This week, I am thankful:
that I am not on prednisone anymore!
I am so, so, so happy to be finished with that. I am grateful for how it helped my poison ivy to stop itching, but ooof, I was struggling with the prednisone insomnia.
And I really disliked the high heart rate I was having too. It felt sort like being anxious all the time, which is no fun.
I hope it’s a nice long time before I ever need prednisone again.
that my Altras are working so great for my shifts
For my clinical shifts, I am required to wear leather white shoes, and even though I got a wide width, those shoes start to make my feet hurt after just a few hours.
My foot-shaped Altras, though? They have me feeling fine even after a 12-hour shift. Yay!
for air-conditioning
Last weekend was crazy hot (and this weekend promises similar temps), so I am feeling super thankful for having air-conditioning in my house.
for my Facebook Marketplace fans
The air circulation in my bedroom isn’t great which means it gets sort of stuffy in there even with the door open. But running my floor fan helps a lot.
And of course, the moving air feels good as I sleep.
This is the style I have, and I had good luck finding them on Facebook Marketplace. I have three from there, in fact. 🙂
that I’m all done with training/orientation
I got through all my classes, orientations, and training shifts so now I’m gonna be out there on the floor as an actual independent tech. Woohoo!
This is the first time I’m feeling at all official in a medical role because as a nursing student on clinical shifts, I always feel like I am more of a hindrance than a help on the floor.
As a trained tech, though, I can actually make a dent in the workload on the floor, and that makes me happy.
(Will I still be asking lots of questions during my shifts next week? MOST DEFINITELY.)
for how kind all my co-workers have been to me
I’m working on the floor where I did my med surg clinicals last semester, so I felt pretty comfortable right off the bat, but everyone has been super nice about helping me figure out where things are in my new role.
that I had a successful blood draw
I did a blood draw for the first time yesterday, and thankfully, I got it on the first try. Woohoo!
And I’ve also done a catheter on a real live person now. 😉
that I have some days off now
I have clocked 69.5 hours since last Monday and my body is tired. I’m glad to have a little time to recuperate now!
Chiquita is also happy I’m home; she’s sitting right here as I type this post
for my house
I know I have put this on my thankful list over and over, but man, I love my little rental house. It is so perfect for me in every way. I dig the style, the location, the neighbors…and I love that it is my own space. 🙂
It is the single largest line item in my budget, but it is worth every single penny.
One day, I will buy a house again, and that will be happy in its own way, but I know that this little rancher is going to have a piece of my heart forever, largely because of the fresh start I got here.
Martha O.
Friday 28th of June 2024
Kristen, I can’t imagine you being “ more of a hindrance than a help” in any situation!!
I’m thankful for air conditioning, too, especially since I grew up in a home with no air conditioning. The summer heat was only bearable at night because of an oscillating fan at the end of our hallway by all the bedrooms.
I’m thankful for nights that my hip joint isn’t aching. Last night wasn’t one of those nights but I’ve had a few good nights this week.
I’m thankful for the breaks my husband has been able to take in his work days ( at home) so we’ve been getting some short walks in lately. Walking is a different type of exercise than dancing though we enjoy doing both.
Anita Isaac
Friday 28th of June 2024
so happy for you. i am thankful that my duaghter zoe has an internship at warner brothers for part of the summer. it is located at her high school so she knows how to get there. you could never be a hinderance to anyone.
Lisa
Friday 28th of June 2024
My husband told me a month ago today that he had been having an affair, and has never changed his mind on counseling/staying together. I have been devastated. Sooo... this week I'm thankful for: Two cousins who visited me on Wed! I live 3.5 hours away from extended family, so it is a big deal. They spoke words of affirmation all afternoon. Their brother contacted me yesterday. His wife surprised him with a divorce a few years ago, so he hasn't said, "there's a light at the end of the tunnel" (as this does NOT help me). I'm thankful that I learned walking down to Lake Michigan shore line helps me mentally more than sitting in the car at the road just looking. I started a new job, and the team I'm part of is understanding. A song came on the radio while I was working with a customer, and I started crying because of the memories associated with it. My manager came and took over, and I took an early break to compose myself. A customer, a literal stranger to me, said something last week and I started crying then too. She didn't ask, but started praying for me and talking with me. She came back yesterday, and remembered me. She's now added our 10 yo to her list as he started having nightmares. I went to a church service for the first time in 8 years Sunday. I told myself the goal was the parking lot, but I made it to the lobby. Thankfully it wasn't busy in the lobby, and I knew the two people out there from years ago at church. I was comfortable to cry silently there. A woman who I thought was an old work acquaintance has been the one to meet with me in person and help me stop thinking. I washed some dishes yesterday. It was the first time in a month. I also ate mac n cheese instead of bread and butter, washed/not dried and load of laundry, cut myself some flowers from the flower bed, and stopped begging my husband to choose me.
Erika JS
Saturday 29th of June 2024
@Lisa, Your courage is so impressive. Know that my prayers are going out to you. Please keep posting your progress here because you’re an inspiration many.
Liz B.
Friday 28th of June 2024
@Lisa, I am so very sorry this is happening to you. It's just so much. I admire the fact that you are finding ways to cope and to find support and comfort; it takes baby steps, and the fact that you made it to the lobby of the church is huge. Sending you hugs across the miles.
Anita Isaac
Friday 28th of June 2024
@Lisa, so sorry for what you are going through. a big virtual hug from me to you and also tons of prayers being sent your way.
Kristen
Friday 28th of June 2024
Oh, I am so very sorry to hear this. Sending you so so much love.
Suz
Friday 28th of June 2024
@Lisa, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'm impressed with your strength, handling your new job, making a goal to get to church and meeting it, crying when you need to... I hope you pick more flowers for yourself; I would give you some if I could.
Courtney
Thursday 27th of June 2024
I have the same fan and I love it. Good to know they're popular on marketplace, I would love to get a second one of this style.
Connie
Thursday 27th of June 2024
You remind me of hard and long medical workers have to work. Also, you have made your home one of the cutest ever!