« Can They Do That? | Main | And How Many Nurses Do You Know? »
May 7, 2007
"You Look Awful!"
That's what MR said to me this morning when he woke me up. I hadn't been sleeping, I've not been eating particularly well, and I look worse than I have since I started CR three years ago. Huge circles under my eyes. MR said I look like I am at death's door. Of course I don't care much because right now the only thing that matters to me is making sure that the brave nurses I work win their right to a voice on the job.
One of the nurses I work with was quite shocked to see me eat a piece of pizza. I hadn't eaten much, due to a stress-induced lack of appetite, in about a week, and then, when confronted with delicious Northeast Philly pizza, I ate two slices.
Not exactly good CRON.
My CR went to hell while MR was away... between work stress and my routine being disrupted with MR not at home, I just didn't take care of myself well. It's ironic because when I was a single girl I ate so well... but I've gotten used to having MR make my lunches and pack my supplements and check up on me to make sure I'm eating properly even when I'm under tons of stress.
I was so happy when he walked in the door last night. His flight was terribly delayed, so he got home close to midnight. I waited up for him. When he walked through the door I honestly thought he was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I guess you girls (and guys!) out there who are with the love of your life know what I mean, but there's something about being apart for a few days and then seeing him again that just brings home to me how much I love, adore and worship the man.
Meanwhile, the nurses at the hospital are scared after their colleague was fired. We've racked up so many unfair labor practices charges (documentations of occasions when the employer has broken the law) that even if for some reason we lose the election, we'll get it overturned. Nurses are constantly calling me with more reports of these events, and it's good that they are documenting them and watching out for their rights. It's just horrible to see nurses get beaten up by their employer for standing up for themselves and their patients. All these people want is fairness: safe staffing, a fair salary, and a bit of security.
There are so many moments when I am filed with respect and admiration for the nurses I work with... they spend twelve or more hours a day taking care of critically ill human beings, then they go home and care for their families. They're the strongest people on earth. I want all of you out there who know a nurse to go up to him or her tomorrow and say how much you appreciate the work they do. It's so hard to battle the health care system that views nurses as little more than licenses to comply with state regulations. Yet our nurses do battle every day, at tremendous cost to their own health and sanity, to take care of you and me and the people we love. Every single day I am grateful to God for the opportunity to help these women (and men!) win the respect they deserve at work, and win the right to advocate for their patients without fear.
There are plenty of times when I'm tired and I look like death and I know I could do something easier with my life. But when I remember that one day, all of us will be that patient in the bed, depending on our nurse to make sure we make it home alive, I know I am willing to do whatever it takes to take care of my nurses.
I wish you could all meet these women (and of course the guys too!) I work with. Their strength in the face of adversity, their absolute dedication to their patients and their profession... you have no idea how much that nurse caring for your loved one really cares, and how much she has sacrificed to give the life-saving care that you might take for granted. She's given up her holidays, her weekends, her time with her family, her health, to make sure that others heal. And when she asks for even minimal wage increases, retirement benefits, health care benefits, she's met with nothing but cutbacks from profit-focused health care executives who care a lot more about the bottom line than about patient care.
No matter what happens, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with these nurses. And you should be grateful that they sacrifice so much to care for you and your loved ones.
Posted by april at May 7, 2007 6:51 PM
Comments
Best of luck with everything! I'm going to be working in the health industry too :-) Going off to medical school!
Posted by: Cyn at May 7, 2007 9:29 PM
Hey April -
Thank god for your great work! My husband is going to nursing school this fall and I can only imagine the kind of stress and nuttiness he has in the years ahead....
Keep at it :)
I'm sure all the nurses you're working for feel the same (if not more) admiration for you!
- joanna
Posted by: Joanna at May 8, 2007 6:56 AM
"...and then, when confronted with delicious Northeast Philly pizza, I ate two slices."
Life is too short, even if you live to be 120 or 160 and even if, somehow biomedicine comes in the save the day and save your life (without any down side, any horrible side-effects....and we all know there's always a downside to medicine) -
Life is too short to never have some pizza.
I'm really glad you ate some pizza. I have no desire to "force feed" you big macs either. None, whatsoever.
I am not a practitioner of CR, but I like to read your blog (and a good friend of mine is a also a nurse).
Posted by: Julie at May 8, 2007 7:00 AM
And if you're going to eat pizza, Northeast Philly pizza is a good choice.
Though the best pizza in the Philly metro area, IMO, is Pinnochio's in Media.
a
Posted by: april at May 8, 2007 7:42 AM
I second Julie's post. Life is meant to be dynamic and flowing. "Everything in moderation, even moderation." I firmly believe that there are times when even the healthiest practices *need to* fall by the wayside for a little while. An unvarying diet of anything--work, play, super-healthy-eating--becomes counterproductive. Kids need to get dirty sometimes. CR practitioners need to eat pizza sometimes.
The important thing right now is for you to take care of yourself as well as your nurses. All of you are heroes. Know it, and be proud.
Posted by: Yvonne at May 9, 2007 5:11 PM