Thursday 01.31.2013

A blustery winter day, from yesterday. Today is 22 degrees, windy and snowy.

I caught up with a few things today, had a few phone calls, and ventured out for fresh food. It was really cold and snowy when I was out. I passed on shoveling the driveway today.

I read for a while, doing my class work for the Project. Almost half done with it.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Feeling better, with the right ear still resolving, and my voice still not "quite right".  Day by day....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 01.30.2013

What a difference in temperatures!

Today I went for a gentle jog in mid-50 degrees. Was sooo nice, what with the birdsong and fresh-smelling air. I went out today instead of tomorrow because it's predicted to be in the 20's again.  *sigh*

Shower, food, phone calls.

Rested, did computer stuff, a little of the learning stuff needed for the Project.

Tomorrow I'll need to get fresh food.

And while I was out running today--my right ear finally popped !!!  The pressure is  finally decreasing. It still crackles when I swallow, but it's resolving. Yippee!!
Thank you God!

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 01.29.2013

Worked today, mostly.  After the discharges left, I clocked out and went into an empty room for a nap. I've felt so fatigued these last few days. I had a meeting at 2, and that 40 minutes or so was helpful.

I wasn't needed after the meeting, so I went on home.

I made a nice salad and ate it; then dozed off and on for a couple hours.

The rain with occasional lightening is strange for Michigan winter. Though I do say, I'm happy to not be shoveling it....

Tomorrow is a day to catch up on the financial end of things.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 01.28.2013

Worked--got "floated" to another unit, which turned out to be ok.  I was called back to my home unit at 5pm, as we were busy enough to need me.

And I had a good rest of the day, too.

Tonight I'm kind of sleepy--hoping to rest well tonight.

Tomorrow is a workday with a meeting in the middle.

Right ear is still full. ugh.

Thank you for reading Hugs.

Sunday 01.27.2013

I slept pretty good and had a "slow" day today.

I debated on running in the morning, but the temps were in the teens, and I was hungry.  So I had breakfast.

A couple hours later, temps were mid-20's, and I went out and had a nice run.

Shower and dressed, I went out to get a couple things that are on sale this week, as I am scheduled to work Monday and Tuesday.

So far, we've gotten freezing rain and a couple inches of snow. Not sure what else is coming tonight.

My voice got "funny" again tonight, and my right ear is still "crackling".  This stuff should be gone soon....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 01.26.2013

Wow. Finally done with the Ed Fair. We all thought it went well, and we are all pretty tired. It's been a long week, with months of planning. Thanks to the team, and to CS for the mastermind.

I stopped at the store on the way home for fresh food, and when I got home I prepared it and ate. I had to hurry to get outdoors and shovel the snow before it got any colder, as the sun was going down already.

And I did.

I came back in, had a phone call, and about fell asleep on the couch. Guess I'll be going to bed soon.

Tomorrow I hope to keep it on the restful side, as I go back to 12 1/2 hour days Monday and Tuesday. Feels like vacation time....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 01.25.2013

Another successful Ed Fair day.  I took the few hours this evening for myself, with my feet up and a light snack.

Tomorrow is the last day for our event.

I'm happy to say that I'm finally feeling better. My ears are resolving, though the still hiss, and my voice was weird this afternoon. And I'm fatigued. Sunday I won't have to get up early.

I'm off to bed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 01.24.2013

Another great day at the Ed Fair. Things seemed to go even a little more smoothly today--maybe because the ones who have attended have been talking about it, and the others kind of know what to expect??

We, the presenters, had a potluck lunch today, as we only had an hour and 15 minutes for lunch. It was nice to sit and "break bread" together. What a great group!

Home tonight, laundry started, and these consecutive early days are getting to me. Really fatigued.

I do feel like I'm better, though. My head's not as full feeling, and the left ear is better. The right ear still has a twinge of discomfort now and then, and they both crackle when I swallow, the right more prominently than the left. But better overall, I think.

Tomorrow is another early morning and long day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 01.23.2013

Another great day at the Luau! (that's the theme for our Ed Fair this year) Having a great turnout with favorable responses. Sure makes for a long day for us, though. We had a three hour break between sessions; PV and myself did a couple interviews after a quick bite to eat.

Even though I didn't have much of a voice this morning when I woke, I think my ears are somewhat better tonight. Finally. Still a little congested in the right ear, but the left is better. Thank you God.

Tomorrow is another day at the "Islands".

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 01.22.2013

Didn't post the last couple of days...

Sunday night the internet was down. Monday Frank and I traveled home after a great visit with the Putnam family. The weather in South Carolina was nice--low 60's and clear skies. We got into Detroit to 7 degrees and light snow.

A careful drive home, where it was down to 4 degrees and 3 inches of snow on the ground. We took turns shoveling the driveway; we got his car out of the garage, and put mine in.

But his car wouldn't go on this slippery road. It had been plowed, but he wasn't able to get any traction. We finally got it back into the driveway, with me driving and him pushing. My car had no problem, and I drove him home.

By the time I got to bed it was midnight, and I had to get up this morning to work the Education Fair.

And that went really well today.

-1 degree outdoors with a windchill. Brr.

I stopped at the store for fresh groceries on the way home, got myself turned around for tomorrow, and caught up a little on the internet.

Tomorrow is Ed Fair again, as it will be through Saturday, (to get all of our annual mandatory competencies done).

My ears didn't fly very well. This afternoon I was not feeling well and my ears were very sore. I took a combination of motrin, tylenol, and a sudafed, and about an hour later I was feeling better. The ears were "popping" for a while after the medication was working, and I'm still feeling the pressure and the hissing. It often takes almost a week or so for my ears to feel "normal" after flying. And having 2 flights each way was a lot of ups and downs for me. I can only be patient and wait for them to settle down. I hope it's sooner than later.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 01.19.2013

A nice day today. A bit cool, but clear and sunny, and it warmed to the high 50's. We did  a lot of not much--Matilda is sick with upper respiratory; congestion, runny nose, loose cough, and sleeping a lot. The parents thought it best to stay home and give her a break from going out, having been at day care all week.

I went out for a nice walk in the sun. Sure felt good.

And another nice day predicted for tomorrow.

My right ear is still full.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 01.18.2013

So, last night I forgot to write. I know, right??  I was so caught up in getting things together to travel. It wasn't long before it was nearing 11 pm, and I went to bed.

Today, I got up at 0500 to make sure I was ready to leave at 0700.  Frank arrived shortly after 7, and we made it to the airport, parked, and was through security by 0915. We had good flights, and Jeremy picked us up as he left work.

He and I went into the day care where Matilda goes. And when she looked at me she smiled and kicked and made my day!!!

He handed her to me and she snuggled me, like she really knew who I am. So nice.

Supper out, then a quiet evening with an enjoyable fire in the fireplace. It's cool here--low 40's--and the heat felt good.

My ears did pretty good; I had a couple of times that the pressure hurt really bad before the Ear Planes (pressure equalizers you can buy in the stores), but the left one seems ok tonight. The right one is still full feeling.

Hoping to sleep tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 01.16.2013

Got up and went in for a meeting. It lasted a little longer than scheduled,  so by the time I finished the other errands I had to do, it was almost 2:30 when I got home.

I was hungry--fixed food and ate, and had just a wee bit of a nap.

The rest of the evening was quiet. I'm not feeling well--kind of queasy and feeling like I'm fighting a migraine. I'll take some tylenol and motrin and go to bed.

Tomorrow I'll get ready to go.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 01.15.2013

I was really tired last night, and slept fairly well.

After I had been up and moving around some, I had a bit of a cough. It surprised me, as I haven't been coughing hardly at all. I was able to spit out just clear stuff, some of it with bubbles. Hmm. Then I had a more forceful cough--and along with the clear stuff, there was some dark greenish/grayish/tan colored stuff about the size of a pea. Whoa! The next bunch had another smaller piece of the same stuff.  And after that, just a clearing of the throat kind of annoyance. I've only coughed a couple times during the day today.  And overall, I feel much better. Like that chunk of stuff is what was holding up progress.Whew!  The ears are still annoying, but I'm trying to talk myself into them feeling better, too.

I had a good work day, with a great bunch of girls.

Tomorrow is a meeting, and I'll start getting ready for the trip to South Carolina on Friday.  Getting excited!

Thank you God for this gift of life.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 01.14.2013

Worked today, busy.

Great co-workers.

Real tired this afternoon--made it through to the evening.

My Doctor--the family practice guy I've seen for this yuck--came in to see a patient. I asked him about my ears, and he suggested Afrin nasal spray (oxymetazoline). So I stopped on the way home and got some.

One small spray in each nose to see what it does.

I can tell it's working, and could have used a little more. I'll try it again in the morning, as it's an 8 hour drug.

And now I'm going to bed.

Tomorrow is another work day, with a meeting in the middle, which I've got covered.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 01.13.2013

A pretty good day today.

Moved some boxes around, emptied a couple, did some laundry.

Fixed food and ate, cleaned up the kitchen.

Reviewed finances, paid bills.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Feeling a little better, maybe, in the head; ears still ringing.

Really tired.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 01.12.2013

What a nice day today!!

High 50's here and beautiful blue sky, for a bit. Clouds eventually closed in, but we had a great afternoon.

I took the van to the car wash, and just so happened that VG followed me home! Frank came over, and one of his friends, too, with his son. We enjoyed visiting and "tech time", as well as good food at a local restaurant.

After we ate, Frank's friend left, and V and I went out for a walk. Frank stayed at the house, catching up on rest. When we got back we talked and laughed, and after he left, she and I shared the evening. Thank you, VG,  for your most awesome friendship.

I think I'm feeling better--my voice held out mostly, the ear pressure is less (but still there), and they don't hurt as often as they did. Still hearing the hissing, though.

Tomorrow is a "down" day. Planning to rest.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 01.11.2013

Whew--what a busy day today!!

Odd, in that I was busy doing things specific to my job role, and not able to do much of the "shared" responsibilities. Very different day.

My voice is still not back, and even though the pressure in my ears seems less, they still have "white noise".  And I didn't feel good a couple of times during the day. Could have taken a nap without difficulty. I'm hoping to get better these next couple of days....

Tomorrow my good friend VG is coming for a visit. I'm looking forward to seeing her.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 01.10.2013

A pretty good day today.

I enjoyed the morning before going to the meetings, stopping on the way for a car wash while the temperatures are above freezing.

4 1/2 hours later, I'm back home, and hungry.

I fixed my supper and ate, and got sleepy.

I'm still not feeling as well as I think I should, although I might be a bit better.  Conflicting--lost my voice again this afternoon, ear pressure seems a little less. I'll be glad to be over this.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 01.09.2013

Kind of a "slow" day today, meaning that I've not moved very fast.

Breakfast and off to Discount Tire.  Nail removed from low tire; rotated, inspected, and all needed aired up. Stopped for fresh groceries, then showered before going to Leah's for a much needed massage.

She worked on the areas that correlate with nerves and structures for my ears and sinuses, as well as moving the lymph fluid. She does a good job.

Supper, and then a haircut.

Cleaned the kitchen, took a shower again.

Tomorrow is meetings.

I took the last antibiotic pill tonight. I do seem to have less pressure in my ears, but they are still "hissing", and I'm still feeling wrung out. Thinking positive--I will get well. Soon, I hope.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 01.08.2013

Another workday, feeling tired and "not well", even though the "stuff" in my head seems to be less. My ears are still full (though maybe not as much pressure) and have white noise, sometimes very loud.

I got through the day with another great group of co-workers. We were busy. In fact, the rest of the hospital is bursting with very ill people. It seems the flu has come to the area and people are really sick.

And then I wonder--is what I have a form of the flu??? I don't know.

I noticed tonight when I was leaving the hospital that one of the tires on the car is low. I made an on-line appointment at Discount Tire for a check and rotation for tomorrow. And in the afternoon, I finally see Leah for a much needed massage. And in the evening, a haircut.

Loving that the days are getting longer.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 01.07.2013

Worked today, and was busy. With a great crew, we plodded on through the day. I gave each patient the time they needed, finally able to document the afternoon/evening's events after the next shift took over.

There were a couple times today that I didn't feel very good, and wondered if I'm getting better. Tonight I think my head is clearer, but the ears are hissing again. Must. Think. Positive.

Hoping to get some good rest tonight; tomorrow is another workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 01.06.2013

Saturday was a long day.  Took a trailer up to the JC and finished gathering the leftovers--beddings and kitchen items, mostly.  Having Family with me sure helped--I got overwhelmed a few times, and they surrounded me with kindness, and I got through it.

Before we left, we went out onto the frozen lake. The ice is about 6 inches thick, so it seems, and so crystal clear that you can see right through it to the bottom of the lake. Awesome!!

A safe drive home, thank you God, and with the trailer unloaded, J & P left about 10:35 pm or so. Thanks to all for the help.

Frank and I shifted the garage items around, and he left after 11. I stayed up and moved the indoor items around and put the refrigerator and freezer away.  I finally got to bed about 0200.

This morning, I woke at 8 and got up to take the antibiotic, then back to bed, getting up about 9:30 or 10. I had a quiet day, resting in between unpacking, trips to the basement, and sorting linen.

A nice shower, phone conversation.

I'm feeling a bit better, I think, but still have the ringing/hissing in my ears. Sometimes it gets kind of loud. Does that mean that it's gone, or less, sometimes, or that I don't notice it.....??  I sure hope it goes away soon.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Hoping to sleep well.

God's gifts are amazing, and I'm thankful for this life.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

01.04.2013

I wanted to sleep just that half hour/45 minutes longer this morning, but needed to get up to get the day's accomplishments done.

First off, to the dentist for a cleaning. "Looks good," my favorite words.

Next appointment was the doctor. He listened to me, felt the lymph nodes in my neck, made a couple suggestions (saline nasal spray, and/or a  "netti pot", and  a heating pad around my neck below my ears), and I got an injection of two steroids.

I had several items on the list today, and managed to do them all.

The trailer is reserved for tomorrow, and the van is filled with fuel and empty boxes. J & P and Frank are riding up with me to the JC for the final load. T & KS are meeting us there. The weather looks to be mild for a winter's day, and we might be there 2, maybe three hours. I'll say that I'm looking forward to going, collecting, and embracing those items into my home. I'm starting to feel relieved.

I can tell the steroids have reduced some of the swelling in my head and ears, but still have the hissing noise and ache. I hope to be much better tomorrow.

I'm off to bed, and I

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 01.03.2013

Worked today--busy, had to call in help to open the other unit. Amazing how the census fluctuates...

I was feeling a little better the first half of the day, but the last half was not-so-good.  Tired, and a sore neck under the ears, lymph nodes and such, I think.

I don't know.  I'm tired of the ringing/hissing in my ears.

The nurse called from the doctor's office, saying that he ordered Augmentin, to start it as soon as possible, and wants to see me tomorrow afternoon. Ok.

That was about 0830.

10:00 I went to the pharmacy. "Really busy", and "it will be ready by noon". I went back upstairs.

12:45pm  2 customers being taken care of at the counter, with a line 6 deep. Ugh--can't wait. Went back upstairs, finished what I needed to do, and was able to go to a meeting.

5:30pm  2 customers being taken care of at the counter, with a line 4 deep. Back upstairs.

5:50pm  called pharmacy asking if it could be sent to me via the tube system. Nope. And they're closing from 7-9 pm.

6:15pm  2 customers being served at the counter, I am number 5 in line. Gentleman in front of me talks to me like he knows me. Hmm. Turns out it was a patient/new father that I took care of a week and a half ago. I didn't really remember him. Or them. That's awful of me.

6:40pm  medication in hand. Back to floor, and I take my first dose "as soon as possible",  10 hours later.

Tonight the hissing is still there, still loud.

Tomorrow is appointments.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 01.02.2012

Workday.

Started out nice, the last four hours were busy.

I was able to attend a meeting that I didn't know about (didn't check work email after Christmas...until today...). Surprise...

And I started feeling like I was getting worse. Heaviness in my chest, and it seems there is more "gunk" being produced. Darn it. As well as the hissing in my ears. And a bit more cough.

The nurse from the Doctor's office called when I wasn't able to answer, and when I was able to return the call, Doctor had already left. (It was his "early" day to leave). I told the nurse how I was feeling, and at that time, I didn't have much of a voice again. She said I would hear from them tomorrow. Ok, thanks.

So I work again tomorrow. I'm hoping I wake up feeling sooo much better.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 01.01.2013 NEW YEAR!!!!

Happy to say I slept well, and woke feeling rested.

And it turned out to be a sunny day!!  What a great start to the New Year!

I enjoyed my day, doing a whole lot of not much. I did go for a run, the first in a couple weeks, since I've been ill.

Shower, dinner.

A quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a workday.

My ears are still hissing, and I still have occasional yuck and a cough.

May this New Year be the most awesome yet, filled with God's Blessings.

Hugs.