Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A White Tiger Rug

As y'all know, I've gone back to work. The last time I worked on a medical/surgical floor in a hospital was 1985. (Since then, I've worked in the Operation Room, PACU, and in Primary Care, but I hadn't worked in nursing at all since 2002.)

Things have changed since 1985. Just a bit.

(Oh, I'm 55 years old.)

The hospital is wonderful. I'm so impressed with the nursing staff. They are orienting me as though I were a new grad (GOOD IDEA!), and at the halfway point, I'm now taking my own patient load, under the watchful supervision of my (SAINT of a) preceptor. She is a sweet, beautiful soul, three years out of nursing school. She is a very good nurse.

(Yes, I am 55.)

While I'm in orientation, I work my preceptor's schedule. We worked Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I will be honest with you: I was very worried about my physical capability of working three twelve hour shifts in a row. The young nurses at work said that it's really hard.

(I am 55.)

I was worried about the dogs. Okay, that's not the whole truth. Bill has been doing great with the dogs. I was worried about me missing them. You know. There is a big ol' chunk of my heart that doesn't beat quite right when I'm away from them for too long. It beats, but that big ol' chunk is not quite in rhythm, so it sounds like, 'lub-dubb, oh thunk, lub-dubb, hmmmm thunk, lub-dubb, sigh thunk.'

(My heart is 55, too.)

Well, it turns out, that I was worried for nothing. I am a Tiger! A fifty-freaking-five-year-old White Tiger*! Three twelves in a row was a cinch.

See? Here I am arriving home on Monday night:


Note the victorious thumbs up!



The dogs rush to greet me.



Sammy -- don't forget he is a Therapy Dog -- astutely checks for a pulse, and immediately calls
a CODE D.E.D.



Swede William says, "Whew Lordy!! You can say that again!!!" Easy can't look.

Mama Pajama to the rescue!



A sweet Mama Pajama kiss can revive the weariest of souls. It can make a 55-year-old soul feel brand new. A Mama Pajama kiss can make a heart that was going kerthunk-plop just race along lubby-dubby, lubby-dubby, lubby-dubby-doo!

I am the luckiest older than dirt nurse alive.

hug your hounds

* Thanks to Sue for the White Tiger reference!

19 comments:

  1. Nothing better than a furry welcome home crew! Glad to hear things are working out with work.

    -Katie

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  2. Well you DO make a pretty rug ;D I'm glad you survived and hope you and Bill and the Waggle have time for a little relaxation during the Holidays.

    Ane & boys

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  3. You know, P, anyone who has been walking 9 dogs 2 and 3 times per day for (how many years?) has to be fitter than the average 55 year old nurse. I'd be willing to bet you're in better shape than a lot of 30 year olds. :-)

    Now if I could just get one of those Mama Pajama kisses, maybe I could get my old heart jump started... :-)

    You keep goin', girl!

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  4. Ahhhh KNEW you could do it(that sort of looks like me coming home only A+A walk all over me). I am going to start FOUR in a row tomorrow( the holiday you know and it fell on my WEEKEND ON!!!)I agree with Allison...all this dog walking certainly must have helped.....Happy holidays to all of you.....Love PL2 and A+A

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  5. You are doing great Patience! And I could use a few Mama P kisses just now, so could you send her to Seattle?

    And Thanks for the link to my blog! Much appreciated. :0)

    Sue/HotRod/Anneke

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  6. awwwwwwwww, what an awesome welcome home kiss!
    Merry Christmas, Patience!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  7. What wonderful pups. I hope you have a good, rejuvenating break.

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  8. Thumbs up to you for even trying to do this. But, ya know..to some of us, 55 is YOUNG!

    muzzer

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  9. I've been wondering how you were doing but it sounds as though you're fine. Enjoy all those whippet (& Bill) kisses every time you return home from work. Now try to have a rest for a few days. Rest? !!! LOL.

    Waggy Christmas to you, Bill & the waggle,
    from
    Banjo, Aida & Carol.

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  10. I'm always thankful for the warm furry welcome when I reach home. Instant rejuvenation. Age is just a figure, really. We're as young as we get :-)

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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  11. I know you feel rejuvenated as soon as you come into your home and gets all the love and kisses from the furkids!
    I loved all your pictures!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  12. There is nothing like a waggle of dogs to take away all the tiredness that a long day of work brings.

    Merry Christmas, Patience, from me and the critters to you and yours.

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  13. Woohoo! Guess who has her own personalized inscribed copy of Mama Pajama Tells a Story???!!!! Our Moma! Thanks to our aunt and to YOU!

    We hear that Moma and our Girl are enjoying the holidays without us (well ... enjoying without us is prob'ly not the correct phrasing) in Florida. With Zoƫ! Our whippet cousin! Who has been an angel and has been making Moma and our Girl miss us just a little bit less.

    We hope YOU have had a wonderful holiday together. Close together. Huddled together. Celebrating and gathering energy for the next three 12 hour shifts!

    Thank you (and Auntie Judith) for the wonderful book. Moma is thrilled to have her very own copy!

    Be safe. Have fun. Enjoy.
    Love
    Jake and Fergi xxoo

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  14. A great post, Patience! (I'm still laughing!)

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  15. You definitely make the rug! Glad to hear that you are surviving and that your waggle lives in the moment while you are with them. Enjoy your time at home.
    Merry Christmas!

    Kathy and Flynn

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  16. You are lucky that you have such attentive pups to get you through is ordeal. The crazy old bat says that you are a babe in arms.

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  17. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Mumsie is snorting and was just 'bout incontinent when she read this...three twelves...oh man...Phyllis, by the end of three twelves nobody can stand up...that's horrid!!

    Actually, Mumsie looks like that at the end of some bad eights...

    Hang in there...



    Laciegirlie (you 'member of course I AM a nursing student...)

    and her stoopid bros and still hiccupin' Mumsie....

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  18. The White Tiger suits you sooo well, Patience! You may be tired, but you haven't lost your spunk!

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  19. I am so glad you have such an experienced medical team to take care of you after you have spent all taht time taking care of others.

    Aren't dogs the best?

    wally t.

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