Eye seee youuuu

Yesterday before work I said, "If they float me again, I am going to cause a scene," but then I saw they were floating me to the ICU, which still pissed me off, but I shrugged my shoulders and went to the 2nd floor. I didn't even bother going back to my floor for the rest of the day since I brought all my stuff with me.
The unit is so much better in infinite amount of ways. First, the nurses are super nice, which makes it even better. Second, even the doctor's treat you better since I'm sure they couldn't remember if I worked in the unit or the floor. They have more respect for unit nurses.
I had two patients.
The first was a male who came to the floors for recurrent UTIs and developed respiratory distress and was sent to the unit on Bipap. He was now doing fine on 2LNC,and was almost going to leave the unit the day prior, but supposedly he began coughing when he was eating, so they made him NPO, held all his meds, and ordered a swallow study to make sure he wasn't aspirating his food. However, since it was ordered late on the weekend, it wouldn't be until Monday. So, the pulmonologist ordered an NG tube for tube feedings.



The nice charge nurse went with me to drop the NG since he is almost 400 pounds and I thought he might fight, which he did. We actually got it and we both know it was in the right spot, but since he was sooo large, it showed absolutely nothing on the KUB! Aggravation!! We both agreed it was there. We then tried a dobhoff, but he was fighting too much, so we stopped. You can't force someone to do something. I paged the MD on call and he basically just said try to encourage the tube and meanwhile, we put him on D5 half with 20 of KCL.


My second patient was in for pneumonia with a history of breast cancer with mets to the bone and liver. She was not in good shape. She developed TTP or Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , so she had to receive plasmapheresis! I have never seen this before since they don't do it on the floors. It was pretty cool. I didn't have to do anything because the nurse from Florida Blood services worked the machine.
This lady's plasma was DARK. Plasma is supposed to be straw colored, and hers was more like hematuric urine. They removed something like 3500ml and replaced it with nice new plasma.



Meanwhile, she had a Hgb of 6.8, so I transfused 2 units and by 1630, she was back up to 10.2! woo

(The last three days at work, I have managed to hang blood every time...)
Here is a picture of the plamsmapheresis:



ps: I don't really consider wikipedia a reliable source, but for blog purposes it comes in pretty handy

Food, inc.

WOOHOOO I AM SO EXCITED!!

Food, Inc. is finally playing close to me and not only that, it is going to be playing more than once!!!

Click here to see if it is playing in your town



I've been waiting for months!!!

The NEXT

Anyone watching The Next Food Network Star?
They are down to 4 people now.

My favorite is Melissa (the stay at home mom), but I also like Jeffrey, the chef.
I just feel like I wouldn't watch the other people, but since Melissa cooks for her kids and always makes delicious looking food, I know I'd watch her show.




----

Yesterday I floated to another tele floor. They called it the ortho floor, but no one was there for any ortho issues, so I don't get it! Anyway, before work, I sent an email to Mirza that basically consisted of, "ugh, I don't want to work, I know I am going to be floated. I HATE MED-SURG!! expletive."
And of course, as I predicted (because I am a genius psychic) I was floated. I dreaded the walk over to the floor. And then something AMAZING happened. They gave me a tech for all of my patients (five). The charge nurse said, "yeah, I figured I would be nice since you are floating." I thought to myself Wow, that is incredibly smart and thoughtful and I want to hug this stranger...and then I said THANK YOU!!
Guess what? The day was awesome! I was busy, but steady and basically the last hour, I had nothing "to do" as far as tasks like meds or anything. At 1700, I was told I would get a new patient (had already successfully and rather smoothly discharged two), but he never came up on my shift.
I spent the last 15 minutes feeding my 90 year old demented patient who came in from the nursing home with a syncopal episode. She was mostly nonverbal unless prompted, so I laughed my ass off watching America's Funniest Home Videos while she enjoyed her meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and chocolate sugar-free mouse.

Love those days.

Saturday

I had the option at 4:50 this am to take an LCD (low census day, ie--stay home) or float...to another hospital! I didn't even know we could that! Of course I said NO and took the LCD. Floating to another floor is stressful enough, but to another campus? No thank you!
However, the bad news is that I found out from a coworker on facebook a few hours later that we get an extra $5/hr to float to another campus!! UM, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW BEFORE I MADE THE DECISION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh well.

This afternoon I sold my bike:( I only had it for about two months. It was a used trek, bought for $125, but I think it was worth less and I over paid. The thing is, I wanted a bike for so long since last summer mine was stolen, but I live on busy/dangerous roads. I thought a bike would be perfect because I could put it in my car and then drive on the Pinellas Trail, but it turns out that even with my seats pulled down, the bike still will not fit.
I just decided to sell it and buy a better one once I can afford it and a bike rack for my car.
I was kind of sad to see it go, but I'm pretty short this pay period and only had $49 in my checking account. I got $80 for it, so I am satisfied.

I also returned four little paintings I bought from Marshalls. They were really cute veggies with french words over them. I honestly loved them, but my kitchen is tiny and they don't fit anywhere (that or I am un-creative), so I returned them and got my $35 back.

I was thinking today about all the expenses that will come up in the next <10 years, like a wedding, house down payment, etc. HOW DO PEOPLE DO IT?! It is impossible.
:(

I am definitely looking forward to start working nights so I can make an extra $5 an hour. I am taking it to pay off my car loan and extra will go straight into my emergency fund.
----

This is kind of a downer post, but I did manage to make chocolate brownies this evening...but now my stomach kind of hurts. bla.

An update on dinner

Just a quick picture update!

Mediterranean pizza with carrot dill salad





Dessert of blueberry Muffins, as mentioned in previous post...

fireworks and blueberries

Hope everyone had a great 4th!
Mirza , Amra, and I ended up at downtown Gulfport for a change. And I must say, the fireworks were amazing! Honestly, I was surprised because you'd think that Gulfport wouldn't be better than St. Pete, but they were.




Here is a quick video from when they started. I have no sound on my computer, so I have no idea if I am talking or what is going on, haha


--------

Yesterday's work out was Extreme Training and my back is sooo sore now. Geez. Today we went for a quick swim and I think I am finished for the night. Too sore!

Work tomorrow, so I planned out my meals for a week.



My meals are incredibly dependent upon my work schedule since I am there for 13 hours. Lunch is usually left overs from the night before and dinner is usually whatever I can find or something quick to put together, especially if I am working the next day since I need to get ready for bed pretty quickly.
I find that I spend a lot less money on food if I make a plan and stick to it.If I am not careful then I can easily spend $500+ on food for one month...and I live alone! Granted, I feed Mirza most of the time, but that is still a lot, haha!

The plan for this week:

Wednesday (today): Meditteranean pizza with 1/2 baked sweet potato and carrot-dill salad

Thursday (work day): Lunch--left overs. Dinner--Big salad with hemp seeds, the works.

Friday: Chili rubbed tilapia with zucchini, sauteed corn with carrot salad.

Saturday (work day): Lunch--left over tilapia. Dinner--quick pasta

Sunday (work day): Lunch--left over pasta. Dinner- Mediterranean pizza

Monday: Big salad for lunch. Dinner is whole wheat blueberry pancakes, hence the salad at lunch;)

Tuesday: Grilled marinated chicken (george foreman grill, woo), broccoli, red potatoes, etc.

Keeping in mind that this is definitely not everything I will be eating AT ALL. Every morning I have oatmeal with peanut butter toast and when I am home I graze and nibble on things throughout the day. At work, I eat before hand, then take a 15 minute "breakfast" of yogurt, banana, whatever. And I have lunch later on, and then a snack before I go home.

I made my list once again and stuck to it (yes, I spelled broccoli wrong):


This was after shopping, hence the highlighting! I opted not to buy coconut milk ice cream since I knew this afternoon I would be making Jenna's Blueberry muffins

The goods:




Grand total: $77.15!
I stayed under my budget, so woohooo.

Like I said, I baked blueberry muffins today! They were oozing with blueberry goodness!! Thanks to Jenna for the recipe!!!

I've started taking pictures outside on my drier because of the lighting, hahaha!

money, money, money, money

I've always kind of prided myself on being a non-materialistic person. I think it stems from the fact that I didn't really get a lot growing up. Not to say that I did not have everything I needed and of course, the occasional want, but nothing like some kids! In fact, when I think back to my youth, I do not remember many things that I just had to have. I think I was pretty content with playing outside or riding my bike. In fact, the things I valued the most were tiny and cheap. I could play for days with a fake plastic bug the size of a quarter. I didn't need video games or expensive toys. Mud pies, all the way!

And even into high school, I remember a good friend of mine who had a job and would spend, spend, spend. It seemed like all we ever did was go shopping (I would tag-along, not buying anything because I did not work in high school)! I hated it! I didn't really see the point in continually buying things that weren't needed. I guess I had a pretty good grasp on the whole want vs. need thing from a young age.

It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly. --Thoreau

...which is why I am confused and finding it hard to understand why that seems to be an issue now! Or, at least it's an issue in my head.

Let me paint a clear picture for everyone: compared to most people my age (or really, ANYONE at any age), I am pretty damn responsible when it comes to money. Each month, I pay my bills on time. And every check, an automatic amount goes into my savings account. So, after savings, retirement, insurance, bills, and taxes are paid, I THEN use whatever is left over for food, gas, and entertainment. Here is where the guilt comes in. For some reason, even though I have made sure to pay myself (and everyone else) first, I still feel an incredibly ridiculous amount of guilt when I spend money ON myself for things that are wants!~ I can just hear Suze Orman in the back of my head, "Nicole, you don't have an 8 months emergency fund, what are you doing spending money at the movies?? are you insane?!!"


What is this about? I think I need to give myself a freakin' break. I suppose the hardest part is seeing what everyone else is doing. Pictures on facebook of my peers going on vacations, to theme parks, BUYING HOUSES...I just sit and think, Am I doing something wrong? And then I think either they must have families that help them out financially or they are just being incredibly irresponsible. How could they all possibly have money in savings when we graduated at the same time??

I simply refuse to spend money that I do not have until I have more money in my savings account. I just can't do it!! However, I think it is a lot more difficult to be frivolous with money when you DO NOT have a stable family. I do not have parents that could help me if I get into a financial pickle. I would be screwed unless I went to my sister, but I would only do that in an extreme, extreme emergency.
In all reality, I could potentially purchase tickets to go on an awesome European trip or buy a new computer and what not, but would I enjoy eating pizza in Italy knowing when I returned that I would have absolutely nothing in case of an emergency? Or would typing on my brand new mac laptop really be worth it? My guess is a resounding NO. So yes, I am going to sit here and try my best to just enjoy going to the library or spending the day at the pool and cooking my own food instead of going out and spending money. And someday, when I finally DO have an 8 months or so emergency fund, then I will start saving for that new computer and trip somewhere.

And while right now Suze Orman is a nagging voice in my head, I know that someday I will have gratitude for that woman because I took her stupid advice to heart!! Damnit.

swamp

Yesterday I was really a zombie. I had absolutely no energy at all. And then at 2am, the new people above me were arguing soooo loud. It felt like I lived in a trailer park. I almost called the cops! Incredibly aggravating!
Right now I am drinking a green smoothie with the amazing grass products I got in the mail yesterday. I just got back from the gym--Total fitness. Holidays kind of suck when you can't spend any money. Luckily, 4th of July is all about fireworks. Mirza and I are undecided about where to go. We always go downtown, but then get incredibly aggravated with the crowds. Actually, I get incredibly aggravated because I HATE crowds. For him, it is no big deal because he towers over everyone. But I just get lost beneath everyone. I hate it! And usually people are drinking and loud and stupid, which I have had enough of growing up. So, maybe we'll go to Gulfport or something for a change...or the beach? I don't know. Either way there will be too much traffic. I bet we'll end up staying inside watching tv because we're losers. Broke losers.
I think we need to start working on a list of 50 things to do that don't involve money!

There is also this: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/07/17/100-things-to-do-during-a-money-free-weekend/

zombie!!

I have NO ENERGY today! none! I feel like a zombie.



Update tomorrow! I got some Amazing Grass samples in the mail today, as well as the shaker cup, so more on that once I get some rest.

slump

Wow, I feel dumb. I got all dressed and ready to go to a weight lifting class at my gym. Drove halfway there and convinced myself that I had looked on the Wednesday schedule and that there wasn't a class. Of course, I came back home and indeed, it was this morning at 10:15! Yep, I'm an idiot.
I've decided to go to Xtreme Training at 4:30 instead, unless Mirza and I go swimming. I ended up running for about 25 minutes instead.

I am so sore! On Sunday, I went to a total fitness class and the instructor totally kicked my ass! It was interval training and now my butt, chest, and calves are killing me! It feels like when I first joined the gym 2 years ago. I like being sore though, don't you? Even though being in pain is never fun, it helps me to know I did something great for my body! Yesterday I ran as fast as I could on the treadmill for about 15 minutes before my yoga class. Holy wow, the treadmills at my gym make such a difference compared to the crappy one at my apartment complex. It was a much smoother run?
And the yoga class was exactly what I was looking for. It used to be "gentle yoga" and I didn't like it because it was kind of boring and it seemed geared towards the older crowd, but now it is awesome! In addition to all of that, I finally caved in last night around 7-8pm and went swimming with Mirza. We really worked it. I feel like yesterday I did so much good for my body in terms of exercise. I wish everyday could be like that.

However, yesterday I was truly feeling down. It seems like usually midway through the day, around 2-5pm, I just get into this slump where I don't want to do anything and I just feel so negative. Especially yesterday I had no self-esteem. It was like the world was against me and I felt like the ugliest person in the world. What is that about?? Probably hormones. Sometimes I feel that reading other blogs is similar to reading magazines and it could contribute to low-self esteem at times. I know that might sound harsh since all of the blogs I read are by healthy and smart individuals, but most of them are also just so damn beautiful! sheesh. I'm really trying to incorporate more of a healthy and positive attitude in life and I do think many of the blogs, especially Angela's have helped me in the last few months.
I also have to add that my boyfriend, Mirza of 6+ years is the most understanding, compassionate, and comforting boyfriend in the world. Even when I am not that pleasant to be around during one of my "slumps" he always reassures me that I am the most beautiful person in the world (even though at the time I never believe him)!


Before my "slump" though, I did manage to make a fantastic Green Monster consisting of two leafs of Kale, half of a banana, four slices of pineapple, 1/2-1 cup of coconut milk/juice, tablespoon of Flax, and 1 tablespoon of Organic Nutiva Hemp Protein! I must admit, I was scared to add the protein in case it tasted like crap, but I didn't taste anything. I'm not sure what the hemp tastes like on it's own, but if anything, it enhanced the GM for sure!
I really love this drink:


Some random pictures from yesterday:
I managed to whip up the quinoa wrap!

We went to the record store...





This evening I'll be working on a post related to finances, budgets, materialism, and consuming. Even though I am quite conservative with money, the last few months have been difficult with money and I need an overhaul!!

Sunday Rainbows!

First things first, I made a quinoa and black bean mix:





Included quinoa, black beans, scallions, red pepper, carrots, cumin, oregano, evoo, and red wine vinegar. I'm letting it get nice and chilled and then I'll put it in a wrap with hummus, tomatoes, and alfafa sprouts! Can't wait!

Mirza and I went to the beach, so prepare for picture time!














Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

lcd

I got an LCD (low census day) for 8 hours. There is the slightest possibility that I may need to go in from 3-7, but probably not.
Yesterday was so hard. I mean, I felt so powerless and ineffective. Yes, I did everything I was supposed to, but I ran the entire day. I feel like the patients did not get the best possible care. There is no way to know everything that is going on with each person when you have 6 patients! That is 6 diagnoses, 6 long histories, 6 assessments, orders, etc to cram into your brain. Truly, it isn't possible. I don't know how some nurses do that. I am sure they DO NOT know everything going on with their patients because they can't, but that isn't the kind of nurse I imagined myself to be. I did not become a nurse so I could just check off things on my list to do. It is too task-oriented on med-surg. Not to mention the fact that everyone was miserable! One of my elderly patients was so deaf and blind that everytime I tried to speak with her and tell her what I was doing, she would interrupt me and be like, "WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!! oooh more pills???"
"Yes, I have your morning pi--"
"JUST GIVE THEM TO ME ALREADY...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? WHAT IS THIS??"
And then she insisted on new water. She wouldn't use the water bottle at her bedside. Since it was a cdiff room, I was gowned up, so someone had to get me a pitcher of water.
I tried to explain to her while we waited about the lovenox injection.
"*screaming* I need to give you this injection. It is lovenox, a blood thinner that will prevent you from getting a clot while you're in the bed"
"DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO GIVE ME PILLS WITHOUT WATER."
"I'm not, this is an injection that goes into your abd--"
"DON'T GIVE ME ANY PILLS WITHOUT WATER, JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!"
"This isn't a pill, it an injec--"
"YOU WANT TO GIVE ME AN INJECTION?? WHAT THE SHIT!!!??"
And then she kept swearing at me and everyone else. "What kind of shitty place is this? WHERE IS MY FUCKING BREAKFAST?? AAUGH"
When the water finally came, she insisted that I pour the pitcher into tiny little water bottles. Sorry, but I refused to do that. I told her she had cups and that was fine. "WHAT KIND OF SHIT IS THIS PLACE?!!?!???"

And when I had to float to the other med-surg floor, I was dead. At one point, while standing there listening to phone report, I almost thought I was going to cry from being so overwhelmed. That would have been 12 patients in one day. Actually, *calculating* 14 because of admissions and discharges previously on my shift. Luckily, I was able to hold back my tears and stop being a baby.
That is hard for me because I'm one of those people who cannot hold in tears easily. I know it sounds immature, but that's just the way I've always been. I guess I'm just an emotional person?

bla

What a shocker--I was floated today! To a med-surg floor! aughhh it was horrible! I had 6 patients with a tech for 4, but believe me, when you go from 4 to 6, it is a big difference. Plus, when you're on a different floor you're already discombobulated as it is, sigh. I didn't eat lunch. The charge nurse of that floor told me I could leave at 3 (woo), but then my charge said another MED SURG floor needed me *headdesk*. So, at 3, I merrily (pft) made me way to the other floor and began taking report.
The floor was incredibly unorganized, no where to sit. You have to stand with a stupid little table against the wall. We at least have places to sit and chart, etc. THEN, the charge nurse called me over halfway through my report and said they had someone....so I went home and here I am.
If I would have stayed there is no way I would have eaten. I had oatmeal with pb toast before work and then at around 10:30, I had half of a whole grain bagel, half of my yogurt, and half of my banana (only half of everything because I kept getting called and I had a patient being transferred). And so then from 10:30 until when I got home I had NOTHING. There was no time. I need to count down the days until I'm in the ICU!!
Hey, I may not have time for anything then, but at least my job will actually be stimulating.




Since I got home before sunset for once, I went for a 30 minute walk on the Pinellas Trail to clear my head!

hemp, salad, cupcakes!

This morning I got in an awesome run on the treadmill. Truthfully, running is not my thing, but I was feelin' it this morning and it felt great! I did some ab work and such after. All of this was at the gym in my apartment complex. I love going there when I am lazy and don't feel like driving to Shapes.

I received a package in the mail today!


It was some lovely samples from Nutiva!! I'm so exited to review this stuff and let everyone know how they are..
They sent me hemp protein, coconut oil, and hemp seeds!


We tried the hemp seeds on our salad this afternoon and they definitely were tasty!







Dessert were these "snow balls." Tasted JUST LIKE A LARA BAR!




Later, we went to this cupcake place downtown. It was cute:





It was very pink!
Truth be told, we both agreed the vegan cupcakes from VCTOTW were actually way better.
Score one for the vegans!
We shared the S'mores and red velvet cupcakes.





---
I need to work tomorrow and probably Sunday (I haven't seen the schedule), so my posts may be few. I'm definitely going to be working on something related to materialism and consumption. Stay tuned!