Happy Thanksgiving

This a.m., I was quite surprised to read the headline of our newspaper. It was a story about how the hospital I work at is planning a merge with a big city hospital. I was taken aback. I hadn't heard anything about it. I work for the darn place and I have to find out about a possible merger by reading the daily paper. This weekend when I work, I'll have to find out exactly what's going on.

Tonight, we are all making a 2 hour trip to visit my in-laws for Thanksgiving. We had originally planned on going tomorrow and driving back, but somehow, we've been talked into spending the night tonight and leaving tomorrow. It's just such a hassle to visit overnight with them. First, there is the obvious lack of restraint when it comes to alcohol. Then there's the issue where all 5 of us will sleep. Neither my BIL/SIL or husbands parents have enough room, really. We're all going to cram into my BIL/SIL small 2 bedroom house. Should be interesting. I'm also kind of a traditionalist when it comes to Thanksgiving: I want Turkey, noodles, mashed potatoes, etc. My FIL decided to do prime rib this year. Not that I don't enjoy good beef, it's just not turkey. It seems so petty to be slightly irritated, but sometimes, I can't help it. I have to pack 5 overnight bags (Husband is capable, but apparently can't seem to do it himself), make sure we have the pack and play for Isaiah, plenty of diapers, wipes, outfits for all 3 kids, extras for Isaiah and Clara just in case she wets the bed, bottles/sippy cups, bibs, baby food, toys, bedding, pillows, air mattresses, and, oh yeah, the kids. I don't know how people do it for longer trips by air. I'm sure we'll have a good time once we're there. The prime rib will be excellent, and my MIL will be closely monitored. And the best part is: My house won't be destroyed!

On a different note, Isaiah may be getting the hang of sleeping most of the night. Two nights ago, he slept all night! I woke up a bit worried because he's not done that before. It was that irrational feeling that I think all mothers get when you wake up and realize the baby is still asleep. I was just afraid to go in a find him not sleeping, but, well, you know. He obviously was fine, and I knew deep down he was. But it was so uncharacteristic of him. Last night he slept until 5 a.m., which is still pretty good. We'll see how long it lasts. I also had to break out a bigger car seat for him today. He's just too big for the infant care seat, so I installed the next step up, still rear facing, but holds bigger babies. It was a bit sad taking out the infant care seat. I've turned into such a sentimental sap when it comes to all things revolving my children growing. I really do have a lot to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, 30 years

I survived the weekend and the whole turning 30 thing. It still seems a bit strange to think I'm really 30 years old. The years have really gone by way too quickly, especially since the kids were born. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess! We had a little get together on Saturday and it was actually a lot of fun. It was the first time we really tried to have a little party, so I was worried it would be a little bit lame, but I think everyone had a good time. We all hung out here, and then went down the street (only 1 1/2 blocks) to the local bar and had some drinks. I realized the next morning that I am in fact 30, not 21. I'll not be having any adult beverages for quite awhile. I also finally have joined the rest of world and I am now a proud owner of an ipod. Only problem: our frickin computer is too old and slow that I can't use it right now. I'm sure this computer is going to crash very soon. I mean, we bought this thing in 2002. So, really, it's time. I'm hoping that it will last until after Christmas, because with buying gifts, it just isn't in the budget right now. So maybe we'll hit an after Christmas sale. We'll see how it goes.

T-3 and counting...

This week, I've been doing some crazy cleaning around the house. My 30th birthday is fast approaching on Sunday and we're having a little party Saturday. Nothing huge, but we're planning on having some adult beverages, some non-alcoholic beverages as well, and some food. I thought about inviting people from work, because I work with some cool people and partly because most of them have this idea of me as Susie Homemaker with the 3 kids. I swear they think I put on the apron strings, bake cookies, can veggies, and do art projects all day, holler at kids for listening to music that's too loud, and go to bed at 8:30pm. Okay, so I might go to bed at 8:30 given the chance. Not that there's anything wrong with being Susie Homemaker, but that's so no tme. I still know how to have a good time, I just don't have the opportunity. I thought that if co-workers came, I could put an end to that belief, but I decided that I end up hearing stuff like "Oh my God, I cant believe you did.." and so on. Plus, if they see me that way, then really its okay. The people I'm close to at work, unfortunately have to work this weekend. So it won't be a huge thing. But, still I've been cleaning like a mad woman. I've scoured the bathroom, cleaned all the upstairs bedrooms from top to bottom, I'll have all my laundry done by Saturday, and I plan to dust, mop, vacuum, and put all the clutter that seems to reproduce in my house into a box and stash it in the basement until the weekend is over. Oh, and I'll have to get all the kids toys organized and put away. My mom and dad are being brave and are taking all 3 kids overnight so we can party and not have to worry about them underfoot. God help them. I really hope Isaiah sleeps. My mom even came up yesterday to keep an eye on the kids so I could really get down and dirty to clean the house. I just finished up cleaning our computer room/back porch and I came to a realization that I should have known was coming...all the cleaning a week before people are over, worrying about making sure everything goes okay, worrying about what people think about my house...I realize I know someone else like that. Someone who hounded us a week ahead of time to clean the house, who was constantly picking up, and I'd roll my eyes and wonder why the fuss. Who might you ask? My Mom. I have officially turned into my mother.

Ahh, I feel like a labor nurse again.

Monday night I actually felt like a labor nurse again. It was nice. I've been spending so much time filling in as charge nurse when I work or on postpartum, that it seems like lately my labors/deliveries are few and far between. Some days I wonder what it would be like to work in a bigger hospital where you work in one area. Monday, I admitted this mama, first baby, and she was one of those who aren't quite sure if they want an epidural. She was 6 cm on admission. She told me she will probably want one eventually, but was okay at that point. She was doing fine sitting in the bed, closing her eyes and breathing and relaxing with each contraction. She seemed so relaxed you couldn't tell she was in labor. Things started progressing, and she got to that point where a lot of women get when they don't have an epidural: she started saying "I can't do it". But she was. Checked her, she was 9cm with a bulging bag of water. Just knowing she had made great progress in an hours time seemed to help. I then helped her onto the birthing ball, and showed her husband how to do counter pressure around her lower back and hips, which seemed to help. When it came time for delivery, she did great, did what her body told her to do and delivered a healthy baby, with just a tiny little abrasion on the vaginal wall. After it was over and she was holding her baby, she was so happy she had decided against the epidural. It's so satisfying to feel like you're supporting moms while in labor, whether they get and epidural or not.

What a long week

Wow, what a busy week it's been. Here's a rundown:
Sunday night, I'm in charge and I realized the night would suck when I was cursed at by a father on the phone. His teenage daughter had come in for a few issues with her pregnancy and he was ticked I wouldn't break HIPPA laws. I'm not quite sure why he couldn't just talk to his daughter, but whatever.Every other work he said was f-this, and f-that. He said "She's a F-ing minor", I then had to explain to him that even though he was her father and that she was a minor, that she was an emancipated minor and had control over her healthcare. As you can imagine, he didn't like that, and told me I better have that F-in G-damn law at the desk waiting for him when he came in. He never came in, but the night never improved.
Went to work Monday night, Husband calls to tell me our van tire is flat at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday a.m., and that he's at home. He needs me to leave work so he can change the tire and get to work because he can't do that with the kids around. Ends up I don't get to sleep Tuesday a.m. Isaiah starts puking and pooping. He started feeling better Thursday. I felt off all day Thursday. My stomach hurt a bit right above my naval and if I'd eat very much, I started feeling nauseated. The pain was like a hunger pang. I ignored it until right before I left to go into work (an extra shift I had hoped to get out of). I ate some rice and shortly after vomited. And it was bloody. Shit, that's not good. But, I go to work anyway, a bit worried, but figure I'll be fine. I get my pay stub and realize work shorted my 10 hours of pay, plus 2 hours of pay for our ed-day. Then at 1. a.m., Husband calls to warn me that Jacob and Clara are puking and pooping. Luckily, I'm able to go home because here's yet another day I will have been up all night and no sleep during the day. Clara was sleeping when I got home, but poor Jacob had it bad. About 5 a.m, I start puking and yep, it's still a bit bloody. Not like a lot of blood, but definatly blood mixed in. That continues, and I end up calling the office just to try and get an appointment and they tell me I need to go to ER. I never even considered that, and I thought it a bit premature, but whatever. My mom comes up to take me, Husband comes home from work to watch the kids and I go in. I REALLY didn't want to go because it takes sooooo long for anything in the ER if you aren't dying. I feel like absolute crap. I spend 4 hour in ER, and they never pay attention to my chief complaint of vomiting blood, they're more concerned about my abdominal pain. Here I am, trying not to dry heave, on the really comfy cot (so not) and they're offering pain meds. How 'bout an anti-emetic? They start and IV and I realize as a RN, I'm a BAD patient. They didn't use lidocaine, but I was okay with that. I recognize the nursing student from work, so it comes out that I am a RN. I try to avoid that so people dont assume I know things. But, now it's out there. So the nursing student tries my IV, and I have great veins, but she misses, hits a nerve and I swear I was about ready to come off the bed. I go ahead and let her try again, but make a suggestion as to a great vein to use. This one goes in great. They were going to draw some blood work, but instead of drawing it off the IV angiocath, they start the IV and stick me again for the labs. I wanted to make a suggestion, but a huge wave of nausea came over me. They finally give me some zofran, which doesn't work and I wait. And wait. And wait. Finally, doc comes in says labs are fine, asks about my pain, again. I then finally say my pain isnt that bad, what about the blood? He says it's benign, probably a broken blood vessel and says I can go. Then I wait 45 minutes for the RN to discharge me. She hands me my papers and prescriptions and says I can go. They prescribe me pepcid, but never said why. It wasn't until I talked with Dr. Sister that I find out I probably have either a peptic ulcer, or gastritis. Makes sense. It was probably brought on by stress, the antibiotics I'm finishing up for the mastitis, plus the ibuprofen I was taking around the clock until the antibiotics started working, on top of the massive amounts of caffeine I drink. So, I have to see my doc. This week has not been fun. And in a week, I'll be 30. But, looking back, on the day I turned 29, I started having preterm labor at 34 weeks with Isaiah, I've had a not fun c-section, poor sleep, at least 2 bouts of stomach flu, mastitis, and gastritis/ulcer. Maybe I'm ready to say good-bye to 29.

A new nursing experience

So far in my journey as a mother, I have nursed (and continue to nurse) for a total of 38 months. And will probably nurse for another 10 months or more, and probably to the dismay of a lot of family who think I should have weaned already or expect I will at 12 months. I have been proud to say I nursed my kids with very little trouble. All three kids seemed to come out and knew how to breastfeed, latched on without difficulty and things went well with milk supply. (except when my freezer crapped out) Well, lately, Isaiah has been making me very sore again . He has 4 teeth, 2 on top and 2 on bottom and as he nurses, he's kind of raking his teeth against my nipple. He doesn't always do it, but he's done it enough that my nipples are sore like a new mom and they are peeling. Probably too much info, but oh well. He also bit me a couple weeks ago, and I'll tell you what, I yelped like a banshee, scared the crap out of Isaiah and he looked at me, quivered his lip and started to cry right along with me. He thankfully hasn't done that since, but the whole point is his teeth have been a little problematic lately. Never had that with the other two and I nursed them with almost a full mouth of teeth. Friday, I noticed that my right breast was achy from time to time, which I thought was odd. Then right before I went to bed, I noticed a firm, sore spot on the right side of right breast and thought, "Hmm, hope that's not anything to be concerned about". It wasn't a clogged duct, because I had one of those when Isaiah was just a couple weeks old. So I went to bed. I woke up a couple hours later, freezing cold. I layered 2 more blankets on top of my already heavy comforter, and continued to shiver. It took me awhile to realize that I was chilling from a fever, and not just cold. I had noticed that my boob hurt like hell, and so I stumbled downstairs to take my temp and find tylenol or ibuprofen. Temp: 102 and of course, I can't find anything but childrens and baby tylenol. I realized then I had mastitis. The whole side of my breast was red, hot, inflammed and very sore. It hurt just to touch it. And I was achy from the fever, disoriented and dizzy. By the time I got upstairs, I was so dizzy that I ended up vomiting. I was feeling great! Thankfully, in the a.m. I was able to call and get an antibiotic to help clear it up and today it already feels a ton better. We figured that with Isaiah raking his teeth across me, the skin got a break in it and bacteria traveled its way up the breast into the milk duct. Nursing for those few hours was quite painful, but the full feeling was worse. Thankfully, the last several feedings, he hasn't been raking his teeth across the nipple, so I think maybe my breast will heal now, because it looks battered. I know a lot of women end up with this multiple times while breastfeeding, and boy does it suck. It was hard for me to put a sore boob as the cause of the flu-like feeling I had. So, I send my ultimate sympathies to all those who have suffered from mastitis. Ah, the joys of motherhood!

GO VOTE!!

Happy election day! Tonight I will have news on, watching as the polls come in. Yeah, I'm a dork, but this is a very important election. Everyone, exercise your right to vote. This is one of our ultimate freedoms. Make your voice heard. And don't think "I'm only 1 vote, it won't matter". It does, and it will.

GO VOTE!!!

Allergies

Since I've been a nurse, I've had to ask patients about allergies to medication, latex, and any other allergies they may have. And I've heard quite a few. Some are legitimate, like to penicillin after they had an anaphylactic reaction. Other are not. I think sometimes people misunderstand an expected side effect and an allergy. I also take for granted that because I work in health care, I understand it better than a lot of people. And while I understand health care, I admit that I know jack squat about business, insurance and technical computer stuff. But, anyway, morphine is a drug people commonly think they are allergic to. I've had several people say they are allergic to morphine because they got a little itchy. I know how much itching from morphine sucks because I had a very bad case of it after my c-sections, but that is a side effect, not an allergy. Awhile back, I had a patient tell me they were allergic to pitocin, a medication used to cause contractions and to induce/augment labor. Her reaction to the med? She had said that she was given pitocin when she was induced with her last baby, and it made her crampy. Well, yes, it will do that, and that is what we want. But my favorite allergy, I heard this weekend. We had a mom going back for a c-section. As happens in c-sections, mom was given oxygen by a face mask. Mom started telling the anesthesiologist that she was allergic to oxygen. He politely said that she could not be allergic to oxygen, as she needed that to breathe and it is in the air around her, but she was adamant. He suggested maybe it was the mask or the tubing. Nope, it was the oxygen. He kept trying to explain how that couldn't be possible, but she remained firm. She did continue to get the O2 and had no ill effects.

Diaper Duty

There are some things that come with parenting that aren't so pleasant. One being poop. Especially baby poop. We all know that changing poopy diapers is part of raising a child. And anyone who's ever changed a diaper knows how smelly and colorful that poop can be. You start with the green-black tarry meconium of a newborn, then you get the yellow-brown seedy poop of the breastmilk poop. And once you start solid food, look out, you're about to see some color. Feed baby green beans or peas = green poop. Carrots, sweet potatoes = orange poop. For a real color palate, feed baby green beans at lunch and then carrots for dinner and you'll get that half & half poop. And we all know corn goes right through. So I've changed many a diaper over the last 5 years between 3 children and working in OB. I didn't think anything in a diaper would gross me out. Until today. Imagine my surprise when while changing Isaiah I see this. (warning: it is gross)













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There was not one, but two mixed in the poo. I really thought I was going to vomit. These little beetles emit a nasty stink when you pick them up. They have been rampant this fall and are all over the place. You can vacuum all you want, but they seem to multiply. A good freeze get them, but the weather has been warm and beautiful. I hope to God that they found their way into his diaper externally, but considering he puts EVERYTHING in his mouth and even though I am relentlessly vacuuming, I still pull things out of his mouth, my guess is he found them and thought that "sure, why not, it's on the floor so it belongs in my mouth, right?". Since they weren't, ahem, digested, maybe there's hope, but how the heck could they have gotten in there?!? Well, if he did eat them, maybe in some parts of the world they are good protein.

PS: Jessica, love your blog, consider adding me to your invite list?