Monday, April 5, 2010

Jesus' actual cross in Omak

Chad and I were on our way back from Okanogan on highway 97 and as I looked up at the cross on the hillside by the hospital, I was flooded with my child like faith as I started giggling. Chad knew there was a story to be had.
When I was a young girl this group of women came to our house, all wearing matching uniform shirts and visors. At the time we lived far out on Salmon Creek road and visitors were far and in-between- unless they were the Hispanics making bids to my auctioneer father for my pet goats… another story.  This group was a Christian group that was offering a Christian camp for youth. To my surprise my dad ok’d us to go… I was really unsure of who Jesus Christ was other than the man on the candles my mom use to burn. So every day for a week, these ladies picked us up in their minivan that smelt like cat hair and my brother and I went to a camp for the day beneath dazzling circus tents. We learned songs and recited scripture and ate far too many wafer cookies. At the end of the camp bit, I had a concept about Jesus. He died for all the bad we did and they hung him on the cross, plus he loved me. I didn’t know why, we never met- he didn’t know me. I thought maybe he had me confused with another long scraggly haired girl. These women shared with us the stories of Jesus’ life. I never once questioned the testimonies, I just knew it to be true- it made sense. I will never forget the sense of that absolute truth, unbreakable, no contortion, black and white.
About a week later we were on our way into town in my dad’s “wood truck,” (another story yet) and I looked up on the hillside and saw the cross near the hospital. I was baffled. Why would they leave the cross Jesus was killed on up? It represented so much sadness?! I pictured all the people that would have stood on the hill throwing rocks. Day after day, year after year, I wondered when they would take it down. Until one day I learned that Jesus was not crucified in Omak, Washington.
As I shared my story with Chad, we laughed (more he then I) and it dawned on me that the cross represented his death, no matter where it happened. It might as well have happened in Omak, it happened and it was for me. When I find myself lost in life’s disorder and questions encircle me, I look at that cross and bear in mind the absolute truth and bask in my child like faith.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

August 2009- what a letdown

As some may know, my brother suffers from severe epilepsy that is debilitating and crippling his life ruthlessly. We spent a week or so at Swedish Medical Hospital in the Neuro unit to try a procedure that would save his life, or pound a nail in the coffin. I was excused from school to care for my Dad and brother and resided at Swedish around the clock. In the end, the procedure didn’t work and I find myself hover over the coffin prying the nails out with all my might. During this time a lot of friends and family were curious about what was happening, I made a very general post and stumbled upon it this evening. Not a day goes by where I don’t wish for God made me an epileptic, perhaps I could fathom what my brother endures alone.
Post from August 2009:
Ok- here it is. AJ is at Swedish post removing a grid and electrodes from his brain. They were positive they would be finding a focal point that was starting the seizures. To the contrary, what they found was not a focal point but full ignition across the brain. If possible, they would have performed a resection and remove the focal point, but they can't. It wasn't what anyone expected; AJ is not what they expected. They have never seen anything like AJ's case. He doesn't respond to meds well, he has memory on both sides of the brain, they have discovered a capillary dilation in the left frontal lobe, and they have never seen any patient seize as much as AJ in 24hrs. (Well over a 100 Tuesday, occurring every 2-3 minutes- almost grounds for inducing a coma, thank God AJ stopped.) So, our hail mary failed us and we move on to plan B. There is a new med he is coming home on (Lacosamide) that has been on the market for only a month, and Dr. Gwinn informed us that there is a double implant that is placed in the brain stem that has been 100% successful, but has yet to be approved and will hopefully be in the next year or so. (Attention all nurses: we all know how dangerous dabbling with the brainstem is.) This was hands down the WORST experience my family has endured. AJ's head is swollen and deformed, my Dad's hope is crushed on this cold tile floor, and I run around in attempt to open any window since this door has slammed in our faces. Some good does shine through- this case of AJ's will be used for massive research and education. His case may help another epileptic find health and a cure. Nevertheless, can you imagine helping others when you need the help as well? The moment I told AJ will be one I never forget. “ It didn't work AJ- but will find another way.” I am angry, I am let down, and I wish everyday it was me- that's how it went and I would rather not talk about anymore. Give me a month, let the edges of the wound approximate, and maybe I will share the scar.

Thank you all for your love and support- but the worse is to come.
Wow- I read this and am taken back to that day when AJ opened his eyes as I gripped his hand in utter fear and despair. “It didn’t work.” I have pushed this moment away, I have focused on trivial things, and I grimace at the thought of that failure. So, tonight I will pray and marinate in the truth with hope that I can accept this and move forward. I pray that God opens a window, or cuts a doggie door for us.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

My 40hour rotation in Oncology

So we have a series of questions we have to answer for class in regards to our community rotation this quarter. My rotation happens to be at the Omak Clinic in oncology. My first day was Tuesday and left a great impression on me. The question I had to answer for our online discussion board was, "In your setting, how does the nurse-patient relationship differ from that you've experienced in the hospital setting?" Here is my reply:

My community rotation is being spent at Omak Clinic in the oncology department. The relationship between nurse and pt is unlike any I have encountered in the last two years. It is not even comparable to the relations caregivers and residents have at the assisted livings. Here, these nurses are shining and repairing the armor the patients wear as they fight the battle of their lives. The nurse is the trusted squire that the warrior leans on and who discloses their most intimate battle scars to. It is incredible to witness, but I find myself holding my breath in fear. Is this relationship appropriate, all this talk about their family and dogs? Are these nurses at greater risk for attachment to their patients? Could this attachment skew the patient/nurse relation boundaries? These nurses know their patients baseline, they know what their allergies are, what antihypertensive their taking, how old their daughters are, whether or not their spouse snores, how often they are nauseated, whether or not cheese nauseates them… you get the picture. People can be on chemo for weeks on end, and following relentless relapses- I see that it is inevitable for nurses to not become invested. But, what happens when that investment bottoms out? Someone dies. This patient-nurse relationship is like no other I have encountered, the proof lies in the picture of little Parker Brown that is taped up in the nurses’ station. Parker died a month ago (as many know from the obituary) but, the relationship the oncology nurses shared with him live on in their hearts and compassionate practice. The relationship is a fine balance of intimacy, and professional distance. It’s fated, to spend so many hours with someone and not get to know them- enjoy them. I have concluded that to be an oncology nurse is to walk a very fine rope above a pool of blind love and compassion and cool distance with stark professionalism.

To blog or not to blog? That is the question...

As if I haven't enough going on in my life, I thought having a blog might make things exciting. My sister in law and friends have amazing blogs documenting their life moments- the majority revolving around their children (which I have none) So we will make do with blogs about Chad, nursing, and the adventures of new marriage. Stay tuned...