Girls Vaca '08

The third edition of Girls Vaca was this weekend in Newport, Rhode Island. The tradition started Summer of 2006- one year after our Millsaps graduation. Each year one of the girls plans a trip to the location of our choice. Girls Vaca '06 was a quickly put together trip, and we ended up at my family's condo in Fort Morgan. Below is from a dinner @ the Giggling Grouper in Orange Beach from that first year. That first year it was Katie, Amy, Colleen, and myself. Kristin also joined in for the festivities!Last year Amy, Colleen, Karla, and Katie went to Disney World in June. I didn't get to make it last year since I had just started work, but I know they had a great time.

So- a little about the girls. Most of the six of us lived together at one point, and everyone but me was a Chi Omega at the 'Saps. Only four of us were able to make it this year, but we were still able to have a fabulous time. Kate, one of the Navy wives and also a mom-to-be, flew in from Jacksonville, FL. Katie, newly engaged, flew in from New Orleans, and Colleen's husband drove her in from a graduation in NYC. Colleen currently lives in Annapolis, MD at the Naval Academy. Her husband, Geoff, is a Lt. there. Karla & Amy were busy with school & what not and couldn't make it.

The weather was absolutely perfect. It was definitely chilly at night, but it was never "cold." During the day- it was about 74 with a great breeze off the water & the perfect amount of sunshine (at least for most of us. Colleen is very fair & burns so easily). Highlights of the trip included a sunset cruise on the Madeliene through the harbor, touring the Astors' Beechwood Mansion, visiting the Newport Vineyards & Winery, a pirate tour, going on the Cliff Walk, and lots of great food & wine. And the pictures...

not for the easily-grossed out

I'm loving working days again (for the most part). Waking up at 5 a.m. is not fun, but I definitely like the regular schedule. AND- we have fun!

From what I'm hearing though- we are not supposed to have fun. We've been getting complaints from patients' families saying that we are laughing and such. While we definitely don't play around while directly involved in patient care, I completely admit to acting silly and trying to not be so serious while I'm at work. Unfortunately, we have no break rooms or place to move out of the fishbowl of the ER. We are on display all the time. It's required- We have to be ready for whatever comes through the door. Sometimes we have real emergencies in the ER (not the usual clinic stuff we see more than 50% of the time). I totally understand that families might find it inappropriate that we are laughing or making jokes out in the hall while their child is sick or injured. However, I find that laughter makes the job bearable. Sometimes the job that we do- isn't really a joking matter. Take this picture- for example. Here's Dr. Bush dressed up in his Level I Trauma garb- minus the gloves, mask, & hat. Whenever we have a Level I Trauma activation, we have to put all this crap on. It's hot & sweaty. To make matters worse, whenever there is a Level I, there's atleast fifteen people in this itty-bitty little room trying to save the kid. BUT this time Bush isn't dressed for a Level I. He's about to help a little boy remove a huge fecal impaction. The kid had not "boo-booed" for at least two weeks. The poor boy had already experienced two fleets enema and a soap suds enema, and the poo had yet to budge. For three hours the kid had screamed that he didn't want to push it out because it hurt too bad, so Bush was going to the rescue. We made him model before his big save. We got busy, and I never heard the end result. Hopefully the poor kid got some relief.


The hospital also bought every staff member a polo shirt. Anya, Cammie, & I put ours on for awhile before I got in trouble for wearing an "unapproved" shirt. Please tell me how a shirt that the institution gave me is "unapproved." Stupid policies. We did take a quick picture before I got my warning. And- the blue scrub thing was just a coincidence- just in case you were wondering. Do you like our popped collars? I'm so glad the University spent money on a t-shirt that is completely see-through and that I can't even wear to work. I would much rather have a new polo instead of a raise. Or somewhere to sit down & eat my lunch. Or a place to park my car that is safe. Or for equipment that actually worked.



On a much more positive note- I leave tomorrow morning for Newport, Rhode Island. We're staying at this hotel. I'm excited. I also booked a flight to Las Vegas for August. I'm going with some girls from work, and I am pumped. I've never been and have wanted to go for awhile. We're staying at the palazzo- which I think is the latest tower at the Venetian that supposedly just opened in January. I didn't do all the booking, but I have found that Jersey Boys are there- but without my favorite cast members. I don't think we have made any reservations for any shows, but I wouldn't mind seeing Bette Midler. i love her! All I know is that I need to save a ton of money. I am B-R-O-K-E.

if you have an emergency, please hang up & dial 9-1-1

Kristin officially sucks at blogging.

She has done so much fun stuff and has YET to even blog about the honeymoon. I, on the other hand, have done very little fun and a whole lotta work.


I worked my first day shift in a really long time today. It went fairly smoothly. I worked four nights in a row- got off at 7a on Sunday morning and was back at work this morning at 7a. It was a strange 24 hours. I think I napped on & off for most of those 24 and can't really remember much of it! The ED has been really busy so far- even though school is out, and the winter sicknesses should have disappeared. Instead, we're still seeing lots of viruses and fevers. That means lots of IVs and labwork for me! Last summer it seemed so slow. Over the weekend, I had very, very little down time. With the addition of kids on ATVs and falling out of trees to the whole sick kid mix, we stayed very busy. It makes the time go faster, but sometimes I enjoy the whole taking it easy thing.











Kristin & I did see SATC the Sunday of the weekend that it came out. I enjoyed it. Maybe Kristin will let you know what she thought of it. I laughed (& cried). I was mostly upset with the whole Steve & Miranda situation. I always loved him- I guess I always did have a thing for the nerdy type. Kristin & I did agree that Aidan was very much missed.



Unfortunately, I'm working this weekend. I would much rather be at Old Crow or Pat Green at Jubilee Jam. I haven't been to Jubilee Jam in forever. I think the last was when I saw Bob Dylan in 2003 I think.



I'm working another five after having Wednesday and Thursday off. Next Wednesday I'm headed to Newport, Rhode Island for Girls Vaca '08. Hopefully I will make it up there without too many problems. I've heard that lots of people are having problems flying- so just maybe I'll make it up there in time to hang out with everyone. I'm excited for a break, and I'm definitely excited to spend some time with Colleen. I haven't seen her since I went to visit her in Baltimore last fall, and I really haven't been very good at keeping in touch recently.


And lastly, this guy is a creep. We see this WAY too often in the ED, and most of them are never put in the news like this one. Also... just in case you were confused- Benadryl does not treat a fever. If you give your child a 50 mg dose of Benadryl for "burning up"- the child will STILL have a fever. AND it might be the reason he/she can't keep their eyes open. Today, I was in triage, and ONCE AGAIN- was amazed by the number of parents who treated their child's fever with Benadryl.