Saturday, October 27, 2007

Are We Doing Our Best?

Most of the time I enjoy being a nurse. Sometimes I don't.

As a nurse, I take this perspective. I didn't cause the disease. I can't cure it. But, I can help ease the pain and give comfort to a patient under my care. I try my best to help ease any pain and discomfort of the patients I am caring for each day. I even pray for them. As I am doing my assessment of a patient, I quietly, under my breath, say a prayer for God to help them and their families through this, and to comfort them, and to give them another chance to know Him.

The part I don't like about being a nurse is the death of a patient. It is so hard to watch someone die and most probably be lost through eternity. When I hear the code blue alarm, I run to help save a life. Adrenaline is flowing as I am pumping their chest, or pushing medications into their veins, and always, I am praying for their soul. I don't know the life they have lived, or the paths they have walked, but I beg God to give them another chance. Sometimes it works...sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I always think....have I done my best to reach the lost? I don't think I like the answer to that question. Are any of us REALLY doing all we can to reach the lost???

Think about it, and ....reach out to someone today. Be blessed...Gayla

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Like a Fragrance After the Rain

JESUS, JESUS, JEEEESUUS....There's just something about that name. Master, Saviour, Jesus. Like a fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Let all heaven and earth proclaim. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that name.

I keep singing that song this week, and it is going 'round and 'round in my head. Today, I am thinking about how good God is to me. When we need Him.... for ANYTHING... all we have to do is call on the name of Jesus. He is our answer. I love Him so much!!

Try Him, if you haven't....and be blessed....Gayla

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Well, as Bro. Saiz said in an e-mail to me, today is the first day of the rest of my life. He didn't say this part, but, I'm starting the rest of my life a little bit older today than I was yesterday. I don't mind. I really do like my age....I just don't like looking it!!

And, hey....it beats the alternative, right???

Monday, October 22, 2007

Some Favorite Quotes

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above the price of gas these days .....King Solomon, Proverbs 31:10 (paraphrased!)


It was a man's world until Eve arrived....Richard Armour

God help the man who will not marry until he finds the perfect woman....and God help him still more, if he finds her....Jenny Moore

Sure, God created man before woman. But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece....Author Unknown

Women cannot complain about men anymore until they start getting better taste in them....Bill Maher

Women are always beautiful....Ville Valo

Can you imagine a world without men? No crime and lots of happy fat women....Nicole Hollander

Women get the last word in every argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument....Author Unknown

Every woman is wrong until she cries, and then she is right - instantly.....Sam Slick (Thomas Chandler Haliburton)

When men reach their sixties and retire, they go to pieces. Women go right on cooking....Gail Sheehy

Be to her virtues very kind,Be to her faults a little blind......Matthew Prior

They may talk of a comet, or a burning mountain, or some such bagatelle; but to me a modest woman, dressed out in all her finery, is the most tremendous object of the whole creation. ....Oliver Goldsmith

You see, dear, it is not true that woman was made from man's rib; she was really made from his funny bone......J.M. Barrie, What Every Woman Knows

If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.....Aristotle Onassis

Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weakness......Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, Marquise du Deffand, Letters to Voltaire

All women are basically in competition with each other for a handful of eligible men.....Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

A woman should soften, but not weaken a man......Sigmund Freud

Let us leave the beautiful women to men with no imagination.....Marcel Proust, Albertine disparue, 1925

Saturday, October 20, 2007

The Really Empty Nest

I've been trying to figure out why I've been so sad lately. I am not normally a sad or depressed person. I'm a pretty happy- go-lucky, easy going kind of girl, and I don't like this feeling of sadness. I thought maybe it was because I like summer when the sun is out full force, not these dark and dreary days. Or maybe, it 's because I'm at the undesirable age where female hormones are at a minimal, and emotions abound. Or, it could be that it is really difficult seeing my parents get old and feeble, knowing that they will not be here forever.

All of the above situations may play a roll in my sadness, but I think I figured it out. I am living alone for the first time in my life. My youngest son moved out October 1st, and I am now all alone. All alone...just me... all by myself. ( Are you crying for me, yet? LOL) Of course, I am not really all alone. God is ever present in my life, but I am talking in the physical.

Ryan actually moved out a few years ago for just a few months, but he decided to finish college, so he moved back in to keep his expenses at a minimum. He was working at a part-time job while going to school. He has, within the past few months, gotten a good paying full-time job, and is almost finished with school. I am pretty sure he won't be moving back home again.

Don't get me wrong....he's 28 years old. I'm glad that he doesn't want to live with his mother forever. I wanted my sons to grow up and make it on their own. That's how I raised them, but it doesn't keep my house from seeming empty.

I googled "empty nest syndrome" and found this:

"It's natural for a mother to feel some sadness when her child leaves home.It is quite normal to have a little weep now and again – or even go into the absent child's bedroom and sit there for a bit in an attempt to feel closer to him or her.We know of a successful, busy and confident woman - an agony aunt, in fact - who admitted she went into her son's bedroom to sniff his T-shirt shortly after he left to go to university for the first time.So don't be ashamed of your feelings - they are natural. "

Believe me....I don't miss him enough to smell his shirts!! I'm not THAT sad!! But, it is good to know that my feeling of sadness is normal. I'm sure it won't last for long. It even goes away at times....like when I come home from work, and my kitchen is still clean. And when I go into his bathroom, and don't have to pick his towels up off the floor. I'm also looking forward to turning his bedroom into a multi-task room for myself. One where I can place my computer desk, treadmill, and sewing machine, etc. I can now have my two guest rooms without other clutter.
Hmmm, I think I'm feeling better and a little less sad, already!!

Also I found out that I was right about the other factors playing a role in my sadness. The "empty nest" site also had this to say:

"When a woman is at the stage in life where her kids are leaving, she may also be going through other major changes, such as dealing with the menopause or trying to cope with increasingly dependent elderly parents. "

So, I'm glad to know that I am a normal person!! I'll get through this and be happy again soon. In the mean time, I know that I can still talk to God anytime. He is here and understands....

Have a blessed weekend.....Gayla

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Updates

Update #1...I got my phone call....Mystery Man is forgiven..:)

Update #2...I just took my Dad home from the hospital. He is doing very well, just tired. He has no residual effects from the stroke at all. Thank God, He is sooo good!! The doctor started him on a new medication that will hopefully keep him from having another (larger) stroke. The other tests they ran looked good. We thank you all for your prayers!!

Tell your family you love them while you can....Gayla

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Please Pray for My Father

Well, I just got home from Kaiser hospital. This afternoon about 3:40, I got a call from my Mother. She thought my Dad was having a stroke. I persuaded her to call 911, as I knew they could get there before me.

Being a nurse, I know that there is only a three hour window for a stroke. The patient needs to have a CAT scan immediately, and if the stroke is not caused by a bleed in the brain, then it is caused by an embolism. To break up the clot, a medication that is termed "clot busters" is given, but it won't do any good if given after 3 hours after the first signs of the stroke. That was the main reason I wanted her to call 911.

I actually got to their house just as the ambulance was leaving for the hospital. Dad was doing better, but still had some slurred speech, but it wasn't very bad. He had been having weakness on the right side, but that was already better, too. After we got to the hospital, it took them FOREVER to get him to CT for the scan. By the time they determined that it wasn't a bleed, (if it was caused by a bleed, then of course, they would not give the clot buster...that's why the CT)Dad's speech was worse, and very, very slurred, and the 3 hours was now up. We made the decision to give Dad the clot buster, even though there is a risk that it will cause hemorrhage and death. We felt that the chances of the stroke worsening were greater than the chances of bleeding.

By the time they got the medication from the pharmacy to ER and they were ready to start it, Dad's speech was better, again. He had no other signs of stroke at this point, and since he was getting better, the decision to hold off on the medication was made. If his stroke were to get worse again, though, he could not get the clot buster. What a decision!!....but I knew that they had prayer for Dad at church, so I felt confident of my/our final decision. I KNOW that God is a God who hears and answers prayer, and is the Great Physician. I thank Him for hearing our prayers one more time!!!

When I left the hospital, Dad was doing great!! No more slurred speech or anything. They were keeping him over night for a 23 hour period, and plan to run a few tests tomorrow. If everything looks good, they will discharge him tomorrow. Please pray that he continues to do well.

Dad will turn 88 on Nov 3, and he isn't very strong since his heart attacks last year, but he is still my "Daddy" and I don't want to see him suffer.

I'm very tired, so I think I'll hush and go to bed. Thank you for your prayers....Gayla

MEN!!! Who needs'em, anyway???

MEN!!! I hate them!!! Well, I don't really hate them all, just one "mystery man" in particular!! And, well....I don't really hate him, either...I don't hate anyone, since that's a sin. LOL I'm just kind of miffed at him, ok? Why does a man tell you he'll call you at a certain time, and then he doesn't? I have never figured that out. Does anyone else know why? "Mystery Man" always calls when he says he will, so what happened last night???? I guess I might give him a break until I find out why he didn't. One thing I NEVER do is, sit by the phone and wait for a phone call. I have a lot more things to do in life than that, but last night I was home anyway, and he said he'd call...so...!! ARRGGHHH

One thing I am sure of...I'm too old for this kind of thing. This is what used to happen in Junior High and High School!!! But, now???? No game playing for me, nosiree!! Not at this age, life is too short!!

You know what I've found out over the last 17 years of single-life? I don't NEED a man!!!.....but I sure do WANT one....!! I raised my 3 sons by myself during the hardest time of raising kids...while they were teenagers!! They didn't turn out so bad, they're awesome men, now. I put myself through nursing school while they were all at home, and have taken care of everything myself, from the yard, to the car, to the house, and the bills. Of course, I didn't always do everything myself, but I was the one to get it taken care of. So...I'm quite capable of handling life without a man. Then why do I want one??? For the companionship, the camaraderie, knowing that someone loves you just for being you, (besides my mother! LOL), someone special to share your day with, the hugs, and yes, the kisses...

So, where are all of the GOOD, single, men? I sure haven't found the spot!! Does anyone have any suggestions???

I know that in God's perfect time, the perfect man... for me... will appear. In the mean time, I do enjoy life. I don't just sit at home crying, waiting for him to knock on my door. I laugh a lot, travel often, and generally enjoy life while waiting for him to come along.

Ok, I guess this is quite a silly post, but that's how I'm feeling today............ :)

Be blessed and live in HIS presence!! Gayla

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

LOOOOONG Day

Today was one of the longest days of my life!! I thought it would NEVER end. First, I had a difficult time getting out of bed before dawn!! LOL Then, I got to work and we were short a nurse or two, and E.R. was filled to maximum capacity, so they had to give me a full assignment on my first day back.

I actually managed and my day wasn't bad at all. I had some really good patients to care for. I just felt like the day would never end, due to my not being used to being there.

My knee is sore, and my leg is really swollen now, though. I work 12 hour shifts, and am on my feet ALL day, so my knee got a real work-out today.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I thank God every day for blessing me with a good job. I truly am blessed!! I have tomorrow off to rest up before I have to go back to work Thursday and Friday, so that will help.

YIPEE!!!.......Just 3 more weeks until West Coast Conference!!! Can't wait....it will be another awesome year!! Hope to see you all there.........

Blessings to you all.....Gayla

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Cruelness of Alzheimer's

He is a gentleman in every sense of the word. He is soft spoken, and is one of the kindest people you could ever hope to meet.

I've known Bro. Orville Talsness for about 40 years. I was a young teenager when he first brought his family to our church. I will never forget that he has ALWAYS called his wife "his bride" and even though they are in the golden years of life, it is evident that they are still in love.

He was with his oldest daughter last Friday. She had gone with him to a doctor's appointment. He took her home and dropped her off around 6:00 P.M. that evening, and was headed for his own home which wasn't far. I got a call about 11:00 P.M. Friday night telling me that he was missing. The police were notified, and his grandkids were out looking for him.

On Saturday morning there was still no word. We were all praying that God would help him to be found. There was no evidence of foul play, but in this world now days, that was not to be ruled out. It was known that he had his ATM card with him, but not much else. He didn't take his cell phone, as he was only going to the doctor.

By Saturday night, his family was able to get some records from the bank, and it was apparent that his ATM card was being used. The last place was in Sparks, NV. (That's quite a distance from Fresno, Ca.....) With help from the bank, they were able to determine that the card was used at a towing company. Now, they realized it might be him, and that he had car trouble of some sort. A phone call to the towing company revealed that it was indeed Bro. Talsness, and that he had run out of gas. A Nevada Highway Patrol had stopped to help him, and is the one who called the towing company. The HP said he did not seem confused, but had said he was "trying to catch up with his family". The missing persons bulletin had only gone out in California so far, so the Nevada HP had no idea he was missing. Now, though, they were alerted to keep a watch for him, and that he was most likely still traveling on I80 headed for Utah. His family was praying that he would be seen before he reached Utah, though, or the process would have to start all over again!! (I don't get that!!!!!....)

Sunday morning, our Pastor, Bro. Morton was leading worship with the Sunday School workers. He announced that Bro. Talsness was still missing and instructed them to pray that God would help them locate him RIGHT NOW!! Ten minutes later, Bro. Morton got a phone call telling him that Bro. Talsness had been found. He was stuck in the sand in Winnemucca, NV!!! Bro. Talsness was allright, but confused and dehydrated. They placed him in the hospital to await the arrival of his family. He made it back home today, and is doing well. He doesn't remember anything about his spontaneous "vacation", though. Thank God!!! He DOES answer prayer!!

I wasn't aware that Bro. Talsness has early Alzheimer's. He still drives his wife and himself to church, and seems to be fine when I talk to him. Granted, I don't usually carry on a lengthy conversation with him, so that may be why I never noticed.

Alzheimer's is one of the most cruel diseases there is. A person that has been intelligent, kind, loving, etc. can be turned into someone who is just the opposite from what they have been. It is so painful for the family to watch a loved one slowly lose his/her mind due to Alzheimer's. I pray for the Talsness family for God to help them and give them strength.

Well.....tomorrow is my first day back to work in 3 months. (See previous blogs). I will let you all know how it goes. The hardest part will be having to get out of bed at 6am, again!!! LOL

Be Blessed... Gayla

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Slide show of the Fair

Ok, after a million tries, I think I got this......we'll see....LOL

Poor, Pitiful, Me!! LOL

Lucky me!! I got to have another cortisone shot in my right knee today!! (Can you hear the facetious tone of voice?)

I have been off work more this year, than I have worked. In April, I had to have a large incisional hernia repaired. I was off work for 8 weeks. Just the week before I was to return to work, I injured my right knee...playing jump rope!! Yeah, I know...what is an old lady like me doing playing jump rope, anyway, right? Well, we won't go there...

So, I went to the doctor for my knee pain, (I could hardly walk), and to make a long story short, I had to have surgery on my right knee in July. The doctor told me I would be back to work within 6 weeks, maybe sooner if I was doing ok. (I still haven't figured out why doctors are so optimistic, when they KNOW better. This was not the first time a doctor has told me I would return to work after surgery, WAY before that actually happened.)

Back to my story... I have been going to Physical Therapy twice a week now, for 6 weeks. My knee has improved, but it is still not completely well. Regardless, I can't stay off of work forever, so the doctor has released me to return to work on Monday, Oct 15th. Well, today I got up and could hardly walk, my knee hurt so bad. It feels like just BEFORE surgery. I went to P.T. as planned, but after that I stopped into the doctor's office to let the doctor know what was going on. I saw her Physician Assistant, and he suggested another couple of weeks off work. Now, as tempting as that sounds to me, I told him "No, I have to go back to work", or they may give my position away. Thus, the corisone shot in my knee. This is the second one I have gotten. They really don't hurt too much at the time, but they make my knee really sore for a couple of days, before some relief sets in. Hopefully my knee will be doing just fine by Tuesday. That will be the first day I actually return to work.

I have been off work for so long, that I feel like I will need to be trained again. LOL In reality though, I know I will be back to work only a few hours before I feel like I was never gone. That is just the way it is, for a nurse.

If anyone reads this, and feels sorry for me, I would love to receive flowers!!! LOL LOL (Just kidding). Enough whining......all in all, God has been so good to me, I can't complain about the small stuff for long.

Take care and have a blessed day.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Learning to be a Blogger

Well, I decided to join the new millenium and try my hand at blogging. I really don't have a clue what I am doing, so if anyone actually reads this, don't laugh at me too much!! LOL



I've said that my life is so simple, who would want to read about it, so I've never attempted to start a blog. I decided it could be fun, and if anyone reads my blog, they don't have to continue if they become bored!! LOL



This past week was so much fun for me. The BIG FRESNO FAIR is in town. I don't know why, exactly, but I LOVE the fair. I never go to the carnival area, so it isn't that. I think I just like the atmosphere of fall in the air, the animals, the bar-b-que, the corn on the cob, the cotton candy, the people watching, the horse racing (I don't bet on them, and wouldn't even know how, but I like to watch them run, they are so beautiful), the exhibits,...I guess you could say I like just about everything about the fair.



I am still off work due to knee surgery (I return to work next week, but that will be another blog), so I was able to go to the fair twice last week. I went on Thursday and saw all of the exhibits, etc. that I wanted to see. On Friday, I took my 3 year old grandson, Caleb. It is so much fun to watch a child enjoy him/herself. He had so much fun looking at the baby animals, riding the pony, seeing the snakes, turtles, and lizards, climbing in the pirate ship and sliding down. He rode some of the "kiddie" rides and had a blast. He wanted to go on the giant slide where you slide down with a gunny sack, so I bought him a ticket. I thought..."there is no way this kid is going to climb all the way up there and slide down by himself". Boy, did he show me!! He handed his ticket to the man, took his gunny sack and started climbing that long row of steps and never looked back. It was too cute!! He got to the top, put down his gunny sack, sat on it and away he went. He was all smiles when he got to the bottom and said "That was FUN!!" We were at the fair about 4 hours and he was exhausted when we left. As we were leaving the fair, with his eyes barely open, he said..."That was fun, Grandma Gayla!!" AHHHH



Then, we had "Ladies Day" at church this past Saturday. Bro. and Sis. Chad Craig were there to minister to us. Sis. Rhonda Craig talked first about the 3 most important people in her life and the life lessons they taught her. Then Bro. Craig preached to us about breaking open the alabaster box. It was a wonderful, wonderful service. I had to run the tape ministry and tape the whole thing. Mind you, I had never done that before!!! Last Wednesday, they asked if I would do the taping, so I was able to sit in the sound room at church Wednesday night and learn how.....yeah, that's right....one time to learn, and then I had to do it. I was SO nervous that I was sick to my stomach before the service. I was so afraid that something would go wrong with the tapes and I wouldn't know what to do, and then the whole service would be lost. At first, I thought..."well, if I mess up the tape, at least we'll have the CD"...right?...wrong....We had a lady doing the sound and running the CD, too. Her husband usually does both, so he had set the CD up ready, and all she had to do was push start, but other than that, she didn't know what to do. So, I knew I couldn't rely on THAT!! LOL As it turns out, I DID IT, and I was soooo relieved. I learned yesterday, that the CD didn't turn out too good, so I'm glad I got it taped. WHEW!!



Well, I don't know how dedicated of a blogger I will be, especially after I return to work. I doubt I will be able to blog every day, and anyway I don't think I will have that much to talk about. I don't think anyone will want to read such as this...."Got up this morning and went to work, came home so tired I went straight to bed....guess I'll start the same thing over tomorrow!!" LOL (Actually my life isn't quite THAT boring....!!! LOL LOL)



I hope everyone has a good evening. May God keep His hand on you and bless you abundantly!! Until next time....

P.S. I went to Rock You, and tried to make a slide show of pictures from the fair, but didn't know what I was doing, so obviously, it didn't turn out. Maybe I'll post it later, after I can figure it out...