Isaac

Day 4 - Thursday

Three days of no one setting an alarm has been magical - even though we all roughly wake up around 7am. None of us were running out the door to get out, we knew it would take a while for B Team to get to us as 2 of them were on the Northshore, 1 we still hadn't heard from and 1 was in Houma where a lot of flooding happened.  Usual routine of breakfast and coffee took place.  Then packing and cleaning so our campsite was just the way we found it - actually probably cleaner.

I was the first to leave at roughly 9am. K was slow in gathering her stuff and she probably wouldn't leave until noon. We both had previously taken GPT for Friday so we could leave whenever.  A and S didn't have GPT for Friday, so they were going to work until noon to see their follow ups for Friday and be off for the weekend.  Rumor had it that if you didn't already have GPT for Friday, the only free day A Team was getting off was Thursday - no matter what time you left during the course of that day.

We like to refer to hurricane time as "screw the salary employees" time. Salary employees do not make any overtime while living at the hospital and we apparently didn't even get 24 hours off for living there for 62 hours straight. In one week, I spent 68 hours at the hospital. For that pay period, I spent 108 hours at the hospital but I'm only getting compensation for 80 hours.

Registered Dietitians are never essential until a disaster happens. On a daily basis, rarely does a physician care about RD recs...hell even during a hurricane they didn't. Apparently the only reason RDs are required to be there is that the department things the food service employees will just accept being fired rather than report for hurricane duty.  So essentially, we're the reliable backups for delivery trays. Oh hell to the no.

As soon as I was free, I drove by the house to make sure it was still standing, dropped some of my sleeping materials off, and headed north to Hattiesburg. I spent the next 5 days with the man, the pup, A/C and power and loved every minute of it. 

Isaac

Day 3 - Wednesday

We wake up not knowing we're on generator power, until people start moving and using the potty - only to find out the automatic toilet doesn't flush on aux power. Awesome. Definitely calls for coffee, so A and I head to Southport.

Grabbed the biggest styrofoam cups we could find and loaded up.  She chose to eat breakfast, I decided to go back to camp and make my oatmeal. We get back to camp, I get oatmeal ready, go to nuke it and that's when I remember we're operating on generator power. This is where I learn the beauty of the red outlets. All the red outlets were the emergency outlets, the ones we needed to do work. Unfortunately, that didn't help my cold oatmeal.  I headed over to Southport to see if any of those microwaves work, no dice. I drain most of the water out of my oatmeal, add my sunflower butter and flax seed and eat that mush.

Since we were on generator power, a lot of the restricted zones that you need to swipe your badge for access were on lockdown. To enter the NICU, you had to force the doors open.  The stairs weren't accessible due to them being restricted on the 10th floor (NICU floor) so randos can't steal critical care babies...Side note: I don't know why you'd want to steal a NICU kiddo...sure some of them are pocket sized, but removed from their equipment and they die pretty quick.  So unless you plan on stealing a ventilator as well, stealing a NICU baby isn't a good idea.

So the elevators...were slow.  Some of the public elevators weren't even working, so everyone was using the service elevators. Being on the 10th floor and not being able to access the stairs - my usual routine - I was forced to use the elevators. Waited about 5 minutes to figure out the public ones weren't working. Waiting for the service ones...after 5 minutes in I started feeling very anxious.  I did not want to be stuck on the 10th floor.  It's not that I didn't like my unit, I just didn't like the idea of being stuck. As soon as the elevator came, I pushed 9 and got off one floor later.  I was not about to be stuck in a crappy service elevator, I'd take my chances on the stairs.

The stairs were...wet.  There are no windows in the stairwell or exposed pipes or anything that would make you assume where the water came from...but a few flights were quite wet with water flowing to the next flight. Quite an interesting day...

Lunch was spaghetti in Southport with A and then back to the cancer center to chart.  Our computers at our nursing station at camp didn't work, so we were at the reception area charting and printing our assessments. Due to generator power, the network would go down, yay for electronic medical records! [insert sarcasm here]

I decided to nap while she worked out. Dinner was a sandwich I bummed from K because she had the supplies and she wanted to eat the thanksgiving dinner that was being served in Southport. There was rumor that the 6:30pm meeting was about releasing us the next morning. Rumor was confirmed that evening with an email - we immediately started texting B Team and then conference called our Chief Clinical RD who was at home during the storm.

We were informed we could leave Thursday once B Team arrived.  There was a curfew in place until 6am Thursday am, so we let them all know they should be ready to hit the door by 6am because we were ready to get out. 

Isaac

Day 2 - Tuesday

The night before, we all decided not to set any alarms - we were all awake before 7am. We awoke to look out the windows and see people running and cycling on the levee. Cars driving down River Road like a regular day. The sun was shining. Yet here we all were, on lockdown at the hospital because A Team was active. Livid was an understatement.

I will refer to my fellow RDs with first initials so you can distinguish them from one another. A and I woke up and needed to take a walk so we threw on some shoes and went over the Southport to check things out. Grabbed coffee, spent some time in the RD office and then decided to head to work upstairs. Apparently my office in the NICU was being used as sleeping quarters for the A Team NICU nurses - not a big deal at all, except that I needed to get stuff out of my office.  Unfortunately I had to bother the ladies, grab my binder and do some printing. I grabbed a C.O.W. and posted up in our administrative assistant's office and started my work. Since we had a nursing station in our "camp" I was just gathering my assessments and then decided I would chart and print notes at our campsite.

A and I apparently had the same idea because she met me over there and we charted away.  Our lunch consisted of my homemade biscotti, some freeze dried fruit and pistachios. I think we were still in denial about having to eat cafeteria food. S and K were still over in the hospital side doing their work and eventually they made their way back to camp. Up to this point...it still doesn't really look much like a hurricane outside - just some wind and rain.

A and I couldn't take a day without showering, so we decided to hit the gym - thank goodness we have one at the big O.  A nice hill workout and then a shower was a nice break from the "work" of living in a hospital for a hurricane. It also helped me feel less lazy.

Tuesday evening events were pretty standard as if we all were at home. All of us were in our jambes, lounging around and watching tv and playing on the internet. It was like we were all just chilling at work.  The winds were picking up and we could watch everything through our big windows. Eventually, we all passed out.

Isaac

Day 1

I worked a normal day in the NICU.  Talk began about activating A Team and Isaac becoming a real deal hurricane. Rumors were abound of us reporting in the am to be in house for the duration of the storm.  Throughout the day, departments were distributing parish reentry packets, parking passes, and essential personnel badges. Those of us on A Team were allowed to finish up work and then head out to prepare to live in a hospital for quite a few days. About 4pm, we got the email - A Team was to report Monday evening before 11pm. I secured the house as much as possible, packed my belongings and took a shower - I had no idea where and when my next one would occur. I reported to Ochsner Main Campus around 9pm. Checking in was easy, we just had to report to our department and then set up camp. There are 4 RDs on A Team...essential personnel, we're still not sure why we're here.

Checking in...was interesting.  We were first told to report to the Information Desk in the Atrium and get our wrist bands.  While standing in the very long line, there was an announcement that our wrist bands were given to our department managers. I wander down to my department office...lights off and locked. All I could do was sit and wait.

About 20 minutes later people start to show up. It's close to 10pm now, I'm tired and all I want to do is sleep. No one knows what's going on, all everyone wants to do is say how much they didn't want to come in and all I want to do is sleep. One of the other RDs and I go grab my stuff and we walk over to the Tom and Gayle Benson Cancer Center - the RDs were sleeping in the chemo lab. We stake our claim and post some signs to keep randos out. Here's a view of our sleeping arrangements.


The other 2 RDs come in eventually and around 12:30am we're finally headed to sleep. 

Working and working and working...

Today I put in a good 10 hour day - at the office. I'm still working now...I had 17 or so kiddos to type follow up notes on and 1 new assessment. I got 6 notes type and into the computer. Yesterday our NICU Lactation Consultant and I went to a day long conference on Neonatal Nutrition. We knew about 98% of the information that was told to us, but it's still nice to get that validation that we know what we're doing. I went into work today knowing I had a ton to do, but I also had a spark to do really great assessments on this kiddos.  Not that I wasn't before, but I've always just felt like I was writing a pretty note in our EMR just to have a pretty new from a RD present.

Today I did nitty gritty assessments.  I looked at linear growth and overall gains over the past month. I looked at the most recent CMP and Phos levels. I looked at protein to non-protein calorie ratios.  I looked at growth vs. intake. I looked at Multivites and osmolality. I got 6 kids charted on. I have hand written assessments for all the kids for today - I just emailed myself 3 notes to enter tomorrow.

But today I also did an experiment on Beneprotein and formula. I did discharge teaching for 2 parents. I spent some time with a mom that's had her baby in the NICU for 130 days and I never had the time to sit down with her. I complied numbers for products and prices to see if we're wasting money and can cut costs without cutting quality. I spoke to my Neos about the best way of getting my recommendations under their noses so we can get these kiddos to grow to their full potential.

I may not have done a lot in the billable aspect of my job or been seen as "productive", but today was the first time in a long time that I felt like I was performing at my full potential as a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatrics & Neonatal Dietitian.

Also, NICU related. Yesterday a few of us toured the new NICU area, we got to share our opinions on everything from wall color/texture to floors to furniture. It's really exciting being part of the build and knowing that we're allowed to have such an influence of our new unit. I'm so ready to start seeing my new office and formula room get built out!

Time to type some more notes. Work never stops. 

Over the river and through the woods..

So..I joined Klout this weekend. Not really sure what it's about besides a popularity contest and seeing how much cooler you are than everyone else? I'm going to keep giving it my all and see what happens. You can find me here.

This weekend I decided it was time for the pup to get up to date on everything.  He is now a fancy pants miniature schnauzer who is allergic to fleas. *headdesk* At least he's pretty.

Roller Derby bout on Saturday. Hub City Derby Dames vs. Emerald Coast. We totally blasted them in points even though they put up a really good fight.  Girls were flying everywhere.  No one could stay on eight wheels very long. I want to do it so bad. Strawberry Paincakes and I had a good talk on how to get me involved and get me a tryout. It will be a reality...soon.

The weather lately has been crap, yes, crap. It will be nice and overcast and great temperature and then it will rain like it hasn't rained in years.  This will last all of 20 minutes.  Then the sun comes out and it feels like you're in a convection oven.

Due to the crappy weather, we nixed our Sunday am long run. Fox had a lunch and I had a grooming appointment for the pup, so we went our separate ways. I decided that while I was out running errands, I should go for a run. Seems legit since I'm one of those weirdos that always has a pair of running shoes in the Jeep. I headed out to Jackson Rd. station on The Longleaf Trace and headed West. I started along with a jog - no negative splits or even a watch to time me - just jogging.  I found a trail a little down the way and decided to take it.  I really enjoy trail running - much more than road running. I feel...freer. I was flying down the path, just to see where it would take me. That is why I want to do more obstacle racing. That is why I want to do more trails. That is why I want to stop running these dang marathons. 

Worthwhile?

I have a feeling this post might not be much of anything. I am exhausted - from the weekend events and I think I'm battling a head cold of some sorts.

This weekend was the Red Dress Run! Here's our group shot:

Red Dress Run 2012

It rained a good bit of the morning so we got a late start to the event. We made it just in time to actually watch the run (I had no idea people actually ran). We ended the event with bacon cheeseburgers from Yo Mama's which I would usually agree in saying that it's one of the best burgers around, but on this particular day that we burnt and a bit dry. Epic Sad Face. We came home shortly after where I pretty much slept until the next morning.

Sunday we decided to bring some furniture to my parents' house and pick up a tv. Dad also informed me that my truck tire was there to be picked up.  Apparently there was some miscommunication in where my Spartan training course was to be built...I say it's going to be in my parents' yard and they seem to think I have some hidden acreage somewhere to build it on. We'll figure it out. Now that I have my tire, hay bail, and sandbags all I need is an awesome wall and some mud.

Today Fox and I registered for the 2013 Jackson, MS Warrior Dash.  9am heat - everyone should sign up with us! Promo Code for $5 off EXPIRES TONIGHT 12WDNTL02

Also, some time this week we'll be registering for the Seabee Volkslauf Mud Run next month! 

Cleaning House

So, completely unrelated to anything...but I'm selling quite a few things.  I'm cleansing my diet, I'm cleansing my life.  Getting rid of the unnecessary. So check out my Amazon Storefront. Shop around, buy something.

Egg cups anyone?

Fox was in town this weekend! But unfortunately, I had to work the weekend so we couldn't have our lazy wake up late and have an amazing breakfast weekend. Instead, I got to work super early on Friday am and came home in time to make brunch! I made the usual pancakes and sliced up some cantaloupe, but then I experimented.

Part of my slow transition to Paleo is eat more protein in general. I love carbs. Love, love, LOVE carbs.  So I've been scoping out the interwebs in search of recipes and easy ways to incorporate more protein. Bacon & Egg Cups. Hmm...we like bacon and eggs aren't so terrible. So here's the finished product:

I cooked the bacon slightly in a regular skillet. Then I placed one piece of bacon around the inside of the silicon cupcake molds. Next I cracked an organic brown egg inside the bacon. Bake for about 25 minutes and hurrah bacon cups! Definitely let them sit on a paper towel once you pop them out as they are a little bit greasy.

Here's the picture of Fox's brunch plate:


So some thoughts.
While I loved the silicon baking cups, I did not enjoy cleaning egg out of the ridges. I would suggest baking cups that are smooth (if they make those) or the large scalloped edge ones. Or just use your actual muffin/cupcake pan.

Second, these tasted just like eggs with bacon. I need more kapow than that. My next attempt might be some scrambled egg concoction with spinach and mushrooms - kinda quiche-like.

I'll do some more tweaking and let you guys know how the next batch turns out!