It's Been Forever

I know it has been forever since my last post. Work has been very busy and there have been plenty of extra shifts to pick up. This week and last week have been the first two weeks in a while that I haven't picked up a fourth shift. Well, technically last week I only worked 2 1/2 shifts and this week I will only work 2. I'll explain in a second.

Other than work, I have been busy working around the house. The guest bathroom has been painted and the office is finally finished. Just some painting in the master bedroom and bath is left. I'll go ahead and post some pictures as soon as I remember to buy batteries for the camera.

So Saturday night I was at work...everything was going pretty well. It was my second night as charge nurse, but I things were moving fairly smoothly. About 1 am I sat down to catch up on a little charting and catch up with a patient that had spent the beginning part of the shift at dialysis. I sat and began writing, suddenly and I mean suddenly, I felt the sharpest pain in the left area of my back. All I could do was put my head down. I then broke out in a sweat and realized I had about 1 minute to get to the bathroom. Long story short, I realized I could not continue working and at the same time I knew it wasn't a stomach virus so the house nursing supervisor took me to the ER in a wheel chair. Can I tell you what great service you get in the ER when the supervisor brings another nurse down in a wheelchair? I think there were two nurses and a tech in the room. They started asking questions, an IV was started, some good medicine was given to control the pain and nausea, and fairly quickly the ER doctor came in. He told me it sounded like I had a kidney stone and he wanted to do a CT scan to confirm. Sure enough the scan showed a nice 3 mm stone. I left the ER at about 6:30 Sunday morning to pass my new found friend at home. I did not go home empty handed as I had prescriptions for pain medicine and anti-nausea medicine. Sunday and Monday were spent at home pushing fluids and napping. (And for the record I may go a lifetime before I drink any lemonade or lemon flavored drinks!) Finally, at about 11:20 on Monday night the whole ordeal was over.

I did keep my follow-up appointment on Tuesday with the urologist and have been given several things to do over the next month before I see him again. Mainly dietary changes like more vegetables, less animal protein, a 1/2 cup of bran cereal every morning, and lots of water. He did make a comment that it may be the water where I live but I won't know anything until I go back in a month and all the lab tests have returned.

Until then, I am really going to try to do a better job of keeping things updated! :)

The Latest Report

On Thursday night Cindy was placed in hospice care. They have stopped all IV fluids and her breathing became more labored last night.

Again I thank you for all your prayers for this family.

UPDATE: Cindy passed away this evening at 5:30.

No Real Change

Sorry I didn't get to post an update regarding my co-worker Cindy yesterday. Her family did take her off the ventilator yesterday. The early report was that her vital signs were stable except for her breathing. It was shallow and her rate was in the mid 20s. (Normal is around 16). The doctors didn't know how long it would take, but figured she wouldn't be able to keep that up very long.

Another one of my co-workers went to the hospital last night and Cindy was still holding her own in regards to her vital signs. There is a some brain activity in the brain stem only. The outlook is still not good at this point, but we are continuing to pray for a miracle.

Last night I worked and it was pretty obvious that something was going on. Everyone was a little short with each other at the beginning of the shift. It was as if a big pink elephant were in the room. We all knew it was there, but no one wanted to talk about it. However, by the end of the shift things were better. I think this has been a wake up call for everyone.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Another Update

While yesterday's report on my co-worker, Cindy, was positive, today's was not. The scan of her brain showed no activity and her kidneys began to fail. If there is not change (for the better) the family has decided to take her off life support tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for a miracle for Cindy and her family. Her daughter did go in to see her today. Pray for Steve, Cindy's husband, the three kids, and the rest of her family during this time. I would also ask that you would pray for the NorthCrest family. Our floor is very close, especially the night shift. Pray that those of us who have a strong faith would have opportunities to share Christ no matter the outcome at this point.

Thanks.

Update

If you missed my last post, you might want to read it to get the background information.

I spoke with one of my co-workers a little while ago. She had been to the hospital to see Cindy. Another EEG today showed some brain activity. This is better than yesterday's report. Cindy's children were told what was going on and the twin boys went to see her today. Her daughter was not ready yet. The family is staying optimistic at this time and continuing to pray for a miracle.

Thank you all for praying for Cindy and her family at this time.

Heavy Heart

It is with a heavy heart that I blog tonight.

At this time last week the crazy part of the night shift was ending as most of the patients drifted off to sleep. Around midnight a couple of nurses and I shared a pizza.

You might wonder where I am going. I sat by Cindy that night. It was just another night. We worked, we laughed, we caught up on the things in each other's lives. I asked her how here three kids were. She asked me about the house.

Thursday morning Cindy's husband found her unresponsive and she was taken the ER. Long story short, she is in a diabetic coma. At this time the report is not good.

Please join me in praying for a miracle for my co-worker and her family.

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak to the master bedroom.

I have some more painting to do so I better get busy.