Winding Down on 2007

I was just looking at my calendar, and realized that it has only been 4 weeks since my last day of nursing school. It seems like a distant memory now; weird.

I worked on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day this year (for the first time in my life, I think). Somehow I thought it might be a little quiet (normally, I wouldn't say the "Q" word, but I'm not at work) but it was rather busy.

Got home about 7:45pm on Christmas and we opened presents. This year the tree was pretty sparse, but it seemed to me that it was one of the best Christmases I ever had. Just the immediate family (nuclear family in psychology terms). We gave thanks before opening the presents, and Amy played Santa, as per usual.

Today we celebrated my dad's 75th birthday. He doesn't actually turn 75 until Wednesday, but I have to work on New Year's day, which was the day we'd originally planned. So, we had prime rib, etc., and watched a football game, visited with family, and just relaxed. It was nice.
If you've been reading my blog at all, you'll note that this has been a challenging year for our family, but God has been abundantly faithful in His provision for us. I am so thankful to Him for caring for us.

I have shared with some that for the first time in my life, I can't see beyond next week. I don't know what 2008 has in store for us, but I am going to enter the New Year with hope, faith, and peace in my heart. I pray the same for you.

-doug

Thank You to Infinity

I cannot begin to thank the countless, and often anonymous people who have been helping Jane and me through this past year. It would be difficult, and possibly unfair, to try to name those who we know who have provided for us, and many do not want the recognition anyway.

To each and every one of you, THANK YOU!

God has truly provided for our every need this year, and always from the hand of His people; those being faithful to pray, listen to His voice, and respond. We are overwhelmed (but not surprised) by the fact that our Heavenly Father has moved on the hearts of His people to be His hands in this world.

It has been a little difficult for me personally to accept all of these gifts; after all, I am supposed to be the man of the family, the breadwinner. It has been a humbling experience.

I also want to recognize and thank everyone who has been praying for us. Prayer is a personal, special gift that each of you have given to us, and we thank you for that as well.

The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Back to Work

Today is my first real day back at the hospital. I am working on 2nd (Medical/Surgical) floor. It was a bit of a struggle this morning coming in. I haven't been here for awhile, and I had some anxiety about it.

But, as soon as I started working with the patients, I felt alive again. The one thing that I have truly loved during my times here at the hospital is working with the patients.

I am on a 5-week rotating schedule, which is different from when I worked in ICU, but it looks like it might actually be pretty cool. Some weeks I have 2 days in a row off, others I have as many as four.

Well, keep praying, and I will too . . .

Looks Like This is the End

. . . so stay tuned for our next "Underdog" show. Do any of you remember that line from the cartoon series "Underdog?" It was one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Sometimes lately, I have been feeling a little bit like underdog.

Well friends and loved ones, today was the end; the last day of my first term of nursing school, and the end for at least another year. I completed the term with an 86 average in NUR 101, (a mid-B), and a 90 average in Pharmacology (I think its an A). I don't feel too badly about not getting straight A's at this point; especially after all we've gone through these past few weeks in our personal lives.

I had an exit interview with the head of the nursing program today, and she said that I would be welcome back to the program anytime. All of the instructors have been SO NICE and caring this past term!

I was talking with Jane about this being the last day today, and a huge lump started to rise in my throat. I started thinking of the past 2 years, and all of the hard work both Jane and I have put into this endeavor. And now, it feels as if it's all going away. It's a form of loss, and I need to come to grips with it; and I will. It might take a few days to do that though.

I have a few days off between shifts at the hospital, so I go back to work on the 15th. It will be a nice break after the first term of school. Jane is flying to California tomorrow to see her dad for a week, and then back in time for the remainder of the Christmas holidays. She is feeling ok right now, and hopefully will continue to tolerate the chemo treatments well.

I am truly going to miss the friends that I have made during this term of nursing school, and wish them all the best as they continue on. Meanwhile for me, it's a shift of gears.

More to come . . .

Exiting Out

This week was essentially the last week of school, but technically, next week is. All I have left are 2 final exams and I'm done for the term.

I used the title "Exiting Out" because Jane and I have decided that I should leave nursing school right now so that we can concentrate on her health. She will be taking an unpaid leave from her job, and I am returning to work full-time at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

I am excited about returning to work; I have so many friends there, and everyone has been so wonderful to me, I can't begin to tell you. God has had His hand in this transition all the way!

I took my last post-test yesterday afternoon, and did well again, I have passed all of my clinicals, and the dreaded "head to toe exam". It has been fun, and challenging, and I really wish that I did not have to leave, but my wonderful wife of 20 years is the most important person in the world to me, and I want to take care of her.

I have an opportunity to return to nursing school next year, depending on what our life circumstances are at that time, so please keep praying for Jane's health and recovery. In the meantime, thank you all for all your prayers, comments, and encouragement these past 11 weeks!

Blessings,

Doug