News From the Nursery Lab 2008-1

I just spent this past weekend working the overnight shift. I seriously don't know how folks do that as their permanent job; I guess if all the relatives, dogs, etc. were also working that shift and you didn't mind doing all your shopping at WalMart or other 24 hours places, it would be okay. But, for me? Nope. I'm glad to fill in, but never do I want to do overnights permanently!

First thing I want to ask you is to send your prayers to whatever deity you believe in for one of our little ones' mother. Mom had a massive stroke giving birth to this beautiful little girl and is not doing well.

We lose our 'angels' more than we'd like...I hate that so much! But it hurts every bit as much to know that a little child might have to grow up without her mama. I can't imagine growing up and not having my mother. Hell, I hate not having her now! So, if you've a notion to, please keep this mother and child in your thoughts.

Our baby who was rescued during the ice storm is doing as well as can be expected. She has passed the three pound mark and has already been moved to Bay 2. There are still some very serious health issues ahead for her, though. But, it always looks wonderful when babies get "upgraded" to a bay which, though still intensive care, doesn't have as high a degree of "intense" if that makes any sense at all.

My Warrior Baby prior to Dorothea is still in the hospital, although she is now a resident of Bay 4, which is a transitional unit. She's growing and it's hoped that in the next few weeks she'll be able to join her sister who went home around Thanksgiving. I don't talk about her much because I don't see her in that Bay. Those babies don't get as many lab draws, so, I don't get to keep up with how they're doing. Just wanted to let you know that that's why I don't mention her as much.

We have another little one who is going to be challenged in his life. He's a hydrocephalic; one shunt has already been done. I haven't heard whether more surgery is planned at this time. The poor boy was born with a hole in the forehead which has allowed his brain to protrude through the opening. It's hard to walk into a room and see some of the atrocities that Nature does to Her children.

You may have wondered why I was pulling overnight duty. It's because one of my co-workers went and did something - she got herself fired for excessive absenteeism. Silly girl...she is SO smart, but lacked in common sense. She really seemed to believe that it was her right and privilege to call into work, or go home mid-shift on a fairly consistant basis. I'm sad for her. She's a single mom, trying to go to nursing school and work full time; she thinks by getting fired she'll be able to draw unemployment, but it's unlikely she will considering her job history throughout her career at BHTS. It takes a lot to get fired here...but when it happens, things have been documented so well that any unemployment hearing will not be pleasant for her, I'm sure. And, once she gets her nursing degree, it's going to be difficult to find a job around here given her work history past.

So, since we've added the second person on the 4 a.m. shift - who is a wonderful addition to the staff - I said I'd fill in this weekend on the overnight shift. I have to pull overnight duty once more this month on MLK day, but that won't be so bad. I'll probably fill in once in awhile till the position is filled. Maybe...as tired as I am today, though, maybe not!

I feel as though I'm leaving a whole lot of nursery news out - if I think of anything I'll add it in a future NFTN. But, it's time for me to pull on some clothes instead of my comfy jammies and get ready to take Hannah to the vet for her puppy check and get some meds for an ear infection (I think)

Till next time!