Seriously? Gross....

So, as I stated before, I work in a hospital (which will remain un-named) and I would like to share with you guys something that my boss would probably kill me for...but I feel as though the people of America need to be aware.

Last night, while working the late shift, I got really tired and decided I needed to keep myself busy...otherwise my boss was going to walk through the door to a comatose employee drooling on the computer. So I decided to clean pretty much everything. I started with my office area, which wasn't too bad. Then I migrated to the ER waiting room to Lysol down the chairs where sick people sit all of the time. I'm sure the germs out there had taken up a permanent residence. I decided to attack the really dirty spots with these bad boys...

These "Super Sani-wipes" are what the Emergency Department uses to wipe down all of the beds. They are "super" germ killers. I call them Cancer Wipes because they can potentially cause cancer if used on a regular basis without protective precautions (hence the gloves). They're great for destroying germs...not so great for being on your skin.

While looking for things to clean, I noticed some children's toys that were built into the walls in the waiting room. I hear kids out there playing on them all of the time and I decided they probably needed a good scrub down because so many sick kids play on them. I was looking at one of them and noticed, this thing was COVERED in grime. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned in...well...ever. I started wiping it down (which took all of two minutes to do) and the nastiness that came off was absolutely appalling. So much so that I decided to take a picture of it...

I know the quality isn't very good...but hopefully you can see what I mean. The top is an example of a clean Sani-wipe. The bottom is the one I used to clean the children's toy. I mean...come on. That is just disgusting. Seriously? How long would it take a housekeeper to just spray the dang thing off and wipe it down once a week? It only took me two minutes to scrub everything off of it!!! And little children play on it for Pete's sake! Surely you would take that into account when you're doing your job.

So, as a word of caution to anyone bringing their children to the hospital. Pay attention to the toys they play with. Just because they're in a hospital DOES NOT mean the toys are clean.

Oh the life of an ER employee...

I work as a registrar in an Emergency Room and, as you can imagine, I see plenty of interesting things. Now, although I love Kentucky with all of my heart, this state possesses some of the most ridiculous and redneck caricatures I have seen in my lifetime. It seems as if all of the toothless, dirty, stinking, inbred life of Kentucky crawls from their hiding places just to make a trip to this ER. Granted, sometimes our patients are absolutely wonderful, but sometimes I just can't believe some of the things that walk through (or all-too-often, into) these sliding glass doors.

So here are a few of the most memorable types of patients... (don't worry, for all of you HIPPA advocates, there will be no major details released, just my experiences in a very vague form.)

1. Polar-Pop Prince/Princess

    --Now these people are the most common and they crack me up. They come to the ER because of their idiotic emergent situations, yet whatever brought them here was not nearly as important as it was for them to stop at the local Circle K and grab themselves a polar-pop beforehand. They hobble in here with their "ailments" and then plop that gynormous drink right down on my window ledge before proceeding to tell me all of their woes and aches...yeah, right.

2. The Extremely Zealous Actors

     --These are the loudest, most ridiculous patients of all. They scream, squall, crawl, roll, groan, moan, "convulse" and act absolutely hysterical...but only when people are looking. As soon as they no longer have eyes on them, their ailments mysteriously disappear. Go figure. I've even been standing outside the ER on a break and I have watched the metamorphosis from vehicle to ER entrance as seemingly healthy beings emerge from their transportation and slowly digress into crippled souls on their way to the door. The transformation is amazing really.

3. Pain Meds, Pain Meds, Pain Meds...

     --Unfortunately, the addiction to pain medication is far too common in the Appalachian region. People come here from miles around to be seen in our ER for the soul purpose of scoring some pain meds. Now, some hide their intentions well, but others drop every hint in the book. For example: not always, but almost every time someone comes in complaining of a "toothache", that's what they're here for. A toothache is in no way an Emergent situation...so why come to the ER for it? Other people start talking about how they have a driver with them...that's also a dead give-away. Or the ones who just say, "I need somethin' fer pain. I run outta my meds..." At least they're straight up about it. And then there are those who tell the nurses they are allergic to every possible medication that is a non-narcotic pain reliever... You've got to give them some props...they have done their research.

So there you have it! It's always a pleasure to share in my disdain for the so-called "sick" that come in here. This ER is for people who are truly, honestly in need of it, yet, more often than not, it is abused by those who don't really need it. They come in here demanding treatment for their non-urgent complaints and then get peeved when we don't rush them back immediately because someone who actually needs to be here came in the door. It's awful really, the way these people act...thus my soap box moment.

A little bit about me...

Hey guys! Just thought I would give you an inside look into the life of Rachelle. ;-) I live in the Bluegrass State and I LOVE it with everything in me. The weather can be and always is crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have two dogs, both of which I treat as my children and a wonderful boyfriend, Josh, whom I love dearly.

The yorkipoo is my first child. Her name is Fender (like the guitar brand, not the car part lol) and she is my world. I got her when she was no bigger than the palm of my hand and she will be 3 years old next month! She weighs all of 6 lbs and we were so proud when she gained that last pound! She the laziest, most loving little pooch a gal could ask for.

Her brother, on the other hand, is our 13 month old siberian husky, Lakota. He weighs a whopping 60 lbs and is one of the smartest dogs I have ever seen. He is stubborn (just like his dad) but loves to cuddle and snuggle. He and Fender are the best of friends and I absolutely LOVE watching them play. She will grab the little white puff on the end of Lakota's tail and he will just look at her like she's crazy! haha! They are so stinkin' cute!

I also love to crochet! Recently I have started making hats and headbands for the winter. It was a great and inexpensive way to make some awesome Christmas gifts! I'm a little bit of a girly, girl (despite growing up with two brothers lol) so I tend to put flowers and bows on most of my creations.

So that's about it for now! Thanks for stopping by!



My new tattoo!

I got my first tattoo and I absolutely love it! This symbol is packed with meaning for me and this is something that I have been contemplating for about two years now...so I finally did it! I chose a swallow because they are known as a symbol of freedom and over the past 4 years of my life, I feel as though I have slowly but surely come out of the bondages that have kept me from being who I really am. My family is very religious and I am 100% ok with that, but I feel like there are too many rules and regulations in religion. Although I do believe in God and I am still a very spiritual person, I believe Christianity is not something you have to follow a list of man-made (not Biblical) rules in order to be accepted into. I believe in having a PERSONAL relationship with God and studying to show YOURSELF approved. Not following blindly because someone else told you that was the way it's done. THAT is the reason this tattoo means so much to me. No, many people would not approve because their religion dictates that they not get tattoos, but I did to show my own personal freedom from the ideology of religion. I believe in God...not religion.