Achoo!!!

So...about 5 weeks ago, I got a chest congestion/cough thing that had been going around through my work (both staff and residents). Then, just as that was clearing up (and it took about 3 weeks), I got another cold that started with a sore throat, then went into mostly head congestion, which evolved directly into a sinus infection. Then I finally got myself to the doctor for some antibiotics.

I had one of those ultra-vigilant, if I see a speck of green in your mucous we're calling your allergist for antibiotics kind of moms. Bad for antibiotic resistance, very...but I don't think until this point I had ever actually experienced a full blown sinus infection. Oh man, I was miserable. It felt like my upper row of teeth on the left side was being pushed gradually out of their sockets, my cheeks hurt, my ear hurt. All of that on top of the feverish, low energy, nausea from snot dripping down your throat kind of feeling that goes with your average cold. I was not a happy camper.

I've taken only 3 days off of work during this 5 weeks of yuck. I don't get any sick pay yet, plus we're short staffed, so it's difficult to take the time away. The worst of the sinus infection his during my two days off, then I took yesterday and today, and I'm planning to go back tomorrow, for what will be a 2 day week. Whew.

I'm exposed to everything that goes around at work. I'm exposed to everything that goes around my niece's preschool through her. But I'd like to think my immune system is decent; I eat fairly well, exercise, get a good amount of sleep. I need to wash my hands more, I guess, and be ULTRA careful about not touching my face EVER at work.

We don't have those hand sanitation stations around the building like they do at hospitals. I should probably carry hand sanitizer along with me (in addition to gloves) to use in between residents, and then wash my hands for reals on top of that every time I come in the wellness center. And I don't know what can help discourage me from touching my face...maybe if I put on some lotion, so my skin doesn't feel dry, and keep some tissues with me too, in case my nose or eyes are bothering me.

Gotta get these germs under control!

A little bit sad today.

Switching over from "independent" living to "assisted" living, I knew I was going to be exposed to death more often, but today is the first time it happened since I started the new job.

I had yesterday and today off, but I went in today in the afternoon for a work meeting. Two people had died since my last work day and another had a major cardiac event and was in the hospital.

The woman who died, I think I am at peace with. She was in her upper nineties, her health had been failing for a while, she knew it was coming soon. Some of the caregivers at my table during the meeting were talking about the process, how the tissue in her extremities had started turning blue and dying, and how she was scared to be by herself. I had a hard time listening to that, but I guess it is stuff I need to know. The signs I need to be aware of.

The man who died, he was the one who really got to me. A tall, lanky guy, fairly independent still, who all of a sudden went downhill about a week ago. I saw him every day, multiple times per day, but he was never asking for anything for himself, always just looking after his wife. "My sweetheart needs her anxiety meds." "My lady is in pain." He was very selfless. It is sad to see his wife left behind so sad and alone. Her family is with her now but they won't be forever.

The man who is in the hospital with heart problems, my coworker thinks will be back again. I was surprised to hear he'd had an emergency. He's pretty feisty.

I got a little teary eyed finding all this out right off the bat. I got some ice water and had some time to sit outside by myself before the meeting started.

I've never really believed that people "go to a better place" when they die. I think some of the comfort that comes with that thought would be nice right now.

I got in to the RN program!

I got a letter in the mail last Saturday. I'm in!

I start August 20th of this year.

The new job as a med tech at the assisted living place is going well. I've got a good reputation there, among the residents as well as the staff. It has been an adjustment, being on my feet all the time, but I'm doing ok with that as well.

I will write more soon. My cat recently used my keyboard as a scratching post and tore off several keys, so the typing is a struggle at the moment, but I do have a lot of new stuff to share.