This video was made by a Cancer patient in Australia....for his wife's birthday. He was diagnosed with Colon cancer October 2009. His prognosis doesn't look good, but he is fighting it with everything he has. The video was meant for family and friends, but it suddenly went viral and is attracting attention from all over the world.
Here is the news report that tells the story:
It is a touching tribute of his love for his wife. He also has a blog "There is a Crack in Everything - That's how the Light gets In". Check it out. As a Nurse, it gives me a patient's perspective on having to live with Cancer. As a human being, it makes me realize that life is so short and sometimes we don't have control over what happens to us - no matter how much we would like to. It also makes me appreciate what I have - right now. Life.
Here is the original video:
Rachel's Birthday Video from Kristian Anderson on Vimeo
Friday, September 10, 2010
Starry Nights - 1926 - Grandma's Television
Yes. Those were the days. We don't really know or realize what the new settlers went through - just to live - a mere 100 years ago. We take a lot for granted....and sometimes I wonder what it would have been like living in that dusty prairie town in Alberta....as a new immigrant - just like my Grandparents.
It must have been painful for G&G to leave family behind, especially since - when they said their goodbyes - it may very will be the last time they saw any family again, as it was no easy feat to travel to Europe and back without a lot of planning and a month or two of time. Trying to comfort her, my Grandmother's mama told her " Just look at the stars at night. I will be looking at the same sky...."
There is nothing more breathtaking than the expansive vault of heaven filled with twinkling lights. My Grandmother wrote of it in her memoirs. Often she would beckon her new husband out to the porch to watch the night sky. No tv. No radio. No telephone or cell phone. Just the painful quietness and the sparkling celestial diamonds adorning the black curtain of nature surrounding them.
And - every summer they could see the spectacular colourful show of nature - the Northern Lights - as they danced across the expansive night sky - rolling along - fading - just to flash in multi-colours above their head. It was awe-inspiring. Better than any movie!
Whenever I hear this song....I think of my grandparents out on the prairie, living in that tiny 16ft by 26 ft shack my Grandfather built himself....
Halley's Comet: When it came around in 1986 - I remember clearly seeing it's tail fly across the sky. Nineteen eighty-six was also the year my Grandmother died - at age 91.
The one thing she wanted was to die at home with her husband by her side - and a view of that starry sky. I was willing to stay with them in their apartment until the end. As a fellow Nurse and, most importantly, her Granddaughter, I thought it the least I could do.
The MD said there was no way he could "accommodate" this. Dying at home was only just coming into "vogue" - and was still discouraged in most medical circles. The cold four walls of the hospital was all she saw as she left this earth.
It was at that moment that I realized that, with all the progress of medicine, compassion was somehow lost along the way.
On another note, if I live to see the next time Halley's comes around....I will be 110.
I am not holding my breath.
****
Halley Came To Jackson (lyrics)
Songwriter: Mary Chapin-Carpenter
Late one night when the wind was still
Daddy brought the baby to the window sill
To see a bit of heaven shoot across the sky
The one and only time Daddy saw it fly
It came from the east just as bright as a torch
The neighbors had a party on their porch
Daddy rocked the baby, Mother said "amen"
When Halley came to visit in nineteen ten
Now back then Jackson was a real small town
And it's not every night a comet comes around
It was almost eighty years since its last time through
So I bet your mother would've said "amen" too
As its tail stretched out like a stardust streak
The papers wrote about it every day for a week
They wondered where it's going and where it's been
When Halley came to Jackson in 1910
Now Daddy told the baby sleeping in his arms
To dream a little dream of a comet's charms
And he made a little wish as she slept so sound
In nineteen eighty-six that wish came 'round
It came from the east, just as bright as a torch
She saw it in the sky from her daddy's porch
As heavenly sent as it was back then
When Halley came to Jackson in nineteen ten
Late one night when the wind was still
It must have been painful for G&G to leave family behind, especially since - when they said their goodbyes - it may very will be the last time they saw any family again, as it was no easy feat to travel to Europe and back without a lot of planning and a month or two of time. Trying to comfort her, my Grandmother's mama told her " Just look at the stars at night. I will be looking at the same sky...."
There is nothing more breathtaking than the expansive vault of heaven filled with twinkling lights. My Grandmother wrote of it in her memoirs. Often she would beckon her new husband out to the porch to watch the night sky. No tv. No radio. No telephone or cell phone. Just the painful quietness and the sparkling celestial diamonds adorning the black curtain of nature surrounding them.
And - every summer they could see the spectacular colourful show of nature - the Northern Lights - as they danced across the expansive night sky - rolling along - fading - just to flash in multi-colours above their head. It was awe-inspiring. Better than any movie!
Whenever I hear this song....I think of my grandparents out on the prairie, living in that tiny 16ft by 26 ft shack my Grandfather built himself....
Halley's Comet: When it came around in 1986 - I remember clearly seeing it's tail fly across the sky. Nineteen eighty-six was also the year my Grandmother died - at age 91.
The one thing she wanted was to die at home with her husband by her side - and a view of that starry sky. I was willing to stay with them in their apartment until the end. As a fellow Nurse and, most importantly, her Granddaughter, I thought it the least I could do.
The MD said there was no way he could "accommodate" this. Dying at home was only just coming into "vogue" - and was still discouraged in most medical circles. The cold four walls of the hospital was all she saw as she left this earth.
It was at that moment that I realized that, with all the progress of medicine, compassion was somehow lost along the way.
On another note, if I live to see the next time Halley's comes around....I will be 110.
I am not holding my breath.
****
Halley Came To Jackson (lyrics)
Songwriter: Mary Chapin-Carpenter
Late one night when the wind was still
Daddy brought the baby to the window sill
To see a bit of heaven shoot across the sky
The one and only time Daddy saw it fly
It came from the east just as bright as a torch
The neighbors had a party on their porch
Daddy rocked the baby, Mother said "amen"
When Halley came to visit in nineteen ten
Now back then Jackson was a real small town
And it's not every night a comet comes around
It was almost eighty years since its last time through
So I bet your mother would've said "amen" too
As its tail stretched out like a stardust streak
The papers wrote about it every day for a week
They wondered where it's going and where it's been
When Halley came to Jackson in 1910
Now Daddy told the baby sleeping in his arms
To dream a little dream of a comet's charms
And he made a little wish as she slept so sound
In nineteen eighty-six that wish came 'round
It came from the east, just as bright as a torch
She saw it in the sky from her daddy's porch
As heavenly sent as it was back then
When Halley came to Jackson in nineteen ten
Late one night when the wind was still
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A Midwife's Tale...... Unbelievable....
On May 17 of this year, I drove to my parent's place to look after my mom at home post op. Having a B&B, they get all kinds of folks come knocking on their door from all over the world. This is a story about one of their "visitors".
I always knew my Grandmother was an RN. I had heard she had delivered some babies when they first moved to Canada....Alberta to be exact. But until that day - up at my parents - I hadn't heard in detail the stories of my Grandma as a Midwife in rural Alberta.
My cousin, who is also an R.N. - and Grandma's namesake - was staying with me for a week. She just left to go home a couple hours ago - back home to Texas. I showed her this story - Our Grandma the Midwife - and she was as amazed as myself - when I had first heard it.
She just happens to have Grandma's old nursing pin from the 1920s. I am hoping she sends me a photo of it.....because I have never seen it. :)
She just happens to have Grandma's old nursing pin from the 1920s. I am hoping she sends me a photo of it.....because I have never seen it. :)
Here is my blog entry for Monday, May 17, 2010:
Grandma R.N, or It's In the Genes.....
So I have arrived at my folks' house to help my mother around their place .....since she is only 2 weeks post operative Hip Replacement. My mother had an interesting story for me when I arrived.
 |
| My Grandparent's Engagement photo |
They visited the local courthouse to obtain their marriage license. Not understanding English, and not knowing the laws or customs, they didn't realize that not only were they handed their license, but the barrister threw in the marriage ceremony also (#1). Having not a clue that they were already wed, they made arrangements for an American Dutch minister to perform their marriage ceremony. They actually had two ceremonies at that time...one in Dutch in the Reformed Church(#2) and a second one at the Presbyterian church(#3).
A year and one baby later they discovered the marriage was invalid because the American minister was not allowed to legally marry anyone in Canada (and was fined $2!). Still not understanding that they actually were already married - in the courthouse, they arranged for another wedding....this time with a Canadian Minister(#4).
The local Dutch community and other assorted neighbors travelled from far and wide to congregate at the little shack G&G called home....no more than four walls put together by Grandpa - 2 by 4s and unfinished inside....but did they have a Wedding Celebration that apparently carried on until 4 am! (I was reading this from my Grandma's story that she handwritten herself in 1959) Three or Four Weddings. We all laughed about this years later- a family joke, but it accentuates the problems immigrants encounter adjusting to a new country and sets the scene for the story I am about to relate.
The local Dutch community and other assorted neighbors travelled from far and wide to congregate at the little shack G&G called home....no more than four walls put together by Grandpa - 2 by 4s and unfinished inside....but did they have a Wedding Celebration that apparently carried on until 4 am! (I was reading this from my Grandma's story that she handwritten herself in 1959) Three or Four Weddings. We all laughed about this years later- a family joke, but it accentuates the problems immigrants encounter adjusting to a new country and sets the scene for the story I am about to relate.
Back to present day.
Nine thirty this morning there was a knock on the door. Mom wondered.....who could be wanting to visit at this early hour? It still takes a good hour or so to get mobile in the morning with the still-mending hip ....so early morning visits are a little inconvenient, to say the least.
Strangers.
An elderly man and his wife introduced themselves. He asked if he could come in and visit. My mother recognized the name and *thought* she might have met him 40 years ago when my Grandma and Grandpa brought them to visit when we owned the resort by the Lake. Anyone that was Dutch would be introduced around to the family. That was G&G's way.
An elderly man and his wife introduced themselves. He asked if he could come in and visit. My mother recognized the name and *thought* she might have met him 40 years ago when my Grandma and Grandpa brought them to visit when we owned the resort by the Lake. Anyone that was Dutch would be introduced around to the family. That was G&G's way.
It was December 13, 1926 in Rural Alberta. A blizzard had blown in and most of the roads were impassible. Farms were widely spaced and the only method of transportation at that time was horse and buggy on the gravel and dirt - and now snowdrifted - roads, if you could even call them that. A harsh winter, forty below with the snow whipping around, visibility zero....made it difficult to go anywhere.
In this setting a Dutch woman goes into labor. the Doctor was sent for but the probability of him even finding the house never mind being able to get out of his own drive - was remote. The Doctor had to travel by horse buggy all the way from the next town (by the way, I have attempted, in the past, to go by horseback 5 miles to the "next town" from my place - and after one hour I gave up!) and eleven miles meant an all night trip. It was going to take hours and hours.
Someone at the laboring woman's house decides that the next best thing to the Doctor would be - a nurse! ....and since my newlywed grandparents lived next door (well, it was a little bit further than that - for creative license we will say "next door". Anyway - let's just say she lived a lot closer than the Doc - within walking distance) - and everyone knew she was an RN. The local midwife had died, so by attrition, my Grandmother was expected to step into her shoes. A family member was dispatched to fetch my Grandmother The Nurse (practising without a license, oh my!).
Grandma and Grandpa had only been married 7 months. There was no such thing as a reliable birth control method so Grandma had gotten pregnant right away. Not that they wanted to wait anyway since they were both in their 30s. She was 6 months along with her first baby when the knock came at their door to beg Grandma's Midwifery services.
I am pretty sure that even though Grandma had only worked in a psychiatric hospital in Holland, she must have taken some type of obstetrical training and had some sort of experience delivering a baby at some point. Nursing courses weren't quite as complicated back then. No such thing as care plans or a lot of classroom work. It was mostly practical training - or slave labor really. So, it makes sense that Grandma would have probably had a grasp on what having babies was all about.
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| Grandma-back row, second from left - Her Nursing Graduation picture |
The labor must have been fairly easy ( easy as opposed to the difficult types I have seen- shoulder dystocia, malpresentations and the like - really - no birth is "easy" for the mother!) because the baby delivered at 4:30 am by a coal oil lamp held by one of the family - before the MD got there at 8 am ( or perhaps the blizzard was worse than we thought). Water boiled, cord tied, placenta delivered..... the baby was carefully dried off and placed in a box lined with blankets and set on the open oven door of the blazing wood stove - the only source of heat in the house. ***
At this point my Grandmother wrote in her diary: "When the Dr came everything was in order mother and son the first baby were all well. The Dr stayed for breakfast had nothing to do, but took just the same delivery money. We slept at home and every morning I went to help mother and baby and made the meals and work inside the house washing etc. I was there about 14 days...." (interesting to note that back then my grandmother complained about the same thing I did many years later - I did the delivery, the MD collected the money for showing up!)
Back to the elderly gentleman standing at my mother's door.
This gentleman who presented to my parent's house - was that very same baby. Eighty- four years ago - my Grandmother had delivered him - early that am in the middle of a wintry blizzard!!
My mother and father had a delightful visit with the couple before they wandered off down the road.
Darn.
I was sorry to have just missed him.....there were all kinds of questions I wanted to ask. And I will probably never get to meet him - The Man my Grandmother Delivered.
***(At this point of the story my mother giggles: "I wanted to comment to him that the baby went from one oven to another - but I didn't know how he would take that" )
Posted by A NURSE at 6:45 PM
Once again, thankful that the comments were saved for this blog posting:
4 comments:
newnurseinthehood said...
I don't have much to say other than- this story freaking rules.
May 18, 2010 6:20 AM
A NURSE said...
Hey thanks! I was so sad to find out I missed the guy. I love old people....maybe I hang around them too much but.....it sure is interesting........ :^S
May 18, 2010 9:10 AM
Rachedy said...
That is an awesome story!!
May 18, 2010 12:20 PM
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Marathon of Hope and Cancer
Terry Fox.
That is a name known by all Canadians. And no, he isn't related to Michael J Fox. And no, despite what NBC TV thought, that wasn't Michael J Fox's mother that walked in the stadium holding the flag - it was Terry Fox's mother.
At age 20, Terry Fox lost his leg to Cancer. Instead of moping and moaning his life away - he decided to do something useful instead. To raise money for Cancer research, he decided to run a Marathon of Hope across Canada - starting in Newfoundland on the East Coast - stopping in communities along the way. He ran approximately 42 kms per day.
Around Thunder Bay Ontario, it was found that cancer had spread to his lungs. He had to cut short his run on September 1, 1980.
He was unaware of the wave of inspiration he launched - it spread across the nation like wildfire - and people around the world opened up their hearts and their wallets to donate to his cause.
Terry did not get to finish his Marathon. He was admitted to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster B.C., where my cousin from Texas says she looked after him as a student Nurse. On June 28, 1981, Terry Fox died of Cancer - it had spread to his lungs. What didn't stop was the Inspiration he ignited. Every year a Marathon of Hope in Terry's name is run all across Canada and more than $500 Million has been raised in these marathons to date.
Both Fox's grew up close to where I live. Both are an inspiration. But the Courage and Determination of Terry Fox burns bright still - to all Canadians - 30 years after his death. Every September, a Terry Fox Run is held in most communities across Canada.
In 2004, an informal Canadian poll was taken online by CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) as to who "The Greatest Canadian" was. Terry Fox came in second only to Tommy Douglas (Kiefer Sutherland's Grandfather) - the Father of the Canadian's Medicare System and Premier of Saskatchewan.
That is a name known by all Canadians. And no, he isn't related to Michael J Fox. And no, despite what NBC TV thought, that wasn't Michael J Fox's mother that walked in the stadium holding the flag - it was Terry Fox's mother.
At age 20, Terry Fox lost his leg to Cancer. Instead of moping and moaning his life away - he decided to do something useful instead. To raise money for Cancer research, he decided to run a Marathon of Hope across Canada - starting in Newfoundland on the East Coast - stopping in communities along the way. He ran approximately 42 kms per day.
Around Thunder Bay Ontario, it was found that cancer had spread to his lungs. He had to cut short his run on September 1, 1980.
He was unaware of the wave of inspiration he launched - it spread across the nation like wildfire - and people around the world opened up their hearts and their wallets to donate to his cause.
Terry did not get to finish his Marathon. He was admitted to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster B.C., where my cousin from Texas says she looked after him as a student Nurse. On June 28, 1981, Terry Fox died of Cancer - it had spread to his lungs. What didn't stop was the Inspiration he ignited. Every year a Marathon of Hope in Terry's name is run all across Canada and more than $500 Million has been raised in these marathons to date.
Both Fox's grew up close to where I live. Both are an inspiration. But the Courage and Determination of Terry Fox burns bright still - to all Canadians - 30 years after his death. Every September, a Terry Fox Run is held in most communities across Canada.
In 2004, an informal Canadian poll was taken online by CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) as to who "The Greatest Canadian" was. Terry Fox came in second only to Tommy Douglas (Kiefer Sutherland's Grandfather) - the Father of the Canadian's Medicare System and Premier of Saskatchewan.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labour Day (USA: Labor Day)
It's origins are with the labor movement in Canada.
April 14, 1872 a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union strike when they were trying to negotiate down to a 58 hour work week. Their boss at the newspaper, had the Union Leaders arrested under an old obsolete never-used law.
Another demonstration was arranged in support of the arrested Union Leaders the first weekend in September and on September 5, 1882 - a demonstration was also arranged in support for what was going on in Toronto - in New York City.
Both the Canadian Prime Minister John Thompson and U.S.A. President Grover Cleveland, on July 23, 1894, declared a National Holiday - Labor/Labour Day.
As an RN in Canada...my official FT workweek hours are 35 hours per week (140 hours over 4 wks flexible hours per union contract). I can't imagine having to fight to reduce my work week down to 58 hours per week.
For this, I am thankful to our Union, and today - voice my appreciation.
April 14, 1872 a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union strike when they were trying to negotiate down to a 58 hour work week. Their boss at the newspaper, had the Union Leaders arrested under an old obsolete never-used law.
Another demonstration was arranged in support of the arrested Union Leaders the first weekend in September and on September 5, 1882 - a demonstration was also arranged in support for what was going on in Toronto - in New York City.
 |
| Labor Day Parade - Buffalo NY - circa 1900 |
As an RN in Canada...my official FT workweek hours are 35 hours per week (140 hours over 4 wks flexible hours per union contract). I can't imagine having to fight to reduce my work week down to 58 hours per week.
For this, I am thankful to our Union, and today - voice my appreciation.
Rainbow Bridge
I have had several animals but this one was special....Got her from the SPCA 10 years ago when she was already 4 years old.....and found out 4 years later, she was actually the mother of my other cat (the tiger-stripe one behind her in the photo).
She will be missed.
Just in case you have never heard of "Rainbow Bridge".....this video explains it.....
Saturday, September 4, 2010
KNOW WHEN YOUR HEART ATTACKS!
I have added to the post due to the fact that googling has unearthed even more insane stuff.
OMG!
What they won't sell to the general public.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Hospital Hazards and Other Trips (link to Retrospection)
This is the story I told in May of my trip to my mom and dads this spring - taking my mom for her hip replacement.
Funny how parents become like kids.....and we become their caregivers.
It's always something.
Funny how parents become like kids.....and we become their caregivers.
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| The Starbucks' insulated cups are fabulous for Hospital stays! |
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Nurse as Patient
I have a sore wrist - again - so in keeping with the theme....I have dusted off the latest hospital visit when I was a patient - last year. Once again, I have changed it up a bit. Original posting was on May 2nd this year.
Honestly - I have the worst luck when it comes to hospitals.
Thanks to this site for the T-shirt.
I think that saying applies to me....................
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Camp Nurse Revamped
Those warm sunny days I will never forget. It was a lot of work - but very rewarding.
I hope you enjoy this reworked entry. I did add a few things and take a few things away.
After all, it's my blog! :)
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