Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tempus Fugit
Tempus Fugit, or "time flies".
In the past I've faced death many times. I've seen numerous patients come, heal, or go not-so-gently into the good night. I've had patient's put on comfort measures, or picked up by Hospice care.
I've lost both grandfathers and one grandmother. I've lost my own father. I've lost friends and former boyfriends. I've lost my best friend's mothers and aunts.
Death is not a stranger.
But I still hate his @$$. Not really though. Death is a natural part of life and I know it, but damn, it still hurts.
No, my grandmother Genie has not passed away. She's fiesty as ever.
I agreed to do some PRN (extra work on top of my regular job) work for a local hospital. Just a few hours a week, pick up some extra money for my new-to-me car payment. This is a facility speciallizing in fragile, vent-dependent patients and the like. One-on-one care only. Some still on so many lines and monitors it's hard to move them. I love it.
"S" and "L" are the OT's there. I was asked to help cover "L's" 3 week vaction home. Home is South Africa for her, so therefor it's not a short trip. No problem. "S" is very nice and very organized and there is no problem.
Until Tuesday when I get the call that "S" has gone unresponsive and had a major bilateral subarachnoid hemmorhage. She's 42. Wife and mother of three - a third grader, a kindergartener and a 6 month old she was still breastfeeding.
Today they took her off the vent. There had been at least three separate types of tests and none showed any brain activity. Her organs have been donated.
I'm reeling. First, "S" wasn't much older than myself. Second, all the work on me has exploded, because now it's only PRN staff covering until they can find some more help. Third, oh that poor family and those babies!!!! Fourth - through however many there can be ... while I barely knew "S" personally, I liked her. I knew people who liked her a lot. And while it's not a friend or family, or even a patient, it has hit me on the blindside.
What to say? Not much.
Life is fragile, and even those of us who are aware of that can be thrown for a major loop.
Time doesn't stand still, it flies ... and it doesn't care whose path it crosses or who it throws off course.
Sorry this is a down kind of post,
God bless and keep you,
Lola
In the past I've faced death many times. I've seen numerous patients come, heal, or go not-so-gently into the good night. I've had patient's put on comfort measures, or picked up by Hospice care.
I've lost both grandfathers and one grandmother. I've lost my own father. I've lost friends and former boyfriends. I've lost my best friend's mothers and aunts.
Death is not a stranger.
But I still hate his @$$. Not really though. Death is a natural part of life and I know it, but damn, it still hurts.
No, my grandmother Genie has not passed away. She's fiesty as ever.
I agreed to do some PRN (extra work on top of my regular job) work for a local hospital. Just a few hours a week, pick up some extra money for my new-to-me car payment. This is a facility speciallizing in fragile, vent-dependent patients and the like. One-on-one care only. Some still on so many lines and monitors it's hard to move them. I love it.
"S" and "L" are the OT's there. I was asked to help cover "L's" 3 week vaction home. Home is South Africa for her, so therefor it's not a short trip. No problem. "S" is very nice and very organized and there is no problem.
Until Tuesday when I get the call that "S" has gone unresponsive and had a major bilateral subarachnoid hemmorhage. She's 42. Wife and mother of three - a third grader, a kindergartener and a 6 month old she was still breastfeeding.
Today they took her off the vent. There had been at least three separate types of tests and none showed any brain activity. Her organs have been donated.
I'm reeling. First, "S" wasn't much older than myself. Second, all the work on me has exploded, because now it's only PRN staff covering until they can find some more help. Third, oh that poor family and those babies!!!! Fourth - through however many there can be ... while I barely knew "S" personally, I liked her. I knew people who liked her a lot. And while it's not a friend or family, or even a patient, it has hit me on the blindside.
What to say? Not much.
Life is fragile, and even those of us who are aware of that can be thrown for a major loop.
Time doesn't stand still, it flies ... and it doesn't care whose path it crosses or who it throws off course.
Sorry this is a down kind of post,
God bless and keep you,
Lola
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
"There are flowers in my torture chamber"
One of my new favorite lines. I won't say much since many have not yet read the new Laurell K. Hamilton book MISTRAL'S KISS.
I was disappointed it wasn't longer. I was disappointed not to see the Shining Court or the Goblin Court. But I was excited to see the Sluagh and the Wild Magics. All in all, it fed my interest and I finished the new book very quickly. Too quickly perhaps? Maybe a second read-through is in order ... hmmmmm.
Finished a knitting project. A scarf to which (for the first time) I added crocheted bead work to the ends. I'm not really sure I care for it at all. I'm going to try blocking the ends and then take a look. We'll see.
Later y'all,
Lola
PS. The line is actually paraphrased, I think the origninal is something like "a field of flowers", but you get the idea.
I was disappointed it wasn't longer. I was disappointed not to see the Shining Court or the Goblin Court. But I was excited to see the Sluagh and the Wild Magics. All in all, it fed my interest and I finished the new book very quickly. Too quickly perhaps? Maybe a second read-through is in order ... hmmmmm.
Finished a knitting project. A scarf to which (for the first time) I added crocheted bead work to the ends. I'm not really sure I care for it at all. I'm going to try blocking the ends and then take a look. We'll see.
Later y'all,
Lola
PS. The line is actually paraphrased, I think the origninal is something like "a field of flowers", but you get the idea.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Holiday Eating Tips
A friend sent me this, and she is a true friend indeed ... especially since I went to a holiday party last night. I violated the carrot rule, but that's about it!
Holiday Eating Tips:
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday
buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where
they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year
but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories
in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
eggnog-aholic or something. It's a trea t. Enjoy it. Have one
for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole
point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on.. Make
a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with
skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic
transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort
to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots
of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now
and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which
you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
10-pound plate of fo od and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet
table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have
as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of
each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have
more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with
the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all
cost. I mean, have SOME standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave
the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is
just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in
one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and
screaming,
"WOO HOO what a ride!"
Holiday Eating Tips:
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday
buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where
they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year
but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories
in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
eggnog-aholic or something. It's a trea t. Enjoy it. Have one
for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole
point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on.. Make
a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with
skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic
transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort
to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots
of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now
and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which
you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
10-pound plate of fo od and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet
table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have
as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of
each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have
more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with
the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all
cost. I mean, have SOME standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave
the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is
just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in
one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and
screaming,
"WOO HOO what a ride!"
