This week's What I Learned This Week (for those newbies who may have discovered this thread)
is brought to you by good tidings and cheer!
For those thinking it's too early to proclaim such thoughts, although in Britain the Christmas season about to begin; Idiscovered this last year when my American "culture" opined that it was too "early for Christmas when a wonderful merchant during our pleasant exchange informed me it was "only 50 days until Christmas" and complained that the decorations on
Oxford Street were going up "late". 
For those Christmas-philes or, whovilians that are ready for such action, I am discussing a totally different nursing season-high season in a
Level-I Trauma Pedi ED.
It's the beginning of the school season-cue the auto vs. peds, falls from playing "hooky", experimentation with spice, subaxone, and possibly kitty litter, alcohol, and whatever is within a child's two eyes; the droves coming in after the games they are interested in (for home or fantasy interest) are over to attend to their child's ailment, as well as the asthmatic, sickle celll, chemo, strep and flu cases with a side of social issues-the ROPAs and the ROSAs and anything weird in between. Although it is rainy and a Monday night game is anticipating people to stay home, I am preparing to not get cancelled for this extra shift-''tis the season!
So, as I sit here after getting my teeth cleaned and not stomping anyone to the ground (my dentist knows my phobia), and done with my lab work to see if I am cleared to start trying to have a baby-who will avoid and ED at all cost unless ACTUAL emergencies-and my neurology appointment, what I learned this week:
1. I relearned about that metoclopermide can cause acute dystonia, and while diphenhydramine can work wonders, it doesn't help to have an anticholenergic on board; it looks scary, makes people scared, though can be reversed with no lasting effects.
2. I'm getting better at chunky baby/toddler vein location and inserting at the bivalve of the vein is usually a success for IV access.
3. That people in this day and age of Dr. Google, still believes that the oral and genital system are totally separate from the rest of the body systems, despite the similarities in tissue and cell makeup and that they connect with most of the body.
4. That social and health/life management situations can be just as taxing with family members as with patients.
5. That Dr. Google can be useful to scare family members into action, despite have the title of "eponymous nurse" in the family.
6. That I actually miss packing for a trip; around this time last year I was preparing to hop across the pond for a much needed holiday; despite packing being
stressful to me, to have a vacation within grasp is a stress I can find comfort in.
7. That I actually WANT a vacation !!!
Although I think I can find comfort in my social calendar with upcoming food festivals, outings, concerts, and being able to
work weekends once a month (FINALLY!!!) and set my schedule, I can anticipate a vacation (or two or three) within the next year.
A Bonus: it's reassuring to know that my neurologist, who I have been with for about 4 years now and has managed my trauma pain and closely monitor my
PTSD pain symptoms along with my therapist determined I am managing and coping excellently. I have been released from therapy since the late spring, and have been doing well;
I try to stay in tune as to if I need a check in, but I'lol be premature to say my PTSD is in remission for the first time since my trauma in 2008.
So, what have YOU learned this week?
