When I began nursing school, I remember having to learn how to correctly fold a washcloth in order to give my first patient a bath. My buddy and I spent ten minutes trying to accurately wrap the corner of the wash cloth around our four fingers, and get the middle of it correctly in the palm of our hand...... Frustrated, we finally just gave up and got to work bathing him. I remember thinking to myself how ridiculous it was, and our patient likely thought we looked pretty funny too, trying to figure out how to hold the washcloth. In the end, he was more comforted by our compassion than our correct hold of the washcloth. I'd raised two sons who were now in middle and high school, and had given them both thousands of baths as children. It's not rocket science. I'm a ... View Post
What You DON’T See in the Hospitals
Texts to and from co-workers, "Do you wish you were at work, when you get a day off?" are not uncommon during these pandemic days. "Yesssss!" I answer! I am so relieved to know I'm not the only one who feels this way! And one of my friends texted me Sunday and said, "It's okay to not want to talk sometimes." Sunday was one of those days. It just feels as though we are the only ones who "get" each other right now. If you are interesting in keep your backyard in a good shape, you need to have best tools to make your job easier, in https://lawncareguides.com/ you can find the best tools to work in your garden. We've gotten more free meals than I can count. People have sent sweets of every kind, hand-written notes, pictures drawn by their children, photos of their pets, and even ... View Post
Light at the End of the COVID-19 Tunnel??
In 1991 when my daughter was born with anencephaly, I agreed to participate in a 10-year March of Dimes study about neural tube defects. At that time, I had not yet become a nurse, but my brother was a physician, my sister a pharmacist, my Mom was working in a busy Detroit hospital Emergency Room, and my dad was continuing to suffer from a blood disorder. My family was always steeped in the medical world in one way or another - so how could I not participate in a study that would benefit someone else or potentially save a life ? (And it did, by the way - help many). I never dreamed I would have that chance again - to participate in another study that would help others. But tomorrow several of my work colleagues and I have appointments to have our blood drawn looking for antibodies ... View Post
Screw You, COVID!
Just the other day, I received a message from the brother of a patient I cared for a couple of years ago. He identified himself as my patient's brother, and said that he was thinking of all our ICU team during this pandemic. He wanted us to know he cared about the team that cared for his brother. Immediately, I knew who this was. My patient had suffered a very bad stroke, he was not going to survive off of the ventilator, and the family had agreed to donate whatever organs they could. My patient was young, close to my age. His family loved small air planes. I remember the city they lived in, and they shared some stories with me about the airplane museum. I remembered my patient's brother and sister-in-law, and could still see their faces. They now have contact with the person ... View Post
COVID-19 … Thoughts from A Respiratory Therapist
It is NO COINCIDENCE that every single time I get into my car after a shift in the Medical ICU at Royal Oak Beaumont, this song is playing. And it was also NO COINCIDENCE that my dear friend Jean Sanders texted me the words to it this morning. It's so worth sharing, so here you go! Great Are You Lord You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only you give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our ... View Post
COVID-19, What’s True, False, & Even Truer
I feel angry this morning because I am remembering what it's like to snuggle two toddlers, and how baby soft their cheeks are when you give em a kiss. And yes, mine are exceptionally adorable - probably more adorable than yours. (I'm a grandmother, I'm supposed to believe this!) I'm very angry at this virus - not the Governor, the President, China, not even those imbeciles who are so defiantly out walking around, perhaps unknowingly infecting others. (Okay, that might have sounded a little angry). I'm angry at this evil virus. And it is just that - EVIL, because it has taken PEOPLE away from me - people I LOVE! I'm afraid my anger at this EVIL virus has done away this morning with any creativity left in me, mostly because I miss Lyla & Owen, but also partly because I can't ... View Post
The COVID Files – Here We Go
Every night for the past three weeks I've sat down to write, then wound up going to bed with intentions to do so in the morning - and failing. This is unusual for me. I usually sit down to do something and I get it done. This COVID stuff has really done a number on my thinking. Nothing is the same anymore. Not my days, not my thoughts, not my routines...... nothing. It's really difficult to rest. Tonight I remembered though, that most of my favorite blogs have begun the same way - up to my chin in bubbles in the bathtub, half asleep....... So jumped in the tub, I did! And here I am now, cuddled up on my couch, wrapped in the multi-colored afghan Aunt Iris made for me decades ago, and my head on the pillowcase Mum made. I feel smothered in love, and I'm ready to ... View Post
I Am Is In Control (and that’s not lousy grammar)
Apologies in advance....... my blog will currently not let me upload any photos to this blog. I hope to get that changed soon, but until then, it's only a read ;) About two weeks ago, spell check on my Iphone didn't recognize the word COVID in a text, and insisted on correcting the word to "livid." Not today it didn't though. Now my phone, your phone, and the entire world is well acquainted with the word COVID-19. In fact, I'm sick to death of the word COVID-19, and when I get done writing this blog, my phone's getting turned off, my computer's getting shut down, and I'm going to enjoy a much-needed bubblebath. You will NOT be able to reach me. Sorry, not sorry. The virus has hit my beloved home state of Michigan in the past couple of weeks, and each time I go ... View Post