I think my computer is infected. And my antivirus program isn't picking anything up.
I think it's spyware.
I get popups when I start my computer that say my computer is 18% infected with spyware. if you click on the popup, it takes you to a "coolsearch" for anti-spyware products. But that's not the only reason that makes me think that it's spyware. My computer crashes a lot. It runs much slower than it should. And the start page to Internet Explorer has been changed to about:blank and nothing I do changes that. I can change it back to what it was, and when I restart the program again, it's back to the blank page.
I did a Google search and came up with a bunch of anti-spyware products. I tried a recommended one by a couple of sites. Downloaded it, registered it, paid $50 I don't have for it. Didn't work. It scanned, removed a bunch of stuff, and said it couldn't remove more stuff. My computer still gets the popups, still with the blank explorer page, and now some .dll file is missing. So at the very least it didn't do any good, and probably made it all worse. Luckily, the company refunded my $50.
I WANT TO FIX MY PUTER!!! I don't want people with the ability to change my settings, or worse, spy into my life and get credit card #'s etc. Rob's solution would be to re-format my drive and reboot. But the rpblem with that is I'm an idiot and never backed up all my files, partly because I STILL can't get my CD burner to work. So even if I backed it all up now, I'd be backing up infected files and end up with the same problem.
Does ANYONE know of a way or a good program to get this stuff OFF my computer for good, and to protect my computer from being infected again?!?!?!?!? Because I dislike this whole spyware idea, it makes me nervous, and I want it OFF! And I can't afford another computer right now...
HELP!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Monday, September 27, 2004
A comment
In response to my BLOG about the Rehab Techs being laid off, someone posted this comment.
Anonymous said...
The word menial bothers me. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=menial
Note: This is what that website said:
me·ni·al (mn-l, mnyl) adj.
1. Of or relating to work or a job regarded as servile.
2. Of, relating to, or appropriate for a servant.
n.
1. A servant, especially a domestic servant.
2. A person who has a servile or low nature.
The whole idea that one person's work is somehow more valuable than another's bothers me. Money and worth of a person should never be confused.
9/25/2004 02:07:28 AM
"They help us with menial jobs like photocopying and mail delivery."
I believe that is the sentence in that BLOG that prompted this person to comment.
And I'm not sure of the purpose of the comment. Was this person attempting to agree with me? Or to argue on a point? I don't quite know.
I must say though, I do AGREE with the comment. No one person is more valuable than another. And the idea that the techs would be laid of and the therapists kept on because the therapist's job is "more valuable" bothers me as well. I don't believe I gave the message in that BLOG that my work was more valuable than that of the techs. On the contrary, what I thought I said, and what I meant to say, was that they are/were an extremely important part of the rehab team, because no quality rehab department can efficiently function without a tech. And if you want to pick apart the offending sentence, the photocopying and mail delivery jobs are labled as menial, not the person carrying them out.
Reality is this, they did work at an unskilled job. They were not therapists. They had neither the education nor the training to function in that role. However, the role they did function in was a valuable one, and again, one vital to the running of a rehab department. No business of any kind can function without it's support staff. SOMEONE needs to do the "unskilled jobs," and it's foolish to think that a business can run without them. These persons doing these "unskilled jobs" are extremely important to the running of any business. THAT was my point.
The reason the thechs were laid off was because they were not seen as valuable because their time was not billable. The company/hospital did not make money off of their time. Personally I think that is wrong. Their time, efforts, and functions were valuable, and after only a week without them, we are severely missing their role.
Maybe I used the wrong word. Maybe not. Maybe this commenter was agreeing with me. I don't know.
If that particular commenter reads this BLOG again, I ask him to clarify the meaning behind his statement. If anyone else would like to offer an opinion, I welcome it.
In the meantime, the techs and the roles they filled, are being sorely missed.
Anonymous said...
The word menial bothers me. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=menial
Note: This is what that website said:
me·ni·al (mn-l, mnyl) adj.
1. Of or relating to work or a job regarded as servile.
2. Of, relating to, or appropriate for a servant.
n.
1. A servant, especially a domestic servant.
2. A person who has a servile or low nature.
The whole idea that one person's work is somehow more valuable than another's bothers me. Money and worth of a person should never be confused.
9/25/2004 02:07:28 AM
"They help us with menial jobs like photocopying and mail delivery."
I believe that is the sentence in that BLOG that prompted this person to comment.
And I'm not sure of the purpose of the comment. Was this person attempting to agree with me? Or to argue on a point? I don't quite know.
I must say though, I do AGREE with the comment. No one person is more valuable than another. And the idea that the techs would be laid of and the therapists kept on because the therapist's job is "more valuable" bothers me as well. I don't believe I gave the message in that BLOG that my work was more valuable than that of the techs. On the contrary, what I thought I said, and what I meant to say, was that they are/were an extremely important part of the rehab team, because no quality rehab department can efficiently function without a tech. And if you want to pick apart the offending sentence, the photocopying and mail delivery jobs are labled as menial, not the person carrying them out.
Reality is this, they did work at an unskilled job. They were not therapists. They had neither the education nor the training to function in that role. However, the role they did function in was a valuable one, and again, one vital to the running of a rehab department. No business of any kind can function without it's support staff. SOMEONE needs to do the "unskilled jobs," and it's foolish to think that a business can run without them. These persons doing these "unskilled jobs" are extremely important to the running of any business. THAT was my point.
The reason the thechs were laid off was because they were not seen as valuable because their time was not billable. The company/hospital did not make money off of their time. Personally I think that is wrong. Their time, efforts, and functions were valuable, and after only a week without them, we are severely missing their role.
Maybe I used the wrong word. Maybe not. Maybe this commenter was agreeing with me. I don't know.
If that particular commenter reads this BLOG again, I ask him to clarify the meaning behind his statement. If anyone else would like to offer an opinion, I welcome it.
In the meantime, the techs and the roles they filled, are being sorely missed.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Yom Kippur
Tomorrow evening at sundown, Yom Kippur begins. The holiest day on the Jewish calendar. The day when your fate for the year, whether you will live or die, whether you will have a good year or a bad year, is decided. Your name will have been inscribed and sealed in either the Book of Life, or the Book of Death.
It's a fairly scary time for most Jews. You fast to cleanse your body, and you pray to purge your soul of sin. As Rob puts it, you are praying for your life. He wrote an interesting BLOG this week about Yom Kippur, and how it effects how he looks at his life. I will agree with that BLOG. It is not only a time to fast and pray, but also a time to reflect on how you lived your life this past year, what you did right and what you did wrong, and how you can change it all for the better.
Personally, I have had a difficult year, with many life changes. Graduating from school, becoming a licensed PT, getting a job, moving out, being financially independent, living with Rob, taking our relationship to the next level, considering and being scared my marriage... and while many of these things may seem superficial to the problems many others have which are much more difficult and serious, it's been an emotionally turbulent year for me. I think, I handled most of it fairly well, but all I can do is pray that what I did not do well, I will gain the strength to either fix it, or change my actions for the future. I believe I have recently started to make some positive changes in my life for the future, changes that will hopefully better me inside and out. I pray for the strength and guidance to carry out these changed to their completion.
I pray for my soul. I pray that I might find my place in Judaism, that I may rest my soul with a balance between the everyday, and the Shabbat, the heart and the soul, the body and the spirit.
I pray for my sins, large small, those I remember those I don't. I pray for forgiveness of these sins by Gd, but also by person. I recently posted about Selichot, and while nobody commented, I hope that for all whom I have wronged this year that you will forgive me.
It is hard and kinda wrong to actually say this, but I very much dislike Yom Kippur. Well, I don't suppose ANYONE really enjoys it. It is an extremely uncomfortable day. You are physically hungry, and weak. No food and water for 25 hours is difficult enough to endure without the emotional component of the day. I drink a lot of water on a daily basis, so usually end up with a large headache at the end of the fast due to dehydration. Physically it is hard, but emotionally, it is harder, You are in Shul all day, praying and swaying, pounding and praying some more. It is extremely intense, and for me, just plain exhausting. It would be a difficult day even if I could eat.
So for those reasons and others, I dislike, and do not look forward to Yom Kippur. But, I see it's importance, and while it is uncomfortable, painful, physically exhausting, and emotionally taxing, I do welcome the opportunity to examine my life and soul, and make changes for the future. It is a process that I believe we should all go through in some form or other every year, a process important for healing and growth.
And so, I pray and wish all who participate in Yom Kippur an easy and meaningful fast. May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a Sweet New Year. L'Shana Tova Tikateyvu. For those of you who do not partake in this particular Holy Day, may you also have some form of meaningful reflection on your life and soul, and I wish you too, a Sweet New Year, filled with life, love, and spirit.
It's a fairly scary time for most Jews. You fast to cleanse your body, and you pray to purge your soul of sin. As Rob puts it, you are praying for your life. He wrote an interesting BLOG this week about Yom Kippur, and how it effects how he looks at his life. I will agree with that BLOG. It is not only a time to fast and pray, but also a time to reflect on how you lived your life this past year, what you did right and what you did wrong, and how you can change it all for the better.
Personally, I have had a difficult year, with many life changes. Graduating from school, becoming a licensed PT, getting a job, moving out, being financially independent, living with Rob, taking our relationship to the next level, considering and being scared my marriage... and while many of these things may seem superficial to the problems many others have which are much more difficult and serious, it's been an emotionally turbulent year for me. I think, I handled most of it fairly well, but all I can do is pray that what I did not do well, I will gain the strength to either fix it, or change my actions for the future. I believe I have recently started to make some positive changes in my life for the future, changes that will hopefully better me inside and out. I pray for the strength and guidance to carry out these changed to their completion.
I pray for my soul. I pray that I might find my place in Judaism, that I may rest my soul with a balance between the everyday, and the Shabbat, the heart and the soul, the body and the spirit.
I pray for my sins, large small, those I remember those I don't. I pray for forgiveness of these sins by Gd, but also by person. I recently posted about Selichot, and while nobody commented, I hope that for all whom I have wronged this year that you will forgive me.
It is hard and kinda wrong to actually say this, but I very much dislike Yom Kippur. Well, I don't suppose ANYONE really enjoys it. It is an extremely uncomfortable day. You are physically hungry, and weak. No food and water for 25 hours is difficult enough to endure without the emotional component of the day. I drink a lot of water on a daily basis, so usually end up with a large headache at the end of the fast due to dehydration. Physically it is hard, but emotionally, it is harder, You are in Shul all day, praying and swaying, pounding and praying some more. It is extremely intense, and for me, just plain exhausting. It would be a difficult day even if I could eat.
So for those reasons and others, I dislike, and do not look forward to Yom Kippur. But, I see it's importance, and while it is uncomfortable, painful, physically exhausting, and emotionally taxing, I do welcome the opportunity to examine my life and soul, and make changes for the future. It is a process that I believe we should all go through in some form or other every year, a process important for healing and growth.
And so, I pray and wish all who participate in Yom Kippur an easy and meaningful fast. May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a Sweet New Year. L'Shana Tova Tikateyvu. For those of you who do not partake in this particular Holy Day, may you also have some form of meaningful reflection on your life and soul, and I wish you too, a Sweet New Year, filled with life, love, and spirit.
Lost Techs
This week at work we all received a huge blow. To save $$$, the company I work for merged with the hospital I work in. Not so bad. And to save $$ even further, they eliminated all the rehab techs. NOT GOOD. But the new director won't listen to reason.
What does a rehab tech do? Well, they are part of our support staff. It's a relatively unskilled job, but it's an extremely important one. They help the therapists. They are an extra pair of hands when a patient is unsteady. They help to supervise exercises with orthopedic patients. They help when we do whirlpool treatments for wounds by setting up the supplies and the whirlpool and by cleaning up the supplies when we are done and cleaning and disinfecting the whirlpool, a job that takes about an hour. (in addition to the hour long whirlpool treatment) They help us with menial jobs like photocopying and mail delivery. They help the speech therapists with modified barium swallow exams, they help the PT's with tilt tables and standing frames. On the rehab unit they help get patients to and from group therapy sessions, they help to run the groups, they help to be the extra pair of hands for safety. They help set up patients with ice packs and heat, and they clean up when we are done. They set up and break down equipment, they are voices of encouragement for patients. They are the behind the scenes work behind ALL of the therapy that goes on in the hospital, on the rehab unit, in the outpatient center,s and they are VITAL to the running of any physical therapy program anywhere. And now they're gone.
Never mind that they laid off employees who have been working for the company for 5, 10, and 35 years. Never mind that tuition reimbursements were counted on, and that children at home needed to be fed. Never mind that retirement has been totally screwed up. Never mind that this laying off boss is brand new, not ever before meeting the techs. He basically called them into a meeting and said "Hi, Nice to meet you, You're fired." Never mind all that, because this saves $$$. 50-75 grand per person per year, with salary and benefits etc.
Patient care WILL go down the toilet. Therapists will be wasting valuable patient time doing things that were once done by the techs. An hour whirlpool treatment will now take 2 to 2.5 hours. In that extra hour and a half, 2-3 more patients could be seen. We are SO behind on our evals and treatments, its ludicrous to waste an extra hour cleaning a whirlpool. Treating ortho patients will take much longer. We will have to go hunt for the PCT's (Patient Care Technician, aka Nurses Aide) to help us be an extra pair of hands instead of our techs. And the PCT's are overworked and busy enough! Group sessions will be virtually impossible on the rehab unit. By the time the therapist gets all the patients to the session, it will be half over. With the tech, they started getting them ready before the session started, so the therapist would get there from treating another patient and they could just start the session. Now time will be wasted gathering and dispersing. All this time, taken away from patients. Nevermind that it usually takes two people to run many of these groups in the firstplace.
It is SO crazy to think of taking away our techs, but the man in charge is a suit and has NO CLUE what is needed to smoothly run a successful and more importantly QUALITY Physical/Occupational and Speech Therapy program, Acute, Rehab, and Outpatient. I can't even begin to describe the losses not to the therapists, but to the patients! I don't mind cleaning a whirlpool, but wouldn't my time and skills be better spent treating a patient? I mean who loses? Patients won't get seen, and THEN, for the suits so worried about $$$, we won't have as much billable time, because we're too busy cleaning whirlpools and photocopying eval forms. I, as all of the therapists are, am VERY upset at this.
Unfortunately, the new boss-man won't listen. He's set on it and it's done and that is that.
Let me ask you this, can a large business function without a secretary or receptionist? (Unprofessional) Can a Hospital function without the nurses aides? (There would be an UPROAR!) How would the service be at a restaurant if the waiters were too busy clearing tables and loading the dishwashers, because the busboys were all fired? (I'd never get my food, and either walk out or never come back)
So let me ask again, how can we function with no Rehab Techs? The answer, we can't. And yet, somehow, we're going to have to find a way, and it's NOT going to be good. Therapists will be overwhelmed, overworked, and unhappy, but more importantly, PATIENTS will suffer the most consequences. And that's just NOT right.
What does a rehab tech do? Well, they are part of our support staff. It's a relatively unskilled job, but it's an extremely important one. They help the therapists. They are an extra pair of hands when a patient is unsteady. They help to supervise exercises with orthopedic patients. They help when we do whirlpool treatments for wounds by setting up the supplies and the whirlpool and by cleaning up the supplies when we are done and cleaning and disinfecting the whirlpool, a job that takes about an hour. (in addition to the hour long whirlpool treatment) They help us with menial jobs like photocopying and mail delivery. They help the speech therapists with modified barium swallow exams, they help the PT's with tilt tables and standing frames. On the rehab unit they help get patients to and from group therapy sessions, they help to run the groups, they help to be the extra pair of hands for safety. They help set up patients with ice packs and heat, and they clean up when we are done. They set up and break down equipment, they are voices of encouragement for patients. They are the behind the scenes work behind ALL of the therapy that goes on in the hospital, on the rehab unit, in the outpatient center,s and they are VITAL to the running of any physical therapy program anywhere. And now they're gone.
Never mind that they laid off employees who have been working for the company for 5, 10, and 35 years. Never mind that tuition reimbursements were counted on, and that children at home needed to be fed. Never mind that retirement has been totally screwed up. Never mind that this laying off boss is brand new, not ever before meeting the techs. He basically called them into a meeting and said "Hi, Nice to meet you, You're fired." Never mind all that, because this saves $$$. 50-75 grand per person per year, with salary and benefits etc.
Patient care WILL go down the toilet. Therapists will be wasting valuable patient time doing things that were once done by the techs. An hour whirlpool treatment will now take 2 to 2.5 hours. In that extra hour and a half, 2-3 more patients could be seen. We are SO behind on our evals and treatments, its ludicrous to waste an extra hour cleaning a whirlpool. Treating ortho patients will take much longer. We will have to go hunt for the PCT's (Patient Care Technician, aka Nurses Aide) to help us be an extra pair of hands instead of our techs. And the PCT's are overworked and busy enough! Group sessions will be virtually impossible on the rehab unit. By the time the therapist gets all the patients to the session, it will be half over. With the tech, they started getting them ready before the session started, so the therapist would get there from treating another patient and they could just start the session. Now time will be wasted gathering and dispersing. All this time, taken away from patients. Nevermind that it usually takes two people to run many of these groups in the firstplace.
It is SO crazy to think of taking away our techs, but the man in charge is a suit and has NO CLUE what is needed to smoothly run a successful and more importantly QUALITY Physical/Occupational and Speech Therapy program, Acute, Rehab, and Outpatient. I can't even begin to describe the losses not to the therapists, but to the patients! I don't mind cleaning a whirlpool, but wouldn't my time and skills be better spent treating a patient? I mean who loses? Patients won't get seen, and THEN, for the suits so worried about $$$, we won't have as much billable time, because we're too busy cleaning whirlpools and photocopying eval forms. I, as all of the therapists are, am VERY upset at this.
Unfortunately, the new boss-man won't listen. He's set on it and it's done and that is that.
Let me ask you this, can a large business function without a secretary or receptionist? (Unprofessional) Can a Hospital function without the nurses aides? (There would be an UPROAR!) How would the service be at a restaurant if the waiters were too busy clearing tables and loading the dishwashers, because the busboys were all fired? (I'd never get my food, and either walk out or never come back)
So let me ask again, how can we function with no Rehab Techs? The answer, we can't. And yet, somehow, we're going to have to find a way, and it's NOT going to be good. Therapists will be overwhelmed, overworked, and unhappy, but more importantly, PATIENTS will suffer the most consequences. And that's just NOT right.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Busy Week
Well, I know it's been over a week since my last BLOG, but it's been a busy one...
Last Sunday Rob and I went hiking. We hiked in Nyack, NY, on the Long Path, up Hook Mountain. On the way, we were treated to AMAZING views of the Hudson River, from the top of Hook mountain, and others in its chain on the Long Path. We were hiking along a ridge that was just spectacular. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, sunny, and the views were amazing. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. But the hike wasn't to easy and not to hard either, so it was a really nice day.
Back to work on Monday and Tuesday. Same old, same old at work.
Tuesday evening/night I cleaned, cooked, and packed. Because early Wednesday morning, Rob and I went up to VT for Rosh Hashana. I made Pumpkin Bread, YUMMY! as Rob likes to say, and I made Kasha Varnishke's, because it wouldn't be Rosh Hashana without Kasha Varnishke's. So what are they? It's the kasha buckwheat with bowtie noodles and onions. BUT, they have to be cooked a certain way, My Grandmother's recipe is AWESOME! But the Kasha can be tricky. She didn't make it how it says to on the box, she cooks the kasha kind of like rice and then mixes it with the onions and bowties. It comes out better, BUT you have to be careful with he proportions of kasha and water because the Kasha can get overcooked and starchy and clumpy REALLY easily. But lucky me, my first time making it, and it came out PERFECTLY! I was SO PROUD!! And I was in HEAVEN eating it!!! YAY!!! Rob's comment, of course, was YUMMY!! And Rob made Cranberries, YAY!, and we were on our way to ring in the new year in VT.
We spent Wednesday driving and then in Manchester running errands etc., then went to Shul Wednesday night, and Thursday, and Friday. I have never actually been to Rosh Hashana services. I went to a children's service when I was younger, but not since I've been an adult and going to shul have I ever been to shul on Rosh Hashana. My parent's don't usually go to shul and since I always spent the holidays with family... I never went. I've been to Yom Kippur services starting in college, but never Rosh Hashana. The ONE time I had the opportunity, I stayed in Bingo for the holidays my Senior Year, I got sick and spent the whole holiday sleeping on the couch in the library of the Binghamton Chabad House. I was woken up for Shofar, Tashlich, and to eat. Luckily I had very good friends there to take care of me and Rabbi Slonim and his wife Rivky and family are all awesome people.
So I FINALLY got to go to services this year. It was very nice. The Shul in VT that Rob is a member is not 100% my style but it's nice, it is small and I liked that because it's more intimate and I find it easier to concentrate and pray and "beg for my life" as Rob puts it when there aren't a ton and a half of "3-Day-A-Year-Jews" in shul, most of whom don't pay attention. Not to knock these people, it's good that they have the connection to their religion and I'm glad they want to come to shul on the High Holidays, even if no other time during the year. My problem isn't with those who come with legitimate prayers on the High holidays, but with those who come only because they think they have to and end up talking and whispering with cell phones going off etc/ They make it harder for those who want to have a meaningful prayer experience to have that experience. And the High Holidays are an important spiritual time for those of us who want that meaningful experience. Or at least I feel that it is. Rob BLOGged last night about Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and how it is a time to look deeper into ourselves and our lives. Read his BLOG, it's a good entry. Anyway, so there weren't as many of these "rude" people at this shul and I had a very relaxing and spiritual Holiday.
While in VT we visited with Rob's father and also with his brother. So that was nice too. AND we got to eat egg and cheese sandwiches from Mrs. Murphy's donut shop, with real VT Cheddar Cheese. YAY FOR CHEESE!!!! YUMMY YUMMY! Who knew such a simple sandwich could be soooo good and soooooo filling! We also spent time this weekend reading books and planning our vacation in SAN FRANCISCO in October!!! YAY!!! We're leaving in about 2 and a half weeks and I'm SO EXCITED!!!! Friday through Monday in the city, Monday through Tuesday in Sonoma, Tuesday through Thursday in Yosemite, and Thursday night through Sunday in the city again. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am, so I'll save that for another BLOG entry.
We came home on Saturday, drove in the RAIN, looking at peoples homes with newly made lakes in their front yards on Rte. 22, and cleaned and unpacked and relaxed. And Sunday I went to work, and that brings me to today. So I'm closing up day 2 of 5 work days in a row, which is unusual for me. But I'm off again on Friday for Yom Kippur. So Thursday night Rob and I are heading back up to VT to spend the holy day. I was there for Yom Kippur last year, it was very nice, some of the "rude" ones I spoke of earlier but mostly it was a very nice experience for me. Yom Kippur is a very difficult day physically and emotionally. But again, more about that in another BLOG. This one is long enough.
So that was my busy week, minus most of the details. It's been very nice. Hope everyone had a good week, I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. Enjoy your week to come and L'Shana Tova!!!!
Last Sunday Rob and I went hiking. We hiked in Nyack, NY, on the Long Path, up Hook Mountain. On the way, we were treated to AMAZING views of the Hudson River, from the top of Hook mountain, and others in its chain on the Long Path. We were hiking along a ridge that was just spectacular. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, sunny, and the views were amazing. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. But the hike wasn't to easy and not to hard either, so it was a really nice day.
Back to work on Monday and Tuesday. Same old, same old at work.
Tuesday evening/night I cleaned, cooked, and packed. Because early Wednesday morning, Rob and I went up to VT for Rosh Hashana. I made Pumpkin Bread, YUMMY! as Rob likes to say, and I made Kasha Varnishke's, because it wouldn't be Rosh Hashana without Kasha Varnishke's. So what are they? It's the kasha buckwheat with bowtie noodles and onions. BUT, they have to be cooked a certain way, My Grandmother's recipe is AWESOME! But the Kasha can be tricky. She didn't make it how it says to on the box, she cooks the kasha kind of like rice and then mixes it with the onions and bowties. It comes out better, BUT you have to be careful with he proportions of kasha and water because the Kasha can get overcooked and starchy and clumpy REALLY easily. But lucky me, my first time making it, and it came out PERFECTLY! I was SO PROUD!! And I was in HEAVEN eating it!!! YAY!!! Rob's comment, of course, was YUMMY!! And Rob made Cranberries, YAY!, and we were on our way to ring in the new year in VT.
We spent Wednesday driving and then in Manchester running errands etc., then went to Shul Wednesday night, and Thursday, and Friday. I have never actually been to Rosh Hashana services. I went to a children's service when I was younger, but not since I've been an adult and going to shul have I ever been to shul on Rosh Hashana. My parent's don't usually go to shul and since I always spent the holidays with family... I never went. I've been to Yom Kippur services starting in college, but never Rosh Hashana. The ONE time I had the opportunity, I stayed in Bingo for the holidays my Senior Year, I got sick and spent the whole holiday sleeping on the couch in the library of the Binghamton Chabad House. I was woken up for Shofar, Tashlich, and to eat. Luckily I had very good friends there to take care of me and Rabbi Slonim and his wife Rivky and family are all awesome people.
So I FINALLY got to go to services this year. It was very nice. The Shul in VT that Rob is a member is not 100% my style but it's nice, it is small and I liked that because it's more intimate and I find it easier to concentrate and pray and "beg for my life" as Rob puts it when there aren't a ton and a half of "3-Day-A-Year-Jews" in shul, most of whom don't pay attention. Not to knock these people, it's good that they have the connection to their religion and I'm glad they want to come to shul on the High Holidays, even if no other time during the year. My problem isn't with those who come with legitimate prayers on the High holidays, but with those who come only because they think they have to and end up talking and whispering with cell phones going off etc/ They make it harder for those who want to have a meaningful prayer experience to have that experience. And the High Holidays are an important spiritual time for those of us who want that meaningful experience. Or at least I feel that it is. Rob BLOGged last night about Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and how it is a time to look deeper into ourselves and our lives. Read his BLOG, it's a good entry. Anyway, so there weren't as many of these "rude" people at this shul and I had a very relaxing and spiritual Holiday.
While in VT we visited with Rob's father and also with his brother. So that was nice too. AND we got to eat egg and cheese sandwiches from Mrs. Murphy's donut shop, with real VT Cheddar Cheese. YAY FOR CHEESE!!!! YUMMY YUMMY! Who knew such a simple sandwich could be soooo good and soooooo filling! We also spent time this weekend reading books and planning our vacation in SAN FRANCISCO in October!!! YAY!!! We're leaving in about 2 and a half weeks and I'm SO EXCITED!!!! Friday through Monday in the city, Monday through Tuesday in Sonoma, Tuesday through Thursday in Yosemite, and Thursday night through Sunday in the city again. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am, so I'll save that for another BLOG entry.
We came home on Saturday, drove in the RAIN, looking at peoples homes with newly made lakes in their front yards on Rte. 22, and cleaned and unpacked and relaxed. And Sunday I went to work, and that brings me to today. So I'm closing up day 2 of 5 work days in a row, which is unusual for me. But I'm off again on Friday for Yom Kippur. So Thursday night Rob and I are heading back up to VT to spend the holy day. I was there for Yom Kippur last year, it was very nice, some of the "rude" ones I spoke of earlier but mostly it was a very nice experience for me. Yom Kippur is a very difficult day physically and emotionally. But again, more about that in another BLOG. This one is long enough.
So that was my busy week, minus most of the details. It's been very nice. Hope everyone had a good week, I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. Enjoy your week to come and L'Shana Tova!!!!
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Selichot
Today was the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. So tonight, at midnightish is the Selichot Service. Selicha in Hebrew, means to pardon, or excuse. So basically, in this repentant time of year for Jews, we begin to ask Gd for pardon, for forgiveness, and to please excuse us for our sins of this past year, so that we may be Inscribed in the Book of Life for a Sweet New Year.
Currently, on the Hebrew Calandar, the month of Elul, (the month before Rosh Hashana, the last month of the Hebrew Year) is coming to a close. The month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holidays. Tradition teaches us that the month of Elul is a particularly good time for repentance. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur.
The name of the month (spelled with the Hebrew letters Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, (I THINK it is also part of the Ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract, but I may be wrong. You can let me know about that one. The phrase is definitely a part of Jewish love and marriage tradition.) But here, in Elul, it is said to mean that the Beloved is G-d and the "I" is the Jewish people, and their "marriage" though the Covenant made. In Aramaic, the word "Elul" means "search," which is appropriate, because this is a time of year in which we search our hearts.
In the idea of repentance and forgiveness, according to tradition, the month of Elul is the time that Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing the second set of tablets after the incident of the golden calf. (Ex. 32; 34:27-28) He ascended on Rosh Chodesh Elul and descended on the 10th of Tishri, at the end of Yom Kippur, when repentance was complete. Other sources say that Elul is the beginning of a period of 40 days that Moses prayed for G-d to forgive the people after the Golden Calf incident, after which the commandment to prepare the second set of tablets was given.
As the month of Elul draws to a close, the mood of repentance becomes more urgent. Prayers for forgiveness called "selichot" are added to the daily cycle of religious prayers. Selichot are recited in the early morning, before normal daily morning prayers. Selichot are recited from the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur. The first selichot service of the holiday season is usually a large community service, held around midnight after Shabbat. The entire community, including men, women and older children, attend the service, and the rabbi gives a sermon. The remaining selichot services are normally only attended by those who ordinarily attend daily shacharit services in synagogue.
So that big community Selichot Service is tonight. I don't think I am going to attend this year, I rarely do, it's usually just too late for me. But in the spirit of Selichot and Elul, I hold fast to another tradition of the month. Because Elul is also a time to begin the process of asking for forgiveness for wrongs done to other people. According to Jewish tradition, Gd cannot forgive us for sins committed against another person until we have first obtained forgiveness from the person we have wronged. This process of seeking forgiveness continues through the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur.
So after this long explanatory BLOG entry, I ask this of the world.
Please forgive me. If I know you, or don't know you. If I have ever offended you in any way, shape, or form. If I have ever done you wrong in any way, If I have ever done anything that might hurt you, knowingly or unkowingly, I ask your forgiveness. Please let me know of these wrongs so that I might not repeat them in the future. I ask you please, pardon my wrongdoings on your behalf, I am truly sorry, and I hope that I might never offend you or hurt you again.
Thank you for your forgiveness. And L'Shana Tova Tikatayvu. Many Blessings for a Happy and Sweet New Year.
Currently, on the Hebrew Calandar, the month of Elul, (the month before Rosh Hashana, the last month of the Hebrew Year) is coming to a close. The month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holidays. Tradition teaches us that the month of Elul is a particularly good time for repentance. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur.
The name of the month (spelled with the Hebrew letters Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, (I THINK it is also part of the Ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract, but I may be wrong. You can let me know about that one. The phrase is definitely a part of Jewish love and marriage tradition.) But here, in Elul, it is said to mean that the Beloved is G-d and the "I" is the Jewish people, and their "marriage" though the Covenant made. In Aramaic, the word "Elul" means "search," which is appropriate, because this is a time of year in which we search our hearts.
In the idea of repentance and forgiveness, according to tradition, the month of Elul is the time that Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing the second set of tablets after the incident of the golden calf. (Ex. 32; 34:27-28) He ascended on Rosh Chodesh Elul and descended on the 10th of Tishri, at the end of Yom Kippur, when repentance was complete. Other sources say that Elul is the beginning of a period of 40 days that Moses prayed for G-d to forgive the people after the Golden Calf incident, after which the commandment to prepare the second set of tablets was given.
As the month of Elul draws to a close, the mood of repentance becomes more urgent. Prayers for forgiveness called "selichot" are added to the daily cycle of religious prayers. Selichot are recited in the early morning, before normal daily morning prayers. Selichot are recited from the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur. The first selichot service of the holiday season is usually a large community service, held around midnight after Shabbat. The entire community, including men, women and older children, attend the service, and the rabbi gives a sermon. The remaining selichot services are normally only attended by those who ordinarily attend daily shacharit services in synagogue.
So that big community Selichot Service is tonight. I don't think I am going to attend this year, I rarely do, it's usually just too late for me. But in the spirit of Selichot and Elul, I hold fast to another tradition of the month. Because Elul is also a time to begin the process of asking for forgiveness for wrongs done to other people. According to Jewish tradition, Gd cannot forgive us for sins committed against another person until we have first obtained forgiveness from the person we have wronged. This process of seeking forgiveness continues through the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur.
So after this long explanatory BLOG entry, I ask this of the world.
Please forgive me. If I know you, or don't know you. If I have ever offended you in any way, shape, or form. If I have ever done you wrong in any way, If I have ever done anything that might hurt you, knowingly or unkowingly, I ask your forgiveness. Please let me know of these wrongs so that I might not repeat them in the future. I ask you please, pardon my wrongdoings on your behalf, I am truly sorry, and I hope that I might never offend you or hurt you again.
Thank you for your forgiveness. And L'Shana Tova Tikatayvu. Many Blessings for a Happy and Sweet New Year.
Saturday night
Today Rob and I went to shul! YAY for a free weekend and being able to go to shul!! We went to Temple Beth El in Norwalk, which is a nice shul. I think it's the one I like best so far in CT. The Rabbi is great and nice, and the people are very friendly, but the spirit during the davening isn't the greatest. There could definitely be more emotion and singing, and spirit. It's kind of a shame. But it's the nicest of all we've been to in CT. So we went there and I was pretty happy. It was actually much betterer than the last time I was there. The last time the service was so rushed and emotionless. But it was good this morning. I miss being able to go to shul so much, and I miss having that spiritual home in my life. I do miss the shul I went to when I was in PT school. I miss the people, who became my family for Shabbat and thr Holidays, it was really great when the Chazan was still there, he was so great and friendly and musical, his family invited me for Shabbat lunches, for Passover Seders... it was just wonderful to have him around, he brought such a spirit in song through the service. But even after he left everyone was already like my family, I miss them there. We went to visit 2 weeks ago for services and it was so nice to see everyone. :)
Anyway, so we went to Norwalk, and it was a good morning. We came home and I took a nap and then Rob took a nap, with some Squishing/Cuddling/Together quality time in between. Then I went through some San Francisco stuff, (I'm SO EXCITED FOR THIS TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!) doing some planning, and then I made supper. So we had a nice, but quiet, and restful Shabbat. I liked it. I love being able to go to shul, I love having that spiritual release. And it's so nice to just nap in the middle of the day with a light blanket and the window open... and reading through San Francisco stuff always excites me.. It was a very pleasant afternoon. :) Now it's Saturday evening, and Hmmmmmm, what to do... BLOG!! :)
Rob and I aren't too sure of what to do with ourselves tonight. So right now I'm blogging and he's listening to Ella scat. Probably the best female singer of all time, her scat is something amazing to hear. :) dobedondodo... And the cool thing about jazz and scatting is that its all totally random and improvisational.
Tomorrow is a probable hiking day for us though we're not so sure where yet.
And I only have to work 2 days next week!!! Then up to VT for Rosh Hashana! I'm so happy to be going to VT, I really like it up there, it's so peaceful, and just a nice place to celebrate the New Year. I'm looking forward to it. :)
And that's my Saturday night so far. Quiet day, quiet evening. I like that. :)
Anyway, so we went to Norwalk, and it was a good morning. We came home and I took a nap and then Rob took a nap, with some Squishing/Cuddling/Together quality time in between. Then I went through some San Francisco stuff, (I'm SO EXCITED FOR THIS TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!) doing some planning, and then I made supper. So we had a nice, but quiet, and restful Shabbat. I liked it. I love being able to go to shul, I love having that spiritual release. And it's so nice to just nap in the middle of the day with a light blanket and the window open... and reading through San Francisco stuff always excites me.. It was a very pleasant afternoon. :) Now it's Saturday evening, and Hmmmmmm, what to do... BLOG!! :)
Rob and I aren't too sure of what to do with ourselves tonight. So right now I'm blogging and he's listening to Ella scat. Probably the best female singer of all time, her scat is something amazing to hear. :) dobedondodo... And the cool thing about jazz and scatting is that its all totally random and improvisational.
Tomorrow is a probable hiking day for us though we're not so sure where yet.
And I only have to work 2 days next week!!! Then up to VT for Rosh Hashana! I'm so happy to be going to VT, I really like it up there, it's so peaceful, and just a nice place to celebrate the New Year. I'm looking forward to it. :)
And that's my Saturday night so far. Quiet day, quiet evening. I like that. :)
Friday, September 10, 2004
My Job
Ya know, I go to work, run around, get patients OOB (Out of Bed), complain how tired I am, complain abot weekends, but ya know what, I like my job. I REALLY like my job.
It kind hits me every so often, why. I get to move around all day, I don't have to be a slave to a desk and a computer, I get to meet all kinds of people, I get to help people. And they PAY me to do it! This is my job, and I like it.
Yeah there are rude people telling me I'm pushy, and telling me to get the F*** out of their rooms, and yeah there's poop and blood and urine, and burns, and it's smelly, and I get dirty, and people staff and patients can be super rude, and yeah I see SICK people, and it can be so sad to watch lives waste away. I dislike when I get what I call, the PT look, the rolling eyes, and im so tired leave me alone look. But my job can also be so rewarding.
One time i got a woman to sit at the edge of her bed, something she hadn't done in months. She was SO EXCITED, and so cute about it, "WOW, I'M SITTING UP!!!" is all she could say the whole time. I see Burn patientsbeat amazing odds, going through multiple surgeries, going from being intubated and on bedrest, and so sick, to being up pand walking and going home. I see people so thankful for the ability to move, it can truly overshadow all the complaints I have. Sometimes the small good things are so much better, that all the tons of annoying ones.
I get to move around, meet cute old men, sweet old women, and get people to get up for the first time in months. I like my job. I complain, but it hit me todayas it sometimes does, I'm happy, I love the people I work with, I love the hospital I work for, and I love being where I am and doing what I do.
YAY for being a PT! And YAY for getting paid to do something I love!!!!
And DOUBLE YAY for my weekend off!!! :) Have a good weekend all!!!!
It kind hits me every so often, why. I get to move around all day, I don't have to be a slave to a desk and a computer, I get to meet all kinds of people, I get to help people. And they PAY me to do it! This is my job, and I like it.
Yeah there are rude people telling me I'm pushy, and telling me to get the F*** out of their rooms, and yeah there's poop and blood and urine, and burns, and it's smelly, and I get dirty, and people staff and patients can be super rude, and yeah I see SICK people, and it can be so sad to watch lives waste away. I dislike when I get what I call, the PT look, the rolling eyes, and im so tired leave me alone look. But my job can also be so rewarding.
One time i got a woman to sit at the edge of her bed, something she hadn't done in months. She was SO EXCITED, and so cute about it, "WOW, I'M SITTING UP!!!" is all she could say the whole time. I see Burn patientsbeat amazing odds, going through multiple surgeries, going from being intubated and on bedrest, and so sick, to being up pand walking and going home. I see people so thankful for the ability to move, it can truly overshadow all the complaints I have. Sometimes the small good things are so much better, that all the tons of annoying ones.
I get to move around, meet cute old men, sweet old women, and get people to get up for the first time in months. I like my job. I complain, but it hit me todayas it sometimes does, I'm happy, I love the people I work with, I love the hospital I work for, and I love being where I am and doing what I do.
YAY for being a PT! And YAY for getting paid to do something I love!!!!
And DOUBLE YAY for my weekend off!!! :) Have a good weekend all!!!!
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Children's Notes to Gd.
Found this, thought it was cute, so I figured I'd share. Enjoy!
Dear Gd,
Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
> Norma
Dear Gd,
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't you just keep the ones you
have now?
> Jane
Dear Gd,
Who draws the lines around the countries?
> Nan
Dear Gd,
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay?
> Neil
Dear Gd,
Thank you for my baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
> Joyce
Dear Gd,
It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that people
are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him anyway.
> Your friend (but I am not going to tell you who I am)
Dear Gd,
Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
> Bruce
Dear Gd,
If we come back as something, please don't let me be Jennifer Horton, because I hate her.
> Denise
Dear Gd,
I want to be just like my daddy when I get big, but not with so much
hair all over.
> Sam
Dear Gd,
I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions.
> Ruth
Dear Gd,
I think about you sometimes, even when I'm not praying.
> Elliott
Dear Gd,
I bet it is very hard for you to love all the people in the world.
There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.
> Nan
Dear Gd,
Of all the people who worked for you, I like Noah and David the best.
> Rob
Dear Gd,
My brothers told me about being born, but it doesn't sound right. They are just kidding, aren't
they?
> Marsha
Dear Gd,
If you watch me in church Sunday, I'll show you my new shoes.
> Mickey
Dear Gd,
We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school, we learned that you did it. So I bet he
stole your idea.
> Sincerely, Donna
Dear Gd,
I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well I just want you
To know that I am not just saying this because you are God already.
> Charles
Dear Gd,
I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool!
> Eugene
Dear Gd,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with
my brother.
* Larry
Dear Gd,
Did you mean what you said about do unto others like they do to you? Because if so, I'm gonna get my brother!
>John
Dear Gd,
Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
> Norma
Dear Gd,
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't you just keep the ones you
have now?
> Jane
Dear Gd,
Who draws the lines around the countries?
> Nan
Dear Gd,
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay?
> Neil
Dear Gd,
Thank you for my baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
> Joyce
Dear Gd,
It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that people
are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him anyway.
> Your friend (but I am not going to tell you who I am)
Dear Gd,
Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
> Bruce
Dear Gd,
If we come back as something, please don't let me be Jennifer Horton, because I hate her.
> Denise
Dear Gd,
I want to be just like my daddy when I get big, but not with so much
hair all over.
> Sam
Dear Gd,
I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions.
> Ruth
Dear Gd,
I think about you sometimes, even when I'm not praying.
> Elliott
Dear Gd,
I bet it is very hard for you to love all the people in the world.
There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.
> Nan
Dear Gd,
Of all the people who worked for you, I like Noah and David the best.
> Rob
Dear Gd,
My brothers told me about being born, but it doesn't sound right. They are just kidding, aren't
they?
> Marsha
Dear Gd,
If you watch me in church Sunday, I'll show you my new shoes.
> Mickey
Dear Gd,
We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school, we learned that you did it. So I bet he
stole your idea.
> Sincerely, Donna
Dear Gd,
I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well I just want you
To know that I am not just saying this because you are God already.
> Charles
Dear Gd,
I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool!
> Eugene
Dear Gd,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with
my brother.
* Larry
Dear Gd,
Did you mean what you said about do unto others like they do to you? Because if so, I'm gonna get my brother!
>John
Monday, September 06, 2004
Comments Anyone??
Well, my counter is going up, probably because of that NEXT BLOG button at the top of the screen. I like that button, I get to read random BLOG's that way. It's fun to read glimpses into people's lives.
So the counter is going up, which means people are reading, but no one is commenting! I'd just like to know anyone's thoughts on my BLOG, my life, maybe meet someone new to keep in touch with, etc. Rob met a couple of people through BLOGs and comments, and ended up visiting them this weekend. Cool beans! New Friends!
Anyway, so I invite comments to my BLOG. I like to hear opinions, have discussions, meet new people.. so please, comment away!
So the counter is going up, which means people are reading, but no one is commenting! I'd just like to know anyone's thoughts on my BLOG, my life, maybe meet someone new to keep in touch with, etc. Rob met a couple of people through BLOGs and comments, and ended up visiting them this weekend. Cool beans! New Friends!
Anyway, so I invite comments to my BLOG. I like to hear opinions, have discussions, meet new people.. so please, comment away!
Alphabet Soup
In the hospital, it takes some practice to learn how to read a patient's chart. First of all there's the handwriting. I have absolutely never understood why doctors write in charts with such BAD handwriting. You would think that if they wanted to say something important about the patient, they would write it legibly. For instance, if a patient had a DVT, or was being ruled out for a PE, or was s/p R THA, I'd want to know about it! because I wouldn't get them out of bed! Or if I did, I'd use certain precautions!!!!
Most of you are probably wondering what DVT, PE, s/p, and R THA are. Well, that brings me to the point of my BLOG. All the abbreviations in the charts. What I love to call Alphabet Soup! You really have to know another language to understand the chart. And while initally a pain in the buttocks, it ends up being easier than writing it all out. A DVT is a deep vein thrombosis, a PE is a pulmonary embolism, both BAD to have. A broken off DVT can lead to a PE and kill you. s/p is status post, meaning they just had something done, a THA is a Total Hip Arthroplasty, of hip replacement.
So, I may see a patient with the following in their chart. Lets see how much you know.
Pt is a 78 y/o WM, admitted 1/2/34 with c/o n/v, and BRBPR. Pt has h/o NIDDM, CHF, COPD, CAD, MI with PTCA, CABGx3, BPH with TURP, and L TKA. Pt was admitted with a dx of LGIB. Pt had a abd CT, CXR, an colonoscopy and and an ECG. His H&H was ## and ## therefore h received 2 units PRBS's.
I may see an activity order that says BR with BRP tonight, OOBTC in AM with Assisatance.
WHAT? Well, alphabet soup tells me that a 78 year old white man was admitted on said date complaining of nausea, vomiting and blood in his stool. BRBPR means bright red blood per rectum. This patient has a past medical history of non-insulin dependent diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack) with percutaneous coronary angioplasty. He's also had a coronary artery bypass graft to 3 arteries in the heart, he's had benign protastatic hypertrophy, with a trans-urethral removal of the prostate, and he's had a left knee replacement. He was admittedbecause of a lower gastrointestinal bleed. While in the hospital he had a cat scan, a chest xray and elecrtocardiogram. His hemoglobin and hematocrit was said number, and it must have been low due to the gastrointestinal bleed, so he recieved a blood transfusion, 2 units of packed red blood cells. He needs to stay in bed tonight, but has bathroom priviledges, meaning he can only get out of bet to go to the bathroom, and tomorrow morning he can get out of bed to the chair with assistance.
Now, isn't it easier to say it the first way?
I'm learning to like alphabet soup. I can usually figure it all out after working int he hospital almost 9 months, but I still need my Little Red Book sometimes. It's the best thing I've ever gotten, its a medical abbreviation dictionary. And I carry it everywhere I go. Well, in the hospital at least. So while I needed to learn to love alphabet soup, I still get some help from time to time. WHOO HOO for my LRB!!!
Most of you are probably wondering what DVT, PE, s/p, and R THA are. Well, that brings me to the point of my BLOG. All the abbreviations in the charts. What I love to call Alphabet Soup! You really have to know another language to understand the chart. And while initally a pain in the buttocks, it ends up being easier than writing it all out. A DVT is a deep vein thrombosis, a PE is a pulmonary embolism, both BAD to have. A broken off DVT can lead to a PE and kill you. s/p is status post, meaning they just had something done, a THA is a Total Hip Arthroplasty, of hip replacement.
So, I may see a patient with the following in their chart. Lets see how much you know.
Pt is a 78 y/o WM, admitted 1/2/34 with c/o n/v, and BRBPR. Pt has h/o NIDDM, CHF, COPD, CAD, MI with PTCA, CABGx3, BPH with TURP, and L TKA. Pt was admitted with a dx of LGIB. Pt had a abd CT, CXR, an colonoscopy and and an ECG. His H&H was ## and ## therefore h received 2 units PRBS's.
I may see an activity order that says BR with BRP tonight, OOBTC in AM with Assisatance.
WHAT? Well, alphabet soup tells me that a 78 year old white man was admitted on said date complaining of nausea, vomiting and blood in his stool. BRBPR means bright red blood per rectum. This patient has a past medical history of non-insulin dependent diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack) with percutaneous coronary angioplasty. He's also had a coronary artery bypass graft to 3 arteries in the heart, he's had benign protastatic hypertrophy, with a trans-urethral removal of the prostate, and he's had a left knee replacement. He was admittedbecause of a lower gastrointestinal bleed. While in the hospital he had a cat scan, a chest xray and elecrtocardiogram. His hemoglobin and hematocrit was said number, and it must have been low due to the gastrointestinal bleed, so he recieved a blood transfusion, 2 units of packed red blood cells. He needs to stay in bed tonight, but has bathroom priviledges, meaning he can only get out of bet to go to the bathroom, and tomorrow morning he can get out of bed to the chair with assistance.
Now, isn't it easier to say it the first way?
I'm learning to like alphabet soup. I can usually figure it all out after working int he hospital almost 9 months, but I still need my Little Red Book sometimes. It's the best thing I've ever gotten, its a medical abbreviation dictionary. And I carry it everywhere I go. Well, in the hospital at least. So while I needed to learn to love alphabet soup, I still get some help from time to time. WHOO HOO for my LRB!!!
Sunday, September 05, 2004
5:54AM
Thats what the clock on Rob's laptop says. Why am I up at almost 6AM on a Sunday morning? Work. Work. Work. Work.
I was SO POOPED last night I fell asleep at 6:30 PM on the couch and crawled into bed at 7ish. And so I slept for about 11 hours and I'M TIRED! I dislike waking up before the sun does. But, I must go to work. So I hope y'all have a great Sunday, I'll be making patients get out of bed. Hopefully no poop today.
SMILE!!!!!!!!! Your teeth need to breathe!!!!!
I was SO POOPED last night I fell asleep at 6:30 PM on the couch and crawled into bed at 7ish. And so I slept for about 11 hours and I'M TIRED! I dislike waking up before the sun does. But, I must go to work. So I hope y'all have a great Sunday, I'll be making patients get out of bed. Hopefully no poop today.
SMILE!!!!!!!!! Your teeth need to breathe!!!!!
Saturday, September 04, 2004
I'm Pooped.
Not to be confused with a revious post where i stepped in poop. I've had a looooong few days. Its just been crazy at work. We're behind schedule again, and I've had some crazy loony patients. I'm sooooo tired!
And once again, I'm working the weekend and disliking it. It's a holiday weekend, I have to work Saturday and Sunday, and I'm off on Monday. But I would have been off on Monday anyway! It's kinda frustrating, especially considering the same thing happened Memorial Day Weekend, and then I had to Work on July 4th, which was my weekend off... and Thanksgiving is my normal Thursday off, so I have to be at work Friday-Sunday so I lose that weekend.... I've been totally screwed this year because of the weekends, and holidays.... AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!! And Rob went away for the weekend, so I'm all alone, which feels weird to be in the apartment alone. Ah well. I guess I just got spoiled.
My supervisor said that next year she'll try to work it out so it doesn't happen like this again. But it's still frustrating and wearing while its happening. Plus I feel like I don't get vacation time..
There's talk of changing the weekend schedule so that instead of working every other weekend, we'd work one weekend a month. But we'd have to rotate to outpatient once or twice a week. I'm not sure exactly how it would work, but it may be worth it, even though I CAN'T STAND outpatient. But if we did it we'd do it in rotations, and I probably would be one of the later rotations, so I have more time to get my bearings befor being pushed into a place I'm not so comfortable. I'm first starting to really get comfortable in the hospital. And it'll probably be good for me even though I don't really want to do it. And not having so many weekends will be soooo worth it. I hope it works out.
In the meantime.... I work this weekend, then I'm off next weekend, and taking off most of the week/weekend after that for Rosh Hashana. I can't believe the holidays are here already.
Anyway, its been a looong day and I'm pooped, so more blabbing about nothing someother time! Hope everyone out there is having a great weekend!
And once again, I'm working the weekend and disliking it. It's a holiday weekend, I have to work Saturday and Sunday, and I'm off on Monday. But I would have been off on Monday anyway! It's kinda frustrating, especially considering the same thing happened Memorial Day Weekend, and then I had to Work on July 4th, which was my weekend off... and Thanksgiving is my normal Thursday off, so I have to be at work Friday-Sunday so I lose that weekend.... I've been totally screwed this year because of the weekends, and holidays.... AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!! And Rob went away for the weekend, so I'm all alone, which feels weird to be in the apartment alone. Ah well. I guess I just got spoiled.
My supervisor said that next year she'll try to work it out so it doesn't happen like this again. But it's still frustrating and wearing while its happening. Plus I feel like I don't get vacation time..
There's talk of changing the weekend schedule so that instead of working every other weekend, we'd work one weekend a month. But we'd have to rotate to outpatient once or twice a week. I'm not sure exactly how it would work, but it may be worth it, even though I CAN'T STAND outpatient. But if we did it we'd do it in rotations, and I probably would be one of the later rotations, so I have more time to get my bearings befor being pushed into a place I'm not so comfortable. I'm first starting to really get comfortable in the hospital. And it'll probably be good for me even though I don't really want to do it. And not having so many weekends will be soooo worth it. I hope it works out.
In the meantime.... I work this weekend, then I'm off next weekend, and taking off most of the week/weekend after that for Rosh Hashana. I can't believe the holidays are here already.
Anyway, its been a looong day and I'm pooped, so more blabbing about nothing someother time! Hope everyone out there is having a great weekend!
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Haircut
Today, I cut my hair. Well, not much, only a trim. But it's shorter and healthier and I like that.
My hair was actually pretty long, I want to grow it out to donate it. According to the salon guy I had (I think) 7 inches of donateable hair without giving me too short a haircut. I need 10-12 inches to donate it, and hair grows at a rate of about a half-inch per month. He took off about an inch and a half to keep it healthy. (My hair was SO dead at the ends, it hadn't been cut since December.)
So if I had 7 inches and he cut one and a half, that leaves me with 5 and a half. So it hair grows at about a half inch per month I figure 9 months to a year to grow it long enough to donate.
In the meantime, I just have to deal with my hair long... Which is ok, except its a pain in the neck to blowdry. But that's ok, kids with cancer or other medical conditions that leave them with no hair at all, sometimes permanently, are worth it. Besides, in the meantime, Rob loves the long hair, and I kinda like it too once the hassle is over with. :) Plus, I feel good about my end goal. And then a child will be able to have hair and be able to feel good about themselves, and THAT is the most important thing.
For more information on the subject of donating hair you can check out Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids.
My hair was actually pretty long, I want to grow it out to donate it. According to the salon guy I had (I think) 7 inches of donateable hair without giving me too short a haircut. I need 10-12 inches to donate it, and hair grows at a rate of about a half-inch per month. He took off about an inch and a half to keep it healthy. (My hair was SO dead at the ends, it hadn't been cut since December.)
So if I had 7 inches and he cut one and a half, that leaves me with 5 and a half. So it hair grows at about a half inch per month I figure 9 months to a year to grow it long enough to donate.
In the meantime, I just have to deal with my hair long... Which is ok, except its a pain in the neck to blowdry. But that's ok, kids with cancer or other medical conditions that leave them with no hair at all, sometimes permanently, are worth it. Besides, in the meantime, Rob loves the long hair, and I kinda like it too once the hassle is over with. :) Plus, I feel good about my end goal. And then a child will be able to have hair and be able to feel good about themselves, and THAT is the most important thing.
For more information on the subject of donating hair you can check out Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids.
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