Clarification

Yesterday's post was not about crazy people. I like crazy people, for the most part. People who are silly, off the wall, find humor in day to day life, folks who dance in the street just because they feel like it. It's all good.

People who hate bother me. People who write hateful nasty blogs about others in the blogosphere bother me. It is personal in a way. People who hate just to hate or bring others down to their level or because of someones politics or religion or race bother me. What is the point of hate?

Historically hate and jealousy go back to the beginning of man. That doesn't make it a good thing. It makes it a human thing. I believe humans have choices.

I choose not to hate.

I choose not to judge others because of where they live.

I choose not to judge individuals because some fanatical religious factions tried to blow a plane up on Christmas day. The male from Nigeria who failed miserably to blow up the plane is some one I consider pathetic. He intended on inflicting mass destruction and failed. I just can't hate someone I know nothing about more than he was one huge dumb ass who started a fire in his underwear.

I am a woman who was born in one of the original thirteen colonies. I believe inherently in freedom of speech, religion, to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Yes I'm mixing my preamble and my constitution, sue me.

I am a pacifist. If women ran the world, there would be less violence.(Ohhhhhhhhh I'm gonna get flambeed now)

I do not avoid confrontation. I go about it in a forthright straight forward manner.
No backbiting, no gossip, no underhanded little jabs.

Being raised an an American with Canadian leanings I will never understand hate. The kind of hate between the Jews and the Arabs. Between the Turks and the Kurds. The Japanese and the Chinese. The hate ignorant rascist parents instill in their children simply by contact.

I might not like everyone but honestly, I don't hate anyone.

Wouldn't world peace be a good thing?

Thankful

I've been wandering about the Blogworld reading random blogs. There are some very disturbed people out there. SCARY!

I am thankful I personally have gotten to a point where I'm not compelled to judge others or to give my opinion on issues that really aren't my business.

Now I'm not saying I'm perfect. HA! Far from it. I do try very hard not to judge on first impressions. I'm working on actually listening to what others say without my inner narrator getting in the way.

I am stunned by the hate I see everywhere.

My life is no bowl of cherries. I do not feel the need to drag down others just because certain things suck for me. I have my little pity parties. I work at not being bitter. Projecting at other people my frustrations is just a useless and harmful exercise. I watch the males in my house project or be passive/aggressive and I KNOW I just don't want to respond in kind.

Besides, it's all about ME now, isn't it? Muahahahahahaha.

I am thankful I have grown enough to chose how I behave and think.

Have a terrific Tuesday!.

Monday, Monday

glitter-graphics.com

My interview seemed to go ok.

I did like the person who interviewed me and the DON who was in on part of the interview. They both spoke sarcasm. They were honest. I admitted I had everything to learn and would make mistakes. They nodded wisely.

I also let them know I would rather ask a question before I made a mistake and they seemed to appreciate my sentiments.

It's a scary thing to contemplate being the only nurse with several CNAs. I'm reviewing my basics just in case they decide to hire me. Nights. Yup, I'd be working nights.

I'd be working my ass off like I have never worked my ass off before. The idea kinda excites me, just a little.

My brain needs to be used to accomplish something each day. I miss the intensity of nursing school(Lord, please don't strike me with lightning!)

My brain feels dull. I want to get my intellect and critical thinking back on their toes.

There's always the chance I won't get hired~~~~~

Thanks for all who left comments. I sincerely hope you had good holidays.

All my readers who are nursing students~CHILL! Give your brain a break!

My readers who are nurses I could use advice on shoes and how to prevent or lessen back issues. I don't really have current back issues but I'm almost 48 so they may be lurking around the corner.

I go to bed tonight feeling cautiously optimistic. I have seen more ads recently here and there. Even one or two that say new grad friendly. WAHOO.

I miss you and love you.

Go over to Jeanie in Paradise
and get all mushy at the picture of her newborn daughter. Tell congrats feel the joy and then spread some joy in your world.

Silly is The Only Way

I have another interview tomorrow. For a skilled nursing facility(SNF called sniffs by us in the med business). It's what I've been looking for. Full time, night shifts after training maybe, and I would learn everything the hard way.

Nursing school was the hard way. The 46 years before nursing school were the hard way(except for my pretty darn happy childhood up until 16.). God must know I learn better the hard way because to be honest, I cannot remember learning anything of use the easy way.

The past months have been in the valley and every time I begin to climb, I slide back down. I wallowed off and on since August and have now decided while short term wallows are ok, long term wallow are a dang waste of time. HA!(aren't I one swilly wabbit?)

I've refined my resume to the point where I can adapt it for each job application.

I've learned there is a new theory to residential psychiatric treatment called the Recovery Method(Kate stop puking, k?). There is a new term in social work as well~wrap around coverage. I applied for a job at a perinatal treatment facility that uses wrap around coverage so I had to call my pal with a MSW to make sure I knew what that meant.

It means all outside agencies are coordinated for care of the client. Last year it was called complete discharge referral coverage. :P

Jeesh the social sciences are full of malarkey. No wonder I do so well in them.

I check the job listings on Craigslist every days, several times a day as they are updated constantly.

The interview I have tomorrow happened because I called the facility and asked of they were going to have any openings and lo! and Behold! a night shift nurse was retiring at the end of the year and they had not told anyone yet! Except the receptionist. Mushahaha.

Now there are 5-6 applications out there where I've had no response. Many of the ads are very specific about experience and I do not apply to jobs I know I am not qualified for. Walk ins are the way to go for most SNFs. I have a list to hit if things don't work outby January 1st.

NOTE!! Job hunters all medicaid facilities will be refunded on January 1. Go apply the week after Christmas! Because of the cuts many positions were never filled. I heard on the partyline funding comes anew next month. Good Luck Debby! :o)

I have to go return the clothes I bought for last interview since I never wore them Yeehaw, shopping...............bleh.

Thank you all for your comments, encouragement, opinions, etc. LOVE YA!!!

Interview Update

glitter-graphics.com


They hired someone else. No I did not get a reason why I was rejected.


I'm feeling MIGHTY LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.

Janice Doesn't Like Not Having Control!!

I freely admit I'm a closet control freak. Hey, I'm a mom~we all are control freaks to some extent.

I called the psych facility. She is in the process of checking references and will 'probably' call me back later today. I'd be pulling out my hair if it wasn't in a pony tail.

It's bad enough my gray hairs are showing. I have no money to get my hair highlighted. My pony tail is 12 inches long!!!!!!!! Cuz I have no money to get it cut. I won't go to cheap hair chains because I don't want to look like a shorn cat! Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-cuse me, I just don't want to look like a major hair mistake. GRRRRR. My one vanity is my hair. God is letting me know I need to get over that. Meanie!

I applied for a different job at a long term care facility where I'd learn soooooooo much. It would be hard exhausting work but worth it in the long run and LTC pays is the highest.

I had to apply online and now I wait for them to call or not to call. I adjusted my resume to fit what skill set they want their LPN candidate.

According to free career advisor, adapting resumes is the new way to go. Cover letters are going the way of typewriters.

No matter how great my resume looks, my lack of on the job experience is glaringly missing. Sigh.

I am going to volunteer if I don't get a job soon. I will volunteer at LTC and assisted living places if they will let me. Anything for experience.

I am a life-long learner. As much as I bitched about nursing school, I adore learning (math not included). Before the internet I read incessantly. I read books written by doctors, nurses, psychology text books but I find psych is exciting and fun and incredibly achieving new breakthroughs every day. The fact the brain (hippocampus) can regenerate is mind blowing.

I need to learn. I feel useless right now. I wish I had the research capabilities I had at college. Alumni aren't allowed to access this. It's thousands of articles of nursing research, medical research, new psych drugs and therapies, all nursing magazines and all medical journals. I want to read them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For free.

ARGH. I just accidentally published this blog. Not done.

I also want to take care of those in medical need. I want to help them and knowing I helped them helps me feel better and more worthy.

Does this make any sense?

Chilly Yet Cool

It's in the twenties here. BRRRRRRRRRRRRR! We are so not used to this. I'm used to rain and temps around 45. It's been brilliantly yet deceivingly sunny. Mean ol' weather.

I think my interview went ok. For a gal who hasn't interviewed for years...

I revamped my resume based on suggestions of my college's career specialist. I sound like I know stuff! It's pretty cool after the agony. It's not perfect and is always a work in progress. I turned all my student clinicals into clinical experience. I'm sure I forgot much but half the page is about clinical learning.

Funny but I did not wear anything I bought shopping. I see a return in my future. I scrounged in boxes and found stuff I had to wear. Looking nice but not too dressy. They are very casual at the place I interviewed. I also found black birkenstock clogs that almost brand new to wear!! they are suede and look very good under slacks. My regular birks(Yes I wear them with socks, duh, this IS Seattle)are a blue clog. My nursing shoes are an ugly white which was required in school. They are comfy but white...........bleh.

I want to clear something up. While my spouse is not sensitive or my ideal soulmate, he is not a bad guy. He is projecting much of his feelings about himself onto me. I'm a great target. He was raised by a father who would have been a perfect Nazi and let's not forget, he was born on Europe in the early '50's. (Let's all nod and say ohhhhhOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHoooooH knowingly). LOL.

Our marriage has hit every major life stressor except divorce. Lost a son, my mom, his dad, he's been unemployed 5 times in 23 years. Never fired just companies going out of business or moving or sold to another owner until latest job when construction tanked. We've fairly well off to downright poverty(like now).

He has trouble with accepting change in my opinion. I believe this is why he cannot see me for ME now. He underestimated my strength and perseverance. His loss.

Thanks for all your supportive and caring comments. Love ya folks! Even you Mr. Suldog. Yes, you. Haha.

Note to Self

That little ghoul up there has his mouth shown shut.

Tips for myself at my interview:

1. Answer questions only. Do NOT ramble.

2. Stay on topic.

3. Confidence.

4. No visible jitters.

5. Deep breaths before.

6. Remember why I love nursing and psych in particular.

Oh jeez, I hate this stuff.

I Just Adore Shopping

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Shopping is fun for folks with money/cute sizes/look good in clothes/younger. I am none or have none of these qualities.

I need an outfit for my interview. Casual yet not my usual jeans and oversized t-shirts.

I have been a stay at home mom/student for over 20 years now. The dress code was whatever I felt like wearing.

Starting at the age of 40(give or take a year)my body sort of self-destructed. I gained weight. Things started dropping and flopping and sagging. My spouse(who's gained weight over the past 5-6 years) had a time telling me I disgust him. Gee thanks. Sure. I want to spend the next 30 years with you..........

This is also the person who told me I would never finish college. I was too heavy/clumsy to be a nurse and I was sure to fail. He said this because he was worried about me. Can we all say BULL?

Now I have achieved what I set out to do, he spends time giving me advice on finding a job............this from a guy laid off 5 times in our marriage. Call we say HYPOCRITE? I can.

I want a job to get me outta this damn house of tension, unsaid frustrations, uncommunicated feelings, underlying tension and anger.

I want a job because I will be a good nurse. I still have many things to learn but I adore learning. I know new grads have a steep learning curve. I know it won't be easy. I look forward to the challenge.

Think positive employment thoughts and I will bite my tongue in interviews. Things work better that way.

May the Lord be by my side.

Friday Night's All Right With Me

I called the psych facility.

They have not even looked at the apps. let alone set up any interviews.

ARGH.

I will go visit on Monday just to keep myself very visible, very hard to ignore yet not irritating.

I will also revamp my resume this weekend. Oh joy and happiness is mine.

Note to self: Need to dial back my sarcastic meter for interview.

Let's talk about cabana boys...

There are many people out there on the net who are well aware of my obsession with cabana boy fantasies.

Back when I was a chat host for good ol' AOL I would discuss(rant) about my desires to be on a warm beach with handsome, silent, servile cabana boys(men. no one under 28need apply).

Wowee. I just got a phone call. Interview Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. PST. (prayers puleazzze)

Back to warm water, warm sand, cold alcoholic drinks with colorful umbrellas, and hot men.

When there were lulls in the chat room conversations I would bring up my cabana boy dreams and described them.

This would do one of two things: Drive everyone off OR get a rockin' convo flying.

My other conversation starter would be ramblings that the silent chatters were the FBI sent to catch me for my criminal endeavors. Crimes such as ripping off jewels thieves and sucking mobsters of their hard earned pay.

A'yup. I do have a creative imagination. Need one when one grows up with three brothers. Take that any way you want to. (raised eyebrow)

Have a good weekend folks.

Twenty~Twenty~Twenty~Twenty- Four Hours A Day...

I WANNA BE SEDATED!
(name the band and the year it was a hit!)

I am irked.

21 years old does not mean grown up.

I am trapped within this rental prison with 4 males~one 7 month old pitbull puppy who's still working on manners, one been~unemployed~almost~a~year 50-something spouse, one 21yo working full-time and wants a life where Pupples only exists when convenient, and an 18yo going to college in January but just hanging wasting time until then.

(silent scream)

I am tired of being the mom, the wife, the responsible bill paying on time, conscientious studying every night student, dog trainer/babysitter/nap mat, looking for a job new grad LPN and not getting interviews, knowing I'm gonna be an awesome nurse and why can't THEY know that, only female in this space!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not giving up. I just needed to vent. I need a 4 week vacation with some good friends in a warm clime with very built good looking cabana boys to serve us on the beach...................................

Well Dang!

What do you know?

The place I did my psych clinical at is hiring an on-call person.

Guess where I just happened to stop by this afternoon?

I think I can score an interview at least.

YEEHAW! I can see a teensy bit of light through the tiny crack in my tunnel.(Better watch out~if my tunnel is like that one built in the Big Dig in Boston,I may get a slab on concrete in my head unexpectedly.)

The lady from career advising at my school gave me some great tips for my resume. It was a very helpful hour. I used to be fairly smart because some of what was pointed out was so darn obvious. DOI!

My friends please pray I find the job where God feels I belong. Let's all sincerely wish that is not 90 miles form where I live. God can have a very tweaked sense of humor.

Over and out. Smile, it helps keep the frown lines away.

All I Want

...is a place to wear my scrubs.

The job search goes on. One would think I was applying for a CEO position considering how difficult it is to be employed when one has no On The Job experience.

The quandary: won't hire w/o experience. Can't get experience w/o employment.

Several of my fellow new grads cannot find work either! One has his CNA and plenty of practical experience and he's not having any luck. ARGH.

I've also noticed many nursing/rehabilitation homes have nurses in street clothes...............WTF? I want to wear scrubs!! One of the perks of being a nurse is wearing scrubs. I know they are going for 'homelike' environments but jeesh! Come on. Scrubs are easy and wash out well and are COMFY. I think they look more professional as well.

Last year at this time I was sweating finals for the first qrt of the nursing program. I kinda miss it. At least my brain was occupied. I did not spend 24/7 in the same house with Grumpy either. 3 months of spending time with Grumpy is turning me into crazy psychotic one(in my own head).

Let's just say I'm screaming like a maniac to get OUT of here for 8 hours a day if not more!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I'm going back to school. I will spend time at the Career Center choosing a different goal...


NAW! I'm going to work on my resume. I need a grabber. You know, like a glittery area of words to grab Director of Nurses' attention. Glittery is metaphorical here. No glitter glue on my PROFESSIONAL resume.

Hmmmm maybe I should glitter the dog, just for something fun to do. Pupples would look wonderful in a glittery blue doncha think? Cuz pitbulls just LURVE when you mess with 'em.

I'll be back. Soon. Stay safe and keep the faith!!(ohhhhhhh, I'm a poet!!)

Things I Used to Do

Here is another list about what I used to do before we were destitute and pathetic:

1. buy fruit out of season i.e.precut mango slices.

2. order books from Amazon whenever I felt like it.

3. get a pedicure once a month.

4. get my hair cut and colored every 5 weeks.

5. replace worn out clothing like underwear and socks without a second thought.

6. decorate my family room with ETSY.com originals.

7. put high octane gas into my car.

8. fill the pantry with snacks and easy to make food.

9. fill fridge with pop, juice, and Evian.

10. buy TV Guide and Newsweek weekly.

11. go out to dinner every two weeks or so.

12. go to lunch with girlfriends at trendy restaurants.

13. sleep soundly(or rather more soundly than now)

14. ate meat 1-2 times a week (now we be po' folk vegetarians).

15. took daily naps w/o guilt (now I should be looking for a job 24/7).

16. spent a helluva less time with my spouse (this one I really miss).

What does the recession cause you to miss?

Yesterdays' News

You know you're OLD when...

...you were born before Nixon died.

...listening to the radio used to be a major source of entertainment.

...you're irritated by the fact your kids cannot turn their cell phone off~never, ever.

...the recession of the late 1970's seemed easier than the current one.

...the Jeffersons was a current, cutting edge television show.

...M*A*S*H was THE funniest show you'd ever seen.

...you remember The Family Hour on television and the worst words allowed were freaking and darn.

...Michael Jackson was alive and still black.

...The Cold War was a scary smear on your consciousness.

...the word transgender was not invented yet.

...Transvestites were completely an unknown entity.

...the guy who invented Facebook was not even a twinkle in his daddy's eyes.

...a Princess phone was the coolest Christmas present for any teenage girl.

Add some of your own...............................



By Dykewife::

1 CommentClose this window Jump to comment form
dykewife said...
you saw the moon landing while in class at school.

your first experience with a computer involved punch cards.

getting a colour television made you the most popular kid on the block.

interfacing was called playing with your friends outside.

three speed bikes were high tech.

you could buy a chocolate bar, bubble gum and a pop for a quarter.

you do one of these :)

November 21, 2009 6:28 PM

Wait and See

My new life manifesto song by Brandon Heath...

I know exactly how he feels! wink

Wait And See
I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive

I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right

There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet

I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright

I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth

Chorus

Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something

So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight
I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight

Sucks to Be ME

glitter-graphics.com

Yeah. Yeah. Everyone thinks that.

Everyone thinks about themselves.

I think at some point in every one's life they sink to the bottom. I remember doing bobs in the deep end of the pool for hours and hours in the summer.

I'd touch bottom then sprung up to jump out of the water for one cystalline second...

SPLASH! Back in the water like a fish!

I cannot see the top of the water at this particular moment.

No job. ALL ask applicant to be "fully graduated of a post-grad program" which only exists in those places that want to spend the time and money to train someone in phlebotomy and ivs and other assorted actions I was not taught in the LPN program.

Hmmmmmmm, no one ever told me~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

it was gonna be easy.

But jeezo no one ever warned of how rough things can get either.

Nothing Much

No answers to applications. I'm going to need to bet some real world clothes and go out on foot to apply in person. OY.

I HATE buying clothes. Nothing fits the right way. I have no idea what kind if clothes to get. I have a serious budget issue so I may be hitting GoodWill. I found a dress for graduation for $8 at Ross so I am sure I can find something more professional than mommy for under $100.

Everything else is pretty much the same. Spouse is racheting up the stress factor. Not on purpose. It's just how he gets.

And the days keep coming and going.

My Wierd Life

I am sitting here with a 45 pound pit bull on my left side, hogging the warm air from my laptop fan and he sleeps, barely fitting on the width of the couch. He wakes up once in a while and I rub his pink belly. He's a blue nose/pink nose pit bull so his nose is black with a bit of pink above it and his belly is tinted pink.

My spouse is in bed, asleep by 9p.m. He'll be awake at 5a.m. because I was too dumb to notice his biorhythms while we were dating. I'm opposite in the sleep/wake cycle of life.

I filled out several job applications this weekend. I'm 47 and have NO experience looking for jobs or being interviewed. My many hours in PTA, and little league board and soccer mom and classroom volunteer extraordinaire did little to prepare me socially for the working world.

As most of you know I struggled greatly in the past year when it came to keeping my mouth shut, learning from listening instead of interaction, to NOT ask questions that made me seem too intelligent or as my director saw it, a little miss know it all.

If I stay quiet people think I'm judging or stuck up, if I open my mouth they know I'm an idiot cuz I can't stop myself from saying too much or saying something in a manner many people misunderstand up here in the Northwest. My East Coast/Midwest friends get sarcasm, no one here really does. After 20 years here I understand that. I have toned it down 98%.

I think I need manners lessons. Seriously. Or deportment. Because I cannot change my entire personality, I know cuz I have tried. I know I don't fit in here very well but it's where I am. Anyone have expertise in giving one a lobotomy????

AGAIN~~WHY??

RIP

Those killed at Food Hood

November 5, 2009

God Bless and heal the wounded,

both mentally and physically.

Thanks for The Support

My friends and silent supporters,

THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading.
Thank you for the empathy.
Thank you for merely showing up.

Without your support I could not have achieved my goals.

You held me up when I needed.
You made me laugh when I despaired.
You hugged me when I was sad, defeated, and ready to quit.

This is our success. I share it with you.

Thank you for being my friends.

To answer a question or two.....
Yes, I have plans to get my R.N. and my B.S.N. This is off in the future sometime when we have funding and experience. If things go the way I have dreamed I'll be in college in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I can't answer exactly how the NCLEX questions were different from what I expected. I'd like to keep my brand new license. :P I expected what the books said. I used Mosby's review book the most but I also dipped into Davis and a friend's book. Syntax was different that I was familiar with and critical thinking was needed to answer the questions. Who knew? SNERK.

Go in a good attitude, in a calm mood, and know the worst that can happen is to flunk. No one in my class has flunked. I had a class of 23 and I'm not sure how some of them made it through first quarter let alone boards. Know your facts but be ready to read each question twice before you hit the answer.

You folks are RADICALLY COOL. Thanks a million.

Extra Letters

Janice Reijnaert, L.P.N.

Test Talk

well, well, well I learn for over a year how to take the test.

I get to the testing center.

I read first question.....................

First thought: THIS IS NOTHING LIKE THE 5000 QUESTIONS I HAVE BEEN DOING!!!!!

I did my best.

I do not know if I did well.

I don't know if I sucked wind.

Find out Friday.

I'm proud of myself no matter what.

I got this far didn't I? wink, wink, nudge, nudge......................snerk

NCLEX DAY

Alternating

I'm alternating between total despair at possible failure and studying and procrastinating and watching my family being total imbeciles(in various ways).

I don't want to be stuck at home anymore. I want a job. I want to feel useful. I need to think about more than myself because frankly, I'm a terrible subject to contemplate. :P

Pharmacology, pediatrics, med/surg + care of the aged, basics, OB + newborn care, cancer which is where I get all CONFUZZLED about chemo versus anti-neoplastic meds, mental health, psychosocial and safety first.

Still having anxiety dreams. Not fun nor very restful. I wish Dr. Grumpy would come and tell me funny bedtime stories. I could use some laughs.

I'm praying that all of you are enjoying your weekend much more than I am not enjoying mine........whine.

BURIED!!!!!!!!!!!!

ACK!!!!!!!!! Six days left to study!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Suspended Animation

Just hanging out and waiting for the NCLEX test next week. Sigh.

I don't do well without some kind of schedule. Class schedule, work schedule, something planned. My life has been pretty amorphous since August 14.

I think I've melding & become one with my couch. Kinda makes my butt look ginormous. Like it needs help to look bigger? Pfttttttttttttttttt.

My brain feels like jelly. It is still working but aimed at the NCLEX info. Which is getting dull.

My IQ is going blahblahblah...............

Two More Weeks

Two weeks from now I should be finishing up my NCLEX-PN test so I can get my nursing license. I cannot wait. I have seen more of my spouse and kids that I ever planned on or wanted. I miss my home alone time.

They will not let me work as a nurse without that pesky license. I WANT a job just so I am out of the house!!! That's the first time I've ever said that. LOL.

I've been practicing test questions from one of the 3 CDs I have on my laptop. 5000 different NCLEX questions. Wahoo. 3 different CD all with different emphasis'.

I like the Mosby one because I am brilliant on that one. I get 95% on all topics. My nursing school director advised me to get this review along with the Davis version.

Much to my surprise I remember at least 90% of what I was taught this past year. I will have to go over some lab values, the 4 different kinds of shock, dosage math, but I am great with the pharm, gerontology, mental health, pediatrics, most of med/surg. I really do have a brain!! Those nasty nursing teachers had me thinking I was impossibly stupid. Phew, thank the good Lord I am outta there!!!!

As far as I know only 2 students from my class have taken the test. I'm not on the gossip chain so I could be misinformed. I wasn't in class to make friends. I was focused on learning and then just trying not to f*** up in clinicals.

Did I ever tell the story of the catheter I put in an elderly female where I was behind her with 2 nurses holding her legs and I needed a flashlight to find where to place it? Remind me to tell ya that one some day. Amusing now........snerk.

I hope you're out there lurking since I don't get many comments. I'm not leaving many either so I get it. HUGS and love to all.

WTH Wednesday

What the Hell Wednesday: are you down with the sickness?
More WTH posts @ WTH Wednesday Meme.

welcome to this weeks what the hell Wednesday brought to you by the color snot green, piles of dirty tissues and more fluids please…here we go(courtesy of livingdeadnurses psychoward)

1.Are you a stay at home sick one or are you a take it to work and spread the fun?
Depends on the illness. If it's a migraine or sinus issues I usually gut it out. If I have a flu virus I will stay home.

2.Are you a big baby when you get sick? Or do you have someone in your life that is a bigger baby that expects you to take care of them? I'd love to be a baby when sick. Since I live in a house full of non-nurturers that will never happen. :P

3.Do you think you have a sick personality? (take that anyway u want) Very twisted and skewed.

4.What do you think about mandated flu shots? Not cool. The government has no right to tell adults what to do with their bodies.

5.Are you terrified or tired of hearing about the h1n1 aka swine flu? I am tired of it but I am also concerned as it's widespread in areas of the state I live in.

6.What is the sickest thing you have ever seen? Madonna french kissing anyone.....ewwwwww

7.Would you let a student nurse take care of you? why or why not? Hell yeah, as long as needles aren't involved.

8.Have you ever called in sick when you weren’t sick? why? Yeah, to go to the beach.

9.What is the worst i am not coming in today… excuse have you heard someone use? My car's out of gas. PULEAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZE.

10.What is one thing that you can think of that make you sick to your stomach Madonna french kissing anyone....ewwwwwwwwwwwwww.

11.If you could come up with an illness what would you name it? Intelligence~folks would get smarter...

12.Have you ever been sick in love? No but I have been lovesick.

13.What are you sick and tired of? My kids sponging off of us. My spouse being unemployed and home day after endless day.

Tumbling Through Tuesday

It's windy and rainy and looks like November outside. We had a 5 month Summer, a 3 week Fall and it seems Winter has come early. This global warming thing is a bitch!

I thrilled to let ya'll know I'm getting my teeth scaled today. Yeehaw. That is like a cleaning but under my gums, fun fun. I'm planning on a smoothie from dinner. Freaking hate dentists....I also need 4 fillings replaced and another crown. They will have to wait until I get a job. Money is quite scarce around here. My 18yo doesn't comprehend we don't have $150 bucks for him to go to Homecoming to his girlfriend. They will not even be going to the dance. All dancing where partners touch have been banned. They have sold 2 tickets in a week. Welcome to 1900.

Practicing NCLEX questions. I'll be taking the test Oct. 28 starting at 2 p.m.. I only know of two folks in my nursing class who've taken it. Several more next week. I'm taking it ahead of half the class. I do not know how that miracle happened except God may have helped. If I pass the job search shall begin in earnest.

Pupples is now an eunuch. He also has a yeast infection in his right ear. I've decided I'll do the medical treatments needed. My 21yo cannot even keep the dog's ears clean, let alone medicate them.

I'm wondering if there will ever be an empty nest around here. It doesn't look good. ARGH is as articulate as I can be on this subject.

I hope you are all well and having a gook week. Hugs to my peeps!

I Need Help!

OK my peeps, how does a new grad go about finding a job?

I'm talking LPN entry level and no my school does not help us with this.

Every year until this one all the new grads were snapped up before they even took the NCLEX.

Now we're in a recession. No one's knocking my door down to hire me.

It's very difficult to job search online. So few details. I'd like to know some things before I apply or send my still to be invented resume.

I was a stay at home mom for 17 years. Then I was in school the past 4 years. What do I put on a resume?

Help please. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get Ready to Call Me Nurse Janice!

I have an appointment to take my NCLEX on October 28. YEEHAW!

I shall be studying extra hours before that and looking for jobs on my breaks.

I plan to be single minded and disciplined until after the test, snerk. ;)

A light slowly begins to shine at the far end of the tunnel...............

Castle

I have found a new sexy hot actor man to have a crush on~Rick Castle, aka Nathan Fillion most recently of Desperate Housewives.

I forgot to mention Castle yesterday. WE(Spouse and I) LOVE this show. Hot itelligent sassy lady for spouse. Sexy crinkly eyes, crooked grin, hunka burning love for me.

Nathan is one mega HOTTIE and he can act. No tabloid trash, keeps his private live private and producers and directors find him easy to work with.

I think I want to lick him all over. I haven't quite decided yet. Every Monday at 10p.m. we have a date for fairly good murder mysteries, great relationships between characters and a screen play writer with a sense of humor.

SIGH.

I think I LURVE him 4-ever.

He made me smile right out of my cranky mood tonight. Ohhhhh-la-la!!

Sunday Snippets

The new tv season~I was shocked by the show Trauma on NBC at the emotional depth that was conveyed. Who knew NBC could do emotional depth? The medical deets? Eh.

Mercy~no emotional depth, 3 nurses and 2 doctors apparently cover the entire hospital by itself and unnecessary scenes abound. I had hoped this how would be better as it showcases an LPN just home from Iraq....FAIL.

Glee~sly, snarky, twisted takes on a high school Glee club. Love it! Funny. Well acted. Very well written. Good singing.

Bones~excellent as always. More sly slick humor of a show that doesn't take itself too seriously.

House~jury is still out. First show was a tweaked homage on "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest".

Accidentally On Purpose~eh, ok.

The Big Bang~still hilarious to us geeks who get all the jokes.

Mad Men~confusing. I watch and still I have no clue what anything means. Even after reading Television Without Pity I don't get it.

CSI~Back to excellence!! Bravo on the premiere and keeping me guessing to the end!!!


Other trivia~I did very well on my independent study project and am now just waiting on a date to take the NCLEX-PN. Hopefully by the end of the month. 2 students from my class took and passed it this past week.

How does one find a job for a new grad that is not a glorified CNA??????

Tired of the Asylum? Come Visit WA State!!

glitter-graphics.com

Last week a violent psychotic killer walked away from his escort at the Spokane County State Fair. You see they have field trips away from The Eastern State Looney Bin. Don't want the inmates to get cabin fever.

Seriously, this state facility had regular field trips for their patients.

I'm not talking "Oh the voices told me to eat cotton candy." crazies. Nope.

I'm talking the "I keeled an ol' lady with a big hairy knife cuz I felt like it." whack jobs.

Criminally insane and extremely likely to be violent inmates.

This is the convo I imagine in my head:

"Sure Freida. Why not? Let's go take Ax Murderer and Serial Killer and their buddy Little Boys Are Fun to Torture to the fair. On Family Day. How perfect would that be?"

"No, Shirley I don't expect we need to ask their doctors or nurses. After all, we have done it before and every thing's been swell."

"Frieda grab some non medical personnel to help us. I think 3 of us can take 6-8 residents to the fair."

Same day, news flash: Insane Psycho Killer Escapes From Spokane County Fair!! He may be dangerous, please call Spokane County Sheriff's Office if you have seen this crazy ass psychotic around your neighborhood! More at eleven....

Um no, I am not joking. This happened last week at the main mental facility in Eastern Washington. They did take field trips with inappropriately non functional psychotics with no psychiatrically trained personnel.

The psycho killer in question had been incarcerated since 1987 when he whacked(literally) up a little ol' lady for no apparent reason. He was found non compus mentis and sent to the asylum forever and ever.

He left the building with his duffel bag, a guitar and one very sharp sickle or he had them hidden outside the facility. When he was caught these are the items he had with him.

The mental institution did not alert anyone they'd be field tripping to a public place. The fair management had no idea, the police had no idea, the folks just visiting the fair had no idea.

Psycho killer managed to just walk away. It took them over 3 days to find this man. Using all the inter agency resources they could find. The inmate had escape once before and sent a sheriff to the hospital with a serious head injury.

He killed a little old lady.
He would not take his meds regularly.
He was in a locked down ward for the criminally insane.
He planned this escape for months and not one person had a clue.
The Eastern State Mental Institution took their patients on freaking field trips!
They never notified local law enforcement.

Fortunately for the public the psycho killer was caught and put away again. No one was physically harmed.

Can you say : WTF???

Twenty One Years Ago

A little over 21 years and 20 some odd hours ago I gave birth to my first child. After 18 hours of labor, puking my guts out, an epidural that needed to be souped up q two hours I pushed for 3 hours to get my huge headed son out. Luckily these things tend to blur after several years.



I was 26 and a half. Spouse was 35. Baby was brand spanking new. Marriage was almost 2 years old.



I made the mistake of thinking my child development and parenting research would ensure lovely, well behaved yet fiesty kids. Bwahahahahahaha. I had much to learn.



We named him Keenan Joseph (no last name needed). I got the name Keenan from a how conception happens movie, Lennert Nilson was director, a photographer had the first name of Keenan. It slid into my mom-brain section like a lost puzzle piece.



My mother thought it was a stupid name and why didn't I pick something like John or James(my brothers' names). This is when I threatened her that I would name the child Zimbabwe and his nickname would be Bob. I was totally serious. My FIL expected me to name my kid after him..............poor guy was completely delusional. He was also upset and passive agressively let my spouse know. Heh, like I cared.



If the baby had been a girl her name would have been Noelle Joy as she/he was conceived Christmas night.



The baby had played soccer while in utero and I almost named him Pele because this boy could KICK!!! Our family legend has Keenan being born with a soccer ball.
He played competitive soccer from the age of 5 until the age of 16.



I was THRILLED to be a Mom. I spent hours staring at his beautiful hands and feet and face.



I was enthralled. I stayed that way until he turned 15.



ONE THING CLEAR: I'm still much too young to have a child who is 21 years old.



(WAAAAY TOO YOUNG!)

Happy birthday Keenan! Keep safe.

I wish you the life you want.

What The Hell Wednesday

Welcome to the first installation of the What the Hell Wednesday meme…this meme is brought to you by the letter I for insanity, the letter P for psycho and the number 2 for the 2 mental patients running this shenanigan…
Here we go….


1.Do you talk to yourself and what about? Do you answer back?

DUHHHHHHHHH. I talk to myself about everything. More when I am angry because yelling at anyone is contraindicated when trying to communicate. I do more of a monologue than question and answer.
2.Have you ever made up your own language?

No. My older brother had his own language until he was four. No one understood him and he was in love with parking meters which he called, "Swabbing meeboos." (And ya'll think I'm cuckoo.....)
3.It's confession time. Dig in to your closet of shame and tell us one totally insane thing you have ever done in your life.

Lost my virginity in high school, in my own bed. Going to nursing school.
4.So what is that one annoying thing in life that just drives you to that insanity level and why?

My spouse who is unemployed for the 5th time and is always home and makes me feel as if I should be USEFUL(his definition not mine) and the fact he thinks I should be cleaning house and cooking dinner because I am done with school, that ship sailed about a decade ago. Get over it fool!!!! His complete lack of understanding when I was going to nursing school.
5.You see a guy stripping butt naked and starts running around the street…what do you do?

Take out my cell phone and take pictures. Then go show them to my fellow nursing students.
6.Have you every had anyone tell you “you’re crazy?” what made them say that.

Yes. I used to be lots of fun and fairly whacko in high school, when I was single in college in a preppy yet totally unexpected, unanticipated way. Example: Let's go climb down the cliffs to Blacks Beach at midnight in the pitch dark while consuming alcoholic beverages and going to nursing school.
7.What would your Life Motto be?

Be kind.
8.Finish this sentence ever time a bell rings…

a boxer starts to swing.
9.If you had a phobia what would it be and why?

Heights. Because I like my feet on terra firma or in water.
10.When you go to starbucks do you swear they put crack in it just to get you to come back and pay 4.50 for it? If you don’t go is it because your might just get addicted?

I don't drink coffee. Never ever.
11.Do you believe you have a pet that can tell you what they want? Like open the door, feed them or pet them. Is this crazy?

Hell yeah. Maybe, who really cares?
12.What part of cell phones drive you nuts?

Calls to talk about crap we can cover when we're home together 22 freaking hours a day.
13.If you could have a psychotic break and at most have to spend 3 months in the mental ward what would you do?

Tell my nursing school director and instructors how I really felt all of last year...mwahahaha.

Ask for real rubber walls so I could literally bounce off them. Boing. Boing. Boing.

Pupples the Toddler

Having a 30lb puppy is very similiar to having a toddler.

There's less crying and whining but some pee urinary dribbling when Pupples gets peeved.

He bites when frustrated.

He's always asking for treats.

He climbs into my lap every time he sees me using my laptop. He then tries to lick the laptop showing me that he is friends with it.

He misbehaves when my attention is elsewhere especially if I am on the phone.

He barks at me if I dare eat without sharing.

He follows me around until anyone else walks by. The he'll leap into paroxyms of joys and leave me in a New York Minute.

His favorite place to sleep is across my lap, all 30 lbs of him.

He snores.

He sniffs my shirts for food. If I have spilled he "cleans" my shirt. Uh-huh.

I thought I'd never get used to the idea of never having another baby,

God with his twisted sense of humor gave me Pupples as a grandpuppy.

Be careful what you wish for...

Ya'll know dog is God spelled backwards, right?

Fabulous Awards

Several weeks ago KLS, Student Nurse
gave me this award for my blog. KLS is a student nurse, wife, mom of teens, etc. Hmmmmmmmm, sound familiar? She has a great blog and we can relate to many life events together.


Rules of the Award:

List five current obsessions.
Pass the award on to five more fabulous blogs.
On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.
When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well.
Don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by leaving a comment on their blog.

My obsessions:
1. Sorority Life game on Facebook

2. Medical news

3. World News

4. Bones~tv show

5. Medical shows on Discovery Health


5 freakin' fabulous bloggers:
1. The Nurse in Purple Converse
2. Never That Easy
3. Confessions of a PA Student
4. True Wife Confessions
5. Dr.Grumpy in the House

Check them out! I bet you'll have new blog obsessions.

Anxiety In Dreams

(I'm ready to take the stupid test and go give shots, lots of shots!!)

I woke up from a nap today sweating and shaky. I had a nasty anxiety dream that I've had once before. In the dream I kinda go crazy. Have a panic attack and take off in my minivan (the one I owned 12 years ago). I drive to a bad area and then call 911 with a flip cell phone. It takes me about 30 tries to get the numbers right.

911 connects me to my spouse. He asks where am I and can't I find my own way home.(Freud alert!) He's really too busy to be bothered to save me. I scream at him that I need help to find the van that I parked somewhere. I'm terrified of the many freeways I have to negotiate to get home. This is where I wake up.

Do I need to spell it out? I want to depend on my spouse to save me but he will never step up in that capacity.

So my friends who are into dream analysis did I miss anything significant?

Nursing Board Nonsense

glitter-graphics.com

If one checks the Nursing Commission web site, one can check one's license status. My entire class is pending.

Nothing wrong with being pending.

EXCEPT.....

when one's nursing school has not sent one's final grades and papers.

Look at the cartoon up there and imagine my emo angst............................

The Plague

Last week as I time traveled to medieval times to play my favorite game, "Lady of the Manor and her secret Knight on the round table" I picked up a mild case of bubonic plague.

It never fails, every time one visits medieval times those freakin' rats and fleas cause all kinds of ruckas!(shaking my head) I suppose I could have shared my knowledge of disease contagions but I just wasn't in the right mood. Sue me. Oh wait! No lawyers in feudal times! HAHA!

I used my knowledge from the current century to unlock my chastity belt and thought that was enough work....eh, I'm such a diva!

Back on topic, I'm feeling slightly out of sorts and am taking a day or two off relaying my journals of world travel. I'm sorry to let you down. I think I'll be in good form rather quickly.

Have a lovely week all and joust till you die! It's the only way to truly appreicate the games.

In The Recesses of my Hippocampus

Centuries ago, when I was young I thought everything and anything were possible. Things like meeting my true soul mate, winning millions on the lotto, Harvard begging me to be a visiting professor.

I was a happy, though moody albeit, child through about 16. I did not realize how lucky I was to have 2 loving parents, two little brothers I could still punk when needed, in a land of green forests, gentle hills and huge bodies of water.

Once my parents forced me to move to the sinful, materialistic, always freakin' sunny So. Cal, I was unhappy. I choose to be miserable, I was too young to understand attitude is a choice not a disease.

I wanted to be in medicine. I was a candy striper from ages 14-16.

DAYAM! We had the OOGLIEST pepto bismal colored jumper to wear. I'm shuddering just thinking of that color.

Have you realized how much of your life is full of people telling you what you can't do?

It took me decades, 2 miscarriages, my third son's death, 23 years of marriage, bankruptcy(years ago), many bouts of unemployment, mother's death, FIL's passing, raising 2 two wild thangs to puzzle out I was still on earth and not on the Planet Zocar(aka local psych hospital).

It's not the tragedy that crushes you, it's how you decide to deal with it. There is a choice. It's not an easy choice and other things get in your way.

Every time I see a clear road ahead of me, I cower in fear as I know God's getting ready to throw another boulder in the middle of my road.

The difference now is I KNOW with certainty I can climb that rock. It make take me 40 years but I'll get over the rock.

Things I never thought I could do:


1) Survive the loss of my child!it's taken over a decade but I'm still here.

2) Marriage to anyone. It wasn't a part of my plans and 23 years later here I am, now I did not say I was blissfully married....snort.

3) I never contemplating my mother dying so young at 64. I had planned on her being here laughinhg at my snotty teens.

4) I hope I have taught my boys that bad events happen and they can deal. Be just fine.

5) Make it through intermediate algebra. I took that class 3 times but I finished with an 85% eventually.

6) I was unaware of how much compassion I hold for others.

7) I never thought I'd make it through nursing boot camp but I did. A little worse for wear but in one piece.

Have you achieved something in your life that you never thought was possible?

Always Remember

To all you have fought and sacrificed for America, I thank and pray for you.

Wednesday Wanderings

I just killed a skeeter eater thereby diminishing my reputation as a good Buddhist girl. Shucks.

I am watching a rerun of MAD MEN. If you haven't seen it, it's an excellent show set in 1963 about an ad agency, the evil games they play, and the reality of times on how women were treated&men were caught up in their gender roles as well. It won several Emmys last year. On Sunday nights @ 10P.M. on AMC.

The sets and clothing remind me of my childhood in good ways and bad. It's pure excellence. Try it. :) Back episode recaps @Television without Pity

More drilling on my tooth today. I get the full on creeps when I hear that high pitched drill. My pain is down to nothing finally.

Pupples weighs 28lbs at 16 weeks of age. He was 5 lbs when we get him. He's growing so fast I feel I'm missing all the funstuff. :( He's a love/huggy/snuggle puppy who thinks he fits in my lap. HA! He's quite the goofball and keeps me entertained.

I found nothing offensive in the President's speech. What was the brouhaha about?

Will I ever start missing have no kids to get ready for the first day of school? I never believed people when they told me time would fly by~~it flew and I so miss the days when my 18yo was an infant and his brother was a 2 year old. Despite lack of sleep, it was one the happiest times for me.

How was your hump day?

The Pain! The Pain!

A piece of advice: when a dentist tells you a root canal will cause some discomfort, punch him in the face cuz he be LYING!

I was told I'd be sore and ibuprofen would take care of it.

On....the third night I was awake from pain I began fastasizing ways to torture the dentist to death in painful and nasty ways. The rack, drilling into his head with his own drills, torture devices from the Inquisition.

There's nothing worth reading on Facebook at 3a.m. NOTHING.

I sat in the dental chair for 2 hours while they numbed me twice because the first time wasn't enough.(Duh, that should have been my first hint)

That high pitched whining vibrating through every bone in my head had me wishing I was in PongoPongo where they don't have dentists.

I didn't even get a sticker.

No pain pills. No sticker. This guy sucks.

I get to go back for a crown tomorrow.

My gas tank is full I could probably get to Portland before anyone realizes I'm missing..............

Happy Anniversary Mom

If my mother were alive today would have been my parents' 54th wedding anniversary.

When I was young, up into 10 years of age, my parents seemed happy to me. Not that a 10 year old ever thinks about their parents in that. This was our years in New Jersey. I had the best 10 years of a great childhood there.

When we lived in MI(me-10~16.5)they still seemed good though I saw and heard more arguments. My brother was a teenager and they fought about him fairly often. When they were sober. My parents were typical 70's having cocktails beginning at 5p.m. daily. They went to progressive dinners and cocktail parties and football barbecues and Hey! Nixon's gone celebrations. I became aware of the fact my mother was not exactly blissfully happy. A feeling I would experience now and again.

We hit Orange County, CA in November 1978. I was one miserable 16yo and I made sure all around me suffered along with me. Signals that I picked up on told me my mother had many things she wished she could have done, as opposed to getting married and having kids. My mother discovered Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinam, Golda Meijer and considered Pat Nixon a bubble brain. My mom believed in women's liberation and had picked up the sentiments in NJ and MI, she never voiced her opinions then.

I realized there was a part of my mother in which she thought being married and raising kids had wasted her intellect. Her potential. Lots of under the surface hostility brewing.

I went off to UCSD. In the spring of my freshman year, my dad quite his job. The job that paid well and the one he'd been at for close to 18 years.

I came home for the summer, having no where else to go.

OH MY GOODNESS, I could see the hostility in the air. It came close to knocking me to the ground. Thinking back on it later, I could see the causes. My dad was essentially unemployed. No money coming in. My dad still went out to play tennis and golf and have drinks. My mother simmered silently around me.(we did not have the greatest relationship until after I had Keenan) I left the house as often as I could. The tension was unbearable to me.

Since my father was generating no income I began to pay for my own university. Mom was peeved about that as well. I was getting chances she never had.

Coming home on and off for the next 5 years, my mother's unhappiness and most likely depression was visible to me. I had no idea what to do about it. I avoided any stay over 3 days.

My mom died in early 1997. In those years I got to know her better. She could not understand when I wanted to stay home to raise my boys. She had felt trapped. I adored it.

My parents bickered evilly whenever they were together, worse if there was no alcohol.

From my viewpoint here in the distance, I can see how desperately unhappy my mother had been. She had severe rheumatoid arthritis and was crippled by it, she felt she had no place to go. She lived 1200 miles away and I could only help so much.

Our twice weekly phone calls were a joy for us. We did not discuss her marriage because I felt that would put me in the middle. I did hear about her dreams and desires for herself and for her 4 children.

Mom I hope you're happily doing whatever you want in heaven. Equal to all, healthy as a horse, enjoying the grandson you barely got to know.

I love you Mom.

The Joys of Getting Older

Spent part of my day getting a root canal. It wasn't abcessed, just going towards issues of becoming infected. Here it explains all the joy I dealt with today w/o good narcotics.

•What is endodontic treatment?
•Why would I need an endodontic procedure?
•What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
•How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
•Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
•Endodontic Procedure
•How much will the procedure cost?
•Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment?
•What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?
•Can all teeth be treated endodontically?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is endodontic treatment?

“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth.

To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why would I need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.



What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your endodontist’s instructions carefully.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Endodontic Procedure

Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:

1. The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.


2. The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.


3. After the space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.


4. After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.



If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.


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How much will the procedure cost?

The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Molars are more difficult to treat, the fee is usually more. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.

Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and money.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment?

You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.

What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?

New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.

Can all teeth be treated endodontically?

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

Since I had to suffer I thought I'd spread the pain...........................muahahahahahahahha.

Not Quite Perfect

The more I learn about the human body the more I am impressed with how we are designed. How everything affects everything else. How a small problem in the balance of electrolytes can kill you. How medicine has learned to test the levels of electrolytes and fix them when necessary.

The body is amazing.

With one exception.

The sinuses.

Small holes in our skulls that produce mucus which the body utilizes in 60 different ways.

Seemingly beneficial.

You cannot see them but, trust me, you have them. You never even notice them.

UNTIL...

The immune system goes ballistic and starts over producing mucus causing those little holes in your skull to overfill and your nose begins to drip, your ears clog up, your throat has that evil slimey feel.

Those little indents in your skull begin to feel as huge as the Great Lakes. Now I've personally visited 3 of the Great Lakes and lemme tell ya~they are IMMENSE in the lake world! Humongous.

That mucus begins to brew and the opening gets clogged, kind of like a log jam or a leak in a Dutch dike.

The pressure behind that clog begins to build.

First it's a slight headache in the morning.

Next thing you know it feels like the dentist became really teeny and is using his tools inside your head. Without novacaine. OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

The problem in the design of the sinuses is the fact that a usable blow flow is missing. Holes do not hold capillaries well because they fall out. I mean, come on! It's a hole, silly.

Because of the lack of blood flow antibiotics do not adequately circulate to the sinuses.

Sinus infections are difficult to clear up.

Now I have about 3 eensy dentists with their drills in my right side sinuses at this very moment. It freaking hurts.

I feel the sinuses have a design flaw.

Or maybe I just have some design flaws(wink).

Smacking Myself Upside the Head

Oh I am so stupid some days.

Here I am in my lethargy/pity party when a friend of mine truly suffers. Dumb ass Janice. Get over yourself.

My legs still work with only small twinges from my left knee.

My brain is not clouded by disease and chronic pain.

I can bail from this pop stand any time I like.

Dumb ass Janice.

I need to start studying so I can get my license and start caring for people who cannot do all these things. People with dementia or traumatic brain injury. Fools who text while driving.

I am still more interested in psych. I want to help people calm the demons in their heads. I want to spread the message that one can survive most anything if one just takes each minute as it happens. It may be awful for that minute. The next minute may be 1% percent better.

There are many people out there who may benefit from my education and compassion.

Time to get back to work.

Is It Just Me...

Is it just me or does it seem like lots of folks are dying this summer?
Jackson, Shriver, Kennedy, Fawcett, Dunne, and a host of other famous folks?

Is it just me or is there NADA worth watching on my 300 channels?

Is it just me or is this one of the longest summers ever?

Is it just me or is this one of the HOTTEST Seattle summers ever?

IIJM or does the economy scare you too?

IIJM or had People Magazine gotten extra trashy lately? I don't even read it anymo'.

IIJM or is anyone else in an irresistible state of lethargy and apathy?

IIJM or does nothing seem to taste extra special yummy anymore?

I know. I need a plan. A purpose.

Spouse moved the desk and 2 largish bookshelves into the empty living room for me to set up all my nursing notes, books, paraphernalia etc.

Now I just need to my ass moving.....................

EEK!

I was going through my Davis NCLEX-PN book this afternoon as the sweet lil(2.5 ft long) Pupples slept all curled up next to me. He was really sweet today until my son came home. Pupples became whirling dervish dog. Running, jumping, biting, all the obnoxious puppy behaviors. ( A blur just whipped behind the couch and slid to a stop in front me~wonder Pupples!)

Someone(anyone but lazy ol' me) should have walked that dog today.

Back to the topic.

Reading the review did not to alleviate my fears.

I HAVE FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING I HAVE LEARNED IN THE PAST 3 YEARS!!!!!!!!

NOW what am I supposed to do?

Does anyone with even a few living brain cells have any tips for me? I have almost 5weeks to study and write my independent study project.

I'll have 4 weeks or so to study after that until the actual test.

I'm still blown away that I'm being delayed over 6 weeks. DAMNIT!

Life sucks today.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

If anyone was paying attention I've been a bit scarce.

I'm resting my brain.

I'm living the life playing Sorority Life on Facebook. Nothing like pretending I'm rich, beautiful, vicious, and 28 years younger than my real world.

Been watching Pupples who MUST weigh over 30 pounds now. He is freakin' HUGE.
He was 5lbs 9 weeks ago. We watch him sprout like dandelions. He's teething. I have the bruises to prove it. He's not attacking me just trying to sooth himself.

I need a root canal.

Yeah, sucks rocks.

It will cost $1100 if the insurance covers nothing. $650 if the insurance covers half. My tooth is quite sensitive and painful when I press on it or eat something cold. The x-rays don't show any obvious infection just some suggestive blurriness. If it did not hurt I might wait but it will get worse or abscess or cause me to get endocarditis because that bacteria will move through my bloodstream to my heart if left alone.

Have I mentioned my spouse has been unemployed for 8 months?

And that my taking the NCLEX has been delayed by 6 weeks?

I won't get into the small whines.

When I play Sorority Life all the crap vanishes. The University I attended after high school did not even have sororities.

Irony is everywhere.

Fun Friday

Howdy my friends.

Slow week, just recovering mentally from that boot camp hell they call nursing school.

Pupples the amazing growing puppy(who will be the size of a hippo by October)has been keeping me busy. He misses my 20yo and I'm his second choice. He's definitely a snuggly pitbull. He wants to sleep on my lap but he's way too HUGE to fit.

I'm such a sucker for a snuggle bunny. All my boys were snugglers as infants, toddlers and older.

I will start a study schedule next week. I promise. LOL.

I get to go to the gyn tomorrow~~~yeah.

Already did the mammogram thing so no more squishing my boobs down to flat and wide. Phew! Such a relief!

Hey men, don't whine about a little finger probe....I've had eight pound babies come out of one of my orifices...and the doc's hands, and 1800 other folks in the room.

My weather is back. High tomorrow to be 70 degrees! Yeehaw.

Now if a helicopter full of money landed in my back yard and left us $500,000 to get us through the rest of 2009 things would be awesome!!!

Any plans this weekend?

Don't Look at Me

If I hide my face, you can't find me~aka I don't work here.

Dog Days Of Summer

I'm overwhelmed with your many suggestions for a study plan...

Haha.

The temperatures are rising here in Western Washington again. Eighty today, higher tomorrow.
Yippee. Nothing like being fried alive. Nothing.

Pupples is getting quite strong willed and large. He weighs over 15lbs and must be almost 24 inches when all stretched out.

He is one psychotic dog. He'll be chewing on his Kong, then wham! He turns and attacks another toy as if it had been taunting him.

He's teething. So far we've kept him from damaging any furniture but he did try to eat the redwoood deck!

Beware of anything left w/in Pupples reach. It will be in pieces especially if it is paper, cardboard, most wood pulp products.

He wrestles the hose to the ground. Can't let that green snake get the better of him! He adores drinking out of it even as he is totally confused how water comes out of it.

His tail wiggles wildly as soon as he sees anyone. Strange dogs, strange people, us. He goes crazy when any of us come back from upstairs or from being out of the house. It's so cute (as he hides his fangs until we least expect it.)

I'm not sure if he's part-Cujo, part rattle snake, half-vampire...........

He will let me rub his belly for 20 minutes. If I stop, yikes! He 'tells' me he's not happy by yelping at me.

Because my mood has been down the past several days he stays beside me and licks me wherever he can reach. Or he sleeps right beside me on the sofa. On top of my arm or my leg or my head. Crazy dog.

A typical male, he tries hard to cheer me up in an awkward he's not sure how way.

My spouse goes from being wishy-washy to alpha dog in 30 seconds. Criminy, enough already. Who's the animal and who's the adult? We may never know.

Have any crazy puppy stories?