Pink Shirt Day

I can still remember him.That in itsself is astonishing these many weeks later. In my line of work remembering simply isn't done. All brain space is used up by the patients one currently has. As they go, so do their names, their faces, and their stories.So by the end of the day you don`t know with whom you began it with. But he I remember. A transfer in at the quietest time of the night 3-5am. The generic triage label was ``overdose, high risk substance``, the age suggestive of high risk teen and street drugs. But what I found was much different than the usual. The first tip off was the paramedics, as I entered the room the older paramedic was having a heartfelt conversation with him, not the normal shutdown attitude. Then I saw his face. It was not the harden streetwise defiant look, but that of a quote `ordinary teen``, looking much to young to be in this situation. The information gained in the report for the paramedics was even harder to bear.  This young person was born different, to me not apparent at the moment, but to his peers Very Different and for that he was teased, bullied and eventually ostracized from them. He then studied from home but there became more and more isolated. Losing all self esteem and hope. This had not been his first attempt at hurting himself but he had hoped it was the last. I assessed him, subtle signs of difference were there, the curled hand, the twisted foot, but no major deformity, no mental impairment. We talked frankly about what he had done, the effects on him but most importantly the supports that were there for him, the fact that he did not have to go this alone.  After we talked I was once again struck by how cruel kids were, but also wondered about myself. How do I treat people, how do I place value or judge other people. We are very responsible for our actions and how they effect others and it truly brought home the principle that all need to be treated as Jesus would have treated them- All the same and loved them all, showing preference or hatred to none. 
January 23 is Pink Shirt Day- Wear Pink to voice your support for Anti Bullying. http://www.pinkshirtday.ca/

Photo of the Week

Baby Branson James born today 1352

Five on Friday

1. I love pesto.  so so so much.  Mostly likely to the destruction of my patients tonight as I dress up my chopped tomato, cucumber and cheese with some pesto.

2. I may be a bad influence on Emily. Today she, in her very dramatic expressions, stated that she was going to blow bubbles with auntie mel and it "was going to be fantastic"

3. About three days ago I was pondering the "God knows how many hairs are on your head" concept and just thinking about the mightiness of God if he cares about Zin Zang in China and yet knows all the goings on of me and to be honest was pretty impressed about how he kept it all straight.   Then two days ago I was headed out to work. I left about 1 hour early because I was going to scope out some kayaks before. As a passed Watcom road ( I always break down within 5mins of my dads work) my car quit. I tried to start it called dad, popped the hood.. no luck. He said he would come, isn't he fantastic, no matter how busy he always comes. Then low and behold a little beetle bug passes me. Stops, backs up.. and out hops my mom. Last I saw her she was coming home and headed for the shower. But she had felt the need to go shopping. Was halfway to Superstore when she felt the nudge to just go to Costco!! what a God thing I thought as I hopped in her car and headed off to work still with lots of time and she and dad continued on to grocery shopping and work. WOW!!

4. Hurray Up Harold. Still no little new niece or nephew to spoil.

5. Today is my last consecutive Friday night!! I have worked every Friday/Saturday night since New Years Eve!! I know it doesn't really matter because work doesn't usually depend on the day of the week but I must say there usually are less drunk people on week nights. But more imporantly SOCIAL life. I don't have much of one.. but the little that I do have can come back.

ER by the Numbers

In the ER we hear alot of numbers and stats - from wait times number of patients in the department. For the most time I don't pay to much attention to the numbers and try to focus on the patients they represent.  But here is a snapshot of ER numbers.

1-"Thank you, dear" from a sweet little old lady to make my day.
2- CTAS level of patient I most commonly take care of. CTAS is a prioritization scale rating people from 5 ( go see your doctor in a week) to 1 ( immediate intervention needed to preserve life)
3- pts in my mini CCU the other morning- hello Integrilin Infusion, Amioderon Infusion, and Nitro Infusion.
3- pitchers of beer to many.  Not so smart and I will tell you so. I work the next 5 Friday nights and I better not see you again.
3- minutes between Epi doses in a code
4-  beds supposed be in a cardiac assignment
5- If you win the 50-50 lottery and end up in Acute 1- its 5 beds in your assignment
5- cardiac monitor stickers for your chest
6-hours for the effects of lasix to wear off
6- hour wait for the second blood work you earned for coming in with chest pain. I know the first tests are negative and Yes I know you are bored, but hey its better than a massive heart attack
7- packages I need to open to start your IV
8- if I miss on the first attempt - not too often
9- more packages later and the usual cocktail of morphine and gravol will be injected into that IV ( I do believe in the fact that health care is the primary cause of global warming)
10-hours my fab Starbucks mug will keep my tea drinkabely hot until I have have time to drink it.
15- seconds is the half life of adenosine. a medicine to chemically restart your heart.
16- most IV starts I have seen a person get before a successful start
20- seconds seems like forever when waiting for a blood sugar result.
25- minutes to RCH for stat transfers
30- quiet/manageable number of patients in the department
35- max number of admits seen in the department. Baseline staff is based on 0 admits
56- highest blood sugar I have seen. You/me 6-8. Diabetes diagnosed when higher than 10
58-lowest percent of oxygen I have seen on a walking talking person (on 5 liters of O2)
60 - stitches that I took out of the leg of a screaming 5 year old
120- minutes from first ECG to inflation of the angioballoon for optimal results when having a heart attack
360- Joules of Electricity to restart your heart.
700- mls of fluid taken from the sac around the heart of a patient.

A Few of my Favorite Things

Thought I would share a few things that lately have been the "cherries on top" in life.

1. Paper Cranes- I saw these a little while ago and fell in love and thought they would make a good little project. So I found a youtube video and proceeded to fold. They are super adorable done.. I however do not think I shall every be able to make a true Japanese wish because for that I must fold 1000. oh and did I mention that I now don't have a clue what to do with them.

2. Sunsets- I thought long and hard about sunsets/sunrises. Even comparing the sunrise after this sunset and came to the conclusion that the sets won. Even though I love the navy silhouettes of the mountains against the buttery yellow sky the bold lasting colours of a sunset are much more vibrant. Bonus of sunsets to is that they transition into a starry starry sky.



3. My Slippers. I coveted these forEVER but was not willing to spend. However with winter clearance they are mine!!! Think puffy vest for your feet, walking in clouds.. you get the picture.

4. The arrival of daffodils. Some sunny spring time for the kitchen.

5. Nothing like a cute little puppy to make you appreciate your older dog all the more.

6. Days at home with mom. One of the benefits of shiftwork is some home days with Mom, chatting lots and doing whatever (read- housework, baking, hanging out, and the occasional lunch out)Even better when lunch is Chilies

6. When I travel I am a fan of spontaneity, but also am a lover of information (just ask Corina, I am the queen of travel books). But the back country usually doesn't have any information relating to bus stops, train schedules or "turn left at the third light". But this handy little device from my uncle satisfies my need for data.

PreBaby

Before Emmy was born Elena and I had hit the spa with our "Gordo Bucks". This time pre baby we decided to continue the tradition and have a bit of pampering.
First it was off the hairdresser- thanks Lisa for fitting us in together.

Precuts

A little ice cream on the way home- yeah for 2 for 1 sundaes

It was off the Wild Orange Spa (thanks arenda for the fantastic gift card)

All sorts of nummy teas to choose from

The nail polish menu

Pretty toes.. for the first time pedi I think I did pretty good once my leg stopped its tense jerk with every scrub!! The massage and hot wax was amazing though

Gorgeous as ever at 38wks

All capped off with lovely dinner


Elena -So much fun spending the day with you. Can't wait to meet my new little niece or nephew you will continue on to be the most fantastic mother ever.

Ames- special days like this make me miss you sooo much.

Elfin Lakes

In December Rosie and I decided that since it had been WAY to long since our last adventure
we were in the mood for some winter fun. We tossed around a few ideas but finally settled on Elfin Lakes based on a recommendation from a lady from work. It looked like a fantastic choice as it came with very luxurious option of a cabin something that was not on the list of amenities on the last winter trek.
The drive up was fairly cloudy and damp but the sun came out just as we started

The first bit was a steady incline up an old service road. We had no need for our snowshoes the entire was in as there had been no new snow since the weekend crowd. This made for a decently packed down trail with only a few (well maybe more like 20) sudden drops to the knees.

Once we cleared the forest we ate lunch with the squirrels in the warming cabin.


After the hut we climbed up through open meadow with gorgeous views of Howe Sound through the break in the hills

Then we walked through a little surprise that neither of us had imagined from reading the trail report. A winding trail along the edge of the ridge with trees all around doing their best to drop their loads of snow on our head.

And then it opened up once again to a ridge with sweeping views in every direction giving the impression of laying eyes on wilderness in which we were the only ones. The creation God has given us to explore is simply glorious.

Timed picture- with the camera balanced on the ski pole. I must say I did miss my big camera!!

Glad we stopped here for the photo op as the clouds rolled in pretty thick and gray after this.

A little drink and chocolate pit stop.. unbeknown to us the cabin was only 5 minutes down the trail =;)

Elfin Lakes Shelter

Rosie drinking in the warmth. Great cabin.. sleeps 34. It is usually packed on the weekends but ahh the benefits of shift work and the backcountry. There was only a school group of 10 and 2 other people there.

Great little stoves provided

The usual crib challenges.

Rosie beat me by 2 points!!!

The next day we woke to SNOW. The clouds that had worked their way in the afternoon the day before had defiantly delivered. It had snowed about 8 inches during the night and snowed heavily on the trek out. It made for a an entirely different perspective as you could only see the trees directly around you. A more isolated feeling but some great snowshoeing. A bit more of an effort on as we broke the trail on the climbs or flat but an absolute riot as you `poof` down the hills.

Stopped at the hut again for lunch. This time sneaked around to the back to avoid the school kids who thundered down the hill behind us.

As we descended from the lunch hut the snow quickly turned to pouring rain absolutely drenching us!!

But never fear! Starbucks is near

Did not return with pointed ears nor the urge to build small wooden toys. But with two thoughts (Rosie and I usually do get profound at one point)- We are glad we are not `indoor` people because the variety of the outdoors is the spice of life- pumpkin spice to be exact. Also having eternity secured defiantly enables living in the present and enjoying every snowflake on your eyelashes without worrying about what is next in life.