Time is Winding Down

Well, here I am at the end of the 13th month of my education. Hard to believe so much has happened. Being in nursing school is incredibly stressful in and of itself, but so many different things have happened to me on my journey.

July, 2008: Tim had his left knee replaced. He lost his job, we lost our insurance and only found this our AFTER the knee replacement.

September, 2008: Tim has right knee replaced. Two trips to the ER, one by ambulance, complications including pain, pain, pain. Cars get repossessed, a threatened eviction, turned down by SSI, Absolutely only income is short term disability, very little income. . . . .Struggle, struggle, struggle. Still somehow maintaining my 4.0 GPA.

December, 2008: Kim has pneumonia, misses one day of school, still receives A in class.

March 6, 2009: Tim has two strokes. Hospitalized for four days, no real heavy deficits, no insurance, turned down for Medicaid. Discharged by our family Dr for being unable to pay.

April 9, 2009: Tim has another stroke. Change all meds, do not repeat tests from previous strokes. More memory and cognition loss for him, frustrating for both of us!

May 29, 2009: Tim has severe BP issues, hospitalized for one week, no insurance, no family Dr, Kim still maintaining some kind of normality. Kim starting to lose it. (my sanity, tee hee)

June 6, 2009: Tim has another stroke. This one leaves him disabled on the left side with weakness and numbness, swallowing difficulties, real memory loss, Still no insurance, hospital declares us indigent. (I hate that word!) They pay for all hospital services, whew!!!!!!!!! Still no word from SSI, they take away our Food Stamps and still no medicaid. Kim's stress is building, my flight instinct is in full swing. . . . but the questions is, Where will I fly to?

Forgetting to mention my wonderful Spring Break week. My cousin very generously gives me a trip to visit her in NC. I fly out on March 29 and come home April something or other!. Helps stress level considerably. Biltmore, Mineral Salt Spa, Massage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ahhhhhh!!!!

Home, school, drama, drama, drama, drama. Helping my BFF plan wedding, stress relieving. Reflecting on my life. . . . . .No regrets, except not going to school when I was younger. Enjoying wonderful new friends, girls night out, end of class celebrations, my family, my grand babies. . .

Now here I am at the end of OB. Loved this class!!!!!! This is where I want to nurse. Maternity! It is in my blood. Good clinical although no real clinical site, figure that one out! Great theory instructor. . . . A in class, still 4.0 GPA. I am getting nervous though. What will I do when school is done? Will I be able to get a job? One decision is made, I will be staying right here where my grand babies are. Other living situations will change, but my state of residence will remain the same. Back home again in Indiana!

Summer break! The beach, study for Peds, my last real class before my preceptorship........Gotta pass that practice NCLX with an 80%. No fingernails left, can't reach my toenails. . . . . .

Summer break?????? NCLX break. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .