What a Week

It is official.... This winter is the second snowiest on record in NH. See the chart below for the details. Of course the six or more inches we had last night helped!

Snow Totals (10:45 a.m.)

1. 122" 1873-1874
2. 115.2" 2007-2008
3. 115" 1872-1873
4. 113.2" 1995-1996
5. 111" 1886-1887
5. 111" 1887-1888
7. 103.2" 1898-1899
8. 103" 1874-1875
9. 100" 1875-1876
10. 100" 1971-1972

There were lots of new things I got to do at work yesterday! I did my first comfort measures only order set, I had a my first family meeting that I started, I had my first family that refused to come when I called them about the dire situation of their family member. I ordered my first DNR and palliative care consult and I had my first four point restraint patient. As I was the restraint queen at UNC it was a whole new experience at a new hospital who is not so clear about their restraint process! I had my first interpreter needed patient (French of course being close to the Canadian border). I attended my first ladies night...by chance as it was my coworker's 35th birthday and we needed to celebrate. The Mexicans restaurant, that no Mexican has ever attended, has 40% off your meal when you come on Thursday for 'Ladies Night'. What a perk that I might have to take up again. The UNC basketball game was even on for a little bit and the waiter was sweet talked into changing it from boxing. Ugh. Needless to say I was exhausted when I got home.
I have always enjoyed end of life care as I feel that if it is done well it can be a comforting experience for families on one of the worst days of their lives. I did miss being at the bedside and when the son didn't recognize me later in the day as being the person who called him in and then held the family meeting I won't lie that it didn't hurt a little bit. Being one person removed from the bedside is a tough adjustment to make at these times. However, this morning the family was nothing but thankful for the care provided and they only had good things to say about our care on the day that their father died. I take a good deal of pride in that fact even though I didn't perform any of the mouth care or turn the patient.
I was so focused on providing good end of life care that when the family member asked me a question I completely misunderstood him. He said that the dying room closed at 7:30pm. I asked him "Dying room?" He said yes and I stated that I didn't know that we had one. The palliative care NP had just left the room so I figured that I was new and didn't know about this service we offered. I went to ask one of the nurses about the 'dying room' and she didn't know about this ... then I called the case manager and she said "dining room?" then I realized the patent's family member meant DINING ROOM as in CAFETERIA. Ugh. What a dork I can be but I was so focused on the end of life care that the nutritional needs of the living slipped my mind. Too funny.
I brought my yearbook into work to compare with my attending who also attended my h.s 20 years previously. Of course he forgot his and mine was there for every one's enjoyment. The nickname under my Senior photo, the Most School Spirit award (my coworkers believe that I was a cheerleader and just won't fess up! The idea!), and of course the prom photo! It was giggle at Janette day all day long, as well as a walk down memory lane! Perhaps I will start a trend and other yearbooks will show up next week, but I doubt it.
Shower for Lindsay is tomorrow! Ladies lunch is a better description...complete with cake and favors but no bridesmaids! It will be a nice time for Lindsay to be with her friends and family.

New England Charm

I have exciting news to share. I have left work on time for three days in a row this past week! Hurray! I can't say that it is all my doing...there were no snow storms this week to set off a barrage of heart attacks that occur while shoveling snow. However, after being here for two full months it is great to see blue sky when I left work. Spring must be around the corner. I know that the clocks change this weekend and it will be dark again when I leave work but it has been so nice these past two weeks to wake with bright skies and see the sun again when I get out of work.
Tonight I spent my dinner chatting with some girlfriends and planning a wedding shower. My spring wouldn't be complete unless I was planning a wedding shower!! My good friend Lindsay is getting married ... on a cruise ship... just her and her fiancee. Each life event we can celebrate should be enjoyed in fine form. So celebrate we will... that no one is wearing a dress they will detest and will whine about for months (Lindsay herself is quite proud of this), no one is stressing about the wedding details (that is what a cruise wedding director is for!), no one spending a small fortune for a party (when there is a house down payment to save for!) and the fact that Lindsay found the love of her life (the wedding is four weeks away and she is on cloud 9). So celebrate we will at a small luncheon. Just the women in Lindsay's life getting together for lunch to laugh together, share fond stories of Lindsay and Shawn and eat yummy Italian food (one of Lindsay's favorites). Not to worry that there will be favors and gifts and cake of course! If only I had a favorite cake lady (such as The Chocolate City caterers) here in NH.
Here is the northern charm items I learned about this week...
-The bumps in the road that occur after the worst of the winter weather is gone are called 'frost heaves' Every NH town has signs that say Warning Frost Heaves. This means that they don't have to fix the roads for another 3 months while the signs are posted.
-Vermont is often said that it has the most charm of all the New England states. As I drove through a covered bridge last night I had to agree. How long have people been using that bridge? From horse and buggy to SUV-what a classic touch to typical travels. Vermont even has a Covered Bridge marathon to celebrate their unique. If you are in Quechee VT go to Simon Pearce glassworks (amazing restaurant and glassware) and you will get to visit the same beautiful covered bridge. Ahhh. The photo above is the Simon Pearce restaurant on the Quechee Falls.
I am off to Boston for some quality time with some college girlfriends. A full day of shopping, talking and revisiting all of our old haunts will let us relive some of those college moments (with a one year old this time....) Now if I can beat the freezing rain that will be descending upon us...