Monday, September 14, 2009

Confessions of a Coffee Crazed Nurse

When I worked med/surg, I took care of my fair share of drug-seekers. Not chronic pain patients that get labeled "drug-seekers", but actual drug-seekers. Making up symptoms to be admitted to get IV pain meds.
The one that stands out in my mind was a frequent flyer. At one of the hospitals every month or so. His complaints were either chest pain or GI bleed (blood in his stool). He'd be admitted for a complete workup but was always "nauseous" and in "pain". What was ordered for him? Dilaudid and phenergan. When given together through the IV, they cause a temporary high. Why was he continuously admitted when we knew what he wanted? Liability. If something was actually wrong and he wasn't admitted . . .bad news. And he did things like dig out his internal hemmorhoid to make himself bleed (to convince the ER docs that he had a GI bleed).
On one of his stints on our floor, he smuggled in dilaudid tablets, phenergan tablets, and percocet. He requested phenergan and dilaudid for his nausea and pain. Given through the IV. Then (and this is the good part) he managed to fish a used syringe out of the sharps container (I still don't know how he did it). He crushed all his pills, disolved them in water in a cup, pulled it up in the syringe, and put it in his IV. He just about died. I was the one who found him comatose in the bathroom in his room. He was still breathing. Barely.
He was put under one on one care with a sitter, and offered drug rehab and psychological counseling. Both of which he declined. He died 6 months later from a drug overdose. I feel sorry for his wife and 2 children.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

My son, the nurse

Well, he likes to pretend he's a nurse! He's a true mommy's boy and loves copying me. So when I get home from work he likes to wear my stethascope and badge and "listen" to me, the dog, daddy, the couch . . .



Here he is, looking the part. See the big grin? So happy to look like mommy!





And "listening" to daddy's leg. Note how the ear pieces aren't in his ears . . .

Leg sounds good. Better check the heart. Again, without ear pieces . . . Who knows? Maybe he'll take after me and be a nurse!

My dog Zan . . .she smells bad right now. Sitting next to me while I type and she smells like she rolled in something not quite alive. Just thought I'd share that.
Icky.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Cephalopods

I'm in a cephalopod mood at the moment, so I figured I'd do a search on Etsy and share what I find!

Here's a cutie octopus from NeedleNoodles.


And a fabulous octopus coffee mug from skybirdarts! I need one of these!



Awesome octopus print by marystreacle!
I love cephalopods!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Feature Friday - Teonova

Today I'm featuring the amazing shop Teonova. The talent behind Teonova has been making leather masks since 2001 and has sold over 1700! And looking at the quality of workmanship, you can understand why. These masks are quite beautiful and perfect for Halloween, a masquearade ball, renaissance fair . . . whatever you can imagine!



This one is a little devilish and perfect for Halloween! The colors and subtle shading are stunning.



I want this fox mask so bad. It is amazing. Just amazing.





She offers more simple masks as well. Again, the subtle shading of colors is gorgeous.

She also has leather cuffs in a dizzying array of patterns and colors.

I'd love to post every mask she has but I'll leave it to you to check out her shop. You'll be happy you did.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

What to write about . . .

I'm sure all of you are aware that yesterday was 09/09/09. Yay. How exciteing. Well, I worked yesterday in the nursery and it was a MAD HOUSE!!! I swear that every one who was 37 weeks preggers or more tried to have their baby yesterday. We did 8 deliveries on my shift and THANK GOD for the NICU! They went to our twin delivery while Libby and I were both at other deliveries. That makes 9 total. And there were 3 still in labor and 3 in triage when I left last night. Seriously? Is the date that important? So none of us got lunch, it was controlled chaos, but darnit - we had some cute babies!!! Most of them boys. I think we had 2 girls.

And just for fun, my Halloween rat!!! He sold last night which is bittersweet. I really like him. In his bat costume with posable wings!



Happy Thursday!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

I made more zombies? Noooooooo . . .

Yes I did!!

A new zombie bunny AND a zombie squirrel! I'm sorry. I'm zombie obsessed. Braaaiiiiinnnnsssssss!

Look! He's got a nummy brain!


Hmmmm, something ate his butt . . .



Zombie squirrel!


He's missing the flesh on his wee paw! Ain't that adorable?

At least my zombies are cute!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Rat Ornaments!

I have high hopes for sales this Christmas. Duuuuuuuude. It's September! Why all this talk of Christmas? Well, because I'm hoping to sell Christmas ornaments! Cute and creepy ones! So why not start now?

Here's where you guys come in. I took a few pics of my first 2 rat ornaments and I'd love to get your opinion! They're smaller than my signature rat - about 2 inches. And darn cute in my opinion!



Soooooo, critiques? Suggestions? Thoughts? Want one? What about price?
And thanks!
The rats thank you too . . .