In clinical on Wednesday....
When a story starts out like that you know it's gonna be good!
The morning started out like any other Wednesday I woke up at 5:4o and hurried my little hiney to the hospital for a 12 hour day, wearing the "Carribean Blue" school required scrubs. Oh so flattering. I recieved report from the previous shift. I had done my prep work and was all psyched up to take care of my patients. I went in did my morning assessment. I then explained the plan of care to my patient for the day.
9:30 comes around, I had told my one patient PT would be in to take her for a walk, and then I'd help her with a shower. PT helped her up and she suddenly decided she'd rather have a shower. PT finds me and I help her get into the shower. I proceed to change the bed linens...when suddenly I hear....dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnnn
"I think I'm going to pass out!" I run in put my arms under hers. She falls back on me, and I ease her to the ground. NO SHE DID NOT FALL! Mind you the shower is still going. Let me paint the picture a little better here.
I'm all alone with a patient who hadn't showered in several days, has 10 broken ribs, and is in the shower that means she's naked. I hepled her to the ground. Uh that's still in the shower. Therefore I'm getting a shower too.
I pull the call light and sit there holding her up as the water runs all down my head. At this point I'm crying and shaking. NO ONE'S COMING!!
The patient comes to. I lean her up against the side of the shower and run into the hall. I proclaim, "I NEED HELP IN HERE PLEASE!" I was quite the site at this point, crying, shakey, and WET!
The nurse comes in helps me get her up into a chair. I dry her off and finish making her bed.
Sadly, I didn't have any extra clean scrubs. I swear I smelled like BO all day from sticking my arms under hers, and let's not get started on how great my hair looked after the good washin.
Tramatic at the time, but it now provides some great laughs. I showered with my patient.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Day I Got My Sister Back
From 8 years old my older sister, who I always looked up to and admired, battled pancreatitis. This left her hospitalized time after time with severe pain, nausea and vomiting. She went through stages were things were better, but eventually it progressed. She went away to college and a little problem which was a previous nusiance became a constant companion. At this time she began a steady decline. She was on feeding tubes to maintain nutrition. Whispers of nursing home or hospice care were passed through the air. Fears of an impending funeral caused plans to be made.
"Tell your sister goodbye. It might be your last chance," my parents urged each one of us. I remember whispering in her ear how much I loved and admired her. Then through a miracle time after time the next day came and I still had a sister. I had a sister. She may have been confined to a bed or had multiple tubes protruding from her body in an attempt to sustain life. Many prayers, fasting, and priesthood blessings brought a great miracle into our life.
Dr. David Sutherland.
This man is a pioneer in medicine. He developed a surgery to remove the pancreas and transplant the islet cells which produce insulin to the liver. Radical at the time, it was our last ditch effort. Plans were made for her to travel to University of Minnesota to have a total panreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant. 2 weeks before her preop appointment she was struck by a car going 40 mph while crossing the street. Miracle of miracles she made it with a concussion and some bruising.
She went to Minnesota and was approved for the operation which took place 6 years ago today. March 10, 2003 will always been known to me as the day I got my sister back.
Many people question why? The lesson's learned from her life and the lives touched because of her diligence during such difficult times is why.
She went on to run in NCAA Conference just a few months following surgery.
She now is a mother and expecting her second child.
I would never trade all the years of worry, loneliness, and longing for a "normal" sister. How else would I be able to do so well on all my med/surg tests ;) I possess so much gratitude for the lessons learned from these experiences in my life. They've helped create the person I am today!
Dr. David Sutherland.
This man is a pioneer in medicine. He developed a surgery to remove the pancreas and transplant the islet cells which produce insulin to the liver. Radical at the time, it was our last ditch effort. Plans were made for her to travel to University of Minnesota to have a total panreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant. 2 weeks before her preop appointment she was struck by a car going 40 mph while crossing the street. Miracle of miracles she made it with a concussion and some bruising.
She went to Minnesota and was approved for the operation which took place 6 years ago today. March 10, 2003 will always been known to me as the day I got my sister back.
Many people question why? The lesson's learned from her life and the lives touched because of her diligence during such difficult times is why.
She went on to run in NCAA Conference just a few months following surgery.
She now is a mother and expecting her second child.
I would never trade all the years of worry, loneliness, and longing for a "normal" sister. How else would I be able to do so well on all my med/surg tests ;) I possess so much gratitude for the lessons learned from these experiences in my life. They've helped create the person I am today!
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