Kolohe99

But is avoiding couples because they remind you of your aloneness the best solution? Aren't there better, surer ways to try to minimize those feelings? And why not just try minimizing your proximity to them as Sue suggested? Stay in contact, and DON'T buy cool stuff for the niece. If you do sever ties, and then decide to come back to them, the relationship will most likely not be the same. I believe that your own well being should have the highest priority in deciding what to do. But does the possible improvement in your feeling of being alone outweigh the certain hurt and disappointment that they will feel if you cut off all ties? Our actions do not take place in a vacuum; "No man is an island". Having suggested you think seriously before breaking off ties with your family I feel I must make a disclaimer. My wife no longer has any dealings with her stepfather. He is actually the one who "disowned" her; but it was the best thing that ever happened to the DW. The damage that he caused her will be with her the rest of her life. But I don't believe that your father, or your family in general, are in any way similar to that man. I wish you the best.

I have no doubt your bosses are nice. But I'm sure that's not why they asked you to teach. They asked you because they have the confidence that you can do it. (Like Bess said) I bet they're right. Years ago when I was in school (albeit non nursing field) I enjoyed the instructors who had actually been out in the "real world" more than the ones who had spent their entire time in academia. Their lectures were always more interesting; and I had more confidence that they knew what they were talking about. I bet you do fine. BTW, "attagirl" for being asked.

That is so good to hear.... thanks for sharing. :heartbeat

:lol: That's great, TN. I think someone has WAY too much time on their hands.

I turned it down just today; well, I turned down a flu vac; I guess I don't know that it was for H1N1. I still think I have the right to decide what I have injected into my body.

((((Sue)))) I said the prayer I told you I would....... and now it has come to pass. I don't know that it was right; nor if it made any difference; but I did it for you. I wish there was more that I could say; but at a time like this the best thing is often not a word--- but a look; or a touch; or to hold someone; this is often a better way to convey one's thoughts and feelings. But those options aren't available to me. But I will do this, however meager it may sound: I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Your father was a good man. I hope that your family can manage to celebrate his life even as you grieve his death. :redbeathe Dan

Many years ago I was flying on a DC10 that had a catastrophic failure of an engine just after takeoff. When the engine failed the plane shuddered and we immediately began to turn back to the airport. Even after the pilot explained what had happened, that everything was OK, and that we were returning for an emergency landing most people appeared to be apprehensive. (This was only a few years after an engine had fallen off a DC10 and all aboard were killed.) The lady beside me was very fearful, and I tried to assure her that everything was going to be OK. But as we got closer to landing, her fear began to border on hysteria, so without asking, I simply reached over and took her hand as I continued to reassure her. She grasped it tightly during the successful emergency landing. That lady was convinced she was going to die; and I KNOW that she appreciated a stranger holding her hand because she thanked me afterward. I think that when you stare death in the face, you might appreciate a stranger's hand despite your beliefs now. I'm also sure, that in that hopefully far off day, there will be a nurse like Allison there for you. :heartbeat

"u" is often used in place of the Greek letter micro "μ" which would make it micrograms like Pagandeva said.

Thank you for sharing the poem, and especially for sharing your compassion.

Good luck in the interview. I'll be thinking of you from over here on the west coast. I hope it goes well so you can get out of that terrible situation you've been working in.

My thoughts are the same as Leslie's. Thank you. ((((((Allison)))))) Dan

Ahhhhh........ but then you might be quoting out of context.

Let me get this straight. Some people like it when you use the quote feature so they know who is being answered. Other people don't like the quote feature because they've already read the post and they just want a reply. I think I'm going to have to invoke Abe Lincoln yet again and say that, "you can please some of the people all of the time; or all of the people some of the time; but you can't please all of the people all of the time."

I agree about the strong opinion part; or if you're going to ask a question. But if you're going to tell someone "congratulations" on passing the NCLEX I hardly see the need. But I admit that I generally read the entire thread before posting; quite often by the time I get to the end everyone has left!

Allison, :icon_hug: I wish I could help more, but I will keep you in my prayers along with our mutual friend. As for the insurance, I know it varies from state to state but something just doesn't seem right about them being able to claim pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. My cousin is the insurance expert for the family business and I thought she told me that when people change jobs they can have seamless coverage as long as they had insurance from their previous employer. You also don't have to wait for the open enrollment period or have the pre-existing condition requirements. I hope you managed to get some sleep. (((((Hugs))))) Edited: (I see while I was typing this Donnetterr posted. She ought to know. That sounds like what I understood as long as you were going from one policy to another.)