String's Atkin's Journal (Please Comment)

[wilderness01]

Hope you get some much needed rest. Really when you have more than 1 child and you get adjusted, it does get easier so that you don't even realize the difference anymore between 1, 2 or 3. At least I don't, except maybe for today when I have to strip all their beds and wash the sheets. Have a good day.

 

[DoeWDW]

Dear Beth, what a wonderful friend you are! If I were in your friend's circumstance - needed to be hospitalized when DH was away - I know there are only a few people I would entrust my children to. While your friend is healing, it must be a relief for her to know that her kids are in good hands. Don't forget to let her watch Katie for you sometime when you really need a break, OK?

I pray you get a nap - if anyone deserves one, it's you!

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Beth all hope all is well, hope you catch up on your sleep soon!
Take care Tracey XX

 

[LAinSEA]

Beth:

What a saint and wonderful friend you are to take care of your friend's children in their time of need. Even small children can feel and react to their parents' stress and I'm sure that is why it is so difficult for them.

I do hope that all your tests come back with no issues. Being female is plain old just no fun sometimes. My DH is like your Won when not feeling well. I'm like you, I just work through the discomfort until I just collaspe.

When you a chance to "nap", please have one for me also...

-Laurie

 

[Strings]

Well, I weighed in. I'm holding steady at 215. I haven't done as much exercise this week, so I'm just happy that it isn't a gain.

I'm headed to the Y this AM. After lunch, a short nap. I need to finish up laundry. I'm not working tonight, so Katie and I are meeting my parents for dinner and shopping. My Mom wants to get Katie her holiday dress.

When Won gets home from his poker fundraiser, we need to have a serious talk about division of labor. During the week he is responsible for dishes. Well, when I go back to work fulltime that is changing. AND HE ACTUALLY HAS TO DO HIS CHORES!
I need to get us organized for the day. I'll check in periodically.
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Holiday dress shopping??? I bet Katie will look just like a !! Enjoy your "girls' night out"!

I agree on the division of labor!

Best wishes for a wonderful Friday!

 

[sharoncity]

Hey Beth! Sorry the scale didn't go down for you. I certainly know how THAT feels! But hang in there. As you said, you were a little short on the exercise this week. Step it up a notch and increase the water next week and I bet you'll see some results!

Have fun shopping tonight! I am glad you don't have to work after the week you've had. Make sure to get your rest though as I assume you are on tomorrow night, right?

Have a great weekend!

TTFN-
Sharon

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Beth,

Dress shopping sounds like a lot of fun! I hope you have a great time.

Don't worry too much about the scale. This has been a week of change for you while you took care of your friend's kids. You'll be back in your routine soon and that scale will cooperate!

Have a great Friday!

Tracy

 

[Strings]

Dress shopping was fun last night. Katie really got into it. There was a 3-way mirror in the hallway, and the place was deserted. She would get on a dress, walk down the hallway and pose in front of the mirror. It was hilarious. She decided on the dress, with some gentle prodding from MiMi and Mommy. It is burgandy with pink flowers embroidered on the bodice. There is a full skirt and sash with a floral bow. She looks darling in it. Best of all, it is machine washable.

I got an upset tummy after dinner last night. Boy, did I sound like a 2 year old there. I was up until about 2AM. H (no D today) wasn't home yet, so no talk last night. He was going to take Katie to swim lessons, but he's too tired. Poor baby.(Note voice dripping in sarcasm.) He will be getting up when we get back, and he will know that I am not happy. I am boiling over right now. This was supposed to be my day off. I will be taking a nap this afternoon before my 16 hour shift.

I need to go. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Beth

 

[Tera]

Beth - First thing... BREATH!! Inhale... exhale...inhale... exhale

I bet Katie will look darling in her new dress. I miss those days when my girls could wear matching Christmas dresses and looked so cute. Now they want more big girl type dresses

You sit that DH of yours down and tell him you need some help. You can't and you shouldn't have to do it all your self. And let him know for your sanity and his life, he better help

 

[sharoncity]

Hi Beth!

I hope your talk with DH went well! Sometimes they can be so clueless!

How was the rest of your weekend? I know you are probably exhausted this AM! But remember, lets get back to that exercise routine and lots of water so we can get that scale to cooperate!! I know YOU can do it Beth!

TTFN-
Sharon

 

[Strings]

WARNING HUGE RANT!
Well, I made it through another weekend. I am going to complain again about work. I DO like my job. In the fall the acuity goes way up, and we are stressed. I am also going to state that I am one of the better nurses on the unit. I am able to prioritize, know what needs to be done, won't just take a doc's orders without questioning them, and then I do it. I am also able to deal with difficult patients and families. I also work the off shift when MDs aren't plentiful, so the fact I can gedt things done is important. That said, I am the one who gets those patients on a regular basis. It isn't fair, but that is the way it is. I walked in, and my boss says, "Ok, I know you had a rough weekend last week, but I need YOU to take this patient. Oh, btw you'll be in charge. We're short 2 nurses for midnights. We're full, there are three patients from the Er on the list. We also have 16 vents. ( meaning 16 of 18 beds have high acuity)" Thanks. I mean it. I am so glad I showed up 45 minutes early. I managed to get coverage for midnights, get 1 patient ordered to stepdown, so we could take 1 of the ERs. I was on the 11PM news with blood on my shirt ands face. I was an absolute mess. I still don't know how they snuck in the hospital. Of course her parting words were, see you in court. The second I got the body to the morgue, I got the 2nd ER. He was crashing, but I got him to cath lab. He's ok. In my 16 hour shift I never got a break, only ate 1 string cheese, peed twice. One of my male coworkers, who ran away when the family started throwing punches then made a joke. Beth Beth the Angel of Death. I let him have it. YES I had 3 patients die on me in the last 2 weeks, BUT if he were more competent, maybe he could have handled one of those patients instead of me. I told him that I was the one that had people trying to hit me while he was in the corner pissing himself. It probably took him all week to come up with his pathetic joke, and the next time he has a problem, DON"T come to me to fix it. Not my best moment. Apparently he told my boss what I said, so I got pulled into the office that morning. Once she heard what I had dealt with and his comment (which he didn't share) she was pissed. He will be torn to shreds, but not fired.

No wonder I ended up with a migraine. I slept all day, getting up to have some eggs. I then went back to bed.

Katie is sick, again. I will do my WATP this afternoon. I have been OP for food. I am still upset about work. Won wants me to quit, but that solves nothing.

I need to go play with Katie.

Take care and thanks for letting me RANT.
Beth

 

[traceycooper]

Oh dear Beth, what a weekend
I hope spending time with your daughter will help you to wind down and that Katie is feeling better soon.
Take care of you and take a few big breaths before you go back to work!!
Tracey XX

 

[lulu201]

Oh, Beth--that's almost too much to bear. Can I come over and kick that male coworker in the you know where? Beth, take some deep breaths and say some healing prayers and I'll do the same on your behalf, and please take some time to enjoy the smile of that beautiful little girl of yours. On glance at her and you'll remember what's important in this life.

Hugs, dear Beth--
Erin

 

[Strings]

Well, I just got a call from legal. The family is filing a $50 million lawsuit against city of Dearborn and Oakwood hospital. I need to go in and talk to legal dept Wednesday while Katie is in school. Ugh. Just to be on the safe side, I am deleting part of my previous post.

Thanks Erin, but I think I did a pretty good job of emasculinating him myself.

I feel much better having typed it out. Very therapuetic. I just wish I didn't need to delete it.

 

[wilderness01]

I'm so sorry you had to deal with all that. We wonder why there is a nursing shortage? Nurses are their own worst enemy and so unkind to one another. Don't worry about your comments to your coworker, he had it coming. You could approach your boss on your workload and insist that he get more training so he can handle the higher acuity patients. That would help you out on your shifts and serve him right! Take it easy this week. Hope Katie feels better.

P.S. I know you love your job and I love mine, but sometimes it is just too much to bear isn't it?

P.S.S. MI = Myocardial Infarction. The technical term for Heart Attack for anyone who is wondering.

edit: I hope the mom was just blowing smoke by saying see you in court. How can they have a court case when he swallowed the crack on his own free will? You did nothing wrong, so try not to stress.

 

[DoeWDW]

Dear Beth, how I wish I could help ease your burdens. You ARE a good nurse, and you're right, that's why you get the tough cases on a regular basis. I hope everything turns out ok with legal but try not to stress over it. I'll keep you and the situation in my prayers.

Katie's dress sounds just beautful! Wonderful to hear you and your mom and Katie had a good time picking it out.

I hope things have straightened out with Won. Maybe he just needs a written list of expectations. I know my family will help if I assign specific chores but if I wait for them to notice what needs done, forget it.

I'm sending good thoughts and blessings your way!

 

[LAinSEA]

Beth:

I thought that there is a federal privacy law that keeps the media out of hospitals. I know in our area, hospitals will not release any info to the media regarding condition etc. even if the person is a "public figure". Certainly, they are not allowed into the hospitals with TV cameras - they must stay outside and camp out at the door. Maybe that is just a Washington State law.

You have an extremely difficult job and you are quite good at handling it. My sis went through a legal hassle a few years back (and was terminated over it as the "sacrificial lamb"). People have health problems and those health problems cause death. It is part of life. There is only so much a doctor or nurse can do when someone has presented with life-threatening problems...medical professionals are not superhuman, they aren't wizards, they can only do their best. And because of the never-ending shortage of doctors and nurses, those who are working are forced to work in conditions where mistakes are made. Heaven knows that I don't want to have to make a decision in my job after working 15 1/2 hours straight and I don't have to make life and death decisions.

Beth, document, document, document. Talk to your union representative or ombudsman and if possible have them attend this legal meeting with you. Do not answer anything that you are uncertain of...no guesses. I know that you have always done your best and are able to communicate clearly, I just worry that the system that often finds it better to settle than to fight will cover their own behind and not yours.

-Laurie

 

[Strings]

Hi Laurie,

There is a HIPPA law. We can't share any info with anyone but family, and then only if the patient agrees to it. We also don't allow cameras into the hospital, but they got in without invite. The pictures of the patient were taken with a cellphone (also not allowed) by the father. I was on camera telling the news crew they had to leave and I would be happy to contact administration AND security. They managed to get in the unit because the family bsted the door.

My hospital isn't unionized. I am not really worried about my position. I KNEW this was going to court, and I documented EVERYTHING. Every word, action, and order. I definately know how to cover my very big behind. They are really going after the police department. We're secondary.

Thank you so much for the suggestions, Laurie. " I do not recall. Please look at the documentation." Will be my standard response. If it is not documented, then it didn't happen. It is so sad that is the 1st thing nurses learn.

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Beth

I am so sorry that you have to go through this on top of everything else. I pray that the Lord will give you strength as you go through this situation.

I think you need a vacation. Any chance you can sneak one in before next year?

Please Beth, make sure that you are taking very good care of you.

Try and have a great Tuesday!

Tracy