Goodbye to you, Gertie Goose

Yesterday I was off.  When I went back to work today, I found out one of the residents on my unit developed pneumonia.  She was in bed & did not look good.

Around 10:00 the nurse told me, "Gertie won't be here in the morning."  And it happens just like that.  One day she's fine, & the next she's dying.

I only started to get to know Gertie at the beginning of August when I was first placed on that unit.  Four weeks is not a terribly long time.  I don't know where she grew up, how long she was married or what her favorite color is.

But I do know some things - a lot, actually. I know that she smiled every time I called her Gertie Goose.  I know she sometimes tried to bite the aides, & I know that it was because we needed to use a mechanical lift to transfer her, which had to be uncomfortable & scary.  I know the trick is to take her dentures before I transfer her.  She was onto my game & giggled every time.  I know that she tried to "sneak" something from her dinner tray back to her room each night - sometimes bread & butter or a brownie; occasionally ice cream...even though there was no fridge in her room.  I know that when she did not like a fellow resident, she was not afraid to call them a certain unpleasant name.  Because of that, I know that in her youth she must have been full of the same spunk & sass she held onto throughout her entire life.

Gertie's son is her power of attorney, & he chose not to have her taken to the hospital for treatment.  I'm sure that's what she wanted, & even so I'm sure it was the hardest decision he ever had to make.  He was not there this evening.   

Gertie's daughter lives in another state.  She's currently homebound because of an injury, so she's not able to come to Pennsylvania at this time.  Even if she could come, she wouldn't be here in time.  I can't begin to imagine how devastating that must be.

And so, there Gertie was - at the end, with only staff members surrounding her.  But she spent her last days with us, & in a way we are family too, so it seems somewhat fitting.

I spent a few minutes in her room at the end of my shift.  I ran my fingers through her hair & rubbed her back.  She was gasping, even though she was getting oxygen.  The body that carried her through all these years was failing.  Thankfully, she wasn't suffering.  She was comfortable.  She was sleeping. 

When it's time for me to go I kiss her hand; tell her I love her.  I know in my heart she can hear me.

Four weeks is not a terribly long time, but it is long enough.

This day is a day that I knew was coming, even before I started this job.  But all the preparation in the world doesn't make it hurt any less.

I know that Gertie's absence will be real & strong for a while, but then someone new will move in & we will all move on.  I will not think of her everyday, but she will remain nestled in my thoughts forever.

Someday - when a spunky, sassy resident calls someone else a whore - I will think of Gertie Goose.  And I will remember that she taught me how to cope with the days like this.

The suspense is killing me!

I went to visit the kittens today, & I fell in love.

Turns out there were two litters of kittens born about two weeks apart.  The schmuck lucky lady who took them in needed help, & a local shelter got her in touch with a couple who was willing to board some of them until adoption.

I went to the helpful couple's house today to see the little furballs.  They only had one of the kittens that was up for adoption left.  The Mr. was telling me how close he's gotten with this particular kitty.  Just as he was telling me that she snuggles with him & sits on his lap, she came right on over to me & took a seat.

That was all it took.

The other kittens were brought over, & I visited with everyone.  They were all melt your heart adorable, but as I kept watching Kitty #1 I knew it had to be her.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take her home today.  : (

Her adoption was sponsored through a no kill cat shelter in the area, so I had to fill out an application.  Not to mention this "free" kitten is going to cost me a pretty penny.  But, I'm ok with that.  She's got all of her shots & was tested for feline lukemia & AIDS. 

The foster moms seemed pretty confident that getting approved wouldn't be an issue.  We're hoping to get the green light tomorrow or Friday so that I can pick her up when I off Monday.  I've been pretty bummed about having to work this weekend & miss my grandparent's anniversary party, so this will be a great pick-me-up!

I can't wait to bring her home & post some pictures so you can see her!

High school much?

Two of my coworkers had a spat in the middle of the dining room last night - one being my favorite friend from work, & the other being a lazy bitch I can't stand.

While my friend had a little bit of an attitude when it wasn't truly necessary, the other lady is an idiot.  That's a good excuse, right?

In any event, I know that this is going to be a big thing that the lazy one won't let go - you know, because she's got a lot of time on her hands since she's usually not doing anything.

And although I adore my favorite work friend, & I agree that the other lady is freaking annoying, I am not getting involved.

I swore to myself (and my boyfriend) that when I started a new job I would not be participating in the drama of the people around me. 

It's ridiculous.  We're all grown-ups.  We have to work together everyday. You don't have to like each other, but you also don't have to stand around & talk shit either.

Put your big-girl panties on & deal with each other.

PS...

Because I will always have a catty side, I would just like to say that my favorite friend has already moved on, & it's the other lady who's still being a bitch.  Tee hee! 

Ok, I'm done now.  Back to being Switzerland for me.

Meet me on Monday

Meet me on Monday is hosted by Java at Never Growing Old.  It's a blog hop/survey/fun way to meet fellow bloggers!


Here are this week's questions.


1. What is your favorite kind of doughnut?

Definitely chocolate glazed doughnuts.  Mmm...so good.


2. How often do you pray?

I really, truly pray only when it's absolutely necessary.  I'm not a "God, please let there be no traffic on the way to work, " kind of girl.


3. What is your favorite kind of music?

The kind with lyrics that speak to me - usually...but I can't deny my love of terrible pop music.


4. What do you order when you eat Chinese food?

Shrimp fried rice or sesame chicken.


5. Would you rather snowboard in the winter or swim in the summer?

I would rather swim.  I LOVE the water - from the pool to the ocean.  I should have been a fish.

Help a sistah out!

One of my absolute favorite blogs is Laundry hurts my feelings, & Joann is one of my favorite bloggy ladies.

She has a friend who is in the running for a walk on part in Mad Men, & Joann is asking for help. 

Please click here  to read Bunny's story & to find the link for voting.

It's quick & easy, I promise.

Thanks for your help!!

Check me out!

You know how a new outfit makes you feel like a different person?

That's how I feel about the new look for my blog!

You like?

BIG thanks to my SIL Jenn for doing all the work!

I need your opinion, Bloggy Ladies.

For some reason, I have always wanted a gray cat.  Have you ever seen the really dark, charcoal gray ones with the amber colored eyes?  That's what's I mean.

Subconsciously, I think it's because my very first cat fit the bill.  My mom gave her to me when I started kindergarten & she was with us until I was 19.

In any event, DJ & I already have 2 cats (And a dog!  Can't forget the dog) that make us me very happy.  However, there was a "Free to a good home" sign on the bulletin board at work, & one of the kittens is gray - just like I've been wanting.

I emailed the woman a few days ago & didn't get a response.  I assumed the kitten was adopted & just let it go; but then I got a response today.  Her email essentially said, "Sorry for the delay.  If you're still interested, contact me."

I emailed back & told her I was absofreakinglutely still interested!  I asked her to contact me when she has a chance so we can make pick-up arrangements when it's convenient.

Then I got this response:

I would like you to have personal contact with them so you can see how they interact with you and you with them.  Also, one of the kittens has all of her shots and they were paid for through 1X1 Cat Rescue so there's an adoption fee (we can discuss this when you call).  The other 2 kittens' shots were paid for by me and I would ask that I be reimbursed for those fees (again to be discussed by phone).  They are due for rabies shots this Fri. as well as booster distemper shots.  I will be home in the P.M. as far as I know.  The 1X1 kitten's shots are good for a year with the exception she must be spayed when she's 5 or 6 months and when you show proof of the spaying you will be reimbursed a portion of the adoption fee.  The other 2 kittens must also be spayed when old enough.  No de-clawing for any of the kittens. 

 

Please know that what I am telling you I tell all of the prospective pet parents and not just you.  They are well taken care of and are happy, healthy kittens and we want them to have a good home



I have no qualms about reimbursing this woman for the shots, because it makes no difference whether I pay my vet or hers.  She would be spayed as soon as she was old enough, & I have no plans to declaw...which is why my walls have scratches from the devil cats who already live here.  Grrr....


However, I'm a little put off by her email.  She's not making unreasonable requests, but I feel like it's a far cry from "Free to a good home."  And to be honest, if it were me giving kittens away I wouldn't be able to do it  would probably feel the same way.  But something just doesn't seem right to me.  I feel a little hesitant to get involved with this person.


What do you think?  Am I overreacting, or do you think I should steer clear of this situation?

Happy Anniversary, MomMom & PopPop

Today is my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary.

I have an ironic story to tell about this anniversary.  I think it pretty much sums up our relationship to a "T."

My mom & her siblings planned a big surprise party for them.  It's next Saturday at 3:00 - & I'm scheduled to work.  When my mom told me everyone was getting together to plan, I made it clear that the 28th would potentially be the 1st weekend I was scheduled for at my new job & that I would likely work that day.  So naturally, "that's the only day everyone could do it, Renee."

Unfortunately, because I'm new to my job I have no personal time.  They allow schedule switching, but weekends are really hard.  It's even worse in this case because it's my first scheduled weekend.  Despite my best efforts, I can't get the day off.  I will miss the party.

I have been a train wreck for weeks.  I've missed family functions before, but this is absolutely devastating.  Every time I talk to my mom or one of my aunts I get a speech about how "there must be something that can be done," or that, "this place doesn't sound like a good place to work."  It makes me more & more upset.

I came home from my sister's birthday party last weekend in tears.  DJ tried his best to comfort me, but to no fault of his own he couldn't.  Why?  That's the ironic part. 

Because the only thing that could make me feel better about missing my grandparent's party is them.

They helped raise me.  They have been the constant in my life.  They are my good example of love & marriage.


For as long as I can remember, they have been a part of nearly every memory - no matter how big or small.

I remember laying on the floor with my PopPop while he watched the news after supper.  I'd always put my head on his chest & listen to his heartbeat. 


I remember spending summer nights on my MomMom's lap in a rocking chair on the front porch.  She sang silly songs like "Camp Granada" for me.


As I've "grown up" into adulthood I've made a lot of decisions I'm not particularly proud of.  Although they haven't agreed with all of those decisions, they never turned their backs on me when I needed something.

I couldn't possibly love them more if I tried.

 

Just be glad you don't have balls, honey.

Said the resident when I changed him last night.

He had left me a "present" in his brief on last rounds, & it was a doozy to clean up.

I try to be as gentle as I can, but sometimes you just gotta scrub!  Know what I mean?

(Disclaimer:  This post continues to be about "number 2," so if you're squeamish you may want to abandon ship now.)

That was the icing on the cake really...the cake came earlier in the evening.

Normally, when a resident is on the potty doing their business, there's some indication of it so I can prepare myself.

Last night, I did not have that luxury - but my resident had a laxative!

I don't know how something so big came out of this poor woman!  It seriously looked like she put out a pound roll of ground beef!

(Disclaimer:  Just in case you didn't trust me the first time, the really icky part is coming up next.)

Since I was not exaggerating about the size - it got stuck.  Try & try as I might, it just wouldn't flush.  It was too solid.

And so, I had to do what I had to do.  I gloved up, reached in & broke it in half so it would flush.

So, how was everyone else's first day of the work week??

It's almost Monday.

Meet me on Monday is hosted by Java at Never Growing Old.  It's a blog hop/survey/fun way to meet fellow bloggers!


Here are this week's questions.

1. What is your favorite dessert?

My absolute favorite is really, really beautiful fruit salad.  I like it filled with lots of berries - strawberries, rasberries, etc.  And lots of other good stuff too:  peaches, pineapple, kiwi...  Yum-o!


2. What do you wear to bed?

TMI alert!  I sleep in panties - only panties.  I'm a tosser/turner, so I get all caught up in PJs or even just a t-shirt.


3. Do you get regular manicures/pedicures?

I wish I did.  I've never been brave enough to get a pedicure because I have a weird issue with people looking at my feet.  And, I'm embarrassed to say, I'm a nail biter...a really bad one.  It's so gross & I know it, but I think it's an anxiety thing.  If anyone has any suggestions for breaking a bad habit, I'm all ears!


4. Did you play any sports in high school?

Nope, no sports in high school.  I played basketball in 7th & 8th grade, but no sports after that.  I was in Yearbook in high school.  


5. Do you have an iPod?

I don't leave home without it!  Manny keeps me company on my way home from work each night.  Funny story - my iPod's name is Manfred iPodington.  When my friend helped me set-up my iPod for the first time it prompts you to name the device.  My friend is incredible sarcastic, & her iPod's name is Rutherford iPodington.  And so mine was named Manfred - her iPod's brother.