Life IS Good

Maybe it is one of my props, but I do feel inspired as I spot this sticker on my car after a busy work day. Kudos to the guys who came up with the happy little emblem that reminds us.

Please. Not the pedestal.

As I was talking with the patient about his discharge, he said, "It's the doctor's fault." The doctor's fault that he was addicted to opiates? In truth, maybe so, though I refused to agree, preferring to state how we humans need to be responsible for our own bodies, and how he in particular needed to make better personal decisions. But it did make me think about what it is that sets doctors apart from other professions. I guess the most glaring is that they once they finish medical school, they are awarded this title of "doctor" and are subsequently called "doctor" professionally for the rest of their lives. Then we have media teaching about exercise and diet and ads for drugs but all say "Check with your doctor first," as if no one else has a brain in their head. And then you have those crisp white coats that wrap around an air of arrogance. I can see why someone might fall under their spells. While there are some fine and wonderful doctors, there are also some who are unethical and less than fully informed. I totally believe in necessary medical care, but, buyer beware, there are as many medical horror stories as there are saved lives.

Hay for Bread

For the past three weeks or so it has been full steam ahead for the nurse in me. I figure that in this age of economic and employment woes, I might as well make hay while the sun shines, thank you Lord. I even get a few free meals thrown in. At home I would adamantly refuse to eat some of the foods that I devour with relish at work when they are available for free. Tonight I ate a greasy, salty grilled (probably fried in lard) processed ham and processed cheese sandwich. I snub my nose at artificial, processed foods when I am in the grocery story but in another setting...yum. Maybe I can make up for it later with a nice healthy glass of carrot juice.

My Community Service Work

I enjoy teaching nursing students about psych patients. Most of what they see is new to them and through their eyes I see my work differently. Once I took even newer nursing students to a medical setting for their first hospital experiences. They assessed their one patient, changed sheets, passed trays, and helped with other things that are done in hospitals. I felt like a first grade teacher as I tried to teach some basics while easing their anxieties. Now I do only psych and substance abuse. I haven't done hospital corners on sheets in quite a while! Sometimes we get a patient who has been on the news, a missing person for instance, much like the father/grandfather in Florida who was in the news today. But most are plain old struggling people, neither famous or infamous. I am thankful to know something well enough to pass it along to the next generation and I am quite sure that is the main reason I do it. I feel like it is my duty.

Fluff the Bunny

This pet bunny was a visitor today. Fluffy had a harness and leash and was happy to be held. Who knew!