I have been sitting here, literally, for hours, trying to find a way to describe in the most detailed and honest way, a 12-hour shift in the life of an ICU nurse. I have blogged about this many times before, describing the loveliest of patients and the most tender of moments spent with them in their last hours. But I have felt the need for months now, to tell you about the other days - the days spent with the least loveliest of people, and the most violent of situations we encounter. I want to tell you about the shifts when you get to your car after a 12-hour day, and all you can do is ball your brains out. I want to tell you why we sometimes have a tendency to lash out at the first person who annoys us when we get home, most likely a family member, as we walk in the door ... View Post
Nurses, Tears, & Gummy Bears
In 2005, at the age of 43, I began nursing school. Over the next two years, I would learn how to properly fold a washcloth (as if after raising two sons, I needed a lesson), how to don sterile gloves, (after throwing out 25 pairs), write care plans (that all sound alike), hold my bladder for 8 to 10 hours (praying that I wouldn't need to laugh, sneeze, or cough), and many other useful "skills." But I was ill-prepared for the real world of nursing. The skills were necessary, of course, but let me explain a little bit about what I've learned since then, and share with you a quick glimpse of a day in the life of an ICU nurse. The alarm goes off at 5 a.m., I shower, do my hair and make-up. Start the car (because it's winter, 15 degrees, I don't have a garage, and I'll ... View Post
Sons, Daughters, & Chicklets
After a year of battling an aggressive form of cancer, every complication and side effect of intense chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the spread of the cancer to multiple sites, landing in the intensive care unit on life support came as no surprise to Harry's wife and children. The year had given them time to grasp the reality of possibly losing their father. While Harry lay in the ICU bed with multiple IV lines through which life-saving medications were infusing, each of his children were making arrangements to fly home to see their Dad, not knowing if this would be the last time, or just another scare during the journey of watching their father battle cancer. One by one each of Harry's sons and daughters came to see him. When all had arrived, they met together to discuss the ... View Post
Playground Bible Study
As I sit down to tell you a story about a little girl named Jordan who loves Jesus, my friend sends me an audio message of her brand new, sweet little grandson coo-ing. Her timing was perfect; or, perhaps it was God's timing. I had just asked Him to give me His words to tell this story. When I imagined the proud smile of my friend over her adorable new grandson, the love she already has for him, and the influence she will have in his life, I am reminded of Matthew 18:3 that says, "And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." We have such an incredible opportunity to influence our little ones. I am more aware of that influence now, as my own children are young adults, and especially as I watch friends ... View Post
Open-faced Texas Burgers
INGREDIENTS: One small garlic clove, 2 T chopped onion, 1/2 t dried thyme, 2/3 cup shredded colby jack cheese, 2/3 pounds ground sirloin, slices of frozen garlic toast, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1-1/2 t packed brown sugar, 1/2 t A1 steak sauce, and 1/2 t Worchestershire sauce. DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl, combine the onion, garlic, thyme and 1/2 cup cheese. Crumble beef over the mixture and mix well. Shape into oval-shaped patties. In a large skillet, cook burgers over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink. Meanwhile, prepare the toast. Drain burgers, set aside, and keep warm. Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worchestershire sauce, brown sugar, and steak sauce to skillet. Boil and stir 1-2 minutes until slightly thick. Return the burgers to skillet, ... View Post
Gnocchi Chicken Minestrone Soup
1-1/4 pounds chicken, 3/4 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 3 sweet peppers, 2 Tsp olive oil (divided), zucchini, 1/3 cup chopped red onion, 1/2 cup deli ham, 4 cloves garlic, 2 cans chicken broth, 1 can Italian diced tomatoes, 3/4 cup canned white kidney beans, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 3 Tsp tomato paste, 1 package potato gnocchi, 1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese, 1 tsp basil Sprinkle the chicken with oregano, salt, pepper. Saute covered in 1 Tsp olive oil. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, cook veggies. Add ham, garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add broth, tomatoes, beans, peas, tomato paste, and chicken. Boil. Reduce the heat and simmer NOT covered x 20 minutes (stir!). Cook the gnocchi separate, then add. Garnish with cheese and basil. ... View Post
Grandma Dody’s Peanut Butter Cookies
My grandmother's name was "Josephine," but when my Uncle Lawrence was young, and unable to pronounce her nickname "Josie" he called her "Dody." So my grandma was always known as "Grandma Dody." This was her recipe, passed down to MY mom, and down to me. I remember walking home from school and smelling them baking when I would get about 3 or 4 houses away from our house. I loved the smell of "home" when I was young, and to this day, the aromas in my mom's house still make it feel just like "home." 1 cup shortening, 1 cup peanut butter, 2 cups brown sugar (packed), 2 eggs, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp milk. Cream the shortening and peanut butter. Add the brown sugar and mix! Add eggs, and mix well. Add the milk. Now, add the sifted ingredients a little bit at a time and ... View Post
Nova Scotia Butter Tarts, by Aunt Joanie
PIE CRUST: 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2/3 cup shortening, 1/3 cup water. Roll out and cut with a small glass. Roll out large enough to fill a muffin tin. FILLING: 1/3 cup melted butter, 1 cup sifted brown sugar, 2 T milk, 1/2 cup raisins, 1 beaten egg, 1 t vanilla. Mix together and put spoonfuls into each of the tart shells (in the muffin tins). Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. ... View Post