work & play & showers.

Lastnight was probably one of the most stressful nights at work that I've had thusfar. I had 4 patients, one of which I had the 2 previous nights before. He was a pretty critical case and a lot of work to take care of. Needless to say, the shunt draining the fluid in his brain decided to stop working on my shift, causing all sorts of problems. Before finding out that this was the case, we needed a CT scan, so my assistant & I took him down to radiology. He wouldn't stay still and 3 people couldn't hold him down to get it done (usually with these kids we give sedation meds, but sedation meds make this kid more agitated). He bit my finger so hard I almost cried! Then the rad tech told me to leave the room because she ASSUMED that I was pregnant. OMG! RUDE! I don't even look pregnant, in fact I've lost 5 lbs in the past 2 weeks! Whatever. So we take the kid back upstairs and I let the doc know that the CT scan was unsuccessful. I was informed to give some benadryl & zyprexa (an antipsychotic med that relaxes). I did so, and took the kid back down about an hour later. We got the scan done, and the results came back indicating shunt failure (the ventricles in his brain were swelling). NOT a good thing, obviously. From then on I was pushing meds, hanging fluids, giving boluses, and monitoring vitals. I did really well and kept everything under control. The doc that I was working with was great and we made a good team. The other nurses helped out with my other kids while I was busy in my other room. We ended up taking the kid to emergency surgery when the on-call neurosurgeons arrived and I think everything will be fine. I overheard the charge nurse saying "Sydney takes her challenges and doesn't cry, works hard". That made me feel good. I know it's overwhelming at times. I've seen nurses cry before on my floor when overwhelmed. I just take everything one step at a time and prioritize, it's what you've gotta do. The doctor (hospitalist) that I was working with called me at the end of my shift and thanked me for all my help, she said that I was awesome to work with and she hoped that everytime she has kids like that, that I would be the nurse she was working with. That felt really awesome because doctors hardly ever take the time to call just to thank you and tell you how much they appreciate you. I felt really good about my night, and then when I was giving the day shift nurse report, she was incredibly rude to me which sort of sent me over the edge. I held it in until I got to my car and then just let it out. It was a long 3 nights! I got some good sleep and I have tonight off (thank god) so I'm relaxing!

On to more exciting things....

Amanda is coming to visit in 3 days!! I can't wait! We are going to see Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night. Andy Samberg is one of the guests- I love him! For those of you who don't know, he is one of the newer additions to Saturday Night Live. He wrote/co-performed the "D*ick in a Box" skit with Justin Timberlake. He's hilarious! Watch the video below. It'll air on TV on the Wed night that it's taped (the 18th). I think it comes on in Illinois around 11 or 11:30? It's on after the news, I think.



Natalies Baby Shower was a success, I wish I could of been there to celebrate! I got her a growth chart to hang on the baby's wall, an American Red Cross health kit for baby, a baby vintage tee (elmers glue), and a cute hoodie from American Apparel. Ethan will look so cute in it! Here's a pic of the growth chart, with Mal helping open gifts.