Answered prayers

I guess it has been awhile... I have been going through a lot of personal things this past year that are not as easy for me to talk about. One of the most difficult times of this past year was in August just before my birthday. When Patrick and I found out that we miscarried during our first pregnancy. I never really knew how I would deal with something like this until it actually happened, but the Lord is gracious and helped us stay positive through that time, although it was difficult.

I have since learned that I have hypothyroidism which may or may not have caused the miscarriage. It is difficult to know exactly when because the symptoms are nearly the same as pregnany (tired, hungry, gaining weight, hair loss, always cold). So I have started taking Synthroid now, which I will have to take everyday and have frequent blood work to check those levels. I had my first check-up since beginning the medication and my levels are already under control. The Lord does answer prayer not always right away and maybe not the answer we want, but He does answer prayer!

I now embark upon a new year, which is starting with so many new changes for me. Last year while working at the hospital I really became discouraged about working every other weekend, which as a nurse is something at one point in your career have to do if you work at the hospital. I began to pray about this situation more and more. As it became apparent that nothing could be worked out at where I was, the Lord opened a new option at the end of the year when I almost thought that there was no other option. The Lord answered my prayer in a way I was not expecting, because I loved where I worked and really didn't want to leave. But I am so happy now that I can be at church every Sunday morning/evening and Wednesday evening now. Patrick is also happier now that we can get up in the morning together and I am home when he comes home in the evening and not to mention we have every weekend now! So I am thankful for all these new changes so far this new year!

I will continue to pray for friends and family that still are going through difficult circumstances that only the Lord can bless and comfort in those areas and pray for a happy new year for all!

It's been awhile....

Well, It has definitely been awhile since I last blogged about anything recently. I was caught up in things that I guess I was trying to hard to make happen myself, instead of relying on God, and HIS timing. (another life lesson learned). Which reminds me of another children's book I read recently, The Giving Tree.

It is amazing the things you can learn from reading children's book. What I have taken from this sweet little book is that the little boy is like so many young people in this generation, who have the mentality that they everything should be given to them and all they do is take and take. If they could only learn to be more like the giving tree in this story! They would maybe learn to be content with what they have and learn that giving is so much better then receiving. Anyway, I think more adults should reread (and yes that is a word) old children's books and try to dig a little deeper... I challenge you!

Do me a favor...

And all other nurses for that matter, and don't make sexual or rude comments to your nurse! She is there to make you more comfortable in a time that you are not at your best, and to see that you get better. I don't understand why some men feel like they can say whatever they want, which puts your nurse in an awkward situation. Most people in general lack tactfulness, but this crosses the line. It is just plain inappropriate. Next time you or a family member is in the hospital try to be respectful of the people caring for you, because I know I treat all of my patient's as though they were my family coming into the hospital, can't you at least treat this caring nurse with some respect!

The Last Lecture

On vacation to Vegas, I had this book that I borrowed from my grandma, The Last Lecture. I thought I will bring it along and read a little bit here and there when I get the chance, but from the moment I read the first page, I literally could not put this book down. You are hooked to this man’s story, and want to read more.

It was one of the few times that I finished a book in one day. Most people probably think that it is more of a sad story , because he is a man living his last days with pancreatic cancer. As you read through you realize that it is a sad story, but you feel inspired by him, because he is so upbeat and optimistic. You can’t help but feel happy for him that he accomplished his childhood dreams and inspired to do the same. When you read something really great, your first instinct is to share it with someone. So I did.

I told Patrick that he needed to read it and He did. He also could not put it down and read it within a couple of hours. It is funny, because as I read this book, Randy Pausch reminded me of Patrick and that is why I thought Patrick would enjoy the book. When Patrick completed the book, he talked about some of his childhood dreams, which were similar to the author’s dreams. But we also talked about our hopes and dreams for our family.

I was really blown away with Randy Pausch’s philosophy regarding family and things. An example of this from his book was when his wife had hit one car that was parked in the driveway with the other car when she was backing out of the garage, and she was dreading telling him. So she planned a dinner that she knew was his favorite. As they were eating this great meal, she could not hold back any longer, she told him what had happened and to her surprise he said that’s okay let’s finish our dinner, then she said after dinner I will call around and get an estimate to get them fixed. And again to her surprise, he said that if they are working and running why fix them. To fix them would only be for cosmetic reasons, and that is how he was raised.

Randy says in the book, that his parents only bought them new clothes if the ones they had no longer fit. They were not cheap people. They just did not believe in excess, which is a good lesson in itself. His parents were selfless people and taught him this lesson as well as many more. That is why he wanted to write this book in the first place, to teach his children the life lessons he learned.

He has his own website and blog, where he keeps everyone up-to-date about his health and his family here. You can also watch his last lecture on you tube.

Nurses week!

This past Tuesday was Nurse's Day, so this week at the hospital I work is called Nurses' week. It is nice to finally feel appreciated for the work that is done. This year's gift was a copy of Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul, which contains some great stories. Even if you are not a nurse, you will still enjoy the stories and have a better understanding of what nurses go through in one shift or over a couple of days. Today was the last day and finished it with a pot luck lunch, which is pointless for nurses, only because we never can all sit down at once and eat obviously someone has to be available for the patients and we rarely have longer than 15 minutes for lunch, and today was no different. On a busy Friday, we will probably have 3 discharges. Today, we had 6! But it is so good to see people get better and able to function at home safely. Unfortunately, there are times when we get an admission too quickly from surgery that is not rehab appropriate and things do not get better and they return to an ICU or unit where they can be monitored more closely and sadly do not return. Today was one of those days where we received bad news about a patient that we had. I hated to hear that he passed away yesterday. It just really burdened my heart, because this guy was so positive and never complained about his condition. He was also very young actually younger than my mom, and before coming to the hospital months ago, you would have thought this man has everything. In nursing school, I remember the instructors saying don't get attached but with some patients you just can't help getting attached, and I hope that never changes!

One of my favorite childhood books

An excerpt from A light in the Attic: Zebra Question

I asked the Zebra,

Are you black with white stripes?

Or white with black stripes?

And the Zebra asked me,

Are you good with bad habits?

Or are you bad with good habits?

Are you noisy with quiet times?

Or are you quiet with noisy times?

Are you happy with some sad days?

Or are you sad with some happy days?

Are you neat with sloppy ways?

Or are you sloppy with some neat ways?

And on and on and on and on

And on and on he went.

I'll never ask a zebra

About stripes

Again.

Hanging in there...

I am very thankful to God, that what has been burdening my heart every day since March 19th seems to be an answered prayer. I say seems because I do not know for certain she is honest with me, but I want to believe it is the truth and from what I can tell it seems to be the truth. I know that this is not something that can be 'fixed' over night. I know that this matter will continue to need prayer because it will be a constant battle every day and I pray that she will continue to make the right decision.