Perspective

I was once again at work when I was struck with a observation that has motivatied me to write something down. Going through what I would call a rough patch, I was down on myself. Not having a good day at work (not uncommon), but this day was not rough simply because of the work load. I was dealing with some interpersonal conflict and would rather have been able to spend my time how I please rather than waiting on peoples every need. That was until I had a moment of down time. I looked at my patient list and decided to just go around and check in with the people under my care. I asked if they were comfortable and if they needed anything. After I took care of these matters I asked them how they were. I sat down next to them and wanted to listen to their story. So often we come and go out of these rooms that our patients are often left alone most of the day. Sadly, many are alone most of their stay... I enjoy hearing the stories of my patients, they come from so many different backgrounds and sometimes are like living novels to me.

My second patient I went to was the one that stopped my in my tracks. He was a stroke patient. He had lost movement of most of his body while his mind stayed intact. I had thought he was a needy and pitiful patient for most of the day. All day he had continually asked to use the phone to call family. People call family all the time, nothing out of the normal. When I went into talk with him, he again asked to use the phone. I had some time so I made the call for him. Since he could not use his arms well enough, I had to stand next to him and hold it to his ear. He had called his daughter. She did not live far away. The call started awkward and forced. He soon began to tear up as he asked if she could come see him. It's hard for someone who cannot move most of their body to hide tears no matter how hard they try. As I listened he began to offer money to her. Hundreds of dollars for her to make the hour or two trip to see him. I soon picked up that she was not coming no matter how much he offered. The call ended with desperate "hellos?". No one was on the other line. As he nodded to me that the call was finished he layed quitely. In another world in his mind. He asked to be alone; I obliged.

As I walked out my situation seemed much like a splinter to a severed arm. This man could not pay his own family to come see him. My situation was nothing. I could not imagine the thoughts he was having. The few times I've been in the hospital my room has been crowed with people. I suppose the moral of the story is sometimes your situation seems bad until the perspective is changed. I said a prayer for him as I left that day. No one came to see him... He left quietly to return to his nursing home bed a few days later.

Toe to Toe

        The summer has begun and hopefully will the adventures. So far I have done the usual summer start; I've gone fishing, ate some BBQ, and decided that it's time to get ripped.  As to appease the the latter statement I thought I'd try my hand at MMA training, otherwise known as cage fighting.  Of course this is strictly to get in shape and what not.  So I go there with a friend of mine, a girl, and we train with a guy who didn't seem to look the part.  That was of course until he decided to see how good my gaurd was.  I promptly took a few shots to the side of my head.  We are both wearing gloves so it's not painful, but still shocking non the less.  Getting hit I suppose is part of what this training is. So what do I do? I try to hit him back.  Impossible! This heavy set guy is like neo from the matrix.  Everytime I swing he dodges me and says I'm leaving myself open and shows me this with another tap to the head. Then there was the ground game.  Short story even shorter is, nothing like be suffocated with your own arm... Over all fun time! It was just like wrestling practice was in high school. A workout where you really feel like you've done something.

On a workout note, I still have the aspiration to compete (finish) in a triathlon.  So far I've been more comitted to the workout schedule and my swimming is vastly improving (not drowning).  By putting this up on here I hope to pressure myself into finishing the training. 

Other notes since last post: ceiling caved in from water damage, now have two jobs, have a sweet fish tank (would've rather have a dog, but fish will do for now).

Letting go

Last week at work I was deeply impacted by an observation I made at work. Death and dying is a natural part of my work, but something about two of our cases impacted me more than I have been before. The first case is a person whose life was instantly changed and the second has been a progressive loss. I really don't know what's worse. Seeing someone slowing being taken away by their own body, having that person disappear? The pro's and con's of both can be endless. My opinion is that this is fueled by fear of having life end well. In my experience everyone, no matter of after life beliefs, wants a peaceful end with all loose ends or damaged relationships content. I hope that these two families found meaning or peace in the situation that they was presented to them.

Informationism

I wouldn't say that I'm overtaken by electronics, but this morning I did notice something about how integrated technology is in my life. Every facet of my life has some sort of electronic based device. The odd thing I noticed is that it feels almost unnatural to not be around technology. Since when is my phone a natural part of me? I suppose this is because almost from my moment of existence it has been a part of my life, so to me it is natural in a sense.

I have nothing against it really. I do not think we need to be completely organic or that electronics are the tools of the devil. I do however wonder what impact it will have on the way we live our lives. I recently saw an article that said technology has had a major impact on shyness. They said that research has shown that now when people are in a public setting they are avoiding interacting with people by escaping into their iphone, ipod, zune?(not likely, but I didn't want to single out apple), etc.. Don't most of these devices claim to bring more people together?

In my opinion the key is balance. I think technology is great at allowing millions of people to share ideas and experiences so easily. I also think that people lose out on a great part of life when they don't get to have the interesting experiences that life can provide, but would rather tweet their every move.

Maybe I'll leave the phone at home today on my run

I have begun!

This will be short and sweet. I wanted to start getting some thoughts out there. Mostly for me I suppose. I enjoy reading other peoples thoughts in their blogs and what not, so I thought I'd try my hand at it. I want to write and document the events and subsequent thoughts of my life and faith. Amost nothing in lifeseems to be truely original. What does happen is that people will make connections through similar experiences. Thats what this is to me. Nothing profound. Just thoughts that someone, somewhere has had before while exploring what we as people are even doing here.

Nate