Beauty

This is what it looked like outside my apartment just moments ago... I had to share.

I LOVE the sky.
These pictures have not been doctored in any way. Click on them for a closer look.

Chuck Norris Facts

Chuck Norris A.K.A. Walker Texas Ranger

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.

There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.

When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.

There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up.

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.

Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost

Guns don't kill people. Chuck Norris kills people.

Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and Kill.

The leading causes of death in the United States are:
1. Heart Disease
2. Chuck Norris
3. Cancer

Source: I found this http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/.

So I had a bad day...la la la laaaa

It's been a rough week. The Huzz-a-bus is out of town on business until Friday (he left Monday), so I am feeling pretty alone. School is stressful... there is so much to learn and do!! Also, I have been sick the past couple of days with "I-have-no-idea-itis".

I've spent the last couple of nights with a fever, shivering uncontrollably with the chills, and with a headache that just won't quit. NO sleep. I think at one point on Tuesday I was just wishing my head would explode and it would be done with already.
Thankfully, it didn't, and I am here to tell this tale. I am feeling MUCH better today.

Despite my ill feelings, I still had two clinicals to attend this week, and a lesson plan on foot care to prepare. Also, for my ICU clinical, I have to prepare a nursing care plan, interpret my patient's ECG, and fill out a lab sheet explaining any abnormal lab values, their meanings, and any nursing interventions I will be doing because of the abnormal values... blah blah blah boring nurse talk.

I didn't want to miss clinical. If I miss clinical I have to write a 6 page paper on a subject of my instructor's choice. I hate writing papers. So because I was sick, my care plan wasn't really that great this week and for some reason - which escapes me at this time, and made me look like a complete idiot when I was talking to my instructor - I forgot to fill out my lab sheet. This, and the fact that I forgot several very important nursing diagnosis related to my patient, pretty much guarentees an UNSATISFACTORY care plan.

UNsatisfactory. The word causes a chill to run down my spine. I.... hate.... to.... fail. I guess you could say I am a perfectionist.

So, of all the things to do in a tough situation... I cried.


Today, in front of my instructor, my peers, other nurses on the ICU unit, doctors, patient family members, the janitor sweeping the floor... I cried. I bawled my freakin' eyes out! We are talking uncontrollable crying. The kind where you do that weird double breath thing. The kind where your eyes swell up, your face turns beet red, and your nose becomes twice it's normal size.

Anyway, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Spurting out all of my problems to my instructor in a barely audible voice. I felt sorry for myself for most of the week... until today.

Today, I found out that a fellow nursing student lost her 4 month old baby to SIDS.
Today, I saw someone die in the ICU.
Today, I found out a friend of mine got in a car accident. She has sores up and down her neck and bruises everywhere. Her car is totalled, but thankfully she is okay.
Today, I had a patient who had 2 chest tubes, sepsis (systemic bacterial infection), congestive heart failure, respiratory failure, and tubes in every hole of the body.
Today, I saw a dog get hit by a car.
Today, I remembered my nephew has a broken leg and one of my best friends has shingles.
Today, I remembered I have an amazing, loving husband, an awesome family, cool friends, a place to live, food to eat, freedom... the list is endless.
Today, I remember how Jesus suffered for my sins on the cross.

There were big and small reminders everywhere I looked today. Reminders that I really have nothing to complain about. Today I, Edith, a.k.a. "BIG BOOB," realize that my life is pretty amazing! I am unbelievably blessed!!

Not that being sick isn't serious. Not that my stress level isn't important. But we all have bad days, and my trials fail to compare to the trials and suffering of many others.

Yes... nursing school is hard. Yes, to be a good nurse I need to learn how to control my emotions (this is going to be the hardest thing ever for me to conquer - I cry at commercials, when OTHER people show concern for me and are nice to me, when a cloud is extra puffy and aesthetically pleasing....) There is a lot that I need to learn and know because I am going to taking care of people. People are trusting me with their lives! These experiences will only make me stronger. They will make me a better nurse.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)

I Went To The Dentist Today

It's been 5 years since I have been to a dentist. Probably longer for Paul.
This isn't something we are proud of, time just got the best of us and we never really had any reason to go to a dentist.

We've always brushed, but we didn't really start flossing and scraping our tongues until about a few months ago when we began our quest for better teeth.

So far, it has made quite a difference in a lot of things...

-my gums no longer bleed
-our breath doesn't stink (it wasn't really that bad before, but now it REALLY doesn't stink)
-we no longer walk around with things inbetween our teeth... it's "a good thing."

But, it has been 5 years... and my teeth are a little sensitive sometimes.

So, after 5 years of not seeing a dentist, I was expecting the worst.

My dentist was a nice man. He spoke in a very calm voice... do you remember Bob Ross? He used to do that show on public television called "The Joy Of Painting"? My dentist sounds exactly like him!



While he was scraping my teeth he would say things like..."ahhh, there you go... very nice. Just like that...."

Anyway, they took an X-ray - looks good!
They scraped the decay off - looks good!!
Do I have any cavities? No! Looks good!!!

I felt great joy and gratitude upon hearing this information.

Great joy, and gratitude - similar to the great joy and gratitude described by Deanna Troi in the 2nd episode of Star Trek the next generation, Encounter at Farpoint: Part 2, that was being felt by the large space creature (that could take any form) after it was released and let free to join it's mate.

Below: see "great joy and gratitude" at it's best.

(You have to see the episode to really understand the hilarity of those words "great joy and gratitude". Deanna repeats it with a very funny accent and tear-filled eyes over and over... it made me and Paul laugh our butts off when we saw it once, and ever since then when we are happy about something we say we have great joy and gratitude - just like Deanna.)

The point is, I do NOT have to go back to the dentist and spend hundreds of dollars fixing my teeth.

I shall continue my morning and evening routines of flossing, brushing, scraping and mouthwashing, and life will be peachy.

Very Angry Cat !!! Beware!

This cat does NOT like to be on video. Hahahaha

This, That, and The Other

The first week back to nursing school is done. I hope this semester goes by just as fast. I'm sure it will.

This semester I have...
an online nursing research course;
an advanced adult health lecture course with matching weekly 8 hour clinical in the ICU;
and a community health lecture course with matching weekly 6 hour community health clinical.

The first half of my community course will be spent at a very nice community retirement home - this place is HUGE. The second half (after about 5 weeks) I will be accompanying a community nurse to people's homes to assist with nursing care out in the community.

I'm really excited for my experiences in the ICU for my advanced adult health clinical. I've never had a patient on a ventilator, or a patient with chest tubes, a tracheostomy, or anything severely invasive that could mean the difference between life and death for the person.

I've been told the ICU nurse's job is very unique when compared to other nurses. ICU nurses usually have a better knowledge of, and better relationship with, their patients. Also, because ICU patients require constant care, ICU nurses are only assigned to 1 or 2 patients at a time - as opposed to floor nurses who can have anywhere from 5 to 10 patients at a time. That, by no means, makes an ICU nurse's job easier. It is a hard, active, "always on your feet" type job.

Anyway, I should have some amazing experiences this semester and I really look forward to it!

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Kitty is still around. Paul named the cat "kitty". Paul also bought a 10 pack of tuna in water and when we see the kitty outside we usually say hi, give it a pet, and give it some food. Paul doesn't want to be caught with cat food in our apartment because then they may think the cat is ours, and try to charge us $50 more a month.

Kitty has also made herself a little nested area behind a bush outside the front of our apartment. She curls up there most of the day and sleeps. The weather outside right now is awesome. It is the perfect coolness, so I am not worried about the cats discomfort or anything. If it rains, she usually comes and sits on our door mat or near the railing on the stairs.

The other day I opened the front door cause I heard kitty crying and the cat immediately ran into our apartment. It began investigating the area, sniffing the air, and the it ran into our bedroom. I hurriedly picked her up, and while gently tossing her out the front door and saying,

"No kitty, you can't come in here,"

my neighbor walked by. We don't really talk with our neighbors - they're all pretty unfriendly or scary - believe me, I have tried to be social/neighborly/nice and it just doesn't work.

Anyway, so now I am afraid my neighbor might think it is our cat, and we are just cruel, animal abusing people. I think next time I see him, I am going to ask him straight out if he knows who's cat it is. Then he'll think, "Awww I guess it's not their cat. I was terribly, terribly mistaken."

Of course, I really have no idea what our neighbor thinks, I just assume these things. He probably doesn't care. Therefore, neither shall I.