Saving Lives and Stamping out Disease

Boredom Blogathon - More Clarian North Fun

While my wife took a nap, it became necessary to forage for food here.  On the way, I found the Family Recreation Room.  It is both larger and nicer than my house.

It has a sink, refrigerator, coffee machine, a place to eat and a laundry facility.

There is a little living room area with a fireplace.

Sadly, the fireplace was not on.

There is even a little play area for kids.

Here is a second gathering area.

Here is a longer shot of the room.

 

This is the taco meat.  Yes, real meat.  This alone is nicer than anything at the Wiz or the Mothership.

I think the dining area looks a lot like it belongs in a casino.

On the Other Side of the Fence - Fun at Clarian North

If you know me, you know that I really love medicine.  I deeply enjoy the process of solving problems, fixing people, and making people feel a little better.  I do not, however, enjoy being on the receiving end of the system.  Worse, I go crazy when it is a loved on that is stuck on the other side of the fence.  This time, it is my wife.  We have been at Clarian North hospital now for 18 hours or so and I am climbing the walls.   The only solution to this is to blog.

The stay so far:

The stay here began yesterday morning when my wife decided it would be a prudent to develop intractable nausea and vomiting.  We're currently of the opinion that this is due to an infectious process rather than the evil seed growing within her.  Sure, it looked like she was going to actually throw up her anus at one point in time, but through the miracle of zofran and fluids, she looks a lot less like she belongs in the Exorcist. It was my hope that we would go home this morning to convalesce in the Weger Home for Injured and Wayward Animals Nurses but Dr. Starr is a bit more conservative in his management.  I can't fault his judgment at all, I am just impatient.

Reviews:

Nurse: Aime from L&D - She totally rocked.  I was very pleased with her care and would recommend her as a nurse anywhere.  She was attentive, proactive, and fun to be around. I would happily have her care for any family member of mine.

Nurse: Lana from the Women's Unit - Lana was a lot of fun and got my wife tucked in for the evening.  We didn't get a lot of interaction, mainly because she actually got to rest.  That was quite nice.

Nurse XXXXXX:  Sadly Nurse XXXXX was not on her "A game".  We spent a fair amount of time explaining that Tylenol could be given rectally for fever and pain relief.  She didn't believe us.  Thankfully she was not involved in our primary care.  The PR tylenol was successfully delivered.

Carly from Guest relations - She made it feel like we had our on concierge.  Sadly we can't go check out the local food or shopping scene.  We can, however check out DVDs.

Dr. Louis Starr:  I like the guy.  He is very matter-of-fact.  He has a solid rationale for his plan of care and he appears to be a very low-stress guy.  I trust his clinical judgment and feel very comfortable with my wife in his care.  I also get the impression that he can handle any issues that come up.

Clarian North Hospital: 

• The cafeteria is well done and has a restaurant feel to it. Their breakfast selection made it possible for me to proceed through the morning without the desire to harm myself or others.   
• Sadly, the coffee bar serves only Starbucks. While most would not find this an issue, I prefer coffee that does not taste like ass. 
• The rooms are exceptionally nice.  My one criticism are the painful pull-out bed/chairs that have inflicted me with a case of scoliosis and a cervical dislocation.

This blog post will be updated as the "experience grows".

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Dear Fast Food,

We've been together for awhile... longer than most relationships last.  You were always there for me when I needed you.  I could find you just about anywhere I needed.  Between the hours of 6am and 3am, a whole host of calorically abysmal treats were available for me to subsist on.  You made it so I did not have to think or prepare for my day.  A quick hello, some cash changed hands, and a non-english-speaking individual would hand me a steaming sack of something fried.  Sure, the order was wrong as often as it was right, but who doesn't love the surprise of real coke when expecting diet?

The truth is, you are smothering me.  Your additions to my midsection, neck, and thighs remind me that you were there.  Sometimes you just have to say goodbye.   I know that, even after you are gone, part of you will always live on in my arteries.  I have to grow up and cook on my own now.  Sure it will cost a little more, both in time and money, but I have found someone new in my life, me.  Yes, it is all about me, not you.  True, you may consider it selfish for me to think of myself and not of you, but I am ok with that.  I will always look in my car where your bags and wrappers once littered the seats and floors.  Real people will now take their place, sorry.

I am sure you will find others to seduce with you quick and easy access, your salty allure, and your sea of trans-fats.  You'll survive.  Without you, I will too.

XOXOXOXO,

Ben