Random Booboos

It couldn't be denied that some times our days were laced with some upsetting situations, anxieties, accidents, etc. But no matter happens life must go on.

Here are some 4 situations during my recent travel in Mexico. These 4 experiences were not forgettable so I just wanted to share it with you guys.

No.1 - I was lining at the immigration when I arrive din Mexico City and it dawned on me that I left my passport at the seat pocket in front of where I was sitting at the plane. When it's my turn I anxiously told the officer that I forgot my passport and left it in the plane. He immediately called the crew of the airline which also radioed the personnel at the tube where the place was docked.

They searched inside and then radioed back that they have not found any passport. I told the officer to tell them that I left it inside the seat pocket in front of Seat 19F. Then 30 minutes later then radioed that they found the passport.

They let me wait at the waiting area and I waited there for 3 hours. Good thing I arrived at 4AM and it is still dark outside. And besides the check-in at the hotel starts at 11AM. I still have some ample time to wait.

I know how corrupt the immigration officer in Mexico. I was planning to bribe the officer with money but when he came back, he showed me my passport and then he stamped it and I'm ready to go. Good thing I did not let any money out or else it's gonna be another issue.

No. 2 - I left the immigration office and went to  the baggage claim area. The guy from the plane told me that my luggage will be in carousel 14. I went to carousel 14 and saw my bag standing alone at the corner. I went to claim it only to realize that one of the wheel was broken.

My luggage wheel was ruined and it looks so hapless. I was extra careful not to damage it more. But I know it is ruined and needs to be repaired. I was so devastated that it looked awefully ruined and I am worried what will I use when I'm coming back.

I pulled the bag to Gate 10 and waited for a taxi The taxi ride was fun and my bag was just resting in the trunk. When I got off at the hotel I am staying it looks okay and it is not really obvious that it is ruined. I will probably ditch the bag and buy another one when I go back to Los Angeles.

No. 3 - I called an Uber to the meeting place for our out-of-town getaway to Tolantongo. I left the apartment at 5:30AM because I don't want to be late. I punched  Jalapa 99 on the google map and then clicked it.

The driver was a male and middle aged who greeted me "Buenos das!" when I went in in the car. He continued driving to our meeting place. I was so excited for out trip so I didn't mind that he headed to a wrong direction.

When we arrived at the meeting place, I alighted from the car and tried looking for our tour guide. I noticed that the area appears like a residential area and there I panicked.

I looked for a taxi and begged to bring me to Jalapa 99 in Roma district. In the car, I called our host Aaorn and told him that I was dropped off at a wrong address and I was on my way.

The taxi drove fast and beat some traffic lights and we arrived just exactly on time and then we were off to Tolantongo. That experience was a nail biter to me. I thought I will not make it on time for our trip or else I will forfeit it. Good thing I woke up early and left the apartment early.

I had a blast that day at the natural reserve park.....

No. 4 - These happened during our Monarch butterfly journey. I woke up early as well and waited for my host at the street near my apartment. There were some constructions on the street and the traffic was really bad.

I was waiting when all of a sudden there's a big truck who stopped in front of the building to haul the stones that were dug it that day. They closed the street and I realized that there's no way the my ride can go inside.

I walked towards the corner of Peru and Chile and messaged my host that I am waiting there wearing a maroon jacket. I was standing there worried because I felt that I will be left off by the group because of the bad traffic.

Due to my anxiety I did not notice that my watery pooped had flowed out of my anus and then I felt that my pants and brief was wet with the stool. It is too late for me to go back and changed so I hold up my anal sphincter to prevent it from flowing. But when I feel my pants it was wet a little bit.

Then all of a sudden a blue car stopped in front of me and the driver introduced herself as my host for the day. She told me that I am the only client so we took off and I totally forgot about my wet pants.

New Preceptee

New beginning, new orientee on the ship. After the didactic sessions Charmaine told me that I will be training another new grad for orientation on the floor. I met the guy two weeks ago and we started our rapport quickly.

I toured him around the building, showed him where the purchasing office, utility room, supply room, linen room, ICU, OR, Pharmacy, Med rooms, the 3 stations, etc.

Then I showed him where the assignment board where he will base the assognment initially and to know who's the charge nurse, supervisor, RT assigned to his patients, the LVN to cover, etc.

I also showed him how to chart the hands-off report. Then how to print the med list and checked the meds in the med room if they're complete. If not we have to refill the meds from the Pharmacy.

After that we made rounds rounds to our assigned patients and did a quick ballpark assessment of the patients, checking the lines if still in place, GT/NGT/PEG tubes for patency, tracheostomy for placement and function, vent settings, foley catheters and other tubings, etc.

Then we prepared our medications to be given to the respective patients. Checking the residuals if the meds were given via PEG/NG/G tubes. Checking and changing the wound dressings per protocol. Hanging IV antibiotics and flushing IV pushes as ordered. Ensuring that CNA doing the care also checks the VS and the overall status of the patient.

After passing the meds, I taught him how to chart thoroughly based on his ballpark assessment and also do patient-family teachings as required. I also showed him how to chart and execute the nursing actions for Medicare billing.

At midnight we gave our due meds and due FSBS as ordered. Then we rechecked our previous documentation for accuracy. Sometimes we collect labs and samples and submit it to the laboratory for testing. And also making rounds every hour to check if the patients were still alive.

Then in the morning we do the oral care, suction the patient for any secretions, keeping the bedside clean. Changing the IV tubings and tube feedings. Checking the I&O's. Making sure that patients who were hemodialysis were made ready for the procedure. Pass the morning meds and wrap up the charting.

So my, the orientee was picking up slowly. At least he has the base knowledge of the bedside routines. He has still to complete 8 weeks of orientee until he is ready by himself. It still a long way for that but I'm sure he's doing ok.

Cancun Getaway

Amidst the Covid19 hoopla, me and my cousin decided to have a short vacay and had sneaked out from our busy schedule from the hospital. We flew to Cancun for a weekend getaway. The place was been devastated by two hurricanes the previous weeks and it showed from the uprooted trees on the streets. The place still stood from the adversity of mother nature. Business still has to go on.

We checked in at Canopy by Hilton at the main boulevard and the hotel was kinda uninhabited because of the scourge of Covid. Good for us, because we got to enjoy the hotel on our own without worrying for getting infected. The hotel staff meticulously disinfect every nooks and crannies of the building.

The first night, we book a 4 course dinner at Ritz Carlton Cancun, Fantino Restaurant. There were few customers and the restaurant was too spacious for us. We had a sumptuous and delightful dinner. We did enjoyed the ambiance and the superb services of the servers and waiters.

The second day we went to Tulum Beach. The place was so different compared to when I last came here. The bus ride was too long but we enjoyed the Tulum Beach. At least we were compensated for coming there and endured the gruelling bus ride. Hehehe. Tulum is more unexplored and the water ws pristinely turquoise and awfully warm. We like walking of the powdery white sand and basks of the cool breeze of the Caribbean Sea. The food was fresh and tasteful. Tulum has its own allure that we had to remember for sure.

The third day we went to Playa del Carmen and enjoyed the public beach. We rented and reclining chair and ate fresh seafoods with gusto. We also enjoyed watching cute and hunky guys passing by our side and mee some cool and friends gals. My cousin was really gregarious.

The fourth day we spent staying at the hotel and enjoyed the swimming pool at the rooftop. We also shopped at the nearbu Isla Mall and also walked to the public beach and checked out how it is. My cousin was a little under the weather. He got indigestion from eating too much raw seafoods.

Then in the afternoon, I flew back to Los Angeles with some majo setbacks. They told me that I was late and the plane had left me. I told them that I did not received any information that my flight was been changed. Good thing they found me another flight to fly straight to Los Angeles.

At least this vacation was been a good escape from our busy nursing life in Los Angeles and Long Beach respectively. I've been working with extra shifts since May and I am really burned out from too much work and overtime. Though they pay me good I'm still human and get tired.

I am glad I made this decision to unwind in Cancun, Mexico, enjoyed the beaches and foods and it had surely freshened me up. Hallelujah!!!!