Sick

"I cannot come to BLOG today,"
Said little Heidi Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going BLIND in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more-that's SEVENTEEN,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue-
It might be...we'll it is the FLU.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke-
My hip HURTS when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains. [which is every day in Texas!]
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my THUMB.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my HAIR is falling out. [AGAIN!!]
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is NINETY EIGHT!!
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is---What?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say I can BLOG any old day?
G'bye I'm going back to BED to stay!

(Adapted from Shel Silverstein's Sick.)

Hello, My Name is Nad...

Well, geez, I'm sorry I am such a poor blogger, not like my gorgeous wife. I mean my blogs are probably boring to most but let me start fresh, my name is Dan and recently I moved from a place called Paradise, Nevada to a another place called...well, it's none of your business where I currently reside with my wife, two dogs, and cat.



Today is a good day to acknowledge all of my blessings. It's no secret that I am disappointed with the direction of the US economy at this time and last week I was reminded why. MSNBC reported that "The nation's unemployment rate soared to 5.5 percent in May, up from 5 percent it April. That represented the biggest one-month jump in 22 years and served as a stark reminder of the pressures the labor market is facing from the weak economy." However, in that month of devastating loss of employment I actually found a job, a good one, and I'm darn glad to have it.

With 3 weeks left in my final semester at UNLV's College of Social Work we moved to our new home in Texas. I quickly found a job as an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) at a place called Odyssey Healthcare. The anit-capitalist, idealist in me was a little wary of working at a for profit-company, I mean I really don't want to help the rich get richer, they can do that on their own, but these are good people that are providing an important service and they are not in it for the money, at least in my office, I can't really speak for other offices.



You see, Odyssey is a hospice agency. Do you know what a hospice agency does? We help people transition from this life to the next. Sounds morbid, doesn't it? We have just under 200 patients, all of which are terminally ill, most of them have cancer but we see COPD, HIV, and various heart diseases. My first weekend we had 10 patients in our inpatient unit on Friday, by Monday 8 had been discharged if you know what I mean. It is weird to be around so much death, but it is very sobering as I am able to regularly contemplate my own mortality.

Really though, I love the job and I love working in hospice. I have experienced so much in such a short amount of time. I enjoy working with the nurses, chaplains, social workers, physicians, and other personnel. Currently I manage the volunteer services department...well, I am the only one in the department so technically I manage myself, but it still sounds cool. Kidding, I manage the wonderful, outstanding, loving volunteers which really is a great job.

So that is what I am doing. I spend my days talking to volunteers, processing paperwork, doing orientation, meeting with patients, working with various facilities, coming up with new and creative ways to do volunteer work, oh, and who could forget all of the super meetings I get to attend 4 times a week for more than 2 hours. Well, all but the last one is really cool, I mean I help people help other people for not other reason than out of the kindness of their hearts...you just can't beat that.

At least that is part of my life at this time. Stay tuned for the expose on why everyone should be doing volunteer work, my other job, and why I am currently enrolled at Lubbock Christian University.

Pet Peeve #798

Why do people insist on bringing their cell phones to church? Are you really that important that you can't give your full attention and dedication to God for three hours a week? Ok, maybe you are a trauma surgeon, on call and you have to have your phone with you-but I am pretty sure every make and model of cell phone has a VIBRATE option. I just say this because every Sunday without fail, someone's phone rings. Today it was to the theme song of Looney Toons! Not only are you distractive, but disrespectful to the other congregants, and to our Heavenly Father. Cell phones at church are lame. And that is pet peeve #798.

I'm Just a Girl

I love Gwen Stefani. In fact I love No Doubt too. Daniel was nice enough to surprise me with a trip to Phoenix and tickets to Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape tour last year. Anyway...I heard this song on the radio this morning, and not only did it pump me up with all the GIRL POWER necessary for a long day at school, but it reminded me of my BFF Nicole-who is all about girl power and feminism. Thank goodness I have a friend who appreciates women stepping out of the box and taking on less traditional roles. Nicole is the girl who will do it all, who has an education, a successful career, a great marriage, AND a family. Listen girls it is possible!!!
Girls can too!

And just in case you need the lyrics...

"Just A Girl"

Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed
And it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know
Exactly where I stand
This world is forcing me
To hold your hand
'Cause I'm just a girl, little 'ol me
Don't let me out of your sight
I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights

Oh...I've had it up to here!
The moment that I step outside
So many reasons
For me to run and hide
I can't do the little things I hold so dear
'Cause it's all those little things
That I fear

'Cause I'm just a girl I'd rather not be
'Cause they won't let me drive
Late at night
I'm just a girl,
Guess I'm some kind of freak
'Cause they all sit and stare
With their eyes

I'm just a girl,
Take a good look at me
Just your typical prototype

Oh...I've had it up to here!

Oh...am I making myself clear?
I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl in the world...
That's all that you'll let me be!
I'm just a girl, living in captivity
Your rule of thumb
Makes me worry some

I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?
What I've succumbed to Is making me numb
I'm just a girl, my apologies
What I've become is so burdensome
I'm just a girl, lucky me
Twiddle-dum there's no comparison

Oh...I've had it up to!
Oh...I've had it up to!!
Oh...I've had it up to here!

Isn't She Lovely

Isn't She Lovely? Isn't She Wonderful! I love Annaka so much, and I miss her so much. But I am glad to see the occasional pictures!

How Jimmy Buffett Saved My Life

No, don't worry I am not some crazy "Parrot Head" [and believe me they are crazy.] And no, his music hasn't sparked in me some youthful second wind [although his music is quiet uplifting]. His "Floribean" attitude has not made me quit my schooling and head for the beach [even though that is quite tempting]. No, Jimmy Buffett hasn't done any of this for me-but he did save my life, in a way, so let me explain.
When I moved to Vegas my friend helped me find a job at the gift shop at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. It was shocking how many people came in and asked where the buffet was-it's not buffet it's Buffett. Anyway, working at the casino did have it's perks. They paid O.K., we received three free meals at the employee buffet, and they offered full benefits to it's part time employees. When I received the notice of benefits with my pay stub one week, I asked my friend, should I elect benefits? She said, why not, what is it going to hurt? Less than 6 months later I was diagnosed with cancer.
And that is where Jimmy comes in [we are on a first name bases now]. Coming from Utah, I wasn't used to employers offering full benefits to part time employees. Actually it can be difficult to find a full benefits with a full time job there. Little did I know how important it was to have and keep insurance coverage. But Jimmy was there at the right place and the right time for me. Not only did they offer great benefits, but Margaritaville's from around the country gathered together and raised money for the helpheidi cause.

When I was diagnosed I went to our governments social health care [Medicaid, Medicare] to see if I qualified. Unfortunately, as full time students, we made "too much money" and we didn't qualify. The only way I could receive government help was to have metastatic cancer. The system seemed so skewed. I had plenty of friends and family that had been using Medicaid, why couldn't I qualify when I was about to encounter 14- $46,000 chemo treatments? Since being diagnosed and going through treatment, and having to deal with insurance on a day to day basis, I have learned how extremely important it is to have and keep insurance. I am shocked how many people I know who don't have health insurance. I believe that our system in the United States is below par, and is unfair to say the least, but is the only program we have, so we must comply.

And yet there is over 43.6 MILLION Americans are uninsured (www.cdc.gov). It is so scary. I have been told by a few Oncologists that if I didn't have insurance they would not be able to treat me-that's messed up. Once while at work, I was speaking with a patient who was going in for a hysterectomy, after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Unfortunately she was uninsured and was spending her life savings on this surgery. She was hoping that she would get all the cancer, because she could not afford further treatment. What shocked me was that she was a smart, well put together women, who ran a successful business. Those who are uninsured are not low life white trash Americans, who would rather mooch off of the government than work. Those who are uninsured are our friends and family, who work and make an effort in society-and sadly 6.8% of those who are uninsured are children.


Maybe you think that there is nothing that you can do about it-you feel fine selling out those 43.6 million American's as long as you have insurance-but there is something you can do. And that is to vote for the candidate that will change our health care system. This year is a big year, and if you don't vote-well I hope that you are satisfied with the insurance you have now.