Lost a Patient

Ohhh, you know I am an oncology nurse.  I deal with everything from newly diagnosed, to chemo slinging, and death and dying.  I thought I could handle anything, I've been doing it so long.  But then, something comes along that catches you off guard and........

There was this patient with leukemia that was on 3 day/week blood support cuz his bone marrow was destroyed by high dose chemo.  Without frequent transfusions of blood and/or platelets, he would surely die very quickly.  We all got to know him and his wife very well, and luved them both.  Today, I found out that Monday, just a few days ago, he spiked a temp, had a critical event, and died suddenly.  Well, we all think the critical event was a brain hemmorhage since he had no platelets to speak of.  I just saw him last Friday, looking buff, as usual.  Ack!  Not this one!  It caught me waaaay off guard.  My co-workers and I had a long discussion and did some on-the-spot grieving.  I am so very sad about this.  But, I can't dwell on it.  There are so many others....... 

Posted by pearly_54 @ 5:13 pm EDT | Permalink | 4 Comments

No Pain, No Gain

I went to the gym yesterday.  That is not an event, I do it frequently.  But, I decided to increase my weights a little.  Now, for some unknown reason, I have always been prone to muscle soreness after any kind of activity.  It doesn't matter if I have been doing it for months, I still get sore.  So, I am a bit stiff today.  Especially my pecs.  Seems to be the weakest muscles I have in my entire body.  Maybe a chest massage would help?

Posted by pearly_54 @ 8:11 am EDT | Permalink | 3 Comments

Easter

Well, it is Easter Monday....  I had a very lovely Easter.  My kids and grandkids were at the beach, freezing to death.  Have to feel sorry about that.  Right up until they went it was warm and great weather, then that cold spell came in.  Oh well, that's life.  Anyways, I had a very quiet day, which is exactly what I like.  Now the little story.....

Every Easter my husband gets me one thing, Cadbury Eggs.  And, every year he gives them to me a different way.  Quite amusing, I must say.  My favorite of all time was several years ago....  He would kill me if he knew I was doing this.  I was in the living room watching something on TV, and he came "hopping" out of the kitchen, landing in a frog-like position right in front of me.  After some grunting and groaning, he reached behind him and said "what's this?"  Of course, I was already laughing so hard, I couldn't figure out what he was doing.  I fell for it.  He pulled out a cadbury egg.  So, he was the easter bunny making a delivery.  Too funny.  This year, we were eating supper, and I asked him, where's my egg?  He looked embarrassed and said, Oh! today is Easter! and immediately got up from the table to retrieve "something".  He came back with his pockets stuffed and said I had to go after them.  I did, much to his pleasure.  LOL.  And when I ate the first one, he made noises like "ouch, that hurts".  Ack!  Use your imagination!

I also heard from a very dear friend yesterday.  We had a misunderstanding and hadn't been speaking for a while.  We talked and spent some time together, and we are ok again.  Wonderful Easter gift.  So, all in all, I had a great Easter!

Posted by pearly_54 @ 8:49 am EDT | Permalink | 3 Comments

Ahhh Spring

Spring is here in NC and all is right with my world.  The dogwoods and azaleas are in bloom, and the trees are leafed out.  Ahhhh, beautiful.  The major problem is pine pollen, which is particularly bad this year.  Everything, cars, houses, sidewalks, etc. is all covered with this greenish-yellow pollen commonly referred to as pine dust.  Fortunately, it will be over soon and a good rain will wash it all away.

I am planning a weekend at the beach very soon.  Hope the weather straightens itself out.  Weird weather this year.  Two days ago it was in the 80's, today it is 48 with a freeze warning tonight.  Hmmmmmm.  Very weird.  Well, happy Friday, everyone!

Posted by pearly_54 @ 1:57 pm EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments

Going to the LAN

So, I went to the Philly LAN and had a blast.  I met some great people, put faces to names.  Now, the Chicago LAN is only a few months away.  Guess what!  Hubby says he is going this time.  Ack!  He is absolutely NOT a gamer and would definitely be the elder of the crowd.  Hmmm, what fun is that?  Just kidding, sorta.  Now, I am trying to decide whether I am actually going to go, or not.  My games are magic and WoW.  I own a Halo 2 game, but, FPS is not my interest, or, at least, I am not any good at it.  I can play WoW for hours and hours.  So, I guess that would be a good reason to go.  And to put more faces to names.  I am still trying to decide.......  How can I misbehave and party hardy if hubby is around?  Hmmmm, I didn't really say that.  Really.

Posted by pearly_54 @ 9:04 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments