Happy New Year - Happy Holidays

Due justice. This is the former Utah state trooper, Brian Smith believed to have been the shooter in the Dallas Christmas nightmare shootings which I referenced in the previous post.

Sorry so late in getting this up, but my internet was down for a week. HORRORS!!!! How can one be expected to survive! Anyway. . . back up and running now.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472296,00.html <----- here is a link to the story.

It seems former Trooper Smith was addicted to pain killers and resigned his post last May. We shall never really know the motives for the killings, as Trooper Smith shot himself, ended up unresponsive and was taken off life support.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the families for those who lost their loved one.

Happy holidays, I hope yours was GRAND. Be careful out there tonight. And please don't be like the idiots in Dallas who "shoot out" the new year to bring in the new! Say what????

Yeah, you can stand on the dock of XYZ trauma center and hear the gun fire begin to go off at 11 PM because the dumb bunnies are out there watching Dick Clark's New Years rocking eve and thinking the ball fell already. Nutters!

Be careful. Use a taxi or designated driver. More trauma to come!

Detox update: Christmas alcohol units: 4 (hey, the parentals alcoholrequired)

Calories: too many to count

Been doing okay, except for that day. Last night to drink! Allowing self glasses champagne. Then, cold turkey for 2009! I save my wine bottle corks in glass vases. So, maybe for each day I don't drink, I will take a cork out. By the end of 2009 - I should be even!

Christmas Trucker Tragic Trauma

No doubt you have heard the national news about the trucks who were shot at last night. Two were killed in three separate tragic drive by shootings, likely all related by same shooter in Dallas last night.

As I drove home from work last night around 7 PM, I passed both of the 18 wheelers on LBJ freeway. Cops cars surrounded the site. As I passed by in the opposite lane, I saw one of the slain truckers, the young man from Kentucky slumped over his wheel. So sad.

As he was dying, word has it that he managed to slow his 18 wheeler rig to a completed stop to prevent a huge multi-car pile up in rush hour traffic. A hero in death. He was hauling someone's goods via United Van lines. Now, he will never make it home for Christmas.

Damn you gang shooter! I hope you burn in hell for taking two lives last night. And for attempting a third. I hope people watch this video, track down your car, and bring you to swift justice for this senseless tragedy. Two families will be mourning Christmas forever now. Thank God you missed the third victim.

Watch now!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtKHR3EsXT4

Please watch the above video from youtube.com If you know this car or license plate, please contact 911 immediately. My thoughts and prayers today are for your family. May your soul RIP. Let us all here remember that life is short. Carpe diem.

Detox update which seems silly to post today in light of tragedy: Day 2 Successful

Alcohol units - 0; Crufierous veggies - five; On program - yes!

Day One Glory! Plus Great Resusc Story

Alcohol units - 0

Calories - scant

Fast with Magical Juice - SUCCESSFUL!!!

Weight loss in one day - 5 pounds! God I love diuresis!!!

Yeah for me! I got through day one. I never complain about my health or aches or pains, but holy moly I had a massive headache last night and this AM from no caffiene all day. GAWD it hurt. And made me, well. . . less than pleasant to hubby.

(Cartoon courtesy of: www.cartoonstock.com)

Okay, so Day one complete and thank to diuresis I pee'd off 5 pounds of fluid! Joy and success. I know this is just water loss but seeing the scale go down is a mental helper. It gives me motivation to keep going. I am midday into Day 2 - liver lovin' veggies and slimming star foods.

Here is what I had for breakfast:

Massive cup of coffee - joy!

2 scrambled eggs with cumin and chilipowder for spice - Yum!

Lunch:

1 cup natural yogurt low fat with 3/3 cup raspberries

Baby raw carrots

Plum

Planned dinner:

Slow cooked chicken breast (in crock pot as I type)

Broccoli and cauliflower (steamed and then dabbled with some of the chickenjuice)

- I admit I am using the power of positive thinking to choke down the cauliflower.

Cooked carrots

Baked apple with 1 tbs ground flax and cinnamon on top (gotta get that flax in as forgot to put it in yogurt)

I am going to be honest. Technically you should not have coffee. But I don't smoke. And I have given up alcohol. I limit myself to one diet coke a day. And get in all my water. So, sorry. . . . on this point I am NOT flexible. I drink my coffee strong and black. So. . .my liver will have to forgive me this one vice. Goal: being totally honest here in my liver de-tox experiment. I will report the results at the top of my blog daily for a bit. Acountability. Accountability.

Now for the GREAT resusc story. It really is about the ABCs.

I got a call to help staff the ICU. My current role is as a hospital base nurse educator. We were getting in a post V-Tach/V-Fib arrest (lethal rhythms, i.e you are dead if we don't fix those - for those not medical) Careflighted from a small hospital in Durant, OK. He had been defibbed 4 times prior to arrival. Entubated. Shocked another two times on the cath lab table. He was stented x 3 to his LAD.

Yahoo! Just my kinda patient. I couldn't pull on my scrubs fast enough. Off I went. I got there just as he rolled in. Femoral sheaths still in place. Five drips: Dopamine; Integrilin; Amiodarone; Propofol; and mainline fluids. LOVIN IT!!!! He was having reperfusion arrythmias with short runs of V-tach. Still on the vent. His sheath was oozing and he required some direct pressure to his groin as his ACT was still too high.

I got the story: he was 72, woke up "not feeling good." Smoked 2 ppd. Called daughter to take him to hospital. She was delayed. So . . .(don't they all do this UGGH) drove himself. He arrived to triage with the complaint, "I just don't feel right." Triage was not busy, so took him back for vitals. As she is getting them, his eyes roll back. He is out! PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity). She calls a code.

He is bagged and CPR begun. Then he V-tachs the first time. Shock. Airway was maintained beautifully with bagging. They continue to code. Shock him again. When they get his rhythm back he has HUGE ST elevation in his V lead.

Small town ER doc calls for air evac transport. He is started on TPA. In the chopper, he arrests again. V-tach requiring two more shocks. He is tubed at this point. Great bagging continues. We are the only cath lab spot open. He is taken to XYZ hospital. On the cath lab table, they shock him another two times in-between stents.

So, now I have him. The BIG QUESTION with post arrests is: neuro status. We can often fix the heart. But if the responders didn't give super-duper quality basic life support. -with great airway! Forget it. You now have a veg head.

About 20 minutes into my caring for him, I repeated a neuro check. My co-worker was just shaking his head. Sad case. Six shocks. All wagered he'd be a gomer! As I asked him, "Mr. Wilson. . . can you hear me?" Suddenly, he nodded. I thought I was seeing things. So I sternally rubbed him and asked again. OMG. . he shook his head! CRIKEY!

I shouted, "Hey. . great news. . .he is bloody well in there! Christ almighty, wadda ya know!" His wife was elated. She gave me the biggest hug. I had her hold his hand and kiss him. When doc rounded, I told him "Dude. . have I gotta a surprise for you!" He said, "Yeah, I know I fixed his heart. But I bet he isn't in there." I lead him by the hand. "Go ask him to shake your hand." He did. "OMG! He's there." I said, "You did good work in there. " Tears welled in his eyes. "Yeah, somedays I like my job." And I said, "We oughta be buying the guys up in Durant a big steak dinner!" He said, "No doubt." Then, he wanted to know if I would sign off his ACLS renewal as he used all the algorhythms today! Haha. . .for SURE I will.

Just goes to show you. It really is ALL about the ABCs. Airway, airway, airway.

Massive Liver Detox

Alcohol units 6 Cal > 3000 Choco units 4 Exercise 0

That was yesterday. However, my massive live detox began in earnest today. It was time. Way past time. Why a week before Christmas you ask? Massochistic? Stupid? Insane? Probably, but the inner voice moved me today. I must listen.

I woke up and set out only to research how to do it, but I came across a lovely plan that included my favorites. No colonic hot salt water flushes. No cayenne lemonades. No 21 day fasts. So, I was SOLD! It starts with a one day fast. Surely I can do one day!

You fast drinking this lovely concoction of fresh cranberry juice, lemon juice and grapefruit juice. It says orange, but I had grapefruits on hand. Dash of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The morning cup also included ground flax seeds. Which I had from my previous unsuccessful Fat Flush plan of 2003. Yes they were still good and weavel free!

I made the juice and heated it as directed. Added ground my flax seeds to the morning cup and I was off! It is frigidly cold, so the warm cranberry juice tasted marvelous. I drank the required one with the flax, a bit chewy at the end. So I swashed down a second cup of juice to enjoy flax free. Yum!

Seriously, I don't adhere to gross, weird-strange fasts, colonic irrigations or yucky tasting diet foods. So if they don't taste good, I simply won't do it. But something had to change. I am Oprah on steroids. I can quote verbatim just about every diet, weight watcher foot point and calorie. I know the plans like the back of my hand. But I have been wallowing post divorce now for. . . oh, three years.

Once, I kept a weight loss journal and documented on a graph my weight gains and losses over time. Shocking to see it on paper, but I had gained and lost over 70 pounds at least three times. You might think that being a nurse, I should know better. But many nurses are artisans at self abusive and destructive behaviors. As caretakers we often care not for ourselves.

My one to two glass of wine whilst cooking dinner (which started circa 1996 with my crumbling marriage) had quickly advanced to half a bottle on a good day, and full bottle on a bad day. I swear, even under the massive poundage, I could feel that organ growing. It was time.

I just hope it isn't too late. Cirrhosis is a nasty thing. So, I am keeping the faith. Desperately committing to the detox. And we shall see. Day 2 involves live loving veggies such as berries, artichokes, broccoli, beetroots and cauliflower (which I dont' like...but will try); natural yogurt; eggs; and of course flax seeds! You consume those items during the next two days.

Then, it is a healthy consumption of whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean proteins. I was successful on this prior to my post in Sydney. I think I can do it. I know I can do it. I feel like the little engine who could.

See this site for more info: Best Liver Detox Diet Ever!
http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=990025

I am going to read more on Day 2 for quantities and recipes. I have also ordered my Fat Flush herbs and Liver Lovin' herbs from Unikey. Those are helpful too. I have failed way too many times, but this time, I am determined!! Cooowwwwwbbbbuuunnngggaaaaa!!!!!!

The key to any program is simple: eat less, exercise more. Fix the head f&*k that made you overeat. And above all - STICK TO IT!!!!!! I will keep you all posted on my progress. I am determined to NOT be one of our orange pumpkin patients.

Domestic Violence and Corruption

I was recently appalled to hear of several heinous crimes and murders that took place in a small community south of our big metroplex. What is even more outrageous is that these crimes NEVER made the news. NEVER. Not one word of them, yet they occured in the last half of this year.

Photo courtesy of: www.solitairemiles.com

Case # 1 Domestic violence, murder. Wife shaggin boyfriend. Husband jealous. Demands her back. She goes back and is beat up. Then boyfriend furious that wife returned to hubby. Ties her up naked for two days. Cuts her. She finally espapes and crawls to neighbor, near death. Neighbor calls 911. Boyfriend sobers up and catches her escaping whilst she has collapsed on neighbors doorstep. Drags her by the hair back to home. Threatens neighbor with gun. Neighbor afraid to shoot as he will hit wife. As police arrive, boyfriend threatnes he will slit her throat. Police bust in. BF slits her throat. She strangles in her own blood.

Case #2 Domestic violence, double suicide. Wife returns from shaggin bf. Bf after shaggin has beat her up. Hubby pissed that wife out. Beats her up a second time, all in front of tiny tot. 911 alerted by neighbor. Police arrive. Arrest hubby. Wife distraught and mental. Brain not the best after long drug use. Stabs self in self flagellation 9 times in front of tiny tot. 911 called again. Police arrive to find wife slumped in pool of blood. Tiny tot sitting in and crying, "why won't Mommy wake up." Tot taken to hospital for check, physically fine. No one to care for tot, so Daddy dearest let out of jail. Daddy returns to home. Sees chaos and blood and hears of wife's successful suicide. Offs self with overdose of Clonipin and tranquilizers whilst tot at home. Now tot parentless.

Case #3 DWI, corruption. City councilman busted for driving whilst intoxicated. Asks cop, "don't you know who I am?" Cop replies, "Of course I do, I pulled your plates - and its a small town." City councilman retorts, "well if you bust me, I guess you don't value your job." Cop replies, "You are breaking the law. It doesn't matter who you are." Sargeant consulted. Agrees to bust. Chief requests, "just make this go away." Cop refuses. Cop suspended.

None of these cases ever made the press. None ever made the nightly news. Why is that? Well, as luck would have it. . . or as corrupt city governments would have it, Glenn Heights is being marketed as a great place to live. A peaceful community where one should build a home. In great proximity to our fine Big Bad Dallas. - and it doesn't hurt that the Chief of Police is also the city manager, thus up the backside of the city council. Uh....huh. Case # 3 although not domestic violence is testament to the wacky code of justice in this PD and small town.

How do I know these crimes took place? A cop buddy of mine has worked in another small town land and knows as fact of these busts. These Core Values. . .are part of the mission statement for said small town.

Glenn Heights Police DepartmentMission and Core of Values
Mission Statement
"It is the mission of the Glenn Heights Police Department to provide services with integrity and dedication, to preserve life, to enforce the law, and to work in partnership with the community to enhance the quality of life in the city of Glenn Heights"Core Values
WE RESPECT LIFE...

We hold the preservation of life is our sacred duty. Our values of human life set our priorities.
WE REVERE THE TRUTH...

We accept nothing less than truth, honesty, and integrity in our profession.
WE ENFORCE THE LAW...

We recognize that our basic responsibility is to enforce the law. Our role is to resolve problems through the law, not to judge or punish.
WE SEEK COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP...

We view the people of our community as partners who deserve our concern, care and attention. We are committed to reducing the fear of crime in our community, and we endeavor to do this by creating partnerships in our neighborhoods.
WE HONOR OUR POLICE POWERS...

We understand that our powers are derived from the people we serve. We do not tolerate the abuse of our police authority.
WE CONDUCT OURSELVES WITH DIGNITY...

We recognize that our personal conduct, both on and off duty, is inseparable from the professional reputation of both the officer and the department.
This code is used by:
Glenn Heights Police Department

I guess the city manager....er Chief of Police....has a little trouble living by his own code due to (yet again) TPTB. I ask you, if corruption and hideous crimes against women can happen at this level . . . and we don't hear about it to protect the "reputation" of a community. . . then how in the world is ANY education we provide to those we serve going to ever help and assist victims to come forward?

How are we ever going to stop the admissions to our emergency departments of women and men plagued by this epidemic? We must STOP domestic violence now!

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 911. Here is more information on this important topic: http://www.genesisshelter.org/dv_stats.php

Saving the Day

Many apologies to loyal readers who have checked and re-checked only to find that my pages were no longer updated. The reason? Censorship.

Long story short, TPTB read said blog and deemed unprofessional. I thought long and hard about what to do. Open a new blog. Erase, cut and paste previous posts. Succumb to the pressure.

And decided, NO. My blog is my therapeutic exercise and outlet for my dabble in writing. I publish professional stuff for my nursing career. These are my "say what?" pages. These are my musings on nursing and medicine and life in general.

So to Catherine of Petite Anglaise and Helen Fielding of Bridget Jones. . . .and especially our own Mother Jones of the blogging world. . . .thank you! Thank you for the encouragement, motivation, and cattle prods to keep going. I love your work you three by the way!!!! MAJOR KUDOS. Please, if you enjoy this site. . .you will love the others:

Petite Anglaise

http://www.petiteanglaise.com/

Secretary blogger who sued her firm for firing her over writing her blog and WON! -and turned it into a best selling book deal!

Bridget Jones

www.friendsoffirth.com/bjd/columns.html

This is an archive site in homage to the original Bridget Jones columns that appeared in the Brit tabloid The Independent that inspired the movies and then were briefly resurrected in 2006.

Nurse Rached

http://www.nurseratchedsplace.com/

This is the home of Mother Jones the best in my opinion of all nursing blogs. Homage!

I will continue to write!