October 10, 2009

What a busy day. Melissa spent the night here last night and all of us got up about the same time - about 730. Jan and I got ready and headed to the Apple store for a One on One for me at 10am. I got a lesson on I photo while Jan went around the corner to Barnes and Noble and did some things. i learned a lot. Then to the Verizon store where we got a prepaid phone to use while at the Ranch. Then by the library for her and home. Quick lunch before going to do a wedding. The couple were Armenian. Elina had been in the US about two weeks - spoke more English than I expected. Sergey has been here much longer. They even got on Skype to Moscow so that her parents could join us. Her parents even got some champagne so that when we toasted they had some as well.  They had actually gotten married in Moscow by an Armenian priest in June, but it was not recognized here. After the wedding and some cake and bubbly, they showed us some of the DVD they made from the wedding in Moscow. A beautiful wedding - and bride. The groom told us that he had ordered the dress from NY, had it sent here, carried it to Moscow, and paid someone about $1000.00 just to fit it. The wedding must have been expensive. From there back to the Apple store to take and 1 1/2 hr class on the Iphone. Now home. Jan's at the store for Cafe in the morning. I am having coffee, then getting my stuff together for my sleep study tonight. I should sleep well tonight. (Probably will now that they want me not to).

October 9, 2009 FRIDAY

I don't care if it is cold and rainy today. It is Friday. Between the hospital and church stuff it has been a long week. In addition, a good friend and colleague is in the hospital with the swine flu, although she is getting better. I have a wedding this afternoon as I leave work, and Jan and I are going to have dinner out. I have an Apple lesson in the morning down on the Plaza, then my sleep study tomorrow night. (should be lots of fun)  Two weeks from today she and I will be in South Dakota at the ranch (probably freezing our buns off - remind self to do this when it is warm). At least it is away.   Nuf for now....

October 7, 2009

I began the day as usual, checking for referrals and preops. Not much going on. On one day recently I had request to see a patient before surgery. I spent about a half hour with this gentleman. Nice fellow - middle age, single, facing surgery, never had a big surgery, and scared of dying. We just talked - so often that is what is needed, and what I enjoy. Walking with folks - I can't take it away, but I can make sure they are not alone. I prayed with him. This afternoon I went into Recovery - not something I usually do. He grabbed my hand as soon as he saw me. Still pretty dopey, but doing well. I assured his sister, the one relative he has, that he was fine. I will follow him tomorrow. Good day...looking forward to watching So You Think You Can Dance tonight - yes, I am one of those.

October 6, 2009

I had a usual amount of patient referrals today. No seriously ill folks so that was a good day (and more importantly for them). I continue to think about one patient that I saw recently. A young man who ended up in the hospital with a number of issues. Our conversation surrounded the issue of his being gay. After his and many other attempts to change this part of him, he had come to the place where he would rather be dead than gay. I am hoping that our conversation has given him some new things to think about.  The more that I embrace that God loves us as we are, the more faith and less fear I have about life. May this young man experience this same message.