Mine.

just another day

2004-12-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

Another day at the hospital - so close to graduation. I guess part of me still can't believe that it will soon be happening. After all of this time, all of the stuff I've been through this semester and past semesters - it will finally happen. Didn't have any exciting patients at the hospital but was in the PICU again. Again, its just another day.

ode to graduation.

2004-12-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Well it looks as if I will graduate. How exciting. I have to say, that I have been waiting for this moment for months. A little frightening though. I need to now start sending out applications for jobs, as well as finish up all of the other crap I have yet to finish for the semester. I still have a few more days of my internship as well.

I know this is an extremely boring post.. but I guess I just felt like writing something.

Only 5 more papers, an italian project, an italian quiz, 4 more hospital days, and finals to go. ugh.

work

2004-12-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

Although I have wanted to write about work - or my internship, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. So here I go I guess.

As you may or may not know, I am currently completing my internship in a pediatric hospital setting. I float between the floor and the PICU, or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I much prefer pediatrics to adults. Although sick kids bother me, sick contracted drooling adults bother me much more. The one thing though, that can be expected from older adults is death. Although I find death of the older adult sad, death of the young child is much worse. It tears at you like nothing else could.

I had my first cardiac arrest a few days ago. The child came in through the ER after being out for approximatly 30 minutes. Even those who don't know medicine, know that isn't good. He came up to the PICU after his heart was restarted, and we began stabilization procedures. He is alive. By alive, I mean he has a heart rate, and is being oxygenated by a ventilator. He does not respond to pain, and I doubt he has much brain function.

This being my second close to death kid I've cared for, I found it a bit easier, but still very difficult. The parents were obviously beside themselves, as any parent would. I am sure, that as I write this, he is either close to death, or arrangements are being made to let him go. Although watching a child die is horrible, watching a child suffer is worse. Children are not meant to die, but they aren't meant to suffer either.

I don't ever think I would be one of those nurses who could be "sensitized" to things such as this. Each child is different, and the circumstances are different.

So I guess we will see what happens with this child. Whatever it is, I just hope he isn't suffering.

i'm defective - but happy!

2004-12-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Got my results back - and it turns out I just have a defective kidney YAY. I have an Angiomyolipoma, something that I was probably born with. I also got news today that I am so clinically competant that they are helping me out and dropping my hours in half. I only have twenty more to go.

Could not be happier :o)

i hate waiting.

2004-12-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

So here I sit, currently awaiting news about my defective kidney. I have a feeling that because I had the sonogram yesterday afternoon, the results to my doc won't be in for another few days. I can't wait another few days I want to know nowwwwww.

So I keep checking my own blog and it is not showing my page updating with the current posts. Strange. Very strange.

holy defective kidney batman

2004-11-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

Okay so I know I just posted, and it is very rare for me to post more than once every few days, but I guess I just needed to tell SOMEONE, so I figured this was the best place to start.

Had to go for a renal sonogram today. Apparently I have a "lesion" on my right kidney. Isn't that nice? I'm definitly not into things growing on vital organs. Oh well, I guess thats why I have two kidneys? Hopefully I'll find out more about the strange thing growing on my kidney tomorrow. How fun.

Sorry these posts aren't exciting. I definitly expected to have an exciting blog, but it has been nothing of the sort. It has been a crazy few weeks.

Amy Mareck

2004-11-30T18:26:00.000-08:00

Just a short post - well I guess they have all been pretty short so far. Amy Mareck is a wonderful 19 year old girl who past away yesterday. She was, and still is , a complete inspiration to me. I wish I had the determination, courage, and hope, that she possessed up until her last days.

Her website: www.caringbridge.com/page/amymareck

T-Day

2004-11-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a very happy Turkey day. Mine was good, ate a lot . . . what else could I ask for?

I ditched out on my 5 year high school reunion on Wednesday. I just couldn't see myself going. So I didn't go.

Need 135 clinical hours to graduate in December. Looks like I will be spending the rest of the month (and december) in the hospital trying to get more hours. How fun.

CLICK ME!

2004-11-26T09:13:00.000-08:00

Me

2004-11-21T19:17:00.000-08:00

Through the urging of friends, I have decided to finally begin this blog. There have been many frustrating attempts, but I seem to finally have it down. Although I'd like to say that I will post on a daily basis, my life just isn't that exciting. With that said, let the story begin . . .