Positive occult blood

What a bizarre title. But it was the matriarchal news of the day. My mom's been in the hospital since Wednesday. She's received 2 units of PRBCs, IV KCl and Mg replacement and IV venofer. In 12 hours or so, she's going to have a colonoscopy. Part of the preparation for the test is to clean the intestines. She's drinking this awful shit called GoLytely. It's a misnomer if ever there was one.

When a doctor orders OB x 3, they want you to check 3 different stool samples for occult blood, that is, blood in the stool. It's not always visible nor does it always smell that special way that only bloody stool can smell. Um, in case you happen upon this and are a bit freaked out, I'm a nurse. This stuff is all common practice and knowledge for us nurse peeps.

All three of my madre's samples turned out positive. She's bleeding from something, evidenced also by her low hemoglobin (8.2) and thus requirement of 2 units of PRBCs. I'm here in Florida on vacation visiting with my friends from Port Orange and Hollywood but I'm so worried about my mom and her medical situation that I'd much much much rather be home. So I could dictate her care. Ok, maybe that's too strong a word. But definitely manage her care. I'm sure the gastroenterologist will be able to find the source of her bleed but if I was there, he would be able to discuss it at length with me rather than my non-medical-background father. Sigh.

I almost wish I had a xanax to pop. Sleep is not my friend tonight but worry is my bedfellow. Alas.

Rallying my resources

I received a message from my madre yesterday. She was being admitted into the hospital. On Monday, she'd been feeling pretty ill and weak. The next day it was worse and she contacted her MD who had her get some lab work done. Then yesterday afternoon she went in to see the PA. Her WBCs were 17 and the mag and sodium were low. The doc opted to admit her.

As soon as I heard the news, I called the floor where she was to be admitted and asked for a private room. You see, I work there. And right now I'm in Florida so I have to pull strings from afar. Then I called my co-worker Jackie who moonlights as nursing supervisor there and asked her to check in on my mom. I texted my roomie and asked him to stop by and see her sometime today to find out if she's alright. I put some info up on facebook and got a lot of people wishing her well and such.

Even though I'm 3,000 miles away, I still take care of my mom. She's a good cookie and has been through so fucking much the past year, medically speaking. Getting a private room and having my nurse buddies check in on her is the least I can do.

Musical shit

I was driving back home yesterday afternoon after running a few errands in Livermore. Just prior to pulling into my garage, the DJ on Live 105 announced a new song from The Fray. Hell if I know what songs The Fray sings/plays. This time, however, they decided to do their own version of Kanye West's Heartless.

WTF? Really? Some covers are good but this was sad. And beside that, Heartless is still relatively new. Far recently covered Pony and that was fucking rad. Methinks The Fray latched onto their idea but failed miserably.

Give me something new, fresh and refreshing. Shit. I am all about Spoon right now.

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The quiet boy

Most of the time, when a child sees me at work, they know they're likely in store for some uncomfortable thing, some painful thing. Tonight a little boy was in with pneumonia. Poor thing. He was wheezy and dyspneic and putting up a strong front. I gave him stickers for his bravery and a coloring book to distract.

While only six years old, little boy X was very impressive. He was so well-behaved. Obeyed his parents, was polite and sweet. The lab tech had to draw some blood: he didn't throw a fit or scream. I had to give him an intramuscular injection. He flinted but didn't make a peep. Not because he was so lethargic but due to the fact that his parents were both there, supporting him, loving him. It was pretty rad.

It's rare to find well-behaved kids in general, let alone when they're sick in the ER. He was my highlight this past shift.

Starter

I tend to ramble about so many ideas, thoughts and concepts that I decided I should blog. Whatever better way to keep track of such things than placing them in one contained area. I'm all about storage containers anyway.

I have a decently sized drawer in my kitchen filled with Tupperware and knock-off brands that I rarely use. But I have it if I need it. I have tons of Rubbermaid bins that I've used for moving. They're currently stacked on my balcony, dust covering their lovely purple color. I have bins for shoes, clothes, purses, you name it.

I've heard that there's a place called The Container Store. Ok, I know without a doubt there is one because I'd drive by it back in the day when I'd hang out in Walnut Creek. (Shudder) I drooled a bit at the site of such a place. But I can be a smart cookie when I want to be. I stayed the fuck away from that place lest all my paycheck(s) go to their coffers.

So this blogspot business is free for me and I can keep my ramblings in a bin. Awesome-sauce!