Nursing Life

Really.........
 Had a young (read under 50) patient the other day with chest pain (story of my life).  The pain was some what suspicious for a Pulmonary Embolism (clot in chest).  So I asked a few more questions to see what the risk was.
Me "Any recent swelling in legs" 
Pt- "No"
Me" any history of blood clots"
Yes-" in my leg 10 years ago"
Me" any recent long car travel"
pt "No"

Reading chart later.. pt drives truck for a living.... 14 hour days. Guess next time I should specify truck or car trips =)


Waitress/Nurse.... same thing some days
0355 am

Little old person who was quite well but refusing to go home

Pt-"Can I have some vegetable juice, I think I need to regain my strength"
Me-" We don't have vegetable juice , may I get you some juice or milk"?
Pt-"WHAT KINDA PLACE IS THIS"
Me- well its an emergency room and unfortunately we don't have vegetable juice readily available at 3 in the morning" (really we have it never)
pt- Its not three in the morning
Me- Ok, its four. I still don't have it Now  can I get you anything else?
Pt- Juice
Me- Apple or Orange
Pt- Whatever has the least sugar
Me (having no clue,.... both are cheap juice)..."why don't I get you some apple =)
Pt " I guess so.(grumble...grumble). what kinda place is this, how do you think people are going to get better if you don't have proper food. 

KiloWhat

Me- Hello my dear, I just need to weigh you for some medication- have you weighed yourself recently?
Pt- Well I don't know how much in pounds, only in kiloMETRES
Me- That's just fine

So polite

Checking in a pt whose chronic medical condition was in a crisis.  I was taking a history as to what had brought them in to crisis.  It came out that no meds had been taken because the pt had been doing drugs for 5 days.  As I pieced together the story I rephrased and clarified with the patient with "okay so you were doing fine and well controlled but then you got high  for 5 days and havn't been able to get back on track". The pt confirmed that.  The ICU attending came down to see the pt.  He is one of my favorite.. very quiet and dignified.  I happened upon him doing his assessment and found him also at the summarization/clarification phase.  His summary however sounds somewhat like.. So what I understand is that you stopped taking you meds when you were distracted by the mushrooms....

Addictions

Getting Report from the Paramedics on a pt transfer 
Okay so this is the guy who left earlier against medical advice.... he had some large clots floating around in his heart and lungs but wanted to leave.   He left here three hours ago, went to McDonalds, did some cocaine and then checked into the neighbourhood hospital across the river.  Now he is back here to see the Cardiologist and ICU docs and start treatment. 

It feels like magic

Along with the rainbows and puppy dogs, I'll also take a pony that poops butterflys and a fairy to clean my room please. 

June 8 Rebecca and Tristan, Victoria Wedding

Tristan and Becs claim a unique love story.  They met and fell in love on a tall ship in the South Pacific.  For 10 months they lived, explored and worked together (with 30 other people, including the brides whole family).
"You can only be loved as much as you are known" is a theme in this intensely community focused environment and that rang true with this couple.  By the time they reached land in Victoria they were falling more and more in love.  Through out the next years Tristan away on the boats a lot and Bec working and doing school they kept their relationship strong with lots of notes and letters and trips mountain biking and camping.  This past year they were able to span the weekly distance Tristan's job brought when Bec also got a  job working on the Pacific Swift. 
On June 8, 2013 along with their closed friends and family they celebrated their marriage and started their life together. 

(ps- if you just want to see pictures if you double click on the first picture it will start a slide show of the images)

Bec and the ladies got ready at the Anderson house.  Bec's Oma was out gathering the flowers for all the table arrangements when I got there.

Love shooting details like this in a natural environment.  Bec and Tristan basically live outdoors so its great to have these reflect that.

 Her gorgeous dress. Beautifully modified to be uniquely her's by Bec's talented aunt

 Pretty in pearls

 Then it was off to Tristan's parents house for the guy's breakfast

 Bosun watching the action

 Then back to the Andersons for the rest of the ladies getting ready. 

At first I wasn't so sure about Elske photo bombing.. but I love this shot!!

 Then into that gorgeous gown

 Headed outside for some shots with the broski's

 The wonder women!!

 

Bec is loved by her family!!

Headed off to the ceremony site.  There were signs drawn and designed by the bride's sister Arwen
 to guide guests to their destinations.

At the ceremony site I was met by the shoeless groom "I can't find them!!"

The bride's bestie tuned in from France

 Married!!!

Then lots of family pictures, including their current boat family. The Pacific Swift Crew 2013

 Then down to the inner harbour for the legal ceremony and some pictures on the boats

 Married at the stern of the Pacific Grace

 Reliving their own marriage ceremony 28 years ago on the Robertson II. 

 

 

Grabbing a quick icecream before the reception

Then off to the reception

 Amazing Paella

 And yes that is the bride contemplating a flip

 

 Amazing Wedding Cheesecake made by the bride's mom

 Lots of mingling, laughter and dancing completed this wonderful day

Thanks Bec and Tristan for letting me share in your special day.  Hope you are enjoying Italy!!