Pacific Coast Rest-Stop

[Shann]

I agree with Becky Pup! That was pretty funny. I'm still chuckling over it.

Hugs about your grandfather Becky. Next month will be 20 years since Mom died and it still hurts.

How often do you have doulas Leah? I think it is more a Western Coast thing as there aren't any around here that I have ever heard of. I'd love to do that, but my chronic shingles probably wouldn't be the best fit.

Though tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the start of the rest of my life. I am way healthier even now then I was 2 years ago and went into hospital for the epilepsy clinic. It was the night of the 28-29 when I stopped breathing and almost died. The nurse found me blue cold and unresponsive with O2 sats in low 30's. I was supposed to be discharged, but woke up vomiting so they kept me again. It was such a gift. The CPAP machine has made me almost normal! (No comments Becky and Pup it's too easy I walked right into it so you can't tease me!)

Congrats on entering the challenge too. I do believe the theme will be x (or ex) marks the spot. I almost said that last week too.

Man is it hot here. It's been in mid 90's with heat index over 105. Poor Phin does not like it at all. I know you're not supposed to shave fluffy dogs in the summer since the fur helps cool them too. But since he has spitz in him I think the heat is really doing a number on him. He's not as spunky as usual and has had bloody diarrhea today. It gets stuck in his fur. I need to shave his butt. (TMI, I know)

[RachelM]

I'm so happy that that couple showed their appreciation to you, Leah. The work you do is emotionally and physically exhausting and so important.

And yay for doula's!

Wow, Shann! Praise God that you're still alive! An experience like that must have a profound effect on your life.

Its been a cool summer here, but got warm enough for us to go to the beach with friends on Wednesday. I attended a meeting today concerning a very painful situation that a friend is going through with her son. I was there with other friends and family to help provide wrap around care for the family. Darn! It's just crazy what so many people are going through. Everyone is walking around with smiles on their faces, but so very, very many of them are going through unbelievable trials.

A friend called and asked me to watch two of her children tomorrow. I almost declined. Just feeling a bit emotionally drained, but I decided that it might be just what I need. One of the children I'll be watching tomorrow is a 9 month old baby. I was privileged to attend his birth. His mom was my first doula client. He's not walking or crawling yet, so I can cuddle him to my heart's content, (once their mobile they don't want to be cuddled!) He's got the fattest cheeks I've ever seen. Irresistible!!

[Rebecky]

I think I'm trying to get a sinus infection.

I've had the worst headache since Wednesday night and I have pressure that goes from my eyebrow down the side of my nose and over to my cheek.

Hopefully it goes away...

[RachelM]

That sounds miserable, Rebecky! I hope you recover quickly.

[JesusPuppy]

I think I'm trying to get a sinus infection...

Hopefully it goes away...

Are you trying to get one, or get-rid-of one? Make up your mind.

[violin4jesus]

Ugh, Becky - the last sinus infection I had was severely severe and I ended up on antibiotics for 3.5 weeks. Not even Vicodin could touch that pain. Hope you feel better soon.

Shann, you would be a great doula with your nursing experience! I probably could make a lot of money doing it around here. Yes, it's probably more of a west coast thing, and specifically California and the rich(er) people who live around these parts. Our hospital is one of the closest to Ranchos Palos Verdes, which is where the millionaires live. So some of the people coming to our hospital have some real cash for things like cord blood storage and doulas. And it's the culture. I think a lot of people are more aware of hippie-ish things like natural labor and organic food when it's so big in the LA/San Francisco scene. Especially when Hollywood stars are "preaching" the virtues of such things.

Well, no such luck to have a natural labor patient last night, but I had a twins labor, which was potentially fun. Except that the night went south when a patient came in and they crash C-sectioned her right in the middle of two other back-to-back C-sections, and meanwhile two labor patients walked in and they had to wait until all the C-sections were done before they could even get an epidural. We were all scrambling to get everyone taken care of, and more stuff happened that was bad which I can't really say because of HIPPA, but needless to say we were all emotional wrecks by the end of the night...and I was another hour late getting out of work. Just goes to show that labor nursing is a joy but it is definitely an up and down environment. Most of the time it is happy but still a lot of work. And when it is sad, it is really sad.

We went to a play last night that was done by the acting group that Ryan joined last year. It was good, but it was pretty much the gospel of Mark verbatim, with updated language and characters. I really enjoyed their Christmas play last year written by one of the members, but the last two plays they've done are TBN fare - good, but very church people oriented. Makes me interested to possibly write my own, if I can come up with a good plot. David Ian's session at the conference included some good advice for script writing, so maybe I will.

Off for two nights, but I need at least one to just recover. Hope you all have a good weekend.

[Rebecky]

I'm not trying to get it Pup but I am trying to get rid of it.


Oh and Leah... In the Gilmore Girls, Luke's sister had a Doula when she was pregnant and they even named her daughter Doula. And they lived in Connecticut.

[Shann]

I always used to say OB was the happiest place in the hospital, but when it was sad, it was the saddest. When I was still a student, during winter break I was lucky to receive a preceptorship (which actually led to them hiring me right out of college 6 months later) One of the first nights on, I had to go to a code where the patient didn't make it and then someone I knew from HS came in with a stillborn. Boy that was a tough night. I wasn't sure if I could handle it or not.

I did look up doulas and certification. I didn't see too much information in WNY. It mainly took me to adoption pages which I thought was strange.

I did manage to submit my second testimony today just as the clock was running down. I didn't even have a chance to proof it. I read it just now and started cringing right away. Oh boy glad it will have a chance to be edited properly if selected. Not sure which one I like better. They both are really big moments in my life and have changed my faith and made me strong. I know there will be tons of entries so neither one may not even make the cut.

The heat wave is over or at least taking a short rest! Man it was a tough few days!

[Sparrow]

yeah, Leah, my boyfriend Andy is always amazing at all the stuff we have around here even like more focus on natural foods and soaps and stuff compared to there. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do about laundry soap while I'm there because he's not sure they even sell the scent free ones. Even one of the scent and dye free ones we'd been using here recently changed their formula and I started itching like crazy.

I'm hosting an online memorial service for Jess this Sunday evening at 5:00 Pacific time in this private chat room: http://www.chatzy.com/61006421691155 Any of you are welcome to come. I keep starting to text Jess, and then remembering she can't get them where she is.

I've had a busy week. Tues I hung out with some of my Deaf friends and then Wed was a going-away party for my friend who is a doulah. She's going to the Philippines for a two year college program training to be a missionary midwife. I'm so proud of her and excited for her, but sad for myself. I feel like I'm losing two close friends this week. I will be able to be some in contact with her through email, but she'll be crazy busy. And even after the two years her goal is foreign missions, so she may not ever be permanently back in this area.

Anyway, after the business I was sick Fri and then today we had a family reunion on Mom's side of the family. Was good to see some people I don't get to see often. Crazy to sit around with my great-aunts and compare medical stories. One of them and her granddaughter just got diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and another of Mom's cousins has similar symptoms. So that confirmed our suspicions that the genetic disorder my sisters and I have comes from BOTH my Mom and my Dad's sides of the family. The geneticist thinks we have a vascular type from Mom's side and the classic hypermobil type from Dad's side.

I leave Tuesday night and haven't started packing yet. For a month-long trip. Actually, what I wanted to accomplish by now was cleaning up my bedroom so I could pack easier, and my family will have to be in there some because it's the only room inside the house my cat is allowed in (due to allergies of other family members). But then we found out my aunt from Indonesia will be staying here for a few days while I'm gone so she'll be sleeping in my bed.

I wish I could just arrive in Maryland without the packing and traveling bit.

Becky, hope you are feeling better. Hugs.

Okay, I gotta try to get a little sleep since I'm going to attempt church in the morning. I'm supposed to interpret the sermon but have someone on back up in case I'm not up to it after the busy week, but I'd really like to go since I'll be gone for so long.

Shann, I just got a notification that you posted while I was writing. I thought you were trying to sleep. Says the kettle to the pot. I'm excited you got your other testimony in. I was thinking about writing one about Jess but didn't get it done.

[Shann]

Oohh I saw your post and popped in to scold you Ms. Kettle (I wanna be the pot!) My phone is beeping, your last text still unread trying to convince you I was snoring peacefully in my sleep!

[Shann]

Sending you hugs too Becky. Did you ever get my text about possibly meeting up when Amy is in Maryland. I was thinking maybe I could grab Patty too. Any other East coasters?

[Rebecky]

Sending you hugs too Becky. Did you ever get my text about possibly meeting up when Amy is in Maryland. I was thinking maybe I could grab Patty too. Any other East coasters?

Nope, I never got it.

[Shann]

I just stepped on a rusty nail. It went right through My sandal. Thankfully I had them on. I haven't had a tetanus shot in years because the specialist told me my immune system is messed up but now wonder if it's worth the risk.

[RachelM]

That's so great that you got your second testimony in, Shann! I decided that it was just too much with everything else that's going on to try and write a second one. I hope there's no trouble with your foot where you stepped on the rust nail.

I've had a busy week. Tues I hung out with some of my Deaf friends and then Wed was a going-away party for my friend who is a doulah. She's going to the Philippines for a two year college program training to be a missionary midwife. I'm so proud of her and excited for her, but sad for myself. I feel like I'm losing two close friends this week. I will be able to be some in contact with her through email, but she'll be crazy busy. And even after the two years her goal is foreign missions, so she may not ever be permanently back in this area.

I'm sorry that your friend is going away. It does sound exciting and what a wonderful way to serve others, but it's so hard when close friends go so far away. I've actually looked into a midwifery program in the Philippines. Likely the same one. The one I was looking at is run by missionaries and they are able to be a real blessing in the community with their birth center.

[JesusPuppy]

Not sure when you leave, Little Bird, or if you already have, but I will be praying for safe travel and a nice, relaxed and enjoyable time while there. Be sure to drop a note if you remember. And yes I have to say it, have fun.. but not toooo much fun.

Adding in for Shann's foot. where did you step on the nail anyway, you should have been careful, silly woman.

Kiddo? How's the nose, better yet or shall we have to cut it off..?