Notes to Families

Yes, you are important to your critical unstable loved one.

No, I may not have the time to answer your questions-your loved one is my priority.

No, I cannot simplify complex anatomy... or physiology for that matter. Pharmacology-forget it!

No, you are not a medical professional 'cuz you googled  "sepsis".

Yes, you are there to care for your family member: love them, hold them, kiss them. Comfort them. Things that I do when you are not there.

Life Expectancy

For those of you who have no idea how to conduct yourself as a hospitalized patient, here are a few guidelines for a successful stay:

1) If you are there 'cuz of something you've done to yourself, don't get mad at me.

2) If you ignore #1 by using foul language, trying to hit me, calling me names, etc, it will not improve your situation.

3) If you refuse the treatments set out for you to get better, I'm going to wonder why you are here with us.

4) If you threaten to go AMA (self discharging 'Against Medical Advise') it will not make me comply to your ideas regarding how things should take place.

Once you leave though, it will improve my situation.

Adios.

Be well

Here Comes Another One

Sometimes life's lessons come easily, other times life is difficult. Believe it or not but your decisions can change your life! Case in point: DO NOT partake of funny smoke then play commando with your friend and the new blow-dart gun in the darkened back forty. Maybe something bad will happen.

Happy Independence Day

Freedom. Don't take it for granted. There are many people working around the clock so you can have a safe ass on a cheap couch someplace. Soldiers, sailors, marines, doctors, nurses, cops to name a few. Thank your lucky stars.

Dang

A pic of me and a job description

I recently found on a

webpage somewheres

1. Job Duties
• ICU nurses administer medications, sometimes by injection or intravenously. They perform skilled nursing procedures such as changing dressings and inserting urinary catheters. Intensive care nurses also educate patients and family members and provide emotional support to them. Since many critically ill patients are unable to participate much in their own care, family member involvement can be especially important. 

Why didn't they ask one of us what the heck we do before writing this junk up???

Insomnia

Damn it, I am awake again at the wrong time. It's 4 a.m. somewhere in the Pacific NorthWest and here I am listening to the clock tick away. Most "normal" people I am sure are sound asleep in their beds or couches or cars or campers or tents put up in some faraway unpatrolled homelessland. Of course, there are a few oddities among the normal people: some are awake abnormally just as myself, some may be studying for a class or still unwinding their day, while others are hard going at their occupation just as I would be without this night off. But here I am, abnormal, awake in my bed, wondering why would anyone read this blog. I'm a rapidly aging ICU nurse working the twelve hour night shift looking forward to easing my way out quietly…but wait!!!!!…