Worst week ever...(vent)

TexasPediRN · Mar 28, 2006

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom..I'll be sending some good thoughts your way.

Just a note about being an aide instead of getting a nurse internship:

I did the same thing. I never took an internship and decided to work as an aide the entire summer (which was something I had been doing during the school year). I learned so much, and the nurses were more then willing to teach me things. I could do assessments (with a little assistance), I made up Kardexes, called drs (never took orders but got used to calling), entered labs into the computer, did patient care, assisted with dressing changes, accu checks, etc.

Its not as bad as it seems to be- I learned a lot, and plus I was able to manage 15 patients by myself as an aide :)

Good luck with working as an aide, and I hope everything is well with your mom.

missninaRN · Mar 28, 2006

I'm sorry that you've had a rough week. I'm praying for your mom (and for you.)

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2006

I can sympathize with what your Mom is going through. I've been there-and survived. Many lumps turn out to be benign. But if it doesn't, there are so many better options for treatment. Early stage breast cancer has a very high survival rate. The treatments now are more precise and although not pleasant, less difficult for the patient than in the past.

That being said, it might be a blessing in disguise for you to remain working as an aide this summer. If you need to take time to be with and support your Mom, it may be easier than if you were in an internship.

All the best to both of you-:icon_hug:

Chaya

Trauma_Queen · Mar 28, 2006

i can understand what you are going through. over christmas break, my grandmother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and in the same week my mother was developing a cns disorder. doctor told us it could be a stroke, als, or multiple sclerosis. all i could think about was als would be a horrible way to die, and ms really isn't any better. and sometimes it worse knowing more than lay people because you know what can go wrong...it's now been narrowed down to ms, and my mother is still having a horrible time. she is my everything and has struggled so much to put me through school just to see me make something of myself. that's all she cares about and it breaks my heart because there are days when i wonder if she'll make it to my graduation since each day it get harder for her to walk. the power of a mother's love is just incredible!

i'll be praying for you and your mother!

JT TYPE RN · Mar 28, 2006

My prayers are with you.

rn/writer, RN · Mar 28, 2006

Is it possible for your mother to have her mammo done at another facility that might be able to get her in sooner?

If she made the current appointment, did she tell them she had a lump? The receptionist *should* ask if the mammo is a yearly or if it's because there is a problem, but they don't always remember to clarify.

If she did tell them and they still haven't scheduled her until May, have her call her doc and see if he/she can pull some strings.

Both from an emotional standpoint and from a treatment outlook, it is absolutely unconscionable that someone who has a lump should have to wait six weeks to be seen.

Let us know what happens.

HARRN2b · Mar 28, 2006

I have been through the same. I had a biopsy done right before Christmas. I just figured I was as good as dead. The doctor who did the biopsy was wonderful. She told me that the fluid that they pulled out looked non cancerous. This happens alot. Your mother will probably have a biopsy. Just ask the doctor what the fluid looks like. Also, the biopsy did not hurt. It was not nearly as bad as I imagined it to be.

Holly

ear · Mar 28, 2006

Sorry to hear about all of this. Take a deep breath, and just hang on. Working as an aid isnt going to be so horrible, you still have the ability to have your hands (and heart) on the patients. I know while you look at all of your friends playing "nursey" you will be working hard, but you can have just as much experience as they do.

As for your mom, as another poster said, try to "shop around" for another mammogram place. That is a very challenging aspect of healthcare now. Navigating the system. If something is up, she may be able to get in sooner elsewhere, or call the Dr. office to see if they can help get a better appt.

Give yourself a couple of hours to just let it out, and then get going again.

For some reason, I have been given many a challenge to overcome through this semester as well, so my thoughts are with you.

Be well, and best wishes~

ear

student_girl · Mar 28, 2006

Unfortunatly, that's the best time we could get by "shopping around".

Thanks to everyone for your replies, it helps a lot.

tookewlandy · Mar 28, 2006

I just had the worst week of my life. I found out I was too selective and would not be able to do my externship this summer, which sucks, 'cause I'll be stuck working as an aid while seeing my friends play nursey...:angryfire
But the worst blow came from my mom. She told me she (and her doctor) found a lump in her right breast. I can only hope it's not cancer. I was raised by her alone (my father left before I was born) and she's all I have. I just can't lose her. Her mammogram is scheduled on may 9th only, cause there was no other availibility before that. I'm gonna be strong and go with her and help her in anyway I can, but I'm so scared. I feel like crying all day long.
Sorry, I needed to get that off my chest.

I am so sorry to hear that about your mom. I was raised by my mom only also so i know how it feels when you say she's all you have. I will definitley be praying for you and your family.stay strong

Chaya, ASN, RN · Mar 29, 2006

"And sometimes it worse knowing more than lay people because you know what can go wrong..."

It's definitely worse knowing more than lay people. I found that in the long run I usually know all the things that can go wrong but NOT how rarely that actually happens or what the more likely scenarios are.

So both of you, student girl and Trauma Queen, just take it one day at a time. Know that our thoughts are with you.

Chaya