“Respiratory season”. I am not sure if this is a phenomenon related specifically to pediatrics, but I suspect not. It has a lovely ring to it, what with the “season” tacked on to the end, but it is not nearly so lovely as say the “Christmas season” or the “Swimsuit season”. Well, maybe for those of us who have gained a few pounds, it might rank near the swimsuit season… Basically, you have a bunch of those germ bags we affectionately call children, and they all have snotty noses. Not that I am calling anyone a snotty-nosed brat, but in some cases, the description is apt.
As this is my first respiratory season (RS), I have no way of knowing if my fellow healthcare providers are pulling my leg when they tell me this year is not typical. Sort of like new-comers to Colorado hearing that last winter with its mega-loads of snow was not typical. I guess I will just have to go on faith here. According to the experts, RS lasts from December through April. We started seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses in November, so the question is, do we get credit for starting early, so we can end early as well? Probably not, but it never hurts to ask!
I personally have already had two colds since working in the ED. The second one has hung on for about 5 weeks. It came complete with a week of laryngitis and two rounds of pink eye. Even with lots, and I do mean lots, of hand washing and vitamin C, I was no match for a pint sized punk intent on sharing. (Isn’t that what we teach our young ones, it is better to give than to receive?) So, for some tips on resisting RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) as well as other problematic pests, check out the TCH RS newsletter: http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/news/pr/2007news/respiratory-season.aspx
Good luck!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Morning Blessing, or why I am not in bed sleeping..
This morning on my way home from work, I was reminded what an amazingly beautiful place I live. Since I had no camera ready to capture the beautiful scene, I thought I would paint a “word picture”. The snow was falling, and in the neighborhood, the streets were covered with an undisturbed white blanket. It reminded me of first tracks on a great powder day skiing. As I was driving along, listening to a beautiful classical piece on the radio, a fox ran across the road a block ahead of me. As the first fox was darting into a drainage ditch, a second fox scampered after. I slowly drove by the culvert and the two foxes watched me go. Ahead of me, the only disruption was a pair of fox tracks intersecting the white expanse.
It would be difficult to describe exactly how I felt, but I will make an attempt. I have been thinking a long time about my new career and how, for me, it is more of a calling. As a new nurse in an emergency department at a pediatric hospital, I find myself asking for a blessing on my hands and my mind that I might provide comfort and healing to my patients and their families. Day after day (or rather, night after night) I see a wide variety of patients with an equally wide variety of backgrounds and conditions. From the common cold (which does not really belong in the emergency department, but that is a whole other blog) to a child who has little if any chance of a meaningful life after a devastating accident or even worse, non-accidental trauma at the hands of their parent or care-giver. Every night, there is something new to learn. Another life lesson, another Spanish phrase, another “skill” ticked off of my training list. I am constantly in a state of awareness that keeps me on my toes, waiting for an unexpected twist, and a bit nervous, hoping I will find myself “up to the task”.
So, for me this morning, the pair of foxes was my blessing. Whatever higher power or sense of spirituality you find in your life, whether it go by God, Jesus, or another name, that “force” made itself felt to me in a powerful way which has left me feeling renewed. The quiet stillness of a snowy morning, with wildlife in a city full of wildness, refreshed my well of peace. Maybe this is what the Psalmist meant when he said “my cup overflows”. Actually, for a new take on the whole 23rd Psalm reread it with the scene described above. Renewal. Does working in a major pediatric trauma center count as walking through the valley of the shadow of death?
For those of you reading this who would like to know more about my first year as a nurse, keep reading. I will try to keep this up with an entry a week. No promises mind you. Writing is such a nice outlet for the frustrations and joys (no pun intended) of life and it helps me clarify my thoughts and feelings. If it also touches or entertains you, then by all means, enjoy!
It would be difficult to describe exactly how I felt, but I will make an attempt. I have been thinking a long time about my new career and how, for me, it is more of a calling. As a new nurse in an emergency department at a pediatric hospital, I find myself asking for a blessing on my hands and my mind that I might provide comfort and healing to my patients and their families. Day after day (or rather, night after night) I see a wide variety of patients with an equally wide variety of backgrounds and conditions. From the common cold (which does not really belong in the emergency department, but that is a whole other blog) to a child who has little if any chance of a meaningful life after a devastating accident or even worse, non-accidental trauma at the hands of their parent or care-giver. Every night, there is something new to learn. Another life lesson, another Spanish phrase, another “skill” ticked off of my training list. I am constantly in a state of awareness that keeps me on my toes, waiting for an unexpected twist, and a bit nervous, hoping I will find myself “up to the task”.
So, for me this morning, the pair of foxes was my blessing. Whatever higher power or sense of spirituality you find in your life, whether it go by God, Jesus, or another name, that “force” made itself felt to me in a powerful way which has left me feeling renewed. The quiet stillness of a snowy morning, with wildlife in a city full of wildness, refreshed my well of peace. Maybe this is what the Psalmist meant when he said “my cup overflows”. Actually, for a new take on the whole 23rd Psalm reread it with the scene described above. Renewal. Does working in a major pediatric trauma center count as walking through the valley of the shadow of death?
For those of you reading this who would like to know more about my first year as a nurse, keep reading. I will try to keep this up with an entry a week. No promises mind you. Writing is such a nice outlet for the frustrations and joys (no pun intended) of life and it helps me clarify my thoughts and feelings. If it also touches or entertains you, then by all means, enjoy!
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