(no subject)
This week was my second week on the oncology floor. I like the extern gig so far. Maybe, that's because I have 6 other externs helping out, divvying up the unit in half. Coming up next week, I'm looking at being the only extern during my night shift (Night shift being from 2330 to 0700). Granted everyone will more than likely be asleep, I'm pretty nervous.
If you're wondering, yes I've kept my composure on the floor. No codes yet! The nursing staff keeps things positive around there, and so do the patients. Luckily I was privileged to start out with two friends of mine working with me, and now have expanded my circle of friends in such a short time. They've helped out a lot.
Okay,first, not everyone on the floor is a cancer patient. We get some overflow from the other units, ER, etc. But the patients are usually post-op, some sort of -ectomy pt., or they're in for a round of chemo. They're definitely good people.
I've been fairing well, emotionally, on the floor. However I actually almost lost it today. I'll be vague. HIPAA and all. There's someone I knew of while I was growing up on the floor. I don't know what stage they are in, definitely an advanced stage of some sort. Since the last time I had seen them, maybe 4 - 5 years ago, the cancer has spread rapidly. I'm not a good judge of time but maybe they have 2 years max, if the luck is there. I was talking to the nurse and he gave a shorter time frame. He was ambulating around the floor, with two relatives and my friend with a wheelchair in tow. It's pretty terrible to see what cancer to do to a young life.
I was told not many people pass on the floor. Usually they are transported to Hospice when "it's just that time". But there's always that chance. The other externs ahead of me have encountered post-mortem care last week when they started. I've yet to have my experience. Not really looking forward to it. I just want to prepare myself for what's to come. I was talking to my mom about the notion of angry spirits/ghosts on different units. She didn't believe in that. It's a concept I haven't really thought about but an interesting one.
"If there was," she said, "the best thing all you can do so pray for them or just listen to them and let them talk,while they are still alive. More often than not, they are scared and afraid of what's to come. And they need a way to ease their soul. I always offered the opportunity to say a prayer for them or with them. If they tell you that they don't know any, I default to [Psalms] 51, 23, and 138. Most especially 51. If you read it, it makes sense."
I think I'll be okay.
If you're wondering, yes I've kept my composure on the floor. No codes yet! The nursing staff keeps things positive around there, and so do the patients. Luckily I was privileged to start out with two friends of mine working with me, and now have expanded my circle of friends in such a short time. They've helped out a lot.
Okay,first, not everyone on the floor is a cancer patient. We get some overflow from the other units, ER, etc. But the patients are usually post-op, some sort of -ectomy pt., or they're in for a round of chemo. They're definitely good people.
I've been fairing well, emotionally, on the floor. However I actually almost lost it today. I'll be vague. HIPAA and all. There's someone I knew of while I was growing up on the floor. I don't know what stage they are in, definitely an advanced stage of some sort. Since the last time I had seen them, maybe 4 - 5 years ago, the cancer has spread rapidly. I'm not a good judge of time but maybe they have 2 years max, if the luck is there. I was talking to the nurse and he gave a shorter time frame. He was ambulating around the floor, with two relatives and my friend with a wheelchair in tow. It's pretty terrible to see what cancer to do to a young life.
I was told not many people pass on the floor. Usually they are transported to Hospice when "it's just that time". But there's always that chance. The other externs ahead of me have encountered post-mortem care last week when they started. I've yet to have my experience. Not really looking forward to it. I just want to prepare myself for what's to come. I was talking to my mom about the notion of angry spirits/ghosts on different units. She didn't believe in that. It's a concept I haven't really thought about but an interesting one.
"If there was," she said, "the best thing all you can do so pray for them or just listen to them and let them talk,while they are still alive. More often than not, they are scared and afraid of what's to come. And they need a way to ease their soul. I always offered the opportunity to say a prayer for them or with them. If they tell you that they don't know any, I default to [Psalms] 51, 23, and 138. Most especially 51. If you read it, it makes sense."
I think I'll be okay.