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
Tonka’s Turkey Chili
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 1 pound extra lean ground turkey 4 tablespoons of chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt One 28-ounce can of diced or crushed tomatoes 1-1/2 cups of chicken broth Two 15-ounce cans of dark red kidney beans, rinsed, & drained One 15-ounce can of sweet corn, rinsed and drained For topping - Cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, sour cream Directions: Place oil in a large pot and place over medium to high heat. Add in the onion, garlic, and red pepper, and saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Next, add in ground turkey and break up the ... View Post
Mothers-In-Law & Google Baloney
The older I get..... and I'm really not that old (56-1/2).... the more I realize how very little I know. By the way, my friend told me that once you reach 50, you get to do that cute little "and a half" thing that all small children do because they are so proud of being almost the next number. Heck yeah! I've earned a few degrees from the School of Hard Knocks in the past five plus decades, so "and-a-half" is like a medal or a trophy. I'll take it! Anyhoooo..... A few friends and I have, over the past five or so years, been making jokes about, crying over, laughing about, having serious and heartfelt discussions about being a........ Mother-in-law. No, really! How does one do it? And how does one do the daughter-in-law thing? (I never met my mother-in-law, ... View Post