The last few days have been kind of surreal. Here are the things I've learned (or at least had reconfirmed):
1. Driving to work at sunset is kind of pretty, but also difficult because I drive straight west. I can't wait for the next few months when the sun will be directly in the path of the freeway. Driving home in the morning is worse right now, but I don't think for long.
2. Old people can be both cute and hilarious at the same time. For example, I took care of a gentleman that has been ballroom dancing with his wife for years. He told me that, "Most people can't tell the difference between us and professionals. Those people on Dancing with the Stars are just learning routines, that's not really dancing."
3. My brother-in-law's grandma died this week. He told me it's weird for him because it's his first grandparent to pass away. He knows that life will be different. I was thinking about it, and it was weird for me because all of my grandparents have died, and then I realized how weird my situation is. Most people still have at least one grandparent into their twenties, whereas my immediate family only has 2 generations right now.
4. Although I love old people sometimes, there are times when I definitely don't want to be one. An 88-year-old woman needed help with her dinner. She was blind, and I helped her eat. I told here what food there was, including some pears. She said that she would like to try some of those. When she was ready for the next bite, she said, "Can I have more peaches now?"
5. Sometime in the shift, something will not go the way you want it to: a patient will spike a fever, you'll catch a mistake made by someone else and have to call the doctor and you get yelled at, or a non-verbal patient's family will leave and you can't get any information from him.
6. Some men flirt with every female nurse that walks into the room. I have once again learned that there is a line about when the nurses think it's cute and funny, and when it's absolutely creepy. Here's the difference: age. A 37-year-old flirting with the nurses and asking all about you is totally creepy! An 85-year-old who says, "You have beautiful Irish eyes!" is absolutely cute and quite endearing! (I have no idea where the Irish eyes came from...I'm not Irish as far as I know).
7. Sometimes all we can do isn't enough. The body can only take so much, and it's weird taking care of someone that will most likely not ever leave the hospital again.
8. Old people often want to introduce you to their grandson (or other visitor) who, "Is so nice and you two would get along great." Rarely, you actually meet this person, and find out that he's actually very good looking, so you find excuses to go into that room so you can have another look.
9. I was told that I have a Utah accent by someone who used to live in Utah. So weird!
With all the good and bad, I'm pretty sure I'm enjoying work right now. I remember to laugh at myself and find humor in all sorts of situations.
I still get creeped out when the 85 year old hits on me. He is gross. Hope all is well. See ya, Spencer
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