Plastics

I was not popular in school. I had friends, lots of friends. I was busy and involved. I even had a steady boyfriend (who was popular at his school). But, I was not popular. I didn't go to parties. I was not on the homecoming court. I was not a star athlete. I was just average. I remember wanting to be popular. In fact, I recall going to practice to try out for cheerleading. I didn't try out because all the popular girls were there and I felt inferior. I always regretted not trying out because I loved cheerleading when I was little, and I was good at it. I could do all the jumps and flips, and I wasn't afraid of anything. Instead I tried out for the dance team. I did make the team, but secretly I always wished I'd tried out for cheerleading.

Today was the last day of school for DQ and BB. My children are just like me. They have plenty of friends, they get excellent grades, they love school. However, they are not "popular". I am so very glad! The reason why you ask? Well, for example. The school's colors are green and gold. Today was a day of fun and goofing off. Some of the 5th grade boys decided to spray their hair green in honor of their last day at Youth Elementary. Well, DQ decided she would like to have a green streak in her VERY blond hair. As you can imagine it looked almost neon. Anyway, all that being said, when I walked DQ to class she was greeted with the "plastics"( refer to the movie Mean Girls for clarification). These girls all had on zebra print knee socks, had their hair the same, had their t-shirts tied up, knotted up, whatever. They looked every bit a silly as DQ ,but at least she was original. Anyway I digress. She got giggles and strange stares until one little girl stepped out and said how cute she looked. After that they all wanted green hair. REALLY? SERIOUSLY? Don't their mother's remember high school at all? Do they really want their daughters under that kind of scrutiny and pressure? Do they really want their daughters going to parties where there will be drinking and spin the bottle?

I was discussing the "popular" kid topic with BB the other day. I'm sure some of these kids are very nice kids. I'm sure their parents are very nice people. What I did share with BB though is that he is to love everyone equally. Nobody should be singled out for not following the crowd. That person should be commended for making their own choices and not being afraid to stand up for what they believe in. I want them to enjoy growing up. I do not want them to do things because it's the cool thing to do; I do not want that kind of pressure on my kids! I want them to do things because they want to do them. What's wrong with being a crazy kid? What's wrong with running around barefoot all day wearing your swimsuit? What's wrong with still enjoying the Disney channel when you are 9 and 10 yrs old? I think it's fabulous that BB and DQ still want to be kids. I'm thankful that they don't feel the need to "Be Cool" all the time. I'm glad they are original and silly. I'm very proud to be their "unpopular" mom!

FYI

Before I get too far into this post I want to start out by saying that I am by no means claiming to be a medical expert. I probably have the same amount of knowledge as you do, but I still feel this post a necessary evil; in case you or someone else doesn't know this.

MRSA is our doing. WE are to blame, not the hospitals and medical personnel. MRSA exists because of improper use of antibiotics.
1.If you don't follow your dosing instructions you are not killing your infection. 4 times per day actually means 4 times a day or every 6 hrs. There are 24 hrs in a day, not just the hours you happen to be awake. If you must, talk to your doctor about tailoring your dosing to a more convenient schedule.
2. If you don't finish your antibiotics, you are making your infection stronger; meaning next time you will need a stronger antibiotic because you've made the germ resistant to the first drug (hint Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus or MRSA).
3. If you take antibiotics when you don't need them, then the itty bitty germ you have that your body can kill without antibiotics builds up a tolerance to said antibiotic, and then the next time you get it it's stronger and takes a stronger antibiotic to kill it.(as stated above!)
4. A virus will not go away with antibiotics. It is not killed that way. In fact once you've had a particular virus you won't get it again. Our bodies are so cool that they remember how they killed that virus, and when they sense it's presence the natural antiviral your body made to kill it the first time is still there.
5. Washing your hands is your first line of defense to keep from getting viruses. WASH your hands! You carry all the germs on your skin.
6. A fever can actually be a really good thing. Unless the fever is over 101.3 it does not need to be treated unless it is accompanied by severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, lethargy, a very young baby, or an elderly person. Also if the fever is persistent then it needs to be treated.
7. A small amount of bleeding is also a good thing. It's a natural way for your body to clean out a cut. Cool huh?

My reason for this post? I have had several patients in the last few days who believe it or not did not understand these concepts. This tells me that as health care workers we are not doing our job in educating the public. Clearly this is not common sense to everyone as it has so been assumed. Anyway, I will get off my soap box now! Thank you for your time!

Amy

Tears

So I thought this week was going to be a fairly easy week for me. I worked 2 nights, then had Wed off ,then 2 days of education. Also, we have a jammed packed weekend of fun planned. Cool, easy peezy! WRONG!

Yesterday at education day they came in and asked us if we would stay and work for 4 hrs for time and a half, + 5, plus shift differential. That totals up to around $50/hr. Hmmmm, let me think..... OF COURSE!!!! Well, lesson learned. If they are offering up that kind of money then things are not going so good.

The hospital I work at happens to be the biggest labor and delivery unit in the nation. We deliver somewhere in the neighborhood of 17,000 babies a year. Our hospital is nicknamed the baby factory; rightfully so! Also, we have a very large and advanced NICU, so we see patients from all over GA with some pretty unique and sometimes tragic situations. Sadly when these patients come to us it's bad and it can be so heart breaking.

My job is a good one. I mean I get to spend 8 hrs with a couple having a baby. I get to be part of their special time. I get to deliver babies! How cool! However, there are other aspects to my job that most people don't consider. Not every pregnancy is a good one. These women get sick. Their babies get sick. They need surgery. They need specialized care. They need a kind and understanding nurse. In the last 7 days I have had to tell 2 mommies that their baby is too young, they will not survive this. I had to tell a mommy that if her body continues doing what it is doing we are going to have to deliver her twins at 27 weeks. I had to tell a dad that his wife has to have emergency surgery if his wife is going to survive; oh and I'm sorry but your baby did not survive.

Ugh, weeks like this really make me doubt my calling. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. I know God has a plan. I know that these precious babies are with Jesus. They are healthy, they are warm, they are loved. I KNOW this. What I also know is that I have learned how to tell a family that their baby has died. I have learned to take pictures of a 20 week baby and try to make her look pretty. I have learned to hug perfect strangers and cry with them. I know where the morgue is. I know how to report a death and how to show a doctor where to sign a death certificate. I know what it's like to watch a baby die in your hands. This is not knowledge I ever aspired to have. I know that if it weren't for my King, my husband, my beautiful children, and my wonderful friends that I would not be able to live with having this knowledge.

Please hug your children today. Please treasure them. Please understand that your nurse is a human and this hurts her too. Please understand that when tragedy comes your way that there is a nurse who is praying for you, and loving you. There is someone out there who you don't know that will touch you in a way you may never know.

Amy

Truly Sad

I hinted on my last post how hard a time I am having dealing with BB and DQ moving up in the world. I have also mentioned in the past my hate love of change. Well, I'm confessing that my heart is breaking. First of all, I have to miss BB's last field day this week. I am soooo incredibly sad. Second of all, MIDDLE SCHOOL!! I just cannot believe my sweet baby boy is going there to that big bad place. I remember my first day so clearly. The kids were so big, and grown up, and "wise" beyond their years. Thirdly, this next year DQ will be a 5th grader and that will be it. That will be all I have left of elementary school. The tears are running down my cheeks right now as I type.
To my two angels, I love you so much. I miss our endless days of snacks, naps, cartoons, play dates, and picnics with strawberries and chicken fingers. I miss field trips to the pumpkin patches and petting zoos. I miss holding your hands every time we step out of the house. I miss washing koolaide mustaches off your faces. I miss falling into bed exhausted every night, only to be awoken with a sweet whisper in my ear that you heard a noise.
I know you are still my babies, that you will always be my babies. Please slow down. Don't grow up so fast. There is plenty of time for you to be a big kid, just be little for a little while longer!
This summer we will find some fun to be had. We will play, and travel, and sleep, and eat, and I'm sure we will watch our fair share of cartoons. I will work, and I will want to choke you for being so loud while I'm trying to sleep. Know that I love every second of my life that I have with you in it!

Mommy

Happy Birthday and Other Stuff Too

First of all, Happy Birthday sweet Aubrey, can't wait to see you soon!!!!

Sorry about my lack of blogging over the last week. I headed back to the working world and it has been quite an adjustment. Friday night was my first night back and needless to say it was a tragic night. I had a mommy deliver at 22 weeks along (and sadly that's just too young for survival), had a serious case that I'm not sure if her babies survived, and one of our doctors committed suicide. What a terrible night it was! Please keep these families in your prayers; I obviously cannot share their names, but God knows who you are talking about: He's good like that!

Well, not too terribly much going on in Hworld. The kiddos are anticipating the end of the school year. I'm dreading it because that means that I will be the mother of a 5th grader and a middle schooler. Oh how I miss those "little" days. They are growing up so very fast and it's breaking my heart. At the same time I so enjoy them! They have so many stories to tell, and opinions to share (if that's a good thing or not is debatable!)

This summer brings camp and the beach. We are very excited about the beach!! Who wouldn't be?

Well, I must go catch some zzzzz's. Happy Tuesday all!
Amy

Not Me Monday

I did not watch the whole 4th season of Beverly Hills 90210 during my recovery. I mean who would sit and enjoy all the teenage angst anyway?
I did not give in and let DQ have waffles for supper last week because I was just too tired to argue with her; of course it wasn't me who didn't cook supper for her in the first place!
I didn't take some mangy little dog to the vet in attempt to find his owner for my neighbor. Not only did I not take the dog, but I didn't let it wander around my house and I didn't let my kids "name" him Scruffy.
I didn't wear shorts under my skirt when I went to a funeral this past weekend because I am so tired of being uncomfortable and I didn't plan on stripping down to said shorts in the car on the way home.
I did not attempt to start a fire in a fire pit with dried up pine straw, and I certaintly did not let BB help me! Nope, no fire starters in this house!
I did not tell my mother in law that the size 14 dress she wants to give me won't fit because I wear a size 4; I would never be that rude! (What was I not thinking?????)
If you want to read more of what people DON'T do then head over to MckMama's and have a good laugh!

Amy

It's Settled

Tonight was truly a wonderful evening. I was prepared to spend the whole entire night whining to hubby about how bored I am until my FABULOUS neighbor Fab texted and said to come sit with her on the deck. Not only did she have some yummy frosty beverages, but a fire pit to go with them. Aahhhh, I love summer! Oh, and hubby? I would like a fire pit for our backyard for mother's day, m'kay??

Amy

Artwork

What a beautiful Promise

After a thunderstorm









Couldn't be completely serious could I??







Ahhhhh, what a good artist God is!!
Amy

Storming Heaven

I just got finished reading something and I loved the phrase "storming heaven on your behalf". I got chills and even shed a few tears. You see, me and God are in a tense and tumultuous time right now. I am confused about some things in my world, and I am angry about some things in my life, and on and on and on. Enough about that.

When I hear that "Storming heaven on your behalf" I picture a mass of huge football players racing forward with all their strength and might. I see their faces of determination. I hear their grunts and shouts as they run and push harder and harder to break through.

I picture a giant with his mighty foot breaking in and stomping down. He takes no excuses and makes no exceptions: he wants in!

I am so tired. I am so weak. I am just so..... well I don't know. But what I am coming to see is that God's people are there, running with all their might, praying with complete and total faith and here I sit doing nothing. Hmmmm......

Amy

Wishes

As most of you know, or unless you are new here, I've been pretty darn sick lately. I had surgery last week, and am currently in the recovery process. Also, as most of you know, I am a night shift nurse at a busy hospital.( In fact, most of us lovingly call it the baby factory!)

Anyway, all this being said I heard through the rumor mill that some different shifts were available and they were taking resquests. OH MY!!!!! The bad part is, I haven't been there and don't know how long this little status has been up, or if I'm too late, or if I can still get in on the good stuff, or........ ya know??????

I decided that just because I am currently unable to make my presence known does not mean that I should not be able to bid. I called my supervisor during the wee hours of the night, (cause remember, I'm a night crawler, therefore my supervisor is as well), to question the occurrence. She said she'd get right on that for me!!! So what I'm asking for you is to cross those little two fingers, say a little prayer, and wish upon a star!!!!!

Thanks and have a superb day bloggers!!!!!!!!

Amy

Something New

I found a fun new little tidbit while catching up on my blogging today.Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

So here goes!!
I did not paint Spike the dog's toes hot pink out of sheer boredom. Nope not me!










I did not sit in bed all day and watch A Baby Story and yell and stupid people who are told not to eat after midnight then eat and get mad because they are delayed 6 hours or more in getting their C-section. I did not sit and try to lecture Bear the puppy for 2 minutes about how he HAS to stay out of the trash. I did not trip over my shoes that I didn't put away and spill my cereal bowl EVERYWHERE. I did not cry on my husbands shoulder and then cry more between sobs because it hurt to cry. I did not tell my nurse I don't care what they do to me as long as they give me lots of drugs. I did not yell at my mother for dumping coffee in the coffee canister (sorry mom).

OK, so there's more, but I'm feeling rather ashamed of myself at this point, because I DID NOT do these things..... no not me!!!!!



Amy

Time

Time is something I have much of these days. I'm SLOWLY recovering.... I think. It still hurts to cough and sneeze, I feel fine till I get out of bed, and I'm running a low grade temp. Oh, and the pain is still there. Sigh..... I guess we are still going to have to figure this out. However, during all my time I've learned a few things. First of all, watch this! Cool huh?
So also in all my time I've managed to find myself, I've been researching and I think I've stumbled upon something that may be an answer.... interstitial cystis. Fun words huh? Anyway, my symptoms are so very similar to what I've read. Think I'll ask Dr Pohl about it on my next visit next week.
Happy trails, I'm here holding down the couch.

Amy