Overworked!

I have never been SO tired after a weekend on call. Apparently everyone in the hospital is completely incapable of doing the work on their own. So many stupid questions were posed to me this weekend! On top of that, I got chewed out by an angry and frustrated parent (not at me, but the situation he's in). I just sat there and validated his feelings and directed him to the person who could actually do something about it. I've also had NO sleep in the last 36 hours because we've had FOUR really good heart offers that I've spent an average of 6 hours each on, and then they all fell through because of various stupid reasons. It's frustrating to work that hard and have NO ONE get a heart because of it. I think I talked to the surgeon about every hour since last night at 7pm. I'm just thankful it was her, and not the other surgeon because he would have come even more unglued than Kris and I did. Thank goodness for small blessings.

I went to a wine tasting last night, which was completely interrupted by the first of the four heart calls. I did get to enjoy a good part of it, although not the wine. Darn being on call! :( Today, I went to a goodbye brunch for a good friend of mine. I was only called away to the phone twice during that! Hooray!

I'm all alone this week as my counterpart has taken vacation. It should be pretty busy, especially since we're going to be discharging our newest transplant (out in less than a WEEK after transplant!) tomorrow. Aside from that, we'll see what madness develops! I am praying for uninterrupted sleep tonight! Please? PLEASE? :)

Oliver's mission

For Christmas, my dad bought Oliver what he believed to be an undestroyable toy. He did not realize the great power and toy shredding capacity that Oliver has. It did take him 48 hours to break into the toy, but the end result is always the same. Shreds abounding....squeakers out....fluff everywhere! Here are some pictures...

Before he is given the toy....

He looks kinda crazy here, but he's really just excited to have a new toy!

The shredding begins. Note the pieces of the toy strewn about.

Fluff EVERYWHERE!!

Squeaker out!

Now he's tired and needs to sleep!

It's an exciting life we lead here in Dallas...

FREEDOM!

I am SO happy right now! I'm OFF call and I don't go back to work until Friday the 28th! Ta DA! :) I am going to spend the day tomorrow trying to finish my Christmas shopping and getting my car fixed. There's a CD that's been stuck in my car for about three months, and I just CAN'T get it out! So, I'm gonna have them attempt to fix it while the radio is still under warranty! I also have to take the puppies to the vet for shots and the like. What a fun time for them!

I think I finally got all the presents mailed off to those who won't be there. It took some last minute stress and work-lateness (oh, I made that word up!), but it's finally done! I just wish those people could be at my Grandma's too, but they have other committments. I think I have just one more person to buy for and then the wrapping begins.

Last week was so FUN! I got to go to my very first Mavericks game! I went with a few girls from work. We sat ALL the way on the very top row, but we still had a great time! On Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to the main CT surgeon's Christmas party. It was SO fancy! They had a cello player, a singer, servers, and the most amazing food! They had this wonderously fabulous avocado bar! You got a half of an avocado and then there were all sorts of wonderous things to fill it with! Bacon, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese....so good!



Today was a really good clinic day! I got to see so many of my sweet babies (I call them ALL babies...even the teenagers!) including "Mr 100". He finally gets to go back to his home town after being in Dallas since August 10! He was so excited today. He gave me a big goodbye hug. I am really gonna miss seeing him every week!

I'm headed out to my Grandma's house either Saturday or Sunday. Liberty will be with me, no doubt to enjoy the four hours on the road. Oliver will be living it up at Becca's with her family. It's been wonderful having him back this week. He's such a snuggle bug. I think I have some great pics of him from this week....




I won't be blogging until I get back from my grandma's house next week. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Here's a picture of my beautifully self-chopped (or actually, Michael chopped) Christmas tree. Enjoy!

A plethora of technology

I am back on call until the 20th. Back to sleeping with all my electronics next to my night stand. We have 2 kiddos on the list right now, so anything is possible. On a better note, my sweet little guy is improving every day. It's slow, but it is progress. Keep him in your prayers, he is very in need of them!

My house is decorated for Christmas! I've got my beautiful live tree all decorated! My favorite piece, my Willow Tree nativity, is all assembled. I've actually started Christmas shopping, but I haven't really accomplished much. I am hoping to do some tomorrow since I only have a massage and an open house to attend. Hooray for massages! I absolutely need one as my entire body is crampy and hurting.

I've also got to buy some sort of Christmas fancy outfit. I was invited to the main surgeon's Christmas party and my date is my favorite transplant surgeon! :) She always dresses fabulously, so I guess I'd better look good as well! I already have shoes, so I think I just need a party dress. That's not necessarily an easy task!

There is SOMETHING going on outside tonight. I have been hearing sirens and firetrucks for about 15 minutes, and several helicopters have quickly flown over. I have no idea what it's all about...but it is kinda scary!

Well, I guess that's just about it that's going on here. Busy busy busy.

Answered prayers!

Two weeks ago, I experienced the worst transplant I had ever been in on. It was long, drawn out, complicated, and disheartening. It didn't end well and the next 2 weeks were an absolute stress-filled disaster. This sweet little boy ended up having to be re-listed, with no idea if we were even going to get any offers. Time was running out...

Until 10:59 last night, when someone made the decision to offer the gift of life. I can NOT stress enough how much organ donation affects people. Honestly people, you do NOT need your organs after you're gone...so why keep them? There are so many myths about organ donation....and so MANY REWARDS! To see the face of someone change after you've just told them "We have a heart for your son/daughter" is a look I'll never be able to erase from my mind. Why would someone want to hold that back or not allow it to happen? Did you know there are 90,000 people waiting for organs and only about 35,000 organs being donated? Ridiculous!

Anyways....off the soap box and back to reality....

I am anxiously awaiting the results of this newest transplant, but I DO know that the new heart is beating...something that couldn't be said for the last one. :) Please keep the prayers going for this sweet boy and his family. Seeing as the last thing he said to me was "I love you Stephanie!", I really REALLY want a good outcome! Pray hard! AND BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR!