Stories of an ER nurse, with a life almost as hectic as her job. Doctor friendly and HIPPA approved.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
It’s kinda amazing all the things we’ve managed to get done in a couple of hours. June 1st was no different. Today was the one day in the next two weeks I actually HAD to do something. I had to go to St. Vincent’s for a drug screen and have a photo ID made. That was it. I went filled out some paper work, peed in a cup and smiled for the camera.
After that we had breakfast. It’s been weird for me to eat out so much. I’ve had approx. 3 meals at home in the past two weeks. Now that I have everything unpacked I just have to make a trip to the grocery store. Let’s see how home cooking goes now that I’ve been out of practice for three weeks…
For breakfast today we had Subway. Wow, Subway has some good breakfasts. I ate a white omelet on flatbread with white cheese (plus as much spinach, tomato, and banana peppers as possible) Pretty delicious I have to say. Surprisingly so.
Next up, to get teh intrawebz.
Comcast is pretty much the only game in town. John researched and searched and while they suck, he says they’re loads faster than the other guy (I don’t even know who the other guy is.) Turns out Comcast has a very sucky reputation as far as customer service goes. So we were well prepared for it to go horribly wrong.
Good thing too.
John called their office yesterday and found out about their plans, set up to have a guy come install on Wednesday, and found out where to buy a cable modem. (we were not going to rent from them at $5 a month) He was pulling out his debt card when the lady said they couldn’t accept payments over the phone, you had to go to their office and pay in person. Weird, but whatever. Because they were already closed by this time we were going to go Tuesday. Great, hang up. Move on.
Now, Tuesday had arrived and we showed up at Comcast around 10 am. There was already a line to the door. John warned me and we were both wary of what to expect. The inside was clean, nicely decorated, three counters with two tellers. The line was about 10 people deep or so. They had a large screen TV so one had something to look at. However, I played scrabble with Mandy (beating you pretty good this time, eh?)
I eavesdropped a little on the people in front of us. One guy had bought a new trailer and needed the box turned back on.
“So change of address?”
“No, same location, different trailer.”
“New room installation?”
“Well, the whole thing is new.”
“So you have to sign up for a secondary box.”
“No, I only need one, and I have it. I just need it turned back on.”
“Reactivation?”
“No, it works, just the power to it was turned off when they changed trailers.”
“You see sir, I have these choices on the computer and if it doesn’t fit in one of them I can’t do it.”
That was nice to hear.
Then the guy right in front of us was turned away to go back home and call tech support because they couldn’t help him there either.
Then it was our turn. The lady just opened the third counter. I was happy, maybe she didn’t have time to be grumpy from being at work yet. She got our name and we told her we were there to drop off a payment, we had called yesterday and set up an appointment for installation. I figured we’d be swiping a debt card a leaving. Then she asked us how much they said we had to pay. John told her what plan we were purchasing.
“But, how much did they say to pay?”
“Don’t you have that written down somewhere?”
Large sigh. “Look, we have a lot of plans.”
Blank stare from us.
She began digging around in the desk and pulls out a pamphlet with the different plans.
Then she and John argue abit about what plan it really is. They’ve got all these weird names like Ultra and Buzz, and Blast that give no indication about speed or other specifications. She kept asking us if the person on the phone had said this word or that word. I wanted to say, look isn’t this a computer company, don’t you have this in your computer system somehow? John sort of figured out what plan it was after reading the pamphlet and began to pay for it. Then she said,
“Well, you’d better hope you’re right, because if they come out and it’s wrong they won’t do it.”
So I asked, “What do they check it against?”
“What?”
“what do they check it against to know if it’s right?”
“Oh, they have these codes in the computer.”
“Can’t you check what we ordered against the code so we know the correct price.”
“No, I don’t know how.”
Blank Stare.
Well, anyway. We finally finished up there, seriously questioning the ability of our new internet providers. Gulp, we’ll see what happens at installation. Good thing John won’t have to ask too many questions about the service.
After that John had a nice surprise for me. He drove me to snap fitness and signed us up for the rest of the summer. Yay! It’s a brand new (opened in Jan.) 24/7 gym that’s two minutes from our house if we hit the light wrong. So excited. We have a fitness profile test tomorrow morning to see where we stand. It’s a lot easier to sign up for a gym than it is to sign up for internet.
We unpacked a lot more once we got home, finished the living room and then spent sometime just relaxing. That was great. John took about a three hour nap and I typed up a bunch of blog posts. Part of the mega update.
I finally woke him up at 2030 to ask what his thoughts were on dinner. Because I was hungry and there were NO snacks or foods. We went to Outback on a gift card.
I had never eaten at Outback either. Delicious! That bloomin’ onion was a great idea.
We had a fantastic waiter who gave great recommendations and was no rush at all.
We split a Shrimp de Fuego Fettuccini (or some combination of those words) amazing. Just a little spicy and very very yummy.
All in all a fantastic day. I’m a bit nervous about my fitness profile tomorrow. I haven’t exercised in a long time (2-3 weeks) and I know I’m going downhill fast with all these eating out days. However, it’s on its way to being fixed!
Lil cat says hi!
Part Seven: New Life
Part Seven: New Life
Yes, I’m choking a little at this post. We woke up May 31, 2010, our two year anniversary, totally alone in a new town with all our things in boxes and completely separate from everyone we’ve ever known.
It was GREAT!
Just kidding. We painted cabinets, walls, unpacked and generally had a great time stressing about how to fit the pots under the sink.
This is the kitchen before we moved in.
Completed project!
Here's the halfway point.
Now, let me tell you a little something about Refridgerators...
Ahem. They're big and heavy.
We found this fridge on clearance because it was a discontinued model. Great specifications, energy efficent, right color, ice maker, side by side doors, right size. (Or so we thought)
We decided to take it home that day and not wait for delivery. It's been two weeks since I've cooked, having no food in the house is not fun. John wanted that fridge. So, we bought it, packed it in the back of the truck strapped it down and I very carefully drove home.
We got out the dolly and with a lot of sweat and fear got it halfway up the stairs. Then it got stuck.
Very stuck. We couldn't fit the dolly and the fridge around the landing! We were 7 stairs away from success! We tried all kinds of tricks, nothing was working. So I called a moving company and explained that we needed to move one fridge up 7 stairs, could they help? The answer is yes. I had forgotten that it was Memorial Day but this guy showed up within the hour (he was at the grocery store) picked up the fridge (Yes, PICKED IT UP) and carried it into the kitchen.
Part Six: The Move
Here was the game plan
John would take his car plus Brett and Spencer (and the cat!)
I would drive my Dad’s truck with Kelly and keep it for a few weeks while we bought furniture.
John’s Mom would drive down to visit Ms. Susan and provide a ride back for the Springfieldians.
My Dad and Mom would drive the uhaul full of our stuff.
My Grandma would take her RV so my Mom and Dad would have a place to sleep.

Phew, it was quiet a caravan. Not to mention my truck had no AC.
We met at ihop that morning. So John could say goodbye to his Dad and I to my brother.
After a good large breakfast we cram in and start driving.
So many little towns each with a population of about 96.
We made it finally. No wrong turns, one missed lunch (per the boys) and lots of sweat in the truck.

Now the real work began.
Kelly and my Mom took the cabinets apart.
The boys unloaded everything.
I directed traffic.
So much traffic.
I had no idea I owned so much stuff!!
Meagh…
We got it all in though. Now it was time for dinner.
We enjoyed a great time at Browning’s a Mexican restaurant.
I’m sure Brett’s having fun too. He’s just bad at showing it.

The real party was back at the Condo once we were all done.
Sadly, (actually, it’s probably a good thing) those pictures are also on said camera that we do not have a transfer cable for.
They will be up later as well.
The next morning we lounged around the cramped condo, ate a big breakfast that John and I snuck out and bought and then it was time to say goodbye again.
Spencer, thanks for making the last week in Springfield so great. You were such a great help moving. Totally unexpected. Luckily, there’s the internet so we can stay in contact. You’re a great friend and it’s almost creepy how well we all got along so fast. You’re not a serial killer are you? Even so, thanks for all the fun times.
Brett, oh geez. How and what do I say as a good bye to you? We’ve been in pseudo competition over John for so long, I’ll miss having you to fight with. It’s been great. There are not enough things to say to you. I’m really going to miss you. Glad we got to have a party that last night.
Kelly, you’re family, you don’t get a goodbye. But remember who loves you THAT much. (ps. We bought new towels and bed spread)
Here was the game plan
John would take his car plus Brett and Spencer (and the cat!)
I would drive my Dad’s truck with Kelly and keep it for a few weeks while we bought furniture.
John’s Mom would drive down to visit Ms. Susan and provide a ride back for the Springfieldians.
My Dad and Mom would drive the uhaul full of our stuff.
My Grandma would take her RV so my Mom and Dad would have a place to sleep.
Phew, it was quiet a caravan. Not to mention my truck had no AC.
We met at ihop that morning. So John could say goodbye to his Dad and I to my brother.
After a good large breakfast we cram in and start driving.
So many little towns each with a population of about 96.
We made it finally. No wrong turns, one missed lunch (per the boys) and lots of sweat in the truck.
Now the real work began.
Kelly and my Mom took the cabinets apart.
The boys unloaded everything.
I directed traffic.
So much traffic.
I had no idea I owned so much stuff!!
Meagh…
We got it all in though. Now it was time for dinner.
I’m sure Brett’s having fun too. He’s just bad at showing it.
The real party was back at the Condo once we were all done.
Sadly, (actually, it’s probably a good thing) those pictures are also on said camera that we do not have a transfer cable for.
They will be up later as well.
The next morning we lounged around the cramped condo, ate a big breakfast that John and I snuck out and bought and then it was time to say goodbye again.
Spencer, thanks for making the last week in Springfield so great. You were such a great help moving. Totally unexpected. Luckily, there’s the internet so we can stay in contact. You’re a great friend and it’s almost creepy how well we all got along so fast. You’re not a serial killer are you? Even so, thanks for all the fun times.
Brett, oh geez. How and what do I say as a good bye to you? We’ve been in pseudo competition over John for so long, I’ll miss having you to fight with. It’s been great. There are not enough things to say to you. I’m really going to miss you. Glad we got to have a party that last night.
Kelly, you’re family, you don’t get a goodbye. But remember who loves you THAT much. (ps. We bought new towels and bed spread)
Part Five: The Final Countdown
Part Five: The Final Countdown
So, after working my final 12 hour at Cox ER. I come home to nothing.
The boys had spent all day packing a uhaul to be ready to depart tomorrow morning.
So John and I sat on the floor.
“What do you want to eat for your last night in Springfield?”

“What else? Chinese!”
We drove though Cashew Station (Yep, that little white shack on Battlefield) then back to the apartment to have a picnic on the floor.
Spencer showed up and Brett and Micah joined us not long later. We got too loud, ate Andy’s Frozen Custard then off to Phil’s for a final round of Arkham Horror.

We got back to the apartment around 1 am. To fall asleep on the floor. Totally prepared to uhaul it to Arkansas the next morning.
So, after working my final 12 hour at Cox ER. I come home to nothing.
The boys had spent all day packing a uhaul to be ready to depart tomorrow morning.
So John and I sat on the floor.
“What do you want to eat for your last night in Springfield?”
“What else? Chinese!”
We drove though Cashew Station (Yep, that little white shack on Battlefield) then back to the apartment to have a picnic on the floor.
Spencer showed up and Brett and Micah joined us not long later. We got too loud, ate Andy’s Frozen Custard then off to Phil’s for a final round of Arkham Horror.
We got back to the apartment around 1 am. To fall asleep on the floor. Totally prepared to uhaul it to Arkansas the next morning.
Part Four: So Long and Thanks for all the Fish.
Part Four: So Long and Thanks for all the Fish.
Saying goodbye it not something I’m good at. I’m not sure what to say. I love people dearly, but I just suck at saying so. I don’t want to leave them. I don’t want things to be final so maybe if I sneak off without saying it, they’ll not remember I’m gone and… well. Who knows?
ANYWAY. I sent out the message that I was leaving within two weeks and waited to hear when my friends were free. About this time my sister (in-law) came back from London where she had been studying abroad for 6 months. (That was a killer, she’s like the only sane person I really know) So I crammed Kelly time in as much as possible. In the mean time John decides to attend a D&D session at Metagames to get more time with Phil and Brett. While there me meets Spencer, who comes to our next weekly session at Phil’s house. I just have to say terrible timing. Meeting such a cool guy so close to “deadline.”
Finally, with four days to spare I get a call from JT, he’s free the next night. I text Aron and Scott they’re free too. Excellent. I set up a party time! Sadly the photos from this gathering are on a camera to which the transfer device is still packed. They will be up eventually. On a whim we invite Spencer as well. Sure why not. Perfect idea.
However, JT was in Mountain Home and experiencing car trouble. I cannot explain how touched I am that he sped back to Springfield in a car with flattening tires to say goodbye to me. The evening was everything I could have asked for. Playing wii bowling, Super Mario Bros, hanging out, a short D&D encounter, couple of lame movies. Thanks guys, you really mean so much to me. (Here’s my sucky goodbyes again)
Scott, you know you’ve been my best friend forever. We both got a little crazy in college and changed leading separate lives, but then we changed back to being together again. I wanted you to know I hated myself separate from you and have always wanted things to stay like they were in 5th grade when we’d cause mayhem all over the Ozarks.
Aron, it’s been great knowing you. You’re hilarious and keep me in stitches. When we get in our “science-rages” heaven help whoever is within earshot! Keep making the face book posts and help me retain my sanity.
JT, one of the best decisions I ever made was to talk to you in ENG 110. You know you opened a whole new world to me. I just want to sing the Aladdin duet with you as proof, but you’d make me look so bad. Maybe I’ll lipsync instead. Seriously, you’re such a great guy. I’ll miss you.
I can’t wait for you all to visit me down here.
So many people nearly made be cry at work. Hugging Sherilyn was about the worst. She was the best housekeeper I’ve ever seen, super fast, incredibly nice and simply a wise person. She helped John get out of his shell while he was volunteering and made me feel so welcome as a new person. She was both a surrogate grandmother that would give me advice and a good enough friend that I could sit and watch 30 minutes of Superbad on break without feeling weird having her laugh with me. I’ll miss how patient she was and simply seeing her around.
Joe came in on his day off, my last day and hung around to give me a goodbye card. I was shocked! I thought he was hanging around to pick up his paycheck! I’d only known Joe a few months, but we worked great together. I’ll miss how helpful he was, his constant upbeat attitude and all the practical jokes I had to be wary of while he was around. Thanks friend.
I’ll also remember how Dr. Ross paged me to the nurses station so he could say goodbye before he left for the day. He’s a UAMS alumni and took an interest in John’s pursuits there.
I wish I had the chance to tell Dr. Brady goodbye a final time. He gave me a lot of advice on Arkansas, having gone to UAMS himself as well.
I’ll miss everyone, but wanted to give a couple extra shout outs!
Ferhon, you always saved me and never complained about all the extra lab draws or silly questions.
Danielle, you were so great to work with and kept things real for me.
Jen, it was so much fun being around you I can’t believe they split us up there at the end. Probably didn’t want to make everyone else look bad.
Eric, thanks for all you taught me. It was crazy and sometimes scary to work with you because I knew I’d get drilled on everything, but it was great and I grew to enjoy it. Now, I’ll miss it!
I kinda feel bad about not writing to everyone but I’m sure everyone else reading this is getting tired of it.
Besides there’s more in Part Five
Saying goodbye it not something I’m good at. I’m not sure what to say. I love people dearly, but I just suck at saying so. I don’t want to leave them. I don’t want things to be final so maybe if I sneak off without saying it, they’ll not remember I’m gone and… well. Who knows?
ANYWAY. I sent out the message that I was leaving within two weeks and waited to hear when my friends were free. About this time my sister (in-law) came back from London where she had been studying abroad for 6 months. (That was a killer, she’s like the only sane person I really know) So I crammed Kelly time in as much as possible. In the mean time John decides to attend a D&D session at Metagames to get more time with Phil and Brett. While there me meets Spencer, who comes to our next weekly session at Phil’s house. I just have to say terrible timing. Meeting such a cool guy so close to “deadline.”
Finally, with four days to spare I get a call from JT, he’s free the next night. I text Aron and Scott they’re free too. Excellent. I set up a party time! Sadly the photos from this gathering are on a camera to which the transfer device is still packed. They will be up eventually. On a whim we invite Spencer as well. Sure why not. Perfect idea.
However, JT was in Mountain Home and experiencing car trouble. I cannot explain how touched I am that he sped back to Springfield in a car with flattening tires to say goodbye to me. The evening was everything I could have asked for. Playing wii bowling, Super Mario Bros, hanging out, a short D&D encounter, couple of lame movies. Thanks guys, you really mean so much to me. (Here’s my sucky goodbyes again)
Scott, you know you’ve been my best friend forever. We both got a little crazy in college and changed leading separate lives, but then we changed back to being together again. I wanted you to know I hated myself separate from you and have always wanted things to stay like they were in 5th grade when we’d cause mayhem all over the Ozarks.
Aron, it’s been great knowing you. You’re hilarious and keep me in stitches. When we get in our “science-rages” heaven help whoever is within earshot! Keep making the face book posts and help me retain my sanity.
JT, one of the best decisions I ever made was to talk to you in ENG 110. You know you opened a whole new world to me. I just want to sing the Aladdin duet with you as proof, but you’d make me look so bad. Maybe I’ll lipsync instead. Seriously, you’re such a great guy. I’ll miss you.
I can’t wait for you all to visit me down here.
So many people nearly made be cry at work. Hugging Sherilyn was about the worst. She was the best housekeeper I’ve ever seen, super fast, incredibly nice and simply a wise person. She helped John get out of his shell while he was volunteering and made me feel so welcome as a new person. She was both a surrogate grandmother that would give me advice and a good enough friend that I could sit and watch 30 minutes of Superbad on break without feeling weird having her laugh with me. I’ll miss how patient she was and simply seeing her around.
Joe came in on his day off, my last day and hung around to give me a goodbye card. I was shocked! I thought he was hanging around to pick up his paycheck! I’d only known Joe a few months, but we worked great together. I’ll miss how helpful he was, his constant upbeat attitude and all the practical jokes I had to be wary of while he was around. Thanks friend.
I’ll also remember how Dr. Ross paged me to the nurses station so he could say goodbye before he left for the day. He’s a UAMS alumni and took an interest in John’s pursuits there.
I wish I had the chance to tell Dr. Brady goodbye a final time. He gave me a lot of advice on Arkansas, having gone to UAMS himself as well.
I’ll miss everyone, but wanted to give a couple extra shout outs!
Ferhon, you always saved me and never complained about all the extra lab draws or silly questions.
Danielle, you were so great to work with and kept things real for me.
Jen, it was so much fun being around you I can’t believe they split us up there at the end. Probably didn’t want to make everyone else look bad.
Eric, thanks for all you taught me. It was crazy and sometimes scary to work with you because I knew I’d get drilled on everything, but it was great and I grew to enjoy it. Now, I’ll miss it!
I kinda feel bad about not writing to everyone but I’m sure everyone else reading this is getting tired of it.
Besides there’s more in Part Five
Part Three: Houses, Condos and UAMS Swag
Part Three: Houses, Condos and UAMS Swag
We drove down. Thanks to Gerri and Hannah covering my shift while I interviewed at St. Vincent’s
It was nerve wracking. We drove, visited Ms. Susan (the one person we know down here) We had a few houses to look at the next morning, then my interview and more houses to see after that.
What a stressful situation.
We did luck out with an AMAZING Realtor. She instantly picked up on our aversion to house upkeep, yard work, and general drive time (might have something to do with both growing up in the country 30 minutes from town) and suggested a few condos.
Well, she was going to look up some more addresses and after my interview we would focus more on those.

The interview went well, I think I already blogged about it though so I might skip over how amazing I was ;) I did take my nursing portfolio and anyone from Missouri State will know what THAT means. Yes, I had to pack a separate bag just to carry it down with me.
At the end of the day we found this condo.So we Bought it.Yep, set up the closing date for a month from the day.
Now I got to panic about actually GETTING the job at St. Vincent’s. My biggest concern was what do we do if I don’t get it? Would I be able to get another job before the closing date? We really needed proof of employment to qualify. Oh, it was a nail biter. But, being me and careless. I still didn’t apply anywhere else.
Luckily, I heard back within a little more than a week. (I think this was blogged too) I got it. Success!!!
Now I had a job and a house. It was time to pack and say good bye.
We drove down. Thanks to Gerri and Hannah covering my shift while I interviewed at St. Vincent’s
It was nerve wracking. We drove, visited Ms. Susan (the one person we know down here) We had a few houses to look at the next morning, then my interview and more houses to see after that.
What a stressful situation.
We did luck out with an AMAZING Realtor. She instantly picked up on our aversion to house upkeep, yard work, and general drive time (might have something to do with both growing up in the country 30 minutes from town) and suggested a few condos.
Well, she was going to look up some more addresses and after my interview we would focus more on those.
The interview went well, I think I already blogged about it though so I might skip over how amazing I was ;) I did take my nursing portfolio and anyone from Missouri State will know what THAT means. Yes, I had to pack a separate bag just to carry it down with me.
At the end of the day we found this condo.So we Bought it.Yep, set up the closing date for a month from the day.
Now I got to panic about actually GETTING the job at St. Vincent’s. My biggest concern was what do we do if I don’t get it? Would I be able to get another job before the closing date? We really needed proof of employment to qualify. Oh, it was a nail biter. But, being me and careless. I still didn’t apply anywhere else.
Luckily, I heard back within a little more than a week. (I think this was blogged too) I got it. Success!!!
Now I had a job and a house. It was time to pack and say good bye.
Part Two: Workin’ Girl
Part Two: Workin’ Girl
So I had an awesome job. I worked in the ER at Cox. Fun times, great people. Stressful and difficult for a new nurse, but I wouldn’t ever give it up. Well… I take that back…
Well, I had to start working to get a job. So I signed up on careerbulider.com and submitted some information. I also googled what hospitals were in the area. There were a couple of options. I saw some day shifts open in St. Vincent’s ER. So I browsed their website and decided I would update my resume and send it later that week.
Wouldn’t you know it the positions filled the next day.
Crap, I was new to this whole looking for work thing. What if I wasn’t able to get a job?! John calmed me down. I could get a job, it might not be perfect or what I really want but I could get something. Maybe a floor position or something. I shudder, but it was all for a good cause.
So I littered my application all over St. Vincent’s Hospital. Within a few days I got a call from their nurse recruiter. She said she had received my application and felt like I was more suited for the ER. Would I be interested in working there or had I decided to step away? (and this was why I applied all over) I said I was VERY interested in the ER but they had no openings on their web site. She said there were a few interdepartmental positions opening and she would talk to their manager and get back to me.
Woohoo!! I was so happy AGAIN! Except, oh geez what if it was night shift?! I did nights once as a PCA before I got my license. Ick, I am NOT a night person. I can do it, but sheesh. Not my cup of tea.
Turns out all this worrying was for nothing. The position was an 11am to 11pm shift. Oh MAN that sounded nice. Sleeping in, being on a similar schedule as John (he doesn’t do mornings) and generally living like a normal person. They said they would set up a phone interview soon. I told John and he was so happy he got ahold of a realtor and scheduled us to look at some houses within in the next two days. (See if you can get off work he said.) I called St. Vincent’s to tell them I would be down soon, if they wanted to meet me face to face. Essentially, setting up my own interview.
Within two days we jumped in the car and drove down.
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