Kicking the Caffeine Habit

Every new year comes with new goals or new plans. Unlike the rest of the world, (at least those who make new year's resolutions), I just decided to make some new plans/goals over the last week.

After being hospitalized, my mind has been in overdrive for too long. I have decided to try and do what is good for MY BODY as well as MY MIND. While it may sound like I'm going crazy, I'm making some drastic changes and hope both my mind and body will benefit from them.

I am going to share my plans/goals with you all. You should feel special! These are big changes and if they don't happen, I become just another statistic of how people fail year after year trying to accomplish said goals.

1. Kicking the caffeine habit. Yup. I am giving a final farewell to soda pop and coffee. I'm torn over this but know it's best for my body. The caffeine is constantly giving me palpitations and keeping me up at night. I didn't mind the "insomnia" while I am at work (and I'm sure my patients appreciate my alertness) however, my body needs to function well when I'm at home and caffeine is not friends with my bowels. I'm hoping that by cutting soda and coffee out of my diet it will in turn make me healthier, make me feel better, and my body in turn shows me some lovin' back. I will not cut cold turkey. Kicking caffeine to the curb does not happen overnight. I have to slowly reduce the amount I consume until I can "safely" end my relationship with caffeine. I want to be healthy, not miserable. And without a little caffeine every day until my body becomes accustomed, I have been getting headaches. So it is a challenge every day to pour a little less coffee in my cup or pass on the soda mid-afternoon. I can do it though. I know I can!

Coca Cola. I love you. You will be missed.

 2. Stop using artificial sweeteners. Let's face it. We all know they are bad. People believe it's linked to cancer (isn't everything though?) and our bodies don't like it. So I will no longer use my favorite low calorie sweetener Sweet 'N Low. That means I will no longer have my favorite tea. Boo to that. My body better love me for this or I will be sad. I heart tea with Sweet 'N Low! I grew up having tea time with my Nana and her sweetener of choice was Sweet 'N Low. But hey, the doctor wants me to give it up and I am willing to do whatever I need to do to make it feel better.

3. Acupuncture. I am now getting acupuncture. I am doing whatever I can to feel my best and although I practice Western medicine, I also believe that Eastern medicine (Chinese especially) has great benefits. My first appointment went well and I look forward to many more. Here's to hoping my body appreciates my efforts.

Yes, I am petrified of needles, however these ones don't hurt. I swear!

 4. Yoga. Yoga is great for many things. It can increase your flexibility. It can help you relax. Overall, it can help you find an inner peace during the chaos of life. I am going to begin practicing yoga and thanks to my husband, I can! He bought me a yoga package for Christmas! Be prepared for some downward dog, mountain and child's poses. Even if I only do it once a week, that is great! I just bought a new yoga mat and am secretly very excited to begin. Thank you Target for carrying awesome mats for a reasonable price. My wallet and body thank you.

My new yoga mat.

 5. Massage. Yup. I am going to splurge on this "luxury" at least once a month. Massage not only helps you to relax, but it helps your body release toxins. Plus, come on, who doesn't love massages? I am very excited about this one!

Here's to hoping my body appreciates my efforts to having a healthier lifestyle. I've been sick for over 12 years and just want to feel better. :-)

Call Lights and Racing Hearts

2012 is already off to a start. Just that, a start.

I found myself having to deal with some unexpected things, including a visit to a place I had not been to in awhile. It does have to do with the title of this blog.

And no, it is not a strip club!

A couple of days into the new year, a year I had decided was going to be a good one, I ended up sick. So sick that I was admitted to the hospital for medical care. Way to start off the new year, Melissa. Way to go.

Wanna hear the best part? THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT WAS WRONG. So I've been at home, for the last 5 days, not leaving the house to do anything. I've been a lazy bum because I've been weak and just praying the pain and discomfort go away. Yesterday was the first good day, until the late morning. Then the afternoon got better. I was excited I was feeling better. Until this morning. I woke up to a swollen and painful throat. Now is NOT a good time for any type of cold to come my way. I have to work on Monday and cannot call in.  Lets add another day of praying that this too, will go away.

I'd like to recap my hospital visit. Upon entering the ER via wheelchair, the ER staff was great. I was greeted immediately, vitals done, IV started, fluid bolus going, pain medication given, anti-nausea medication given. Turns out, it was a VERY good thing I went to the ER. My heart was racing in the 140s upon admission, my blood pressure low enough to need 2 fluid boluses to help raise it. No wonder I was passing out. I had a fever over 103 degrees F. They decided to keep me for observation and assigned me to a room.



I was admitted to the floor I work on, which was great. I felt comfortable with my care because my floor has some amazing nurses on it. It was also a little awkward. They probably saw more of me than they ever imagined they would in their lifetime, found out my extensive health history that some of my coworkers had no clue about, yet always came in with a smile and my drugs to make the pain go away. And for that, I am eternally grateful for. The pain was bad.

During my stay, I tried my absolute best to avoid using the call light. I didn't want to be a burden to my coworkers. And of course the two times I used it, the secretary answered it and the speaker was in my ear and it was loud.  Oh, I had a headache.

I have not been on the patient side of things in over 4 years. And although I wish it could have been longer, I have a new perspective on my job. I noticed the nurses are very busy (well, this I already know, I am one and I am always busy) and they don't come into the rooms as often as I thought they would. This had me thinking... am I there for my patients? Don't get me wrong, my coworkers were awesome! They let me sleep a little longer than most, were extremely polite and understanding, and answered all of my questions. I received great care.

The hospital is a very lonely and scary place. You have no privacy, people you only know as strangers are poking and prodding at you. You are sick, have no clue what is going on and have your very life in these strangers hands. You pray you get better to go home. The thought of sleeping in your own bed haunts your mind. It's loud at times, you don't get good sleep, and are all around miserable.

So, while I'm not usually one to make any new years resolutions, I have decided that I am going to be better at my job. These patients need compassionate care and I know I give it. I just want to do better!

I would like to thank my place of employment for being so kind and caring during my time of need. It brings this huge sense of pride to work for this facility and I am thankful to have the opportunity to do so. :-)