
Not surprised that you are doing so well Kristen. 😉 Keep moving forward with your progress. Great job!
Thankful that teen making improvement. Slow but more steady. Was getting really nervous because teen not showing much progress except 4 days on steroids, which was end of first week. Still concerned as teen is still wabelly when walking & tired by middle of day (no exertion yet).
Thankful for indoor plumbing----specifically bathroom & washing machine.
Thankful for the sunshine----always!
Thankful for the warmer days. I am so ready for Michigan few of weeks spring & straight to summer. 🙂
Thankful that the Target employees were so kind & understanding when I had to exchange (instead of return) my new Hearth & Hand watering can. They were lind enough to go & sort through the watering cans & look for one that was completely welded together & put water in to check for leaks for me. Was so disappointed that original watering can leaked in 2 spots when went to immediately use after buying at store. The replacement works properly & this watering can is exactly what I have been looking for. 🙂
Thankful my yard is looking good & that my raised garden beds (potatoes & strawberry) are growing nicely. Will get conpost/dirt to get mint & blueberries planted (in large pots). And get other pots ready for flowers getting from teen class/school next week. Hopefully will start digging up & moving/transplanting other perineal flowers to flower bed instead of various areas.
- bird songs in the morning
- the end of the semester
- strong music instruction and support in my kids' school
- neighbors!
- time with my parents
You are rocking it out, Kristen! As for the advocacy piece--I find it easier to advocate for others than myself. Not surprised you are able to do that for your patients. It's good that you are getting practice now, because you will have a LOT of opportunities to do so as a professional. It's a daily (sometimes hourly) experience as a medical professional.
Moving on .... thankful for rain, which we desperately needed, and sunshine, which lifts my spirits. For a body that is able to hike and for multiple locations to hike. Thankful for my cute blue bike--I love it when exercise becomes fun.
1. So thankful to be back in our home even though there are boxes everywhere, only one fully functioning bathroom and chaos in general. We are home and that is a blessed relief.
2. We are headed on vacation as of this coming Saturday and will have a whole week of just us in paradise. This time is very much needed by all of us and I am so looking forward to it.
3. For angels that can provide care while I am away getting the much needed respite above.
4. For zipping up a size 10 pair of shorts this week with zero trouble. That felt so good I almost slept in those shorts.
5. Spring beauty in flowers, sunshine, green trees, the smell of wild honeysuckle in bloom, sunroof open, a road trip ahead with my favorite people. Life is good.
You are going to be a great nurse! It has been so fun watching you take this journey.
This week I'm thankful for rain -- it was getting really dry here.
For emerging seedlings -- the garden is on its way.
For the internet, which makes research so easy -- I remember having to drive to a distant library and request special books. Now I have instant access to almost everything. We're planning a trip at the end of May and I'm having so much fun researching our destination online.
For a neighborhood where people are friendly and caring.
For good health.
Thankfuls:
--For my growing garden. Last year was the worst year I have had in my entire gardening life, so I'm hoping this one will be better. If only we could get some rain . . .
--That my one child who has been struggling lately seemed okay this morning and got off to school without any drama. So much drama lately; so stressful for me.
--That we only have nine days of school after today. My children (well, my sons--my daughter would go to school all year if she could) are so over all of this, and so am I right now.
--For a really nice group of kids and parents in my son's First Communion class this year. Yesterday was the last day of class, and I took the opportunity to get the phone number of one mom who has a daughter around the age of mine. The girls go to different schools, but have met at various events and my daughter has been bugging me to play with this other girl for some time. This family lives right next to the park in one of the villages, so it's pretty low-pressure to just let them know we're going to the park if they want to meet us there sometime this summer. Also, that girl's older brother is my youngest son's age, so they can play together, too.
--For children who love to read. My husband and I are both big readers, and I thought it likely that at least one of our four children wouldn't be into it, but we're four for four, which makes me very happy.
@kristin @ going country, I used to pray that school would be extended to 6 days a week and go all year. I stopped saying that out loud because it won me no friends.
1. My mom is in escrow on a condo near by! (It’ll be nice to have her closer now that she’s alone)
2. My daughter got into the high school my son goes to, it’s where she wants to go!
3. My sweet husband.
4. Im thankful for doctors and surgeons(and nurses!) my step mom just found out she has breast cancer, and she is having surgery tomorrow. I’m grateful that hopefully this can be handled quickly. I’m going to stay positive.
Can I ask for help? Does anyone have any tips on supporting someone you love who’s going through chemo? I live 3,000 miles away from where she and my dad live. 🙁
@Caitlie, Not chemo but when I was very ill for a long time, I had a friend who sent me a card about once a week. They often featured sheep, which I love. I put them up around the bedroom so it would remind me that I was not forgotten and that someone loved me enough to go through all that trouble. She also sent emails and always ended by saying she did not expect an answer, she was just checking in. It was a relief not to feel like I had to work on emails when I was so exhausted or nauseated.
@Caitlie, Food delivery? A GC to UberEats or Instacart? Comfy lounge clothes? Nice candles? A soft throw for her couch?
When BFF was going through chemo for her third cancer, I sent her a necklace that spelled out BADASS in huge red letters. She returned it to me because she didn't feel badass, sigh. I do wear it often.
@Caitlie,
My former pastor Linnea used to tell us: "Many folks say, 'I'll pray for you, it's the least I can do.' But they are wrong. Prayer is the MOST they can do for another." Linnea has moved away, but I've never forgotten her lesson because it is so true. So I will say a prayer for your stepmother. Prayer is powerful!
Let us know your stepmom's first name and we can all put her on our prayer lists, the ones who have them, and pray for her during her surgery and chemo. If she's not the same person as the one getting the chemo, let us know the chemo patient's name and I'm sure lots of us will be willing to pray for both of them.
Aww, I'm so sorry to hear about your step mom, and I hope her treatment is quick and effective.
@Caitlie,
Hi so just started chemo for breast cancer this week (taxol). I would recommend looking at the small UK charity “little lifts” which does package of key items to help, to give you some ideas.
What I found is my favourite foods have changed (I suddenly don’t fancy chocolate). I am in some physical discomfort from side effects, brain fog (v frustrating) and can’t sleep properly. Also I am stuck at home mostly because of infection risk and because for the first 3days you are a bit toxic to others.
I needed to buy gloves to protect my hands from everything (indoor and outdoor), dark nail polish (to protect my nails from UV), expensive SFP 50 sunscreen, natural lip balm, herbal tea ginger/peppermint. New thooth paste (non abrasive, non whitening, etc), baby thooth brush and a water glosser. I have enjoyed nice fresh smelling things (candles, hand soap), good hand cream and moisturiser.
I have enjoyed none taxing distractions, Netflix, magazines and short chats on the phone. I also have treated myself to someone to help with the cleaning.
Flowers and plants which I normally love are a pain currently.
@Lindsey, those are great ideas. Thank you! A card or an email are so simple it feels almost too simple. But you’re right, I know she would love that. She is a person who sends cards. Thank you!
@Rose, you are a badass 🙂 I sent her a small bracelet with a mantra on the inside. I don’t know if shell wear it but I like the idea of sending her some strength she can wear is she needs a reminder.
Food gift cards are a great idea, thanks. That might help my dad too bc now he’s going to be the primary food maker…. I’m assuming.
@Fru-gal Lisa, you are so right. She’s only asked for prayer and I totally agree. Her name is Mary Lynne.
I think DOING something is as much for me as it is for her. I feel so helpless.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.
@Kristen, thank you so much! (Thanks for creating this safe space where I can share and ask for help, it’s such a blessing. <3)
@Effie, I’m so sorry you are going through this. I’m sending you so much love. Is it ok if I keep you in my prayers as well?
Thank you for all of those concrete examples. I’ll reference this comment as my step mom starts chemo. I know it can be so frustrating to have brain fog, and feel like you aren’t yourself. I hope you don’t have to have chemo for long and you start to feel like yourself again soon. Are you in the UK? I’m in Southern California, but maybe I can find a service like the one you mentioned. I’m thinking if not I’ll send my own care packages. Truly I’m sending you so much love. If I can pray for you in any particular way please mention specifics?
1. My cousin had a heart attack yesterday – his wife made him go to the ER (he was fighting through the pain) and that saved his life. He has a long road to recovery in front of him but he’s alive and will still be around for his two little girls.
2. We have had so much rain this week which is much needed after a winter with hardly any snow. The trees are exploding with new leaves and spring flowers are finally starting to show.
3. We were invited to attend a fundraiser this weekend! It’s for a cause we are excited to support (NICU family support) and we didn’t get tickets in time on our own but one of my husband’s clients invited us to join them at their table.
4. I’ve been on a good audiobook streak lately. More people are returning to work in our downtown area and my commute time is increasing. Good audio books make the commute tolerable.
5. I’m so thankful for my little family. Evenings with my husband and son are my favorite parts of my day.
@Geneva, A doctor once told me that married men have higher survival rates for heart attacks because their wives force them to go to the hospital. Good for your cousin's wife!
Not a Thankful Thursday, but I just had to share this. I have a friend who had a severely compromised urinary tract (and kidneys, etc.) caused by a combination of undiagnosed diabetes and prostate problems. He needed a catheter to keep fluids moving until surgery could be scheduled, and the head nurse asked him if he would mind a student watching the cath insertion. He said "Yes" without thinking about it too much. I came back to his room thinking the insertion would be finished to find his bed surrounded by the (male) head nurse and about six student nurses, all watching intently. PS it still makes me cringe even many years later.
I always let student nurses help!
I'm feeling a bit low this week but here are some things:
1. I'm thankful that my sister was able to visit.
2. I'm thankful for the sudden arrival of sunshine and hot weather.
3. I'm thankful to have more savings.
4. I'm really thankful that it's Friday tomorrow.
@Sophie in Denmark, Love your #4!
I'm thankful that for now I'm getting a good report on my dog...we will get the biopsy results next week, but the growth in one of her nostrils looks like a calcification or bone that has grown and not a tumor.
Also very thankful that one of my dearest friends for the past 20 years just happened to be in the same town where my dog was getting her test...so we were able to have lunch and see each other for a few hours. What a gift!
Thankful that my mom is healing from her pacemaker procedure and is feeling much better than she was before it was placed.
Thankful that I had bloodwork this week and it was all in the normal ranges...every year I wonder if that will change haha
and this past week I have just been thankful for our vehicles. They are older (a 2013 and 2014), but (knock on wood), they have no issues and we depend on them a lot!
I am especially grateful that my community, state and country are not being bombed. I can't even imagine what that would be like to live with that stress, fear and destruction.
@MB in MN,
oh my goodness, yes, yes, yes to all what you are saying!
"My" Ukrainians in Charkiv go through so much hardship almost every day AND night. It is so sad and horrifying and scary
The same can be said for student XR techs with one big exception: they are never ever alone doing any sort of exam or patient care. My eyeballs must be on them! They can do it all, except "set techniques" for XR exposures, but I must supervise them. This makes the clinical setting into a classroom of sorts and is the very best way that anyone in the medical field learns the ropes. A good student is almost a guaranteed new hire, because they are vetted by staff. Having said that:
*I am grateful for a job that allows me to help others, as well as myself. Grieving is made easier by getting out in the world to be useful and productive!
*Thankful for all of the rain we are getting - my trees and yards do appreciate it. ALSO, so happy we had this rainy spell well after I had the house painted.
*Thankful to have found a new therapist that seems like she will be able to offer me real help and guidance.
*Everyday I think "oh, my shrubs by the front door smell so beautiful as they bloom" and 10 out of 10 bees and butterflies seem to agree!
(:
I am in the minority here but I don't like to have student nurses in the room watching. I think it is a combination of just being tired of having strangers touch me and stare at me after years and years of coping with a birth defect, plus after all my surgeries I have a LOT of scars and I don't relish flashing them at people. I have had even fully trained nurses and docs, so one would think more exposed to battlefield bodies, make comments that are not amusing and only remind me of how horrid I look naked. "Wow, you must have been through the wars!" and "The docs who did this to you were butchers." and "You could have plastic surgery to make yourself look better." On bad days, I already have issues with not feeling like Frankenstein's monster...so now I just say no to having anyone extra in the room unless it is for something like looking at x-rays or explaining test results to me, times I am not unclothed and vulnerable.
@Lindsey, P.S., I am sure you would not be one of those people making rude comments!
@Lindsey, Those comments are simply awful! Ugh.
Aww, I think that's so understandable. And of course we respect whatever the patient's wishes are; that is paramount.
And I am so sorry that medical professionals have said hurtful things to you!
@Lindsey,
Wow, what terrible comments for medical professionals to make. I'm sorry you've had to endure that. They need to relearn Compassion 101.
I am thankful for having the next 4 days off. I’ve worked the last 5 and today and I’m really felling it physically, mentally and emotionally.
I’m thankful for a PT who has been kind and is working with me to maintain and build my strength and mobility.
I’m thankful for my Mom she always listens and lets me vent about work.
I’m thankful for food, clothes, car, roof over my head, and my job.
Many of my hospital doctor practice appointments include residents or fellows. Sometimes this has led to better/improved care. Other times it proves a distraction and interruption as my doctor is spending more time educating/talking to the resident or fellow as their professor. It's annoying because they end up spending less time engaging with you or communicating.
I have never had a situation with a trainee nurse however but I would be open to them.
It's encouraging to see people like yourself coming into the nursing profession. I believe your maturity and life experience (particularly as a parent) make you even more qualified to be in a profession that must include empathy, compassion as well as intellect and experience.
Nurses MUST advocate for patients and yes, it is hard to stand up to doctors (even we patients are often intimidated and I am not easily intimidated), but it must be done.
I can't count the times that nurses have count potential problems (serious and minor), have had to ask doctors to double-check a scrip or procedure, to my benefit.
You seem to enjoy learning and that is certainly a good quality as it will be important all through your career.
Congrats on how far you've gotten and how much you have achieved. It is truly inspiring.
Enjoy your time off! Don't try to do everything you didn't get done. Allow some real downtime for yourself!
I'm thankful that I got to spend some time with family for my birthday earlier this week. It doesn't happen often these days, everyone is so busy.
I'm thankful that the weather is nice enough to open the windows today, especially because we just had the bathtub refinished and it smells awful.
I'm thankful that my two shy, anxious cats are handling things like birthday parties and people working on the house better than they used to.
This week I'm thankful:
* that today's weather is so nice! Our dryer broke within the last 24 hours, but I was able to line dry 3 loads outside today.
* that I get to see my daughter's play tomorrow! I never thought I'd be a theater mom, but my 10yo is loving it and I'm really looking forward to seeing the shows.
* that our awesome theater director makes it so possible to do. The rehearsal times have been reasonable (not a historical thing with other directors) and they performed it for the student body yesterday, then gave the kids the night off so they could get a good night of sleep before they perform tonight. So smart! I'm thankful that she understands what the kids need.
* that my 5yo at home is so helpful. We get to tackle all kinds of things - some fun, some less fun, but she's very go-with-the-flow and makes it enjoyable.
* for the chance to get mostly back into my normal exercise routine.
* for the many people who are coming to see my daughter perform. Plenty of people from church and around town and I'm thankful for our community.
I am thankful for coffee. It fights headaches and is delicious.
I am thankful to be so well rested. Baby girl doesn't roll over but she is a champion sleeper.
I am thankful for a reprieve from a work task I hate.
I am thankful that my Dad went to three different Costcos to track down the infant formula we use.
@Rebekah in SoCal, what a great thing your dad did going to find you baby formula. It is a little scary that we are going to multiple stores to find common/every day items we use. Availability & costs are becoming a reality---hoefully not like Covid times.
I'm thankful for ....
- My oldest child's love of books, for my middle child's creativity, and my youngest child's playfulness.
- The time alone I have with my husband. More time to cherish one another and to be reminded not to take it for granted.
- The ability to be a stay at home wife and mother. God has blessed us greatly by giving my husband a job that allows me to stay home. It's been a real blessing this year with all 3 kids in school for the first time which gave me more time to focus on self-care, home management and hobbies like volunteering and commenting on this blog 🙂
- The spring rain. There's something soothing and calming about it. My favorite part is taking a nap or reading a book while it's raining.
- That I got to read and enjoyed the book, The Wizard of Oz, that my mother in law gifted to me from my late father's in law library. I like knowing that he held it once and read it to his children and hopefully, one day I will do the same.
I, too, am thankful for people who allow students to work with them in healthcare settings. I was once a green OT student, and I learned so much from hands-on experience. My daughter is 2 months from finishing her pediatric residency and people who donated their bodies to cadaver anatomy, actors who allowed her to practice even invasive physical exams, and patients she worked with in medical school and residency all helped her become. I am a really easy needle stick for blood draws, so I'm always happy to let phlebotomy students do it because they will have a positive experience.
Today I parked in front of a milkweed bush at a store. I saw a bird land on a stalk, and sink down slowly as if he was in an elevator as the stalk bent. I'm grateful for the amusement. He sat there for a moment with an expression that said "what just happened?" And then he hopped up to a sturdier stalk.
I'm grateful for all the people I encounter in my work. Yesterday an unhappy client called me because it looked like I missed an important thing in her work, but it turned out I had done everything correctly, but the agency who received the paperwork didn't update their website to show it was complete. Because I have a good relationship with the agency, they were happy to find the problem and correct it for me. And mostly I'm thankful because I wasn't the one who messed up!
I'm thankful for some extra cash to go for a rare lunch out, because we haven't restocked our pantry and fridge after Passover and there wasn't much for breakfast this morning.
I'm so thankful I put the AC units in the windows last weekend. My classroom is so hot and muggy, but at least my house is not and I don't even care about waiting as long as possible to turn on the AC this year. It was just way too hot way too early this year, but just two little window units do an excellent job of cooling off the whole house.
I am thankful for: 1. The ability to still be working despite numerous health issues at 63. 2. By still working, I am able to send my 21 yr old nephew a little bit of grocery money to help as he settles in in being on his own 400 miles from home. 3. Decent weather here in California where I can leave windows open overnite to cool the house. 4. Good friends. 5. My beloved rescue dog. She is the Best.
Thankful things today.
1. birdsong
2. cool/warm weather
3. rain this week
4. several nights of good sleep
5. a successful science project for my class
I live in opposite land of most - better half is regimented for doctor visits, I am not. Never had much use for doctors, even at a young age. Add being held hostage for birth control and wing nut ob-gyn (who I dumped as soon as I could). Not fond of medical trainees except if it was for a pregnancy termination. That situation never presented itself for me, mother nature ensured the miscarriage was complete. I'd give a phlebotomist trainee a stick or two - good ones are rare as hen's teeth. Nurses - 50/50 odds. You utter the words "doctor says" and you are immediately on my excrement list. Doctor has something to say, s/he should say it to me directly, not through a third party.
Due to mywork schedule, it is mother's day weekend so out of town kiddo is in town. We avoid Cinco de Mayo - little to no opportunity to chat with the owners/employees of the restaurant. Mother's Day is almost as bad convo wise but both are great business days.
Kristen:
I get my health care through a University health care system and the University physicians. Most also have connections with the Medical Education & Nursing Educations.
I am happy to have med students, nursing students and also imaging, physical therapy and other med specialties students involved in my care, both as an inpatient and at the Clinics and my primary care physicians office.
My daughter has her BSN and has been caring for patients since her high school part-time job at a nursing home.