It's a good thing I work with a bunch of doctors, and nice ones at that, because the last few days I've needed them. A lot.
Last week the PA I was working with wrote me a script for my anti-malaria medicine for the trip, and threw in one for antibiotics in case the dreaded Montezuma's revenge should show up while we're gone. (How nice - I hope it stays away.) It saved me a trip to my doctor!
Monday I went to the department of health to get all my vaccines. They were very knowledgeable and super nice. However, when I woke up to go to work on Tuesday I had a big red/hot/hard circle around the site where I got the yellow fever shot. I didn't think anything of it until it started spreading. And fast. By the morning the doc was a little worried and said he didn't think that was a typical reaction from the vaccine. So he wrote me for some antibiotics and said if it didn't stop growing I should take them. And one of the nurses drew around the redness so we could tell if it was still spreading.
Yesterday I had a meeting with the Peru team, and the redness had spread even more. I called the nurse at the health department who told me to start taking the antibiotics. And the doc who's going with us (Michelle) said that it looked pretty bad, too. So I started taking the antibiotics and when I woke up this morning the redness was all the way down to my elbow. Great. And it hurts!
So now I have to wait 2 more weeks to finish all my vaccines - the last one is a week of pills, but you can't be on antibiotics cause it will kill the vaccine. Let's just hope these things work! (Bob took a picture of my lovely arm last night, but it's kind of gross so I'll spare you all that one!)
But the fun part is that we all went out for dinner last night after our meeting for some team bonding. Then we went to Costco and bought a bunch of benadryl, motrin, immodium and vitamins to take with us to the clinics. Michelle and I stopped at the dollar store to pick up some little toys and coloring books for the kids in the villages. I can't wait to play with the kids! We got a lot of questions answered in our meeting and some of the logistics of things were figured out - every time we get together it seems more real and closer than ever! I'm starting to get really excited!!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Old friends, New jobs?
The last 3 days have been so packed! I worked Wednesday night and then met my friend Seth for breakfast. He's been in Scotland for the past 4 months working on his book, so we had lots to talk about and catch up on!
After that I met up with my college roommate Erin and her new baby. We had coffee and got all caught up before she flew out to AZ for little Eli to meet his great-grandma. How nice to see her again! The amazing thing about the relationships I have with my old roommates is that we can go months without talking and then pick up right where we left off. Very nice. And I got to have some good "Eli time"! Then I went home and took a 2 hour nap before meeting a friend from work for dinner and a movie. By the time I got home I was ready to crash! Sleep after a good day like that feels so great!
On Friday I picked up Megan from work - she's been here in Denver all week for training - and we hung out all afternoon! It was just like old times - shopping at Goodwill, sushi, ice cream and movies! It felt like she never left. She and I are going to church tomorrow before she heads back to CA. But the whole Beeney clan will be back the end of March so I'll get to see my Joshua again!
On the business end of things, I had an interview at Parker yesterday. A few days ago the director approached me and told me he was impressed with the job I was doing. I was a little leery of the compliments, but he was sincere. That's nice to hear once in a while! Anyway, he said that he and the manager have been watching me and want me to be a charge nurse in the ER. ME! A CHARGE NURSE! As it turns out there's a weekend-only night position that's available and pays as much as I'm making with the float pool so I wouldn't have to take a pay cut and would be able to put down some roots and get involved with the department. Plus it has benefits, which I'm paying for out of pocket right now, and sick/vacation time! How great!
The only thing I was worried about was the fact that I've never been a charge nurse before - the director said that's why it was funny. The words "potential" was thrown around a lot - again, very flattering. So I'm getting the offer letter on Monday and I think I'm going to take it! Won't be able to go on month-long missions trips for a while, but the 2 weeks I'm planning for next summer in Africa will definitely be doable... :)
After that I met up with my college roommate Erin and her new baby. We had coffee and got all caught up before she flew out to AZ for little Eli to meet his great-grandma. How nice to see her again! The amazing thing about the relationships I have with my old roommates is that we can go months without talking and then pick up right where we left off. Very nice. And I got to have some good "Eli time"! Then I went home and took a 2 hour nap before meeting a friend from work for dinner and a movie. By the time I got home I was ready to crash! Sleep after a good day like that feels so great!
On Friday I picked up Megan from work - she's been here in Denver all week for training - and we hung out all afternoon! It was just like old times - shopping at Goodwill, sushi, ice cream and movies! It felt like she never left. She and I are going to church tomorrow before she heads back to CA. But the whole Beeney clan will be back the end of March so I'll get to see my Joshua again!
On the business end of things, I had an interview at Parker yesterday. A few days ago the director approached me and told me he was impressed with the job I was doing. I was a little leery of the compliments, but he was sincere. That's nice to hear once in a while! Anyway, he said that he and the manager have been watching me and want me to be a charge nurse in the ER. ME! A CHARGE NURSE! As it turns out there's a weekend-only night position that's available and pays as much as I'm making with the float pool so I wouldn't have to take a pay cut and would be able to put down some roots and get involved with the department. Plus it has benefits, which I'm paying for out of pocket right now, and sick/vacation time! How great!
The only thing I was worried about was the fact that I've never been a charge nurse before - the director said that's why it was funny. The words "potential" was thrown around a lot - again, very flattering. So I'm getting the offer letter on Monday and I think I'm going to take it! Won't be able to go on month-long missions trips for a while, but the 2 weeks I'm planning for next summer in Africa will definitely be doable... :)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It's about time...
Ack! I looked at my last post and realized it's been over a month since I put anything up! Sorry guys!
There are a few new things around here. First, I started my new job the first week of January. I'm still working at the same hospitals, just for a different company. I signed on with the Regional Float Pool which staffs all the Centura hospitals in the area. I'm still mainly at Littleton, but I've been picking up with Parker and Porter as well - kind of nice to be able to move around like that, and there's lots of room for overtime!
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And now the reason I need all the overtime: I'm going to Peru in April! I've had a missions trip on my list of things to do for a long time now, and a friend from church steered me in the direction of this great trip! We're going to be down there for most of the month of April (the 6th-29th) and will be working in clinic
s in 2 remote jungle villages. I'm a little nervous about what the medicine will be like (ex: What the heck kind of worm is that?), but we're also going to be doing a lot of education which I'm looking forward to. AIDS hit the Amazon a few years ago and we'll be doing a lot of teaching on that subject as well as nutrition and development and such.
There are only 5 of us going - Alan, my friend from church who's a medic; Michelle, the doctor who's organizing all this; Jim, a non-medical guy who's converting microscopes to solar power for the clinics; and Becca, another nurse. The timing is perfect and I'm so glad that God has arranged it all for me to go!
So until then, it's preparing for the trip and lots of working. I have to go get my vaccines in a couple weeks, and of course we have to start taking anti-malaria meds before we leave. The joys of traveling to mosquito lands! And I've been working about 5-6 shifts a week - it's nice to have a job that lets yo
u do that! But I still make time for church and friends. A bunch of us went out last week for my friend Angie's birthday and had a great time! Which reminds me even more that it's all about balance.
There are a few new things around here. First, I started my new job the first week of January. I'm still working at the same hospitals, just for a different company. I signed on with the Regional Float Pool which staffs all the Centura hospitals in the area. I'm still mainly at Littleton, but I've been picking up with Parker and Porter as well - kind of nice to be able to move around like that, and there's lots of room for overtime!
.svg.png)
And now the reason I need all the overtime: I'm going to Peru in April! I've had a missions trip on my list of things to do for a long time now, and a friend from church steered me in the direction of this great trip! We're going to be down there for most of the month of April (the 6th-29th) and will be working in clinic
s in 2 remote jungle villages. I'm a little nervous about what the medicine will be like (ex: What the heck kind of worm is that?), but we're also going to be doing a lot of education which I'm looking forward to. AIDS hit the Amazon a few years ago and we'll be doing a lot of teaching on that subject as well as nutrition and development and such.There are only 5 of us going - Alan, my friend from church who's a medic; Michelle, the doctor who's organizing all this; Jim, a non-medical guy who's converting microscopes to solar power for the clinics; and Becca, another nurse. The timing is perfect and I'm so glad that God has arranged it all for me to go!
So until then, it's preparing for the trip and lots of working. I have to go get my vaccines in a couple weeks, and of course we have to start taking anti-malaria meds before we leave. The joys of traveling to mosquito lands! And I've been working about 5-6 shifts a week - it's nice to have a job that lets yo
u do that! But I still make time for church and friends. A bunch of us went out last week for my friend Angie's birthday and had a great time! Which reminds me even more that it's all about balance.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Bon Voyage Beeneys!
Sad day.
The Beeney's packed up their Denver house and headed back home to California.
But not before we were able to hang out one last time and enjoy good beer, tasty food and the entertaining antics of Joshua!
I think Tuesday morning was the hardest day I've had in a long time. Sorry I had to bugger out of there so quickly, Meegs.
I'm realizing today just how much I already miss you guys.
But save a weekend in February, cause Cali here I come! :)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Hodge Podge
It's about time to post some more pictures!
Halloween was great! I was babysitting Benjamin while his parents were on a get-away to the mountains, so we spent his first Halloween with the Beeneys and went to a Harvest Festival at a big church here in Aurora. The boys were dressed up as Piglet and Eyore - Joshua wasn't too happy about his costume at first, but liked it in the end. We had fun eating cotton candy and funnel cakes and seeing all the creative costumes that people come up with!
It was fun to spend time with Benjamin, too. Now whenever I see him he comes right too me, all smiles! We'll be spending Thanksgiving with Jessica and Justin, and Justin's parents who will be in town. Should be fun!
And here are some more pictures from last month in Maryland. I've been having a problem with my CD burner - it seems no one can open the pictures on the disks I send them! These are some of my favorites of the black and whites I took of the kids. Definitely frame worthy!
Halloween was great! I was babysitting Benjamin while his parents were on a get-away to the mountains, so we spent his first Halloween with the Beeneys and went to a Harvest Festival at a big church here in Aurora. The boys were dressed up as Piglet and Eyore - Joshua wasn't too happy about his costume at first, but liked it in the end. We had fun eating cotton candy and funnel cakes and seeing all the creative costumes that people come up with!
It was fun to spend time with Benjamin, too. Now whenever I see him he comes right too me, all smiles! We'll be spending Thanksgiving with Jessica and Justin, and Justin's parents who will be in town. Should be fun!
And here are some more pictures from last month in Maryland. I've been having a problem with my CD burner - it seems no one can open the pictures on the disks I send them! These are some of my favorites of the black and whites I took of the kids. Definitely frame worthy!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Luke, Erin and Auntie "Bef"
I am so blessed to have the world's cutest niece and nephew. No joke, it's proven.Always entertaining, always up for a story, always ready for a giggle and always up for a hug or a cuddle.
I got to see three of Erin's firsts - first haircut, first ride in the Model A and first Italian ice. And all in the same night!
I learned some new "Lukisms":
(When he doesn't know the answer to something) "I don't fink so."
(When asked how is his dinner) "It feels good."
I can't wait for the next trip.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Lately
Lately things have been routine, dependable. I like that.
I go to work. I watch Joshua. I go walking with Jessica and Benjamin. I play with Inu. I work on whatever project needs to be finished.
Today that project was canning plums. A friend of ours has a plum tree and didn't know what to do with them. So we canned them. It didn't make a whole lot, but they sure look nice.
I got to relax a little today, too. Last week I bought a hammock from a neighbor who is moving. What a great buy! It has a stand and sits in the shady corner of the backyard. And since it's been so hot this week, it's nice to swing out there and read in the afternoons.
This morning Jessica and I went walking at the park that's halfway between her house and mine. We do about 1.5 miles 3-4 times a week. It's nice to have the companionship and motivation, too. Benjamin comes with us and adds a little extra workout since we have to push his stroller in the gravel path. Today he fell asleep in his usual position of feet sticking out of the stroller. He's such a cutie!
Last Saturday Jessica and I spent all day together - walking in the morning and then running errands. She babysits another little one 2 days a week, so then we both get a kid! We've come to call Benjamin "Benjamino" which I changed to "El Camino". Jessica thinks it's cute. Benjamin just smiles at everything.
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Now playing: John Mayer - Waiting On the World to Change
via FoxyTunes
I go to work. I watch Joshua. I go walking with Jessica and Benjamin. I play with Inu. I work on whatever project needs to be finished.
Today that project was canning plums. A friend of ours has a plum tree and didn't know what to do with them. So we canned them. It didn't make a whole lot, but they sure look nice.
I got to relax a little today, too. Last week I bought a hammock from a neighbor who is moving. What a great buy! It has a stand and sits in the shady corner of the backyard. And since it's been so hot this week, it's nice to swing out there and read in the afternoons.This morning Jessica and I went walking at the park that's halfway between her house and mine. We do about 1.5 miles 3-4 times a week. It's nice to have the companionship and motivation, too. Benjamin comes with us and adds a little extra workout since we have to push his stroller in the gravel path. Today he fell asleep in his usual position of feet sticking out of the stroller. He's such a cutie!Last Saturday Jessica and I spent all day together - walking in the morning and then running errands. She babysits another little one 2 days a week, so then we both get a kid! We've come to call Benjamin "Benjamino" which I changed to "El Camino". Jessica thinks it's cute. Benjamin just smiles at everything.
----------------
Now playing: John Mayer - Waiting On the World to Change
via FoxyTunes
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