Update and Father's Day Freebie

Up early this morning so I thought I would jump on and try to get caught up a little. THANK YOU so much for all your prayers and thoughts on my friend!


I worked on the Oncology Floor for almost 18 years...started when there were very few new and innovative treatments and was there when new treatments were developed. Worked with a group of Oncologists that were sent from above...don't think that I have ever again found doctors that were so compassionate and supportive of both the patients and the staff. So many other nurses would ask why we worked such a depressing floor and why didn't we put in for transfers (and some staff did...it is not a floor for everyone) but in all my years in nursing, I don't think I could have possibly worked somewhere that was more gratifying. Was it hard? Yes. Did we get frustrated? Yes. Did we get attached to patients and families. Yes. Did we go through the grieving...of course. But, when you know that you helped and eased their fears and suffering, it was so worth it that you came in the next day and tried to make a difference again. It was definitely a love/hate relationship...loved the patients and families, hated the disease and what it would put people through! But, with all my training and experience with it, when it hits close to home...your knowledge flies right out the window and you are there in the trenches just like everyone else! So, your words have touched me deeply and I thank you!

From what she has been told so far, the tumor is very small, about the size of the tip of her pinkie finger and her lymph nodes are clear so that is the good news. She will go tomorrow and talk to the doctor about the course of treatment. So until then it is the waiting game, which is the hardest part, I think. Once you can take action and feel like you are part of the fight, I think you deal with it much better. It is those in between stages that are so hard. Her husband fell off a ladder the day before yesterday at work and sprained his wrist and is now out on workman's comp for a short time. I think at this point, none of them is thinking clearly and focusing on what they are doing but on everything they have been going through. Tomorrow is her birthday so we are having them here for dinner. I hope the weather is nice because I want to do it outside. Grilling and sitting around the fire pit and just chill-axing! Still trying to think of a "killer" desert since she said she does not want a birthday cake! I just wish I could be like a traffic cop and stand firm with a stop sign and say...all bad things just turn around and give this family a chance to cope with what is already going on before anything else gets dumped on them! Enough is enough! Her husband, like so many men, keeps things inside and doesn't let her know what he is thinking. And, it is wearing on them as a couple. Men are the fixers and when they can't "fix" something it is so hard on them. And, as nurses, we are the caretakers so we make ourselves busy taking care of everything but ourselves! Not a good combination in situations like this!

Danny, our neighbor, is home. Personally, I don't think he should be but what can you do? Hospitals just can't keep patients like the used to since insurance companies rule the world! He is healing but it is going to be a very slow process. The lawyers are pushing to get things done and he is really in no condition to be an active part in that. They push, he gets frustrated, his family gets very protective and shuts things down so that he is protected, the police and lawyers keep pushing...so hard on the family!

The police have been very "public" on our street. DH and several of the other neighbors have been talking to them about the speeding and they are going to start the process of putting those wires across the street to track the traffic. I guess they can tell the wheel base, speed, direction.. all from those wires! Then, they will put the speed monitors up and then do radar trapping. Sounds like a long process to me! Just post a cop at the end of the street and nail the suckers would be my approach but, what do I know! It has been quieter..the loud music at 2 AM has stopped but this speeding up AND DOWN on our little one way street is just frightening! Arghhh!

So, that is my life lately! LOL! Hopefully, tomorrow evening will be peaceful, relaxing and a bit of a respite for everyone! Think I will do some chickens on the grill, potato casserole, spring salad and corn on the cob...sound good? But the desert is stumping me! Will have to see what the produce looks like when I go shopping...maybe some strawberry or fruit shortcake. I want something that I can get ready early so there is not a lot of rushing around at the last minute since I have to pace things out!
I have a little goodie for you for Father's Day! Yes...it is coming right around the corner! I miss my Dad although, lately, have been doing a lot of talking to him lately! Knowing the way he was in life, I figure what better person to talk to when I want to put a bug in God's ear! My Dad could nag until things got done! LOL!
Anyway, this kit is inspired by him. Not a huge kit, 3 papers, a couple of frames and tags but a few unique elements...hope you can use it....I can almost smell his pipe when I look at it!

and a quickpage...

Download no longer available...sorry!