Thursday, December 31, 2020

Goodbye 2020.......Hello 2021!!!

    2020 is coming to an end. It has been an interesting year to say the least. Last year at this time none of us had any idea what 2020 would hold. Now as I sit here reflecting back on it all I can say is wow that was a wild ride!! 
    So much has changed in the world this past year and we all have a new normal we are slowly getting use to it all. Even though some of us are fighting the change with a fierceness, it is unfortunately inevitable. It is all just crazy that now masks, social distancing and the pandemic scare is now our everyday life. We are all also so up in the air about our future government leaders, this is scary to me. The new president is very scary to me and I am afraid of what kind of guidance they will bring us. I think the America we all knew is changing slowly for the worse right in front of us and no one is fighting for it!!! I wish I could make a difference in the world, just thinking maybe I will just keep praying for us all.
    This year has been a challenge for us but we also had some really good times. We made some GREAT memories with our family and friends, tried new things and crushed some goals!!! Of course we also had our setbacks but we overcame and conquered it all. Derek has been the BEST husband ever, taking care of me. All in all we can say we survived to live another day!!!
    So from here on out I plan on living my life to the fullest!! So bring on 2021! It will be as amazing as we make it!!! 

    "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind!"   -CS Lewis

2020 Year in Review:
    January
        Started the year out with our family: riding bikes in Arkansas
        Back to New Mexico for a fun hike: Guadalupe Mesa
    February
        Pagosa Springs: sledding, snowshoeing and skiing at Hesperus (not for             me!!!)
        Hikes: Eye of Sandia, Slot Canyon
    March
        Hikes: Kelly Mine, Las Conchas, Jemez Mountains (Obsidian finds!!!)
        Utah adventure: North Canyon hike, House on Fire Ruin hike, Cedar             Mesa Area, Natural Bridges Trail
        Covid 19 scare started and everything shutdown
     April
        Poor Maxx didn't get the gigging birthday party he wanted, stupid Covid         19
        Hikes: Las Conchas trail
    May
        Got our new Cyclone!!!! 
        Quick visit home to see kids!!!
    June
        Started at Taos NM 
        Hikes: Williams Lake, Middle Fork Lake
        Bikes: Angelfire Bike Park, GRAVITY PASSES
    July
        Bike: Angelfire Bike Park
        Kids in for Vacation: Jemez Hike, Overnight backpacking up to Middle             Fork Lake, Maxx trip to ER in Taos after cutting eye, Frisbee golf
        Hell Hike: Las Minas Trail looking for Staurolites (no luck)
        Moved to Albuquerque for new contract
        Angelfire holiday 
        My cousin Lenette had heart surgery and is better!!!
    August
        Mountain Bike wreck at Angelfire broken shoulder for me, surgery             then rehab
        Moved back home to recoup
    September
        Family time (love love love)
        Monster Truck Rally in Miami OK
        Kanen and Alexis wedding shower, new baby coming in April 2021
    October
            Accepted Jesus Christ into my heart
         Jesica and Chaz celebrated 7 years of marriage, Maxx was very                 upset he wasn't at their wedding and Jett was....LOL
        Kanen and Alexis married, beautiful ceremony and nice weekend away
    November
        Survived therapy
        Started riding with Cara in NWA, also rode in Siloam Springs
        Moved RV to Cave Springs and started working at NWMC in Bentonville,         AR
        Lost my Aunt Onnie
    December 
        Christmas shopping fun
        Holidays with kids
        working again
        last hike of the year in Elm Springs AR around Partners Lake
           
So from our RV in Cave Springs Arkansas HAPPY NEW YEARS to all!!!! Let's make this next year the BEST!!!!❤life

Last picture of 2020!!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Covid-19/ICU

 

 
Sitting in the Covid/ICU is a stressful place to be, with all the constant loud beeps, alarms and occasional Christmas tune filtering in. It is no fun. This is not a job for the faint of heart, one must be flexible and resilient to do this kind of work day in and day out. You also need a servant heart for this kind of work. 
     All the personal protective equipment (PPE) is a pain in the patootie to wear. We have to change into OR scrubs just to go into the unit. Then there is the shoe covers, N95, surgical mask, gown gloves and face shield.....sheesh. This all has to be put on just to go into your patient's room to do anything. Then change and redo just to go into your other patient's room. Off/on/off/on LOTS of hand sanitizer and hand washing all day long. You get pretty warm and kind of smelly by the end of the 12 hours. Our poor patients also have a hard time hearing us through everything so we end up yelling towards them all day. 
It is also hard to hurry into a room if a patient is dropping their oxygen saturation or crawling out of bed just because of all the garb we have to put on. Stress level rising.
    Today I did not have an attitude of a helper. I felt more like crawling in a hole and covering my head up......shhhhhh just go away! Covid 19 has been horrid and brutal on all of us, patients and staff. The poor patients and their families have suffered terribly with the no visitor restrictions we have enforced. It is a sad day when a patient is dying and no family is allowed in. We as nurses, techs and respiratory therapists sit with them and hold their hands until they pass. No one dies alone on my watch. I have shed tears for my patients during these times. I have also shed tears with the families while consoling them on the phone, really hard to do. 
    I do not feel like a hero, just dong my job. I can also say that as healthcare workers we are tired and really stressed out. I say that but I also know that we will all be there day after day to hold those hands and to care for our patients. We will adjust and take care of business just as we always do.
    I just want people to know that when I wear a mask in public or around my family it is out of respect. I am protecting you from me. If I had Covid 19 and gave it to my grandson or his Mimi, I couldn't forgive myself.  I have seen first hand what this horrid virus does to a compromised person and even healthy people, I don't wish that on anyone. SO please consider where I am coming from when I wear my mask, be careful not to judge. My mask-my choice. Let's all just hope and pray that this virus goes away, I am scared it may be awhile before that happens. We all need prayers for strength and safety.  We ALL need God. 

Peace at the Cross

     Sometimes a person just needs to stop and be still in the moment. Just to take time to slow down and allow your mind and heart to rest/...