R(etired)N

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This takes me back to the late 1960s...that era of folk and weirdness.  As a teenager I would grab my guitar on the warm summer nights that I was allowed to get away from work at my parent's resort, I would go - barefoot -  to the beach and we would sit around the fire and sing those songs of the 1960s that catapulted the  world into another era never before experienced.   Buffy St. Marie, Poppy Family, Neil Young, Ian Tyson, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, The Guess Who.....all those Great Canadian singers from that time.....it was just a different feel.....

Hello psychadelia and freedom.   I didn't experiment with drugs at all. It was all purely innocent.  The fun part of those days....but also the dark side too.  Self-doubt.  Questioning.  Withdrawal.  Suicidal Thoughts.  At the time I never thought for a minute that I would ever escape that era and those feelings and that time. I thought it would be that way forever.   Thankfully time changes things....and it really does march on.

In some ways there is a nostalgia, but in some ways a gratefulness that I never have to go through that time again.

And, for a moment, while I listened to Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.....I tasted the flavor of that time once again.....

On May 22, I posted this story while visiting/helping out my mother while she recovered from her  hip replacement.  The story tells of how I did some "Accidental Nursing" on the Island of Antigua. I will allow my narrative tell the story:


While at my folks' place I had a visit from my Aunt Phyllis** who lives nearby. My dad hates it when she visits because she is generally LOUD and obnoxious and high jacks any conversation - invited or not.

You've met the type.

 She also has a memory like an elephant and remembers everything - and I mean everything -  in minute detail - and will make sure she imparts each to you.

But - she is my dad's sister-in-law so he has to put up with it, albeit grudgingly. I don't mind her so much, but usually after the first 5 minutes dad toodles off into another room until the visit is over. Whenever I am in town, she feels she has to make the pilgrimage to say hello.

Why?

Well, funny you should ask.



Similar catamaran

 I went to Antigua a year and half ago to celebrate my cousin's (Phyllis' daughter) wedding.

It was a beautiful ceremony, and to thank the 13 people that took the time, effort and expense to attend, she and her new husband decided to charter a huge catamaran.

One hour into the day long trip we stopped near a coral reef to snorkel. My husband and I had brought along our own equipment, and looking at the ancient-looking stuff that was provided by the company - we were glad we did. Ours had the stopcocks so water wouldn't splash into our snorkels, and with the surface of the water slightly on the choppy side, that was a good thing.

Everyone grabbed their gear and jumped overboard once the required life preservers were belted on. Last minute, I decided against going. Really, I don't know why. I was geared up, ready to go.

I loved snorkeling and was looking forward to it. Yes, the water was a little rough, but I was a pretty good swimmer .... and it didn't look that bad. Still, something stopped me. My husband handed me his wedding ring and I slipped it on my thumb for safekeeping.

I hung over the bow and watched the little group swim away with Our Captain to the reef beyond.  I wasn't paying attention to my aunt who was in the process of getting her life belt on, didn't notice she only put on one - which sat on her back like a tiny little fanny pack - and I didn't notice as she climbed down the rickety narrow ladder that was the only way in and out of the boat. I did note that there was no platform near the surface of the water on this catamaran.

Approximate size of Dolores

Everyone had told Phyllis to stay by the boat. She couldn't swim very well - if at all.  

The day before I had saved her from near drowning - and I have proof by the way.   My husband had been on the beach snapping photos as I floated around on my air mattress with the group and, unbeknownst to him, he caught the whole sequence - one frame at a time:

Big wave.
Me - surprised look....
Phyllis - going down....
Me- jumping up....
Phyllis - wiping the water out of her eyes with two of us at her elbows, holding her up.  

One of the many big waves knocked her off balance -  she lost her footing and then couldn't get up - because of her proportions.

Phyllis weighs at least 350lbs, and I am being VERY conservative.

Approximately 100 feet from the port side I could see Phyllis flapping her hands slightly on the surface and trying to lift her head out of the water.

Something wasn't right.

That uneasy feeling was confirmed when after a second or two I could no longer see any movement from her and she was laying like a starfish on the surface. 

A little aside note here - those tv shows that show drowning people thrashing about?? Let me tell you - they don't.  Usually they die very quietly, unnoticed.


The AC dove into the now increasingly choppy water and swam out to Phyllis and hauled her in with much difficulty - face down - the entire way.

Two of us tried to pull her the 8 or 9 feet up to the deck from the water's surface while her son-in-law tried to push her up. Limp. Dead weight. Literally.

Unfortunately for Phyllis, she had lathered herself with sunscreen lotion prior to her foray into the water. Slippery as hell. I could see that her lips were blue, her complexion, grey.

At this point Phyllis had not taken one breath since I saw her last hand motion on the surface. We grabbed the only thing that didn't slip out of our hands - her bathing suit straps and pulled.

I would never have believed how stretchy and strong Sears bathing suits were. I swear - those straps increased in length by at least a good two feet so that the scoop of the neck was well above her head.

 "At least the waves can't splash into her face", I thought.

At this point my cousin swims up to the ladder.

 "Mom! Mom!  Oh I am so sorry - Mom!!!"

She looks straight into my eyes, pleading "Please - Someone - can you please help my Mom??!"

 I had to jump in.

Wasn't wanting to, but there it is.

At some point,  when all else fails, what choice does one have?   As I jumped, I could see my husbands wedding ring slip off my thumb -  tumble end over end slow motion -  and splash into the sea below me  just before I hit the surface.

"Shit",   I thought. "Could it get any worse?"

Problem is, when you have a 350 lb dead weight that is as slick as a bar of wet soap in the shower......what do you do?

There was very little working room - only ONE person could be on the ladder - and to lift that much weight out of the water and up onto the boat - well, the task was near impossible.

Adding to the mayhem was the fact that the people pushing up from below had no leverage in the deep water -  in addition to the lack of grip on the slick body from above.

In the middle of all this, I tried to buy some time and was able to attempt two rescue breaths. I pinched her earlobe to test for response.

HARD.

Nothing.

Not even a little bit of a wince. After that - the bathing suit scoop neckline was a good foot over head. "Just as well", I thought, "at least her daughter doesn't have to see her waxen/blue-grey face."

what I was visualizing...

Funny things that run through your mind at a time like this.

"Holy shit, how are we ever going get her back to shore if she drowns? Tie a rope around her and drag her back?"

At this point my imagination was running wild.

"And what will my cousin think .... bad enough her mother drowns on her wedding/honeymoon trip but even worse that she has to watch her being dragged by a rope behind the boat the HOUR it will take to get back to the dock if we can't lift her out of the water???

And -  should we go slow???  Or fast - and risk her bouncing along on the waves like a fish on a line?"

I was frantically waving at my husband to come back to the boat.

We would need everyone on board so we can rush Phyllis to shore.  Two ambulances were ready and waiting at two different docks - whichever one we could reach first.

An "ambulance zodiac" was also dispatched with a couple of paramedics aboard to meet us at the closest place possible - to board the boat and help with resuscitation - if it was going to be required. Oblivious to the drama going on, my husband waved back and went about his snorkeling.

While all this was going on, the AC had whistled for the Captain, a big burly good looking guy with rippling muscles and ebony skin. A powerhouse. He rounded up the group and everyone swam back, Captain way out in front.

In record time he leapt up onto the ladder and grabbed Phyllis and gave one giant yank.

I figured, at this point, we had one last chance to haul her up.

I was in the water - directly below Phyllis - her shadow blocking out the sun and casting a shadow almost bigger than the boat - as the Captain gave one. big. heave.

I was looking straight up at that big limp body.

Crap.

One slip and a ton of dead weight would drop right on my head and I would be dead in the water.

I winced, saying a prayer. One last desperate scramble by the men to hoist her up and over - and Phyllis was spilled onto the deck like a giant floppy octopus.

I scrambled up the ladder and quickly surveyed the situation.

I don't remember how they all got back up on the deck, but the rest of the snorkeling bunch were pressed against the far side of the boat, eyes like saucers.

No help there.

Kneeling down, I pushed on Phyllis' forehead with the palm of one hand, plugged the nose and lifted up her jaw with my left hand. My mouth sealed hers and I gave two puffs.

Nothing.

Two more puffs.

A little cough. The salty taste of blood and sea foam in my mouth.

Come on - breathe......!!!

Stertorous breathing.

Then. Phyllis' eyes fluttered.

Mumble.

"Phyllis! Phyllis!" I screamed into her ear. The pallor left her face but her lips were still a grayish shade.

"Take some deep breaths! Phyllis! Come on!!"   More stimulation.

Then.

Normal rate but Shallow ... breathing.....

I pulled up her one knee and dug my knee into her back to roll her on her side, our Hero Captain pulling on her arm.

The crowd, once frozen, suddenly sprang to life and they handed over rolled towels to prop, bath sheet to cover and water so I could rinse out my mouth.

That salty, bloody taste stayed with me the rest of the day, no matter how much I rinsed and brushed my teeth.

"Hey Phyllis!"  I couldn't resist. "Did ya see a tunnel and a bright light at the end of it????"

She opened one eye and looked at me. " No" she replied weakly. " Just a couple of fishies...."

The Zodiac EMS*** met us halfway back to the dock and we briefly stopped to let them on board. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life. It's amazing what 15L of O2 will do to bluish lips.


* * * *

Antigua hospital in St John's where Dolores stayed overnight

Phyllis spent the next 24 hrs in the local hospital while the rest of us went over the incident over and over again at the bar over a mess of pina coladas and margaritas.

I heard from my Cuz that all her mother could do was complain about the dirty restroom, the old dilapidated facility and how awful and hot it was with no air conditioning.

Geez. You would think she would be grateful just to be breathing.   But - At least she was talking.

I never thought I would ever be happy to hear her say anything.

All the excitement I really wanted...

The next day - against my advice and everyone else's- the first thing Phyllis did when released from the hospital was to go "swimming".

Yup.

She was nearly knocked over by the waves again.

I couldn't stay to watch. My husband and I washed our hands of her. She was on her own. We avoided her the rest of the trip.

 I really don't think she realized how close she came to dying - because if she did, she would have never gone back in that water.

I swear, her apneic episode from start to finish was at least 15 minutes.

Fifteen minutes and not one breath.

Certainly she had no pain reflexes whatsoever. Yet, it seems, that not one brain cell was affected.

Me? I am just glad that we didn't have to haul her back behind the boat like some prize fish.

Unfortunately, what comes with "the rescue" is suffering the long visits that she feels she has to make every time I come home.

*sigh*


**Not her real name to save her from embarrassment
***Emergency Medical Services


Posted by A NURSE at 6:06 PM
4 comments rescued:


nurseXY said...
Holy crap!!

:O
May 23, 2010 8:10 PM

A NURSE said...
Funny thing NXY...that's exactly what I said..... =^@
May 23, 2010 11:00 PM

Albinoblackbear said...
That is a giant HOLY CRAP.

And the reason I pack a barrier device with me everywhere I go!

I don't want to aspirate on someone else's aspirate. :P

Nice work!!!
May 24, 2010 12:14 PM

A NURSE said...
Thanks ABB! :)

I should be smart about carrying a barrier device...even tho I pretty well am sure of her hx....ya just never know what evil lurks....

Should I say, "I remember the days when...?".......we didn't have any devices even within the hospital? :^P
(some of my earlier blogs cover that... !)
May 24, 2010 12:52 PM

Just before I carry on with my Real Life Accidental Nurse stories, I want to insert a little story in honor of two of my favorite cousins who's birthday it is. 

Twins run in our family. My Midwife Grandmother had twins - my aunt and uncle.  My aunt had 2 sets of twins - a set of boys and then less than two years later, a set of girls.   One of those girls had a set of twins - a boy and a girl.   Another Aunt also had a set of twins - boy and a girl. 

Twins have yet to skip a generation in our family.  My mother wished so hard for twins - she dressed us all alike.  I have often been asked if the fear of having twins was why I never had children. (it's not)

So as I was wishing both of my cousins a Happy Belly Button day....it got me thinking about the interesting Birth story -  an amazing couple I looked after in L&D so long ago.  

Here is that story.

Here is another Revamp from May 25th.   Sometimes as Nurses we get to "assist" people outside our workplace.
I wanted to adjust the posting to delete references to what I do now, since I am "laying low" - trying to stay below the radar.  So here you are, one of the stories that I get to tell about being a nurse in the community....."accidental Nurse".  I have several of these stories, so I will start with this one....my third. I will be posting 3 true "accidental Nurse" stories in a row for your amusement.

our plane, not the fated Alaskan flight......

crash and burn....story of my life....

ahhhhhhhhh....!

I can't believe this advertisement for an RN to work in a Cosmetic Surgery Clinic.

Take a look at this ad posting - I have added the link below the photo  - as it appears, no disrespect intended :




Cosmetic Surgery Nurse Required



Cosmetic Surgery Nurse required for Dublin.
A Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Dublin City Centre is seeking a Cosmetic Surgery Nurse to join it’s team.
This is a fantastic opportunity and is a permanent Nurse job.
Requirements:
Must be an RGN with 2 years experience (minimum) with experience in phlebotomy
Experience in the cosmetic industry required
Must exhibit excellent communication skills
Must be available for city centre location
Commercial or Sales experience a strong advantage

Good computer skills

Attention to detail
Must be reliable and driven
Strong patient focus with an interest in the cosmetic industry.

I am not sure that THAT ad would really make me want to work at that particular clinic (or be a patient for that matter!). And, definitely, I can see why the nurse would have to have good sales experience if that is the photo they have on display as an example of their work.  You would also need attention to detail as listed - because the docs certainly don't seem to have any - if you go by the example above.  The clinic is in Dublin, Ireland.

Speaking of Dublin and Michael Jackson.....

 When I was  about to move back up to Canada (early 1990s) I remember visiting a little hole-in-the-wall second hand store in a shopping plaza in Dublin, California.   It had a mish-mash of various items for sale including antiques,  and one group of items caught my eye.

It was a small portion of the estate of Sammy Davis Jr.   Memorabilia framed and otherwise, little knick-knacks that used to belong to that late great singer, given to him by other stars.   I checked it all out and some of it was pretty interesting.  The store had the small block of goods for sale: all for $5,000.   The most interesting item?  A Michael Jackson sparkly glove with a signed "Thank-you" from Michael Jackson - framed in a shadow box.

I did contemplate on purchasing the lot at that time.  I thought that was a pretty cheap price for all of the framed signed photos from various artists of the time plus other items of interest. 

I bought a 1981 Mercedes convertible instead.

Looking back, the return for money spent would have been better had I spent the $5K on the memorabilia, looking at what Michael Jackson's one glove went for recently.  $190K!  and another one - the original moon walk glove - for $350K!


By the way, I bought my husband a 1983 Mercedes convertible for his birthday this year.  Price?
$5K.

Hindsight is 100%

"This white glove with crystals formerly belonging to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee came from the Bonnie Doone Estate in Palomares Canyon, California, in the San Francisco Bay area. There are traces of pancake make-up in the glove. The crystals are faceted like diamonds. The Victorian farm house built in 1870 is pictured below and was in my family for years. When I sold it in 1995, I took the glove with me to Challis, Idaho.
We purchased this glove from the estate of Grammy and Emmy award winning performer Sammy Davis, Jr. at an IRS seizure auction in 1992. The Glove was in one of Sammy’s Louis Vuitton trunks which we purchased at the auction. The article from the Contra Costa Times discusses these trunks and the broad spectrum of items enclosed within. Michael personally presented one of his trademark gloves to Sammy on stage at a tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. We believe this occurred in the early eighties. If anyone has more information, we would appreciate it. The photograph, which was also from the estate, goes with the glove. Sammy always decorated his dressing rooms with photos of family and friends, many of which he took himself.
We will be selling many personal Sammy Davis, Jr. items on eBay over the next few months. Included in his estate were platinum and gold records, crystal trophies, awards, plaques, personal photos, and stage costumes. There will be enough to put together a museum.
Look at the other auctions for antique, vintage treasures from the estate. I will be selling more every month, such as oil paintings by California and European artists, original works by Pablo Picasso with provenance, cast iron and copper kitchen accessories, molds, weathervane, whirlygig, folk art, and much, much more. Unfortunately, the vintage Rolls Royce limousine in the photo has already been sold. "

By the way. I am STILL accepting  names for the FREE BOOK.  Let me know if you would like this book to give to someone!!!  (yes I can have it sent to you  so you can gift it to whomever you wish!)

Last chance is September 30.  Just click on the book in the RIGHT COLUMN. YOU HAVE 4 DAYS LEFT!!!

I swear.  Most of my day looks like this:
Well, maybe cut down on the sleeping segment.  Add a little more to the working segment.   That's my day.

I was a little "forgetful" in the first place but ever since Menopause set in.....honestly.  I can't remember anything.   It's horrifying.  My brain is like a sieve.  Thankfully it doesn't affect work - yet.  I told my manager....if it looks like it is, just let me know so I can retire gracefully.  She laughed.

Menopause isn't fun.


Last chance is September 30.  Just click on the book in the RIGHT COLUMN.

What is it about a pregnant belly that people think it is public domain...and they have to reach out and touch?

Last chance is September 30.  Just click on the book in the RIGHT COLUMN.

OK.  I am not a "degree nurse"....I am a "diploma nurse".  But,  I am an RN. 



 I almost went into financial ruin during my RN training.....and wasn't wanting to do it again.   And now?   Right now I am too close to retirement and have other interests that I would rather pursue than Nursing -  such as Painting or Music.

After graduation, when you go to work on the ward,  it all comes out in the wash.  As an BSN or Diploma RN -  there is no difference in your function if you are a "general duty nurse".    IF you wish to go into management or research or Public Nursing etc, a degree is a necessity.  I have always enjoyed General Duty Nursing.   The degree doesn't make you a "better nurse" on the floor,  and despite what a certain nurse inferred  in the comments section of another nurses excellent blog that RNs without degrees are somehow ignorant in things of business - I beg to differ.

 I understand that an anomaly does not a body of truth make. BUT - it still stands that I have no formal training in business yet I have parlayed what I have learned in the real world through experience into what will be a  comfortable  retirement.  I am respected enough to have a CEO request me to sit on the board of directors of a NPO (non profit org) to assist with multi-million dollar decisions about senior housing projects.

But.  Having said that.... I am puzzled that value that isn't placed on having a degree by rewarding those that have one. I would be the first in line to argue that if you have a degree, there should be appropriate compensation. Take a look at the stats that were sent out by an advertising spammer that I am sure - if you are a nurse - you received in your comments, along with permission to post.  The graph made me do a double-take.

 If it this information is true - I am wondering - why is there not much of a difference in monetary compensation between RN and BSN?   The graph actually shows that an RN makes MORE than a BSN**.    I know money isn't always the measurement of success or prestige in our hearts,   but in the real world - the way value is shown is usually in monetary compensation and I don't see that happening with the degree nurses.


Check out our BCNU Nursing wage grid.

Per BCNU contract,***  Nurses with degrees get $100 per month stipend.  If you have a One Year accredited course from a University in a specialty area and only if it is an area you work  in which it can be utilized, you get an extra $25 per month.  If you have a Master's degree, that's an extra $125 per month.  Oh. And it gets better.  You can only qualify for ONE of the above....multiple compensations are prohibited. 

That doesn't seem - to me -  to be much in the way of recognition for the extra work done, nor the body of knowledge accrued never mind adequate reimbursement of educational dollars spent.   Lucky for the employers, BSN is now entry level nursing for any new grads from the Universities and Colleges in our province.   (btw : no such thing as "associate nurse" or "LVN" in BC)

What do you think?


* In fact, I was an LPN first, then after working and scraping together money for tuition and working full time while taking university courses, I wrote the challenge exams for 2nd year entry, quit and did my RN classes for a solid 1 1/2 yrs holding my breath.....
** yes, I realize there is a shift diff payout, but still..... 
***pg 107, BCNU Provincial Collective Agreement Apr 1'06 - Mar 31'10



By the way. I am STILL accepting  names for the FREE BOOK.  Let me know if you would like this book to give to someone!!!  (yes I can have it sent to you  so you can gift it to whomever you wish!)
Last chance is September 30.  Just click on the book in the RIGHT COLUMN.

Funny that when I moved to California (East Bay to be exact) - I would experience 3 seperate disasters.  Everything comes in THREES.  But I had no idea that meant absolutely EVERYTHING.

I have just reposted my old entries from June 2, June 15 and June 16 which I retell the stories of the 3 Natural Disasters I lived through while living in "The Golden State".  Not so golden for me.   But ONE thing it did for me was give me the training for Labor and Delivery..... and for that I am very thankful.

If you would like to re-read these revamped, relaundered and renewed posts.....or if you have never read them before - WELCOME - just follow these three links:
CALIFORNIA FREEZING

THE FIRESTORM

THE BIG ONE: EARTHQUAKE!



By the way. I am STILL accepting  names for the FREE BOOK.  Let me know if you would like this book to give to someone!!!  (yes I can have it sent to you  so you can gift it to whomever you wish!)
Last chance is September 30.  Just click on the book in the RIGHT COLUMN.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

While on the subject of books.....I have a personal story about a friend of mine that I had first met when quite young - and then again in my early 20s. 

I wish I could say that he inspired me to go into nursing...but actually, he inspired me to be a better person, and look outside myself and to those around me who are suffering....which in turn made me a better nurse.

family photo

Back in the 1960s, I met a boy - my age -  staying at our campsite.   Paul was a skinny kid and their family seemed to be as normal as any family ..... but then what did I know?  I was only 13 or so at the time.   They stayed at our place in the summer when his parents brought them all home to Canada on "furlough" from the mission field.

My sis ran into him at a Northern wilderness camp and they spent many hours in discussion around the campfire.

So it was a delightful reunion when my sis and I ran into him again at College in my sophomore year.

 We became good friends as the semester went on and kept in touch after I quit College midway through the year.  

Through the next few years,  as I went through a couple of relationships, he became an advisor of sorts. 

He was a serious guy - but a with a quick witted sense of humor.  He always seemed a little bit "preoccupied" to me,  but I could always count on him for great advice.   

Paul as I knew him in College

One summer he popped by the house to visit - the summer before I went into nursing. 

My mother thought for sure he came to ask me out....but in my mind, and I am pretty certain his.....we were only friends.    I admired him but I did  make note in my diary that he was "too busy" with "no time for serious girlfriends".

I also documented that I felt "very privileged to be so close to him" as a friend.  

It was his letter to me after I quit college and just before I went into nursing that emphasized my need  to look beyond myself in order to help other people. 

Although I am not a "religious" person per say, ie: I don't go to church -  I do have a "spiritual" side of me that is very personal.

Here is his letter to me - in all it's unedited imperfect beauty - exactly how he wrote it.   We were both age 20 at the time :

Dear [RetiredN]:


Hi my beautiful mixed-up friend.  Do me a favor?


  Take a look and for a while just concentrate on how big God is.  In some areas of life, things are relative.  The size of problems are relative to one's overview.  The same problem which is big when compared to our finiteness is small when placed besides a big God.  The bigger the God is the smaller the problem.  How big is your God?


Is he really omnipotent like we often glibly say that he is or is my situation (just this one time of course) just a little to big for him, and he has kind of lost control?


Is he love, meaning that he works out of a framework of love.  If he is love he can't relate to you on any other basis than love in it's purest highest form, love not dependent on your ability or action.


Omniscient? Immutable? Limited to 4 walls of mundane existent?


Live one day at a time, not walking backwards down life's trail and not living in the "someday" of the future when circumstances will be changed.


Honey, you keep looking at your mixed up insides, how will you ever see anyone else in need.

Look up, Look around

And Live

Goodnight,

Paul



Paul's Book





Choosing to Smile

 In honor of Terry Fox Run Week....and Glenda, Julie and Michelle!!!.......I would like to send their book FREE  -  "Choosing to Smile" - to whomever my readers deem in need of the book, or who would best benefit from this book or simply enjoy the book.  In other words, fellow Blogarians....I need YOUR suggestions.

It is an inspirational book - the stories of three friends who "happen" to have had Cancer and are choosing to smile despite their diagnosis.   It is a good read...over an inch thick....and I know it would make a great gift for someone out there!  Check out their website (link under the photo of book to the left)

So.....Just post here who you would like to nominate to get the book......and then I will pick from the suggestions - ONE person who might enjoy/find useful/find inspiring or........???

Don't worry, I won't reveal the name of the person if you or they would like it kept confidential - you can have the book sent to you if you would like to give it to someone (I can make arrangements so that I won't even know the address and real name   if you would like that kept confidential from me also) - and I won't post your suggestion/nomination unless you specifically say on your post "ok to post" in your comment.

I will be open for nominations until September 30th......then decide.  So let me know
- who do you think would like to receive this book ?  SEND ME A NOMINATION IN COMMENT SECTION BELOW!

Open to anyone in Canada and the Mainland U.S.A.   Let your friends know.....

I have already posted on Terry Fox and his Incredible Marathon of Hope to fight Cancer.   I have also posted the story of a friend's niece who has been living with brain cancer for the last 5 years - 1/3 of her life.

 Here is another story of someone who lost a leg to cancer.   My best Girlfriend has a close childhood friend who is an Amazing person.  This year I went to a Woman's Show and was fortunate enough to meet Glenda and her two friends -  all whom have had  Cancer - and buy a signed copy of their book.

She and her two friends have started a worldwide movement for people who have faced any kind of adversity and have chosen to smile in the face of it.  It evolved from the book they wrote - "Choosing to Smile".

 The book  "Choosing to Smile" is the incredible story of these three women.



Glenda was found to have Cancer at age 32,  and subsequently had not only a leg amputation but also a Right hemipelvectomy -  which is the removal of the leg, hip and the Right Pelvic floor (pelvic bone).  Her positive outlook throughout the surgery and afterwards is nothing short of inspirational.

Glenda became pregnant 2 years after her surgery.  She needed a prosthesis that would support her body throughout her pregnancy.    Here is her story:



Having had an "easy" delivery with her first baby 2 years prior to her amputation,  she really didn't know what to expect with this one.   She describes her labor in her book:

"The doctors were all wondering what to expect from a delivery where the mother only had a pelvis on one side.  Kevin's birth had been so easy.  I was expecting this delivery to be a breeze, but four hours after inducing me, the baby still hadn't arrived.  My specialist anticipated a long night of labor so he decided to take a supper break.  I lay on the bed watching the baby inside my bulging belly move with each contraction.
I realized suddenly that with each contraction, the baby's head was pushing into my stump.  It was as if he was looking for the door but kept bashing into the wall!  I decided to lie on my side and push really hard on my stump every time I felt a contraction coming.  Basically, my hands took the place of my missing pelvis and within a few short contractions I had guided the baby's head into the birth canal.


"Where's the doctor! Get a doctor quick!  The baby is coming!"  The nurses called my family doctor and the specialist, but the baby wasn't going to wait for them to arrive, so a young resident stepped into the room.  Dr. S. looked like a deer in the headlights.  I'm sure he'd never imagined he'd come on shift that night to deliver a baby to a lady with no hip or pelvis on her right side.  Yet,  here he was, gloved and gowned, doing just that."****

She delivered a healthy 7 pound 14 ounce baby boy.  

To read about how she coped with her baby at home.....you will have to read her book.   Go to their website and order a book  - $19.95 (plus S&H ).....it is a very good read.

On another note, this past July, Glenda sent out this email to everyone:

"Hiya!

Can you do me a favor - once a day or every other day could you log onto our website- www.choosingtosmile.com - Julie is going through chemotherapy and we put in a 'world map' that shows where people are who are sending her positive thoughts as she's going through her chemo... every time you go to our website the dots grow bigger... it's updated every 24 hours so once a day is great! Pass this along to everyone on your email list - near and far - so she knows people all over the world are sending her positive thoughts and prayers... Thanks thanks thanks! It only takes a second to log on and it will mean the world to Julie...


Love ya!


Glenda"

Julie, by the way, is an RN and a Registered Midwife - and one of the other authors in the book.  The third author - Michelle - also is a Cancer survivor and volunteers with the Cancer society. 

What with it being the 30th anniversary of the Terry Fox's run......and Cancer still not beaten.....I thought it appropriate to post a link to my blog about his run again and encourage people to do what they can in the Fight against Cancer.   I can't stress it enough. 

On one final parting note -  each of the gals who are in "Choosing to smile" have a blog so you can keep current with their daily lives.


****excerpt posted with permission from author (copyright)

 I recently came into contact with a distant Cousin in the Netherlands who sent me the family's unofficial pedigree....which traces back to "Karel de Groete" or his more popular name - Charlemagne  - on my Grandfather's Mother's side.  My Grandfather's Father's side goes back to only the 1500s.   
  I have always found history incredibly fascinating.  If you haven't looked into your past and dug around into family history.....do it before any of your family members pass on, because by the time you get to the age where you *want* to know these things....they won't be there for the telling. There are so many things I would love to ask my "midwife" Grandmother.

Bassinet on the floor

Only 100 years before G&G were born, it was not unusual to have most of your children die within months of delivering - if not during the delivery.  Giving birth was probably the most dangerous thing a woman could do in her entire life.  But they would do it routinely.    Looking back on my family's genealogy, I find at the turn of the century, 100 years before my Grandfather was born, approximately half - or more -  of the children didn't live past age 2. Some families only one baby survived.  Of the ones that lived, few reached 16 years.   Statistics weren't any better when my Grandfather was born.
I remember as a student nurse in the 1970s - attending a circumcision (and I will have LOTS to say about that subject!)  that they made a similar little "flokker" with a gauze square and a sugar cube in it - dipped in brandy!!! - given to the baby to suck on while the circumcision was being done - with NO anesthesia whatsoever.  Torture and drugging of babies several hundred years later.  Talk about lack of progression! However, at least in Europe, circumcision was and is not the norm.

  When a child got sick, the medical profession was no help.   If infectious diseases were making the rounds, people would sprinkle vinegar in front of the bed. In order to avoid infections himself, the MD would smoke a pipe of strong tobacco.   People would put a dog in the bed of a child with a "weak chest" in order for the dog to "take over the ailment".