Celebrating Mama Martha

Celebrating Mama Martha May 26, 2012

Who is Mama Martha?

Mama Martha is my Mom...my work Mom. I was first introduced to her by MarinaT (the current 4000 manager at the time) as a naive-no experience-eager to learn-scared to make a mistake-newbie nurse.
Little did I know that she would have a HUGE impact on me not just a nurse but also as an adult woman.
She has taught me many things in nursing like how to introduce myself to my patients'-to shake their hands (as long as they are not on contact isolation) - to how to handle disgruntled Mds (for what ever reason). She is one of the big reasons I've survived 4000 for the past 13 years and encouraged me through example to get through the shifts.
When she told me that she has decided to retire I was sad because I always looked forward to seeing her at work. She is a simple person with a HUGE heart. As one of her many daughters I knew I had to let her know how much she means to us in our 4000 family. A surprise party it had to be - because she would not let me do it if she knew...that's her style. With my work sister Millie's tons of help and ideas - we planned out Mama Martha's Retirement. With Teamwork from all of our 4000 family - the party planning went on...inspite of some unexpected health issues on my part. The support I received from everyone made it so worth it....and this Photo Book is a perfect example of what teamwork and family truly means...we all work hard and we all party hard...what an awesome 4000 Reunion it turned out to be.
THANK YOU TO THE ANGELS for your support financially, physically,emotionally...it wouldn't have been as successful as it turned out to be.

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June 1, 2012

From Thrive Across America

Mind over Matter

"The power of positive thinking" may sound like a cliché. Yet you don't want to dismiss this simple adage. Pessimism can affect your relationships, career, and even your health — if you let it. Conversely, an optimistic attitude can stimulate your spirit and even lead to quicker recovery during hospitalization or serious illness, studies indicate. KP's own David Sobel, MD has also written extensively on the mind and body connection. So how do you become a positive thinker?

• Avoid negative self-talk. Morphing your inner voice from a pessimist to an optimist doesn't happen overnight. Just like learning the guitar or a new language, it takes time and resolve. You can't ignore all of life's maladies, but you can train your mind to lighten up and make lemonade out of lemons.

• Consider your clique. A group of downers can mangle your mood. Are your friends more likely to loathe and whine or encourage and inspire? The company you keep can rub off.

• Track your success. A cynical mind can skew your view — even on good days. Pause daily to count your accomplishments, both big and small.

• Feel gratitude. Appreciation for what you have — relationships and belongings — is a healthy way to be more positive. Extend those feelings to nature, art, music — anything you find beautiful and worthy.

Sent from Mae's iPhone

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Surgery Consult

After 2 days of extreme pain...I've made the decision to get that gall bladder taken out. Lucky for me it's the Md that I want that will do the procedure. She made me feel human when I busted out in tears as I told her why I didn't do it last year. I had dreamt that I died on the operating table. And I wasn't ready to go because I haven't been to Hawaii. So I booked a family trip to Hawaii instead. And it was worth it. And now that I've colored my hair, currently experiencing and enjoying having our own place - I'm feeling ok about geting it over with. The Md also told me that the patiets i see and work with as an inpstient nurse is the 1% that have multiple medical issues. The other 99% like me go home and live complication free. And she is right. Mind you it's just an outpatient one day surgery. I go in - they do surgery for an hour - I recover for an hour then I go home. I'll be off work for a week and that should be that. Besides I've got that huge party on the 26th...my first garden party in the backyard...I'm really excited about that.
There's alot to live for...I just want to live it pain free.

March 24, 2012

Today was a truly blessed day - full of love and happiness. Congratulations to my sister Julie and my new brother Rye. God does listen to what our hearts need. Welcome to the family!

Our new Home

The new year brought about some expected and unexpected changes. One of them is finding a new home. We knew this was going to happen and right after the holidays we started searching for a new place seriously-not just browsing through websites and such. We had 3 choices and we were approved for all 3 but in the end it was the one most practical & logical we chose. It's literally down the street from the old place and Rj doesn't have to change schools and it's pretty much the same neighborhood. Although it's just a rental for now. We've been here for a month now and it's beginning to feel like home. I am definitely enjoying having my own kitchen. The house is simple and easy to maintain-it's perfect for my little family of 4. Hoping to have some fun get togethers with family and friends here-maybe before summer.