Nathan's birthday
Amilia and Nathan playing together
Amilia Ruth with Hiway Cat.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Long day
You'd think that having the kiddo's away for spring break to the in-laws, my life would be easier...well, went to the ortho doc today, need an MRI to see what is really going on in the knee. He thinks I have either stretched the ACL and torn the lateral meniscus or have completely torn the ACL and the muscles surrounding my knee have developed enough with PT that it is somewhat stabilizing it. I continue to have to wear a hinged knee brace to keep from pivoting the knee but with it on, I am able to pretty much do what I want pain 
free. The problem I now have is a really ugly rash on my leg where the brace is...yucky, isn't it?
free. The problem I now have is a really ugly rash on my leg where the brace is...yucky, isn't it?Anyways, after the MD visit, I decided to go to Dick's to pick up some exercise bands that I can use in the office while I am at work and starting to feel sleepy.
After Dick's, I saw the AAA car care center and remembered that I needed an oil change and tire rotation....ended up walking out of there spending almost $700! Needed new wiper blades (knew that) needed new tie rods (didn't know that) and needed new front break pads (didn't know that).
So, after all the work we have done getting to a zero balance on the credit cards, now I have a balance again:(
BUT, I now know that the wheel will not fall off while driving done route 40!
I did not get home until around 7pm! Left the house at 9:30am! But brought the latest Grisham book and have read quite a bit of it.
I also got everything needed out in the mail for our mortgage! YEAH...I did not have a signed contract until Tuesday evening, then had to go to work Wednesday and had planned on getting it out this morning after my doctors appointment. It went into the mail at the post office, but will not go out until tomorrow:( I would have brought it myself, but it is in Raleigh and by the time the van was fixed it was after 5pm. Went to Staples, made a copy of everything, then went to the post office and dropped it in the box.
I am working 6-6 for the next three days so I had to get it done today...yeah!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Work, House, Kids
I have been busy.
Oriented and worked at a new position. I am a "Flow Manager". What I do is watch orders and treatments on the computer in the flow manager office and make sure that patients are not being held up by pending labs, x-rays, treatments etc. If things are pending too long, I call the lab, radiology, the RN or the MD to gently nudge them in the direction of admission or discharge.
I also receive positive culture results--STD's, MRSA, Wound infections---and follow up with the patient after reviewing the charge and talking with the MD about what antibiotic they need to be on. If they are not on an antibiotic, I will call it into the pharmacy that they use and have them pick it up. I give some telephone medical advise, but usually if they have a medical problem, I encourage them to either come to the emergency room or go to their primary doctor.
Another thing that I follow are animal bites. These are faxed to animal control. I also make sure that the patient is scheduled appropriately for vaccinations.
It is not difficult work, it can be busy, but it also can be long...
I have met some great people while working. One in particular has done things I wouldn't have expected. Mom called in a severe asthma attack, she did not want to go to the hospital. T was working on labs and she stopped what she was doing, found me a plane ticket for the next day for a very low cost! I ended up not going, but having someone do that for me when we really don't know each other well is amazing and a blessing! Thanks T!
Looked at, got husband to look and and bought a new house: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/900-Steeple-Chase-Lane_Greensboro_NC_27406_1107659962?gate=msn&source=a2mszh1t042
(Pending financing, inspection)
Got the kids back into the swing of things with me at work---then packed them up and sent them to the in-laws for spring break. It has been weird, not having to rush home by 2:45pm. I catch myself looking at the clock and thinking I have to hurry, then laugh at myself. I have had leisure days riding around by myself. Jim was home on Saturday and Sunday, left very early Monday morning...I did not have to get up for anything!!! Still up at 8am...can't convince the bladder and the stomach to go back to sleep.
I've been to the doctor three times this week--the brace I have been wearing caused a massive rash/contact dermatitis and infection which is thankfully clearing up.
I see an orthopedic doctor on Thursday. I think that they are going to want to do surgery to fix, but I need an MRI prior to anything else. Maybe it will improve with time like my back has. The medications I take for my back have seemed to keep my knee pain to the minimum.
The problem is, when I am not wearing the knee brace, the knee has twisted and popped in the wrong direction twice and it is scary. I really didn't have any pain except the initial pain when I twisted it, but I am afraid if I keep doing this, I will eventually tear everything up.
So, for two days, I went without the brace and had to use crutches---ugg. Today went back in, got a cotton sleeve from the MD to put under the brace and she is letting me off the crutches.
I go to work tomorrow, armed with reading/study material. I will be taking the CEN exam (Certified Emergency Nurse) in September. We have formed a study group that meets once a month, but I still need to study on my own. There is also an intense class in August that I think I might try to take to make sure I know what I need to know.
Life is good...we are enjoying the kids, excited about the new house, excited about starting over (not really starting over but having a new house that we can do what we want with is very exciting!).
Oriented and worked at a new position. I am a "Flow Manager". What I do is watch orders and treatments on the computer in the flow manager office and make sure that patients are not being held up by pending labs, x-rays, treatments etc. If things are pending too long, I call the lab, radiology, the RN or the MD to gently nudge them in the direction of admission or discharge.
I also receive positive culture results--STD's, MRSA, Wound infections---and follow up with the patient after reviewing the charge and talking with the MD about what antibiotic they need to be on. If they are not on an antibiotic, I will call it into the pharmacy that they use and have them pick it up. I give some telephone medical advise, but usually if they have a medical problem, I encourage them to either come to the emergency room or go to their primary doctor.
Another thing that I follow are animal bites. These are faxed to animal control. I also make sure that the patient is scheduled appropriately for vaccinations.
It is not difficult work, it can be busy, but it also can be long...
I have met some great people while working. One in particular has done things I wouldn't have expected. Mom called in a severe asthma attack, she did not want to go to the hospital. T was working on labs and she stopped what she was doing, found me a plane ticket for the next day for a very low cost! I ended up not going, but having someone do that for me when we really don't know each other well is amazing and a blessing! Thanks T!
Looked at, got husband to look and and bought a new house: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/900-Steeple-Chase-Lane_Greensboro_NC_27406_1107659962?gate=msn&source=a2mszh1t042
(Pending financing, inspection)
Got the kids back into the swing of things with me at work---then packed them up and sent them to the in-laws for spring break. It has been weird, not having to rush home by 2:45pm. I catch myself looking at the clock and thinking I have to hurry, then laugh at myself. I have had leisure days riding around by myself. Jim was home on Saturday and Sunday, left very early Monday morning...I did not have to get up for anything!!! Still up at 8am...can't convince the bladder and the stomach to go back to sleep.
I've been to the doctor three times this week--the brace I have been wearing caused a massive rash/contact dermatitis and infection which is thankfully clearing up.
I see an orthopedic doctor on Thursday. I think that they are going to want to do surgery to fix, but I need an MRI prior to anything else. Maybe it will improve with time like my back has. The medications I take for my back have seemed to keep my knee pain to the minimum.
The problem is, when I am not wearing the knee brace, the knee has twisted and popped in the wrong direction twice and it is scary. I really didn't have any pain except the initial pain when I twisted it, but I am afraid if I keep doing this, I will eventually tear everything up.
So, for two days, I went without the brace and had to use crutches---ugg. Today went back in, got a cotton sleeve from the MD to put under the brace and she is letting me off the crutches.
I go to work tomorrow, armed with reading/study material. I will be taking the CEN exam (Certified Emergency Nurse) in September. We have formed a study group that meets once a month, but I still need to study on my own. There is also an intense class in August that I think I might try to take to make sure I know what I need to know.
Life is good...we are enjoying the kids, excited about the new house, excited about starting over (not really starting over but having a new house that we can do what we want with is very exciting!).
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Blacky news
Good, sad news about Blacky. The tests came back negative. No shots for us. Wish we knew what happened. He is still missed:(
Fell through
Well, the position at the outpatient clinic fell through. Apparently they do not need free help. Makes me frustrated and I feel like I must have presented myself poorly when I spent three hours there the other day...I have another possible position. Working with Guilford County Pediatrics...not sure what the job is, but it has to do with working with teens.
I also put in a plee to my manager....PLEASE, use me! Where ever I work, it will be charged to the ED, so it would make sense to use me...
My manage will let the Department head know I want to work!
Amilia got her bike out on Monday...weather was beautiful. Her knees were hitting her chin she has grown so much. So we bought her another bike, this one an 18 speed. She was very frustrated with it! She is not strong enough to change the gears so got stuck at the bottom of the hill. Walked the bike up, dropped it on the side of the road and said she did not want it any more. We did this about 5 times---with no more going down the hill, just riding on the flat. Each time, I got on the bike (with my knees the my chin), adjusted the gears until we have it perfect. She will leave it where it is. She can get up the little hills and go fast enough going down the little hills. She is just not riding down the big hill at the end of the road.
The kids are out riding right now. We have had rain, rain, rain and finally, a couple of hours ago, the sun came out. So after supper, I sent them out.
My knee gave out pretty bad yesterday. I had on a hinged knee brace that seemed to work, but when I was trying to get up off the floor (the kids and I were looking for games), then knee popped three times and I almost threw up...Still pretty sore, but I am wearing the expensive, itchy, heavy duty brace that makes my knee feel much more stable. I have fat upper thighs, so the inside metal part of the upper brace digs in and can hurt. I have discovered that using my fluffy winter sock covering the metal part helps. I have been able to walk around all day without difficulty...
JIM IS HOME! Got home yesterday, hopefully will be home until Sunday. I have a big honey due list, but don't know if it will get done...just glad he is home!
I also put in a plee to my manager....PLEASE, use me! Where ever I work, it will be charged to the ED, so it would make sense to use me...
My manage will let the Department head know I want to work!
Amilia got her bike out on Monday...weather was beautiful. Her knees were hitting her chin she has grown so much. So we bought her another bike, this one an 18 speed. She was very frustrated with it! She is not strong enough to change the gears so got stuck at the bottom of the hill. Walked the bike up, dropped it on the side of the road and said she did not want it any more. We did this about 5 times---with no more going down the hill, just riding on the flat. Each time, I got on the bike (with my knees the my chin), adjusted the gears until we have it perfect. She will leave it where it is. She can get up the little hills and go fast enough going down the little hills. She is just not riding down the big hill at the end of the road.
The kids are out riding right now. We have had rain, rain, rain and finally, a couple of hours ago, the sun came out. So after supper, I sent them out.
My knee gave out pretty bad yesterday. I had on a hinged knee brace that seemed to work, but when I was trying to get up off the floor (the kids and I were looking for games), then knee popped three times and I almost threw up...Still pretty sore, but I am wearing the expensive, itchy, heavy duty brace that makes my knee feel much more stable. I have fat upper thighs, so the inside metal part of the upper brace digs in and can hurt. I have discovered that using my fluffy winter sock covering the metal part helps. I have been able to walk around all day without difficulty...
JIM IS HOME! Got home yesterday, hopefully will be home until Sunday. I have a big honey due list, but don't know if it will get done...just glad he is home!
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