Monthly Archives: September 2015

On getting to the conference this afternoon I had taken a quick glance around the room and had not seen anyone that I knew.  There was one table with only one person at it so I headed there.  The other nurse who was from Legacy and I were talking about the Legacy system expanding to include Silverton Hospital as well as a few department specific things.  We had been talking for about five minutes when out of the corner of my eye I noticed one of my Samaritan Pacific co-workers.  I invited Paula to join us and we all three continued talking about different hospital systems in particular Providence and the hospital in Lebanon.  I have worked with Paula on several occasions now and have really enjoyed the conversations we have had.  The speaker began introducing the conference. The main agenda for this pre conference day was simulations and drills.  We stayed together through each group:  stabilizing early preterm infants, cardiac arrest in a pregnant mother, and hypertensive crisis.
When I saw that the conference was scheduled to be 12:00-9:00pm today I missed a two hour scheduled break from 5:00-7:00pm. What to do? Should I have Chad and the kids pick me up and take me back? Should I find a way to bide my time checking out the town?  

Paula invited me to join her for dinner at a friends house on our break.  I was hesitant because I didn’t want to inconvenience her at all.  I did end up taking her up on her offer.  It was fun meeting her friends from years back working at Klamath Falls.  Her friends were warm and inviting.  The two hours flew by.  I took this picture of a Zinnia flower!! So gorgeous! This is with no edits for color enhancement.  

 At 7:00pm we headed back to our evening networking get together.  It was a good day with lots of time spent outside of my comfort zone.  I feel completely blessed to have had this opportunity to get to know Paula.  I am looking forward to learning more in the next few days.  Staying informed in a rapidly changing medical specialty are a must.

Today was Medford’s In-N-Out grand opening.  We got into town an hour and ten minutes early for my work conference and so we decided on In-N-Out for lunch.  With the news crews, cones, tents and parking attendants, it was kind of fun to participate first hand.  The burger was extra good since I thing we have not eaten at an In-N-Out since leaving sothern California the first of March.  

   
    
    
 With our rag a muffin party of five and the only school aged children in the whole restaurant, I was glad no one came our way with a microphone.  We made it through the ordering line in 5-10 minutes and another 20-30 minutes was spend waiting for our number to be called and maybe a whole 15 minutes was spent polishing off our purchase. So good. 

On Monday I decided to take the kids on a hike. We love the outdoors and it seemed like a good way to spend the day while Sarah slept. So we packed a lunch and set off to South Drift creek trail.

I heard a little bit of complaining as we started out but the kids were quickly enjoying themselves as they marched along the trail.

They always get excited at seeing new and interesting things in the woods.

It was a beautiful hike and not too warm so it was a enjoyable walk.

After a 3 mile hike down into the canyon we finally reached the end.

The kids were very excited. Not sure if it was because we were at the end or they got to have lunch.

After hiking back out the kids were tired but all and all it was fun and they did a wonderful job for hiking 6 miles with a 1300 foot change in elevation. Hopefully we can go on many more in the time to come.

~Chad

Night shifts can either drag on and on or fly by there seems to be no in between.  Three shifts that were equal parts drag on and fly by were the perfect balance.  I continue to be amazed by the team spirit and positive attitudes around here.  How is it that it is so rare to find people who understand that the work is there you can choose to gripe and complain or go about your work cheerfully. One option makes your work feel like double and one makes your work load feel like half.  I learn something from every place I have worked.  It is becoming more and more clear what it is that I will learn here.  A smile and cheerful attitude along with a willingness to jump in (divide and conquer motto) makes even the crazy days good experiences.  I felt a little like my brains were scrambled eggs at change of shift this morning and they had a new agency nurse that I’m sure thought I was missing some screws.  It is nice to know that I am past that honeymoon faze and testing faze, that the nurses I work with trust me and see me as part of the team and not so much an outsider.  I don’t have to prove anything, the time I most look forward to in an assignment…although this has been my least stressful assignment to date I am enjoying no longer being the new traveler. 

After work I tried to take a two hour nap before checking out of the hotel, but that didn’t work too well.  At 10:00 we headed towards home. I felt rummy for a while but by the time we made it home I couldn’t sleep.  Instead I cuddled sleepy kittens and chatted with Chad making plans.   

 I figured that since I should be sleeping there should be no guilt about spending 5ish hours sitting on the couch cuddling kittens and visiting with my family.  

After dinner Louanne picked me up and we headed to Broadway Commons for coffee.  Although we have technically been home it has been almost a month and a half since we have seen each other.  A lot has happened in that time.  We talked story catching up on eachother’s lives.  I so enjoy Louanne’s friendship and perspectives she asks me hard questions and keeps me accountable on so many levels but in the same safeness I know I cannot (I think it would be nearly impossible but I probably won’t test the theory) disappoint her because she loves me no matter what allowing me to be myself whatever that may be all the while asking me those challenging questions to make sure I have thought of everything.  And, in the very next breath she is lifting me up with encouragement.  May the Lord bless her in the same way she has blessed me with her unconditional friendship.