No nursing & the 49ers lost... still a GOOD day

~ Yes, Gracie still is without nursing and continues to miss school :-(

For those not following that mess on facebook, we are working on our fourth nurse since August 31st.

At the end of October, her first nurse quit to go back to an admin position.  Homecare, and especially caring for Gracie, was too demanding physically and not enough pay.  

Mid-December, her second nurse of the school year was let go (by us and the agency). 

The third nurse started January 9th, worked two days and then called off on her third day.  After the holiday weekend, she no-showed... for two days.  The agency called her emergency contact, as we were all concerned, and that person said she'd been in bed with a migraine for two days.  She never took the time to call in.  Now, after a week, the agency still hasn't spoken directly to her.  She has been let go, again, by us and the agency.

Last Thursday, the agency sent me a nurse to interview - - that person, while nice, had no trach experience to speak of.  While I'd consider taking the time to train some for a while in our home, Gracie needs someone with enough experience... i.e. has handled emergent situations... to handle caring for her all day at school and on the bus rides to and from.  Experience is necessary.     We don't have the luxury of time here.

On Saturday, they had scheduled another nurse to come out and interview at 1pm.  At noon, that individual called to reschedule... clearly not a priority even after they explained that Gracie is currently unable to go to school until we are properly staffed. 

We have considered switching agencies, but the harsh reality is, it's really no better anywhere else.  We'd only be trading evils.  Furthermore, two of the nurses that have been here are double signed at agencies, and nurse #2, who was let go, was mentioned by another agency back in October when we considered switching companies... they called her "an ideal fit!" 

WHERE are the reliable, committed, caring nurses? 

~ Yes, the 49ers had a heartbreaking loss last night.

But...

~ John stayed home to help me with the kids and give my body a break.
(His four day stretches of leaving at 5am and getting home around 7:30pm are taking a toll on me since I have no help with Miss Gracie.  While Preston is "easy" to care for, in my "current state," Gracie's physical needs are not.  Lifting her and her equipment, bending over for extended periods, squatting and kneeling constantly, etc, are getting to be a bit much for my body... especially by day four.)

~ Before the kids woke up, we had about an hour and a half of quiet conversation time with hot mugs of coffee (decaf for me!) cuddled under blankets on the couch.  Priceless.

~ Gracie is fully recovered from the horrible (worst in at least a year) abdominal migraine.  She is finally up to full strength formula and volume again.

~ John made a delicious breakfast for us and then yummy snacks to enjoy while watching the game.

~ Preston got some much needed "daddy time" playing outside... a burn-off of testosterone that can't possibly be matched by playtime outside with mommy, especially right now!

~ I got seven loads of laundry done... and by done I mean folded and put away... all before halftime.

~ At one point in the evening, I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes and couldn't breathe.

~ Gracie spent halftime (and more) fully engrossed in her new iPad. 

It was, despite the football loss and lack of nursing, a good day.