4/2 WILTW: Disney Edition

[ixchel]

Disney is the happiest place on earth!!!

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I have two chronic conditions that have been an incredible hassle over recent weeks. One of them has been a huge part of my recent employment issues (epilepsy, which rears its stupid, ugly face when I lack adequate sleep, though that wasn't everything at work). Both (epilepsy and spondylolisthesis) have made this week the suck!

What have I learned?

1. Don't go to Disney if you have any type of ortho or neuro issue that restricts your ability to ride almost everything. You'll be in pain and watching your vacation fly by from the sidelines.

2. If your inlaws are selfish jerks, do not tell them how your handicapped arm band works. They WILL hijack your pass (and your entire days making you unable to do anything you want) and treat you like ess when you shut that crap down because you're tired of sitting around waiting for a turn to use it (never happened until the end).

3. It makes my blood boil that people do NOT understand chronic medical issues, or at least open their minds to the fact that they may not understand what they are seeing. Instead, people go straight to, "I bet it's her meds for her back. That is not what epilepsy looks like." No, I didn't learn this one. I was reminded of it. My husband loved being called a liar. PEOPLE! EPILEPSY LOOKS LIKE "EPILEPSY" LESS THAN IT DOESN'T.

4. Girl Child has anxiety. This rips my heart out. My husband needs some coaching on this, but so far he's done okay.

5. Winning a fitbit workweek challenge against people who regularly go >20k is the best feat ever consider all the stuff above going on. I had a 28k day! Nurses, get a pedometer (if you don't have one) and challenge yourselves!

I have so few health/nursey (somewhat) things to add. Mostly I share this to help others when working with patients who share similar conditions. Lived experiences can sometimes trump textbook learning. So, ditch the inlaws early, get plenty of medicine, get benzos in case of persistent seizure episodes, and going to Disney right before spinal fusion is stupid. Wait a year.

I hope you all have had great weeks! I have not kept up at all.

[Farawyn]

Two weeks into my work from home job in academia- I learned that I miss my co-workers and my patients. What I don't miss is playing waitress to families in the name of satisfaction scores (because in the PICU world- the patient doesn't fill out the satisfaction survey).

It has officially been 21 days since I put on isolation gear!

Putting the treadmill desk in my new work-from-home office was the smartest thing I could have done.

Uninterrupted lunch breaks are the bomb! Never really truly had one until two weeks ago.

This whole post makes me so happy!

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

What nursing stuff did I learn this week....hmmm.....

- I learned that I really do work at one of the best possible places ever and the 1.5-2 hr commute can suck it!

- I learned that my heart can swell with indescribable joy (so much so that the extra joy has to escape as a little bit of tears) when one of your best, tiniest little patients gets the transplant they have been so patiently waiting for. :)

- I learned to look forward to when I am working and I actually get days off (currently my days off are generally filled with school things) because I won't actually be as tired as I originally anticipated and I will be able to tackle a 3-day straight (4-day straight schedule coming soon!) run with minimal trouble. JOY!

School things:

- As of right now, I have 75 days until I graduate nursing school. Squee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Non-nursing things:

- I'm really bummed since I injured my calf and I can't wait to be able to start running again. Hopefully soon!

[dianah, ASN]

ixchel, I am so very sorry to hear of your inlaws' jerk-ness!

Some people.... honestly!!

Next time will be different (IF there is a next time with them), MOST certainly.

re: Disney

We splurge to get passes, have for years.

Having a pass does away with any rushed mentality: "Gotta do as much as we can TODAY!!"

Nope.

Can always come back and do something different another day.

And usually I see or do something new each time I go. Really!

We call it our "health club," for nowadays we go there to walk.

We walk from the parking structure and walk all over the parks (I generally get 10K when there).

It's level (easier for dh, who uses a cane d/t a neuropathy).

As dh can't go on many rides d/t neck surgery, we go to hear the bands play. Have several musician friends in different bands, and we visit them. The music is outstanding, such great musicians/entertainers!

Yah, walking around isn't as exciting as going on as many rides as one can, but we enjoy the atmosphere of the parks (whenever we hear an overstimulated, tired child wailing, we look at each other, grin and repeat "happiest place on earth!") -- they're clean, landscaping changes with the seasons so it's nice to see the changes, -- and we have friends there.

We always make a reservation for a sit-down lunch somewhere -- if not in the parks, in a restaurant in the Grand Californian Hotel.

When we used to come when the kids were little, sitting to rest and eat made such a difference in their attitude!!

It's nice to sit and eat without standing in line, too.

If we ride any rides, we utilize Fast Pass or Single Rider when we can.

We have been going for years and I guess we still enjoy it, despite the inevitable changes.

We went last week and tho it was Spring Break time, and we were prepared for big crowds, attendance wasn't really that bad.

We got to see all our friends and touch base with them, and heard some great sets.

Weather was beautiful.

We like to go on Dapper Day, when ppl dress up either vintage or just dress nicely (like folks USED to, when they went out).

This is not a Disney-sponsored event but has gained momentum each year, getting very popular!

Held twice a year.

VERY fun to see the outfits!! Yes, we dress up too!

Work, you say?

I have to comment on something I learned at WORK??

Hmmmm.

I learned to double-check my work and others' (I work in a procedure area). (where is the "EEK!" emoticon??)

No harm came, just attention to detail seems to slide sometimes.

And may I just say, from reading here: You guys are awesome. Truly. Thanks.

[ixchel]

Hi Ixchel

I just want to send you a hug . I'm sorry for everything you re going through.

You and me, both! I'm such a silver lining person and I hate feeling that get sucked out of me. My husband is so eager for me to get through my surgery. He wants ME back. *sigh* All in good time!

[ixchel]

What nursing stuff did I learn this week....hmmm.....

- I learned that I really do work at one of the best possible places ever and the 1.5-2 hr commute can suck it!

- I learned that my heart can swell with indescribable joy (so much so that the extra joy has to escape as a little bit of tears) when one of your best, tiniest little patients gets the transplant they have been so patiently waiting for. :)

- I learned to look forward to when I am working and I actually get days off (currently my days off are generally filled with school things) because I won't actually be as tired as I originally anticipated and I will be able to tackle a 3-day straight (4-day straight schedule coming soon!) run with minimal trouble. JOY!

School things:

- As of right now, I have 75 days until I graduate nursing school. Squee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Non-nursing things:

- I'm really bummed since I injured my calf and I can't wait to be able to start running again. Hopefully soon!

I absolutely love this post!

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

You and me, both! I'm such a silver lining person and I hate feeling that get sucked out of me. My husband is so eager for me to get through my surgery. He wants ME back. *sigh* All in good time!

Good luck to you with all of that. It sounds like you need to plan a real vacation as soon as you're done healing up from everything (NO IN-LAWS ALLOWED)!

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

I followed a wound nurse during clinicals and learned so much. I learned how to bridge multiple wounds, how to measure undermining, and how to set up a wound V.A.C. I also was able to all of these skills SOLO. This wound nurse was awesome. I also stalked the RT for a bit and learned that ipratropium albuterol and budenoside cannot be given simultaneously because it will cause foaming.

I learned that electronic health systems can be a pain. The position I'm supposed to interview for in southern IN is apparently part of a large health system. I was unaware of this, as I applied to a few positions in MI as well, and they use the same electronic system, I guess. Suddenly, all my application statuses became "withdrawn", and I'm wondering if it's because you can only apply to x amount of positions in the same health system. I have to admit, I won't be too heartbroken if my interview is cancelled. I really wanted a job in MI, anyways.

A game of studying for the NCLEX can last for 2 hours and be replaced by Cards Against Humanity. Not to mention, wine makes everything more fun.

I stepped out of my comfort zone to approach a random stranger interested in the nursing program. I'm glad I did because I was able to make a new friend.

I'm skipping graduation, but the pinning ceremony is in 5 weeks. I still don't have a quote, and I'm irked that it has to be "inspirational". I'm hoping I can submit a humorous one, and they'll let it slide.

It was a good week.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

This week I learnt

-It feels nice to have a weekend day off. I traded with someone who needed a day off during the week and she was willing to work a Saturday. I enjoyed yesterday.

-Goblet squat are easier to do than regular squats, but the after burn is worse. Maybe now my butt will get tighter.

-I miss my dog, a lot. More than I thought I would.

[ixchel]

I'm skipping graduation, but the pinning ceremony is in 5 weeks. I still don't have a quote, and I'm irked that it has to be "inspirational". I'm hoping I can submit a humorous one, and they'll let it slide.

Do you write the quote yourself? Or do you find something someone else wrote?

If the former, how creative are you at writing?

I vote a very short, 2-4 liner poem to inspire people to maintain contact precautions. The more disgusting, the better.

[ixchel]

-I miss my dog, a lot. More than I thought I would.

I am so sorry [emoji22]

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

I followed a wound nurse during clinicals and learned so much. I learned how to bridge multiple wounds, how to measure undermining, and how to set up a wound V.A.C. I also was able to all of these skills SOLO. This wound nurse was awesome. I also stalked the RT for a bit and learned that ipratropium albuterol and budenoside cannot be given simultaneously because it will cause foaming.

I learned that electronic health systems can be a pain. The position I'm supposed to interview for in southern IN is apparently part of a large health system. I was unaware of this, as I applied to a few positions in MI as well, and they use the same electronic system, I guess. Suddenly, all my application statuses became "withdrawn", and I'm wondering if it's because you can only apply to x amount of positions in the same health system. I have to admit, I won't be too heartbroken if my interview is cancelled. I really wanted a job in MI, anyways.

A game of studying for the NCLEX can last for 2 hours and be replaced by Cards Against Humanity. Not to mention, wine makes everything more fun.

I stepped out of my comfort zone to approach a random stranger interested in the nursing program. I'm glad I did because I was able to make a new friend.

I'm skipping graduation, but the pinning ceremony is in 5 weeks. I still don't have a quote, and I'm irked that it has to be "inspirational". I'm hoping I can submit a humorous one, and they'll let it slide.

It was a good week.

I did not know that about ipratropium albuterol and budenoside. Thank you for sharing!

Also, humor is inspiration!

[ixchel]

I also stalked the RT for a bit and learned that ipratropium albuterol and budenoside cannot be given simultaneously because it will cause foaming.

Do you mean all three separately placed into the same treatment? Or that any combo of those meds is off limits? DuoNeb/Combivent is good stuff.

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Now, while we are on the topic of nebs, can you recall what sucks about albuterol in someone with SVT, ST, or AF w/ RVR?

Xopenex/Levalbuterol is one substitute, although it does have albuterol still.

Can albuterol help with stuff totally unrelated to the respiratory system?