Knight Adventures

Becky and Jim gave him this Lion scooter walker thing for his birthday. He loves to mash the nose to make the music play but he hasn't figured out what else it is for yet. He will push it around but gets mad when it gets stuck in the corner. Nathan is learning and discovering every day. He watches everything we do and tries to copy us. He has spent a great deal of time trying to turn doorknobs which he can't quite get a good hand hold of yet. He watches me very closely when I vacuum and wants to either help or do it himself because he is always getting in the way. His leg seems to be doing good because he is back to climbing in and over and around everything. We have had to scoot things back from the edge of the dining room table because his reach has expanded. I guess we will have to start putting things up for real now. In preparation for a possible move, I have taken to cleaning out and boxing up stuff to give away or take to consignment (i'm not up for a yard sale, plus...

Since Nathan continues to limp on that right leg and shows signs of continued sensitivity (still improving). We got a referral to see an orthopedic pediatrician associated with LeBonheur in Memphis/Collierville - since evidently there are no doctor's around here that know anything about kids =). The doctor looked at Nate really good and glanced at the xrays we had taken in the beginning and said 'i know what it is. we could do another xray but i don't think it is necessary because it looks to be healing straight. It's a toddler's fracture, nondisplaced. he might limp for another couple of weeks, but he doesnt need a cast.' He said that the toddler's fracture doesn't show up really good on xray until at least two weeks later. He asked if he ever ran a fever, no. So finally a diagnosis that makes sense! yea! And of course, I google the whole thing. And the xray examples look just like Nathan's! I guess it isn't bad enough to warrant a cast. ...

Jay finally got a classic fixer-upper. He has at least one buyer for his little Nissan pickup so I agreed he could go ahead and get this one. 1977 Ford F100. Automatic. Actually runs (he drove it back from Middleton, TN). Bonus: it has a stainless toolchest!

Well, Nathan is walking/limping on his leg now. He doesn't like to have his shoe/moccasin put on his right foot but once it is on, he doesn't seem to mind. If this continues, we should take him to an orthopedic doctor who might be able to tell us how to help it heal better since we don't know what is wrong with it. The 2nd visit to the general/urgent care doctor could not confirm a fracture and they suggested we see an orthopedic doctor. Gee, we should have done that to start with anyway.. I guess you live and learn, especially in the world of kids. If you didn't know already, I am a big grump when I'm tired which seems to be at least 50% of my time awake now. It is so hard to be nice and friendly when I just don't feel like it. Lord, help me to show my Happy side to people who don't deserve to see the Grumpy side. Right now I look Dopey. I need to go put some makeup on and brush my hair.... Jay and I are spending the day together toda...

People keep telling me that my job will get better. I'm not sure what better really means. Nobody told me that the first year would be REALLY hard, emotionally, physically, psychologically. I knew the first year would be full of learning experiences but I was not prepared for this. I remember being told that it's better after you get out of school. Again, what does better mean? One big stressor is getting it all done in one shift - documenting, meds, orders, chart checks, and direct patient care on up to 8 patients. I notice I am a lot slower at doing things on the computer than the other nurses, so I assume I'll get better in that way eventually. I have needed a good teacher, and I got a good schooling a few nights ago, someone who reminds me of me in about 20 years, hopefully not as extreme. Anyway, someone who is more of a type A personality, probably more by necessity than by genetics - I learned so much more about prioritizing and documenting that nigh...

Nathan came home from day care yesterday (tuesday) refusing to walk on his right leg. No bruising no swelling no warmth. He can move all joints but when you squeeze his shin, he cries out. We hoped it would get better today but not really. Everything is about the same. Since we are technically still between insurances, we are hesitant to rush to the doctor, especially if he/she is going to say 'yeah, sprained ankle, get plenty of rest' and send us home. We watched him at home today, he will crawl around carefully with that right foot held up off the ground. when he does stand up, there is no weight on the right leg. We will probably take him to the urgent care clinic in the morning to be sure it isn't a fracture that might need a cast. I called the day care today and they said they did not notice him refusing to walk and did not see him injure himself. Who knows?! Why are kids so complicated? Wait, now I sound like my dad.... =)