WOW, Ive been offered a job here in Richmond. How lucky am I? My contract finishes here in a couple of weeks and then i fly home to Lake Macquarie to pack up a few things. Not everything, but enough to make my new lodgings homely for at least a year. My new little cottage is so cute- I cant wait to move in and when it it all done I shall be sure to post some pictures of it.
My study is coming along...slowly. I had forgotten how stressful getting an essay together can be. After flying home on my three flight trip I will be making the long drive back a week later to Townsville. There, I have a 5 day orientation to Queensland ambulance and QLD health. After that. A trip across the miles...or 'downs' as they are referred to here- all the way back to Richmond.
Well, Best sign off for now but will be sure to add some more adventure shots very soon :)
Take care,
Love Colleen
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Morning Promise
The light is cold, blue. White. Bright.
The room, cold. Sterile. Clean.
The centerpiece, shiny, staino, cold….
ice cold.
The book of life lays on an old doily, aged and yellowing…
The room lifeless… Yet full to capacity,
(have you ever noticed a room with a sleeping person still "feels" alive?- this one does not).
It scares with a morbid coldness
That doesn't make sense to the living.
No life, no character,
No promise of good things to come.
For those within, the day has set,
The beauty now left to us…
The view beyond. Unparalleled beauty,
Framed in a glass panel in a thick green door…
The days dawn beyond boasts of hopefulness, gently not brazen…
as she spreads colour vibrant…
Blue, and pink to the horizons' edge…there is no edge…it is eternal
Its vibrancy the backdrop to inky silhouettes of gums, poinsettias and jacarandas
The birdsong plucks clear in the stillness,
The fish splash in the satiny dark smoothness,
insects scatter and screech…
the dawn time is deafening, and yet unobtrusive in the serene solitude.
A new day is born.
Mother Nature, in your beauty you are ironic…or are you
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Here I Am
Here I am, almost 45, and wow,,,what a life it has been so far- I cannot wait to see what the future holds and finally have learnt the real meaning behind the saying "you are where you are, because you want to be". I have learnt that there is no point in making excuses for things you cannot do, for those excuses hold you back. We all have a choice on how we choose to live life. Success now- to me- is not measured by how many ornaments i own, nor how expensive my car or clothes are. Success to me is being able to enjoy our country side an more importantly- the people. It is being able to take advantage of opportunities- like HECS- so I can live how i wish to live and also in being able to pay my way while i do it. Success is knowing I have 3 boys who can survive and be good people in their own right. Success is enjoying each and every shift i do in my chosen career. I look back now and wonder why i waited so long to do what I have done. Sure, it would have been harder when the kids were smaller- but shoot- it was hard anyway but the results are well worth it. I could have stayed in the bigger hospitals- tired and burnt out in a few years. Task nursing- when you have done a shift and realise you have not got the patients name but you have managed the paperwork and recored what needed to be recorded. Ridiculous shifts that left me drained and exhausted- to the point I could not even enjoy family, never mind have energy for friends or other family. I cringe when i think back to those days--they seem like a life time ago. Some thrive on this- and i appreciate we all have different ideas of what constitutes a good valuable life. God knows, the hospitals need nurses willing to work like that and with such little reward.
For now, my life is bliss, I finish an 8 hr night shift looking out onto the lake- surrounded by untouched countryside. The hopital is its own time capsule, old, yet sparkly clean. Lino floors from decades ago that have no doubt seen many a good nurses footsteps. An old closed theatre where babies were born by half the female staff over 30 years ago. Now empty, and when checked on last rounds they just want to yell out a story to me. The old kitchen, homely and welcoming, just waiting for cook to come in and make that days fresh breaky- what ever the patients want or indeed- if there are lots of visitors or extra staff it may well be homemade pizza. (Dont get me wrong- by lot of people i mean there might be 10 in the place). The old laundry out the back and huge old hills hoists in the paddock, You just have to love this place- steeped in history. The patients come in and the first thing you notice are the occupations...roo hunters, pig hunters...it made me laugh the first time I saw it written down. They are all characters and in a small town like this the staff know them all... and their families and their full histories... The patients feel like this hospital is their backyard, they come in, they are seen immediatley and if they just wish to come in for some sugar or to weigh themselves they do so. It is relaxed and easy, and funny. The community nurse recalls some fabulous tales and she has the face and voices to go with them. I laugh as she tells the tales....the other day it was merely that when she got to old Bob and Bettys (not real names lol ) they were mid fight over when the community nurse was working. It was a full on country blue. She waited and watched until she aggreed - over a cuppa- that she was indeed on shift today and was there now to see them. I can just imagine this old couple arguing over when she was supposed to be 'on'.Obviously not much news in the homestead that day lol.
Another funny staff member heard of a snake living in the grounds and came racing down the hall to say she was "gonna relocate that bastard yesterday but someone woulda dobbed me in" , in stunned shock the gardener turned and said "what were you gonna relocate it with"...."Me bloody 410" she answered with a smile. I love these people, they are fun, down to earth and live life to the real meaning of full.
Another nurse tells a tale of how after a Christmas bash she was only located because her hubby had seen her halo glinting in the gutter. Yes it was a fancy dress do. She reckons she was never sicker in her life and grateful for her hungry dog that ate all her spew before the girls woke up and knew that mum had vomited her heart out on the front step lol.
Theres some great country tales out here...I should write a book- but im too busy laughing just listening to them--in real life.
Night all
Colleen
For now, my life is bliss, I finish an 8 hr night shift looking out onto the lake- surrounded by untouched countryside. The hopital is its own time capsule, old, yet sparkly clean. Lino floors from decades ago that have no doubt seen many a good nurses footsteps. An old closed theatre where babies were born by half the female staff over 30 years ago. Now empty, and when checked on last rounds they just want to yell out a story to me. The old kitchen, homely and welcoming, just waiting for cook to come in and make that days fresh breaky- what ever the patients want or indeed- if there are lots of visitors or extra staff it may well be homemade pizza. (Dont get me wrong- by lot of people i mean there might be 10 in the place). The old laundry out the back and huge old hills hoists in the paddock, You just have to love this place- steeped in history. The patients come in and the first thing you notice are the occupations...roo hunters, pig hunters...it made me laugh the first time I saw it written down. They are all characters and in a small town like this the staff know them all... and their families and their full histories... The patients feel like this hospital is their backyard, they come in, they are seen immediatley and if they just wish to come in for some sugar or to weigh themselves they do so. It is relaxed and easy, and funny. The community nurse recalls some fabulous tales and she has the face and voices to go with them. I laugh as she tells the tales....the other day it was merely that when she got to old Bob and Bettys (not real names lol ) they were mid fight over when the community nurse was working. It was a full on country blue. She waited and watched until she aggreed - over a cuppa- that she was indeed on shift today and was there now to see them. I can just imagine this old couple arguing over when she was supposed to be 'on'.Obviously not much news in the homestead that day lol.
Another funny staff member heard of a snake living in the grounds and came racing down the hall to say she was "gonna relocate that bastard yesterday but someone woulda dobbed me in" , in stunned shock the gardener turned and said "what were you gonna relocate it with"...."Me bloody 410" she answered with a smile. I love these people, they are fun, down to earth and live life to the real meaning of full.
Another nurse tells a tale of how after a Christmas bash she was only located because her hubby had seen her halo glinting in the gutter. Yes it was a fancy dress do. She reckons she was never sicker in her life and grateful for her hungry dog that ate all her spew before the girls woke up and knew that mum had vomited her heart out on the front step lol.
Theres some great country tales out here...I should write a book- but im too busy laughing just listening to them--in real life.
Night all
Colleen
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A new Day...
I cannot believe the contract here is almost done...2 weeks to go. I am going to miss this post and to make matters worse the sunrises at the end of my nightshift have been so gorgeous lately. The girls here are lovely and i have made some wonderful friends- I wonder where I shall be in a few weeks and if it will be as nice. I would be happy to stay here for even a year.
The gidgy bugs have gone...I have not seen a snake....the toads are still multiplying and ugly as sin...but the weather is beautiful, the accomodation is perfect and I am enjoying my new study program.
Not much to say, except RICHMOND ROCKS!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
MY YASI ADVENTURE 2011
Well, here it is..the night of the cyclone Yasi. The most destructive cyclone ever experienced in Australia...a category 5 Cyclone....my very own cyclone.
What can I say, I along with millions of people around the world watched in awe as this monster made its way weaving into out Eastern coastline. The images were incredible, the centre 'eye' black and evil looking. It really looked like it had an evil black pulsating heart.
The day it was expected was full of terrifying anticipation by most Northern Queenlanders and here at Richmond we were no different. The hospital had several emergency contingency plan meetings and we were well prepared. The grounds were cleaned up, tied up and prepared to be whipped up. My self and the other nurse staying in the nursing quarters were evacuated and advised to stay in the hospital for the following 48 hrs. Luckily, I had a few shifts there anyway so the 'inconvenience' was only short lived. I bundled all i had into 3 separate bags, said hooroo to my temporary abode and walked to work wondering if i would ever see the remainder of my possessions again or would this glorious old house disintegrate under Yasis enormous umbrella? As it was, the night came and went, i watched and waited....watched and waited.....then woke along with many others to see what havoc had been caused. In my opinion the incredible work done before hand and pre warnings given were the reason there has been no loss of life. People in general pulled together, did what was asked and life was preserved. Real estate and property was not so lucky, buy hey, trees will grow again and homes can be rebuilt. The trail of devastation was relatively minute I thought.
In Richmond -as day broke- our winds were just beginning and we had a long day of howling noisy winds, trees blowing over and lots of rubbish littering the streets/fields. All in all, pretty damn lucky and relieved. I have to say, I headed off for adventure and feel like i am living it! What more could i ask for....now I can honestly say "Ive felt the wind and heartbeat of an ugly beast that was called ...Cyclone YASI"
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Week One in Richmond
Wow...one week has been and gone. I have done a few shifts here now and am learning new skills everyday even though it is such a quiet hospital. So far I have learnt to use the QLD health "Istat" system, "Ipharmacy system", how to interact with the Royal Flying Doctors- how to do a handover and transfer etc... and also, a new skill for me, triage nursing. In the past i have had direct admissions however there has always been a doctor nearby if everything went haywire. In this location we wait, we wait for the snake bite, the heart attack, the wounds and injuries, the medical emergencies etc. It has been somewhat unnerving to have the sole responsibility of a patient. Do I send them home with a panadol? Do I call for the doctor at 3am? It has been a wonderful learning curve so far even in such a short while.
The people here have been so wonderful, helpful and friendly. They are inclusive and not resentful that an 'agency' nurse is on their territory. I am so looking forward to going out to lunch tomorrow with a couple of the nurses who have kindly invited me on their outing.
The snakes are still my nemesis. They will surely be my ruin. Today i found out that the snakes previously mentioned have actually been found IN my unit, wrapped around the balcony and also on the step...all as the last nurse here walked to night shift. Ohhhhh, how i dread these times. I must look like a stalker as i sit in wait for headlights coming down the driveway so i can leap out and walk in with my partner. Luckily they all think it is good timing and not a strategic plan i have so as yet I don't look like too big a wimpess.
The flood situation has not affected us directly however one thing I have noticed is the short supply of food and the cost of it. I am sure this is going to be Australia wide as so much food comes from the flooded regions or was stored in warehouses in Brisbane which are now submerged. As is the rest of the country we are watching in horror as the floods claim more lives, properties, dreams and businesses. All I can do from here is pray for those who are in the middle of it all and hope there is help available when they need it, financial, emotional and physical. On a positive note the heroism and camaraderie shown makes me proud to be an Aussie OI OI OI!!!
Till the next post...hooroo xox Colleen
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Pictures of Richmond
In these pictures you can see the old queenslander that is my temporary home, the two QLD health cars which i have for my use while I am here, the ambulance, the hospital and of course inside the living quarters...not too bad I reckon :)
RICHMOND QLD
I'm here In Richmond, it is nothing like i imagined, although very pretty and green- something i really had not expected. The flight from Townsville was an experience, the plane was delayed because of thunder storms and we sat in the airport watching the sky get greyer and nastier- not a very reassuring sight when you can see your plane sitting on the tarmac looking very very small! Anyway, I met the other two nurses who were flying in with me, somehow we all just identified each other-do nurses have a silent beam that alert other nurses? We got on very well and boarded our little plane- first stop Hughenden, about an hr and a half away. It was supposed to be a quick stop but as we sat on board we all looked uneasy as we watched the propeller start- then stop- start- then stop- eventually a cheery little voice says "all off ladies and gents, we are getting a message that not all is right"! Of course we clamber off and wait in the tiny prefab room which is Hughenden airport. Before we know it an old fella heads across the tarmac and says "Nothing a screwdriver cant fix eh". So on we hop and cross our fingers!
We finally arrive in Richmond and are met by one of the gardeners from the hospital.
My excitement was soon squashed and remodelled into fear. Apparently the nurses quarters has been inhabited by a Taipan and a King Brown snake! Now i know snakes are everywhere and i know there is a slim chance of being bitten- but hey- I just watched the movie "Jessica"...and SHE was killed by a king brown! The little matter of snakes has really taken the shine off this place and I am almost terrified to go out adventuring. You need to understand too that I am in long grass (because THAT gardener is away), I am near a nice cool water hole and I am living in a nice big raised Queenslander- and that means they like downstairs because it is so cool--AND there are frogs everywhere, snakes favorite food.
Not to be too much of a party pooper I agreed to head out on New Years Eve and walk- in the pitch black snake dark all the way into town- a good half hour walk with toads and frogs jumping out of the way! It wasn't too bad until we got home and the other nurse said that earlier in the morning, along the same little road we just walked, that two nurses had run over a massive tiger snake and now it was out there- and angry!
On a cheerier note, the living quarters are lovely, they are old, but clean and are very cool. It is actually a massive old Queenslander that has now got 4 units in its centre. The veranda is all fully enclosed and wraps around the whole house. You could hold a ball on the veranda! Each unit has 2 bedrooms, and is fully self contained except for a laundry- which is downstairs and no one will use because of S-----. The water is yukky bore water and stinks likes rotten eggs. I cant get over the idea of showering and smelling worse, or washing dishes that then stink! Oh well, it is clean and the locals reassure me it is all OK. Then there is the bed, it is massive- i think it is a king bed! But it is made uncomfy because here they have what the locals refer to as GIDGY bugs. In fact these are small, brown, horned, stink bugs, and they plague here for about 8 weeks- they should be gone by the time i go! Anyway, these bugs fall on you, climb down into your underwear and crawl over you as you sleep. If you squash it is smells like Poo! Ill try and get a clear photo of one for my next blog. Well for now I'm heading off to see what the others are doing, poor buggers- they had to start their shifts the day we arrived- mine is not until Tuesday and I shall be sure to let you know whats its like. Take care, Colleen.
We finally arrive in Richmond and are met by one of the gardeners from the hospital.
My excitement was soon squashed and remodelled into fear. Apparently the nurses quarters has been inhabited by a Taipan and a King Brown snake! Now i know snakes are everywhere and i know there is a slim chance of being bitten- but hey- I just watched the movie "Jessica"...and SHE was killed by a king brown! The little matter of snakes has really taken the shine off this place and I am almost terrified to go out adventuring. You need to understand too that I am in long grass (because THAT gardener is away), I am near a nice cool water hole and I am living in a nice big raised Queenslander- and that means they like downstairs because it is so cool--AND there are frogs everywhere, snakes favorite food.
Not to be too much of a party pooper I agreed to head out on New Years Eve and walk- in the pitch black snake dark all the way into town- a good half hour walk with toads and frogs jumping out of the way! It wasn't too bad until we got home and the other nurse said that earlier in the morning, along the same little road we just walked, that two nurses had run over a massive tiger snake and now it was out there- and angry!
On a cheerier note, the living quarters are lovely, they are old, but clean and are very cool. It is actually a massive old Queenslander that has now got 4 units in its centre. The veranda is all fully enclosed and wraps around the whole house. You could hold a ball on the veranda! Each unit has 2 bedrooms, and is fully self contained except for a laundry- which is downstairs and no one will use because of S-----. The water is yukky bore water and stinks likes rotten eggs. I cant get over the idea of showering and smelling worse, or washing dishes that then stink! Oh well, it is clean and the locals reassure me it is all OK. Then there is the bed, it is massive- i think it is a king bed! But it is made uncomfy because here they have what the locals refer to as GIDGY bugs. In fact these are small, brown, horned, stink bugs, and they plague here for about 8 weeks- they should be gone by the time i go! Anyway, these bugs fall on you, climb down into your underwear and crawl over you as you sleep. If you squash it is smells like Poo! Ill try and get a clear photo of one for my next blog. Well for now I'm heading off to see what the others are doing, poor buggers- they had to start their shifts the day we arrived- mine is not until Tuesday and I shall be sure to let you know whats its like. Take care, Colleen.
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