As almost everyone of you know, I am an LPN on the Medical, Neuological, Oncology floor of EIRMC. In other words, I am one of many hands-on nurses on that floor. I haven't had the education to be in management, nor do I want management at this time because I love being hands on too much.
I have recently spent 6 nights in a row(these are 12 hour shifts) working. Only half of those nights was I able to come home on time (Normally I get to clock out by 7:30am).
The other nights/mornings I was unable to leave at my desired time. I have had to send 2 people to the ICU for significant decline in condition (AKA they are about to die- emergently). Luckily our hospital has a "MET code" tea. This is availale to
ANY employee that feels their patient is no longer a candidate for that specific department and would be saved by being taken to Cardiac or ICU, respectively.
Unfortunately one of those two people I sent to ICU did not live- in honesty the one that died proved a blessing because their life had no more quailty to it- for they would have drowned in their own lungs. The second- luckily, was able to be revivied without CPR and was in ICU before he could die on me.
I hate nights/mornings like this because I want to go home, I fear for the patients' lives and I hate to leave the on-coming nurse with a crisis to handle at the beginning of their shift.
Luckily, even though one died, the last one was able to get the treatment and superior care they needed in an emergency. His life was able to be reinstated despite what their body was trying to do.
ICU and Endo found the rhyme and reason for this patient's problem and were able to save their life.
I am posting this information to inform everyone, (for those who have no idea as to why I would put up with so much K-rap at work) to know that I could have a full year of misery at work, but as long as I had that one time where I did it right, and someone benefits from my actions, all the other 364 days of the year don't matter. If you come out with one life more than what
could have been you actually come out ahead.
Our excellent ICU staff at EIRMC were able to save a life that I was inable and incapable of saving on my own. To them I am in debted. I hope to one day be part of that team-and as a team I mean they are all willing to work together for one goal- to save lives and improve someone's quality of life.
To my fellow ICU TEAM....
I SALUTE YOU!
(specifically Paul and Don)
Thank you.
My son, Destry Anthony Wolbert, known as Tony, was born in an easy manner for a first time mother. 6 hours total from admission to hospital until his delivery. The pregnancy was text book. No complications. He was born healthy at 8lbs 1 1/2 oz. and 21 inches long. He came before his cousin, Sarah, by two hours in the room next door.
From the moment we brought him home he was the classic child every mother dreams of. He ate good, slept all night, never stayed up all night with colic. The only hospital or doctor's office visits were routine or for typical child illness (a.k.a. he had a couple ear infections when teething).
Tony had to suffer through the bitter divorce of his parents and the drug/alcohol recovery of his dad. But he, for the most part, came out unscathed. As his parents have come to terms with each other he has come to terms with the split families.
He enjoys going to school at Temple View in Idaho Falls. His favorite part, ofcourse, is recess and the bus rides to and from school. He makes friends well and has a knack for seeing the good in all of his friends. He is starting to grasp the concept that being different from someone is acutally a normal thing. 
He has always loved to have fun and has a smile that touches your heart. He is also very good at the sup-sup tears when he is hurt or sad. This last winter he broke his foot and was a very brave boy in the E.R. and in his recovery with only a few passing tears. The first trips to the dentist were done with only a couple voiced fears and then was an angel through cavities being filled.
As he progresses in his life I find myself wondering where my "Little Man" went. And then I look and see the wonderful growing person he is becoming. As he grows he is more interested in how things work and why this and how come that. And yet even though he is developing mind and body, I can still see in his eyes the "Little Man" still wanting to come out and play. 
He was lucky enought to have two male cousins born just before and just after him. Their close ages helped him develop some childhood male bonding. He also likes to compare himself and Sarah to his sisters, how they are like twins since they were born on the same day in the same hospital. 
He is such a wonderful big brother to his twin sisters. He understands he has a different dad from them and he thinks that's fine. But he never lacks in compassion for those two. Lis is very attached to him. If we have to go out she insists on holding Tony's hand every time. She loves to imitate him and follow him around the house. He is a very hard working big brother and takes that position very seriously. He followed their development with me through the pregnancy. He wanted to help "nurse" them when they were born. He even volunteered to change diapers when they were newborns. He always loved to hold them and wanted so much to play with them before they could.
To My Son: Happy 8th Birthday! I love you!
