Wednesday March 2 2022

nursej22, MSN, RN · Mar 2, 2022

Hi all.

Joe, your weather sounds much like mine. 50 during the day, cool at night. However, rain is forecast. It is my run day, and I actually like running in the rain, as long as the wind is not blowing, which it isn't.

Nope, I've never heard of fasnacht, or paczki . I know some local churches serve, or used to serve, pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. I think doughnuts sound better!

Wow, cutting up an oak tree would be a ton of work! That is some hard wood. Yup, it would be sort of like eating a whale, one bite at a time.

So, my MRI did show some abnormalities, but I'm not sure if they can be treated: a bulging disc that is pushing on both sides explaining why I have pain in both legs, but right worse that left. Also, there is facet hypertrophy, which I take to mean some extra bone growth to compensate to the disc issue. They also saw a tiny tumor (3 mm) that I doubt is significant. So I guess now I wait for doc to call, and then probably get a referral to a neurosurgeon . Sigh. I cancelled the next acupuncture tx because the guy seemed focused on tight muscles in my R thigh, plus there was just something weird about him.

Have a good day folks.

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2022

Good day, all!

Joe, I never thought about going to the library to exercise ? Actually, that thought came to me when I read your note, but then I realized that there could easily be an exercise class at a library. In any case, I salute your effort to stay healthy!

J22 -- glad you have some answers that explain your symptoms. Hope the tumor is truly insignificant. Hubs had a herniated disc that was putting pressure on a nerve (I think it was at L3/L4) and causing numbness and weakness in one foot. A neurosurgeon did a "microdiscectomy"(?) and he has done really well ever since. That was about 2013 so he was only 54ish. Of course, as I speak, he is dealing with some low back pain but we both believe it is more a muscle strain problem. Probably happened Sunday when he was plunging the shower drain and then getting his mom showered. ?

Wow, this job. It also includes risk management. I think I can do this job and do it well but it will be a major change. And I already had mixed feelings about leaving the bedside. Sorry to keep harping on this, but it is my focus at present. Spent the afternoon listening in on a conference call about updates to Epic. Pretty sure it wasn't worthy of 3 hours of my undivided attention while I'm trying to figure out what's due, when, and how to do it. After 2 days, I exhausted my supply of office wardrobe. (I'm exaggerating a little, but not much). May have to just wear scrubs.

It finally warmed up Sunday and the last couple of days have been absolutely beautiful -- sunny, clear, and in the 70s. I walked to the taco truck across the street for lunch. Ash Wednesday service this evening, I assume to be followed by choir practice.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2022

J22, at you have something to work with.

Ado, at least you know there are options if you don't like this job.

Work today was okay. Started out with 4:1 ratio which is always nice, but got two admissions later. Had a student nurse work with me. I'm getting a new nurse to orient but I think she's in other kinds of orientation this week. Apparently on of the new grads that just got off orientation had a meltdown and was overwhelmed and crying on Monday. It's a tough job for a new grad.

No Stars In My Eyes · Mar 3, 2022

Hello,hello!

Beautiful weather. May be hearing chain-saws tomorrow....or not. Don't know for sure. I have read everyone's posts. Nothing exciting or outstanding going on here except the weather. Trees are budding, daffodils everywhere, birds mating, the carpenter bees are back on alert, back and forth over the hedge, casing their territories and chasing other carpenter bees off....it's really the whole shebang! Can't help but wonder when we will get a surprise freeze or snow here.

I really need to take my meds, and prolly will have to take Ozzie out, so I'm going to shut the lap-top down for the night.

Stay safe!