guess what just slid under the door?

the mailed-out, original copy of the criminal record check. must have gotten to a neighbor instead of me. the address was mine. somehow it didn't get directly to me. oh well. it actually arrived.

A big pain in the butt.....

Some policies suck. In my situation, I'm referring to the licencing stuff for my registered nurse licence. I'm playing a huge waiting game.

So, way back in mid October I received my final PASS in the mail from my RN exam that was written in August. I waited a long time to get that pass. So, finally having received it, I sent away my registration and fees right away! Every day that passes that I'm not registered as an RN, I am paid a few bucks less per hour.

The following week I received a call from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba informing me that I didn't have an accompanying criminal record check. There was no written instructions to get one done on the papers that I had received. It just said to fill out the registration papers and send in the money. I asked the lady on the phone who informed me that they stated the need for a criminal record check at an information session back in April at the University. Looking back, I had an exam that day and wasn't at that session. Besides, that was 6-7 months ago!

So, I got my criminal record check done on October 31. It was supposed to arrive on or after November 15. And supposedly, the College gave me 30 days from when they sent out the pass letter (in mid October) to get my RN licence, otherwise my grad licence would be expired. Still following?

So, I waited and waited. Last tuesday, the 22nd, I had to do something so that I could legally work my shift on thursday, seeing as though my criminal record check hadn't arrived, therefore my RN licence wouldn't be happening yet, and my grad licence had expired. So, I renewed my grad licence last tuesday.

Friday rolled around and I was at work. Human resources at the hospital called me about the fact that my licence was expired. I informed them of the situation and the fact that I had renewed my grad licence, yet they needed proof of that (which makes sense). I called the lady at the College all day. I finally got the ahold of her 30 minutes before the end of the day!

So, I've still been waiting for that stupid record check. Even this morning it had still not arrived!

That's it! Off to the police station downtown I go to figure this out. Well, they had no idea why I didn't receive it. They printed off a copy for me. No explanation, no apology. That sometimes sucks. But, the thing of most importance : I had a copy of the criminal record check in my hand.

Off to the College I go to hand it in in person to speed up the process. Now they can process my registration and hopefully I'll receive my licence in the mail in the next few days. (Crossing my fingers).

Then I'll be able to bring it in to Human Resources and get paid what a starting RN gets instead of my grad nurse salary. Whew! What a pain and what a mess! I'm glad that it is getting sorted out and almost finished!

A little under the weather....

I felt a little on the yucky side today. Not a great night's sleep last night.....with great feelings of nausea and a sore stomach. So, though I was supposed to work a 12 hour shift today, I called in sick for the first time since I started working at St. B in August. I wasn't on my death bed, but I didn't know if I would feel better or worse if I went in to work. You know, feeling nausous already and smelling the smells of labor and delivery could be a little conflicting for me! Also, if it was anything that I could spread, it wouldn't be a great idea to give my germs to little babies and their mothers.

So, an extra 6 hours of sleep helped a bit and I was feeling quite a bit better by noon. Still moments of sore stomach and nausous, but not so bad.

When you are feeling a little yucky but don't want to be sitting alone at home, mom's house is a nice place to go. I feel comfortable being lazy and sickly at my mom's house. So that's just what I did as I blessed my hubbie to go off and party for the Grey Cup. It was such a nice time to be with my bro, sis and mama. Ahhhh.....nice time.

It is too late for me. I must get these teeth brushed and get to bed! Nite all!

I don't know about this blogging thing....

Lots happening in my head and life, but I don't feel like putting it onto a screen. The trip down to Kansas City was incredibly good for Shane and I. Lots of time in the prayer room, good times with friends, lots of confirmations through the Holy Spirit, prophetic words, etc. That's pretty much all I have to say about that at this point.

Today I'm back to the grind of work. I haven't worked since the tuesday before the weekend! That is a long time! I'm trying to pray peace over myself to prevent being really anxious/nervous about working again. May I ask myself again, "why did I pick such a high energy, high stress area of nursing?" Oh yes, the rewards are great. It is special.

We called on tuesday for the MRI results. They are fine and normal. Shane's brain looks good with both the CT Scan and the MRI. He had another EEG on tuesday morning (the sleep-deprived one), so we'll see what that shows us. Shane got some awesome prayer time in the healing room when we were in KC. Since then, I haven't really put any thought into the concerns I sometimes have about Shane's health. It is covered and taken care of.

Off I go to face the day!

And........WE'RE OFF!!!!!

In a matter of 4 hours we are off on our trek to Kansas City! I'm wasting time in the meantime watching some tv and doing some blogging at Jason and Yvonne's who were so gracious to invite Shane and I over for supper and relaxing before we leave early in the morning (2:30am). I really should be napping, but I'm not so much in the mood to sleep. I want to get going!

We'll be out in KC until sunday, then we trek back. I'm actually looking forward to the drive. I know that I'll probably be sick of it pretty fast, but it is kinda fun to make memories with friends on roadtrips. And this time we get to add Corrie (Johan's wife) to the mix in the van! That should be fun! I'm not too excited about passing through South Dakota. Last time we went to KC, I was offended at how long that state felt. It felt like we were in South Dakota the entire 14 hours! Another good thing about the drive this time is that I don't have to stress out about the whole bladder thing. I learnt that when these people travel, they take many bathroom breaks! So I don't have to worry about having to pee my pants, or dehydrate myself (like I did last time) to prevent such accidents. Besides, we have a prego with us, and she'll need to pee, I'm sure of it.

As for KC itself, I'm really looking forward to the time in the prayer room. I plan on doing a whole lot of soaking, listening to what Jesus wants to say to me this weekend and communing with the Holy Spirit. I want to hear something and come away knowing something that I didn't before. That isn't too difficult a task while at IHOP....as last time I came back totally blown away with things I never heard/thought about before. Bring it on!!!!

So, I'm excited about what these next few days hold. I'm looking forward to some time in the prophesy room. I'm curious what I'm going to hear. I'm totally happy to be getting away with my husband and friends for a few days. I'm happy to be going to KC...it's such a beautiful city. I'm hungry to hear more teaching from the guys down there. They can impart so much as I learned last trip down. I'm looking forward to being in the atmosphere of 24-7 prayer and worship. It is indescribable. So, yes, I think I'm excited!

See you all next week!

It's a new day....

Thank-you for all your prayers. Shane's MRI went fine from what we know. He was out of there faster than we had thought it would take. Thanks pops (in-law) for taking Shane! Hopefully we'll have some results next week!

Another prayer request for all you out there that pray....
A friend of mine is having a court session today. She has to get on the stand and testify about a situation that involves someone that used to be very close to her. I am asking for you all to pray this morning/afternoon for peace, safety, a hedge of protection around her, and conviction in the courtroom. We prayed at prayer last night that no words that are untrue would be able to be spoken by anyone or heard, especially by the judge. Jesus, bring justice in this situation!

MRI day.

Today is Shane's MRI. We've been waiting for this test since July. Boy, 4 months is just a little too long to wait for a test in Manitoba!

The MRI is at 7:15pm. If you could all say a prayer, we'd appreciate that. Shane has requested that I stay home, at prayer, while he goes to the MRI. He said he doesn't want to cancel prayer night for anything. So, it is a little tough as a wife to stay home as he goes, but I know that I wouldn't get to be with him during it anyways, and we won't be hearing any results today either. Instead, Shane's dad is going to take him. And we are going to pray.

Otherwise, I think today will be a nice day. We both have the day off. No work, no school. It's past noon and we're just getting up. We'll clean the house, do some laundry, relax, etc. together. It is a pretty sweet deal to have days of in the middle of the week to hang out and relax with your spouse! I really enjoy this time in our lives!

Feeling like I just got off a merry-go-round and want to throw up!

Hee hee! That's a nice thought, eh?
I just got home from a 12 hour night. And though I tried to nap last afternoon, it did not work for me. So, I've pretty much been awake since yesterday morning at 8am when I got up for church.....and now it is a good 8:45am the following day! Yikes! What am I doing to my body?

Around 6am this morning I started to feel a little nausous with the whole exhausion thing. But, I made it and didn't die of sleep deprivation! And I sure plan on making up for it by sleeping all day and all night!

On top of all of that, I had a patient whom I felt a little out of my league with. Too many problems throughout the night that I didn't feel knowledgeable to handle! Medication error (not due to me, but I found it), wicked high temperature, potential allergic reaction to a drug, not very good fetal heart tracing, very sick mother, diabetes to boot, shortness of breath, etc. Yikes! I was a little overwhelmed. Almost went to cry on my break, but I didn't let myself!

The night is over for me. Someone else took over my patient. I will check when I go to work on wednesday how my patient did. Off to bed for me.

pretty tired.....

pretty stinkin' exhausted this evening. i was up at 5:30am for a workshop/conference thingy that i had over at HSC (health science centre). there were a bunch of obstetrical nurses from st. b and hsc, some obstetricians, residents, family docs and a few midwives. it was a pretty fun day....but the afternoon was really long! it was nice to interact with colleagues (i can now use that term!) in a setting that was away from work, and in streetwear! we always look the same in our green and blue hospital scrubs that have the big "property of st. boniface hospital" stamp across the front.

a highlight for me was learning how to do a forceps delivery! of course, it was on a fake pelvis and infant! but i got to figure out how to maneuver those forceps and step by step do the delivery. i got 100% on that skill station and an "excellent" writen by the senior resident who was marking me! that was nice! too bad i won't ever be doing it in real life, as that skill is totally not in my legal scope of practice!

well, i'm pooped. i really need to get some sleep tonight! tomorrow is another day off though....i love those!
nite!

.........ADIOS AMIGOS!!!!!!!!

Thanks to my wonderful sister............and her wonderful company............I'M GOING TO PUERTO RICO IN JANUARY!!!!!
Of course I have to figure out all the details/dates/work/etc.....but heck! I'm going! There is a business part to it for Steph, but mostly we get to enjoy a free, yes free, holiday, together in Puerto Rico!

We've always wanted to go on a sister holiday, but when funds are limited and you have a spouse, that isn't the first thing in line. So, here is our chance! Free, completely funded by her company! And I get to go as her guest!!!! That totally rocks!

I'm so excited to fly on a plane with my sister, get another passport stamp with my sister, lay on the beach in bathing suits and drink fun drinks with my sister, sleep in the same room and share a hotel room with my sister, eat in a variety of restaurants with my sister, participate in the activities that all-inclusive resorts offer with my sister, take some of their salsa and merengue dance classes with my sister, swim in the ocean with my sister, take LOTS of pictures with my sister, have warm weather in the middle of our Manitoban winter with my sister, .............MUST I GO ON?????

I am totally excited! And so very honored that I have a sister who would pick me as her guest! I love sisters!

Not so tough lately.....

I'm generally a pretty strong person, mentally and emotionally. I have felt great strength through the medical ordeals of Shane's epilepsy since July.

Lately, I'm not feeling so tough. In the past week, Shane has had 2 seizures, in which I have been here to help him recover from. Last wednesday morning, Steph found him on the floor in the office and quickly woke me up. Late thursday night, I was awoken from sleep to find him on the floor in the hallway. The banging of his fingers against the doorframe was loud enough to wake me up from a dead sleep.

That second one was a little too much for me. I felt so alone. It is 1am. People are sleeping. My husband is incoherent on the floor. It is dark. I have to start my first 12 hour shifts in my rotation in 6 and a half hours. Do I go to work? Do I stay home with Shane? Will he have another one in the morning if I go?

So, I called my mom after Shane came to and we got him into bed. And I cried. I haven't done that about the seizures and such in a while.

As for the doctor's this afternoon, again Shane's body is different than the norm. His levels are fine. Highly therapeutic. The therapeutic range is 8-12. Shane is at 11.2. That's a wonderful level to be at. Except that the seizures are continuing. We don't know why.

So, we were instructed to contact our neurologist directly, as this kinda goes out of the scope of what our GP is generally doing. I called the secretary. She's going to talk to the neurologist and then call us back probably tomorrow. She says that he may want to meet with us earlier than our next appointment. And, he may want to try a new medication. That feels like starting at the beginning all over again. For the third time.

So, I'm feeling a little down about the whole thing. I'm having a harder time with it than Shane is. It totally sucks emotionally to find your husband on the floor, unresponsive. It totally sucks to not know what is going to happen when you go to bed before him, or go to work in the morning. It totally sucks that I don't know if today will accompany seizures or not. It totally sucks for him and interferes with his whole day.

I'm scared about the MRI and what it might find. I'm annoyed with the idea of doing another EEG and not getting specific answers. And I'm afraid of the answers. I'm afraid of the possibility that the CT scan missed something important back in July and now we've waited until November to find out. I'm dreading the results and anticipating them all at the same time.

I'm just not feeling so tough right now. I could if I wanted to, but not today. I have the right perspective and have my faith in the Great Healer. But, today I'm sad.

Pathology....

Good news in the pathology department. Got the mole removed because my hubbie noticed it looking a little different over time and there were some abnormal qualities about it. The pathology came back all normal. No precancerous or cancerous cells at all. All normal! Thank-you Lord (not that I was really worried, but that's great regardless!)!

In other news.....

We have another doctor's appointment today. This time it is for Shane. We will be finding out what his tegretol levels have been with the recent seizures. We also have to inform the doctor of the latest one. I don't think we'll get many answers today...we are seeing the GP not the neurologist. But, some answers would be nice. Even if it was simply that the recent seizures were due to low levels, that would help. Continue to keep us in your prayers please!

Things to do today:

-do my hair for my driver's picture
-go pay the dentist
-visit the doctor's to get the stitches removed from my back (got a mole removed 12 days ago)
-bake something....somehow I feel like baking on tuesdays!
-clean the house with my hubbie
-spend time with my Jesus
-perhaps hit the weights at the Y
-pray this evening with whomever shows up for Tuesday Night Prayer

It should be a pretty nice day!

Just thinking....

I was chatting on the phone with a friend this evening (lovely Bonnie) for a short while, and realized something neat. It is in relation to the previous post...along the lines of passing my exam and graduating....the whole school topic.

Shane and I started dating in September of 2000....the fall after my high school graduation. I worked full time that year. I realized that working full time kinda sucked and decided to go back to school. I started my first year of university as the beginning of our second year of dating began.

The neat thing is that Shane has been either a boyfriend or a fiance or a husband through my entire nursing degree. From start to finish. I knew that....but I never really thought about it that way! That is so neat that he has been there through the entire process...all those years!

Another neat thing is that we are at the beginning again. Our roles have really changed in the last few months. I get up early, go off to work, have days off, can do some relaxing when I'm home, etc. I used to be doing some sort of homework all the time. Now, Shane is the one having to stay home with homework, sit in front of the computer typing papers for hours, etc. It is very different in that way than it used to be!

I think it is kinda cool that we are at the beginning of his degree, just like we were with mine 4 years ago. Those years went really quickly....and yet there were big things that happened in that time.....such as getting married! So, I'm curious what the next few years will hold and think it is a fun thought to be having another graduation in another 4 years! We'll see what happens as life pans out according to God's leading!

I passed!!!!! I passed!!!!!

I just had a feeling this afternoon to check the mail for my RN exam results! They were there! I've been waiting for them recently, since I wrote the exam back in the beginning of August. And lo and behold, I passed!

Yippee! Today I am going to mail off my RN registration, which of course accompanies a heafty registration cost. Then as soon as I get my registration in the mail, I will bring it to the hospital and get the increase in wage from graduate nurse to registered nurse!!! That, along with my degree, helps out the wage a bit! That is great!

So, now my last four years are officially and completely finished. I finished the classes, the clinicals, the RN exam, the convocation and now the final pass came that was most essential. Yeah! Finally a relief....it is completely finished!!!!

But, homework isn't. I'm off to do some readings for a workshop coming up......

I'm still alive.....

Tomorrow is my last 12 hour shift of 3....I'm pretty tired tonight! Long days, but they are not too bad so far.

Today was insane! I had two deliveries! I felt like such an adrenalin junkie....high to low, high to low, multiple times today! I'm ready to crash!

Today felt good though. It was insane. We were totally not staffed properly. BUT, I'm doing the stuff. I'm getting more into the flow. And that feels good!

(Not to mention, it feels good when your patient's husband tells you that you sound like you know more than the doctor! That really feels nice!)

Off to bed! One more to go!

Today is convocation.....

One last official celebration of the end of my bachelor of nursing degree. We had the pinning ceremony and dinner/dance back in April with the nursing faculty alone. That was a fun time!

Today is the big cap and gown day. A ceremony filled with a whole bunch of faculties, not only mine. But, I'm looking forward to looking all "graduated" in the cap, hood and gown! I haven't put one on since grade 12 grad back in 2000.

My lovely mom is getting a babysitter and coming out for the occasion. My dad is taking off the afternoon from work to come. My totally supportive sister is taking off work too! Not sure if my bro is coming yet, but I heard my grandparents are even coming in from Steinbach for the occasion!

Before we do that this afternoon, I am going to a graduation brunch one of my classmates is organizing. I'm looking forward to hearing about where everyone is now...even though it has only been half a year since we were in class together! It will be good!

One great thing about getting my degree today is that I can go to work tomorrow and have a few cents an hour increase by showing human resources my degree in paper! Not much, but every little bit helps!!!

Off I go to beautify myself!

Gotta make this quick!

I'm off to my first day in my new position! I'm a little nervous as I am orientating to one of the new wards this morning! I'm scared, a little! I hope I catch on super quick, as I only get 3 buddy shifts on this ward before I'm on my own! Please Jesus, would you be with me and give me a quick to understand and remember kind of mind!

Thank-you to each and every one of you who sent a happy birthday email, e-card, comment, took me out for a celebration in any way (especially Steph, Shane, my family, Shane's parents, Amy, etc), made a phone call to wish me the greetings, bought cake (housegroup), etc. I had a fabulous birthday! I celebrated all week long with the first outing starting on friday October 7 and the last celebration on saturday October 15!! That is one fun week!

Our computer has been dealing with a virus in the past few days so I have had a lot of time between the crashing computer and my husband who is busy doing home work on here, to blog. So, here is a very quick update! If you think of me, say a prayer about the first day on a new ward! I would totally appreciate that!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

....and my dad, and my friend Ruth, and little Rachel! All of us are celebrating today!

I absolutely love celebrating birthdays! Today I turn 23! That sounds like a good age and a fun year ahead!

I'm meeting Stephanie for a pumpkin spice latte at 1pm.....then my hubbie has some sort of celebration planned for the afternoon and/or evening! I love it!

At some point today I want to sit down and journal about the thing that happened in my 22nd year and the goals and desires I have for the next year of 23. I'm kinda big on beginnings and ends. I think this will be a great year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Thinking quick this morning.....

I've been up for a long time! Besides a little nap last night, I've been up since yesterday morning! I worked the night shift last night and am soon on my way to bed.

I had a nice quiet night for the majority of it. I was awaiting the next laboring patient as my own. I got to do some readings for the hospital and a workshop I have to attend in the meantime, which was very handy. Though computer screens and florescent lights at 3am are not too wonderful on the eyes!

Well, in my patient flew at 4:55am and we welcomed the baby by 5:28! It was a quick one!

Then, I drove a girl from work home who lives very close to our appartment. On the way we were chatting and in the midst of the conversation it came up that Shane and I have dealt with medical issues this summer....namely, the seizures. It is amazing how sharing one little piece of info can open up another person. This girl just found out (within the last week I think) that she has a tumor on her spine. She told me some of the details around finding out and we had arrived at her place by this time. Just before she jumped out of the car, I mentioned that I would be praying for her. Then I asked her if I could pray for her right there in the car. I laid my hand on the top of her back and prayed for healing. I prayed for the outpouring of signs and wonders (see! the practice of tuesday night prayer is wearing off in the marketplace!!!). I prayed for the comfort, strength and support of Jesus over her. I asked her if we could cover her in prayer tonight, even though she isn't physically with us. She agreed and mentioned how the perfect people have come in contact with her lately. I thank God for those divine appointments and the God moment that we had this morning. I'm often so afraid to step out. It is embarassing and sad to admit. I just often feel the akwardness and don't know what to say. But today I did it! I was totally obedient and flowed naturally in the opportunity God gave me! I didn't even see it coming! Thanks God!

And to add more to the busy morning I've already had, I called the float pool boss and verbally agreed to take the new job in the float pool. I called my other boss to let her know that I will be taking a different position and had to leave a message. I wanted to speak to her in person, but I didn't see her at the hospital this morning. I hope it goes over well!!!!!!

So, I'm off to bed while my husband is still there! Ahhhh....sleep!