I tried to have sympathy for humans today. These two young kids (hipster kids) brought in their cat that they just adopted today. This cat was also spayed today. I did the TPR minus the temperature because the owner could not safely restrain the cat and she didn't appreciate a rectal temperature. Otherwise, I felt as if she was stable. Chances are she had a URI or something but it's not my call as I am just the nurse.
The doctor brought the cat to the TX area and listened to the heart and lungs for any crackles or signs of pneumonia. I prepared the thermometer and found the cat to be febrile. We like cats and dogs to be about 101.0 to 103.o. This cat was 106.7! Doctor came up with an estimate which is the nurse's job to go over with the clients. I walked in and sat down on the floor, as I so often do, and showed the kids the low end and high end of the estimate. It was pretty simple supportive care overnight. IV fluids, pain meds, antibiotics and some diagnostics. The girl instantly said, "I don't have that money." The boy then chimes in, "We feel like the doctor hasn't told us what's wrong with the cat and now you're asking for all this money."
I took a deep breath and said, "The doctor needs diagnostics to diagnose your cat and furthermore, we are treating her symptomatically which is not uncommon." These kids looked at me like I had 10 heads. Anyways, it came down to them needed to decide on blood work. I told them at least a CBC would be best to get a WBC count. I'm not sure where things went South but the girl was emotionally unstable and the guy was being a total dick. I went in to this thinking maybe we could try to work out payment arrangements and such but I ended my day disliking the general public and hipsters more than ever before. I guess that's why I work with animals!
One more shift before my long weekend! I can't wait so see Darren and Selena in Dallas on Friday! Not sure what we'll do but I can't wait to hug each of them for like 20 minutes! Saturday should be low key with Ronny for his birthday and Sunday we're driving to Port Aransas to get in some beach time at The Gulf of Mexico! I'm anxious for tomorrow to be over!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
I Heart My "Southie" Crew and Little Pats on the Back.
OMFG! Today was freaking crazy! Laura, Nicky, Janna and I rocked it hard though! We had a ton of hospitalized patients and a rack full of rooms to be seen. Needless to say, I am absolutely exhausted! It got to a point tonight where we had so much to do and not enough man power to do it. There was an assembly line of IV catheters that needed to be placed, a broken tooth dog that ended up actually being a rat poison ingestion that needed plasma and other various emergencies. Even though we were super busy and backed up with a few hour wait to be seen, only one person acted like a dick.
Back home in Chicago, my old EC was always staffed to the brim with techs and assistants. Here, we do a lot more on our own. Some things really are better if two techs can work on them but sometimes you just have to make due. One of the patients I was working with had bloody vomit, bloody diarrhea and needed an IV with a large bolus of fluids. Nicky was working on the plasma transfusion, Janna was trying to catch up with past due ICU treatments and Laura was dealing with another emergency. I had no choice but to try to place the IV all by myself. While this may not seem like a huge deal, it kind of is. You need one tech to hold the leg forward and roll off the vein so it occludes and stands up, making it easier to pass the IV. I started shaving the leg, prepped it so the area was clean and rolled off the vein. With my right hand I felt for the vein and picked carefully where I was going to poke. I knew I really had to get his right because not doing it well would result in more time than we had to spend. My fist poke was tough, this gal had tough skin! I began to get a little nervous and shaky too. Adrenaline was pumping as it so often does when your EC is slammed. I saw and accessory vein that looked pokable. I often try to avoid that vein if I can because the IV sometimes won't feed past the viafication. Well it must have been my lucky day because I did it! I got it taped in and said to myself, "Oh fuck yeah." I won't lie, I was pretty excited and felt so accomplished. I had a small party and patted myself on the back a little bit. It's moments like those that make me feel as if I'm really getting it.
I had a great night. I love my Southie crew and feel SO fucking blessed to work with them on a regular basis. They are part of what makes my job so great. (We have two hospitals, a North location and a South location. I work South most shifts except for two North shifts a month) At the end of the night, I was laughing so hard I was in tears. Someone mentioned Borat and I was like, "OMFG, I have this picture!" I tried to explain it but failed so I SHOWED the picture of Darren and Durso in the QC hotel room. The room exploded in laughter! Jeez I miss them. Lucky for me, I'll get to see Darren in 5 days and then a week after that for a day!! I couldn't be more excited.
I'm laying here in bed feeling quite proud. I came home and swept, did the dishes and moped the entire apartment! All I have to do tomorrow now is finish cleaning the kitchen counters and do laundry which means I can spend my one day off having FUN! I think I'll hit up my favorite swimming hole and bring my girls with me! Keeper isn't the biggest fan of the water but we'll go spend some time anyways! I also may go looking at kayaks tomorrow too. I'd love to start paddling soon as a way to spend time with nature and get some exercise. More to come.
Back home in Chicago, my old EC was always staffed to the brim with techs and assistants. Here, we do a lot more on our own. Some things really are better if two techs can work on them but sometimes you just have to make due. One of the patients I was working with had bloody vomit, bloody diarrhea and needed an IV with a large bolus of fluids. Nicky was working on the plasma transfusion, Janna was trying to catch up with past due ICU treatments and Laura was dealing with another emergency. I had no choice but to try to place the IV all by myself. While this may not seem like a huge deal, it kind of is. You need one tech to hold the leg forward and roll off the vein so it occludes and stands up, making it easier to pass the IV. I started shaving the leg, prepped it so the area was clean and rolled off the vein. With my right hand I felt for the vein and picked carefully where I was going to poke. I knew I really had to get his right because not doing it well would result in more time than we had to spend. My fist poke was tough, this gal had tough skin! I began to get a little nervous and shaky too. Adrenaline was pumping as it so often does when your EC is slammed. I saw and accessory vein that looked pokable. I often try to avoid that vein if I can because the IV sometimes won't feed past the viafication. Well it must have been my lucky day because I did it! I got it taped in and said to myself, "Oh fuck yeah." I won't lie, I was pretty excited and felt so accomplished. I had a small party and patted myself on the back a little bit. It's moments like those that make me feel as if I'm really getting it.
I had a great night. I love my Southie crew and feel SO fucking blessed to work with them on a regular basis. They are part of what makes my job so great. (We have two hospitals, a North location and a South location. I work South most shifts except for two North shifts a month) At the end of the night, I was laughing so hard I was in tears. Someone mentioned Borat and I was like, "OMFG, I have this picture!" I tried to explain it but failed so I SHOWED the picture of Darren and Durso in the QC hotel room. The room exploded in laughter! Jeez I miss them. Lucky for me, I'll get to see Darren in 5 days and then a week after that for a day!! I couldn't be more excited.
I'm laying here in bed feeling quite proud. I came home and swept, did the dishes and moped the entire apartment! All I have to do tomorrow now is finish cleaning the kitchen counters and do laundry which means I can spend my one day off having FUN! I think I'll hit up my favorite swimming hole and bring my girls with me! Keeper isn't the biggest fan of the water but we'll go spend some time anyways! I also may go looking at kayaks tomorrow too. I'd love to start paddling soon as a way to spend time with nature and get some exercise. More to come.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I'd Drive a Million Miles Just to See You Tonight!
I've been awful about keeping up with my blog lately! Last everyone read, I had heat exhaustion and a broken down Vespa Smallframe. A week ago today, I did the "unthinkable", I bought a car! I know, right, me with a car!? I can't tell you how proud I feel about my purchase! It's been a long, long time since I've had a brand new car. I have yet to name this new car but I know that "he" is a boy.....yeah, I like to name my vehicles.
So life in the past week has been pretty fun. Robb Jibson came to town with Incubus and we hung out during the day as they set up for the bands to play. It was really pretty neat to see even if it was Incubus. Robb and I caught up as it's been a long time since we had seen each other. He looked great and seemed happy with his life as he always had in the past. That same night, I saw Lucas Hudgins at Broken Spoke. Oh man....I love me some Lucas. Funny too, Weldon Henson, played guitar for Lucas. No one told me it was going to be a Texas "pretty boy" convention at The Spoke! My dancing skills were spot on! I danced almost every song with someone new! I haven't danced in a while so it felt great to get out there.
Next weekend is a big one! It's my monthly weekend off and Darren and Selena will be in Dallas from Thursday night until Sunday. I'm going to drive up on Friday with the dogs and hang out overnight. It's unreal how excited I am to see them! I'd drive all day if it meant seeing my friends again. Saturday is Ronny's birthday and we have planned to drive down to the coast on Sunday with the dogs and stay a few nights on the beach. I'm excited for late nights on the beach with my dogs and Ronny. It'll be a great memory and I'm sure I'll be writing about it and posting pictures here when I can!
What else? I'm still in shock and awe at how much my mom and dad helped me with the purchase of my new car. They never cease to amaze me and I'm a blessed woman to have such supportive parents.
So life in the past week has been pretty fun. Robb Jibson came to town with Incubus and we hung out during the day as they set up for the bands to play. It was really pretty neat to see even if it was Incubus. Robb and I caught up as it's been a long time since we had seen each other. He looked great and seemed happy with his life as he always had in the past. That same night, I saw Lucas Hudgins at Broken Spoke. Oh man....I love me some Lucas. Funny too, Weldon Henson, played guitar for Lucas. No one told me it was going to be a Texas "pretty boy" convention at The Spoke! My dancing skills were spot on! I danced almost every song with someone new! I haven't danced in a while so it felt great to get out there.
Next weekend is a big one! It's my monthly weekend off and Darren and Selena will be in Dallas from Thursday night until Sunday. I'm going to drive up on Friday with the dogs and hang out overnight. It's unreal how excited I am to see them! I'd drive all day if it meant seeing my friends again. Saturday is Ronny's birthday and we have planned to drive down to the coast on Sunday with the dogs and stay a few nights on the beach. I'm excited for late nights on the beach with my dogs and Ronny. It'll be a great memory and I'm sure I'll be writing about it and posting pictures here when I can!
What else? I'm still in shock and awe at how much my mom and dad helped me with the purchase of my new car. They never cease to amaze me and I'm a blessed woman to have such supportive parents.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Texas Gentlemen
This morning sucked. I was on my way home from Ronny's on Ollie and decided I should stop to get a bite to eat and maybe a Dr. Pepper too. I stopped at Thundercloud which has a delicious "Nada" Chicken Parmesan sandwich. It was a hot, hot morning too. It must have already been 100 degrees at 10:30 A.M.! I noticed how hot Ollie was before ordering my sandwich and though, "Shit, this bike isn't going to start for me." I was dead on. At this point, I was about a mile away from my house so I figured I'd start pushing. I'm not sure anyone knows how awful it is to push a scooter never mind when it's a million degrees out and you're already feeling a bit icky but I can confirm for you, IT SUCKS.
I got to the hill I live on at Riverside and Pleasant Valley, took a deep breath and started pushing Ollie full-force up this hill. By the time I got to the top, I was in Taco Cabana's parking lot looking for shade. I was seeing spots and couldn't breathe! I got Ollie on his stand and sat in the shade gasping for air but no matter how hard I was trying, I couldn't catch my breath. I took a small sip of Dr. Pepper and began to feel very sick. As I was sitting there, I almost passed out on the ground. I mustered enough strength to walk in to Taco Cabana when I was greeted by a very sweet boy with awesome tattoos and dread locks. He handed me a cup of water and said, "I saw you pushing your bike and you look like you could really use some water." I thanked him but really didn't know what was going on as I was on the verge of passing out. The white spots were getting bigger and my lungs were hurting so badly. He introduced himself as Avery and went and sat with his friends outside. I walked in to TC and sat at the first seat I saw. I was sure I was going to either faint or vomit on the floor. I did neither and eventually was able to breathe again.
The table was covered in my sweat when Avery walked back over to get some soda. I thanked him so much for being so kind and he then offered to push Ollie the rest of the way home for me. Turns out he's in a local punk band that is renting an apartment at my complex and was going home anyways. I was reluctant to allow him to touch my scooter, as I am with any stranger and my scooter, but at this point there was no way the bike was being pushed home by me. There was still another big hill and that would have done me in. After pushing my scooter all the way to my courtyard, I shook his hand and gave him a big hug. There are so many very kind people here in Texas. I know that would have NEVER happened in Chicago. I'm lucky to have met Avery today and will keep him in my best thoughts and prayers for being such a kind human being.
I got to the hill I live on at Riverside and Pleasant Valley, took a deep breath and started pushing Ollie full-force up this hill. By the time I got to the top, I was in Taco Cabana's parking lot looking for shade. I was seeing spots and couldn't breathe! I got Ollie on his stand and sat in the shade gasping for air but no matter how hard I was trying, I couldn't catch my breath. I took a small sip of Dr. Pepper and began to feel very sick. As I was sitting there, I almost passed out on the ground. I mustered enough strength to walk in to Taco Cabana when I was greeted by a very sweet boy with awesome tattoos and dread locks. He handed me a cup of water and said, "I saw you pushing your bike and you look like you could really use some water." I thanked him but really didn't know what was going on as I was on the verge of passing out. The white spots were getting bigger and my lungs were hurting so badly. He introduced himself as Avery and went and sat with his friends outside. I walked in to TC and sat at the first seat I saw. I was sure I was going to either faint or vomit on the floor. I did neither and eventually was able to breathe again.
The table was covered in my sweat when Avery walked back over to get some soda. I thanked him so much for being so kind and he then offered to push Ollie the rest of the way home for me. Turns out he's in a local punk band that is renting an apartment at my complex and was going home anyways. I was reluctant to allow him to touch my scooter, as I am with any stranger and my scooter, but at this point there was no way the bike was being pushed home by me. There was still another big hill and that would have done me in. After pushing my scooter all the way to my courtyard, I shook his hand and gave him a big hug. There are so many very kind people here in Texas. I know that would have NEVER happened in Chicago. I'm lucky to have met Avery today and will keep him in my best thoughts and prayers for being such a kind human being.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Looking Back and Moving Forward
I don't like to look back and question my past if I can avoid it. But I'm going to in this blog. What the FUCK was I thinking?! I'll tell you what, my depression really fucked me up in more ways than one. Who would have thought that nearly 7 years later could effect today so badly? Being with Jerry was by far the lowest of the low. I was weak and allowed him to manipulate me in ways I should have never allowed. Cindy would have been pretty disappointed in me.
Needless to say, my mom and dad have been bending over backwards to try to help me get a car loan that I can manage monthly. I'm being very patient and will do whatever I have to do to get this deal sealed. I'm a new person and I'm focused on growth and going forward. I know that with a car, I'll be able to venture out of my 20 mile radius and really explore. I can't wait to take day trips with my dogs and Ronny or drive up to Chicago on my one weekend off a month from the EC. Heck, I can even start going to the grocery store again!
Work has been tough. It's easy to internalize all the shit that I see on a daily basis but sometimes, stuff just gets to you. A TLAC officer brought in 3 beautiful Pit Bull puppies last night. He informed me that they most likely had Parvo, and I knew that before he even told me. I could see it. We put them in room 7 and I asked the Dr if I could run a Parvo test. I did and it came up as we all suspected. Policy for TLAC is that they euthanize any animal with parvo virus as it is too costly for them to treat an animal that may end up dying anyways. I told the Dr. that I'd help her with the dirty deed even though deep down my heart was screaming, "NO, NO, NO!" I got in the room before the doctor and got the first puppy out. He was a lovely red and white male with a gorgeous head. I held him close in a towel and cried pretty hard. I composed myself before the doctor came in and we began.
Each puppy had decent veins but the doc may have just been having a bad vein day, we all have em, that's for sure. I was asked if I could try to poke them. I agreed because I knew that is what had to be done. Once all three were gone, I told the doctor that I'd never euthanized anything before. She looked worried and asked, "You would have told me if you were uncomfortable, right." I told her, "Without a doubt." I put each puppy in a bag and labeled them for pick-up. After that, I went out back and cried really hard. I hate people for the way they treat animals. I wish I had more money so I could save even just one from that kind of fate. My passion could run me in the ground one of these days. It's moments like those that make me realize my calling as a vet nurse. I'm here to love and care for animals. I'm here to treat them with respect and dignity even in death. Yesterday also confirmed, I could have never done the ACC job I was offered back in Chicago. NEVER.
Needless to say, my mom and dad have been bending over backwards to try to help me get a car loan that I can manage monthly. I'm being very patient and will do whatever I have to do to get this deal sealed. I'm a new person and I'm focused on growth and going forward. I know that with a car, I'll be able to venture out of my 20 mile radius and really explore. I can't wait to take day trips with my dogs and Ronny or drive up to Chicago on my one weekend off a month from the EC. Heck, I can even start going to the grocery store again!
Work has been tough. It's easy to internalize all the shit that I see on a daily basis but sometimes, stuff just gets to you. A TLAC officer brought in 3 beautiful Pit Bull puppies last night. He informed me that they most likely had Parvo, and I knew that before he even told me. I could see it. We put them in room 7 and I asked the Dr if I could run a Parvo test. I did and it came up as we all suspected. Policy for TLAC is that they euthanize any animal with parvo virus as it is too costly for them to treat an animal that may end up dying anyways. I told the Dr. that I'd help her with the dirty deed even though deep down my heart was screaming, "NO, NO, NO!" I got in the room before the doctor and got the first puppy out. He was a lovely red and white male with a gorgeous head. I held him close in a towel and cried pretty hard. I composed myself before the doctor came in and we began.
Each puppy had decent veins but the doc may have just been having a bad vein day, we all have em, that's for sure. I was asked if I could try to poke them. I agreed because I knew that is what had to be done. Once all three were gone, I told the doctor that I'd never euthanized anything before. She looked worried and asked, "You would have told me if you were uncomfortable, right." I told her, "Without a doubt." I put each puppy in a bag and labeled them for pick-up. After that, I went out back and cried really hard. I hate people for the way they treat animals. I wish I had more money so I could save even just one from that kind of fate. My passion could run me in the ground one of these days. It's moments like those that make me realize my calling as a vet nurse. I'm here to love and care for animals. I'm here to treat them with respect and dignity even in death. Yesterday also confirmed, I could have never done the ACC job I was offered back in Chicago. NEVER.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
You, Sir, Are Earning Reserved Emotions.
This last week has been a real ass kicker. Between having strep throat, a UTI and fending off migraines, I also worked several overnight shifts at the ER. I'm really loving my job here. I was so afraid I never would but it is happening. I am officially becoming a "Southie" come end of August! I'll only be working two North shifts a month from the looks of it! I couldn't be more pleased. South crew is awesome. I truly enjoy working my shifts with Tree, Nick, Courtney, Laura and Alicia. We all work really well together and have an unspoken flow. We all pull our weight and do what needs to be done for the sake of the patients. I'm learning a lot and I hope that this time next year I'm working on my CCN training. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
My personal life is also looking bright. I've met someone that I'm enjoying spending time with. It's a bit scary still because we have an awesome connection and things seem to be progressing towards an LTR. I'm fearful only because of this year's earlier events. I never ever want to feel as bad as I did last March. Opening my heart up to the possibility of love is something that I take very seriously. I go on and on so often about the "L" word and its over-use. I just don't want to say I love someone and not mean it 100%. Telling someone I love them means I've put them on a higher level. Love is a reserved emotion for those I hold closest to my heart. End of story. Let's just say when a guy walks a mile each way to get me Taco Bell in 104 degree heat, my heart is pushed in the right direction. He also went out a separate time to CVS to get me a HUGE Red Bull because when asked what I needed to get out of bed, I said, "Red Bull." Without missing a beat, he went. Oh, and if that's not enough, he also took me to the hospital Saturday night and lay with me in the hospital bed as I bitched and moaned about how much it was going to cost and how the heath care system in America was fucked. It's little moments like those that make me feel love. It scares me but it's a good scared. More to come.
My personal life is also looking bright. I've met someone that I'm enjoying spending time with. It's a bit scary still because we have an awesome connection and things seem to be progressing towards an LTR. I'm fearful only because of this year's earlier events. I never ever want to feel as bad as I did last March. Opening my heart up to the possibility of love is something that I take very seriously. I go on and on so often about the "L" word and its over-use. I just don't want to say I love someone and not mean it 100%. Telling someone I love them means I've put them on a higher level. Love is a reserved emotion for those I hold closest to my heart. End of story. Let's just say when a guy walks a mile each way to get me Taco Bell in 104 degree heat, my heart is pushed in the right direction. He also went out a separate time to CVS to get me a HUGE Red Bull because when asked what I needed to get out of bed, I said, "Red Bull." Without missing a beat, he went. Oh, and if that's not enough, he also took me to the hospital Saturday night and lay with me in the hospital bed as I bitched and moaned about how much it was going to cost and how the heath care system in America was fucked. It's little moments like those that make me feel love. It scares me but it's a good scared. More to come.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
My Future Doesn't Include You, My Beauty, My Tru
Austin continues to be a bit like heaven here on Earth. I'm greeting each day with energy and excitement. I look forward to working, I look forward to being off work and having fun too! I have been thinking about the future a lot lately and I really think I want to settle down. Wait, wait....not settle down with someone but settle down here in Austin. I need to start saving money, which I have been trying to do and think about buying a house and a car. As much as I don't want to take on a car payment, I need a car. I'm going to pay out the ass for it too. I fucked myself royally in my 20's and will forever have a hard time with credit thanks to my lack of concern for the future then.
I am selling Tru. I've placed an ad and made it official. It breaks my heart in an epic way but I can't keep up paying her bills. She deserves to be used and enjoyed. If you are ambitious enough and want to go searching equine.com for her ad, feel free. I feel yucky.
I am selling Tru. I've placed an ad and made it official. It breaks my heart in an epic way but I can't keep up paying her bills. She deserves to be used and enjoyed. If you are ambitious enough and want to go searching equine.com for her ad, feel free. I feel yucky.
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