Another call from the school

It was 1.30pm, Weds, March 23rd, 2011. I was having a nap, thus is the luxury of being a housewife and domestic goddess, we need our beauty sleep you know!  I haven't been sleeping very well since the kids went back to school after a lovely week off for March break.  I had been to school earlier that morning, I go in Wednesday mornings to help sort the fruit for the healthy snack for school. It was plums today, and they all needed washing, all 500+ of them.  Sue and Zohra were drafted in as well to help, and a student on work placement helped us too. The job was done at just after 9 and the three of us then went to the library to help Mrs P, with the auditing of the AV equipment for school. It's amazing how many overhead projectors the school has! We worked through all the projectors that had been sent down to the library for audit. I question the need for this piece of antique equipment which must have been such a useful tool in years gone by and in it's hey day, lol. I remember learning how to use them the first time, in nursing college, that was more than 20 years ago. Seemed high tech then but today, it's almost archaic and basic low tech compared to the smart boards that most classes have now.

Back to the phone call, it was T, the school secretary, it was a call about Mitch.  My heart sank slightly. We've had 2 phone calls from school about Mitch in the past, and both times, Mitch had been involved in something that required his parents to be informed.  This time round, Mitch was unwell. He'd banged his head, was not feeling well, and they were going to call and ambulance for him. Heart now in mouth. They wanted me to come in.  They know that I don't have a car at the moment and was prepared to get the headmaster to come and get me. I said I would ask Sue to give me a lift in if she was free.

We get to school and the 1st response paramedic's SUV was parked outside. I get through the front doors and was greeted by the Vice Principal, she had a worried and slightly panicked look on her face. She gave me a quick summary of what had happened, I could see down the corridor, where Mitch was sat on the floor, leaning against the wall and a paramedic attending to him.He looked drained, I called out to him, he acknowledged my arrival in a quiet fashion. I asked him if he was ok, he said yes. Mrs P was there, Mrs McT( Mitch's home room teacher) and Mrs B, who was the first aider for the school. The paramedic had chest leads on Mitch, taking a clinical history at the same time as doing the vital signs, though he did not take his temperature.  All his vital signs were within normal limits. Blood sugar was done it was 6.6 mmols- fine. Mitch said he had eaten lunch. He also said his head was fine, did not hurt, and though still slightly nauseated, he had not vomited.

We all tried to get Mitch to tell us what happened, but he was slightly vague, said something about feeling very cold,  then feeling nauseated and dizzy, feeling the need to get indoors as the bell had signalled the end of break.  As he walked through the doors he fainted and hit his head on the door frame on his way down. He was out for several seconds.  I was told by the Vice Principal that Mitch had been feeling unwell whilst outside during the lunch break and had been seen to be sat on the snowy ground with a couple of girls beside him and then fainting and banging his head as the slid down to the ground. It was a cold day, at least -6C and it was snowing. Mitch unfortunately did not have his puffer jacket on, he just had a t-shirt and a hoodie on, no gloves or hat, clearly inappropriate clothing for an outdoor recess!  I touched Mitch's hand. I wanted to hug him really, but he was wired up.  He felt very cold. He had some blankets around him, but I could see he was trying hard not to shiver. I was trying hard not to panic myself and appear calm, I wasn't hysterical or anything, but I was worried about him. As a mother it was difficult to see my normally active and healthy son on the floor all wired up, looking drained of all colour and not responding normally. Then as a health professional wondering what was the cause of the 2 faints, for a normally healthy boy. Low blood sugar had been ruled out and therefore when the paramedic suggested that he be checked out at the hospital, even though Mitch did not want to go, I relented, wanting to be reassured that he was really ok.

So, Mitch had his first ride to a hospital in an ambulance on a patient's trolley, all wired up.  It's all computerised in the ambulance, no writing at all, the attending paramedic used a laptop attached to a mobile worktable to input all details. Apparently, they can transmit all ECG readings directly to a cardiologist if needed for consultation as they are attending to the patients. The ambulance has WiFi! This facility has been helpful as they are currently doing a trial for people experiencing MIs( Heart attacks), in order to know what drugs to administer according to the ECGs transmitted. One group is given tocolytics and clopidogrel and the other are given anticoagulants like heparin and enoxiparin.  Interesting, I think. I also think about my forthcoming start of work at McDonalds, and wonder if I am doing the right thing. LOL.

The ride to the hospital did not take long, even though the weather conditions were not great, snow covered roads normally follow a snowstorm,  the ploughs and gritters were out but it usually takes a few hours for them to take effect.  We belted up and arrived safely. Mitch was wheeled into ED, waited in a corridor, the triage nurse had handover from the paramedics. Mitch's temp was finally taken, it was 36.5C. Mitch's condition had improved during the ride, he was more communicative and warmed up a little. He got transferred to a wheelchair, we were told to get registered and following that, we would be seen in the ambulatory clinic, which would get us seen to quicker than if we were seen in the proper ED.

We got registered, then got told to get to the red zone, put his case notes in a box , sit on the blue chairs and wait to be seen by a Doctor.  A bit like the walk-in- centre with Doctors. After a while, Mitch got called and was taken to have an ECG done, by a nurse, who did not smile as she greeted us, nor told us her name. She did explain what she was about to do to Mitch.  Communication was lacking and she really did not converse with us at all. No interest in us whatsoever. All this time waiting and watching, had me thinking about the baccalaureate table I was supposed to be completing for the College of Nurses of Ontario to see if I could sit their nurses exam and then be granted a license to practice as a nurse. None of the nurses that dealt with us showed any of the competencies that I have had to read about that first entry level nurses have to have. I am not going to bore you with what these all are, there are nearly 100 competencies us nurses are meant to have. If you are a nurse in the UK, it's a bit like the scope of practice and codes of conduct.

As time passed, I knew Mitch was ok, all investigations were coming back normal so far but I was concerned if there are any underlying reasons for his faints. I racked my brain dead brain cells, thinking back to all that I was taught in my masters, and all my years of working in primary care, ED and in hospital. No bloods were taken. He was eventually seen by a doctor, and after a brief examination, we were referred to the Paediatricians. The hospital we were in did not have a separate Paeds ED. While we were waiting, Dave arrived, having left work about 2 hours ago, when I called him to tell him what had happened. We waited and waited. No one came to see if we were ok, no one offered us anything, not even a smile.

Eventually, after about an hour, a Paediatrician and a medical student came to see him. The Med student took history and examined Mitch, it was during the eye movement examination that I noticed that Mitchell had nystagmus on both eyes. I mentioned this to the student, who agreed with me.  Finally, the paediatrician returned, requested a urine sample, and sent us home to be followed up by our family doctor. We were all baffled as to why it had happened, and as a precaution, Mitch was to have investigations done by the GP and then to be referred back as needed. I am sure nothing is going to show, so why subject him to blood work?  I guess it's better to know for sure than to just rely on your own knowledge and instincts? Have I moved over to the realm of investigation for the sake of investigation, that the availability of tests are there, so get them done? Of course not, it's just not normal for 12 year olds to faint because of the cold. He was not hypotensive, hypothermic or hypoglycaemic, so why?
Mitch has an appointment with the GP at 10.10 am tomorrow..... watch this space for further news....

By the time we left the hospital, Mitch was almost back to normal. He was requesting we take him to school to get his school bag as he had a test the next day... we told him not to worry about that, that his teachers would understand but Mitch was adamant that he needed his books. Sue had had Jasmine after school for us and also cooked some dinner for us, which was so kind. We picked up his bag from school, which was open as the school gym gets rented out to several activities after school hours, and went to Sue and William's to get Jasmine and have some food.

4.5 hours in ED, not bad. Sue thought we'd been quick. I have not written anything about the red zone and there is a lot that I could write about, like how it was quite a weird set up, there were several patients hooked up to IV's and sitting and waiting in uncomfortable chairs in and uncomfortable environment. I wondered if I was in some kind of day case/walk-in/ minor illness place.  Privacy was lacking. I knew which patient was 14 weeks pregnant, with a retroverted uterus, and urinary retention, which patient had kidney stones, which patient had to have a full bladder to have a scan. Several patients had been there so long, looking unwell, tired, they were slumped over in those uncomfortable seats asleep. There were several that could have done with lying down. Most were waiting to be discharged.... priority to me, in that most uncomfortable place! There were not enough seats for everyone at times, and some of us had to stand whilst we waited.  The Canadians are such patient people, they waited and waited, no hospital staff approached us to tell us what was happening, but they all still just waited for their name to be called.  When Dave arrived at the red zone and asked reception where we were, he was told to look around for us as he didn't know who was in the department!!! Hahahahahaha or cry I say. Not going to carry on, health care is free and covers much up to a point, mustn't moan or groan. My son got seen, I should be grateful, and I am. Would I nurse in Canada?? Show them how it's supposed to be done??? Should I? Could I? Or would I be tearing my hair out? McDonald's first and then we'll see.

Oh, one last thing, in the cubicles all had couches with paper roll covering them, but no one cleaned them in between patients. The 1st cubicle Mitch was in also had a kidney dish with about 0.5cm of blood in it! Charming, lovely, and wow! I wonder when MRSA is going to hit here.

I have gone and got myself a job!

It's been a while since my last post and much has happened. We have found a 3 bedroomed townhouse to rent and will be moving (again!) on the 2nd of May. After living in the condo-apartment for 6 months, it really was time we found somewhere with 3 bedrooms, as the kids are really too old to share now, being preteens drama queens that they are. Only kidding, but after the drawn on moustache episode, I think it is only fair that I remove my daughter from my evil son's clutches! So, we are moving into a 3 bed, 4 bathroom property on 3 floors, with a double garage and an unfinished basement. All the bedrooms are ensuite, and huge! More housekeeping for me, yipppeeee. The extra space will be welcomed, even if we have enjoyed compact and bijou living here in the condo. The one thing that we won't have is the pool and gym, actually that's  2 things! To be honest though, we haven't actually made good use of them whilst we have been here.  It will be lovely to have a bigger kitchen, have no arguments about who is messing up who's side of the bedroom, and also the basement to escape to when it all gets to much.... I will fix it up as my knitting den, it will be the new home for my ever growing mountain of wool!  So, it's packing up time and also tidying up time. I am hoping the landlady will be able to lease the apartment out for June, as that would mean she would give us some money back for the last month.... we are moving out before our lease ends here.

Mitch has been snowboarding with school and then with some friends during March break.  He can now  snowboard down the Black Diamond slopes! This is the hardest slopes in terms of difficulty. He achieved this on his 3rd go at snowboarding.... must be a natural, though he returns with a bit of whiplash each time, hmmmmm. He has also been on the 'tubes' and that was "so much fun, mom!" I get called Mom now and not mum anymore. I think that is the only Canadian accent that Mitch has picked up.

Everywhere we go, there are different words for the same thing, and I am not talking about a different language, though it may as well be. Mitch gets embarrased when I use the word rubbish, as it's garbage, mom, no one says rubbish here. What a load of rubbish and utter crap I say in return lol. Pants = trousers, touks = bobble hats, eggplant=aubergine, arugula=rocket as in salad leaves, vacation=holiday, fall=autumn, becel=flora(as in margarine), t-fal=tefal and so on and so forth!  I have come full circle, pants are trousers in Malaysia, I then went to the UK, where I had to learn to use trousers as pants there meant underpants/panties, and now back to pants again. Pants!

My sack dolls have become very popular at school since I donated one for their Bingo Night, and I have had 5 orders from school and a further 7 from a friend!  They are made to order with detailed specs lol. Here are some pics of some of them...

Sackboy and girl with touks

Superman Sackboy

Dog Sackboy

So, am busy busy making these!

I have also started making a mystery blanket. Mystery blanket, you ask? What is a mystery blanket? Well, about 6 weeks ago, I get pinged by dear Jeannie, who's in the UK, at 5.30 am, and the message said, are you signing up for the mystery blanket, there are still some spaces available?  Eh? Mystery blanket? I thought she must have been talking about a workshop at Yarn ( the best Local Yarn Shop in Beeston, Nottingham) as she had been to a couple there recently.  I would love to go, but it's a bit far just for a workshop! She then sent me a link to the Mystery Blanket, which is a blanket designed by Debbie Abrahams, and you get sent materials to knit up a few squares each month. You do not get told what the blanket is. By the end of 10 months, you would have been sent all the materials and have knitted up the 49 squares, ready to be put together.

I have always wanted to knit one of the blankets designed by Debbie and this seemed like a good opportunity to do it. It is quite expensive, but I rationalised is as a gift for me the whole year through, seeing me through Valentines, wedding anniversary, Easter, mother's day,birthday, christmas, wonderful wife celebrations lol. So, if any of you want to contribute to the blanket as a birthday gift for me this year, email Dave! Here are some pics of the squares I have completed....

I have completed another 2 squares, which are perfect ones, the pics above show squares with flaws in them, so do not look too closely at them, too late?  You spotted them already,  oh well, I have warmed up after these ones, so square 5 and 6 are perfect! Here's proof...

No bead work or intarsia, difficult to go wrong!

The application with the College of Nurses of Ontario here carries on, I have now sent some of the info they asked for. One of them was asking for something from the NMC back in the UK, and I have received a letter from the NMC asking for £34 to have the info the CNO wants.... time to find a job, I thought, just to pay for this application! In all honesty, I truly cannot be bothered to carry on with this. Dave and I have discussed this to no end. In order to get a job as a nurse here I have already spent $1000, to see if I am eligible to sit their nurses exams, which I will have to pay a fee of $250.  I have paid my unis in the UK to send my transcripts across, now NMC wants £34 to send my record of exemplary good behaviour as a nurse and a midwife across.  I have to write about 6 essays to complete the baccalaureate equivalency table which I want to do on line, but the CNO have failed to email me the attachment for this. Arghhhhh! There are no hospitals near me, we only have one car, and to get to work we would probably have to get another, and in weighing up everything, I have decided to get a job at McDonald's instead!!!

If it's good enough for the queen...

What?? I was asked by a few friends. Are you serious??? You are way too qualified to work there. You are a  health professional with loads of experience and knowledge, why work somewhere like McD's and be paid the minimal wage?  I have asked myself this, don't worry.  For a while now, I have been becoming slightly disillusioned with nursing.  I have said in the past after several stressful days at work, that I would rather be stacking shelves at Sainsbury's ( a supermarket in the UK). Several of my colleagues echoed my wish. I guess I have just gone and done it. I have left the nursing profession, temporarily for now and maybe permanently who knows.. us nurses say we wish we were doing something else, but may not mean it, well, perhaps we do, but nursing pays very well compared to McDonald's, and pays very well compared to other jobs, but not enough compared to other professions! So, we are stuck, we need to earn the money, as we all have commitments and dependants, so cannot afford to earn less.

My new office!

So, why is it different for me now? Of course I want to be earning the big bucks, but I also enjoy being at home with the children, have my doll making/ knitting as a sideline and not be stressed out by work too much. It's the work life balance thing. I know my children love having me at home, so when they aren't in school, I want to be around for them. This is worth more that any money can buy.  Nursing here would not allow me that luxury, 12 hour shifts are the norm.

leaving this behind

For once,  I feel like I have a choice, and I choose not to work the 12 hours, I choose instead to work whilst the children are asleep, and sleep whilst they are at school.  Many mums who are nurses have done this for years, myself included, but the 12 hour shift pattern will not fit in with my life at the moment. I had to find something close by, that I could walk to, shifts that were flexible and McD's was the obvious choice. In principle I should not be even considering working with them, as they have been purported to be one of the causes of obesity in the developed world. Ethically, could I be working for an organisation that serves food that make people fat?  Sigh, for the time being, I am going to forget about my principles and just go for it.  On researching McD's as an employer here in Canada, they have consistently come out as one of the 50 top employers in the country, several years running. They have excellent benefits for their full time employees, and some for the part -time ones. I will be working part-time to start with. I just need to earn some money for our savings and holiday fund, so am not going to be killing myself.  All the qualities they look for in an employee I have, nursing has so many skills and qualities that are transferable to any other occupation.

too many burgers?

I was hired after I had spoken to the hiring manager on the phone, I explained my situation, why I wanted to work with them and what shift I wanted to work. The fact that I specifically asked for an overnight shift might have just cinched it! I was invited to meet up the next morning after my call, and was hired there and then, no forms to fill, she didn't want any references, easily the easiest interview I have ever attended! I was interviewed amongst the diners lol.  I know, I know, it's not rocket science, I am going to be serving at the tills. You start at the tills, work your way up to drive thru, then you get let loose in the kitchen, cross training they call it, I wonder if I will be losing weight... X-training lol.

What else has been happening? My neighbour had her twin boys, I popped round only 3 times to help and she has not called for any assistance since, the $20/hr that I said I would charge (as she told me she wanted to pay me!) was obviously not something she expected. She did ask me to get the going rate for midwifery support, and after discussing it with several friends who have had babies here $20 was cheap! Not cheap enough for my neighbour I guess. She's not paid for the time I have spent helping so far, and I don't expect to get paid.

I have also been helping out at school, at the book fair in the library and also with recovery reading. The Grade 3s have a test to sit this year, and the results go towards a league tables for the schools here.  I read with 4-5 students from that grade that need a bit more practice in their reading, or just to be read to, as they do not have adults reading to them at home in English and English is their second language at home. I also read with 4 kindergarten children- they are the cutest little poppets!

The school also held it's first Bingo Night organised by the school council (PTA), Dave was the caller taking over from one of the teachers who left after the first game.  It was pretty chaotic, could have been better organised and there was some hoo hah about the prizes that were awarded. All in all we made about 1-2K, which was not great according to the organisers, but I thought it was great because there was a great turnout and the kids had a lot of fun...I wish the school council could see beyond making money, yes, one of their main objectives is to make money, but I think making school life fun is equally important.  If we can organise fun activities for the kids and their parents, they are more likely to want to volunteer in the school council.  This is my biggest problem with money, no matter what, it's never ever enough, and people will always expect to make more, want more, demand more...

Finishing on a funny note, I have now realised that there are 2 kinds of kitchens in Canada.... a Chinese kitchen and a non-Chinese one. Huh??? Most kitchens in Canada are equipped with an oven range and dishwasher as standard. Great. But a lot of Chinese people here do not know how to use an oven, and they do not think dishwashers do a good job, so , that doesn't get any use either. On our quest to find somewhere with 3 bedrooms, we have seen many Chinese kitchens with these redundant appliances, which are spotless clean, never been used apart from storage. These appliances are used as extra cupboard space, especially condos/apartments where kitchen space is limited. Finding an oven stuffed full of pots and pans is not unusual.  I jokingly said these to some of my new found Chinese friends, and that I was amazed that they preferred to wash everything up by hand and not use the dishwasher. Sue, my friend said that her dishwasher was used for storage, I thought she was joking, but discovered that she wasn't the other day. I was asked to help cook a spaghetti sauce for them and asked for a grater, Sue's mum went in search of one, in the dishwasher. I know, what's so strange about that? Well,,,,, the dishwasher was not full of washing up, it was full of utensils, all wrapped in plastic, she was serious when she said the dishwasher was just another kitchen cabinet.... in built appliances?? Hahahahahaha