Not much going on

I worked today and it was SO hard to get up after 2 days off work AND it felt SO nice in bed with my bedroom window open since the day started off pretty cool. I reluctantly got out of bed, and luckily had left-overs to bring for lunch. My patients kept me busy for a little while (mostly annoying "busy work" I had to do because for some reason the residents caring for one of my patients didn't want to do the work that other residents usually do for us...maybe we've been "spoiled"). It all turned out fine and, now that the shift is over, I can say that I was pretty bored for an hour or so. But, now that I'm thinking about that, I should have been doing the required education tests that are due sometime in October. Hopefully tomorrow will be a "nice" day and I can work on those! Tomorrow night is a party at one of the transplant docs houses. Last year there was pretty amazing food AND an open bar...looking forward to it, even though I have to go after working a 12-hr shift (I'll be ready for a drink, that's for sure!)

I finally talked to my aunt tonight for the first time since her surgery. She is doing okay...having some discomfort and forcing herself to take it easy and rest. She goes back to the doctor on Monday and I guess will find out then if she needs chemo.

While I'm posting "random" stuff, this is a photo of me, a couple friends, and "our "server at Village Inn. He "hooks us up" with some great stuff! Last time, I ordered the "Two Egg Breakfast"-substitute toast for the pancakes and fruit for the eggs, keep the hash browns-and it didn't phase him one bit (we also got a free slice of triple chocolate pie to share...that I am just SURE my body needed!).

Okay, that's a bit of randomness for this evening. I started a new book, so maybe I'll read some of that before going to sleep (I should get some extra rest so I can make it through the day AND the night!)

Happy Mercy Day!

I took today and tomorrow off work so I could attend activities at my "Alma Mater", a Mercy High School. I'm really big on traditions (probably because I was raised Catholic and had the opportunity to attend a school whose foundation is also tradition). One of the traditions I love to celebrate is Mercy Day. Even when I was away at college and when I lived on the East Coast, I remembered this day and celebrated it as I could. The actual "Mercy Day" is tomorrow, but I'm writing about it tonight in case I get busy tomorrow.

Today we had an all-school "reunion" Mass and Brunch and tomorrow is Mass and a play put on by the seniors. I am looking forward to that because each year the class portrays the story of Catherine McAuley in their own unique way. None of the plays are the same. Maybe I'll get a picture or two to post tomorrow (not that it REALLY matters because I'm the only one who reads my blog!)

Here is a little history about the day:
September 24, 1827
Feast of our Lady of Mercy: the House on Baggot Street opens as a school for poor young girls and a residence for homeless girls and women. Anna Maria Doyle and Catherine Byrn move in and begin works of mercy.
On the 24th of September every year, 11,000 Sisters of Mercy and their friends and colleagues around the world celebrate Mercy Day. This is the day on which Catherine McAuley first opened the House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland and dedicated it to Our Lady of Mercy.

Tired and crabby

I guess I saw that coming, after my last post about how much I was going to be working and anticipating the tiredness.
I didn't, however, anticipate that a patient who has "lived" with us for nearly four years
would lose his battle this weekend.
I think I am still in shock, even though he came close to death SO many times before.
I've been too tired to talk to his parents, or to his sisters who have spent many days with me and my family.
I feel REALLY bad about that.
I have barely shed a tear...that isn't like me at all.

Today I was really crabby at work.
I felt it inside, and am hoping it didn't show.
All of the patients I had today have the odds against them
to make it to age two.

That is my job.
I love my job.
Even though sometimes
my job sucks.





This is not a great picture,
but it was easy to find
(and I wasn't in the mood to search).
He actually was pretty sick here too.
(it was Christmas)

Prayers for his family and friends...I know he is in Heaven and at Peace.

On a better note, my aunt is home after her surgery...still praying for no chemo!

Has it been THAT long?!

Wow, I can hardly believe it's been that long since I posted. I ACTUALLY had TEN days off for my sister's wedding (I think she took about that many!). I worked two crazy shifts, then was off for another 5 days. I flew to be with my aunt for four days as she prepares for surgery (double masectomy) this coming Monday. She is in good spirits and has some really good friends (and an awesome husband!) who will be there to help her. It is hard that her family all live hundreds of miles away, but great to know that she is not alone. We are all praying that she has a quick recovery with no chemo needed.

So, I'm back at home and in the middle of working 5 out of 6 days (that doesn't sound TOO bad, but it could be considering they are 12-hour shifts). The one day I don't work (Monday), I have a class, an appointment, am working my other job, and have a party to attend. Nice "day off"! Oh well, at least my first two shifts have gone well even though I had to change my patient assignment because no one else was chemo certified. I was pretty bummed not having my cute girls from yesterday, but had a pretty quiet day today so should not complain!

Well, we are still sorting through the thousands of photos from my sister's wedding. So, I thought I could post a few more just so there is "someone" looking at them and they are serving some kind of purpose!

My tallest cousin, my one cousin who is shorter than me, and grandparents.

The happy couple

Just me and my two 13-year old cousins...

I'm older than the two of them put together!

Sleeping on the couch...again!

Yes, for the second night in a row, I will be sleeping on my couch. I don't think this is "supposed" to happen when you live by yourself! However, my bed is so piled with stuff, there is no way I could sleep in it...I suppose I could (?should!) dump it back on the floor where it came from, but I REALLY want to do it right! I got new windows yesterday, so need to vacuum and would LOVE to get rid of some junk. My guest bed is still not re-made after I washed the sheets from the weekend...oh well, at least I have a comfy couch! So, what did I do today that prevented me from at least clearing off my bed?! Oh, probably posting a blog entry, searching the net for random things...but, I will have to say that I did work for two hours, went running (probably close to a mile), bought groceries, new pillows, and a new outside garbage can. I also helped my parents clean their house for the gathering they will have on Friday for the newlyweds to open their gifts. That sounds MUCH better than saying that I sat on my couch all day doing nothing so I can sleep on it again...I'll stick with that story. Tomorrow, though, I HAVE to clean off my bed because something tells me it would be hard making it through a 12-hour shift after 10 days off and three nights on a couch!

Busy Busy!

I can hardly believe I haven't posted in nearly 2 weeks! It has been pretty busy even though I haven't worked in over a week (gotta love 12-hour shifts! 3 days vacation for 10 days off!). My sister got married on Saturday, so last week was spent doing some preparation for that. I helped make a slide show that turned out very nice, but did take quite a bit of time. I'm glad I'm off all week to "recover" from all the fun :o)

Yep, that's my sister the bride! It was very "non-traditional", but perfectly my sister!

Mimosas were my drink of choice for the evening ...I had to have had at least eight!

The wedding party...the white looked SO cool with the blue!

During the ceremony

Me, my sister, and my cousin (the "other" maid-of-honor!)