Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Back for a Bit.
I've been home from my South American travels for a bit more than one week now, and it's been good to be back and adjust to work life again. Getting up at 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. is not so cool, but it's been good (as in beneficial) experience once again.
This week we have taken care of several residents who were living the last days of their lives. Yesterday one resident died during our shift, and today another resident died. Both deaths were anticipated, but not welcomed, of course. Working in a nursing home and seeing death as it takes over someone's life is not a thing I like to watch. I hate watching death, so you may wonder why I am in nursing with an interest in intensive care nursing. Yes, I hate seeing death, but at the same time, I have learned from residents that death can be a scary, lonely time... as nurses, we can help to ease some of the suffering and offer a hand to hold or a presence to comfort.
It's truly a gift to serve in this way, even though it is also painful.
This week we have taken care of several residents who were living the last days of their lives. Yesterday one resident died during our shift, and today another resident died. Both deaths were anticipated, but not welcomed, of course. Working in a nursing home and seeing death as it takes over someone's life is not a thing I like to watch. I hate watching death, so you may wonder why I am in nursing with an interest in intensive care nursing. Yes, I hate seeing death, but at the same time, I have learned from residents that death can be a scary, lonely time... as nurses, we can help to ease some of the suffering and offer a hand to hold or a presence to comfort.
It's truly a gift to serve in this way, even though it is also painful.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
More Pictures from Life in Peru!
Calla lillies (sp?) from the local San Jeronimo market, for 4 soles (approximately $1.33 in U.S. currency)!
Downtown Plaza de Armas at night
Agricultral ruins from the pre-Incan time period (1100-1400) or the Incan empire (1500's). They used these varied, circular terraces to imitate, test, and perfect growing spots on the mountain sides.
Downtown Plaza de Armas at night
Agricultral ruins from the pre-Incan time period (1100-1400) or the Incan empire (1500's). They used these varied, circular terraces to imitate, test, and perfect growing spots on the mountain sides.
Salt mines near Urubumba. About 3,500 plots of salt fed by one small salty stream
One picture from our most recent trek---to Macchu Picchu! I am exhausted from those last three sites, all visited in 24 hours during a two-day trip!
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