To laugh often and much

This post is for the sole purpose of moving the stool chart down the page and out of sight :) And it's a nice thought for a rainy spring day when I am blessed with the use of only one hand and half a back...

Have a good one!

The Scoop on Poop

Nasty, hey? :) We had the Official Version of this chart posted in our Report Room on the Stroke Rehab Unit where I worked last year. Every morning, it stared me in the eye. We were encouraged to use the "types" in our documentation of patient's bowel movements so that we would have objective descriptions.

It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't talk about FOOD at the same time!

Good golly, I don't miss that unit.

So for all of you who keep daily diaries to show your neurologists/doctors, I proudly pass on the chart for your personal use :) Won't your docs be pleased?!

Cause I'm a W.O.M.A.N.

Yup, that time of the month. Move directly to dark chocolate and do not pass GO. Put on your safety goggles or get out of the way!

Streakin' (for MS!)

I'm going to have lots of explaining to do... I'm wearing a bright new color for MS.

It's kind of scary for me, actually. I can either tell people it's a mid-life crisis or actually explain that it's in support of the Walk to end MS. Some will know that I am struggling with neurological issues, others will be left to think that I am just a "participant". In for a inch, in for a mile!

It was a fun afternoon at the mall, though. Good to see old friends and make some new!

My kids are teasing me... we heard on the news a while back about how Montreal was having problems with rabies outbreaks in the wild animals of the city. The city would capture the wild animals, check them for rabies, and if they were clean, they would be spray painted with a pink stripe and released.

"I am officially rabies-free!"

Now the MS, on the other hand...

I guess, other than the hair, the limp from the 3-day muscle spasm (spasm seems like such a *gentle* way to describe this ) in my calf and foot might give it away... ouch. I have so much respect for those of you who have been dealing with MS joys for years...

But at least I'm still smiling!

Another silly nursing cartoon

OK, I know that's not funny to anyone who doesn't spend their days assessing breath sounds and looking at hospital gowns and openings of all sorts :)

It's been a busy week at work. 3 patients on my team passed away, and one ended up with paralysis from spinal cord compression. I am caring for a wonderful lady who is the mother of one of my children's school-mates. She is very strong, but her diagnosis is horrible. It's hard some days to leave work at work. I really connect with the patients and families on the unit. Others drive me absolutely up the wall, lol. I am so glad to work with such a great team where we can laugh and cry together every shift...

It seems like I was the "go to nurse" for family emotional issues this week at work. I need to recharge my batteries...

Maybe it was the fact that I was operating left-handed due to a dead arm (nerve stuff)... I think that I appeared half-human to other people who know suffering.

At least what I see at work makes my life seem pretty darn cooshy!!

The Valley

Our music therapist at work was singing this song to a palliative patient and his partner the other day. It's a beautiful song with wonderful words, and I wanted to share it. So here's to my Blogging Friends and to anyone else who just needs it! The song is "The Valley" by Jane Siberry (another one of our Great Canadians).

I live in the hills
You live in the valleys
And all that you know
Are these blackbirds

You rise every morning
Wondering what in the world
Will the world bring today
Will it bring you joy
Or will it take it away?
And every step you take is guided by
The love of the light on the land
And the blackbird's cry
You will walk in good company

The valley is dark
The burgeoning holding
The stillness obscured by the judging
You walk through the shadows
Uncertain and surely hurting
Deserted by the blackbirds
And the staccato of the staff
And though you trust the light
Towards which you wend your way
Sometimes you feel all that you wanted
Has been taken away
You will walk in good company

I love the best of you
You love the best of me
Though it is not always easy
Lovely? Lonely?
We will walk in good company

c. 1989 Wing-It Music

My Secret Super Hero

Because she takes a lickin and keeps on tickin... And because *nobody* can beat those glasses!!

To our Garage Sale Queen and Secret Super Hero... Shauna at bugs, bikes, and brains gets the award of the day!