Going to do it all over again......

I'm off to my second shift in just a little while. I haven't let myself think much about yesterday's shift so that I wouldn't get nervous about today. So, I'm still keeping that motto and not thinking about work much until I get there! So far, it seems to be working alright for me!

I'm working evenings all this weekend for a girl that wanted the weekend off. She switched me so that I could go to my cousin's wedding next weekend....and then asked me to switch a few more shifts so that she could spend more time with her husband. It worked out ok for me...I get to go to the wedding now and I get two weekends off out of the deal! That is nice! Also, it is good to be at work a lot at the beginning so that I can get into the flow of things. Big breaks in between shifts would make me a little more nervous!

I just returned from a nice "coffee" time with my lovely friend, Christina! It is so nice to both be starting out in our nursing careers and have each other to talk to about it. There is something about connecting with someone who is doing the same things as you....and it is special since we did a lot of our training/schooling together! Thanks for calling Chris!

Well, I'm off to relax a little until it is time to leave! Have a good weekend!

Insanity!......but I survived........

It was a really crazy first day at the hospital. See, I thought maybe I'd get a little orientation seeing as though I've been away from the hopsital for 3 weeks, and not been on that ward specifically for 2 months to the day. That is quite a while for a newby like me.

Nope. No such luck. No orientation. No buddy nurse. All alone. Very alone.

Generally, a maximum of 4 moms and 4 babies is the workload. That in itself keeps you quite busy! What did I have as my assignment my first day as a "real" nurse? 5 moms and 5 babies!!! I thought I might go nuts!

I had some nice help later on in the day, though....or I wouldn't have made it! But, I'm just learning as I go! It is quite strange to be having to teach someone a skill that I haven't even learnt yet!

And to top it off, I was asked to work overtime on my first day there! Yikes! Not today....but for future reference, time and a half will be nice......=)

Off to watch a movie with friends that are coming over with ice cream treats! Yippee!

Today is the day......

It is bright and early and it was hard to drag myself out of bed.....not the greatest sleep with many awake periods....
But, today is a new day and I am starting my job! It is going to be great and I hope to love going to work each day!
I'll let you all know how it goes!

Have wonderful days!

One.....well, two, last things before I jump into bed........

Tomorrow is my first day of my first nursing job ever! I would be totally nervous if I let myself think about it. But, I'm not thinking about it so that I don't get uptight about tomorrow! Ok, you prayer warriors, pray tomorrow like you did today, because I totally felt that! I begin my nursing career on LDRP bright and early tomorrow morning! The first day of getting paid! Bring it on!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE BROTHER!!! Today is his real birthday, even though we celebrated over the weekend! I even got to call camp this evening and talk to him myself! That was nice! Happy 17th birthday Shaun! That is such a great sounding year....17....ahhhhh....I loved that year!

Off to bed to get in a good night's sleep.....zzzz......

I'M DONE!!!!!! YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!!

I got out of my exam early both this morning and this afternoon! That is a nice bonus! And now, I'm finished it all! Just have to wait up to 3 months to get the results of pass or fail......I better have passed! It could have been a lot worse. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. But, I also could have done a lot better. Doesn't matter anymore! I'm finished!!!!

Thanks for all your prayers! I totally felt them! I felt a lot of peace, wasn't anxious at all today. And I didn't even reach barf stage from writing for too long! It really did go pretty well. The massive headache I had for the entire afternoon sucked though. Oh well.

As for Shane, here is the update since the weekend:
- Seizure during the night on sunday to monday (first one in 3 weeks)
- Neurologist appointment on monday afternoon
- Increasing the medication aggressively, especially since the recent seizure activity
- EEG (to look at electrical activity in brain) bumped up to September 19 instead of October 31, by being willing to pay a simple fee of $20
- MRI being booked...not sure when.....in the next 3-4 months
- Echocardiogram being booked...not sure when.....heart murmur found in the neurologist's office that day (that was the icing on the cake!)
- official diagnosis of epilepsy...but no answer of why at this point....

Therefore, with the diagnosis, the neurologist says we don't have to keep a seizure count going, we probably still will keep them counted and recorded for our own info and to tell our doctor, but we may not post them anymore as it is a pretty personal issue and I really want to be respectful of Shane's feelings in this area. All of the updates posted were info that Shane was comfortable to share thus far......just disclaimering that we may not share all as the crisis part seems to be settling down as we adjust to all this stuff......

Please keep on praying and keep giving us all the wonderful support that you great friends have been giving! Thanks for all the encouragement! We have totally appreciated it!

18 minutes until leaving time.......!!!!!

No, I'm not boarding a plane, going on an exciting voyage or having a baby....
It is E day....Exam Day.....the biggest one in my nursing career, and the one least studied for!
I leave by 7am....register at 7:30am....start writing around 8am....
We are scheduled to write until 6pm! I sure hope that I don't go crazy sitting and writing a test that stinkin' long!
I totally haven't studied enough...but what is enough? I could spend forever learning more and relearning the last 4 years of information!

On another note, prayer last night was awesome, in my opinion! I really need to blog very soon about topics like the weekend at the lake, Shane's neurologist appointment that was on monday and prayer last night! Soon.......

Please pray for me today if you think of me! Thanks so much!

To the lake we go!

Rock Lake, here we come! I'm looking forward to the weekend that I'm going to spend with my family and hubbie at the lake! My brother has been out there working for the summer and we are all going up this weekend to see him, visit camp and be blessed by what God is doing out there. My mom, sister, brother (I think), and Shane and I are all in one big lodge room together! That should be fun...and maybe a little interesting! I do believe my dad is coming out on saturday too to visit!

It is my baby bro's birthday on wednesday (when I'll be writing my exam)....so I'm bringing him a card and a cd as a little birthday celebration. I hope he enjoys them! He's going to be 17 already....guess he's not really a baby bro technically at that age! Oh well, he's still my baby bro!

I'm really needing a little gift from the Lord this weekend. I hope it is a refreshing time for my whole family. I just want a little something....not exactly sure what.

So, I will do a little more studying, finish my packing and take my hubbie for another doctor's appointment! Adios amigos! Enjoy the warm weather this weekend!

One last exam.....

Well, my RN exam isn't until next wednesday, but I'm feeling the pressure of needing to study more than I am! I just went hard for an hour and now I need a breather. Blogging and a bath sounds like a good way to clear my mind!

If I think about next week, I sorta start to stress out! Wednesday is my exam and it is ALL day long! We have to be there early...like 7:30 or 8am....and are scheduled until 6pm! That is one full day!

Then I start my job the next day bright and early! I'm totally freaked out about starting out on my own! I don't think I get any orientation or anything, because I've been there during my senior practicum. That freaks me right out, because I haven't been on LDRP since the beginning/middle of June. That is 2 months ago already! And I feel like I learned so much on L & D that I need to have a refresher of the other unit. I learned most of my labor stuff on L & D and now I need to figure out what is the same and what's different on the other ward.

I hate feeling stressed out! I really need some prayer and a bathe to get some peace flowing! If you think of me in the next week...especially next week.....please say a little prayer! It is such an exciting but totally scarey time in my life! Yikes!

And the update continues.....

So, the doctor put Shane on a corticosteriod to help with the rash. Already by this morning, the rash is looking better! We still have the benadryl on hand to help with the itching, but aren't needing it quite as much as before. The plan is to be on the steriod for 1 week or so.

We went to the lab this morning to get Shane's tegretol levels drawn. We see the family doc again on friday and will find out what kind of levels we're at this time. In the meantime, if the rash doesn't go away, Shane could be allergic to tegretol as well. Let's hope not! The doc mentioned that he entertained the idea of taking Shane off everything and clearing out his levels completely before starting all over again. But, both him and Shane didn't want to take the chance of seizures in the meantime. So, we'll keep on plugging away!

And, great news! We got our appointment letter for the neurologist in the mail yesterday! It is for this coming monday! That was really fast! 4 days short of a month to the day since the first 2 seizures. Thank-you God!

In my own little world, I am studying a little each day, since monday, for my national RN exam that is next wednesday. I'm trying to fit all kinds of things into my days at the same time. For example, today I took Shane to the lab and then to work, am going out for lunch with my friend Tanya to celebrate her birthday and then visiting my mom and her babies for the afternoon! I'm so looking forward to holding my now 7 pound foster sister!

I'm a little anxious these days about two jobs that I applied for earlier this week. I desperately want one of them! So, pray that if it is in God's plan for us, that I get one of these two jobs and that I find out quickly! .....in the meantime, I'm trying not to get my hopes up, as I am at the very bottom of the seniority pole! So, pretty much NO ONE has to apply for me to get it! Please, nobody apply!

Must go get some studying in before I take off for Steinbach for the rest of the day! Bye for now!

Update on the medical side of things.....

Shane still has a lovely rash that he's had all over since last wednesday when we visited Emerg. It doesn't seem to be getting any better. His hands and arms look a little better to me, but his back, legs and feet look worse! He's still really itchy at times and is taking benadryl to help with the itchl.

Shane started on the new anti-convulsant on friday night. Since then he's had some nausea, a painful stomach, he's still a little dizzy on occasion, has had a headache that comes and goes and has just a little bit of a stutter left. Still not really enjoying this!

So, I called the doctor's again this morning to check in. He wants to see us again today, even though we are already seeing him on friday afternoon. He may start Shane on some steriods.....I'll fill you all in when we get back from the doctor's this afternoon.

Today is also Shane's first day back at work. It isn't too exciting for him to have to go back in the midst of all of this. It would be nice to get things stable first. So, we are praying that his workplace is gracious with all these doctor's appointments and weekly visits to the lab which cut into his work day.

We are continuing to pray for wisdom and guidance as to what to do in this time. Thanks for your prayers!

Tag? You're it?

Supposedly there has been this thing called "tagging" that has been happening on some blogs in cyberspace. According to the comment Lynne left on my last post, I too have been tagged. Guess that means you all get to hear a little details about me.



10 years ago today-> I was 12 years old and on summer holidays between grades 7 and 8.....not working, going to Rock Lake with my family and Eagle Lake Bible Camp with my friend Amy

1 year ago-> was working at a personal care home and landed myself a not-so-hot back injury and had be off of work for months! and was a newlywed of a month and a half...

Yesterday -> had a fabulous day with some friends at Birds Hill enjoying the hot weather, then a great barbeque/potluck with odds and ends from our fridges, topped with a stroll to the Forks and a visit to the new Salisbury House for Dippin' Dots

Tomorrow -> study for my RN national exam that is coming up next week!, bring my husband to work (first day back, yikes!), 10% tuesday grocery shopping, prayer in the evening

5 snacks I enjoy -> 5 cent candies of any kind, chocolate, fruit (berries especially), ice cream and I must say slurpees as a snack!

5 adult beverages I enjoy -> the occasional margarita or daquiri....otherwise just slurpees! I don't have 5 adult beverages I enjoy!

5 bands I know the lyrics to-> lots of worship stuff like Third Day, Chris Tomlin, and other singers that I'm ashamed to admit like Avril Lavigne (sadly), Britney Spears (the occasional song), some of U2...

5 things I would do with $100 000 000 -> travel, pay off my student loans/car loan, build a house, give money to my family and Shane's family (pay off debt for them), take people grocery shopping that can't afford it/and other charities, etc.

5 locations I would like to run away to -> Mexico, Africa, Mediterranean Cruise, Europe, Kansas City =)

5 bad habits I have -> assuming, worrying, procrastinating, leaving the fridge door open when I get something out of it that is going to go right back in, letting people get me riled up over stupid things that I really should let slide

5 things I love doing -> dancing, spending time with family and friends, being pampered (especially getting massages), barbeques, and.......oh yes, I'll keep the others to myself as this is a G rated blog ;)

5 things I would never wear -> a spacesuit, stelletos (not sure the spelling), black, knee-high boots, a thong bikini, or cowboy boots

5 tv shows I like -> this is a hard one, as we do not get reception at our place...but in retrospect....Dr. Phil, Oprah, Survivor, CSI, reality tv (but not all of those silly shows!)

5 movies I like-> Father of the Bride, Much Ado about Nothing, Little Women, Bride and Prejudice (newer, Bollywood movie), My Girl.....that was a tough question!

5 famous people I would love to meet-> Jesus, Mary (Jesus' mother), Paul, Queen Esther, John (to ask more about the book of Revelation).....ok, all people of the Bible.....I really don't care to meet "famous" people! I just like to read about their lives in the checkout line...

5 biggest joys at the moment -> snuggling with my husband, holding babies, having a warm bath, having a great coffee date with a good girlfriend, having a great worship/prayer time (loving Encounter God Nights!)

5 favorite toys-> we don't really have a lot that would be classified as "toys"....computer, our new coleman stove/grill, our air conditioner, my waffle iron, my microwave.....mostly appliances, I guess

5 people to tag -> Stephanie, Christina, Alexandra, Bonnie, and Joyska ( I hope none of these people have already been tagged! If so, opps!)


That was tough!!! I didn't know 5 answers for a bunch of them! Oh well! Whatever!

Ahhhh....a piece of contentment....

It is sure nice to have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law that have a pool on hot days like these!

After working hard this morning/afternoon, cleaning Steph's appartment and moving out the rest of her stuff, Shane and I headed to his sister and brother-in-law's for a nice barbeque potluck.

It was great to sit by the pool, swim a little in the heat, drink cold drinks, eat yummy food and chat with family for hours this afternoon/evening. And the light show (lightening) later on in the evening when it was dark was great entertainment!

I had a nice summer-kind of day today! And I enjoyed it! I hope for a bunch more this year!

Heaven would be nice......

Some days I just really want this world to pass away, this life on earth to end, and heaven to be my immediate home. I feel a hunger, a discontentment sometimes. I search within to see what is up. I sometimes try to fill it by trial and error. No. Sometimes it just comes down to a longing for my Home. When I'm feeling a little out of sorts and really sit down to examine why, often it is that I want heaven.

Today, this afternoon, right now, I want heaven.

I'm not satisfied today on earth. I'm tired of this place. I want more than it has to offer me. I want the perfection of the new heaven and the new earth. I want to see my Jesus face to face. I want to see my name written in heaven. I want to see the place prepared for me.

(Now, those of you with all kinds of differing opinions about the end of the age, humor me and don't debate this time. I just wanted to verbalize my desire for what is to come...however it is going to look. And also, don't get worried that I'm wanting to die or anything. I love to live, but today I long for heaven.)

So, Jesus, impact my world with Your reality. Show me a piece of heaven here on earth. Be near. Create in me a content heart....a heart that is content in any and every situation. Open my eyes to see things the way that You do.

Friends, doctor's appointments and sisters.....

I had such a nice morning/afternoon with my friend Amy! We met at the St.Vital Mall and window shopped and such for baby and maternity clothes. She is expecting her first baby in January and I am the super excited friend! We became best friends in grade 6 and though haven't always had a ton of time together since grade 9, still consider each other close friends. She was one of my bridesmaids when I got married last year. It was such a nice break to get out of the house, put my worry aside for a few hours and talk with a girlfriend. Such good medicine!

Then I took Shaner to the doctor to let his family doc know about the latest info (re: allergic reaction). Lo and behold, the blood that they took from him yesterday showed that he has been at TOXIC dilantin levels! The poor guy! The norm is a range from 10-20. Shane had a whopping level of 35.72!!!!! His doctor hadn't seen a level that high in 14-15 years of practice!!! No wonder he's been stuttering, dizzy, a little wobbly and really exhausted! I don't have to worry these few days that he is off the meds about him having a seizure because with that level, and the drug being long-acting, he definitely won't have a seizure any time soon! Strangely, Shane was at a very common dosage of dilantin. Anyways, we start on the new medication, at a much lower starting dose, on friday. In the meantime, we continue to battle the itch with Benadryl.

And for tonight, tonight I see my sister! She is moving out of her appartment this weekend and I really am big on closure. I feel the need to hang out together in her appartment one last time, help with some left-over packing (I'm into throwing things out if she needs a hand with that!), give some emotional support over the whole thing of moving and some much needed sister bonding time. I'm looking forward to seeing my lovely sister tonight!

Back to our second home, Emerg.

No, there wasn't another seizure. This time, Shane has a rash that has developed over his body (ankles, knees, chest, back, arms, hands). He had little patches of it that would come and go since he started on dilantin, but today it went all over. We were at St.B to get his blood drawn to see what his levels are, so we went up to my ward to do some schedule stuff and thought we'd ask a doc if I ran into one. One of the really nice doctors on our ward was around so I asked him his opinion, and the nearby med student. That is one great benefit of working in a hospital! Off we went to Emerg, just to chat with the triage nurse....NOT planning on waiting or talking to a doctor down there. Well, we ended up waiting anyways, as advised, but not nearly as long this time! Only 2 and a half hours in Emerg instead of 5-6! That was nice!

The doctor is having Shane stop his dilantin all together. The rash supposedly looks like a classic drug allergy rash. He is going to have nothing onboard until friday when he starts a new anti-convulsant. One warning is that being off the dilantin so abruptly, could potentially precipitate seizures. So, I will be watching Shane closely until we are steady on the next med.
He's also super itchy...so we are going to be friendly with Benadryl!

We feel a little deflated. We had plans to go camping with friends (Johan and Corrie) this weekend. Now we have to cancel them because being off the meds, not knowing what will happen in the next few days, starting a new med, not knowing how Shane will react to the next one and being 3 hours away in the wilderness is not a great idea. But, we are bummed. It sort of feels like being back at square 1. I'm glad he's not on the dilantin though...I didn't like that stuff! Today Shane is finally having less of a stutter and an easier time talking. That is a real blessing!

We'll keep you all posted. Please pray that there are no other seizures regardless of being on or off the meds. Pray that this rash and itchiness go away quickly and there are no issues with starting the next medication. And lastly, pray for our bummed emotions. Shane has been such a great sport, but he and I are both feeling tired of all this already. Deflated, is a good word for it.

The fun of family....

This morning, Shane and I had the pleasure of accompanying Shane's grandpa to the doctor's. He is quite a hoot! He asked me to come into the office with him. I found that quite the compliment! When the doctor entered the room, he explained that he brought along his own private nurse! How funny!

We had a nice morning/afternoon together in Steinbach, on the drive to and fro and a nice hearty meal at MJ's on Main Street in Steinbach (mmmm...good Mennonite home-cooked food). It was a good way to spend part of our day!

We also had Shane's sisters over for the night. We haven't had them over here for a sleepover since we've been married. It was nice! We rented Ice Princess...all you may be groaning, but it is such a cute movie! I had inspirations to become a figure skater after watching!

As for this evening, prayer is on. We are going to be praying here at our place again, since we are in town after all! So, we'll see whoever shows up and start up the prayer at 7pm! See you then!

I would do it again!

We had a nice little camping trip to Birds Hill this weekend. There were some minor complications, but generally a nice time. We bought a Coleman stove/grill before we left, and borrowed a tent and a dining tent. We managed to figure out how to set it all up without too much trouble. It was that dining tent that was almost abandoned! Hee hee, Kendra warned me about it! I wanted to set it up, Shane thought we should forget about it. But, we managed not too badly and it was really handy to have! I think we'll eventually get our own!

As for the beautiful stove/grill, I was so proud to have made the best pancakes yet! I made them better on the stove camping than in my own kitchen! Strange! And Shane made some great hamburgers on there. It is quite a handy contraption!

The beach was fun too! We were worried yesterday about the called-for thunderstorms, but we ended up being dry all day! And we had the company of my dad and sister in the afternoon and evening. That was nice! I also got a great sunburn, despite applying sunscreen with 30 spf! Yikes, no matter what I usually get one! Though, I think this sunburn started over breakfast at our campsite, before I applied the dose of sunscreen!

So, for the minor complications.....we got to our campsite about 5:10pm on friday. There were dogs in a tent trailer in a nearby site. They barked for hours, all alone in there. The warden and patrol people were told multiple times and finally put a tarp over the side that was facing other sites which was making the dogs squirrely! The owners finally came home about 11:00pm and were out of the park the next morning.
The next bit of excitement was the noise factor all night! There were some young adult women who were pretty noisey and had too much to drink. Well, while one of the best friend was out cold in the bathroom...and let me tell you, those floors are nasty!, the other was participating in "activities" for all the nearby campsites to overhear. Nasty!!!! We sure did NOT appreciate that! How do you explain those noises to your children in the middle of the night? (as our neighbor put it)

So, as if a team in The Amazing Race, we decided at 10:45pm last night, right after my dad and sister left, that we would pack up and head home! Sounds crazy, but hey! So, we took down our site in the darkness, with a little help from two flashlights. That dining tent was pretty crazy to take down in the dark...it looks like an octupus upside down! We did it in good timing, and pretty quietly. We were still in the habit of whispering when we were in our car driving home at midnight. We unloaded the car here at home and still had to shower from the day at the beach and all the product (sunscreen and misquito spray) that we had caked on our skin. So, we finally went to sleep at 2:30am!!! And didn't awake until 2:00pm this afternoon! Whew! Talk about adventures!

Look for upcoming pictures of our time in the "wilderness" (when we figure out how to post them)!

Hello wilderness...we'll maybe not wilderness....hello provincial park

So, Shane and I are going to attempt our first adventure camping together this weekend! It should be very interesting and hopefully a ton of fun! Shane used to be a scout as a boy, so he remembers camping/canoe trips. I have gone camping, in a tent trailer, a few summers as a kid, but not a whole lot and many years ago. It feels like I'm doing this for the first time! I don't know what to pack or how to camp really! And, we're borrowing a tent. I sure don't know if I can set that thing up! (good thing Shane's around!)

So, I'm definitely bringing the camera, because I think it will be quite the memory making experience for us as a couple! Hopefully lots of laughs, good quality time together and few misquito bites! Here's to hoping! I was too excited to sleep in too long this morning. I want to get going!!!

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!

Today was my last day of my senior practicum! My last day wearing my student nurse nametag!!! I will never have to sign my student nurse initials again! Wow! That will be a tough adjustment, as it is second nature to sign UMSNIV (university of manitoba, student nurse, fourth year). I've even caught myself signing it on my VISA receipt recently! Silly, eh? And, from now on when I introduce myself I don't have to include "student" in the title.

I had a fabulous evaluation and got great feedback from my preceptors and faculty advisor! Yippee! That is a great way to end things! And to know that my preceptors look forward to working with me as a co-worker is a really good thing!

I'm off to Olive Garden to have a spontaneous celebration dinner with my hubbie, mother and perhaps a sister and a friend! Yippeeee!!!!

Bummed...bummed...bummed.....

We are NOT taking our preplanned trip to Kansas City on thursday. I am very disappointed and am feeling a little bummed about it, and the next few weeks, today.

We went to Shane's family doctor today. The word is that he will not have his licence for a minimum of 1 year. As well, he will probably be on the medication for the year as well. I asked when he could be weaned off of it. The doctor advised that we should not do that until he has been given his licence back and the seizures are well managed, and then do it slowly, through the doctor. Also, blood work every 2 weeks for the first little while and doctor's visits will be tricky as Shane will need a driver to each appointment. So, I really pray that his work is understanding about the time he'll need off to do these things and I pray that I have the right days off. Also, my question is, how do we get Shane to work every day for an entire year?

All of this also means that we will not be covered by insurance until Shane is on a stable dose, with no other seizures, for at least 6 months. This means no Kansas City this week, no One Thing conference in December, etc. It really feels as though one big door as been shut. The fact that Shane really can't leave the country until at least January, unless we want to risk paying an arm and a leg, really feels limiting. Guess we aren't leaving anytime soon......not that it was a plan to, but it was at least an option a week ago.

I'm tired of having a good attitude at this moment. I'm bummed and I think this sucks. We are feeling pretty good otherwise. We are both feeling quite peaceful admist the circumstances and I feel the underlying soverignty of God in our lives. He is good, always has been, always will be.

Holidays begin....

Due to the craziness of the last week or so and the effect it has had both physically and emotionally on us, Shane decided to start his holidays today, instead of waiting until thursday like originally planned. He really is wasted and needs to rest. I don't think he would be functioning all that great if he worked the next 3 days.

We have been sleeping the morning away. I took him to work this morning, and went back home. He called me half an hour later to come pick him up. He wanted to run the idea of starting his holidays today by his boss, without me waiting in the parking lot. Since we've been home, we've slept. I felt so heavy, like I couldn't even move I was so exhausted. That is a bizarre feeling. I don't like it, because I'm not as alert as I'd like to be at this time.

We have a bunch of things to do which his being home will come in handy. We have to work out the insurance stuff from the break-in of the car, have an appointment with MPI to see if there was any damage, go to Shane's doctor tomorrow, fill his perscription for the dilantin, etc. Lots to do, and no motivation to do it while feeling so tired.

I scheduled a 90 minute massage for this afternoon last month. I wanted to treat myself as a present for being done my senior practicum (well, one more shift left). My benefits through the University cover a few a year. Now that Shane is home today, I'm a little nervous about going and leaving him here. I thought he may come and sit in the waiting room, but that is boring and I don't want him to have to do that. But, I really don't want to cancel it either. I could really use it at this point. I just had a thought though. Maybe I will reduce the time to 1 hour....I'm more comfortable leaving him for 1 hour than 1 and a half.....I think that is because his seizure and sleeping times have been 1 and a half to 2 hours this past week. I guess that's my internal logic.

So, I'll figure it out in the next few minutes and then bring the cell phone with me so that I can check up on him. Besides I'm only 5 minutes away. Yikes, these kind of thoughts and decisions about daily life and how it can suddenly get more complicated, suck.

Another day in emerg.....

The day began like any other. Up before Shane, get ready and off to work while he is still resting in bed. Today I was a little sleepier and a little envious of his extra sleeping time.
The day on labor and delivery began, excitement off the bat. Bad fetal heart rate tracings, forceps delivery, etc. Then it got slow....
So, at lunch I called my Shaner, knowing that he would be out of church by then. This is when I found out the bad news.

This morning Shane awoke to a feeling of thirst. So, he decided to refill his glass of water in the kitchen before getting back to sleep. It was 7:06am.
He awoke, laying down on his tummy in the entrance of our appartment, which is on the way to the kitchen, around 8:40am. An hour and a half later. His cup that he had been carrying, was lying nearby and the small amount of water that was in it was spilled on nearby stuff and the wall. Tired and all, Shane went to church wanting some prayer and failing to alert others of his morning events (except his dad, who's a great secret keeper).

I, feeling a little rattled emotionally, consulted the nurses on my ward and one of the doctors. They were all such a support and gave me some nice, sound medical advise. 4 seizures in 6 days? Get him into emergency.

So, after 5-6 hours in emergency again today, an EKG, more bloodwork, a WHOLE LOT of waiting and some IV Dilantin (anti-convulsant medication), we are back at home. Shane's feeling pretty drowsy and dizzy with some slurred speech and blurred vision at present. I think that was quite the dose that he got!

We need your continued prayers! We want to hear the Lord on this one.

Do we look like a target??????

To add to all the drama lately, which has mostly been negative, Shane called to tell me our car was broken into during the night. This has never happened to us. I'm insulted.
The trunk was open and the drivers side door was unlocked when he went down this morning. I went to check it all out, make sure the car was ok and take pictures. Somehow they managed to get in, without leaving a mark on the outside of the car.

Our cds are gone. Bless the ones that now own a bunch of teaching tapes! Shane's precious sunglasses are gone. Shane's golf clubs are gone. The golf clubs are the big thing.

Another rotten thing is that the golf clubs might be covered by house insurance as opposed to autopac (so says the policeman that Shane talked to), which means our deductable is $1000. Something that we just can't afford.

I don't know what is going on these days! The more that happens, the more it feels like these are strategic negative things and not just happening by chance. Attack? I don't know what is going on!

When Shane called back from talking with the police, his first words were, "No Kansas City" because of the expense that this might cause us. Oh no, I say! We aren't giving up like that! I could see how Satan may be trying pretty hard this week to stop us from going...with the events of Shane's drivers being taken away, having some medical issues to think about while in another country, someone trying to wreck our car, the addition of a huge expense that we can't really afford, and us both feeling sick.

But, we will keep on fighting. We will still go to Kansas City. We want all that God has for us. In this time, we feel like going to KC for those 10 days is part of the puzzle piece of our journey at this point. I don't want anything of darkness to thwart the plans that God has for us. I also want to be wise. Help Lord!

Groan, Moan and Clutch your Stomach......

I feel crappy. I've made close acquaintance with the bathroom this past night with the effects of a very upset stomach. It came upon me in the last hour or two of work last night. And has really flared up over night. To go along with that, my throat is on fire!

So, after waking up practically hourly, I decided at 4:30am that a warm bath, some awake time and a cup of tea might help this sicko. And, I did it. I called in sick for the first time. I hate to do this, but I don't want to spend the whole day in the bathroom at the hospital! It is sucky to even use public washrooms, never mind if you need it for an extended period of time! It actually worked out quite well, because when I called in I found out the nurse that I was supposed to be with is also sick today.

So, today I will rest. Physically, nursing my sore throat and upset stomach. Getting some extra sleep. And emotionally rest up from the past few days. I need some R & R, some good Bible reading time and a day on the couch.

Ahhhh....I'm going to go and inform my faculty advisor of my state and finish my tea. Nite, nite.

Good news today on another note......

I got a .7 term on LDRP today! That means I work 7 days out of a two week period generally (full time is 10 days). I'm working 8 hour day and night shifts, which also means that I get every evening off with my husband! And now that it is a real nursing position, I get every other weekend off! Also, just for clarity, LDRP is the labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum ward...so I get both labor and delivery and postpartum experience. That part is good. That is the ward that I started my practicum on in May. Now I'm on Labor and Delivery, the high risk side. I hope to be able to work there at some point (sooner than later) because it is really great experience for a new grad! I'm really enjoying all the action....even though I do support the philosophy of LDRP which supports less interventions and more natural ways of laboring and delivering.

The only other part is that it is a term. It starts the day after I write my RN national exam....about August 11 I think and goes until October sometime. It isn't very long, but it gets my foot in the door! Hopefully I land another term or a permanent position in that time! I'm very happy to have a job waiting for me! And I'm not even done my senior practicum yet! Thank-you Lord!

Leaving for work.....makes me a teeny bit nervous!

I'm leaving for work within the next 15 minutes. Shane will not be up yet. I'm a little nervous to leave him.....
I'll call when I get to work to make sure things are fine, and I'll say a prayer of protection over him and peace over me.
He's back to work today.
That's it for now....must run!

Update on the drama of yesterday....

Thanks so much for your prayers everyone and all the supportive comments! We really appreciate the support! Things are getting kinda back to normal. I was a little apprehensive about sleeping last night and awoke to check on Shane numerous times and check that he was still and breathing.
We ended up making a bed on the living room floor because it is cooler out in the living room with the air conditioner. I actually welcomed the idea of not sleeping in our room. It was just freaky for me. I don't want to be bothered by fear or worry, but it just felt weird to sleep in our room last night with some flashbacks of how I woke up that morning. I feel the need to vaccuum in that room today....get rid of anything that could be in there. I know it sounds strange.

Otherwise, the situation went as smoothly as I could have hoped for. I wanted to cry last morning when I woke up with Shane in that state. But I clicked into nurse mode and was pretty calm, but a little paniced. Because of the need to remain rationale, I didn't cry at the time and so I actually haven't shed a tear yet. Maybe I will at some point just to release any kind of feelings that need to be let out through tears.

It was very helpful to know the lingo of what the peramedics were saying. It allowed me to know that his vital signs, blood sugar, etc were ok. Though I think his pulse was pretty elevated.

We went for some food with his parents, my mom and sister after we left the hospital yesterday afternoon. Then we came home to return some calls and give some updates and headed to bed. We were both really exhausted and needed a nap. So, we slept for 2 hours and spent the rest of the evening relaxing. Popsicles, a cute movie and my sister were the best medicine!

Just continue to pray for answers, light into the spiritual and physical side of things, that seizures never happen again, and that fear and anxiety wouldn't have any room in our hearts or home. Thanks again for all the support! It is SOOO appreciated!

Prayer request and update....

I woke up this morning to Shane having a seizure on the floor beside my bed. I called 911 who responded within about 10 minutes. In the meantime, I waited, talking to Shane, calling out to Jesus and turning Shane on his side and making sure he was breathing. In the time between the call to 911 and their arrival, he had another seizure that lasted less than 1 minute. I had about 7 uniformed men in our tiny little bedroom. Good thing I managed to think clearly and get some clothes on before they arrived!
We were brought to the St.Boniface Emergency by ambulance. Shane was only slightly responsive for a good hour. He finally said a word to me about an hour or so after I had found him on our floor.
Shane had blood work done, a physical assessment and a CT scan this morning/afternoon. All were normal. He is very sleepy now and has the battle wounds of burst blood vessels around his eyes, but otherwise doing well. We are home now and I'm just going to spend the next day or two observing him, providing that natural nursing care and loving my husband that is alive today! Thank-you Jesus for no brain damage and that my hubbie is alive!
Thanks to all who were praying and please continue to do so. Pray that this never happens again.
God bless. I'm off to tuck my buddy into bed...more updates later.

Lots to say, not a lot of time to say it.....

-great day at the hospital...slow, but had an incredible couple to work with, they gave me positive feedback like crazy! The husband even pulled my preceptor aside and ranted about a list of positive things he had to say about me! And when someone rants about your communication skills and people skills, that is a HUGE compliment!

-I enjoyed the warm weather yesterday at Birds Hill Beach with my hubbie! It was SO nice to have a weekend day with him! It has felt like a long time since I've seen Shane for a whole day!

-Only 6 more shifts as a student nurse! Yikes! I have had an incredible experience! I love this area of nursing! And I almost had a delivery on my own the other day! One more push and I would have been delivering that baby on my own! I sure used good judgement at the perfect timing when I called for the doctor and another nurse to help me out with the delivery!

-Actually went out socially on friday night...and way past my bedtime! Shane and I met Christina, Steph, Roman (Christina's bro) and Stephan (Christina's bro) at the Forks for yummy drinks! It was nice to be out socially and see people that I enjoy!

-A week from thursday Shane and I leave for our 10-day trip to KC!!! I'm so looking forward to it! I hope to receive more and more direction with the next stage of our lives! Bring it on, Lord! And I'm pumped to visit Joel and Joyska!

Lots of good stuff........mmmmm.......speaking of good stuff...I think my bed and Bible are calling!

A nice, slow day at the hospital...

I had a nice 12 hour shift and it was good to come home without sore feet! I spent most of my day sitting with a very sweet patient, in the dark (as much as we could get the room dark during the day) because of a severe headache, and working mostly on my own! That is the part that really felt good! I always had a resource person to ask questions to, but I had my patient to myself for practically the whole day! The charge nurse said that since I'm done in 2 weeks I may as well get my initiation...or something to that effect. They acknowledged the "promotion" I had with more independence today. Yippee!

And yes, 9 more shifts until I am finished my senior practicum! Isn't that incredible?! It has really gone by quite fast! I'm excited..and a little nervous...to go and do this L & D nursing thing as a real nurse! I keep telling my patients' something like that lately....that "_ more shifts and I'm a real nurse!". Hee hee!

Another good thing about today is that I talked to my unit manager. She said that she is off on holidays for 3 weeks starting next week so there won't be any postings during that time. To me that pretty much means that while I'm in Kansas City at the end of the month I won't be missing out on potential positions! She also said that as soon as I get my grad status in the mail, which will probably be within the week or so after we return from KC, while I'm cramming for my RN exam, I should call her and she will hire me as a casual staff right away! So, I can pretty much start right away as long as there are shifts available! And they seem to be short a lot these summer days!

So, Lord, would you give me favor and provide a position for me! And thanks that I get a holiday in between!

You every feel slimey????

You know the feeling you get after being with someone that is constantly negative? I've had a rough week with that! I had a nurse over the weekend that was so negative I wanted to wear ear plugs and puke at times. I just end up feeling bummed and slimed. I also saw a friend who is often very negative and it is tough to sit through our time together sometimes.

Boy, I sure don't want to make people feel slimey. I want people to feel encouraged when they are around me. I want to speak into my friends' and family's lives in a positive way.

I guess being around those kind of people reminds me to watch my own attitude and the way I effect those around me. Jesus, make me more like you and please be my shield around slimey people.

I'm into learning how to soak.

I am feeling drawn into a place of soaking with my Jesus. I need to make space for myself to just rest in His presence and get to know Him in a new way. I am really enjoying this thing of prayer...but I don't want to find myself always talking and not resting and listening.

So, I need to start to put on a cd and lie there. Let myself rest in His presence. Let Him speak to my soul and revive me. I felt that presence and nearness all day.

I had a day off today. Today and tomorrow are my weekend (I worked all weekend). It is actually really nice to have my days off in the middle of the week because I actually get to spend them resting at home. When my days off are on the weekend, I tend to fill them with a lot of fun things. But it isn't necessarily resting.

So, I've enjoyed some time in the Word today. I've enjoyed putting on worship music and going for it in my kitchen as I make supper. I've enjoyed dancing His peace over my bedroom. I've enjoyed talking with my Friend. This is such intimate time and I love the contentment that comes with it. I don't want the end of the day at home to come. I've really enjoyed the rest and presence of my Friend. I know that He is always with me...I've just loved our time together today and don't want it to end.

I like the rainy days at home....

I know that most people are on a huge rant of complaining about the weather these days. I had hoped to go to the beach on my last few days off....but ahhhh....I'm also content to spend windy, rainy days in my cozy appartment. I really actually like rainy days. Not so much the dreary ones that are cloudy without any rain, but the ones when it is pouring. I like those ones!

So, on this rainy day, I:
-slept in until noon!
-chatted on the phone with my hubbie and some family members
-will be listening to a teaching cd...the last one of a course I've been taking since January
-finishing off the exam that I have to send in to complete the course
-baking some fruity muffins...yummmmmm
-starting all over again on a resume that I had started and can't find on the computer! (Tomorrow is July and that means that I can start applying for jobs! I gotta be ready!)
-having a relaxing bath/shower
-making some supper for my hubbie and I
-going to the last housegroup for the summer

So, I'm pretty content with the sound of my day. Ahhhh.....

Babies, babies everywhere!

I worked a 12 today and it was jam packed with excitement! First thing this morning I saw my first delivery of twins! So cute!!!! It was extra special for me, because I kept of thinking about my Shaner who thinks he wants us to have twins one day! Yikes! It's not like you can plan those sort of things! And oooo....so much more work when there is two!

Then I saw another delivery this afternoon. It was insane! We had a mom who had never had a baby before...usually that means they take a long time laboring. Well, she shot from 4 to fully within 2 hours! We weren't prepared at all for delivery, nevermind the fact that we were using one of the tiniest rooms that we can't really deliver in and therefore had to relocate to another room! Then we had all kinds of issues at delivery with the babe and had to do some resusitation stuff! Yikes! I wish I knew more so that I could be of more help in the middle of the emergencies! I'm a little useless in the crisis moment and in the OR!

Last, but not least, I got to see my first manual removal of a retained placenta. Sorry if I am totally turning everyone off from ever reading this blog again! I had never seen someone sedated with the meds that this anesthesiologist gave the patient. I could help but laugh behind my mask as the patient was coming back to reality. The comments she was making were hilarious! Too bad that you really can't fully hide that you are trying so hard not to laugh because it totally shows in your eyes! That was some trip she was on!

And to end the evening off beautifully, I got home a little while ago to a very special note from Shane written on our white board by the telephone. One of my dear friends from back home is having her first baby! She's 3 months pregnant! I so desperately want to talk to her about it...but they are having date night tonight so she's not home! I'm sort of bursting to tell the world!

I need to calm down...and it is sort of making me crazy that I'm in an appartment, alone, for the rest of the evening after all the crazy excitement. I think I need some ice cream. Freezer, here I come!

Could I be a Nazirite?????? Could you be called to a lifestyle of a Nazirite????

"In the Scriptures, Nazarites were people of extreme devotion to God who, among other things, left their hair uncut as a mark of their consecration. By their long hair they were saying, in effect, "We are not interested in seeing how little we can get by with in our devotion to God, but how far we can go. We are literally exploring the lengths of consecration."

Another characteristic of Nazirites was that they did not drink wine or eat raisins or grapes, all of which represented the sweet pleasures of life. Abstaining in this way from the product of the grape was a Nazirite's way of saying that none of the pleasures of this life could equal the pleasure of knowing God intimately.

Persons of similar bent are arising in the Church today. Although they may not necessarily bear any visible outward mark of their identity, such as long hair, like their counterparts of old, these new radicals for God have a strong sense that they are called and set apart for a holy purpose. God has marked them as Nazirites.

Nazirites are special people. As the Old Testament reveals, God raises them up when His people are in great distress because they have succumbed to spiritual and moral decay. Time and time again throughout Israel's history, Nazirites turned the tide of spiritual and national degeneration.

Casual measures are not enough. The need of the hour demands something more: radical abandonment to God and extreme commitment to His holiness. This is the Nazirite call. This is the spirit of Elijah, and it is sorely needed in this hour."
(Elijah's Revolution by Jim Goll and Lou Engle)


So, I've always felt a little different. I don't know if I can explain it properly, and it may sound a little funny. I don't think that I am better than others at all. Bear with me as I try to explain.

Grew up in a more traditional church....never felt like I belonged. I was always disappointed with what was happening at church and wanted far more than I was seeing.

I've always felt older. Like maybe I'm too serious about a number of things. I feel so strongly about certain issues, like purity, marriage, honesty, holiness, that I sometimes have a hard time interacting with loved ones that are walking differently. I feel so strongly about holiness that I just can't fake it.

Sometimes I've wondered if I'm just a tad bit religious....you know in the midst of questioning why I feel the way I do. But, maybe it is something more than that. Maybe all along I've been called to something that just has looked a little different than normal. Values that I feel strongly about, because God feels strongly about. Maybe I am partnering with His ideas, values, morals and passions.

If God is calling me to live a life set apart for His purposes and His holiness, I want to do it. Wait, not"if", God is calling us to lives that are set apart. So, I'm in. I want to be apart of the army that is going to change this world through consecrated lifestyles and intercession. And I want my calling and destiny on this earth to be about calling others to lives that are set apart for the Kingdom. It has to be more than the past. It has to be more than half-hearted. It must require all of us. It must consume us daily. It can't be something that we forget about on certain days or put on the shelf when it doesn't conveniently fit the situation we are in. I don't want to preach a message that accommodates sin and individual preferences.

I want to put out a call to holiness and lifestyles that are set apart. Are you with me?

Ahhh.....great evening!

Seeing as it is 12:30am...and I could be sleeping but am not.....why not write up a quick blog! See, I'm done my stretch of 3 nights...and slept an 8 hour day, so this is normally the time that I'm up and working! I am a little tired but I probably could stay up longer. I'll do a quick blog and then I'm off to bed!

I love my girlfriends! I had a fabulous evening with a few of them! Loraleigh, Christina, Steph, Shauna, Bonnie and I all spent a great evening together! We first met at the movie theatre and watched The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. I totally enjoyed it! I pity any man who sits through it, but it is wonderful to see with a bunch of girls! I just had to give them all a nice, close hug after that heartwarming girly movie!

Then we went over to the Fyxx for drinks and chatting. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the warm, beautiful weather. I didn't even notice the misquitos until the very end! I love hearing how each friend is doing and what's new! And being with a few unmarried girlfriends means there is usually a great love story or two in the making that we get to be filled in on! Ahhhh.....love.........of course there are lots of squeals and laughs!

So, to my beautiful friends, cheers! This is what I enjoy about the 5 I spent time with tonight!

Steph - the most incredible sister you could ask for; attentive; always excited about what is happening in other peoples' lives; gives awesome hugs; definitely encouraging!

Christina - a constant friend; helps out in the rides department which is a real blessing!; a great listener; full of life and anticipation for the future!; dependable

Loraleigh - what can I say, she's one of a kind!; wise; open and honest; always investing in my life; makes an effort to hang out and join us (and she has 3 kids at home); makes you feel heard

Bonnie - we go way back!; just like the movie had a group of 4 close girlfriends, we were part of a group of 4 in highschool!; also makes the effort to hook up babysitting and grace us with her presence; is often heard laughing to a story that someone is telling; gentle and sensitive; I'm encouraged by watching her grow and do life

Shauna - she is a hoot!; always making you laugh; talks in a way that everything sounds like a story; she is a longterm kind of friend; very enjoyable to be around; quality girl

I love my girlfriends! If you are reading this and thinking about your friends and how much you enjoy them, let them know! That is my challenge to you all today! Hug someone and tell them what you love about them!

Craving sleep....hardly oriented anymore.......

-prayer at our place tonight....looking forward to it!
-dreaming about sleeping
-got my first IV finally started this morning! I am SO relieved, and proud of myself! And on top of it, the patient said she didn't feel a thing! And I even poked her a total of two times, one to draw blood and one to start the IV! I did good!
-the weather is beautiful
-tomorrow I get to enjoy the company of some great girlfriends....looking forward to that too!
-hope to not dream about work
-cranky nurses can be very upsetting to me - I have a really hard time working with them and not letting them get to me!
-I'm a fan of apple juice

Goodnight.

Ahhhh...soon I will sleep!

Back on nights at the hospital. When I came in last night there was only 1 patient written on the board! I had never seen the board so empty. Well, 9 minutes into my shift, our first baby was born. That was fast and exciting!
Then, we got another laboring patient as the previous one was being transferred to another unit. I was totally involved in that delivery too! The doctor made the delivery (whew!), but my buddy nurse, whom I had only met that shift, had me do pretty much everything surrounding the delivery and recovery time. Wow! I think I'm starting to do this stuff a little better! I did all the charting, timed all the important events like the birth of the baby and placenta, did the baby vitals, did the newborn assessment, did the cord gases, etc, etc. I did most of everything, minus mom's checks! Wow, can language barriers be frustrating! My patient hardly understood any english! That is tough!
It was a really busy time, but I felt competent! I love that feeling!

So, I'm going to bed for the day now. It is so hard to go to sleep when I'd rather be starting my day with the beautiful weather outside! But, I got to take a walk in the beautiful outdoors for part of my trip home this morning! I'll quickly get to sleep so that I can enjoy the beautiful weather in the evening when my husband is home to enjoy it with me!

And, on one last note, happy father's day to my dad and all the other dads out there! We had a nice Father's Day and celebrated here at our appartment! That was actually a really nice change from the extended family gathering. Life is too complicated for too many extended family gatherings as we all get older. And frankly, I'd rather use these opportunities to spend time alone with my immediate family members! It was sort of like having a family gathering at my place! Kinda strange to think of it that way! I, with the help of Steph and Shane, cooked a big meal of what we call "The Earl's Dish", made a caesar salad and a homemade chocolate cheesecake! Mmmmmmm!!!

Off I go to bed! Have a beautiful day, y'all!

It is a little belated, but.....better late than never!

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY TO MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!

Our first anniversary was yesterday, the 12th of June. I'm so the reflecting and more emotional person of the two of us, therefore I had to reflect over the day by looking at wedding pictures and watching our wedding video. It was nice to listen to our vows we wrote a year ago and know that I would say them again today in a flash. I loved our wedding and it is so nice to think back...though a little bittersweet as it means it is only further and further into the past. A small part of me feels sad about that, but a HUGE part of me feels so excited about where we are now and the future ahead! I wouldn't go back at all! Only forward! I love marriage! So, welcome to year #2!!!! We'll see what's in store......!!!!!!!!

New steps........exciting and nerve-wracking!!!!!!

At 2:30pm today, I got a call which ended in hearing myself agree to sing....yes, sing....at Encounter God Night tonight. I am still in shock that I heard myself saying yes! I have had butterflies since that phone call and think I might be sick if I eat anything before I go!

I really don't sing...well, in public, or by myself, that is. In the shower, to a cd, with a church congregation, yes. In a mic, on a stage, no. Well, tonight that will be different. I don't think I have a great voice, at all. Generally I can keep a tune, but not all the time!

Strangely, this feels like a natural step in obedience. That sounds funny even to me. Natural? Hardly. Obedience? To what?

I just have a feeling deep within that small step of obedience, even when they are uncomfortable, are often the building blocks to even greater things. Strangely, this feels like one of those moments. If we are faithful with the little things, which I think even include little moments of stepping out and saying yes, we will be entrusted with much!

So, I say, BRING IT ON, LORD!!! ALL THAT YOU HAVE!!! I SAY YES, EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS STRANGE OR UNCOMFORTABLE!!!

(and would you please pray, fellow bloggers??? I'm a little nervous and really hope I don't totally suck!)

A busy baby day......

Today was a full day at work! I saw 2 deliveries, very much different from one another! One, a grand multip....which means your 5th or more baby...well, this one was well above the number 5! She made it look extremely easy! Also, that was a midwife delivery which is always a little interesting for me.....it is different what you do as the nurse when the care provider is a doctor or a midwife. The mom got a lot of use out of my hand throughout that labor! I think I'm going to have finger print bruises tomorrow!

As for the other, I was able to see an instrumental delivery for the first time. Not something that I hope to have to observe....it is unfortunate! I saw forceps used to get baby out. I like the natural way better!

Also on a baby note, but a happier one, I saw Brad and Colleen, from our housegroup, at the hospital today! They had a beautiful baby girl on monday and named her Naomi Grace! She has a head of dark hair and is very cute! Mom seems to be doing quite well and dad, Brad, is beaming with pride! I'm so happy for them! Congrats guys!

Well, tonight I'm having an evening with my sister! Oh, I really like her and am looking forward to spending some sister-time tonight! Shane's running off for boys night, so I'm having a girls night with my favorite gal!

Have a good one!

"According to the Scriptures, a prophetic "Elijah" generation will arise also in the last days to prepare the way for His second coming. It will be a "faceless" generation in the sense that there will be not only highly visible leaders or "point" people who have incredible encounters with God. God also will place His prophetic presence on an entire generation, and they will walk in holiness and absolute surrender to Him, enjoying face-to-face intimacy with Him to an unprecedented degree. Yes, an entire generation of radical warriors shall arise!

This prophetic generation will not be interested in recognition, reputation or in making a name for themselves. Their only concern will be the glory of the Lord in the earth. Through prayer and fasting they will birth spiritual awakening and revival on a global scale that will bring deliverance to people in every land."

-From the book, Elijah's Revolution by Jim Goll and Lou Engle


Lord, would we be the Elijah generation.
Would You encounter us.
Would Your prophetic presence be on us.
Would we walk in holiness and absolute surrender to You.
Would we know You, face-to-face.
Would You make us radical warriors!
May our only concern be Your glory.
Would You teach us how to pray and fast.
Would You use us to birth spiritual awakening and revival on a global scale.
Would You impact our lives and our generation with the promises of Joel.
That we would prophesy, that we would dream dreams, that we would see visions.
Pour out Your Spirit on us in these days, in this time.

Walking in the fullness and the waiting......

You know when God gives you a vision or even just in inkling...or gives you little tidbits of what could possibly be instore?
You know that strange place where you are going forward yet almost feeling like you are standing still, waiting for the release? Waiting to know which way to go and when to jump in?

There are aspects of these thoughts happening in my life lately as the end of my life as I know it comes to a close. It is strange because for the last 22 years of my life, I generally know what is to come. Each year of school before grade 12, I knew that the next year would consist of the next-higher grade. I guess when I graduated the world was wide open and I chose what I wanted to do, other than education, for a year. The next year I chose to go back to school with hopes of becoming a nurse. Each year I know that in September I will be returning to school to work towards this dream. Well, this year is different.

The only thing that I know for sure, calendar-wise, is finishing my practicum July 20, going to Kansas City with my hubbie at the end of July for 10 days and writing my national RN exam on August 10. That's about it. The rest is wide open......waiting to be filled.......

And so, we pray. It is an exciting place to be at. Wide open doors. No job established at this point. No school to return to in September. A husband that is open and willing for new things. And a marriage that is hopeful for adventure and guidance into great and marvelous things that further our calling on this earth and into our eternal destiny.

"In this hour God is birthing a new refined prophetic faith message in the hearts of His children. To a people who cannot, He is saying, "I will do it through you. I am the God of breakthrough, the God of change. I am El Shaddai, the Almighty; I am Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. I will make a way where there is no way. Step out in obedience into that which you know not of, and watch what I will do".

And the trend continues....

So, as Erica commented, the effect that seems to be following me in the labor room, may be something that moms would really like....getting to fully in quick time!

Tonight I got to have another laboring patient. I (ya right...it's not really me at all) didn't do quite as well with the effect tonight. Instead of 3 to 10 in an hour, it was 7 to delivered in 1 hour and 45 minutes. The only thing was....I was by myself at 9cm!!! That was kinda freaky! I was a little afraid that this baby was going to come too fast! I got mom to pant through her urges to push for 15 minutes so that she could dilate that 1cm more and so that another nurse would come in before she started to push. Well, I quickly called the other nurse, I checked mom, and low and behold, FULLY AND HEAD RIGHT THERE!! Well, the doc made the delivery by 4 minutes on the nose!!!! Thank goodness!!! I felt so responsible for everything and everyone....mostly because my buddy was on supper and missed the delivery! So, the other nurse was helping me, but I felt like I was the one that was trying to be "the nurse" and doing the stuff!

Aww.....such a cute baby! Alert, content and adorable! I love it when the dads/grandpas ask me how many children I have. It is such a compliment to me because I assume...and will keep on assuming for the nice feeling it brings......that they ask because they think I look natural with the little ones!!! That is such a nice feeling!

I must say, it is a wonderful feeling to love your job. I've worked multiple jobs ranging from working with mentally-challenged adults, being a Santa Clause photographer, health care aid, retail worker at Please Mum, and finally a receptionist. Some jobs I've enjoyed more than others. But, I've not extremely enjoyed any of them to this extent. I hate the feeling of dreading going to work and being there and counting down the hours. Well, I had the great feeling this morning of actually waking up looking forward to this evening's shift! I was looking forward to coming to work! That is a great feeling! I love my job....well, it really isn't an official job....but what the heck, I LOVE IT!!!

And I worked the night away.......

That is one bad thing about having a busy evening shift and then coming home to bed. I dream about work ALL night long! I dreamt about my patient from last night and did vital signs on her all night! That sucks!

It was a good shift though! I saw/assisted/whatever a delivery last night! It is strange the pattern that happens to be forming lately. I get all these moms who are 3-4 cms forever and then shoot to fully dilated (10cm) within an hour! What is with me!!! hee hee...no it's not me! It just makes for very eventful deliveries that the doctor's can't seem to make! Yikes!

Ahhhh...well, I'm going again tonight! It should be a good time!

Today begins another week....

I don't mind mondays generally. Sometimes the weekend is so full that I look forward to the week! That sounds a little strange, but true sometimes! Especially this weekend...it was pretty full! But with great things! It was filled with Nightwatch, a Kareoke party at our friends' place, cleaning the house, church, napping and a family gathering.

Saturday morning/afternoon I got to spend 4 solid hours with my good friends Stephanie and Loraleigh, eating yummy waffles and praying for one another. I love those two! I love the encouragement and prophetic times that happen when we are together!

So, today I get to go back to work. I'm actually looking forward to the evening shift! I must say, the day shift is just tooooooo early for me! I'd far rather sleep in and stay up later! Also, a bonus about today's shift is that I get to go for coffee with Kendra first and then we are both working the evening shift! How fun is that! I will be seeing her face around the ward! That is so cool!

So, I want some time bumming around the house and getting ready before I'm outa here! Have a great day!

Dizzy....dizzy....dizzy......

Ahhhh. I'm feeling a strange sense of dizziness. I think it came from being cooped up in a small, unventilated classroom ALL DAY LONG. I suddenly felt extremely dizzy by 4pm....and all the way home on the bus. That is not the best place to feel dizzy!

But, the bright side is.....I'm finished the labor part of orientation! It was very informative but WAY too long! They don't even make us sit that long in school! It was quite tortureous at times! And I just CANNOT hide it when I'm dying!!!! That is one very bad part about my personality! I'm often an open book...and in those kind of instances, it is NOT a benefit!

So, back to the ward I go....I like that! It is a little more nerve-wracking, but a lot more fun! And the days go by quickly! So, tomorrow, bright and early, I'll be back there!

But, as for tonight, I think Shane and I are going to use a lovely gift certificate that he recently won from work, to treat ourselves to dinner and therefore a date at Moxie's! I'm not in the mood to eat anything that we have here at home and I haven't prepared anything! So, someone else cooking my meal sounds GREAT to me!

Hello all!

Good times keep on rolling! I worked this fine day...ahhh...holiday monday. But, it is great for the reason that administration isn't around on weekends or holidays! I like it better that way!

I had a nice day at work! I was wondering how easy it would be to fall back into sync....since I haven't been on the ward for a week due to orientation. Well, today I got 3 of my own patients...and their babies. I felt so proud.....like a real nurse! I had my mom and baby checks done nice and early and popped in multiple times throughout the day, even just to chat with mom. I like being able to do that with my patients! And when they are only mine, I have the freedom to plan my time management in my own way! I like that too! That way I can make sure everything gets done, and do it right away. I don't want to be one of those nurses that says they will do something and always forgets! That sure doesn't build trust with your patients!

On another note, I've been having terrible sleeps at night this weekend! I toss and turn for hours! No fun at all! And I'm dreaming away once I finally get to sleep...sometime good, sometime yucky dreams. Last night was another sucky night. I'm sure hoping tonight is a whole lot better!

Well, I'm just waiting for my hubbie to come home from enjoying the long weekend monday golfing with a good ol' friend. Good for him! I suppose I really should clean the house, since we didn't get to it this weekend!.....but maybe I'll have some God time while I still have the appartment to myself!

Ta ta for now!

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.....

I generally like the rain. I like the feeling I get on rainy days....wanting to curl up on the couch, read a good book, have a nap, snuggle....
But today I wish the weather were nicer. We are supposed to go out to a bonfire at my dad's place tonight....and I'm not sure what will happen with the rainy weather! That is disappointing!

I love sleeping in saturdays! I've been so tired this week....and I really don't like that! I'm going to make my hubbie and myself some pancakes for brunch....yummy! I'm getting pretty hungry!

Good things are happening in my life. I like my life. I like my marriage. I like my home. I like my job. I like the people I work with. I like my housegroup. I like my church. I like my dancing partners. I like Winnipeg. I like my family. I like my God times. I like my Best Friend and His presence near me. And He does seem quite tangible in the last few weeks. I like it that way!

A nice day today.....

I had a nice day today getting a bunch of stuff done that needed to be done! I had a nice visit with my wonderful friend Loraleigh. I got to chat with her, talk about what God is doing in our lives and the dreams for our futures, see her beautiful children and get my baby fix holding Manoah!

Then I was off to the dentist! Generally I fear that place, but my dentist's office is so happy and visually inviting that it takes some of the scare away. The hygienist was also great because she talked to me about nursing (she took 2 years of it) and it really took my mind off the procedure. I didn't even have much time to watch tv! I love that they have tvs! And a good report! No cavities and the dentist says I have beautiful teeth!

I then went to the University to get some paper work done for student loans. That is a bit of a pain, but I'm incredibly thankful that I got today off so that I could get all these things done! Now it is done and I won't have to start paying them back as soon! It was strange to be back on University property! It feels like it has been a while!

I am now on my way to pick up my hubbie from work. I was able to come home and do the exam for a course I am taking in between! It was all about prayer and this exam was easier for me to answer than the other two. I guess I have more to say about prayer than Christlikeness or humility. Boy, that humility one was a tough one!

Anyways, enjoy your evenings! I will enjoy mine....ahhhh....relaxing with my hubbie, going to the Y, and getting to bed early! Right on!

I am blessed.......

-to wake up beside my husband this morning
-to sleep in
-to have snuggle time this morning! ahhh.....snuggles!
-to have warm showers
-to have a yummy brunch made for me
-to have a day off
-to spend my day off with my best friend (on earth.....second to Jesus, of course, hee hee)
-to have a car to drive around during the day.....to visit BestBuy
-to have a great new Bible to read
-to have great friends and family to call and email
-to have a nice, cozy appartment which I love and call home
-to have plans in the evening which are fun
-to go home with the husband and not have to say good-bye
-to know that tommorrow is a nice day full of church, Encounter God night and other events
-to know that tommorrow is another day off...and therefore I can sleep in longer than normal!

Ahhh.....yes, blessed.

I'm flying high tonight!!!!!!!

I had a great night at the hospital! I finally got a laboring patient and got to be apart of my first vaginal delivery of my senior practicum! It was incredible and I'm totally wired!

It was such a special time and the family that we worked with was great! The dad was the greatest coach! This was a young, unwed couple, but they were great together! Dad was coaching her through her breathing, her contractions, giving her water or ice chips every few minutes and wiping her brow with a cold cloth! He was so sweet and at times he sounded like an eager waiter! I even told him he sounded like a waiter!

Dad, mom and both grandmas were crying at delivery....and because of all the crying around me, I totally was tearing up! I didn't have tears fall, but I totally started to cry along with them! It was really special!

I got to do so many things that I haven't done yet! I got to watch another epidural being put in (yuck! yuck! that looks so wrong!), did two internal exams, tried to start another IV, a whole heck of a lot of charting, learning how to read the graphs of baby's heart rate and the contractions, baby's initial assessment, length, weight, head circumference, baby's first bath, help out with baby's first breastfeed, give baby a needle in the thigh, etc. etc. It was a jam packed evening and incredibly fun!!!! I will definitely do that again!

I absolutely loved it! And working with a great family makes it all the more enjoyable! Dad requested a picture of baby with the nurses....so I'm in the baby pictures for life! I'm so honored to be apart of such an incredible time in peoples' lives. I'm so blessed.

Another episode of LDRP.....(instead of ER......)

Yesterday was a good evening again! I got to try my first attempt at starting an IV. Now, my preceptor took me over to triage to let the nurses there know that if they had any IVs or blood work, they could call us in LDRP and we would come on over and do it! We came at the right time because just then one of the nurses was going to start an IV. The patient was the perfect one to do my first IV on...though of course I would never have told her that it was my first time!...because she was pleasant, relaxed and had pretty visible veins to work with. It worked fairly well....but I did feel like I was all thumbs setting everything up! I picked a vein and went for it. I got in...through very thick skin!......got blood back (we want that...to make sure we are in the vein)....started the IV drip to see if it would flow. No flow. Bummer. I must have hit an inconvenient valve. Well, I didn't want to poke mom twice, so my preceptor did the next try. She's a pro at IVs. Well, she did the same thing. Stupid valves. The seasoned nurse finally got the IV in....and made a big mess in the process. So, my technique was great....we just picked a candidate with a lot of valves. Darn it! Maybe next time!

I'm starting to catch on a little more about teaching moms how to breastfeed and making sure they are getting good latches. I spent a good half and hour with one of my moms yesterday trying different holds, assess the latch, etc. I was right in there! It sounds so funny to hear the words coming out of my mouth..."have you tried the football hold?", "now make sure baby's mouth is wide open" (I'm trying to keep my words sensored here for all the males who aren't comfortable with the topic of breastfeeding!).....I'm starting to sounds like I know what I'm doing and can offer mom tips about what to do and how to do things more effectively! That feels good!

I also got to do my first initial newborn assessment. You look baby over from head to toe, check out every area and make sure everything is visibly working. It is fun! It is like a little investigation....until baby is crying and you just want to hurry things up so that baby calms down! You assume the role of inspector. Inspecting for birth marks, all 10 fingers and 10 toes, bruises from birth, etc., etc. There are many big words on that assessment sheet....so I'm going to have to try to remember what they all mean, in case I see a baby with any of those variations from "normal".

So, I could say a bunch more...but then my blog will get too long! Tonight is my last evening shift until the end of the month. I get the weekend off! I haven't seen my hubbie, besides a quick kiss he gives me as he is leaving for work in the mornings, since tuesday evening! So, I'm very excited to see him tonight when he picks me up at 11:45pm!!!! I got home to a very cute little note last night at 12:30pm. We have a white board in the kitchen and he had written in big letters, "I miss my wife and my buddy", accompanied by a sad face with a little tear. Awwww.....isn't that sweet! That is a nice welcome home in the middle of the night!

Eating up the Word.....

Just thought I'd post a little thing about the prayer room....from Joel's comment on my last post. I absolutely loved the time in the prayer room last week. It was so great to commit an hour or two a day to drive across the city and intentionally pray for an extended period of time. I'm totally blessed that Shane and I could do this together!

I'm totally enjoying my time at home this week. I purchased a new Bible on monday night and am enjoying it thoroughly. I am still taking my "hour in the prayer room" times.....while I'm at home and Shane is at work, where I read/pray/worship for an hour uninterrupted. That means if the phone rings, I won't answer it. And that is a big step for me! It has been working really well this week because I'm working evenings so I have the mornings/early afternoon to myself at home. When I switch to the day shift, I will just have to be a little more intentional about taking that hour when I'm not alone at home.

So, peace is still around. God is very present and I am really enjoying my times in the Word. I just have been feeling a little stressed right before my shifts. I think it is just getting used to everything. I'm feeling good today though!

I had a great shift yesterday evening with a new preceptor.....I worked with my second preceptor for the first time yesterday. She is super nice...but she does test me more than the other girl. She is really informative though and super affirming. She is always telling me and others what a great job I'm doing! That is really nice to hear! I told her the certain skills that I'm nervous about doing and she walked me through a few. I started an IV on a towel last night, just for practice! I haven't started one yet on a human....and really am not looking forward to causing anyone any pain!

So, off I go! I think today I might have a laboring patient according to what my preceptor said yesterday! That would be fun! I'll let you know what happens!

I guess I may have a little stress filtering through my mind and the subconscious. I have been having crappy sleeps filled with dreams of work each night, yesterday included. I am constantly working with moms and babies in my dreams. Last week I even woke up after a night shift worried that I had to breastfeed my baby because it had been 2-3 hours since I have previously! I reassurred myself that I didn't in fact have a baby and therefore had no need to breastfeed! For goodness sakes!

So, I'm off to work in the next 2 hours....and though I'm excited to be there, I'm still a bundle of nerves. I'm a little worried about what this shift will hold. I have no idea what I'll have to do! And the fear of the unknown frightens me! I'm really looking forward to knowing what I'm doing one day and not being so brand new at this all. But, in reality everyone has to start out knowing nothing and it can only get better and more comfortable from here, right?

So, if you think of me this afternoon/evening, would you say a prayer of peace? I want to be saturated in the peace that passes all understanding so that I can handle anything. I want to be so secure in my destiny in Jesus that smaller things and anxieties don't throw me off. I really want my perspective about the time I am given to spend with these families to be my ministry and one of my areas of serving Jesus. I don't want to get so busy in my head that I forget to pray throughout my shift. That is so important!

Thanks so much to all of you that encourage me, affirm me and comment! I really feel your support and thank-you for your prayers! They mean a lot to me! Your support is so special to me during this new and a little frightening time. So, buckle up Kristi........here we go!

Tickled pink!

I just got off the phone with my unit manager. You know how I was a little bummed by my schedule when I first got it? Well, she is proving to be pretty nice to me! Some orientation dates were arranged for me next week. These new dates were going to put me on a 12 day stretch between classroom and ward days. That is a long stretch!!! Too long for me, I'd say! So, she calls me this afternoon to tell me that she took me off an evening and is giving me the saturday and sunday of the May long weekend off as well! Isn't that incredibly thoughtful!?! I'm so pumped! That means that my next two weeks...besides the next 3 evenings....are all day shifts during the week! That is a sweet schedule!

Also, she has heard awesome things about me from the nurses on the ward! I'm so honored! They have said great things like I'm willing and eager to learn and jump in, I'm fitting in well, etc. The unit manager is very pleased from what she is hearing about me, being only 4 shifts into my practicum! Yes, favor Lord!!! This is positive ammo in regards to future employment!! Yippeee!!!

Day #2 off!

It is pretty nice to have a few days at home in between shifts! I like days off! Yesterday I relaxed around the house, cleaned the appartment, had a whole bunch of time in the prayer room (well....I made my bedroom the prayer room) and made lasagna for my family who came for dinner. In the evening we went to Blessings and I got a new Bible!!! I'm so excited about it! It is kinda annoying to try to follow along with a different version during church and some verses that I know from childhood just sound the best in NIV. Also, my Bible has no index in the back and I was finding that very frustrating, espeically during Encounter God Nights and in the Prayer Room when I wanted to find a specific verse but didn't know where it was! So now I have an index! I wouldn't have known how important that is to me even a year ago. But it really is!

Today I slept in and dreamt that I was in Mexico with family members and classmates from nursing and junior high! But, I was annoyed with people and trying to find Shane, so it wasn't as enjoyable as it should have been!
I'm off to the get these ol' eyes tested.....I'm bracing myself for the need for new lenses. I really can't get around needing new lenses because my present ones aren't even the right prescription! Cheapo! Yep, you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes!

Enjoy your days! I'm going to read a bunch of my new Bible hopefully and read up on some material for the hospital! Tonight is set aside for my hubbie and I! I'm looking forward to some quality couple time! Adios!

And I love my job......

Ahhh....the sigh of a content, tired, happy student nurse. What a great shift. And since my hubbie is sleeping since before I returned from the hospital, and I don't feel right about calling anyone to chat at midnight, I will share my evening with all you blogger friends!

Tonight I had my first laboring patient. The other shifts I've always worked with the moms and babies after delivery....not during. Tonight was supposed to be my first shift with my other preceptor on LDRP. The way it worked out though, she became charge nurse and I was buddied up with a diffferent nurse, another young, nice, fairly newly graduated nurse (which is so totally not intimidating...and I really like that!).

Our patient was ideal. Lots of family support, hardly flinched through each contraction. The only way you knew she was contracting was by watching her toes wiggled under the blankets.

Let's just say, the evening got pretty exciting after we came back from supper. I ended up seeing the beginning of a standard, low-risk labor, which progressed into some concerns, and ended up finishing off with an emergency cesarean section. The best part was that I wasn't able to do everything the nurse normally would do, being the first day with a laboring patient, so I really was able to take more of a supportive role for mom. I rubbed her tummy, talked her through procedures, made her smile a few times with my comments and questions, and had the brainspace to spend some of my time praying. Especially as things were progressing into more concerning symptoms, it felt like I was standing back and watching the whole drama unfold, even though I was right in there. Because I wasn't crazy busy and focussed on charting and preping for the OR, I was able to pray for the mom and baby...technically with the laying on of hands really, because I was feeling her contractions with my hand and rubbing her arm, leg, tummy...depending on what was happening....in support.

I loved assuming the role of advocate. Though I don't pretend to know a lot, the amount that I do I am definitely willing to teach and share with the patients I work with. I felt like an advocate multiple times when relaying messages of the mom's wishes and rephrasing things to mom that the resident was saying! Oops....maybe I shouldn't have done that.....but heck, no! I am the patient's advocate and mom needs to understand in terms that she can comprehend, what is happening. It also is more of a challenge when the medical staff have accents. Then I really feel like I have to translate!

It felt so great to be in the middle of all the action! It felt like the medical thrill in movies! I happened to be the one at the head of the bed as we started to wheel the stretcher from the room to the OR.....so I became the one pushing the bed down the hallway and into the OR. Oh, I had a few such moments that just felt great! By, the end of the shift, as I was riding the elevator down to the locker room, all by my lonesome, I did a little victory dance in the elevator!

So, to my patient of the night who gets a very special mother's day present, all you mothers, and to my very own mother,
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Ahhhh......and the night passed by.....

Sleep didn't come to me so wonderfully this past night. Perhaps it is because I slept the day away. But, I think it was more about being overheated....then I just toss and turn!

Today is the last day of our church's 24/7 Prayer Experiment. I have had an incredible time being apart of the prayer movement that our church has participated in this week. I don't want it to stop! Prayer has gone on in our prayer room each hour since last saturday night! That is awesome! Shane and I have managed to commit this week to making it over to the church each evening. I didn't think that I was going to be able to make it there all week because of all my night shifts, but the idea of missing a day in the prayer room and not being at the corporate times was too disappointing to think about. So, forget that, I went anyways! And felt all the better because of it!

God's presence has been so strong in that room all week long. The peace that floods your soul when you enter and stay a while is pretty inviting. You just have to return! I have found drawn to this lifestyle. I want prayer to be my way of life. I want prayer to be me and Shane's way of life and the way we conduct ourselves, our future plans and eventually the way that we raise our children. I don't want the same old, mundane existence. I want the fullness of what Jesus has for us! There is power and excitement in following Jesus!

So, I'm praying that today the prayer doesn't stop. I'm praying that those who have participated and carried this thing this week would be challenged to keep on going. Rise up praying generation at WCV. Oh intercessors, rise up for this is the time. Things will be different. You have prayed and God has heard. There is no turning back now. Let us continue wholeheartedly. Pray, pray, pray without ceasing.

A crazy night for all........

Last one of the week, and the craziest of all. It was a very busy night! I realize that I'm so incredibly new at this and it just takes a little bit of craziness to show me that I have a whole heck of a lot more to learn!

Our night was run, run, run and don't stop. From crazy baby temperatures (too low or too high), over the general maximum amount of patient per nurse, crazy breastfeeding issues to fussy babies that don't want to pee but need to, babies with IVs (which I haven't worked with before) and generally great moms.

It was a busy night, but I felt a little out of my comfort zone with all the activity. Boy, how am I going to learn it all???? And I feel like the nurses all just "know" all the answers, but where do I find them? It can be a little overwhelming and a little frustrating....but all in all I'm having a good time and I'm not too stressed at all. I have a really relaxed preceptor who totally doesn't stress me out! Thank-you Jesus!

Off to bed! Nite!

I think I'm getting the hang of it!!!

2 nights down and 1 to go! And I feel even better this morning than I did the last! That is pretty good! I'm not going to admit it....but I think I'm not minding the night shift...don't tell anyone!

Fortunately I was able to sleep a solid day away yesterday....9:15am - 5:30pm! I'm so thankful for that! By the time 11:30pm came around I was a little sleepy because I didn't take an evening nap but I got an hour in at work which helped!

I am getting increasingly comfortable handling such teeny, tiny, new babies. They really just melt my heart. So far the ones I've worked with have been SO cute! I just love working with them! Though they aren't patients that you can reason with or even really communicate clearly with...so that can be a little difficult!

I did my first PKU this morning...which is a metabolic screening test they do on all newborns at 48 hours before they leave the hospital. You have to give their heel a little poke and color in these 6 little circles with baby's blood. It sounds a little sadistic saying it like that...but it is the general point. Anyways, I did my first 2 early this morning. It is so fun to have such a little one drapped across your lap. They are so warm and cuddly, and if they aren't crying through the process, some make cute noises right on your lap!

So, yes, I did another night of postpartum, no laboring moms. There is so much to learn that it is good that my preceptor is trying to get me knowledgeable on postpartum before I get thrown into labor and delivery. We've been full with postpartum! Even to the point of no extra beds on the unit! But, who knows what tonight will be about because over half are being discharged today! It could be interesting!

I'm off to have a bite to eat and then off to bed for the day! Good night! And have a nice day to all of you who are up and about!

I'm alive!!!

I made it through my first night of practicum! I'm alive, had a fine night and am off to bed for some sleep!

Thank-you for your prayers!

ps...no birthing stories from this shift because my preceptor and I worked with postpartum moms. But I got to pick up and handle brandnew babies!

Time is drawing near.....
One hour to go before take-off and one hour and forty five minutes still the fun begins!!!!

It is practicum start night and here I am eating and blogging before I get ready to go! Shane and I went to the corporate gathering in the prayer room this evening. It was actually a great idea for me to go. Originally my plan was to spend the evening sleeping at home before I do the night shift. I got some great tips and answers from Kendra (I'm increasingly thankful for that girl!), great supportive prayer from my ladies, and the peace in the prayer room was good for my soul tonight! I'm so blessed by all the support I feel by the people that I am growing to know more and enjoy more at the Centre. I really feel part of what is going on and I love it!

I'll try to give you an update in the next few days about how the start of practicum is going! Though I hope to sleep a majority of the day away! Also this is night 1 out of 3 so we'll see how it goes! If any of you are up at night, whether with a baby or for any reason, say a little prayer for me, k? Thanks!