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.
I suck at phone interviews, apparently. Plus, they were asking about my critical care experience and senior practicum, both which are nonexistent.
No kidding. We get terrible lake effect. This is the first time I've bombed an interview, so I'm not too concerned.
We must be neighbors. Nobody that doesn't live on the shores of a northern Great Lake really understands the strange weather that "lake effect" causes. No snow in one spot, and a foot or more less than 20 miles away has been our norm for every snow event this season. Not to mention in the spring and even into the summer it can go from 70 to 40 degrees in a flash when the wind changes and comes off the lake. I've learned to always take a jacket in the car.
We must be neighbors. Nobody that doesn't live on the shores of a northern Great Lake really understands the strange weather that "lake effect" causes. No snow in one spot, and a foot or more less than 20 miles away has been our norm for every snow event this season. Not to mention in the spring and even into the summer it can go from 70 to 40 degrees in a flash when the wind changes and comes off the lake. I've learned to always take a jacket in the car.
Exactly. Gotta love the Midwest.
On another note, my alma mater has a possible outbreak of the mumps. 5 cases have been confirmed, but I know my brother is fairly safe because HE WAS VACCINATED.
Are those the same little bugs we call lady bugs down south? They bring good luck and are a sign of spring. i would never kill one. If one gets on you and you make a wish and the lady bug takes off in flight yourwish may come true,
If one of these gets on you you try not to move too much until it's off, otherwise it bites you The only wish I have when I see them is that they keel over dead (real ladybugs I would never kill).
Did you also learn that they can be done with the patient awake to monitor for signs/symptoms of stroke?
No, I didn't. That's fascinating, though. I'm not sure I would want to be awake for that. Is that routine or do they only do it for higher risk patients?
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
No, I didn't. That's fascinating, though. I'm not sure I would want to be awake for that. Is that routine or do they only do it for higher risk patients?
When the cardiac surgeons do them, they're almost always awake (about 99.99%). Usually because they will be returning in a few days for a CABG and are very high risk. They're sedated but still able to follow commands (we put a small fluid bag in their hand connected to a pressure transducer and ask them to squeeze it periodically to ensure blood flow to that side of the brain) and have a regional block done. Also have local on the field in case it's needed in addition to the block.
When the vascular surgeons do them, it's typically the lower risk patients and they will more often than not be asleep.
General anesthesia is always a backup plan if needed.
I never did phone interviews. Still don't. Is this a thing?
It is where I am at. This hospital is hiring 60 new grads and over 200 applied. They start with a phone interview and then move onto panel in person interviews.
It is where I am at. This hospital is hiring 60 new grads and over 200 applied. They start with a phone interview and then move onto panel in person interviews.
The only wish I have when I see them is that they keel over dead (real ladybugs I would never kill).
kbrn2002, ADN, RN
3,973 Posts
Yep, the awful Japanese Beetle. They look all cute until they bite. Thank goodness we don't have them in house covering numbers this far north.