Here are just a few lessons I learned that were reinforced today.
1. I crash and burn without my “me time” (aka days off). Feel me K?
I was in a beezy of a mood all day today (come to think of it, I’d say I’m going on day 3 now). Even one of the male (read: unobservant) NPs on the floor noticed and asked me point blank what was wrong, and told me I seemed down. Shoot. So much for my poker face. He then asked me if I was “chemical” which was so hilarious, I couldn’t help but laugh. How I managed to put on a smile for my patients is not just a miracle, it’s like the 8th wonder of the world.
2. Sick fiancé plus working girl adds up to a disaster of an apartment.
Picture this: Dishes in the sink piled sky high. Trash can filled to the brim. Empty soap dispensers. Dangerously low tissue/toilet paper/paper towel supplies. Basically, I will NOT be joining the Real Housewives of NYC any time soon. Working is one thing. Working and single-handedly holding down the fort apartment, is another. Kyle needs to get better soon because I am seriously starting to 95% already crumble (I may be 95% there already).
3. Cold & rainy weather equals homeless/schizo patient overload.
I already discovered this lesson last winter, but I had forgotten how bad it actually gets. When our floor isn’t filled, we HAVE to (grrrr) take Emergency Room overflow. Since we are a cardiac floor with telemetry beds, all the patients need to get on our unit is “chest pain.” Oh brother. I have chest pain just thinking about the past shift. Admit me.
4. There is no reasoning with those who don’t understand reason.
Tough love is one thing. I am good at whipping patients into shape against their will. But why am I trying to argue with a guy who is definitely bipolar about why 7 suppositories are not medically advised (not only did he claim his past nurses allowed this [riiiight], but he also already had 3 bowel movements that day). Or the lady who claims she only speaks Russian (after I conversed with her the entire day before in English) and refuses to participate in passive range of motion while in bed (never mind the fact that I can’t even drag her from her precious jungle of blankets, which will surely result in pneumonia). If you have no desire to recover from open heart surgery, then why are you wasting my time. Of course, the patients’ stories change the second the surgeons enter the room on rounds. Manipulative buggers.
5. You can never pack to much food.
I took this pic and thought “there is NO WAY I can eat all this.” Wrong.
I ate it all. And that salad is even in my BIG tuperware (if you are wondering why I had to use a different tuperware, see lesson #2).
I’m kinda on a Clif bar binge. Loving the Z bars, especially the seasonal spooky s’mores. The salad was the most random thing ever, and I was as excited to east it as I was to make it. It did the job (which is hardly the way I like to feel about my food).
The rest of the diddies you know by now: protein pretzels, raisins, dried papaya, dried mango, apple, mini Luna bar (almost out of the minis!), and sugar snap peas.
I got home from work EX-HAUSTED and was so relieved that dinner was already done. I was definitely in need of a no brainer.
What we have here is a bit of snack plate action (times dos).
First up, a leftover black bean pumpkin burger on a WF english muffin with hummus as well as a side of BN squash. And on deck, an assortment of hummus vehicles, including apple slices, carrots, shrooms, my finger, and a spoon.
It was even better the second time around (although that may have something to do with the fact that no prep was involved).
Like a Good Neighbor State Farm hummus was there.
Dessert was fruity (and a bit vanilla-y).
In D.C. for the weekend, and I’ll announce the winner of my giveaway when I get back!
Hang in there, dear Elise!!
Have fun in D.C. and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🙂
Dang, Elise!! I really hope you get some rest in this weekend!! You clearly could use some down time!! And I am the EXACT same way. I DIE if I don’t have time alone, and get extremely anxious and moody, and stressed.
Hope the hubby feels better and hope you have fun in D.C.!
I have to agree- ALWAYS packing snacks is so smart. Better to be safe, right?!
Sounds like a rough few days-enjoy your much deserved weekend off!
AHhh crap day, boo! Did u hear about the bipolar guy who stabbed his doctor at Mass general?? Sorry that is NOT to freak u out obvi but it was like a block away from my apt and so scary! Have fun in DC lova!
Doctor’s orders: Have a fun and relax this weekend. Say what’s up to Obama for me and go get a manicure or pedicure or something to make you feel like a human!
sending mucho love your way <3 🙂
Hang in there mama…..I know it’s gotta suck right about now. We’ve all been there taking care of sickies (for me it’s your patients for me it’s my kid) and boyfs/hubs that arent quite pulling much weight. Sick men are ridic pitiful, too, aren’t they. So sorry but I am wishing you a nice weekend in DC. Yay for little getaways to hopefully make you feel a little better 🙂
xoxo
I need me time too. Eek I’m starting an internship at a hospital in the spring. I will be in child life though, but still I know it can get crazy at holidays/flu season. Hang in there it will get better. Chocolate supposedly cures all ailments, but I wouldn’t know ANNNYthing about that! 😉
Hang in there there, hon! You are a miracle – I could never do that work for all the money in the world. I would have lost it already. Get some rest!
Oh, girl! I totes feel ya! Without my “me” time I’m such a sassy pants that even I don’t want to be around me.
Keep eating the humdinger while you wait for Mr. Postman (who should HOPEFULLY be coming today). It should brighten up your day. If all else fails = alcohol.
ughs, sounds like a not so fun day.. hang in there honey. and smile! it’s halloween after all 🙂 ’tis the season to be jolly, right? no? urgh..
Oh I know that feeling of being way overworked – I have been known to throw temper tantrums.
Hang in there, and Happy Halloween!
Sounds like you really had a rough day. I hope you relax and get some rest, for your body and soul. And I hope your hub gets well soon. I know how it’s like when you have the whole apartment to take care off.
Yikes! Sounds like you have been having a rough couple of days. Hopes things get better FAST! Especially with your sick man, you need help with those dishes!
Your food looks delicious, as usual. Hahaha, I hear you about the hummus vehicles. Whatever it takes to get it into my mouth.
I hope you get some “you” time (and have some fun) in DC!
Courtney
Oh no!! it’s SO hard taking care of someone sick and yes i totally sympathize with the dirty dishes and crap piling up. 🙁 Cut yourself some slack girl! You really are doing a fantastic job. Just seeing how well you’re eating and how organized those lunches are looking reassures us that you are one tough mama. It won’t be long!! I’m sure Kyle is trying his best to recover too! Hang in there!!
Sorry you had such a crappy day… I hope your weekend is going better!!
<3 <3
Ah man, I hope your days start lookin up!
I think the same thing sometimes–“I can’t possibly eat that much in the span of a day,” but somehow it all ends up in my tummy…and I still get hungry.
I feel your pain! It’s hard to work, study, and hold down a home. When my fiance is sick, I spend even more time cleaning of course. I just bought 6 of the Halloween Z Bars since Snuffy loves them and I assume they stop carrying them after the holiday is over. Hang in there. You can handle this and it WILL GET BETTER soon. You’re doing a great job juggling it all!
Oh man. I can’t tell you how much I can relate to Lesson 4 this week. There are SO many unreasonable people in this world!
Number 3 makes me sad 🙁 You must have such an amazing heart to do what you do.