Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Time Flies

We are approaching the middle of March already. Where is the time going to?

I'm pretty exhausted this week. I picked up an extra 12 hour shift for a coworker this weekend, and have another scheduled this Thursday in addition to my regular work schedule! Hey, I'm gonna need the money, and I might as well start saving now! Nothing too interesting going on lately, but we did end up losing a patient that I grew attached to. Sweet guy...just too much drinking and smoking.

In other news, I seem to have found something else to occupy what little time I have. Salsa dancing! I've been going every weekend for the past month, and I love it! The music, the culture, the dance...it's all me! Too bad the cop isn't interested in practicing as much as I am. Oh well...finding a dance partner is the least of my worries. We have a pretty big salsa scene in my town, and lots of socials every week. You tend to see the same faces and dance with the same people. I can't wait to go this Saturday. I'm taking a class on spins and turns, then going to a social that night!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

A First

I'm moving up the food chain, folks. Today, I got to remove a Port a Cath from a patient!!!

The patient expired shortly after I arrived to work. She was very, very ill, with a laundry list of illnesses and conditions. Thankfully, the family decided to take her off of life support and let her go.

She had two indwelling lines; one for dialysis and the other for the numerous blood gases, draws, and medications. The nurse offered to have me d/c the lines, and I jumped at the opportunity. I got to cut the sutures and yank the line right out without much blood. The second line was not so kind to me.

This catheter had been in so long that the skin surrounding it had adhered to it. No matter how hard I pulled, it wouldn't budge. Needless to say, I had to cut into her skin to loosen the catheter, and it was only when the nurse used a scaffold that it came gliding out. No blood!

Now, I've always said I would never be interested in surgery. I think last night may have sparked an interest! We will see!