Oh, you do that?

http://insideout.wbur.org/documentaries/nursingshortage/whyistay.asp

The link is a story about a veteran ICU nurse talking about one of her busy assignments for the day. I read it and thought "That sounds like almost every day in our ICU." Minus the fact that instead of women, we have mostly males, and they are not usually in their 30s.

I wanted to repost it because I feel like if you do not work in our unit, or even if you are not a nurse, you really have no idea of what we go through. For example, a couple of weeks ago I came home from work to find my sister-in-law, her husband, and their 3 kids all playing video games in the living room. The house, for the most part, was pretty tidy. I was relieved that I didn't have to clean up after them. I was exhausted after a long 12 hour shift, most of it stuck in a respiratory isolation room in which I had to wear a special mask . They asked why I looked so tired and so horrible (gee thanks). Maybe because my CO2 was up and I was going to pass out soon? So I explain to them about my day. And the response I get?

Oh, you do that?

Um yes, I take care of 1-2 patients, many of which are on ventilators, with lines and tubes coming out from everywhere, that are on a shit ton of medications to keep them sedated, to keep their blood pressures up or down, to get their glucose levels within an acceptable range, to make them pee...etc etc etc.

My favorite is when people assume I just wipe ass all day. Nope. I do so much more than that.

I just wish more people would take the time to really know what we do so maybe they would have a better appreciation for what we do. So that's why I reposted that link. Maybe someone will read it and have a little insight into just what we go through.

</end rant>

Fall is the new Spring...

...for weddings!

In a few weeks will be the one-year anniversary of KeeKeeMonster and my fall wedding. There's something about the warm colors and cool weather that is just beautiful and gives weddings a different feel.

This past weekend we kicked off our fall wedding season with the union of JoAnn and Chris. I've never been to a traditional Greek wedding ceremony before. It was looooong, but I found it kind of cool. I love religious ceremonies just because of the traditions and reverence of them.

Here they are after the crowning ceremony. They first hold these candles throughout the ceremony. Then the Koumbara (sp?)...the person who pretty much acts like the Godmother for their future children, no pressure ;) ) places the crowns joined by a single ribbon on their heads. Then they walk around the table together. The ceremony also included many prayers, drinking wine from a single cup, exchanging the rings multiple times...etc.

Like I said...kind of neat.

Here are the happy newlyweds...Mr. & Mrs Christopher Cruz!

After the ceremony we waited around outside the church for a while. Hubby wanted to see them drive off in the hot rods they all rode up in. He just wanted to see the finished flat-black truck that he did the body work on. ;)

Hubby at the Sheraton for the reception.

Crystal, Me, Joc (bridesmaid), the Bride JoAnn, Stacy, Holly, & Megan.

It was a super fun wedding. It was awesome hanging out with a bunch of old friends we haven't seen in a minute. And I danced my little ass off. My feet still hurt...a sign of good times.

Time to get it done

When I got really sick 2 weeks ago, I made an appointment to see my MD. We won't discuss the fact that she misdiagnosed me with Strep when I had no white patches, a slight reddened throat, a cough, and nasal congestion! Hello?!

Anyways, my point was that I weighed in at...156 pounds? WTF? *SAD FACE*

So I'm fat now. Can't work out because I feel like crap. Heading to Vegas in a week (at that time). So I made the decision that after we got back from our trip, I was going to change it up.

I started Weight Watchers.

Why? Well, Kee's sister and dad are both doing it, and they've both lost 20+ pounds already. I can do that too! I thought it was going to be harder than what it is. Sure, it's a little tough. I find it the hardest to go through all my foods not listed and assign points values to them. So far I've been under my daily points, which is nice. And it helps that my co-worker is doing it as well. She's done the old system and now is doing the new system, so I go to her for advice and tips.

And now that I'm better...back to the gym!

I will be documenting my weight loss and the experience here as time allows. Wish me luck!!

Why I love my husband...

...reason #50934250947

...He sings songs from Disney movies with me in the car!

Now that's love.

Happy 11 year Meet-A-Versary boosh. <3

As a nurse working in an ICU with seriously ill patients, sometimes it's nice to not be there and be the one who's taken care of instead.

I've been sick these past few days. I was feeling fine, then I woke up Wednesday morning with a sore throat and nasal congestion. It went downhill from there. Apparently I'm not the only one at work who's sick right now. Something is going on.

Anyways, so we had some family from Oahu that is visiting this week, so my mom wanted me to go over there to see them. I haven't seen them since I was maybe 3 or 4 years old. I told her I wasn't feeling good. She said come over anyways. Then dad gets on the phone. "The surround sound isn't working. Can you fix it?" I tell him I'm not feeling good, and that I don't know if I'm coming over. "Just come over for 5 minutes and fix it."

Then I start throwing a pity party for myself. And I think I took it out on husband.
No one cares if I'm feeling good! I'm always the one having to take care of others, but no one ever takes care of me!

I know I was being overly-sensitive at the time because he does take excellent care of me, making sure I get the food I'm wanting and getting enough rest. I was just tired, frustrated...over it.

As nurses, we spend most of our time taking care of others, meeting the needs of others...investing all of our time and emotions in the care of others, that we don't really take that time out for ourselves. It took me getting sick myself to get that time.

Thank goodness for husband however. He was going to host a bday party on Sunday at our house for his grandfather. I was supposed to clean for that. He cancelled. He has gone into town every day after work to get my favorite foods...Thai, Chinese, and tonight will be Pho.

I'm definitely appreciative of him. I know I take him for granted sometimes, and don't show my appreciation. It's just one of the many things I need to work on. I'll get there. ;)