Backroads, Railroad Tracks and Fireflies

Ever had a night that you felt like was really close to perfect?


I've had a few times in my life when I have felt TRULY 100% content and happy.

and last night was one of those times.

I was hesitant to go out-just kinda in a blah.  An "I've worked all week and now I am cranky, tired, and pathetic" mood.  But my friends convinced me....so I went over and we chatted for a while, nothing fancy, nothing big.  And then suddenly....we were in the truck...windows down, music at full blast...heading south.

Now we all know how much I love my town.  The city of St Louis is STELLAR and my little corner of suburbia....AMAHZING.
But drive 45 or so minutes south-and BAM-yo South County...or SoCO as the locals call it....and if you know where to go-some of the best spots in town.


There is still an old railroad that runs right along the Mississippi river and if you go at the right time-you can walk along the track, in total still silence with nothing but the quiet rustle of the trees in the wind and the water  lapping against the shore.

If its a clear night, the stars are tremendous and if you are really lucky- you might see one or two shooting across the sky.  The smell of honeysuckle (aka the official smell of summer around here!) is almost intoxicating while the fireflies dance in the woods looking like a professional fireworks show.

It truly was an incredible night.

And though it is cheesy-this will forever be the song that will remind me of the night we left the crazy and just WERE...

Sometimes life can be lonely.  Sometimes it gets you down and there are hard times.

But also there are somedays when it seems like nothing can go wrong. 

And those days recharge you and make you remember.

If I ever leave this place-I will certainly miss it-but I will always smile at the memories.

Be Happy Be Healthy!

The Time I Was a Patient Linky Party

So ever since I became a graduate nurse..I am OBSESSED with nursing (ask my family...its practically all I ever talk about!) (I need a JOB!!!  I NEED PATIENTS!!!  Then I can put my energy and obsession to use and stop bugging people!)

ANYWAY!

I recently discovered a few nursing blogs....LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
There is a sisterhood in the nursing community (I believe other professions have the same deal....the only people who can understand what you do are other people who do it!)
And I love being able to be part of the blogging nursing community.

I had a busy day yesterday so I didn't get a chance to join up with this linky party yesterday---but a day late isn't too bad right????


The time I was a patient the longest was way back when I was 4 years old.  And actually it was an experience that didn't directly push me to be a nurse, but has played a role in the kind of nurse I am.

When I was 4 I was admitted into National Children's Hospital to have surgery on my kidney.  Basically the tube (ureter) that connected my bladder and kidney was not attached correctly.  This lead to build up...and infection and inflammation.  For the first four years of my life I'm pretty sure I rarely went a week without getting a UTI (urinary tract infection)  I took antibiotics like they were candy (trust me they did NOT taste like candy!).  I had a lot of fevers...some getting so high I vomited and had to take medication rectally.
Thank goodness I had a father who held the priesthood and great hometeachers cause I for SURE got dozens of blessings in those 4 years.

(Mormons believe strongly that prayer has healing power, and that men who hold the priesthood, or literally the power of God, can say special prayers that can aid those who need to be healed)

This condition is not uncommon in children.  But most grow out of it.  Its genetic-my brother also had it but he grew out of it.  The way I think of it--once you get a little longer, your "tubes" can stretch out a little more.  But unfortunately for me--mine didn't.

For a while I had periodic tests performed to determine if the frequent infections and inflammation was causing any damage to my kidneys or urinary tract.  I'm not sure what type of tests were performed-but I have VERY vivid memories of the pain associated with them.  They were radiological in nature and the dye they used burned REALLY bad!

When I was four one of the tests showed that damage was beginning to occur.  My nephrologist decided to go ahead and perform the surgery before more damage occurred.  A surgery was scheduled.

I actually have quite a few memories of my 3 days in the hospital.  I remember how cold I was before I went into surgery.  I remember being terrified of the needle they used to do the blood work before the procedure.  I remember the cool toys in the waiting room before I went in.  I remember waking up from the procedure and the nurse/tech/person saying (in what appeared to a scared cold 4 year old very cranky grumpy voice) "She's awake"

I remember the doll I brought.  Her name was Catherine and my grandma had recently given her to me.  She was a more life-like baby than any of my other dolls and she was for sure my favorite.  I made my mom PROMISE to babysit her while I was gone.  After I went under my mom found out she could leave her with me and have her be there when I woke up.  But my mom was worried I would be mad at her for not following my very specific bossy 4 year old instructions so she kept Catherine. Apparently while my parents where waiting in my room for me, a nurse walked by surprised I was back already (my mom was holding Catherine).  She was so life like-the nurse thought it was the patient!

I remember getting wheeled back to my room with the cranky nurse.
I remember the discomfort I felt the entire time, especially walking. (now that I know how important ambulation is...I'm sure I totally drove my nurses nuts by REFUSING to)
I had a crazy annoying roommate "Roommate, roommate are you awake."  My mom always responded 'Go to sleep Bianca"
I remember stories of a very painful night--with a very unhelpful nurse.  And the day nurse coming in and making a big fuss to comfort my mom and me.


My experiences of pain and fear...knowing my mothers feelings and experiences-both have always colored my nursing care of families and patients.
We as nurses always have to be aware of the fear our patients have.  And that it is not just about the patient either.  You've gotta remember the family too.

So thats when I was a patient.  Enjoy and check out Anna and Renee :)

Be Happy...Be Healthy

Three Years

Its a weird feeling knowing that I will never (likely, I suppose I should not use superlatives...ps remind me to post about superlatives) work at a library again.

My story with libraries began over 25 years ago.

My mother graduated from BYU (GO COUGARS!!) with a Master's degree in Library Sciences.  A few years down the road she had me.  She took me to libraries and book mobiles and story times my whole life.
Fast forward to my older sisters senior year of high school.
She wanted very much to be a library aid (easy class yahoo senioritis).  The librarians were skeptical, but when they found out this seemingly nice and responsible high school student had a librarian for a mother-they warmed up to the idea.

They loved her as expected...which led to my ability to get a library aid spot there my senior year.

Fast forward another few years.  I've applied for a cataloging job at the Harold B Lee Library at BYU. The fact that I had previous library experience and even more my mother's graduation from a program run by their very library---got me the job.  Which got me my next 2 library jobs.

But I left BYU and thought I was leaving my library work and all the cataloging knowledge that I had crammed in my brain with everything else I learned out there!

BUT Alas libraries were not done with me!  They wanted me for life!
I applied for another cataloging position at Ellis Library at Mizzou.  And according to my boss-once they found out I had experience, I basically only got an interview to make sure I wasn't crazy and the job was mine!

So thanks mom for supplying me with 3 years of pay-checks and padding for my resume :)

I was chatting with my boss' boss on my last day that it would be weird to never work in  library again after over 3 years.  She warned me not to say never.  Cause who knows---I may end up in a health sciences/medical library someday.
I guess they are right-never say never.  But honestly I don't really see it....But I guess who knows!
Only time will tell

Be Happy...Be Healthy