So early in the morning, I did my bed-making and shower routine, then as my mentor is busy preparing to prepare cytotoxic drugs for a chemo patient, one of the senior staff asked me whether I want to see lumbar puncture and I said absolutely. I'm sure as you all know by now, procedure is a fun thing to do, only if you know what you are doing. So I helped the nurse prepare some equipments like the syringes. Then when the patient come in,. I tried to calm her as the prof prepare himself. Seeing as how the staff is also a little busy, I get to help the prof by pouring him his Povidone and tearing open the equipment packages if needed. Near the important part, due to being unable to get the important CSF fluids, the prof requested me to go to the patient and bend her shoulders and head a little, which I did. The patient is so frightened til she felt at the brink of tears and I kept saying things like, "Madam, I'm right here with you. There's no need to be so frightened." "If you feel any pain, breathe in and out. Come, madam, breathe in...breathe out... Good, good." "Madam, it's nearly done. Just a little more." I let her hold my hands tight and I hug her close as the prof dug his needle in and what a relief, it's a success and we have CSF fluid flowing. Hooray. The patient was happy that I gave her psychological support that she couldn't stop thanking me. Well, it is my job to give support besides doing procedures.
After that, I went to help out at carrying patients, and I was given the chance to send patients for scans and to the clinics. The first time, it was for a CT scan with an attendant. Then because no one was free, I was assigned to take a patient to the Eye Clinic. After getting the directions, I managed to deliver the patient safely to the clinic and be with her all the way to the end. And due to me being overcome with fatigue, I was given roti canai, which was given by a long term patient who has finally discharged but had the roti canai delivered to everyone. The most surprising thing was the patient had the person packed into sets where everyone gets two pieces of roti canai, and their own curry and dhaal so that there's no need to share. I have to say it was such a kind gesture that he appreciates us, and finally, finally, after several frustrations of unable to get roti canai at the cafeteria (They always sell out fast no matter what time I go), I get to eat them for tea.
After the roti canai, I was supposed to do vital signs, but since I came back a little late, the other nurses took care of it for me. So I attended the call bells. I also finally gotten my first ever pay slip. Yay. Then, because I felt a little bored, I offered to do a feeding for the good ol long term uncle, mainly because I'm scared that I'll be out of practice like ECG and many others. Thank the Lord I could still do it right by remembering all the important points, clamp, aspirate, hold high as you feed, and maintain patient in fowler.
In between, there's a fuss going on. I entered a patient's room and I found him being a little short on breath and he was lying flat on his bed. Ohhhh, I quickly raised his bed to fowler and asked him whether he's alright and he merely said, "I felt a little short on breath. Please give me a Ventolin puff/ inhaler. Anything." I told him politely that I cannot simply give him medicines because the prof did not prescribe them. Then I asked him whether he's on Ventolin and he answered that because he's going to be discharged, his family had accidently packed his Ventolin and took it back home. Oh for the love of-- No, I forced myself to keep my words in and tell him that I will consult with a senior staff nurse while his father demanded me to give him a Ventolin puff. Argh. Can't they understand I can't just simply grab a puff and toss it to them and be on my merry way? I hurried to the TL and told her the situation and she immediately called the prof and I was given the green sign for a nebulizer, which I quickly load it up and give it to the patient. I told him firmly, maintain the bed in FOWLER'S position so that he'll have an easier time breathing. He must've been okay because I never heard from him once I sent another patient down for a scan.
Well, the noon passed by fast and I ended up following a prof because there was a shortage of staff, so he called me over to follow him and we went to see a patient together. He's a nice prof and he was a little funny. Our conversation went like this:
(Hovering near the prof...)
Prof : Um, girl, you can go do your things. I don't need you right now, but if I do need you, I'll call you, don't worry.
Me : Um, I would like to see how you write your report, prof. Cause I'm new and I hope to learn something.
Prof : Oh, you're new? Oh, okay. There's not much in my report, see? Hand me the cardex. Now you see I ordered some new medicines for the patient. Not much, just some cream and the piriton just like I mentioned. Hand me the claim form. Did you signed it? Okay, I'll keep this, you take the carbon copies, I'll put in in the front for you so that you can file it in later. Alright, I'm done.
Me : Um, prof, sorry I just want to confirm with you. Is this piriton?
Prof : Yes, it is.
Me: Then there's this...hydrocort cream...?
Prof : Yes, it's 1%. Can you see how I wrote it?
Me : Then there's the Aquous Cream and um...centrifine? What on earth is it?
Prof : It's Zertac.
Me : Oh....
Prof : Okay, The celebrex...I should try to get the other prof and stop it and see how things goes. Thank you girl.
Me : Thank you, prof.
*The conversation is edited due to privacy and confidentiality.
Then as the day comes to an end, I noticed three large bags full of pointy things. I took a peek and found...
Nice, right? It was a gift from another patient. The nurses said I could take one since it'll be a waste if no one takes them, so I chose the one with the most spikiest leaf. And got stared by everyone, form the profs to the nurses to the patients and to the guards, who all went,
"Pineapple!"
Hence, Mr. P, my prickly pal.
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