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Ok. Ive been nursing too long....Have any of you had warped thoughts that only a nurse would have? When I go for a drive on the highway or interstate, it crosses my mind that maybe I shouldnt eat first in case I have a wreck and require emergency surgery? Its crazy. When I go to touch money I think about all the filth Im fixing to touch. Not just money but anything. Or, avoiding salad bars at ALL COSTS!! Im surprise I dont carry a box of gloves and can of lysol in my purse!! What, if any, warped thoughts do the rest of you have? I will be one of those elderly people obsessed with my bowel movements.
Once I was in the gas station and this man behind me was shaking so bad I thought he's either going through the DT's or his sugar is low (he had in his hand a soda and a candy bar). I also check ankles, look at people's skin for bruises and open areas. I obsess about washing my hands. I don't worry about eating though (i like food too much). My motto is drop an NG tube down me and suck out whatever is there if you need to LOL. Also, I think, I don't want CPR so should I have a tattoo or something put on me. I don't want to end up like so many young adults i've taken care of-on vents, tube feeds, lying there in a wet brief and a fragile area just about ready to open up. KILL ME FIRST PLEASE!
When my first pet rat was found stumbling around in her cage I burst into tears and made arrangements to have her put to sleep because I just knew she'd either stroked out or developed a brain tumor.
She was dizzy......she had an ear infection.......
One night several years ago I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable in bed. Suddenly I realized that when I laid on my stomach I felt a vey large mass in my abdomen. I tossed and turned for the rest of the night, certain I had a uterine tumor.
In a way I did......I was 16.5 weeks pregnant.
I'm sure it's not too serious....but my dad's having outpatient surgery tomorrow at a center...and the first thing I thought of is "Are they accreditted? What are they using to knock you out? What's your recovery time? How bout F/u visit?" I also find myself eating healthier and trying to set a better example for friends and family...
Of course, I'm also a little more obcessed about trash/cleaning too!
I'm a floor nurse, so I have a hard time sitting still at committee meetings. One of the things I do to keep from falling asleep is checking out the veins of the people near me & guessing how large a gauge of IV I could start in my co-workers.
I also do this in line at the store, at church, at family functions...
Chaya, ASN, RN
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