tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post2268166558210581774..comments2023-06-14T03:36:55.988-07:00Comments on Head Nurse: Things I Hate: A Semi-Annual List, by JoJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16520599099436383317noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-41074241131602085812010-11-03T12:28:36.552-07:002010-11-03T12:28:36.552-07:00Jo,
This made me reevaluate my own list and elimin...Jo,<br />This made me reevaluate my own list and eliminate all the whiny items. Now its a fairly short list--thank you for helping me remember that. I'm amazed at your grace & strength. <br />Now for the contest: "I'll never try to save time by using my electric toothbursh in the shower again.."Suzanne Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-59152459138254321882010-11-03T11:17:17.589-07:002010-11-03T11:17:17.589-07:00LOVE the Prince Albert one!!!! Yes, I'm a chap...LOVE the Prince Albert one!!!! Yes, I'm a chaplain. Yes, I know what a Prince Albert is. No, I don't want to see one...terri chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398808840234914275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-23192808054864223092010-11-03T02:36:18.811-07:002010-11-03T02:36:18.811-07:00Anon, about your daughter:
Questions: what did the...Anon, about your daughter:<br />Questions: what did the illness Sat. have to do with her developing this? Why did it happen? How contagious is it (the dr. said not very)? How long will she feel so rotten? And feel free to add any cool stories you have about patients with this or related illnesses (but not too scary if they're teenage girls, please!)<br /><br />The illness on Saturday probably led to the viral meningitis, that can happen. It's not very contagious, just make sure you wash your hands and don't drink her spinal fluid. She might feel rotten for a week or two; it really depends on the patient.<br /><br />As for feeling rotten, a dark, cool room without any stimulation (no tv, phone, iPod, nothing) will help a lot. Dark, quiet, and boring is what you want for this.<br /><br />And as for why it happened, sometimes it just *does*. There might've been a tiny, microscopic break in the lining of her sinuses that allowed one virus to invade her spinal fluid. Luckily, viral meningitis is **nowhere** near as severe or contagious as bacterial meningitis, and she'll be feeling back to normal really soon.<br /><br />Give her a cold washcloth and my sympathies. Poor baby!Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16520599099436383317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-62516967631482257402010-11-02T21:35:37.532-07:002010-11-02T21:35:37.532-07:00Jo, you totally rock. All kinds of warm thoughts y...Jo, you totally rock. All kinds of warm thoughts your way. For the contest, something about dining at a sushi place that was dark, and mistaking the chunk of wasabi for a piece of hard candy--who knew it could blow the whole top of one's mouth off???terri chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398808840234914275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-11870918768628975352010-11-02T19:05:44.675-07:002010-11-02T19:05:44.675-07:00((( Jo )))((( Jo )))Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04880526197413448352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-79370805029643595232010-11-02T18:37:32.642-07:002010-11-02T18:37:32.642-07:00For the contest: "Um, I was seeing this guy w...For the contest: "Um, I was seeing this guy with a Prince Albert" pause "and well, my uvula kinda got stuck in it"<br />"Did you know I can stick a flashlight in my mouth and beams of light come out my nose?"<br />"I was arguing with an angry patient and he threatened to rip my tonsils out."Bonnienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-89997835537467058202010-11-02T16:45:52.064-07:002010-11-02T16:45:52.064-07:00I second most everything said above...and remember...I second most everything said above...and remember that obviously you have a LOT of friends and cyber-friends who care very much about you. I hope that gives you some comfort. You WILL get thru this...hang in there! <br /><br />And if you need distraction...my 16 year-old daughter was diagnosed with viral meningio-encephalitis today...I'm a nurse but my classroom days were long ago, so if you're up to it, how about a refresher on that? Her illness started last Sat. when she came home with a sore throat, headache, and fever that quickly rose to 102.2. <br /><br />Sunday the fever was down, and Monday she still had the sore throat and headache. Our family doc did a strep test and mono spot and bloodwork and diagnosed it as viral. <br /><br />Last night she woke up sobbing w/the headache and the doc sent us to the ER for a CAT Scan and Lumbar Puncture, which showed 22 white cells and a few red cells. She's at home now with anti-nausea and pain pills (why don't we call them "anti-pain" pills?). <br /><br />Questions: what did the illness Sat. have to do with her developing this? Why did it happen? How contagious is it (the dr. said not very)? How long will she feel so rotten? And feel free to add any cool stories you have about patients with this or related illnesses (but not too scary if they're teenage girls, please!)<br /><br />Thanks in advance if you're up to it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-44055287630232701902010-11-02T16:29:40.194-07:002010-11-02T16:29:40.194-07:00Jo - you can PISS and MOAN all you want as you hav...Jo - you can PISS and MOAN all you want as you have been handed a huge pile of poop-ola in the form of a weird type of can-suh. <br /><br />When I was going through a tough time, a friend gave me a bracelet engraved with "Nothing is worth more than this day." While I certainly haven't been in your situation, this quote has been very helpful to me so maybe it will help you. <br /><br />Next time someone looks into your mouth at the big hole in your head - think of my surgeon looking at my privates (had a partial vulvectomy due to cancer) stating "I'm sorry you are so asymetrical." Maybe that will make you laugh - it does me! Sheesh....as if I care what my vulva looks like!<br /><br />For the contest: This is how I plug in my flash drive. <br /><br />(((hugs)))birdergirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01503194183621002677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-22600610991864574642010-11-02T16:00:23.678-07:002010-11-02T16:00:23.678-07:00I got nothing on most of the things on your list, ...I got nothing on most of the things on your list, but what about a small-ish Magna Doodle to carry around when you need to get a point across and the words just aren't coming verbally? Answers to questions, requests, etc.<br /><br />"I asked a nosy question and then *this* happened!" <br /><br />"More napkins, please."<br /><br />"Turns out hedgehogs aren't edible."Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12496962351133649909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-18054357058080840282010-11-02T15:10:39.743-07:002010-11-02T15:10:39.743-07:00You are one gracious lady. So I forgive you for i...You are one gracious lady. So I forgive you for inducing a 3 day long stuck in my head rendition of Jim Croce's immortal song, ObTurator - hey you're a neuro nurse! Why the hell does our brain do that to us? How does it pick which song to torture us with?<br />ElyseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-58110921657400094912010-11-02T13:21:10.499-07:002010-11-02T13:21:10.499-07:00Remember the way Igor in Young Frankenstein handle...Remember the way Igor in Young Frankenstein handled it? Just stare at your querent with concern. Maintain eye contact. Ask "*What* plastic thing?" Wait.yrsisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-67004621419042636832010-11-02T13:06:25.560-07:002010-11-02T13:06:25.560-07:00I wouldn't worry about the far future. I mean,...I wouldn't worry about the far future. I mean, how many cancer survivors do you know? I know lots and lots of them--once you make it out of your 30s, plenty of people have their number come up. It's honestly never occurred to me to pass judgement on or be dimissive of someone because they had cancer. (Now spelling it "obdurator?" That's another matter altogether!)<br /><br />You just had your cancer in kind of a weird place, that's all. Anyone who runs away screaming because of it (or because your voice sounds a little strange) is not worth a bucket of warm spit anyway. Seriously, what kind of adult would respond that way? Unless you're cruising the local high schools for dates, I really don't think it's going to be an issue.<br /><br />I'll echo the "don't borrow trouble" sentiment. To be brutally honest, there's not a fucking thing you can do to keep the cancer from coming back other than what you're doing now. It sounds like you've already got your worst-case-scenario paperwork in place, and you are as prepared as you can be for whatever comes. Take pride in that--most people just hide under a rock and hope the bad things will never happen to them.Pollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-52934981284421726552010-11-02T12:08:49.927-07:002010-11-02T12:08:49.927-07:00Jo,
The day I read your blog post that you had can...Jo,<br />The day I read your blog post that you had cancer I cried, big sobbing kind of crying. I don't even know you, but can-suh is scary. I've had open heart surgery three times and I would be more scared of cancer....seriously. I think all of your readers have given you all of the best advice. <br /><br />I specifically agree with the medic alert bracelet. Imagine finding someone's mouth like yours as a nurse, when you didn't know what happened to them, eh?<br /><br />And, as for what is in store, what life with an obturator will be like, ask your DDS dude if there are others like you that he can put you in contact with. There has to be others, or he wouldn't know how to make an obturator, right? Even if it is just one person instead of a support group, that one person who has already walked in the shoes you currently fill, they can give you tips on how to get through this. Sometimes just one other person who knows what you are going through is all one needs in order to not feel alone.<br /><br />I'm sending positive energy your way. Consider yourself hugged.<br /><br />♥<br />SShannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03714821939521493044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-63697935525289647682010-11-02T11:32:08.710-07:002010-11-02T11:32:08.710-07:00For the contest:
"I'm in a clinical tria...For the contest:<br /><br />"I'm in a clinical trial of a new sex toy."<br /><br />"I'm still getting used to these bionic vocal cords. Wanna hear my high A?"<br /><br />"It was a run-in with a Komodo dragon. I don't want to talk about it." <br /><br />"I got attacked by the one zombie that flunked anatomy..."<br /><br />I second the commenters who said that each relationship - friend or otherwise - is an individual case. I have MS. I tell new folks in my life when it seems or becomes necessary, and many still don't know. You'll know when and what you need to disclose.<br /><br />I also second the MedicAlert bracelet, because as a former EMT I think the obTurator could be a factor should you ever need some kind of respiratory support. I have a whole wardrobe of bracelets, a shoe tag, a dogtag, a wallet card and a car sticker. I've even made some custom beaded bracelets to go with special outfits - be happy to make you some!<br /><br />I like the Annie Lennox explanation, besides which I think you look great with short hair. And the offer of hats/scarves/turbans etc stands if you want/need them - just email me.<br /><br />I won't compare MS to can-sah in terms of seriou usness, but I do know what you mean about it taking over your life and constantly, threateningly hovering. I dread each 6mo MRI and pop champagne when they show no new lesions, and I have about wheelchairs and ventilators. But as you get distance from it - and time is really the only way to do that - it shrinks and recedes somehow, and life goes on. It does get better.<br /><br />It's ironic as hell for me to be counseling patience, as I'me pathologically IMpatient, but do give yourself time. I've learned (the hard way) that your body's gonna do things its own way, in its own time, and you're just along for the ride. <br /><br />Oh, and I hear you with the speech, swallowing, regurgitation and drooling too - spent a lot of the summer I/O the hospital with MS swallowing problems. I still drool at random, choke on the strangest things, and avoid eating in front of anyone except my husband. I often sound the child of Foster Brooks and a foghorn. All I can say is, ice cream. <br /><br />Virtual hugs & kitty snorgles,<br />Memu nememunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13884134708463069887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-606521551512362112010-11-02T11:24:21.634-07:002010-11-02T11:24:21.634-07:00Korean Day Spa, no one speaks English anyhow, so p...Korean Day Spa, no one speaks English anyhow, so pointing and gesturing is the best method of communicating. Really.Cr0w$c@llingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-41837868504203968062010-11-02T11:09:00.436-07:002010-11-02T11:09:00.436-07:00Can you use Ensure drinks to help keep up your blo...Can you use Ensure drinks to help keep up your blood sugar/mood in times when you don't feel like eating or it's so hard? My apologies if this has already been addressed. I have correlated lots of valleys with really needing to get some calories in there.<br /><br />As far as what to say to people about the piece of plastic in your head....how about, "My life depended on it." ? Because it's true. Anybody would do the same in that situation. Before it happened to you, you might have said Oh HELL no. I think now you feel defensive about having a perceived defect, but in time you'll have your survivor mojo going strong. I'm glad you did what you had to do to stay here with us all. This party just wouldn't be as fun without you!<br /><br />Also, Wayne is so funny I wanted to Schnozz Diet Coke all over the place.Celestenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-64249414321913320472010-11-02T10:54:47.596-07:002010-11-02T10:54:47.596-07:00Your list trumps mine any day.Your list trumps mine any day.messymimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10649529601786689712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-81699513348696002982010-11-02T10:33:54.946-07:002010-11-02T10:33:54.946-07:00What is it about cancer? I mean, really. We all ...What is it about cancer? I mean, really. We all go out and cross streets with traffic, ride in cars that go really, really fast, ride on buses rife with germs, try out scuba and other risky things. We all know people who have had really horrid other illnesses. More of us will, eventually, die from heart disease. But we don't seem to see all those nasty risks the same way. <br /><br />Somehow that diagnosis leaves us with a dread of the recurrence that even heart attacks in high risk types does not.<br /><br />As a brain cancer "survivor", I'd like us to get past that! Am I surviving? Yes! Is that what defines me? Hell, no.<br /><br />I got sick, I got better, I moved on.<br /><br />If it happens again, I hope I'll do it again. If I don't get better, I'll deal with it then.<br /><br />I don't lose sleep because some crazy driver might take me out tomorrow. I won't let cancer take over my life, either.<br /><br />How 'bout we (the people who have had that most scary of diagnoses) make that our model? <br /><br />Having said all that, I also want to say that you are a hero the way you are going through this and talking about it. I would not expect you to have put it behind you yet. Well, it's not behind you yet - you've still got healing and learning to do.<br /><br />But I just want you to know that you DO NOT have to give the rest of your life to this thing! You just don't. One of these days, it will move out of the spotlight & let you get on with things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-11683633897973227342010-11-02T10:27:23.811-07:002010-11-02T10:27:23.811-07:00Will you feel like yourself again? No. But you&#...Will you feel like yourself again? No. But you'll get used to being who you will become. And it will be good.<br /><br />How do I know? I've been living with melanoma off and on for two and a half years. Stage IV since June. And I'm not dying. I'm more alive than I was when I was well.<br /><br />My best to you, always.Kirstinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07928583212781425068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-89000871478018644612010-11-02T09:47:24.236-07:002010-11-02T09:47:24.236-07:00I really feel you on the talking/getting tired thi...I really feel you on the talking/getting tired thing.I spent 3 months vented and in a coma,learning to talk/eat again was HARD WORK,yeah all caps.Do what you can and then they all better learn to read lips.Sign language sounds good and would come in handy for other things too but hopefully you'll be able to talk as much as you want long before you become proficient in it.<br />As for #7,dating and meeting new people,just take it as it comes.I was dx'ed with AIDS 6-7 years ago,talk about a dating disaster.I've found that there are no hard and fast rules for revealing certain things about your life,take it easy.If it comes up naturally so much the better,but it a judgement call on your side with each new person you meet.Like you I don't want "oh poor you" or "you're so brave" and definitely not looking for "you must be a real slut" but what can you do?This is your life,no need to explain or apologize for it.<br />The best advice I can give is this,take a deep breath and treat yourself gently.<br /><br />wv gascides,is that what you get from the clindamycin?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-74436242670609132312010-11-02T08:39:58.226-07:002010-11-02T08:39:58.226-07:00Wayne, I love the Chipotle and dolphinoplasty ones...Wayne, I love the Chipotle and dolphinoplasty ones. Keep 'em coming, please.<br /><br />To everybody else...I seem to spend as much time thanking the people who read this blog as I do writing it. Again, though, thanks. I feel a lot better. You're right, it *is* early: this is Day 13 post-surgery. I'm just impatient as all git-out.<br /><br />Must...go...shower....now. Otherwise, Dr. DDS will never let me in to his waiting room again.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16520599099436383317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-14446692275430829102010-11-02T08:23:20.801-07:002010-11-02T08:23:20.801-07:00Clindamycin = GI woes. Are you able to tolerate yo...Clindamycin = GI woes. Are you able to tolerate yogurt? If so, try that to help your intestinal flora get back to normal. Be sure to get the kind with active culture, if you try it. I suppose kefir would work too, if yogurt isn't an option. <br /><br />Is there a book in this ordeal that you're going through? Your experience is outside the realm of the usual medical memoir. Not to dismiss those, but you've had to make, and will continue to make, some incredible adaptations. Given your writing talent, I think there would be interest there. <br /><br />Finally, you're still pretty early post-op, and I'm hoping that things will continue to improve for you. Oh, and get the MedicAlert bracelet.Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964532930927642597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-60574988189446900442010-11-02T07:44:39.674-07:002010-11-02T07:44:39.674-07:00For Laura's contest:
"I got it in the wa...For Laura's contest:<br /><br />"I got it in the war."<br /><br />"Chipotle. It's got a dark side nobody's talking about. Do you like chipotle?"<br /><br />"I have terrible allergies. I had this done so I can suction out my sinuses and finally get some relief."<br /><br />"It's the first part of my dolphinoplasty. Soon I'll have a blowhole, and then swimming will be _so cool_."Wayne Conradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595005905880642013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-88974336506539874702010-11-02T07:43:20.889-07:002010-11-02T07:43:20.889-07:00(((baby)))
It was #10 that got me. I'm so so...(((baby)))<br /><br />It was #10 that got me. I'm so sorry about the perma-rator. As awful as a reconstructive surgery would be to go through after getting healed up, I was hopeful it was an option.<br /><br />I'd ask about the bracelet, in case it makes a difference to somebody treating your airway at some point. It's so true, there are pretty ones you can have now, or get yourself a series of interchangeable bands.<br /><br />I say give yourself some time. This has all moved VERY quickly and you are what, a month into it? You need time to heal and then move towards acceptance. Is there online support for the obturator community? If not, maybe that is something you would like to spearhead--creating one. Forum software is easy and relatively cheap to run online; PHP forum package is what I've seen offered the most. Think about it. There may be a lot you can offer that way, and you never know if it might be a way to meet somebody who completely understands because he's been down that road. Just sayin'.<br /><br />You have every right to sing the blues and everybody going through cancer eventually has to. Better out than in--that old maternal chestnut applies to pent up feelings as well as other less mentionable things.<br /><br />Hugs to you.Celestenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6833607.post-48459190893799184692010-11-02T07:21:25.059-07:002010-11-02T07:21:25.059-07:00I second Simon's opinion -- you are smart and ...I second Simon's opinion -- you are smart and funny and that is SEXY! The rest will take care of itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com