Ooh, I just love it when Blogger won't cooperate with uploading photos. Love it, love it, love it.
I've had a crazy day today where everything went wrong with my patients I've actually currently got, plus two patients who had already gone home. "M" was badly handled by a nurse yesterday morning apparently, and now fears retribution from the nurses if he complains-- I heard about it from his wife, and I am now obligated to speak to the matron (essentially Head Nurse)-- unfortunately what happens on the ward with nursing staff has a huge impact on progress in therapy. "F" is scheduled to go home tomorrow, and though I specifically said to the nurse at our multi-discliplinary meeting last week that she would be going home that day and an ambulance needed to be arranged to take her home, today we were told that the nursing staff had no idea "F" was going home, and no ambulance had been booked. "G" is a story of his own, which I will get into when I have the energy for it-- in a nutshell, he's a 52 (or 62, we're not sure which, he's got two different birth dates, I'll explain another time) year old man who's had a stroke, past medical history of heavy smoking and drinking for 30 years (read alcoholic), who still thinks after 12 weeks of rehab that he can go home and be fine on his own. Meanwhile he can't walk, but tries to get up every day and falls, is incontinent, and has absolutely no problem-solving skills, no safety awareness or judgement, and no insight as to capabilities and limitations. But he's very good at covering things up, so the psych has assessed him to have the capacity to make informed decisions. Wheeee. It's a long story, I'll tell it another day. Meanwhile, the son of a patient who was recently discharged was calling me up on the phone, telling me his father is impulsive, aggressive, shouts at everybody, and does things he knows he is not safe to do, now that he is at home. And he wanted me to tell him that eventually his father will be back to normal, and told me he thinks the sleeping pills his father is on are causing the aggressiveness and impulsiveness. The son apparently wasn't listening while his father was a patient, when we talked about the behavioral side effects of having had a stroke, and I don't think he really took it on board when I explained this to him again today. In addition, though our discharge plan specifically called for this patient to be set up for living on the ground floor, and the family agreed, the son told me on the phone today that his father has gotten up at least three times during the night and tried to go downstairs. What?!!! I said to the son, we agreed that your father would be living downstairs, he is not safe on the stairs, we had everything delivered that you needed to have him downstairs. And the son said yes, but we're currently having a toilet and walk-in shower installed downstairs, it's too messy for his bed. And all I could say was please, please, clear a space for him to sleep and for his commode, he cannot be upstairs, his behavior is not going to change, he will do things he knows he is not supposed to do, and all we can do is keep him as safe as possible bykeeping him on the ground floor! For the icing on the cake, though the family insisted on having this man back home, and stated that as long as there were carers to help with personal care, his spouse would always be home with him, and everything would be fine, the son was now saying today he wanted 24-hour supervision for his father. And I had to say I'm sorry, but you either have to pay for that yourself, or if you want social services (i.e. the government) to pay for it, he will have to go to a residential home.
Geez, it was like the hits just kept coming today. That's not everything, but that's enough for now.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Phrase of the Day
KEEPING YOUR POWDER DRY: To take care of yourself; to be prepared.
This phrase was uttered by Oliver Cromwell in 1642, when his regiment was about to attack the enemy at the battle of Edgehill. "Put your trust in God," he told his troops, "but keep your powder dry." Wet gunpowder was very difficult to ignite, and with it a soldier would in effect be unarmed. (Courtesy of my cousin Andy)
I was too tired to blog about it at the time, and then forgot, but I went to see Guys and Dolls in the West End on Halloween. The big draw here has been Patrick Swayze headlining as Nathan Detroit. It was very very well done, especially since the female lead had been replaced (housemate Nicole saw it at least a month before me and said the original lead was awful). Although I must say, good ole Patrick is not the heartthrob he once was. He was never my type to begin with, I never swooned over him in Dirty Dancing, and now he definitely looks middle-age, and shorter than I expected him to be. However, he did a great job, and the show was fantastic! The actor who played Sky Masterson (no idea who he was), now there was a man to drool over.... ;)
Pics from this weekend still coming, just need to get ahold of Nicole's memory card tomorrow.
This phrase was uttered by Oliver Cromwell in 1642, when his regiment was about to attack the enemy at the battle of Edgehill. "Put your trust in God," he told his troops, "but keep your powder dry." Wet gunpowder was very difficult to ignite, and with it a soldier would in effect be unarmed. (Courtesy of my cousin Andy)
I was too tired to blog about it at the time, and then forgot, but I went to see Guys and Dolls in the West End on Halloween. The big draw here has been Patrick Swayze headlining as Nathan Detroit. It was very very well done, especially since the female lead had been replaced (housemate Nicole saw it at least a month before me and said the original lead was awful). Although I must say, good ole Patrick is not the heartthrob he once was. He was never my type to begin with, I never swooned over him in Dirty Dancing, and now he definitely looks middle-age, and shorter than I expected him to be. However, he did a great job, and the show was fantastic! The actor who played Sky Masterson (no idea who he was), now there was a man to drool over.... ;)
Pics from this weekend still coming, just need to get ahold of Nicole's memory card tomorrow.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
The Fun Never Stops
Boy, have I been busy, and the fun never stops...I still have some stories from last weekend (Halloween weekend) which I hope to get to today, and this weekend I have been partying with housemate Nicole and some friends of hers who are here visiting from the States. On Friday night, we went to the Ice Bar, where literally everything is made of ice-- the tables, the seats, the bar, the glasses you drink from, the walls. You get a heavy parka sort of thing thrown over your head as you go in, and you only get to stay for about 45 minutes-- which I think has less to do with the owners being worried about people getting too cold, and more to do with wanting to get as many people in and out to make as much money as possible! We then went on to a club called Tiger Tiger for a little bit, which is where Nicole and her boyfriend Dave first met, a little over a year ago. And finally, we had reservations at Sugar Reef, a club you often see pictured in the papers with celebrities like Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) falling out of its doors in the wee hours. We had a fantastic time, and as soon as I get ahold of Nicole's memory card, I'll post some really funny pics on here.
Last night, I joined up with them again at a bar called Porterhouse in Covent Garden. I think it's my new favorite bar. It kind of looks like a brewery inside-- they do have their own draughts and everything-- three different levels, and tons of good-looking men. As a matter of fact, I was sitting at a table chatting to Nicole's friends, when I hear Nicole behind me yelling, "Allison, I found you a cute Irish guy!" Imagine what shade of red I was as I stood up to meet him, or them, as it turned out to be two guys. Very friendly, very funny, both from Belfast originally, and one had spent an exchange year at Beaver College (now known as Arcadia) in PA. Wish I had gotten their numbers, because they were a lot of fun to hang out with, but we somehow lost them in transit to our next and last stop of the night, the Walkabout on Shaftesbury Ave. However, it was probably all for the best, because I had a great time being chatted up (this counts as a "pull"), but they live all the way over on the west side of London. It doesn't take very long living over here to learn that you almost might as well be talking about East Coast versus West Coast when you live on the east side of London and you meet someone from the west side. The tube stops running at about midnight, the night buses can be hard to figure out (even for someone who's sober), and a cab is really expensive. So everyone is usually very reluctant to go for a big night out on the other side of town unless they've got a place to crash. Anywho, we left Porterhouse, and took rickshaws (so fun! think I've got a pic of that too) to the Walkabout, and I think all of us ended up wishing we stayed at the first place. The music they were playing last night at the Walkabout left a lot to be desired, very much on the cheesy side.
So I've got a few days of work now, but then Carla arrives for a quick visit on Thursday morning!! She's taking advantage of Teacher's Conference Weekend in NJ, and will be here from Thursday to Sunday, so I need to get my tourguide act together!
Last night, I joined up with them again at a bar called Porterhouse in Covent Garden. I think it's my new favorite bar. It kind of looks like a brewery inside-- they do have their own draughts and everything-- three different levels, and tons of good-looking men. As a matter of fact, I was sitting at a table chatting to Nicole's friends, when I hear Nicole behind me yelling, "Allison, I found you a cute Irish guy!" Imagine what shade of red I was as I stood up to meet him, or them, as it turned out to be two guys. Very friendly, very funny, both from Belfast originally, and one had spent an exchange year at Beaver College (now known as Arcadia) in PA. Wish I had gotten their numbers, because they were a lot of fun to hang out with, but we somehow lost them in transit to our next and last stop of the night, the Walkabout on Shaftesbury Ave. However, it was probably all for the best, because I had a great time being chatted up (this counts as a "pull"), but they live all the way over on the west side of London. It doesn't take very long living over here to learn that you almost might as well be talking about East Coast versus West Coast when you live on the east side of London and you meet someone from the west side. The tube stops running at about midnight, the night buses can be hard to figure out (even for someone who's sober), and a cab is really expensive. So everyone is usually very reluctant to go for a big night out on the other side of town unless they've got a place to crash. Anywho, we left Porterhouse, and took rickshaws (so fun! think I've got a pic of that too) to the Walkabout, and I think all of us ended up wishing we stayed at the first place. The music they were playing last night at the Walkabout left a lot to be desired, very much on the cheesy side.
So I've got a few days of work now, but then Carla arrives for a quick visit on Thursday morning!! She's taking advantage of Teacher's Conference Weekend in NJ, and will be here from Thursday to Sunday, so I need to get my tourguide act together!
5th of November
Remember, Remember
The Fifth of November
Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot!
Today is Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, whichever you prefer. It refers to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605...a small group of Catholics had thought that when James I took over as King, he would be more tolerant of Catholicism (having a Catholic mother himself). As it turned out, he was not, and a group of 13 men decided they would blow up Parliament, specifically the House of Lords, at a time when the King was present. They managed to put 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellar below the House of Lords, but some members of the group had second thoughts when they realized innocent people could be hurt, and someone sent an anonymous letter of warning. Long story short, Guy Fawkes was the only man in the cellar when the King's men came looking for the conspirators. He was tortured and executed. To this day, the English mark the 5th of November with fireworks and bonfires, where they burn effigies of Guy Fawkes. It can be a bit of a gray area, though, as to whether they are celebrating Guy Fawkes' capture and execution, or are honoring him for his attempt to do away with the monarch/government! For a bit more information on the holiday, click here.
The Fifth of November
Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot!
Today is Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, whichever you prefer. It refers to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605...a small group of Catholics had thought that when James I took over as King, he would be more tolerant of Catholicism (having a Catholic mother himself). As it turned out, he was not, and a group of 13 men decided they would blow up Parliament, specifically the House of Lords, at a time when the King was present. They managed to put 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellar below the House of Lords, but some members of the group had second thoughts when they realized innocent people could be hurt, and someone sent an anonymous letter of warning. Long story short, Guy Fawkes was the only man in the cellar when the King's men came looking for the conspirators. He was tortured and executed. To this day, the English mark the 5th of November with fireworks and bonfires, where they burn effigies of Guy Fawkes. It can be a bit of a gray area, though, as to whether they are celebrating Guy Fawkes' capture and execution, or are honoring him for his attempt to do away with the monarch/government! For a bit more information on the holiday, click here.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Trouble with a capital T
Tracy (to my left) was a great girl I met this weekend, who has kindly provided her photos. (Mine are stuck on the internal memory of my camera until I can find the transfer cable.) She was a bit of a troublemaker with regards to me the night of our Halloween party, as she kept feeding me wine spritzers during pre-party events. I subsequently developed balance problems during the Halloween party, which apparently kept everyone entertained. I'll be going to a party she's having in two weeks time, so chalk one up in the new friends column!
Clowning Around
My friend the surgeon next to me here was one of my South African buddies, as well as Tracy (witch above), and another guy named Mark. We had a great time playing cards, pre-party, and I learned several new games including one they called S**thead (classy). During the party itself, I do believe the surgeon dragged me out of bed twice to rejoin the festivities, even dragging me through the window of our room once. Ok, get your minds out of the gutter, it was a hostel, eight of us were sharing a room!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Updates
I was too sick on Thursday to attend the post-post-pub crawl party, at which the announcement was made that we did, indeed, break the world record by 41 people. Apparently my team, the Tigers, handed in 126 stamped cards, though we were only 125 to begin with, and lost some along the way. Go Tigers! Here's the official picture from the big day, the guy in front in the red shirt is the guy who organised the whole thing.
Also, my photos have been included in the second edition of the online Schmap travel guide for Kauai!! Woohoo, I've been published! You'll find a new widget on my sidebar, directing you to said Schmap guide.
Also, my photos have been included in the second edition of the online Schmap travel guide for Kauai!! Woohoo, I've been published! You'll find a new widget on my sidebar, directing you to said Schmap guide.
Trick or Treat!
A la Billy Madison...check out the interactive flaming bag of poo . Thanks to Don Heilala.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
An unexpected encounter
Still feeling very krappy with my cold, so this'll be a short post. I did go to work today, I still seem to have my stupid American work ethic of not feeling I should stay home for a mere cold or flu, so I stuffed my backpack with meds and off I went. My supervisor let me go home about half an hour early, and wouldn't you know it, I ran into the Head OT on the High Street with her whole family...she happily introduced me to her husband, her sister and her children. She inquired about the stroke unit, and I told her I'm loving it and learning a lot. Meanwhile throughout the whole 2 minute encounter, I was hoping she didn't realize what time it was, and I kept wanting to blurt out that I was legitimately leaving work early with my supervisor's blessing. I didn't, but it was just ironic, since this is only the second time I've ever seen someone I know on the High Street.
Anywho, here's a cool link, it will generate a slogan for any word you input, including your name. One of my favorites: "Just what the Allison ordered." Or, "Smart. Beautiful. Allison." Or "Happiness is Allison-Shaped." Or "Behold the Power of Allison." Heehee. Ok, ok, I'm getting carried away, give me a break, I'm sick. You may not recognize all the slogans your chosen word is inserted into, it's a UK site, but a lot of them are slogans that have been used in the US too.
Anywho, here's a cool link, it will generate a slogan for any word you input, including your name. One of my favorites: "Just what the Allison ordered." Or, "Smart. Beautiful. Allison." Or "Happiness is Allison-Shaped." Or "Behold the Power of Allison." Heehee. Ok, ok, I'm getting carried away, give me a break, I'm sick. You may not recognize all the slogans your chosen word is inserted into, it's a UK site, but a lot of them are slogans that have been used in the US too.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Me and my big fat mouth
So....I had a wonderful weekend in Rugby, er, Clifton upon Dunsmore, with Jo and her boyfriend James. In spite of my cold. Yes, I made the mistake of bragging to housemate Nicole midweek last week that I have not been sick since the day I set foot in this country in February. And wouldn't you know it, by Friday night, after we came back to Jo and James' cottage from the local pub, I knew I had a full-fledged cold. That didn't stop me, we had a great weekend, but I will have to sum it up tomorrow night, because I am exhausted, I can't breathe, and I still haven't reviewed my kinesiotaping method for my patient with a hemiplegic shoulder. I'm supposed to tape him up tomorrow, so I guess I'd better review it now. Just a friendly reminder kids, don't temp fate by bragging about oh, for example, good health, because you might just be jinxing yourself ;)
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Almost Forgot
You cannot look at this web site and not be happy, especially with the three cuties showing up on the main page today. I meant to put a link on here earlier since I've got the puppy of the day on my sidebar...unfortunately, the daily kitten does not have a convenient widget for my sidebar.
How things stand on a Wednesday night
Things that are making me happy and/or laugh tonight:
I met a really fun Australian girl on the pub crawl, and sent her a text on Sunday to say I'd like to hang out again in future. I heard back from her tonight, and I'm quite pleased at the prospect of a new friend :)
My Aunt Sue's comment on my previous post...it would seem sibling rivalry shines through whether you're a teenager living at home, or an adult with your own family ;)
Dinner plans tomorrow night!
This weekend I'm visiting Jo- checking out her new place in Rugby and partying it up. Plus some shopping-- something I never do over here because it's not in the budget. But I have a little left over this month.
I have signed up for a Halloween weekend in Kent-- haunted house, hay ride, pumpkin carving, costumes, and a chance to wander around Leeds Castle. Not to mention, more opportunities to make new friends.
I ruined a chicken roast on Monday, trying to make it up as I went along, but managed to turn it into a very tasty chicken soup last night.
And last, but "soitenly" not least: I'm working on the stroke unit and loving it!!!!
I met a really fun Australian girl on the pub crawl, and sent her a text on Sunday to say I'd like to hang out again in future. I heard back from her tonight, and I'm quite pleased at the prospect of a new friend :)
My Aunt Sue's comment on my previous post...it would seem sibling rivalry shines through whether you're a teenager living at home, or an adult with your own family ;)
Dinner plans tomorrow night!
This weekend I'm visiting Jo- checking out her new place in Rugby and partying it up. Plus some shopping-- something I never do over here because it's not in the budget. But I have a little left over this month.
I have signed up for a Halloween weekend in Kent-- haunted house, hay ride, pumpkin carving, costumes, and a chance to wander around Leeds Castle. Not to mention, more opportunities to make new friends.
I ruined a chicken roast on Monday, trying to make it up as I went along, but managed to turn it into a very tasty chicken soup last night.
And last, but "soitenly" not least: I'm working on the stroke unit and loving it!!!!
Monday, October 16, 2006
I'll let you know when I know
There are no official results, yet, for those of you who have been asking. We all carried around cards that we had to have stamped at each pub, to provide evidence that we'd been there and had a drink. I checked out the web site today, and the organizer had an announcement that he's waiting until this Friday to do the final tally to make sure that all the cards are in (with a little message to those who forgot to hand it in to get it in the post and to him by Friday). I am back in action, having had a rough Sunday, go figure. For some reason, my parents found this funny.
Little story: For New Year's Eve, during my senior year at college, they took me, my boyfriend of the time, my sister, and her friend to Edinburgh for Hogmanay. (The BEST New Year's I've had thus far in my life, by the way, totally worth it!!) Due to various reasons (12% cider, a friendly Scottish couple who kept feeding us rum and coke during the concert, etc), I was much the worse for the wear on New Year's Day. Unfortunately, we were driving home (to Bagshot) that day, and I was moaning and groaning with a plastic bag in hand as we went round umpteen roundabouts, Tressa too, as I recall. And my parents found this hysterical. Cheers, mum and dad!
Little story: For New Year's Eve, during my senior year at college, they took me, my boyfriend of the time, my sister, and her friend to Edinburgh for Hogmanay. (The BEST New Year's I've had thus far in my life, by the way, totally worth it!!) Due to various reasons (12% cider, a friendly Scottish couple who kept feeding us rum and coke during the concert, etc), I was much the worse for the wear on New Year's Day. Unfortunately, we were driving home (to Bagshot) that day, and I was moaning and groaning with a plastic bag in hand as we went round umpteen roundabouts, Tressa too, as I recall. And my parents found this hysterical. Cheers, mum and dad!
Friday, October 13, 2006
What a difference a job makes...
Yes, it's a Friday night and I'm home. But I've actually already been out for three hours immediately following work- drinks for a colleague who's leaving. AND the Guiness World Record attempt for biggest pub crawl is tomorrow. One drink at each of 10 pubs between 11:30am and 6pm. Our picture will be in the paper and everything, although with 2700 people, I doubt you'll be able to pick out individual faces.
Anywho...I feel like a different person. As I titled this entry, what a difference a job makes. I'm so incredibly happy, it's like night and day between the last rotation and this one. I feel at home on the one hand because rehab is familiar and satisfying work for me. I'm also rather intimidated at all that there is for me to learn, and me being me, I'm setting ridiculously high standards/goals for myself as to what I am to accomplish in a short 6 months. All that I want to do is impossible really, and I'm trying really hard to remind myself that I always aim too high...I cannot become an expert in the care of stroke patients in 6 months. My supervisor is very laid back, extremely so, which although I'm sure I will find trying at times, should be very good for balancing me out, and keeping me realistic. I had supervision yesterday afternoon, and told her that in general I am very happy (because she wanted to make sure I wasn't dreading coming into work everyday-- I told her "No way!!"), but that I'm worried time will fly by too quickly and I won't be able to learn everything. To which she said simply, you won't. And she's right. Even the Senior Physio that I'm working with for 3 of my 6 patients is still learning, and she has a lot of knowledge and skills. But as flatmate Nicole and I were discussing tonight, when you've got the right job, or are on the right unit over here in England with skilled teammates, there really are career-oriented reasons to be working in the UK. Woohoo!!
It's not just the job though. I've also slowly slowly started to make new friends and connections, through work and other means...one of those things that just takes time, and can seem like it's never going to happen when you've moved to new country on your own. But I can see now after 7 months that things are starting to happen, a new life is coming together. I know from past experience that moves like this, whether it's to a new country, or just simply away from family and friends, makes me stronger, makes me a better person, helps me to know myself better...but every time I do it, it's still just as hard, and it can initially be easy to forget that the fact that it is hard is what makes me grow. But enough of my soapbox-- I'm going to go practice my chugging technique ;)
Anywho...I feel like a different person. As I titled this entry, what a difference a job makes. I'm so incredibly happy, it's like night and day between the last rotation and this one. I feel at home on the one hand because rehab is familiar and satisfying work for me. I'm also rather intimidated at all that there is for me to learn, and me being me, I'm setting ridiculously high standards/goals for myself as to what I am to accomplish in a short 6 months. All that I want to do is impossible really, and I'm trying really hard to remind myself that I always aim too high...I cannot become an expert in the care of stroke patients in 6 months. My supervisor is very laid back, extremely so, which although I'm sure I will find trying at times, should be very good for balancing me out, and keeping me realistic. I had supervision yesterday afternoon, and told her that in general I am very happy (because she wanted to make sure I wasn't dreading coming into work everyday-- I told her "No way!!"), but that I'm worried time will fly by too quickly and I won't be able to learn everything. To which she said simply, you won't. And she's right. Even the Senior Physio that I'm working with for 3 of my 6 patients is still learning, and she has a lot of knowledge and skills. But as flatmate Nicole and I were discussing tonight, when you've got the right job, or are on the right unit over here in England with skilled teammates, there really are career-oriented reasons to be working in the UK. Woohoo!!
It's not just the job though. I've also slowly slowly started to make new friends and connections, through work and other means...one of those things that just takes time, and can seem like it's never going to happen when you've moved to new country on your own. But I can see now after 7 months that things are starting to happen, a new life is coming together. I know from past experience that moves like this, whether it's to a new country, or just simply away from family and friends, makes me stronger, makes me a better person, helps me to know myself better...but every time I do it, it's still just as hard, and it can initially be easy to forget that the fact that it is hard is what makes me grow. But enough of my soapbox-- I'm going to go practice my chugging technique ;)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Wawa Fabulous!
These are people after my own heart...
www.myspace.com/welovewawa
If I could import Wawa tuna, I would ;)
www.myspace.com/welovewawa
If I could import Wawa tuna, I would ;)
New shoes
Guess I need a new pair of running shoes. My sneakers have been wet and squeaky, and thus I didn't notice until this morning that you can also hear air rushing in and blowing out every time I step on the balls of my feet. Haha, the race must have done them in. I'm a bit disappointed-- even though it's been a year, and I should be replacing them anyway, I've loved my Nike shox so much, it's a bit of a bummer that they've given out. I've had other sneakers that have lasted longer, but maybe that's what happens with air-cushioned shoes.
Anywho, the play last night was pretty funny. Lots of sexual jokes, which I expected. No audience participation unfortunately, but they did directly address the audience at times, and there was a mix of comedy and tragedy with the tales that they chose to perform (Carpenter, Miller, Knight, Clerk or Oxford scholar, Nun, etc). For a fiver, definitely worth it!!!
Anywho, the play last night was pretty funny. Lots of sexual jokes, which I expected. No audience participation unfortunately, but they did directly address the audience at times, and there was a mix of comedy and tragedy with the tales that they chose to perform (Carpenter, Miller, Knight, Clerk or Oxford scholar, Nun, etc). For a fiver, definitely worth it!!!
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