A Great Woman...

Tonight, I had the privilege of visiting with the Dimond family. Judy was one of my favorite patients at the clinic. I remember the first time I met her, I was bugged because she had come in for new treatment, late in the afternoon, and she had a long treatment. Her IV's kept hurting and we had to move it a few times to get a good one. I had to stay a few hours late and I was bugged, to say the least. But what a misjudgement...Judy became one that I couldn't wait to see! She was so full of goodness, light, humor, strength, and had a will and determination to live, to beat the odds. And boy did she....she surpassed the odds by far!

I loved getting to know Judy and her family, and she became one that I took "special care" of. I tried to make things easy for her and frequently went the extra mile; perhaps because she reminds me so much of my own mom. As I learned more about her trips, her children and grandchildren-constantly seeing pictures and videos, blogs and texts, I felt like we were family pretty quick! We got all the details when her youngest daughter was getting married, and saw all of her young woman projects and specials projects for her children and grandchildren. She was determined to do everything she could, and not leave anything undone.

What a wonderful, amazing woman, mother, friend, grandmother, sister, young woman's president, and wife! I am so grateful that I didn't let a day of frustrations jinx a future relationship.

My heart goes out to the Dimond family. It was so good to spend a few minutes in their home tonight, and feel of their peace with this new reality. They are wonderful people.

*Go here to read more about this great woman! Cancer sure sucks!

**Well, I realized that my last couple of posts are a bit on the depressing side, and this one is similar, so sorry. :) More to come on the good things in my life! I am so blessed!

The End of an Era

Well, another season of change has come and the end of an amazing and life changing era has come. I have decided it is time to leave the cancer clinic and go back to the ER full time. Wednesday was my last day at CUC and I miss it already, but know that the time has come. I have learned so much about myself and my abilities as a nurse and a person.

I Have Learned...

To love unconditionally

When life gets tough, a positive attitude can make a situation totally change

A smile can go a long way

Working 5+ days a week is hard! Especially waking up early every day!

The grass isn't always greener on the other side

So much about chemotherapy, radiation, surgical options, nutrition

People are simply amazing

God's hand is evident in everything

It is so wonderful to know how much you are loved and aprreciated, that the little things you say or do may make a difference that can't be calculated or measured

How to organize and carry out big events (Relay for Life), importance of delegating

How easy it is to care

The need to LOVE people

I will miss...

The sweet patients

One patient's attempts every other wednesday to kiss me smack on the lips (again!)

The great people I have been priveleged to work with

Free lunches

Mileage reimbursement :)

The hugs

The many "thank you's"

Words of encouragement

Inquiries of my life, the good and the bad, my trips, dating, family, and all the going on's in my life

Friendly dating advice and many blind dates, threats to "go kick those boys in the shins...don't they know what they are missing out on??" :)

Learning about chemo, cancer and all the fascinating break throughs' that are occurring every day!

Being "an answer to my prayer's....I pray every day that you will take care of me today." :)

Tender stories

The friendships that I have made

Learning to love and appreciate people from all walks of life and the ability they have to touch my life

Gratitude

Today I worked in the ER and ran into an old patient from the Clinic I had take care of for about 9 months. After talking with him and thinking about him, I began to think of the lessons I have learned from him. He has taught me so much about love. He had an amazing gift to love others for who they really were, regardless of any differences in personality or lifestyle. He is an example of what it means to comfort those in need of comfort, mourn with those that mourn, share in the struggles and joys in life. I am so grateful for the way he has impacted my life and has made me want to grow and become better. I'm so grateful for all the people in my life who teach me through their examples--in their actions, words, and attitudes.

3 in 4 weeks....

Well, as usual, I am awful about updating. November has been a crazy and awesome month! I have been able to go on 4 trips this month (although it was suppossed to be 4 but Moab was canceled due to the weather). I went to visit one of my best friends from high school, Andria and her husband Randy and new baby. The week after that I was off to Orlando with a friend, Breanna, from work. We were fortunate enough to go to a national oncology conference. We had a blast and loved the sunshine! With a break inbetween trips, I was busy hanging out with friends, going to dinner, and going to watch my little brother, Drew, in his school play Curtains. He was awesome and it was fun to watch our favorite thesbian! This past week of Thanksgiving, I headed off with the family to Lake Powell to enjoy some food, fun and make memories! It was a bit chilly but much better than Northern Utah for sure! We were lucky enough to miss the "blizzard" or rather lack thereof. Now I'm gearing up for work, Christmas, putting up Christmas decorations, and lots more fun!

New Job!

Well, this week I started my new job at the Cancer Clinic! I somehow survived!!! Actually, I think it's going to be a great job for me. Everyone has been very nice and welcoming, willing to answer questions. I have been learning all kinds of things about cancer that I never knew, especially the chemo meds and other meds.

My job includes starting IV's, accessing port-a-caths, drawing blood, giving chemo and other medications. Eventually I will start mixing medications. It's been interesting to see the beginning to the end, because we are responsible for scheduling appointments, working with doctors, drawing blood, working with the doctors, giving the meds and treatments, charting, and billing.

The most frustrating part about this new job has been missing IV's. In the ER, I am usually pretty good and am able to put 16, 18, and 20 gauge needles in any vein. The cancer clinic uses 22 and 24 gauge needles (small), but a whole different system than I am used to. I have been misisng or blowing IV's over and over, and am so frustrated. Everyone says this is normal and an adjustment, so hopefully I will figure it out soon! And I must say the Ports are awesome!

I am still working one day a week in the ER, which is awesome because I still love it there and it will probably always be my favorite place! There is nothing else like being an ER nurse with top notch skills and constant change and excitement! I love the new schedule with my new job! Getting off at a decent hour rocks...I get so much done at night. Waking up early in the morning is awesome...get to get out and smell the roses. Another perk at the clinic is that drug reps bring in lunch everyday and they don't subtract any time for lunch! So, I will stay updated with how the new jobs goes!