He's extubated! He's also speaking a little, eating a little but still very groggy. Neurologically speaking, he's a work in progress but he is in progress. We're still hoping and praying for the very best.
John called me this afternoon with the good news. I was just about to go to lunch and I had to do a little dance as I left my office. The secretaries are already getting used to laughing at me I think! LOL
Work was busy, again. No rest for the medical personnel at this Embassy! It all ended up being not too serious but we had a couple of people give us cause to pause. Robyn swears it's because I used to work ICU that we're getting these pseudo-serious cases so soon after I started work. I think she's joking, I hope she's joking! :-)
I'm staying put for tonight, looks like I'll have three hot dates - ages 10, 10 and 8 (Jake's buddy Manny and his little brother). The girls are going to a somewhat-school sponsored event, it's being thrown by a cell phone company here who "sponsors" the senior class, giving them a portion of the proceeds. I've already given them the "don't drink from open cups, keep tabs on each other all night, don't stress your parents out!" talk. I'll let you know if it stuck but it seems to have been absorbed.
Here's to 2009 being a year of joy, peace and miracles for all of us. Happy New Year!!! God Bless!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Jorge is One Tough Dude
He's still on a vent...his blood cultures came back positive for bacteria (explaining his fever) so they're keeping him on it for atleast another day.
John arrived to the hospital early yesterday afternoon. He was pleasantly surprised at how good Jorge looked. His colour was good and he was breathing at 18-22 with the vent only providing 10 of those breaths. He was moving around in his bed, and he had opened his eyes upon demand from the nurse. John was impressed with the character of Jorge's nurse, Laurie, who I had spoken with on the phone. He said she reminded him of me. :-)
I went to work, hoping to keep myself busy and I was rewarded with such a crazy day! We took one patient to the Emergency Room and then the dreaded white powder envelope was delivered to the Embassy. Other South American U.S. Embassies have already received one so we were well prepared. So far they've only contained baby powder or flour but it's necessary to treat it like it's Anthrax. So the contaminated people from our mail room area were hosed down and sent to us for a check-up and antibiotic treatment. Did I mention that our Health Unit schedule had shown absolutely nothing for the entire day? It sure turned out busy! An answer to my prayers but my fellow workers told me to never ask for another busy day again! I promised I wouldn't!
Jake slept over at Manny's, the girls are hanging out in their "suite" on the top floor and I'm getting ready to go to work. Here's to a quiet day!!!
John arrived to the hospital early yesterday afternoon. He was pleasantly surprised at how good Jorge looked. His colour was good and he was breathing at 18-22 with the vent only providing 10 of those breaths. He was moving around in his bed, and he had opened his eyes upon demand from the nurse. John was impressed with the character of Jorge's nurse, Laurie, who I had spoken with on the phone. He said she reminded him of me. :-)
I went to work, hoping to keep myself busy and I was rewarded with such a crazy day! We took one patient to the Emergency Room and then the dreaded white powder envelope was delivered to the Embassy. Other South American U.S. Embassies have already received one so we were well prepared. So far they've only contained baby powder or flour but it's necessary to treat it like it's Anthrax. So the contaminated people from our mail room area were hosed down and sent to us for a check-up and antibiotic treatment. Did I mention that our Health Unit schedule had shown absolutely nothing for the entire day? It sure turned out busy! An answer to my prayers but my fellow workers told me to never ask for another busy day again! I promised I wouldn't!
Jake slept over at Manny's, the girls are hanging out in their "suite" on the top floor and I'm getting ready to go to work. Here's to a quiet day!!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
No Change
The docs decided to keep Jorge sedated another day, keeping him on the ventilator to allow his heart more time to recuperate. The results of the echocardiogram aren't in yet. That will tell us a lot more about what damage there might be.
His blood pressure has been difficult to maintain, it's running low now. That could be from the heart damage but it could also be from the meds he's on. They have him on sedatives, Plavix (to stop blood clots from forming) and Digoxin (his heart rate is fast). He's also on good ole aspirin.
He continues to fight the vent (go Jorge!), moving all extremities. He is running a fever of 102 - that could be caused by a whole list of things. I'll let you know if they determine its cause.
All of the information I have today is third person, I haven't spoken to the ICU nurse but I have left some questions for Mike to ask. I'm anxiously awaiting the echo results and Jorge's neuro response when they try to wake him up tomorrow.
Meanwhile, we're doing fine here. John flew out this morning. We're puppy-sitting a beautiful American Straffordshire Terrier. He's a cousin to the pitbull but he's an angel. Not housebroken but with his face, I can forgive him that! His owner picks him up tomorrow, we'll miss him but I'm not sure Buddy will. Buddy just gives up whatever it is he is chewing as soon as the puppy approaches him. Such a good host-dog!
His blood pressure has been difficult to maintain, it's running low now. That could be from the heart damage but it could also be from the meds he's on. They have him on sedatives, Plavix (to stop blood clots from forming) and Digoxin (his heart rate is fast). He's also on good ole aspirin.
He continues to fight the vent (go Jorge!), moving all extremities. He is running a fever of 102 - that could be caused by a whole list of things. I'll let you know if they determine its cause.
All of the information I have today is third person, I haven't spoken to the ICU nurse but I have left some questions for Mike to ask. I'm anxiously awaiting the echo results and Jorge's neuro response when they try to wake him up tomorrow.
Meanwhile, we're doing fine here. John flew out this morning. We're puppy-sitting a beautiful American Straffordshire Terrier. He's a cousin to the pitbull but he's an angel. Not housebroken but with his face, I can forgive him that! His owner picks him up tomorrow, we'll miss him but I'm not sure Buddy will. Buddy just gives up whatever it is he is chewing as soon as the puppy approaches him. Such a good host-dog!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
John's Brother
It's a bad news/good news report. John's brother Jorge suffered a heart attack this morning. His brother-in-law administered CPR but he required two cardioversions (shocks) to get a heart beat again. For you medical people, he was in V-fib and was down for about 11 minutes...not sure how effective/when the bystander CPR was started.
He was taken in for a cardiac catheterization, they found two clots (in the LAD, proximal and mid) which they removed and placed two stents, both sites were 70% blocked. His Ejection Fraction was 45% before the stent placement...haven't had an update on it yet, they were expecting to do an echocardiogram after I spoke to the ICU nurse.
He's heavily sedated due to extreme agitation on the ventilator, he was breathing on his own a bit before sedation. They have him on a Morphine drip, he's being given Ativan and another sedative I didn't recognize. His blood pressure upon admission (not sure if she meant to the ER or the ICU post cath) was 200/110. Supposedly he hasn't been taking his hypertension meds.
John will be there Monday morning. Juan, Carmen, Cuqui (and Rich) and Mike arrived from Miami this afternoon.
Jorge is in critical but stable condition. The initial report I received from the ER nurse was critically flawed, she told me Jorge was asystolic when the EMS got there. I specifically asked her if it might have been VFib or fine VFib, she said no, it was asystole. Because of that info, for hours, I was telling John that this was really, really bad but still trying to keep his hope alive while feeling little to none myself. When I found out the correct version of events, I was almost giddy with relief. Even though he's certainly not out of the woods yet, he's in such a better situation.
Time will tell. I'll keep you updated. Please keep Jorge and the family in your prayers!
He was taken in for a cardiac catheterization, they found two clots (in the LAD, proximal and mid) which they removed and placed two stents, both sites were 70% blocked. His Ejection Fraction was 45% before the stent placement...haven't had an update on it yet, they were expecting to do an echocardiogram after I spoke to the ICU nurse.
He's heavily sedated due to extreme agitation on the ventilator, he was breathing on his own a bit before sedation. They have him on a Morphine drip, he's being given Ativan and another sedative I didn't recognize. His blood pressure upon admission (not sure if she meant to the ER or the ICU post cath) was 200/110. Supposedly he hasn't been taking his hypertension meds.
John will be there Monday morning. Juan, Carmen, Cuqui (and Rich) and Mike arrived from Miami this afternoon.
Jorge is in critical but stable condition. The initial report I received from the ER nurse was critically flawed, she told me Jorge was asystolic when the EMS got there. I specifically asked her if it might have been VFib or fine VFib, she said no, it was asystole. Because of that info, for hours, I was telling John that this was really, really bad but still trying to keep his hope alive while feeling little to none myself. When I found out the correct version of events, I was almost giddy with relief. Even though he's certainly not out of the woods yet, he's in such a better situation.
Time will tell. I'll keep you updated. Please keep Jorge and the family in your prayers!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas!
A beautiful day! The kids woke us up at 7AM as was previously determined to be the earliest possible waking hour. Considering the relatively small amount of gifts exchanged, we were all very happy. John and I wrapped a box with a note for the kids inside. It contained a puzzle, "What do you say when you're riding down a roller coaster?" and "What did this little piggie say all the way home?" - they guessed it, we got them a Wii. Jake literally bounded up and down with joy. Unfortunately, the Wii is in the shipment that we won't get until next week. Something to look forward to!
The rest of the day was filled with phone calls to Canada, the U.S. and England and then taking a nap. Cooking a turkey and taking another nap. Watching videos and visiting friends for dinner. Playing their Wii and laughing until I snorted when little Danny fell off the couch playing Wii Tennis.
It was a lovely Christmas but we miss our families so far away. We love you so very much and wish you all could have been here with us!
The rest of the day was filled with phone calls to Canada, the U.S. and England and then taking a nap. Cooking a turkey and taking another nap. Watching videos and visiting friends for dinner. Playing their Wii and laughing until I snorted when little Danny fell off the couch playing Wii Tennis.
It was a lovely Christmas but we miss our families so far away. We love you so very much and wish you all could have been here with us!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Wait
The kids are anxious for Christmas day even though there won't be many gifts under the tree. Our shipment from our evacuation won't be arriving until next week. I'm pretty sure I've already ranted about it so I won't bother again, hopefully we'll have our Christmas Take Dos by the end of the year.
I'm sitting at the computer with the really awesome Christmas hat Nicole gave me for Christmas three years ago. Perhaps I'll get a picture of it tomorrow when I have to embarass my husband by taking pictures of him with a Santa suit on. We're going with the Attache Spouses to a local hospital to deliver gifts. How much will those pictures be worth to him, ya think?
The girls helped deliver presents with the Marines, part of their "Toys for Tots" program worldwide. They had a great time, received lots of hugs from some truly poverty-stricken kids. One little boy started to cry, holding his present. They thought it was because he wanted something different but he told them, "I didn't think Santa was going to remember me this year" - yeah, it was a great reminder of the importance of giving.
Work has been great. We give a lot of immunizations so it's only a matter of time before the Embassy kids start running away when they see me. :-) Hopefully the cool bandaids we use actually does soften the blow.
I'm sitting at the computer with the really awesome Christmas hat Nicole gave me for Christmas three years ago. Perhaps I'll get a picture of it tomorrow when I have to embarass my husband by taking pictures of him with a Santa suit on. We're going with the Attache Spouses to a local hospital to deliver gifts. How much will those pictures be worth to him, ya think?
The girls helped deliver presents with the Marines, part of their "Toys for Tots" program worldwide. They had a great time, received lots of hugs from some truly poverty-stricken kids. One little boy started to cry, holding his present. They thought it was because he wanted something different but he told them, "I didn't think Santa was going to remember me this year" - yeah, it was a great reminder of the importance of giving.
Work has been great. We give a lot of immunizations so it's only a matter of time before the Embassy kids start running away when they see me. :-) Hopefully the cool bandaids we use actually does soften the blow.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Family "Stand-Ins"
I've been "married to the military" for almost 20 years. I've kept track, this is our 17th address. Some of those addresses lasted only a few months, some moves were within the same town/city but in a few months, we'll be taking an 18th home. Out of all of those moves, we've remained relatively sane and have produced three pretty secure kids. One of the reasons, I'm convinced, is because we've been blessed with wonderful friends who became part of our family.
When I hear of people who can't imagine leaving their babies in the care of anyone outside of their own flesh and blood, I shrug and smile at the memories of Anne and Lorne caring for Lisette when she was just a few months old. They were our fabulous Coast Guard friends back in California and we still keep in close touch. They may not be flesh and blood to us but they're still family!
When I hear of people traveling to another state to visit family, I smile and think of all the open doors we have to walk through from coast to coast and to some extent, around the world...flesh and blood family and our friend-families. Deb - don't get tired of us yet, I'm sure we'll be back!
On my AOL account, I can save the names/email addresses under different categories - labeled family, friends, co-workers, etc. Under my "Family" category you'd find people who are not related to me via blood or marriage...and I love it when I put another friend-family member in it!
So as Christmas approaches, my heart is with my family and my friend-family...I wish you all, every one, the very Merriest Christmas!
When I hear of people who can't imagine leaving their babies in the care of anyone outside of their own flesh and blood, I shrug and smile at the memories of Anne and Lorne caring for Lisette when she was just a few months old. They were our fabulous Coast Guard friends back in California and we still keep in close touch. They may not be flesh and blood to us but they're still family!
When I hear of people traveling to another state to visit family, I smile and think of all the open doors we have to walk through from coast to coast and to some extent, around the world...flesh and blood family and our friend-families. Deb - don't get tired of us yet, I'm sure we'll be back!
On my AOL account, I can save the names/email addresses under different categories - labeled family, friends, co-workers, etc. Under my "Family" category you'd find people who are not related to me via blood or marriage...and I love it when I put another friend-family member in it!
So as Christmas approaches, my heart is with my family and my friend-family...I wish you all, every one, the very Merriest Christmas!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas Season
'Tis a beautiful season but such a busy one!
Yesterday morning, Jake's Elementary School had their Christmas concert. And yes, it was Christmas, not "Winter Holiday" Season. The concert was loosely based on the book/movie, "The Polar Express". Our favourite group was the KG3 class...nothing like a little group of 3 yr. olds up on a stage. We laughed until we nearly cried.
From the school, we stopped by our future house with the intention of showing the kids their freshly painted rooms but no one was at work so we couldn't get in. So John and I dropped the kids off at our present home, picked up my work bag and took off to a Christmas lunch.
The lunch was at the beautiful La Paz Golf Course, the highest golf course in the world. The club and its surroundings are breathtaking! John picked up a membership application - looking forward to spending more time there, plus the office picks up the tab for the dues! I hurried through lunch because I had to leave early to make it to work on time. The food was only slightly better than edible, unfortunately!
Work was quiet, lots of people from the Embassy have or were about to head back to the States for the holidays so I expect work will be less active over the next few weeks. I did get some paperwork done and had some time to get to know my co-workers a little better. They are great!
John came back to work after lunch too so we drove home together, I threw some baked beans on the stove and then headed to bed for a quick nap. Fifteen minutes helped but a few hours would have been better!
The five of us headed to our great friends, Diana and Rod's house for a big Christmas bash. They had three pigs aroasting...plus ribs on the BBQ. There ended up about a hundred people there and I really wish I had felt better rested so we could have stayed longer. As it was, we headed home at around 10:30...Jake had gone straight home from the party with his friend Jack for a sleepover and the girls were the ones pushing us out the door. Not many kids their age there.
Bedtime was about an hour later and I slept until noon. As we tend to blame everything on the altitude here, it very well might be the reason for my exhaustion but I think it's the abundance of activities on my schedule lately too. Either way, I feel better but still not energetic. An early bedtime tonight just might do the trick...hopefully, because it's looking like another busy week ahead!
Yesterday morning, Jake's Elementary School had their Christmas concert. And yes, it was Christmas, not "Winter Holiday" Season. The concert was loosely based on the book/movie, "The Polar Express". Our favourite group was the KG3 class...nothing like a little group of 3 yr. olds up on a stage. We laughed until we nearly cried.
From the school, we stopped by our future house with the intention of showing the kids their freshly painted rooms but no one was at work so we couldn't get in. So John and I dropped the kids off at our present home, picked up my work bag and took off to a Christmas lunch.
The lunch was at the beautiful La Paz Golf Course, the highest golf course in the world. The club and its surroundings are breathtaking! John picked up a membership application - looking forward to spending more time there, plus the office picks up the tab for the dues! I hurried through lunch because I had to leave early to make it to work on time. The food was only slightly better than edible, unfortunately!
Work was quiet, lots of people from the Embassy have or were about to head back to the States for the holidays so I expect work will be less active over the next few weeks. I did get some paperwork done and had some time to get to know my co-workers a little better. They are great!
John came back to work after lunch too so we drove home together, I threw some baked beans on the stove and then headed to bed for a quick nap. Fifteen minutes helped but a few hours would have been better!
The five of us headed to our great friends, Diana and Rod's house for a big Christmas bash. They had three pigs aroasting...plus ribs on the BBQ. There ended up about a hundred people there and I really wish I had felt better rested so we could have stayed longer. As it was, we headed home at around 10:30...Jake had gone straight home from the party with his friend Jack for a sleepover and the girls were the ones pushing us out the door. Not many kids their age there.
Bedtime was about an hour later and I slept until noon. As we tend to blame everything on the altitude here, it very well might be the reason for my exhaustion but I think it's the abundance of activities on my schedule lately too. Either way, I feel better but still not energetic. An early bedtime tonight just might do the trick...hopefully, because it's looking like another busy week ahead!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Official
I'm a university student. Paid for the first semester of my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) a few hours ago. It's all online and this Spring I'm taking a Chemistry class, an English Composition and a World Civilization course.
Good thing the kids like Dominga's cooking! Momma's gonna be busy!
Good thing the kids like Dominga's cooking! Momma's gonna be busy!
Catching My Breath
I worked a little longer than usual today - went in early so that I can go in late tomorrow as John's office is having its Christmas lunch. It ended up being a busy afternoon but I did manage to get a bunch done before it got that way.
The girls are finished with their exams, Jake's all done after tomorrow. Nicole was already feeling bored, which means she better come up with some things to do over the next four weeks! I'm hoping to get them signed up for some horseback riding, tennis and golf lessons...we need to go by the "club" this weekend and see what they have to keep them busy!
The latest on our shipment/Christmas baggage is that it might be here December 26th. Close but no cigar. Our fabulous shipping/customs guy here at the Embassy is on top of it, if there's a way to get it here before Christmas, he's the guy to get it done! Say a Christmas prayer for us!
The girls are finished with their exams, Jake's all done after tomorrow. Nicole was already feeling bored, which means she better come up with some things to do over the next four weeks! I'm hoping to get them signed up for some horseback riding, tennis and golf lessons...we need to go by the "club" this weekend and see what they have to keep them busy!
The latest on our shipment/Christmas baggage is that it might be here December 26th. Close but no cigar. Our fabulous shipping/customs guy here at the Embassy is on top of it, if there's a way to get it here before Christmas, he's the guy to get it done! Say a Christmas prayer for us!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Work, Party, Work
I haven't seen much of my kids lately. Between work (which I'm loving) and Christmas type get togethers, we've been spending too much time apart. Plus the girls have finals this week so they've been stuck up in their rooms studying.
Tonight the Embassy had a farewell party for the people from the DEA. Good ole Evo's kicking them out. Great people, sad to see them go.
Now it's near 11PM and I can't keep my eyes open or my yawning at bay. I'll try to write a longer blog in the morning!
Tonight the Embassy had a farewell party for the people from the DEA. Good ole Evo's kicking them out. Great people, sad to see them go.
Now it's near 11PM and I can't keep my eyes open or my yawning at bay. I'll try to write a longer blog in the morning!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Spirituality
Lisette sang at church today, she had a solo and did a wonderful job. Lisette does not consider herself Christian but does love spirituality and embraces the good in any religion. She and I have had some heated discussions over religion but the bottom line is that she has to find her own path. I'm not thrilled with some of her choices sometimes but overall, I don't worry about her too much. She's so brilliant and loving and giving, I'm confident she'll find the best path for herself and hopefully it will be something I'm comfortable with but I recognize that it isn't about me.
It was a long church service which included an adorable Christmas story played out by the children. There were quite a bit of mistakes but that just made it more beautiful...I couldn't tell you my favourite but when "Mary" came to tell "Joseph" that she was with child, he interrupted her with, "Ha ha. I know everything." We weren't quite sure that was the line he was supposed to say but the whole church cracked up. Quite a few gifted actors/actresses on stage!
Right near the end of the service, a young Bolivian lady from a neighbourhood church came to give a very heartfelt thank you to the American community for its involvement in her country. She was accompanied by a young man who played the piano for us and sang "Amazing Grace" - he had the voice of an angel. It was a good thing I had kleenex handy. Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes again.
So I left church feeling a spiritual fullness, that's all I ever ask of it. I want the same for whatever is at the end of Lisette's path for her.
It was a long church service which included an adorable Christmas story played out by the children. There were quite a bit of mistakes but that just made it more beautiful...I couldn't tell you my favourite but when "Mary" came to tell "Joseph" that she was with child, he interrupted her with, "Ha ha. I know everything." We weren't quite sure that was the line he was supposed to say but the whole church cracked up. Quite a few gifted actors/actresses on stage!
Right near the end of the service, a young Bolivian lady from a neighbourhood church came to give a very heartfelt thank you to the American community for its involvement in her country. She was accompanied by a young man who played the piano for us and sang "Amazing Grace" - he had the voice of an angel. It was a good thing I had kleenex handy. Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes again.
So I left church feeling a spiritual fullness, that's all I ever ask of it. I want the same for whatever is at the end of Lisette's path for her.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sucker For My Husband
Nearly twenty years of marriage and I'm still googly-eyed. I pulled myself out of bed this morning at 5:30 AM (redundant but can hardly believe it myself) so that I'd be ready to be picked up by his driver at six to go to the airport to meet John's flight. In the middle of the week, I had emailed John's sergeant to see if Felix (John's driver) was going straight to the airport from his home or if he had to go to the Embassy to pick up a vehicle first, thinking that I'd drive to the Embassy and hitch a ride with him but I didn't want him to come way out of his way to pick me up in Zona Sur (the suburbs). Randy informed me that Felix was going to be picking up his family in Zona Sur to take them to the airport for their flight so he could pick me up too. Perfect! At what time? Six? Choke, great!! So that's how it went.
John was standing at the baggage carousel, his flight being early for the first time EVER! I was able to sneak up behind him, to the amusement of Felix, and was rewarded with a shocked look, a grin and a big kiss. The bad news was that John's bags never made it...Santa is truly taunting our attempts to get gifts to our kids for Christmas! Hopefully they'll arrive tomorrow!
Jake had gone to a sleepover last night which turned into a "stay up all night" party so I tucked him into our bed and he had a five hour nap. He's a happy camper now, hopefully he'll be able to get to sleep at a decent hour tonight.
The girls went out for a quick lunch with John and I. We were caught in a mild hail storm when we left though. It was a great lunch, I adore my baby girls too.
So now I'll stop being all mushy. It's inevitable that one or all of them will drive me insane sometime this weekend in all probability. But for now they're just my precious family and we're all together. :-)
John was standing at the baggage carousel, his flight being early for the first time EVER! I was able to sneak up behind him, to the amusement of Felix, and was rewarded with a shocked look, a grin and a big kiss. The bad news was that John's bags never made it...Santa is truly taunting our attempts to get gifts to our kids for Christmas! Hopefully they'll arrive tomorrow!
Jake had gone to a sleepover last night which turned into a "stay up all night" party so I tucked him into our bed and he had a five hour nap. He's a happy camper now, hopefully he'll be able to get to sleep at a decent hour tonight.
The girls went out for a quick lunch with John and I. We were caught in a mild hail storm when we left though. It was a great lunch, I adore my baby girls too.
So now I'll stop being all mushy. It's inevitable that one or all of them will drive me insane sometime this weekend in all probability. But for now they're just my precious family and we're all together. :-)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Haiku Poet
My son received an award today. He was designate the fourth grade "Haiku Poet" and given the award at an assembly at school this morning. The girls and I attended (John's still away) where we hooted and hollered for our little man. I had thought I had a copy of his poem on my desk but alas, I do not but will definitely publish it here when I can get my hands on it! First, Lisette was our Shakespearean poet in Argentina last year, now Jake. What creative folks we are!
Work flew by yesterday. I've taken on a small project and spent most of the afternoon working on it. Hopefully it'll stay small! Another bigger project is scaring me a little but I'll move slower on that one and I have a great support system to help guide me.
We had friends over for delivery pizza dinner last night, then it was early to bed again. John's going to wonder about his work-worn wife when he gets back!
Work flew by yesterday. I've taken on a small project and spent most of the afternoon working on it. Hopefully it'll stay small! Another bigger project is scaring me a little but I'll move slower on that one and I have a great support system to help guide me.
We had friends over for delivery pizza dinner last night, then it was early to bed again. John's going to wonder about his work-worn wife when he gets back!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Bamako, Mali
Ever heard of it? Neither had I until last Friday when I received an email from a friend who had gone through Attache School with us. Her and her husband had gone to see a Diafarabe cattle crossing and her email described it beautifully, pictures and all. They're stationed in Mali (I knew that) whose capital is Bamako (didn't know that). Then today I received another email (a mass email thing for military families) and it describes how the V-22 Osprey had its first operational deployment exercise to Bamako, Mali. I don't even normally open these kinds of articles but today I did and there was Bamako - twice in less than a week. Freaky. Now you should do what I did and Google-map it!
Work has been great. Not much activity but I've managed to climb through the mountain of paperwork that is required for obtaining and getting paid for a government job. Now I'm ready to tackle some paperwork they need help with in the Health Unit. I already started this morning on the Internet. Yesterday was very exciting because I got my state.gov email address, it looks so official!
Yesterday morning I found out my angel son has been losing it at school a little again. I had a meeting with his teacher and the guidance counselor, they're somewhat concerned that the upheaval of the last few months has thrown him a little too much. I adore his teacher and the counselor is very sweet so I think between them and here at home, we can reign in his little issues and straighten him back on the road he's supposed to be on. I took Jake out to dinner just the two of us and we talked about it some. He's so bloody smart, I really think it's just a matter of maturing and learning to not take himself quite so seriously. He did get into two physical confrontations with a boy who's a year older...I was led to believe that no one was hurt but Jake was the one who got physical. Not allowed. He's off video games until we can arrange a get together with this boy and Jake. The funny thing is that I know this other boy and I think he and Jake would be great friends, they're very much alike! I'll keep you posted!
Work has been great. Not much activity but I've managed to climb through the mountain of paperwork that is required for obtaining and getting paid for a government job. Now I'm ready to tackle some paperwork they need help with in the Health Unit. I already started this morning on the Internet. Yesterday was very exciting because I got my state.gov email address, it looks so official!
Yesterday morning I found out my angel son has been losing it at school a little again. I had a meeting with his teacher and the guidance counselor, they're somewhat concerned that the upheaval of the last few months has thrown him a little too much. I adore his teacher and the counselor is very sweet so I think between them and here at home, we can reign in his little issues and straighten him back on the road he's supposed to be on. I took Jake out to dinner just the two of us and we talked about it some. He's so bloody smart, I really think it's just a matter of maturing and learning to not take himself quite so seriously. He did get into two physical confrontations with a boy who's a year older...I was led to believe that no one was hurt but Jake was the one who got physical. Not allowed. He's off video games until we can arrange a get together with this boy and Jake. The funny thing is that I know this other boy and I think he and Jake would be great friends, they're very much alike! I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
First Day Back to Work
I thoroughly enjoy my job. It's strange not to be so very busy at work...I'm used to the pace of an Intensive Care Unit. A Health Clinic in an Embassy is not a busy place ordinarily. It wasn't a busy place yesterday afternoon. We had two patients in the four hours I was there. I'm actually hoping that there will be lots of additional duties that I just haven't heard about yet. Either that or I'll be posting my blog entries from work.
For now my start time is 1 PM, I arrived at around 12:45 and everyone but one of the secretaries was at lunch still. I snooped around and set up my desk a bit until the other nurse got back and started my orientation. They'd warned me that the orientation would only take about an hour (I'm used to 7-14 day orientations) and they were not far off. Our doc is out of town but he's a great guy. We've got our Nurse Practitioner Patty, a full-time nurse Robyn and two secretaries Silvia and Paula. They're all extremely nice.
As "easy" as this job is compared to ICU nursing, the job is very different so I have lots to learn. No respiratory technician, no ECG technician, no lab technician for blood draws and we run our own pharmacy. Nothing terrifying but definitely different.
Robin had left for the day, Patty was at her Spanish class and Sylvia came to let me know that someone had come to be seen if possible, was I willing to see them? I said "Sure!" - trying to convince myself simultaneously that I could jump into this. It ended up being a simple diagnosis and it didn't require much medical knowledge to pull it off...more of a mom knowledge thing. Whew! I told Patty about it when she returned and she was very happy with my first patient interaction too.
Jake called me as soon as he got home. He was a little concerned about not having Mom-access but when I got home, he admitted that it wasn't bad at all. Another whew! It also didn't hurt that I came home to Dominga making dinner and a beautifully clean house. This we can all live with!
For now my start time is 1 PM, I arrived at around 12:45 and everyone but one of the secretaries was at lunch still. I snooped around and set up my desk a bit until the other nurse got back and started my orientation. They'd warned me that the orientation would only take about an hour (I'm used to 7-14 day orientations) and they were not far off. Our doc is out of town but he's a great guy. We've got our Nurse Practitioner Patty, a full-time nurse Robyn and two secretaries Silvia and Paula. They're all extremely nice.
As "easy" as this job is compared to ICU nursing, the job is very different so I have lots to learn. No respiratory technician, no ECG technician, no lab technician for blood draws and we run our own pharmacy. Nothing terrifying but definitely different.
Robin had left for the day, Patty was at her Spanish class and Sylvia came to let me know that someone had come to be seen if possible, was I willing to see them? I said "Sure!" - trying to convince myself simultaneously that I could jump into this. It ended up being a simple diagnosis and it didn't require much medical knowledge to pull it off...more of a mom knowledge thing. Whew! I told Patty about it when she returned and she was very happy with my first patient interaction too.
Jake called me as soon as he got home. He was a little concerned about not having Mom-access but when I got home, he admitted that it wasn't bad at all. Another whew! It also didn't hurt that I came home to Dominga making dinner and a beautifully clean house. This we can all live with!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Busy Street
This morning I slept in then showered, changed and got ready for the day. Shortly after starting up the computer, my friend Christine called to see if I was going to the artisan fair at the school again today (not sure if I mentioned it but I went yesterday) - I was but first I needed a coffee.
We actually didn't head to the fair until around noon. Spent some money and saved some money, had a snack and then went to the grocery store. Just an average weekend outing around here.
When we returned, we found Lisette sprawled out on the couch downstairs suffering with the Bolivian crud. I gave her Imodium and Pepto Bismal but it hasn't improved her situation too much as of yet. She's still on the couch. Poor baby!
So - to the "Busy Street" - the Attache kids were to meet at Burger King to celebrate birthdays and Christmas...a good excuse as ever to get together. Since Lisette was down and out, I talked Nicole into going with me to make an appearance and we'd just get takeout. When I opened our driveway gate, there were a dozen sheep walking down our street! I could barely get more than, "Whaaa...loook...wow!" out of my mouth! Nicole grabbed her phone to take pictures while I grabbed my phone to get Jake outside to see. Just as the sheep passed by, Nicole yelled "Cows!" - yup, three cows to go with the small herd of sheep. The shepherd meandered past with a few dogs shortly thereafter. We live in a pretty crowded, residential area so I have no clue where these animals were coming from or headed to but how cool was that?
By the way...Burger King sucks here but the Attache families are great!
We actually didn't head to the fair until around noon. Spent some money and saved some money, had a snack and then went to the grocery store. Just an average weekend outing around here.
When we returned, we found Lisette sprawled out on the couch downstairs suffering with the Bolivian crud. I gave her Imodium and Pepto Bismal but it hasn't improved her situation too much as of yet. She's still on the couch. Poor baby!
So - to the "Busy Street" - the Attache kids were to meet at Burger King to celebrate birthdays and Christmas...a good excuse as ever to get together. Since Lisette was down and out, I talked Nicole into going with me to make an appearance and we'd just get takeout. When I opened our driveway gate, there were a dozen sheep walking down our street! I could barely get more than, "Whaaa...loook...wow!" out of my mouth! Nicole grabbed her phone to take pictures while I grabbed my phone to get Jake outside to see. Just as the sheep passed by, Nicole yelled "Cows!" - yup, three cows to go with the small herd of sheep. The shepherd meandered past with a few dogs shortly thereafter. We live in a pretty crowded, residential area so I have no clue where these animals were coming from or headed to but how cool was that?
By the way...Burger King sucks here but the Attache families are great!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Wild Blue Yonder
24 hours after John got home he's off again. This time to an exercise in Arizona. I'm hoping he had a good sleep last night, all this traveling isn't healthy especially back to back trips like this.
Yesterday was very busy. I headed to the Embassy at around 11...my employment contract was ready and I planned to finally see my husband for lunch! I picked up my employment package, very exciting but the wage was relatively disappointing. They explained that the position paid the highest of all the EFM (Eligible Family Member) jobs. It's the same salary as I was making over 10 years ago in Pensacola. Oh, well, the job will be fun!
John and I had lunch then looked over the paint colours I'd chosen for the house. I grabbed a taxi home and fiddled on the computer before driving over to meet John at the house to drop off our colour choices. Unfortunately, the project manager wasn't there so I'll have to get them to him on Monday.
From the house, we drove over and picked up a bed for Dominga. It's not much of a bed, more like a futon but much better than the rug she keeps offering to sleep on!
We then picked up Carlene and John's driver took Carlene and I to the birthday party we were going to. It was at an Argentine Attache spouse's home and we had a really good time. Everyone is exceptionally patient with my Spanish and when I'm completely at a loss Carlene acts as my interpreter. We sat with a bunch of Brazilian Attache spouses and the Ecuadorian Attache spouse. They're awesome!
Directly from the birthday party I met my family at the school for Lisette's Music Concert. It was the High School and Middle School band and chorus concert. Most acts were good to very good and the few that weren't so hot were either blissfully short or overtly funny.
Nicole went to a sleepover from the concert, Jake had Manny come home with us and Lisette went straight upstairs to begin studying for her exams in a few weeks. We had some of the dinner Dominga had prepared and left warm for us.
The "boys" and I decorated our Christmas tree but the lights were a bust. Looks like I'll be buying some treelights here in the next few days.
At around 9, John and I crossed the street to the Marine House to participate in the farewell party of one of the Marines. We didn't stay long, partly because John still needed to repack for his trip and partly because I was wiped. When we move, I'm going to miss the ease of which we get to the Marine House festivities they so often have!
Yesterday was very busy. I headed to the Embassy at around 11...my employment contract was ready and I planned to finally see my husband for lunch! I picked up my employment package, very exciting but the wage was relatively disappointing. They explained that the position paid the highest of all the EFM (Eligible Family Member) jobs. It's the same salary as I was making over 10 years ago in Pensacola. Oh, well, the job will be fun!
John and I had lunch then looked over the paint colours I'd chosen for the house. I grabbed a taxi home and fiddled on the computer before driving over to meet John at the house to drop off our colour choices. Unfortunately, the project manager wasn't there so I'll have to get them to him on Monday.
From the house, we drove over and picked up a bed for Dominga. It's not much of a bed, more like a futon but much better than the rug she keeps offering to sleep on!
We then picked up Carlene and John's driver took Carlene and I to the birthday party we were going to. It was at an Argentine Attache spouse's home and we had a really good time. Everyone is exceptionally patient with my Spanish and when I'm completely at a loss Carlene acts as my interpreter. We sat with a bunch of Brazilian Attache spouses and the Ecuadorian Attache spouse. They're awesome!
Directly from the birthday party I met my family at the school for Lisette's Music Concert. It was the High School and Middle School band and chorus concert. Most acts were good to very good and the few that weren't so hot were either blissfully short or overtly funny.
Nicole went to a sleepover from the concert, Jake had Manny come home with us and Lisette went straight upstairs to begin studying for her exams in a few weeks. We had some of the dinner Dominga had prepared and left warm for us.
The "boys" and I decorated our Christmas tree but the lights were a bust. Looks like I'll be buying some treelights here in the next few days.
At around 9, John and I crossed the street to the Marine House to participate in the farewell party of one of the Marines. We didn't stay long, partly because John still needed to repack for his trip and partly because I was wiped. When we move, I'm going to miss the ease of which we get to the Marine House festivities they so often have!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Home Again, Home Again
John's home...for now!
I haven't seen him yet, he had to go straight to work from the airport...poor baby!
Hmmmm. Yesterday. It was somewhat frustrating. I had to wait until 3:30 to have access to my car, an Embassy vehicle was blocking me in and John gave his driver the keys to it when we left for Florida. Not the end of the world, truly but I had places to go...that sort of thing. Our paint colour choices for the house we're moving into next month (?) are still sitting in my car, waiting to be delivered. I found out our shipment from the evacuation which has basically ALL of our Christmas gifts in it has fallen off the face of the earth. They're trying to track it from both ends now...prayers, please.
The kids and I went out to have sushi to celebrate the university acceptances. It was a yummy meal though expensive by Bolivian standards. Well worth it for my baby girl!!
I'm expecting an official job offer today. They thought they might get it to me yesterday but I haven't seen anything yet.
Hopefully today will be less frustrating and bring welcome, good news! I wish the same to you all!!!
I haven't seen him yet, he had to go straight to work from the airport...poor baby!
Hmmmm. Yesterday. It was somewhat frustrating. I had to wait until 3:30 to have access to my car, an Embassy vehicle was blocking me in and John gave his driver the keys to it when we left for Florida. Not the end of the world, truly but I had places to go...that sort of thing. Our paint colour choices for the house we're moving into next month (?) are still sitting in my car, waiting to be delivered. I found out our shipment from the evacuation which has basically ALL of our Christmas gifts in it has fallen off the face of the earth. They're trying to track it from both ends now...prayers, please.
The kids and I went out to have sushi to celebrate the university acceptances. It was a yummy meal though expensive by Bolivian standards. Well worth it for my baby girl!!
I'm expecting an official job offer today. They thought they might get it to me yesterday but I haven't seen anything yet.
Hopefully today will be less frustrating and bring welcome, good news! I wish the same to you all!!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Universities...Take Two
Yesterday afternoon, Lisette found out that University of Central Florida has accepted her too! Whew! What a day!
While talking about it all on the couch last night, we both got a bit emotional because these acceptances have made the reality that this is really going to happen...that she's leaving the nest, hit us a little harder. Then I quickly slipped back to denial while she slipped back to the celebration mode.
Nicole had a soccer game last night, I chose to stay home to celebrate with Lisette and missed out on her hat trick! Three goals!! The Bolivian boys from the other side (they played a local girls club team) were hollering "Numero Uno" - Nicole was wearing her goalies shirt with the number 1 on it. She couldn't understand all that they were yelling but her teammate told her they wanted her to blow them kisses. She refused. Ha!
The house is partly decorated for Christmas - hopefully I can finish the rest today. If I'm really good, I'll post pictures!
While talking about it all on the couch last night, we both got a bit emotional because these acceptances have made the reality that this is really going to happen...that she's leaving the nest, hit us a little harder. Then I quickly slipped back to denial while she slipped back to the celebration mode.
Nicole had a soccer game last night, I chose to stay home to celebrate with Lisette and missed out on her hat trick! Three goals!! The Bolivian boys from the other side (they played a local girls club team) were hollering "Numero Uno" - Nicole was wearing her goalies shirt with the number 1 on it. She couldn't understand all that they were yelling but her teammate told her they wanted her to blow them kisses. She refused. Ha!
The house is partly decorated for Christmas - hopefully I can finish the rest today. If I'm really good, I'll post pictures!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Hot Off the Press!!
Lisette's been accepted to Florida State University!!!!!!!!!
Her first choice and her first trial at application...I'm so proud and happy for her I could barf! Ha!
The wake (Sunday night) and funeral (Monday morning) for Abuela Luisa was very nice, the internment was painful but they always are. We all went to John's sister Cuqui's house afterward and had a fun time chatting and playing with babies. John's family is simply wonderful, I know how tough it can be when there's any underlying bitterness or feuding...and it never makes sense, especially at a time like that. But with this family, we all enjoyed each other's company and there were a million heartfelt hugs and kisses exchanged. John and I were the first to break up the party as we had to head to the airport. More hugs and kisses right up to the ones through the car window. Yes, we are blessed.
John's flight was at six-thirty but I had a long wait at the airport, more than five hours to be exact. They were spent at the American Airlines lounge, I was lucky. I read, I ate and I read some more. Finished one book and started another. The flight was delayed but we finally got out at around midnight. Didn't sleep great but then I never expect to, we landed around 7. As soon as I got home, I headed straight to bed to sleep for another two and a half hours.
Yesterday I had a Christmas tea to attend which ended up being a blast. Unfortunately, the time spent up to the tea was a minor nightmare. My taxi didn't arrive, my daughter ended up blocking my cell phone so I couldn't use it and nobody was answering their phones! Ahhhh! I lost it to a minor degree (well, mostly minor), Carlene convinced me to come anyway, bottom line...I called another cab company and enjoyed the tea immensely.
Today is FSU celebration and Christmas decorating!!!!
Her first choice and her first trial at application...I'm so proud and happy for her I could barf! Ha!
The wake (Sunday night) and funeral (Monday morning) for Abuela Luisa was very nice, the internment was painful but they always are. We all went to John's sister Cuqui's house afterward and had a fun time chatting and playing with babies. John's family is simply wonderful, I know how tough it can be when there's any underlying bitterness or feuding...and it never makes sense, especially at a time like that. But with this family, we all enjoyed each other's company and there were a million heartfelt hugs and kisses exchanged. John and I were the first to break up the party as we had to head to the airport. More hugs and kisses right up to the ones through the car window. Yes, we are blessed.
John's flight was at six-thirty but I had a long wait at the airport, more than five hours to be exact. They were spent at the American Airlines lounge, I was lucky. I read, I ate and I read some more. Finished one book and started another. The flight was delayed but we finally got out at around midnight. Didn't sleep great but then I never expect to, we landed around 7. As soon as I got home, I headed straight to bed to sleep for another two and a half hours.
Yesterday I had a Christmas tea to attend which ended up being a blast. Unfortunately, the time spent up to the tea was a minor nightmare. My taxi didn't arrive, my daughter ended up blocking my cell phone so I couldn't use it and nobody was answering their phones! Ahhhh! I lost it to a minor degree (well, mostly minor), Carlene convinced me to come anyway, bottom line...I called another cab company and enjoyed the tea immensely.
Today is FSU celebration and Christmas decorating!!!!
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