Retired Nurse Tales and Opinions

Top 10 Reasons To Ban Fracking

2013-08-20T10:23:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Reasons to Ban Fracking

Although the technique of Fracking was developed 60 years ago, it has been all the rage in the news of late, with more and more companies using the procedure to tap into natural gas, and the subsequent uproar of the public on its many harmful effects to the environment.

Technically, “fracking” is short for hydraulic fracturing, where millions of gallons of chemically treated water are drilled at great force into the shale rock level of the earth, breaking apart the rock and thereby forcing huge amounts of natural gas and oil pockets out into a reserve well.

Several countries have already banned the practice and the United States is gaining signatures to pass legislature to follow suit.

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Although Massachusetts Senator John Kerry was quoted to say “We are the Saudi Arabia of natural gas,” he and the fracking industry are overlooking the many problems that arise from this process:

1. Clearing natural land to construct roads and well sites damages the little natural habitat we have left.

2. Trucks involved in the ground transport and handling of massive amount of toxic chemicals travel to and from the site, causing more air pollution and increasing the chances for spillage and accidents.

3. Half of the remaining fracking mud left underground can’t be economically pumped out and is abandoned in hopes that it will “clean itself” or slowly seep into our water supply.

4. The very act of injecting mass amounts of chemicals into the earth creates a poisonous layer of water that filters up to the ground level, mixing toxic waste with our drinking water.

5. As the massive machinery virtually makes Swiss cheese of the earth’s crust, earthquake activity can increase from the weakened foundation.

6. Contaminating the ground water creates a direct danger to our food supply as farmers water their crops and animals with contaminated water from nearby wells.

7. There is an additional danger of toxic chemicals being spread when flooding occurs in the area or even flowing downriver, miles away from the well.

8. Scientists at UCLA have already discovered how to use solar energy through the windows of skyscrapers, which could probably produce enough to power every big city, thereby greatly reducing the need for natural oil and gas.

9. Since scientists have figured out how we can harvest methane gas from our landfills and sewage sludge, this gives us another process that could be used in lieu of hazardous fracking.

10. And lastly, our air. Although experts say that natural gas emits 50% less carbon than coal or oil, it is polluted with mass amounts of volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons from the process of extracting the gas at the shale level.

Recently, some industry leaders denied that fracking has caused water pollution; however former president of Shell Oil Company, John Hofmeister admitted, “Everybody knows that some wells go bad.”

Need anymore be said?

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Top 10 Boston Strong T-Shirts

2013-08-13T17:24:00.002-07:00

Top 10 Funniest Nurse T-Shirts

2013-08-13T07:10:00.004-07:00

Let's face it, having a good sense of humor in nursing is a must! You almost can't survive a single day in the medical profession without it. Admittedly, we nurses sometimes laugh at things we shouldn't---but we can't help it. Although, we do try to be discreet about it. Sometimes. It's the nature of the beast. Stressful situations are best relieved with humor and laughter, there's nothing wrong with that, even in a critical care unit. Especially in a critical care situation---such as after a code blue. When the adrenaline slows down, nurse's return to the nurse's station, invariably someone will comment on something that was funny about the code. Mind you, there's no disrespect intended, it's simply a way to release stress.

Anyway, here's some rather funny t-shirts, tote bags, buttons and mugs I found that really struck me as well---hilarious.

1)

http://www.cafepress.com/mf/51771796/new-nurse_tshirt?aid=1115743

2)

http://www.cafepress.com/mf/25780019/arrhythmiasdark_tshirt?aid=1115743

3)

www.cafepress.com/mf/78163370/i-survived-nursing-words_tshirt?productId=846721450?aid=1115743

4)

www.cafepress.com/mf/63952066/nurse-humor_tshirt?aid=1115743

5)

www.cafepress.com/mf/24062908/nurse-xx_tshirt?productId=466850131?aid=1115743

6)

www.cafepress.com/+a_nursess_brain_sweatshirt,606879009?aid=1115743

7)

www.cafepress.com/+nurse_christmas_greeting_cards,664010558?aid=1115743

8)

http://www.zazzle.com/funny_nurse_t_shirt-235424006365154984?rf=238282136580680600*

9)

http://www.zazzle.com/funny_cardiac_nurse_t_shirts-235004132183155270?rf=238282136580680600*

10)

http://www.zazzle.com/funny_psych_nurse_t_shirts_and_gifts_coffee_mug-168080101982079719?style=steel_mug&color=steel&size=15oz&view=113283791992831101&rf=238282136580680600

Considering ICU or Critical Care Nursing?

2013-08-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

Are you considering a nursing career in an ICU or Critical Care setting? Are you a new graduate and wondering if critical care nursing is right for you then read on. As an RN myself, I worked in many different aspects of the nursing profession, physician's offices, dialysis, hospice and ICU/Trauma. I loved them all and now, even though I'm retired, I feel I had a well rounded background in the nursing field. It served me well. However, if I had it all to do over again, I would have chosen Critical Care Nursing from the start. Why? Because honestly, it was the most rewarding and not as difficult as one might think. Here's why: Consider being fresh out of nursing school, a brand new graduate and yes, quite green. Your experience level is about a 0.5 on a 1-10 scale. The usual suggestion for new grads is to spend time on a medical-surgical floor, "gain some experience". Baloney. If you can get hired out of school into an ICU or Critical Care setting, then go for it. You will receive the best training and will be assigned to generally the best nurse qualified to train you. You will learn nursing on a 1:1 or 1:2 nurse patient ratio. If you choose a medical-surgical floor, you will more likely than not be assigned to 3-5 patients during your first week and can probably expect the nurse training you to be stressed. Or, if they are short staffed, you may end up with your assignment with a nurse co-assigned to monitor you. Talk about stress!!! Even better, get hired in a Level 1 hospital, you will see more, experience more and will learn a great deal more. Critical care nurses are experienced and are very willing to train you so that you will receive the most out of your orientation. After your training is over, you will have nurses close by always to pose questions to, unlike a med-surg floor, where you will have to hunt someone down. Not so in critical care, they will usually be standing within a few feet of you. I have found critical care nurses to be a cohesive group, working always in tandem with each other. If a nurse simply states, "I need help over here", several nurses run to assist. On a med-surg unit, again, the nurses have a larger case load and will be much busier and with patients with nearly the high acuity as they would be in an ICU setting. I say, go for it! Just go for it! There is a book that many nurses in our unit used on an almost daily basis and I highly recommend it to anyone considering or already working in an ICU or Critical Care setting. It's Kathy White's Fast Facts For Critical Care. It's available on Amazon.Com, Here is the Link to the book:

A few other books I suggest: Good luck! Enjoy your nursing career!

Retired Nurse Tales and Opinions: Gluten Sensitive? Gluten Intolerant?

2013-08-13T01:08:00.001-07:00

Retired Nurse Tales and Opinions: Gluten Sensitive? Gluten Intolerant?

Eames Atomic Mid Century Era

2013-08-12T05:08:00.005-07:00

www.cafepress.com/gailgabel.906270360?aid=1115743

As a retired nurse and self-taught graphic designer, I really love the look of the Mid Century, Atomic Era. I designed the bucket bag above to resemble a piece of fabric my grandmother had when she loved to sew. I loved the funky abstract pattern with it's many swirls the use of only 4 colors. This was typical of the Atomic Era. This is a pillow I designed and is available for purchase by following the link just below it. It is also available in light grey.

http://www.zazzle.com/mid_century_modern_pillow_atomic_inspired_ii-189121397766986825?rf=238282136580680600*

www.cafepress.com/gailgabel.897513064?aid=1115743

http://www.zazzle.com/mid_century_modern_pillow_artsy-189797799774813882?rf=238282136580680600

http://www.cafepress.com/+midcentury_modern_shower_curtain,1339774471

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I now design duvet covers, pillows, clock faces, throw blankets, shower curtains, bucket bags and more by creating designs inspired by the Eames, Atomic Era period. To view my entire collection of designs available for purchase thus far, click here: : www.cafepress.com/gailgabel/10106996?aid=1115743 **You may also contact me at
Hot4Tees_BG @Yahoo.Com for special requests.

You can also follow me on Pinterest, http://pinterest.com/gailgabel/eames-era-inspired-creations/where I have many of my products posted from the Mid Century, Atomic Era. These classic designs are gaining popularity in the 21st century.

Pinterest has a very cool link of homes, furniture styles, home accessories etc if you are interested in taking a look at some of the things from that time period. Some of these items are available for purchase. http://pinterest.com/buny71/atomic-era-goodies/ http://www.zazzle.com/mcmstyle http://www.cafepress.com/gailgabel/11058621

If you're a baby boomer or older, you probably remember the classic look of the Atomic Era. The funky abstracts design. The atomic era came about after WWII from the 1940's to the 1960's and began the onset of the nuclear age and the architectural style homes of Frank Lloyd Wright.

www.gowright.org

www.thefranklloydwrighttour.com

Gluten Sensitive? Gluten Intolerant?

2013-08-12T03:56:00.001-07:00

Retired Nurse Tales and Opinions: Grieving For Gluten: I want a piece of cake with thick, buttercream frosting, any kind of cake will do. Or, how about one of those French cream horns, flakey p...

Top 5 Items Dialysis Patient's Need During Treatments

2013-08-07T04:24:00.002-07:00

If you are going to be starting dialysis in an out-patient center, you will most likely be having your treatments three times a week to have your blood cleaned. Generally speaking, the average time you will spend on a dialysis machine will be about 4 hours each time. However, you will actually be at the center for around 5 hours altogether, while the nurse or technician preps you at the start of the treatment and preps you to go home at the end of the treatment. Therefore, you will be sitting in a recliner type chair for approximately 5 hours, give or take. Sometimes it's not easy to sit that long and some centers are kept on the cool side. Not only that, but given the fact you have end stage kidney disease, you're probably already cold most of the time. It's part of the disease process.

I would recommend 5 items to take with you each time you go for your treatments, to help in making you more comfortable sitting in the chair.

1) Get yourself a tote bag to carry items you want to take and use it each time you go, such as the one below, which is available at Cafepress.com If you wish to purchase the tote bag below, just click the link below the picture.

http://www.cafepress.com/+dialysis_beach_tote,493471860?aid=1115743

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2) The second item you will want to take with you is small blanket, such as a fleece throw to put over your lap while your there. Here's a few cute ones I found, they are available for purchase just click the link below the picture.

http://www.cafepress.com/+dialysis_blanket_1_throw_blanket,903760848?aid=1115743

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3) The third item you may want to consider is a soft pillow to sit on, even though you will be sitting in a recliner, sometimes the vinyl isn't as soft as you might think, especially after sitting for a long period. Or, a pillow may be used behind your back too.

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4) If you are due to take any medication during the time you're going to be at the dialysis center, be sure to take those with you. If they are blood pressure medications, please make sure you check with a nurse before taking them during the dialysis treatment as many medications are dialyzed out or removed from your blood during the cleaning process and you won't receive the benefit of them.

5) The last thing you may want to take is a book or a magazine to read. Most all dialysis units have TV sets to watch to pass the time. Or, you may take a nap while there. If you like to listen to music, take your player and some ear phones.

After you've had a few treatments, you will know more of what to expect. It may seem frightening at first but you will soon relax and realize it's not as scary as it all seems.

Hope this helps.

Considering Dialysis Nursing?

2013-08-05T06:57:00.004-07:00

Are you considering dialysis nursing and wondering what it entails? Do you wonder if you have what it takes to do the job?

I worked as a dialysis unit right after graduation from nursing school, so I had no experience at all. The unit I worked in was a large, out-patient facility and dialyzed approximately 105 patients per day in 3 separate shifts. It was busy, busy, busy. I also worked on-call dialysis for any acute dialysis needs that occurred after hours and on weekends. This was done at the hospital generally in an ICU, cardiac, burn unit type setting. What could go wrong, DID go wrong, each and everyday. Every single day you work in this field, you will learn something. Just when you think you've seen and experienced it all....something else happens. It's a given and quite interesting as a career choice. Most people who enter dialysis either like it or hate it...and those that like it, remain working in dialysis for their entire working careers. As for me, I did dialysis both chronic (out-patient) and acute (in-patient) for 7 years.

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If you are a registered nurse either fresh out of school as a new grad or an experienced RN, then you could be considered for a position as a dialysis nurse. Most nurses entering dialysis as a career do not have prior experience and most all dialysis units have their own training programs.

Training is generally a 6 week program which consists of classroom theory, touring the center and built in water treatment room as well as 1:1 hands on practice by an experienced RN or dialysis educator. You will not be expected to dialyze a patient on your own until you have been deemed fully competent to do so. More importantly, if you don't feel fully competent, speak up. You do not want to dialyze someone unless you absolutely know what you are doing as there are too many things that can go wrong. Pay close attention during your training, ask questions, take notes. In time, it will all become second nature as with anything else you are learning for the first time. However, if I can learn it and be successful doing it---so can you! I must admit, learning dialysis didn't come easy for me, not at all. In fact, I quit after a month, I was scared to death I would injure someone. Not wanting to be defeated, I asked for a second chance a few months later and was kindly given one by the administrator of the unit. In all honesty, I did well and never made any serious errors. However, it wasn't until I worked in the field for over a year did I really feel comfortable. The reason being was again, too many things can go wrong at any given moment.

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You will first be taught the dialysis machine, how it functions, how to set it up and prime it for a patient, how to disinfect it and what all the alarms mean. Dialysis machines are all computerized and have built in alarms systems to notify you of high pressures, low pressures, empty fluid containers etc and when a treatment is complete. While working in a dialysis unit, these alarms are sounding almost constantly. Pay attention to them....they alarm for a reason!

Next you will be taught needle insertion into a patient's AV-graft or AV-fistula as well as starting dialysis via a central line in the internal jugular, subclavian or femoral area. The central lines are always double access ports, one to withdraw blood and the other to return dialyzed blood. You will also learn central line dressing changes and how to de-clot these catheters in the unit as well as removing them once they are discontinued.

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As a rule in most centers, you will begin dialyzing just one patient at a time and slowly progress to 3-4 patients if you're working in an out-patient center. As an RN, you will also be responsible for administering any and all IV meds during treatments, units of blood if needed, IV antibiotics and IV iron supplements to name a few.

Working as a dialysis nurse can be stressful both physically and mentally. You will need to be quick on your feet and organized as everything is time oriented. There's some lifting involved such as removing large bags of contaminated trash at end of each treatment session, carrying heavy containers of solutions, assisting patients in and out of chairs and off of gurneys, depending on the unit you are in. As for patient teaching, it will be on-going and daily. Dialysis patients and their families require support and education as far as meds, diet and fluid allowances.

When you are dialyzing patients, you always want to pay attention to them and their machines, even if they aren't alarming. For example, a needle in a patient's arm can become dislodged or fall out. Under normal circumstances, the machine would alarm for the loss of pressure. However, if the needle/tubing that fell out is against the side of the chair and the patient's arm is applying the right amount of pressure, the machine may not detect it. The patient may be asleep...and in a matter of a minute or two....a patient can lose a large amount of blood---onto the floor and behind the chair they're sitting in, without anyone knowing it. The amount of blood removed is anywhere from 400ml.min-600ml/min. So yes, exsanguination is entirely possible and does happen, especially partial exsanguinations. I've seen it, many times and trust me, it's not pretty! So no matter how long you've worked as dialysis nurse or tech, always, always keep a close eye on your patients and the patients of other nurses and techs.

The other most common problem to occur with patients is low blood pressure or sudden drop in blood pressure during or after the treatment. Blood pressures are checked frequently but it's the sudden drops in between checks you must watch out for. If you see a patient yawn, check their pressure, yawning is generally indicative of a blood pressure drop. You will also be trained on monitoring closely what a patient weighs and comparing it to previous weights/treatments. If patients aren't eating well and lose body weight, it can cause some major problems during the treatment. The same goes for gain in body weight if their appetite improves. Weight gains/losses of body weight are not to be confused with fluid weight gain/loss. There is a difference and it's a big one. You will learn how to decipher the difference. You will be taught to ask a check-list of questions on every patient starting a treatment, pay attention to the answers they give you. Always. I can't stress this enough.

Overall, I must say, I loved working in dialysis. You really get to know your patients and you will see most of them more than you do your own family as they come three times a week. It can be stressful but it will surely be a rewarding career and you will learn so much. If you're serious about wanting to become a dialysis nurse, call a few centers and inquire about shadowing a nurse for a half day to see if it is something you may want to do.

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Nursing Student Jitters During Clincials

2013-07-30T03:41:00.001-07:00

I'm an old nurse, I remember those first days of clinicals very well. As though it happened yesterday in fact. Not a good feeling. Trust me, every nurse you meet has been there and felt the same way. You are not alone in your thinking.

Do your homework, know the material you are expected to know prior to any clinical day. You will have a chance to research your patient ahead of time---do it! Know their meds and side effects, someone will ask, most likely your clinical instructor. Be prepared. Know what labs they had done, the abnormals and why they are abnormal. What tests is the patient scheduled for? You can glean a lot of information about your patient by taking the time to read their chart, even their social history, likes and dislikes. Allergies???? Do they have them? Very important to know on ALL patients. You never want to get caught giving a medication someone may be allergic to. If the chart says NKA (no known allergies), ask the patient yourself again if they have any.

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Be professional at all times, friendly but not overly so. The nurses you will encounter will be busy most of the time, under stress and possibly will have a difficult caseload. They may come across as unfriendly, unwilling to be helpful. Do not take this personally, they are only trying to manage their patients first and foremost. Offer to help in some way, maybe to get supplies or assist with bathing or turning a patient. It's a good way to gain trust and stand out in the unit as a student nurse. Most nurses appreciate help, even in small ways.

Don't stand around idle. I don't care if you're not busy at the moment, just don't do it. Look busy. Read a chart, look up labs, make notes. Just don't stand or sit in a chair staring blankly.

Be confident around your patients even if you're not quite feeling it yet. Act as though you've done a procedure a 100 times. If you're unsure of performing a procedure always, always ask someone to guide you. Never do a new procedure blindly even if you feel 'stupid' for asking. Causing harm to a patient is far worse that feeling stupid.

Relax, take some deep breaths. You will be just fine. It's why they call it the "Practice of Nursing", it all takes practice and every single day you are a nurse you will learn something new, even after doing it for 30+ years.

Nursing is a rewarding career on so many levels. You're going to do just great!

T-Shirt Available at Cafepress.com (follow the link below)
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Buying Your First Stethoscope

2013-07-30T03:10:00.001-07:00

Stethoscopes come in a variety of price ranges and brand names. You first need to decide what you're going to be listening to, cardiac or lung sounds? Or both. If your're a nurse or nursing student, you're going to listen to both...a lot!! If you're short on cash as a nursing student, purchasing a less expensive model will get you through school just fine. However, if you can, purchase a good stethoscope as you will use this same one for many years in your career. In my 35+ years of nursing, I had a total of 3 stethscopes in all. The important thing is don't lose it. Don't ever leave it at the nurses station or in a patient's room, I guarantee you, it will walk away in someone's hand. Some medical student will invariably borrow it and leave the unit...without realizing it's around his/her neck and never remember where it came from. Gone. Get in the habit as a student nurse to always wear it around your neck. Always. Even to the cafeteria. You will always know where it is and soon it will become a part of you during your entire shift. Here is a great video on choosing a stethoscope:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeG-fSowwMc

Points to remember:

Stethscope should have soft, comfortable ear tips
Avoid plastic bells, these are disposable and you can't hear well with them.

Hospice, How to Know When It's Time To Call

2013-07-27T06:11:00.003-07:00

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As a former hospice nurse, it was common for patients and their families to wait too long before using hospice services because they simply didn't know when to contact hospice.

If you or your loved one wishes to have palliative or comfort care only and no longer wish to have extensive tests, hospital stays or have CPR performed if the heart stops and there is a marked decline in overall health, it may be time to contact hospice. Anyone can ask for a referral to a hospice service. Your doctor or the hospital can make a referral for you if hospice is what you desire to assist with comfort care during the end stages of life.

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I have encountered instances where a patients own physician has refused to allow their patient to go onto hospice services for various reasons. Some physician's simply do not believe in hospice and still have the mindset of "we can fix this" or "it's not time yet", when the patient and family know their loved one has little chance of recovery or improvement. In this case, a patient and or family can by-pass their own physician and contact any hospice on their own and request and evaluation to see if they meet the criteria for hospice services. After the evaluation, the hospice nurse will contact your own physician for an order of referral. If the physician denies the request, you have the option to utilize the hospice medical director as your physician, he or she can accept you onto the hospice service. The main criteria is having 6 months or less to live, providing the disease follows the natural course.

Who pays for hospice services? Medicare pays 100% of hospice if you are over 65 as well as many private insurance carriers. If you are not on Medicare and do not have private health insurance the hospice you choose will assist you in obtaining Medicaid or help to ensure you receive hospice care.

Patients sometimes improve or stabilize while on hospice care and stop showing signs of decline, in this case, your doctor or the hospice physician will discharge you from hospice care. If your condition declines or worsens again at a later date, you will again be reevaluated for hospice services if you so desire.

Hospice does not provide 24 hour care in the home. A nurse will visit at least once a week or as often as necessary if needed. A nurse is always on-call and can generally be at your home quickly should you need assistance. Nursing assistants are usually assigned to assist with bathing, dressing and feeding based on your needs. In addition, a hospice chaplain and social worker as well as volunteer services will be assigned and readily available to you or your family.

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Some hospice services have their own in-patient facilities, some do not. If you or your loved one can not be cared for at home, hospice DOES NOT COVER long term care room and board if you are on Medicare, but Medicaid does. Or perhaps you have private insurance for nursing home/long term care coverage. This is something you need to consider. Caring for a loved one at home is rewarding but also can be tiring and wearing on just one caregiver. Many families try to line up several family members to assist in the care to give the primary caregiver a much needed break, even if it's just for a few hours to go to church, an appointment or grocery store. If you ever find yourself as a caregiver in a situation where something comes up such as an appointment for yourself, you can ask hospice if someone is available to come sit with your loved one for a few hours, most are happy to accommodate you.

Again, if you unsure if you are ready for hospice because of your current illness or eligibility for hospice services, give any hospice a call, they will be more than happy to answer your questions. After all, it's what they are there for.

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Additional hospice products and appreciation gifts available here:
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Are You a Type II Diabetic?

2013-07-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

More and more Americans are being diagnosed each year with Type II diabetes. In fact, the number of people diagnosed with Type II diabetes has risen by approximately 50% in 42 states and 100% in 18 states. These are significant numbers!! Our high fat diets, fast food and sedentary lifestyles are all factors contributing to this rapidly growing problem.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

Age (greater than age 45)
Overweight
Physical inactivity
Family background that is American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
Parent or sibling with diabetes
High blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol levels
Having had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds or having had gestational diabetes
Pre-diabetes
History of polycystic ovary disease (PCOS)

Symptoms you may have if diabetic:

Increased thirst

Increased hunger

Having to urinate more often – especially at night

Feeling very tired

Weight loss

Blurry vision

Sores that do not heal

Tingling/numbness in the hands and feet

If you don't have health insurance and are overweight, I suggest purchasing a glucometer device and testing yourself at home. These devices are fairly inexpensive, cost is around $20 and comes with 10 test strips. A normal fasting blood sugar should be around 70-99 mg/dl. A pre-diabetic range is 100-125mg/dl. If your reading is 126mg/dl on more than on occasion, you most likely are diabetic.

You should have any abnormal readings reported to your doctor so he can prescribe a diabetic diet for you to follow and he/she may want to start you on an anti-diabetic medication as well as an exercise program.

By following a prescribed diet and exercising everyday you can significantly reduce your chances of
diabetes worsening and preventing more severe problems such as nerve damage in your feet, kidney failure which can lead to dialysis as well as increasing your chances for a stroke or heart attack.

Grieving For Gluten

2013-07-26T00:51:00.001-07:00

I want a piece of cake with thick, buttercream frosting, any kind of cake will do. Or, how about one of those French cream horns, flakey pastry filled with luscious cream? Perhaps just some macaroni and cheese?

http://www.cafepress.com/mf/12075347/gluten-free-ash-grey_tshirt?aid=1115743

Nope, can't have it! I'm nearly 60 years old, all my life I've been able to eat cakes, pastries, cookies, ice cream, pasta, any kind of cereal...but not anymore. First started the lactose intolerance about 6 years ago. Every single time I ate cheese or had any kind of dairy product, I spent minimally 3 hours in the bathroom. It took me almost a year to put two and two together...and many near accidents before I realized, IT'S THE DAIRY!! So, no more dairy. No more shrimp fettuccine.

All seemed well for about a year, until the bathroom episodes resumed with the vengeance of a tsunami. It's lucky I live alone, the moaning and groaning of the painful cramps sounded as though I were dying. At times, I wished I had. It was that bad. As a nurse, I was stumped as to the cause, certain I'd eaten nothing with dairy, I went searching the internet. Voila---Gluten Intolerance kept
popping up. Admittedly, even as a nurse of 35+ years, I had never once encountered anyone with a gluten intolerance problem. Even more sad, I really wasn't sure what "gluten" really was.

I read on and learned "gluten" is in almost everything we eat these days. Even worse, it's hidden under different names, here is a short list, yes, there's more: Abyssinian Hard (Wheat triticum durum)
Alcohol (Spirits - Specific Types)
Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Atta Flour
Barley Grass (can contain seeds)
Barley Hordeum vulgare
Barley Malt
Beer (most contain barley or wheat)
Bleached Flour
Bran
Bread Flour
Brewer's Yeast
Brown Flour
Bulgur (Bulgar Wheat/Nuts)
Bulgur Wheat
Cereal Binding
Chilton
Club Wheat (Triticum aestivum subspecies compactum)
Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Cookie Crumbs
Cookie Dough
Cookie Dough Pieces
Couscous
Criped Rice
Dinkle (Spelt)
Disodium Wheatgermamido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate
Durum wheat (Triticum durum)
Edible Coatings
Edible Starch
Einkorn (Triticum monococcum)
Emmer (Triticum dicoccon)
Enriched Bleached Flour
Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour
Enriched Flour
Farina
Farina Graham
Farro
Filler
Flour (normally this is wheat)
Fu (dried wheat gluten)
Germ
Graham Flour
Granary Flour
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Kamut (Pasta wheat)
Kecap Manis (Soy Sauce)
Ketjap Manis (Soy Sauce)
Maida (Indian wheat flour)
Malt
Malted Barley Flour
Malted Milk
Malt Extract
Malt Syrup
Malt Flavoring
Malt Vinegar
Macha Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Matza
Matzah
Matzo
Matzo Semolina
Meringue
Oriental Wheat (Triticum turanicum)
Orzo Pasta
Pasta

Suddenly, the bells went off in my head as I recalled what I had eaten in the past week. Bread, pasta, fake crab in my salad, Chinese food with mushroom gravy and all had made me very sick. For the next week, I eliminated ALL GLUTEN from my diet and felt great, no cramps or diarrhea and lost a few pounds. I couldn't wrap my head around it, wasn't quite convinced and while out to dinner with friends, I ate a few dinner rolls. Big mistake! I almost didn't make it home.

I read the book by Dr. William Davis, Wheat Belly, Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight. A wonderful book and I highly recommend it. It provided so much insight as to the whys and reasons to avoid wheat even if you're not intolerant---yet. Links to Dr. Davis's book are located on this blog page.

After reading his book, I immediately cleaned out my cupboards and pantry of ALL GLUTEN and gluten related (hidden) products. It was nearly bare when I got done. After that, I headed to a health food store and purchased gluten free pasta, bread, sauces etc. It was pricey, but I had no choice.

I have found that most gluten free breads taste just like cardboard and really wasn't worth eating. I essentially gave up bread but will occasionally bake some gluten free corn bread, which at least has a substance and tastes like the real thing.

I feel better, no more cramping, no diarrhea. After 2 weeks, another amazing thing happened, my blood pressure decreased to about 100/60....consistently. I am hypertensive and take a number of anti-hypertension meds, I had to cut them in half and within another week even eliminated 2 of them.
I had also been experiencing neuropathy in both feet, on and off for several years and I'm not diabetic. Once I cut out the gluten, the neuropathy resolved. Amazing, because the neuropathy could get pretty bad at times. Even now, if I accidentally eat something that contains a 'hidden' gluten, the neuropathy is back and lasts for almost 10 days. I did some further research on this and yes, there is such a thing as Gluten Neuropathy, it's the 2nd most common symptom of gluten intolerance.

However, in the meantime, I still miss all the things I used to love that is made from white flour and gluten. Foods I grew up eating, those luscious cakes, brownies, pasta smothered in cream sauce. Sometimes just to torture myself, I will walk down a bread aisle at the grocery store....just to inhale the aroma of bread. Yes, I'm grieving gluten.

T-Shirt Available at Cafepress, Click on Link below

www.cafepress.com/gailgabel.890748563?aid=115743

Tales of an OLD Nurse

2013-07-24T03:49:00.001-07:00

Tales of an OLD Nurse

www.cafepress.com/mf/79573002/rn-pillow_plus-size?aid1115743

2012-12-13T23:35:00.000-08:00

http://www.zazzle.com/nurseslounge

Bedpan Hopper II

2011-12-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, now that you know what bedpan hoppers are and how they operate I would like to share my funniest moment as a student nurse.

It's 1976, , age 19, fresh out of high school and a very young and green LPN. I spent my first 14 years in nursing as an LPN before later going back to school to become an RN.

I had just removed a cold, steel bedpan from beneath a patient. It was filled over the top of rim, with soft, mushy stool. Being tiny and petite at the time, it was all I could do to lift it, I'm guessing it weighed close to 10 lbs. I placed a towel over the top (as taught) and of course, it was also now laying directly on top of the largest BM I had ever seen in my young life.

I carried it down the hall to the dirty utility room and opened the shoot on the wall and slid it in. Imagine my horror when I discovered I had just shoved a fully loaded bedpan down the laundry shute and not the bedpan hopper! I realized my error immediately...and I just froze, trying to think of a way out of this situation. Well, there was NO WAY OUT, the damage was already done.

I was shaking, trembling...sure I was going to be kicked out of the nursing program at that point. I knew I had to inform my instructor and went in search of her. She was such a dear old woman, Mrs. C, was nearing retirement and was one of the kindest souls in nursing I had ever encountered.

Having found her, I must have had a panicked look on my face as she pulled me aside into an empty patient room and closed the door. I relayed what I had done....and she busted out laughing. I mean, she was doubled over with laughter as I just stood there, relief coming over me that she wasn't angry.
The first words out of her mouth was, "Oh Dear....". Anyway, it was all good, the hospital laundry department was quite forgiving of a new student nurse. :)

Bedpan Hoppers

2011-12-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

I began my nursing career in 1975 as a student nurse in the LPN training program. I remember being scared to death as I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Actually, if the truth be known, I kind of felt that way for the next 30 years of my career, never quite sure what I was getting into because a nurse never knows what's behind the next patient door from day to day.

Bedpan hoppers: For you young nurses, you probably have no idea what these are...and thank God you don't.

A bedpan hopper was a device that was used to wash the old steel bedpans. After your patient had a BM, you covered it with a towel...and carried it down the hall walking briskly past your fellow smirking co-workers, past the hospital chaplain, past new post-op surgical patients arriving to the floor, past Mr. Smith who was being discharged and past visitors all the way to the end of the hall to the dirty utility room. Trust me, the towel did nothing to combat the odor eminating from that heavy pan filled to the brim with 9 days worth of compacted stool.

In the utility room, there was a steel door bolted to the wall that opened and allowed you to slide the bedpan in, you closed it and pressed the button, waiting for "the hopper" to clean your bedpan. Then you had to carry it back to the patient's room, all wet and dripping with...liquified fecal matter, because they never did get completely clean.

**And...most importantly...in 1975, there was no such thing as disposable gloves for the nursing staff.

Nurses Who Drink Tea....

2011-12-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

This is a sweet little porcelain teapot, microwave and dishwasher safe, perfect gift for a nurse for graduation or any occasion. A link is provided below.

Nurse Porcelain Teapot
(To See Price and Purchase Options Click On Link Below)

http://www.zazzle.com/registered_nurse_cap_design_teapot-180695841288856338?rf=238282136580680600*

Nurses Everywhere!!

2011-12-15T09:02:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to take a moment to say hello to all of you.

My name is Gigi I am an RN, currently in semi-retired mode. I've been a nurse for over 30 years and worked in various aspects of the field, ICU, Trauma, CCU, many years in dialysis, LTC, Nephrology physician's offices and hospice. I guess you could say, I've been there and done that! But it's all been fun and certainly a learning experience all along the way. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.

As you all know, nursing is a difficult profession for the most part with high acuities, staff shortages and politics. Did I mention politics? :)

I've learned, the key to survival in the field is the ability to get along with people, co-workers, patients, their families and physicians as well as various members of the medical team. It all has to mesh and blend...some days that happens...some days it doesn't.

In 2006, I began teaching myself grahic design, at home on my computer. I knew nothing about it, couldn't draw a stick person (I still have trouble with those~~smile) and starting making t-shirts for nurses. I bought a heat press and set it in the basement...and sold several thousand on Ebay for a few years.

I now have over 4000+ designs for nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, medical assistants, physicians teachers, postal workers, pharmacists and many other professions. You can find these unique designs on t-shirts, mugs, hats, tote bags, iPhone cases, iPad cases, cards, framed art, posters, key chains, buttons, Ked's shoes, Rickshaw bags and even porcelain teapots.

(To View Price and Purchase Options Click On Link)

http://www.zazzle.com/psych_nurse_hilarious_sayings_gifts_shirts-235182377299608215?rf=238282136580680600*

I have 10+ internet stores and have provided the links to a few below:

http://www.zazzle.com/gailg1957*
http://www.zazzle.com/professionaldesigns*
http://www.cafepress.com/nurseii
http://www.zazzle.com/themedicaldepot*
http://www.zazzle.com/teapotboutique*