The Unofficial Chatterbox Thread! Everyone is Welcome!

[MotoXPrincess99]

Hello!
New to the chatterbox thread, decided it was time I stopped lurking 'round these parts.

My name is Cristabel and I'm a Disneyland AP holder. I go to Cal State Fullerton, which is very close to DL, so I'm blessed to be able to go frequently.

Hi Cristabel!

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Christina- I hope things work out for you and your DH with his whole work situation. I know that must be really stressful and it sounds like quite the headache.

Cristabel- Hello and

I got some shoes at Payless yesterday. They have a buy one get one 1/2 off sale. I decided to pimp my shoes.

 

[funnygarcia]

They came, they fiddled with the computer part of the cycler and they left.
The "Genie" screens have not been delivered yet.

Now Eloy will have to tinker with schedules and transportation to come into the clinic for training. I guess they changed their mind and want to have him "on" the machine to show him how to use the screen, they won't come to our house which to me makes more sense as that is where he will be using the device.

 

[toocherie]

Hi all--just stopping by to tell Rochelle that she did a GOOD THING by changing her phone number! Way to go!

Cheryl

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Whoo hoo! We've being having lots of visiters over here lately.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Hi all--just stopping by to tell Rochelle that she did a GOOD THING by changing her phone number! Way to go!

Cheryl

Thanks Cheryl

 

[Stacerita]

That sounds nice. I think it's always so great when someone that is caring is in an authoritative role because I think it's quite rare. Hopefully the changes will all be good ones, for the best!

I know. Some in this field tend to be more about money and the bottom line, so its so refreshing to have someone in charge who really wants the patients put first.

 

[kelmac284]

Good morning everyone and happy Wed!

Glad to see that this week is going rather quickly as I was not looking forward to the first week back after break. Of course me not having gone to work yet prob made the difference LOL. The only bad part is my mom is leaving for Mexico for a week on Fri and I really need to get in there before she leaves to go over everything with her because I always have to "hold down the fort" both at work and their home while they are gone.

SOOOO I am hoping I will feel better by tomorrow and go in then!

Yesterday I did go to my doc and he suggested trying a different med for the time being till I can get things levelled off and then going back to what I was doing but I spoke with a friend of mine about a procedure that might help me so I am going to discuss it with him when I have my follow up. He also sent me for some blood work and what a pain in the butt THAT was. The lab was completely full and I couldn't even sit down which was not good because I have been feeling really weak and faint. Then they had 2 phlebotomists and after being there only a few mins one went to lunch! STUPID. I think that is really unprofessional to leave and go to lunch with SO many people waiting. It makes it hard on the one that is left AND hard on all the poor people waiting!

And of COURSE once she left it died down and by the time they got to me (an hour later) no new people were coming in! ALWAYS seems to work that way LOL.

Anyway I took my new meds this morning so we shall see if it helps. I sure hope so because I NEED to get in to work and the girls have a GS meeting tomorrow night that I need to take them to. So we shall see.

Rochelle I wanted to say that I totally understand what you are going through. Remember me talking about the stages of grief? Well I believe one of the first is denial and I think you are def in that stage. Even though your head knows what is going on your heart is still in denial and rationalizing is also one of the stages or bargaining I can't remember but the point is is that we keep hoping that maybe they will see how much they can't live without us and get their head out of their butt. But your head knows the right thing to do and the phone was the first step in the right direction. Hun believe me I KNOW how hard this is and don't beat yourself up when you take a step back!! It is totally normal to have mixed feelings but just try to stay strong and like I said keep as busy as possible. Keep doing your crafts, go to Disney and spend LOTS of time with friends and family. Don't be alone much if you can help it cuz that leads to melancholy feelings. ((Hugs)) and Love the shoes by the way!!

Bernice what a pain about your machine! I hope you get it all worked out and he gets the new one soon!!

I am just planning to take it easy again today and HOPE this new medicine starts working and then hopefully will go in to work tomorrow.

Not much going on otherwise. Poor shane has had to take up making dinner and taking the girls to swim the last few days as I have just not felt up to it. I may or may not go tonight depending on how I feel but hopefully DEF tomorrow.

The girls are having a bit of a tough time getting back in the routine but I think they are enjoying it and will def get better once they get a few weeks in!

Take care everyone and talk soon!

 

[Stacerita]

Morning everyone! Today I have a sit down with the CEO to go over my questions and concerns. Looking forward to this time to really see where he stands and see how much support my department and people can expect from him. So lets hope that goes smoothly.

As far as workers leaving for lunch when the place is crowded, not the worker or the company's fault. Thank the stats of California. They have regulations in place that force workers to take their lunch by a certain time or else the company gets a monetary penalization. The last hospital I worked for was really by the letter and I was forced to send my employees to lunch even if we were busy. The state thinks they know how to run the medical field more than those working in it. This applies to nurses as well.

DD14 is still in DC. She gets home on Friday. I've gotten only a few texts from her this entire week. She doesn't miss us at home at all though. But she is having a great time and is loving every minute of it. Her best friend even sent me some picture text of them in "jail" at Jamestown. Too cute.

Im supposed to be taking my nephews to DLR in a few weeks, but just found out late last night that I might have to move it to this Saturday Not what I wanted. But because my brother only gets them every other weekend, and things have come up, it might end up being this weekend, or not till summer! Oh well. I told them I would take them.

Whoa....didn't mean to get all bloggy here. Hate when I write too much. Makes me think everyone will stop reading after the first paragraph like I do sometimes. hahaha

Have a great day!

 

[kelmac284]

And again that is why I HATE this state. They do everything so bassakwards! Believe me if I could afford to move I would!

I mean that is why when you go to the ER you are sitting there for HOURS on end and not being seen. It is pathetic. Yesterday alone I overheard one poor woman who had been fasting for 17 hours and another woman who worked downtown (I was in Folsom so it was a WAYS away) who had brought in her elderly father and not only was she EXTREMELY late for work because of them making her wait but he had severe back problems and it was not good for him to be sitting that long.

If they have those rules then perhaps they should have more than 2 phlebotomists so that if one goes to lunch there are 2 on at all times. Having just 1 in a busy place like a lab is just crazy to me. I used to have a standing order (which for those non-medical people means I had to go get my blood drawn every week) and those labs are constantly packed. I don't know what their reasoning is but it doesn't take THAT long to do a blood draw and it would be SO much more efficient if they had enough people.

But I guess I shouldn't expect any less from this stupid state. They are so screwed up and their priorities right now suck!

 

[funnygarcia]

We have our own way to get around the issue of waiting for lab draws or worrying if they will screw up the few good veins left.....

We draw them at home ourselves.

As part of home hemo, Eloy has weekly lab draws and monthly pre/post dialysis draws. We have all the tubes, vaccutainers and centrifuge. Spin down, refrigerate, schedule fed ex pick up, pack it in a special box with freezer pack -- off it goes to a central lab in Florida.

I couldn't imagine having to go to lab each week, big hassle!

Hope you feel better with your new med soon.

I'm off to the library to return a book and find a few more.. Have a good day!

 

[toocherie]

We have our own way to get around the issue of waiting for lab draws or worrying if they will screw up the few good veins left.....

We draw them at home ourselves.

Have a good day!

Ugh. I hate having blood taken. It is my nightmare--mostly because one time when I was 10 they stuck me 17 times. I am not an easy stick! Was it hard to learn how to do it at home? (not that I ever would!)

I also wanted to update you all that Melody's daughter Becky had her baby on Monday and is doing well--it was a little boy--his name is Luca!

 

[funnygarcia]

Thanks for the update! I love that name


.. mmm Luka, skip Mc Dreamy.. gimme Luka ... okay so I really miss ER

------------------------

More than you need to know.. but I'm bored tonight.



We don't have to stick any veins for the blood draws. He has an AV fistula for dialysis (deep artery and vein sewn together and brought closer to the skin surface - his is located in his upper arm, most people have it in forearm).

He uses "buttonhole" technique where he uses a somewhat blunt needle (14 gauge, about the size of the ink cartridge in a stick pen) to puncture the same site for each treatment. Over time the tissue develops a channel, similar to an ear piercing.

He does his own needle placement, I just act as his tourniquet by pressing down on his arm across the fistula to "pump it up".

The needle sets have attached tubing with a screw off cap. I twist the cap to release the blood into the tubing, clamp, take off the cap, slip on the vaccutainer (no needle), unclamp and push the tubes into the vaccutainer to collect blood.
Lavender are tiny, just refrigerate. Green tops - spin and fridge. SST (red with black speckles) need to clot for 30 and then spin.

The hard part is remembering to get it all in the fridge! I seem to forget one or two until later. I guess there is enough preservatives that it can handle being room temp for a little while as the labs have been screwy only once.. the time I left it out overnight.

As for me, I only have one arm that is good for lab sticks and IVs. Tiny veins, they can be felt but don't pop up to visualize. Made for a challenge for transplant donor workup.. pin cushion and pee bottle filler.. fun times, good memories. : rotfl:

Eloy thinks its hilarious that he is now part Irish/English/Finnish white and female .. a small now diseased part.. but still.

 

[kelmac284]

To Mel if you see this CONGRATS! I bet you are so excited and can't wait to see pics of the new little one!!!

Bernice you could def prob go into the medical field if you wanted. You sound VERY knowlegeable on the subject!

That's great that you can do so much for your dh without him having to rely on outside help so much!

These meds are helping a bit and I am feeling a little better. My mom and dad are going to Mexico tomorrow so I have to go in to work whether I feel up to it or not because I need to go over everything with mom before she leaves. Unfortunately her business has been in the red for a LONG time so we have to do some creative book keeping and it is REALLY confusing. My mom holds checks and on and on to make things clear and she is really the only one who ever truly knows what the bank balance is because what it says in the bank and on my ledger sheets is never truly right. SOOO it is always stressful to me when she is gone for a week or more because obviously I have to pay the bills and when the books are showing a negative balance it makes me nervous!

Plus we have some really complicated escrows that she sometimes has to help me figure out how to cut the checks as well as our quarterly taxes are due this month while she is gone and we fired our CPA and this is the first time I am going to have to deal with it by myself since we switched to quickbooks. So I am more than a little stressed about it.

Plus I have to handle her phone/clients and her house while she is gone. So her going on vacation always is quite stressful for ME! Not to mention that I am still not feeling well and the girls are now knee deep in swim every night etc. So I will be glad when this next week and a half is over!!

Tomorrow night we have a girl scout meeting and then shane has to work all weekend but he is taking the girls to a girl scout bowling event sat night so that should be fun for them. It is a father/daughter thing and they don't do a lot of those so I am glad for them. We haven't done much at all this year so it will be nice! Otherwise not much else on the agenda. We may try to go see the Dragon movie since we never made it last week but we shall see.

That's bout it for me. I hope everyone has a great day and has some fun weekend plans!!

 

[Stacerita]

Looking forward to another wonderful day!! Hope everyone has a good one too!

 

[staley7580]

Gah... I have been so busy getting ready for this trip! Isnt it amazing that the trip will only be a week and a half long... and yet it is taking me months to get ready for it?? I am going to order groceries.. The twins need thier milk, and I dont want to run the risk of not being able to find lactose free milk at our resort.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Gah... I have been so busy getting ready for this trip! Isnt it amazing that the trip will only be a week and a half long... and yet it is taking me months to get ready for it?? I am going to order groceries.. The twins need thier milk, and I dont want to run the risk of not being able to find lactose free milk at our resort.

Hi Staley,

I didn't know the twins were lactose intolerant. I'm sure you will find it for them. Wow, your trip is coming up fast!

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Hello Everyone, hope you are having a good day. I can't believe it's Thursday already Crazy! I am feeling a lot better since changing my cell phone #. I think it's taken some stress off of myself and just doesn't cause me to wonder if he will contact me or not.

I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow. She has helped me so much and I thank God for her...I really do. I found her through my list of providers through my insurance last summer. At the time, my situation was much worse. I was a mess, cried at work, couldn't function right, etc. It was also worse because at the time, I didn't know he was emotionally abusive all these years and thought it was me who had to change every time we had an argument.

She was also there when he agreed to couples therapy when I gave him another chance last fall but he ended up not wanting to go after a few sessions.

I know it's a small step but changing my phone # was a smart move I believe. He always says the worse things possible.....on purpose and because he's immature. It's really sad that he will be 31 soon and behaves this way.

I was told that I am so far ahead of him and just am more outgoing than he will ever be. I have grown so much and he has stayed the same.

I think this week will be crazy for me. I found out that my dealership is changing ownership and until that takes effect, they no longer provide service on weekends. I am going to have it done tomorrow and just come into work later.

I also have my sewing class so that should be fun.

 

[funnygarcia]

Kelly, glad you are feeling better. Wishing you a low stress week while your mom is on vacation. All of that would make my head spin.. eek!
And I was an LPN for a few years when my oldest was a babe (now almost 17, GULP! ) , found out it just wasn't "me". I attempted to go back into the field a few years ago and truly hated it. Worked with preschoolers in Head Start and childcare for many years too.
Now, I do some PCA / respite care for my sister's children with autism. Do the domestic diva thing, the home hemo helper thing, the crazy couponing lady thing...

Some days, I do very little. Some days I can do lots and think I need a "real job".. but the next day the "do very little because I just can't do more" comes back. Pop some Motrin and put on the smile, hoping for a better day.

Staley, Funny how a vacation is suppose to be relaxing but all the planning is a big headache.
yeahhhhh it's getting so close, lucky you! I'm so excited for you and your family.

Ms Pixster my lovely lady... sounds like things are getting a little better. Keep it going! I'm happy for you.

 

[Stacerita]

Just wanted to say how much I love living in California. That's all.

Hope everyone is doing well.