January 21, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Seems to be a better week. Trying very hard to be extremely pleasant. Sometimes I think I am going overboard, almost like I am trying too hard. My new manager Jennifer seems extremely pleasant and approachable. Which is exactly what I need in a manager. I did give her a heads up that I am working on a few issues and told me that her door is always open if I need to talk. Thats very comforting. I really do not want to burden her with any of the things I am going through. I am working the the Employee assistance counselor which is what is best for me now. I need to try and not feel sad while I am at work. I have been taking strides in my clothes and hygiene appearance at work. Bought some nice tops that go with some of my other pants that I got when I went shopping with Arlene. Almost everyone has seen the new tops. One sweater top I waited until Rosanna's retirement party and I got a lot of great complements on it. Told them the shirt only cost me $15.00 (it as 80% off). Sinplegirl, my area does not have that store you mention but it must be a lot like the Kohns we have in NYS. I probably won't go do more clothes shopping until March/April for the spring sales. I told Arlene I went again and she said "damn, I had a 20% off coupon!" I could have gotten that nice red sweater for $5.00, or even $2.00. that would have been something. I actually wanted to do this on my own.
Its been crazy at work, many rotations for nursing schools start next week and a lot of the instructors are calling in regards to hospital classes (zero lift, IV pump classes and EMR (electronic medical record) classes. They also need our school orientation packet. Thats a booklet about our hospital system includes HIPPA, Infection control info. Sent them attachments to this document. Some of the nursing schools also hired a bunch of newbies so my phone was ringing a lot these past few days. I have also heard from a few RN managers asking to clarify my grid schedules. One manager was worried that Wednesdays there was a double booking but explained to her that I shaded the questionable school in grey so we know they cancelled out or pulled off the unit during scheduling back in November. Another manager complained that her schedule on the unit was kinda on the heavy side. She was concerned about her nursing staff. Too bad, thats the way things are this semester. Everyday she has students coming on her unit. Could be worse, there might be double bookings (I would never allow it). I had to explain the scheduling process to her (ex: Spring 2010 schedule was used for Spring 2011's scheduling requests). I think she accepted that. Hopefully she talked to Diane about this. I also booked about 3 nursing instructors pre and post conference rooms off the outlook room scheduler (the whole hospital's scheduler). 2 of the instructors were assigned rooms all over the place over at Buffalo General, mostly because they lost a lot of conference rooms due to the contruction of the new building. the other nurse, she is located at my hospital site and was able to be really consistant. I was worried about the conference rooms because I don't know how big or small they are. I tried to put her in the nursing unit tower of the hospital. Kept her consistent. Hopefully it will work. Next week will be interesting, thats for sure. The next spring rotation starts sometime in March.
I've been working on some free online computer courses on our learning management system. Trying to take all the Access 2003 courses. Almost done, I think I have 2 left. I will do the same with word, excel and I think there are few online short courses on outlook.
Went to an early dinner with Robyn last week, my physician assistant coordinator from Daemen College. Part of my job I deal with paperwork for non nursing students too. I have a non nursing grid that I put the students name on and send it to all the ORs in the 5 hospitals system wide. The list has about 10 people. Its just a very small part of my job and don't really put too much effort except for recording it on the grid sheet and sending updates to the list to the OR educators. I have been thinking of cashing in on my free voucher to take a class at the college. Anatomy and physiology might be the wisest class to take during the Fall 2011 semester. She said that the Anatomy class is a year long class - both semesters. Makes sense. She said if I wanted to go into the PA program, I would have to eventually have to leave my job during clinicals because its really timeconsuming. Just a thought. She'd love me in the program and so would I. Thats a huge committment to take. Its a BS to MS degree so it would take 5 years (maybe 4 1/2 with some of the credits from Bryant and Stratton college). We'll see. It would be a huge step up from being an administrative assistant.
Something is wrong with my computer tower upstairs. I am on my laptop wireless, at least Im not without a computer. There is somekind of strange connection issue. Nothing to do with getting online (I wouldn't be able to get on here!). I think My friend Tom is coming over tomorrow to check it out. Its probably a simple wiring that needs to be checked out. He'll come by, look at it and then leave to go home (does he ever stay longer, does what he needs to do and leaves to go home...Don't get me started! We'll leave the journal about Tom another day!).
Heading out to see my parents tomorrow around 10:30-11am. The temp tomorrow is suppose to be around 10 degrees but clear...brrrrrr..... good enough for the 45 minute car ride out. It sure has been a sloppy, mucky mess here in buffalo NY. Lots of ice and maybe 2-4 inches of snow at a time. Chris81 and Scott, you have been getting all the snow. Sorry guys!! Hope your gonna get a break soon.
Next weekend, I am going to Mercer PA with my friend Jen to visit her dad. Apprently he has been very sick. We might stay overnight, we're not sure yet. It takes about 2 1/2 hrs to get there. Mercer is over near Grove city PA (Briman! I won't be far from you...LOL!!). Maybe I can talk Jen into going to Grove City before we go see her dad. That should be fun. Im driving and we are leaving at 9.
Dad had his lymph node surgery on 1/11 and he got his results - cancer free. I am so relieved. It was a scarry thing to really deal with. Now he has to go get checked every 6 months like I do. He is extremely sore but doing good. I have no idea how many nodes they took off his armpit but I hear its quite a few. He has a drain that he has for the next 2 weeks. He said there is quite a bit of fluid that comes out of his armpit. Tomorrow I will be able to see this drain.
Trying to eat better instead of eating junk. Its just me and I now have a ton of leftovers in my fridge. LOL!! My exercise regime again on Feb 1 (the day after my birthday) I have everything planned out. Found my exercise file that I used prior to my cancer diagnoses and changed the dates. Doing some eliptical and treadmill work (bicycle work). I need to do this every other day. This is the year that I take care of myself. Remember I said that I am a "work in progress". Health, body and mind!!!
Lots of football this weekend. Hate to say this (briman) but I really do not want the Steelers to go to the superbowl. Ben ROTTENberger needs to be stopped. Polumalu needs to be squished, he is an insect (what I mean is that he could be on the other side of the field and the other guy can have the ball, HE will be the one to tackle them - from the other side of the field....LOL!!). They have gone too many times in a row. GO JETS!!
Anyways, I will journal my session 2 with Judith. I really do not have any good answers for her about my mild depression. Roswell was not a great help with giving me an answer about the tamoxifen causing depression. Talked to a nurse at the breast center and she told me it does not. How in the hell does she know? Wanted me to call my pharmacist. I got off the phone and almost got upset over it at work. That really frustrated me. I might have to see my ob gyn or primary to see if I can get on a mild antidepressive, even if its for a few months. I really do not think a pill is the answer, thats why I will be returning back to the gym. Exercise does a good thing for the mind.
Seems to be a better week. Trying very hard to be extremely pleasant. Sometimes I think I am going overboard, almost like I am trying too hard. My new manager Jennifer seems extremely pleasant and approachable. Which is exactly what I need in a manager. I did give her a heads up that I am working on a few issues and told me that her door is always open if I need to talk. Thats very comforting. I really do not want to burden her with any of the things I am going through. I am working the the Employee assistance counselor which is what is best for me now. I need to try and not feel sad while I am at work. I have been taking strides in my clothes and hygiene appearance at work. Bought some nice tops that go with some of my other pants that I got when I went shopping with Arlene. Almost everyone has seen the new tops. One sweater top I waited until Rosanna's retirement party and I got a lot of great complements on it. Told them the shirt only cost me $15.00 (it as 80% off). Sinplegirl, my area does not have that store you mention but it must be a lot like the Kohns we have in NYS. I probably won't go do more clothes shopping until March/April for the spring sales. I told Arlene I went again and she said "damn, I had a 20% off coupon!" I could have gotten that nice red sweater for $5.00, or even $2.00. that would have been something. I actually wanted to do this on my own.
Its been crazy at work, many rotations for nursing schools start next week and a lot of the instructors are calling in regards to hospital classes (zero lift, IV pump classes and EMR (electronic medical record) classes. They also need our school orientation packet. Thats a booklet about our hospital system includes HIPPA, Infection control info. Sent them attachments to this document. Some of the nursing schools also hired a bunch of newbies so my phone was ringing a lot these past few days. I have also heard from a few RN managers asking to clarify my grid schedules. One manager was worried that Wednesdays there was a double booking but explained to her that I shaded the questionable school in grey so we know they cancelled out or pulled off the unit during scheduling back in November. Another manager complained that her schedule on the unit was kinda on the heavy side. She was concerned about her nursing staff. Too bad, thats the way things are this semester. Everyday she has students coming on her unit. Could be worse, there might be double bookings (I would never allow it). I had to explain the scheduling process to her (ex: Spring 2010 schedule was used for Spring 2011's scheduling requests). I think she accepted that. Hopefully she talked to Diane about this. I also booked about 3 nursing instructors pre and post conference rooms off the outlook room scheduler (the whole hospital's scheduler). 2 of the instructors were assigned rooms all over the place over at Buffalo General, mostly because they lost a lot of conference rooms due to the contruction of the new building. the other nurse, she is located at my hospital site and was able to be really consistant. I was worried about the conference rooms because I don't know how big or small they are. I tried to put her in the nursing unit tower of the hospital. Kept her consistent. Hopefully it will work. Next week will be interesting, thats for sure. The next spring rotation starts sometime in March.
I've been working on some free online computer courses on our learning management system. Trying to take all the Access 2003 courses. Almost done, I think I have 2 left. I will do the same with word, excel and I think there are few online short courses on outlook.
Went to an early dinner with Robyn last week, my physician assistant coordinator from Daemen College. Part of my job I deal with paperwork for non nursing students too. I have a non nursing grid that I put the students name on and send it to all the ORs in the 5 hospitals system wide. The list has about 10 people. Its just a very small part of my job and don't really put too much effort except for recording it on the grid sheet and sending updates to the list to the OR educators. I have been thinking of cashing in on my free voucher to take a class at the college. Anatomy and physiology might be the wisest class to take during the Fall 2011 semester. She said that the Anatomy class is a year long class - both semesters. Makes sense. She said if I wanted to go into the PA program, I would have to eventually have to leave my job during clinicals because its really timeconsuming. Just a thought. She'd love me in the program and so would I. Thats a huge committment to take. Its a BS to MS degree so it would take 5 years (maybe 4 1/2 with some of the credits from Bryant and Stratton college). We'll see. It would be a huge step up from being an administrative assistant.
Something is wrong with my computer tower upstairs. I am on my laptop wireless, at least Im not without a computer. There is somekind of strange connection issue. Nothing to do with getting online (I wouldn't be able to get on here!). I think My friend Tom is coming over tomorrow to check it out. Its probably a simple wiring that needs to be checked out. He'll come by, look at it and then leave to go home (does he ever stay longer, does what he needs to do and leaves to go home...Don't get me started! We'll leave the journal about Tom another day!).
Heading out to see my parents tomorrow around 10:30-11am. The temp tomorrow is suppose to be around 10 degrees but clear...brrrrrr..... good enough for the 45 minute car ride out. It sure has been a sloppy, mucky mess here in buffalo NY. Lots of ice and maybe 2-4 inches of snow at a time. Chris81 and Scott, you have been getting all the snow. Sorry guys!! Hope your gonna get a break soon.
Next weekend, I am going to Mercer PA with my friend Jen to visit her dad. Apprently he has been very sick. We might stay overnight, we're not sure yet. It takes about 2 1/2 hrs to get there. Mercer is over near Grove city PA (Briman! I won't be far from you...LOL!!). Maybe I can talk Jen into going to Grove City before we go see her dad. That should be fun. Im driving and we are leaving at 9.
Dad had his lymph node surgery on 1/11 and he got his results - cancer free. I am so relieved. It was a scarry thing to really deal with. Now he has to go get checked every 6 months like I do. He is extremely sore but doing good. I have no idea how many nodes they took off his armpit but I hear its quite a few. He has a drain that he has for the next 2 weeks. He said there is quite a bit of fluid that comes out of his armpit. Tomorrow I will be able to see this drain.
Trying to eat better instead of eating junk. Its just me and I now have a ton of leftovers in my fridge. LOL!! My exercise regime again on Feb 1 (the day after my birthday) I have everything planned out. Found my exercise file that I used prior to my cancer diagnoses and changed the dates. Doing some eliptical and treadmill work (bicycle work). I need to do this every other day. This is the year that I take care of myself. Remember I said that I am a "work in progress". Health, body and mind!!!
Lots of football this weekend. Hate to say this (briman) but I really do not want the Steelers to go to the superbowl. Ben ROTTENberger needs to be stopped. Polumalu needs to be squished, he is an insect (what I mean is that he could be on the other side of the field and the other guy can have the ball, HE will be the one to tackle them - from the other side of the field....LOL!!). They have gone too many times in a row. GO JETS!!
Anyways, I will journal my session 2 with Judith. I really do not have any good answers for her about my mild depression. Roswell was not a great help with giving me an answer about the tamoxifen causing depression. Talked to a nurse at the breast center and she told me it does not. How in the hell does she know? Wanted me to call my pharmacist. I got off the phone and almost got upset over it at work. That really frustrated me. I might have to see my ob gyn or primary to see if I can get on a mild antidepressive, even if its for a few months. I really do not think a pill is the answer, thats why I will be returning back to the gym. Exercise does a good thing for the mind.
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