Post 7. Moonfest..Have you gone to it?

This Friday is October 31st, do you know what this means? Yup, it's Halloween. We all at some point have dressed up and if you haven't due to religous beliefs then you have seen the world participate in the one day where you can dress up in wacky, sexy, scary or silly costumes. Here in South Florida we hold a festival dedicated to this holiday the weekend before Halloween. That festival is called Moonfest. I come to bring you some information about this cultural phenemon that has become a staple for South Florida and is now known as one the biggest Halloween block parties in the U.S.

This year Moonfest was held on October 25th. This is the 22nd year of this celebration. Moonfest originated in 1993 created by Rodney Mayo and his partner Maurice Costigan. They wanted to create something for the people of South Florida to come to like Fantasy Fest in Key West. Fantasy Fest is another Halloween festival that people in Key West do every year. This festival gets pretty wild as they are know for their nude ladies wearing nothing but body paint. Men go nude too, although sometimes its not a pretty sight with just a tube sock on. We don't live in Key West, which isn't a bad place to live, however, this story isn't about Key West it's about us, West Palm Beach, Florida.

 

Initially moonfest started with only 5,000 people back in 1993 with the idea that the money paid would go to charities and in the next year it went up to 10,000. It doubled as word got around that all of downtown West Palm Beach was closed down for this event and it was free. Each year the people came in by the thousands. If you wore regular street clothes to this festival you would stick out like a sore thumb because everyone comes dressed up! You see silly, sexy, wacky, crazy, witty, scarry and very intricate well thought out costumes. All the restaruants and night clubs are open while live bands play on different stages set up in select locations. They also provide small bars every few feet as to keep the merriment going. Moonfest can get pretty crazy too. There are lots of costume contests that pay good prize money. Now, we have an influx of 70,000 people and the event that used to be free is now charging for entry. It is also now 21 and over. This came to pass two years ago when teens were caught illegaly drinking, there were a couple of stabbings and a few rapes, it wasn't safe. When things are free and thousands are gathered in a 3-4 block radius with the Florida heat things can get out of hand. I went to Moonfest once before it was 21 and over, when it was free. I was dressed as a sexy raccoon equipped with tail and all. I kept hitting people with my tail the whole night! People laughed at it and all was well until I'm standing with my boyfriend in line for a drink when this guy puts his hand up my dress and grabs my butt!! I immediately turned around and the guy took off running....I yelled and cursed at him. When my boyfriend figured out what happened he ran off after him too. Needless to say he didn't find him and I'm glad otherwise that guy would've had a rough morning the next day. We left immediately after that, the merriment was over and we were both upset. We have never been back since, we've been together for 5 years. We went in our first year. Yes...this was a long time ago, however, every year we read the papers about the stabbings, the fights and rape that happen which lets us know that we haven't been missing anything. 

I heard this year that it was better. Whoxh makes me happy because I don't think 18 yr olds should be allowed to enter. There has to be some regulations to it like all things because too much of a good thing could be too much. Moonfest still gives some of its money to charity which is initially why it started, that's a great thing. I say go to Moonfest next year and enjoy yourself as now it seems to be safer. Any true Floridian has to go at least once so that you can say that you were at the biggest block party in the U.S. I don't know about you but, I plan to go next year and give it another shot dressed in a costume ready to celebrate...why wouldn't you want to be part of a small piece of history? Happy Halloween my fellow readers! 

Post 6. Ebola Ground Zero

I have been listening to BBC radio quite a bit this weekend and one thing broadcasting constantly is Ebola. Every news channel all over the country has shown us what the virus looks like, what it does and how it is contracted. They speak of it with fear in true western fashion flashing it with bells and whistles to the point of exhaustion. This may be rightly so as this disease is of extreme concern, however, we should not live in fear of this disease. Be concerned absolutely, by all means please think of ways to become better educated with this epidemic other than listening to CNN or your local news. That is why tonight I am writing a blog solely on what I call "Ebola Ground Zero". Why Ground Zero? For those that don't know ground zero is known as the point of where a bomb was exploded. This is what we have going on right now, a bomb exploded and now thousand are being affected. I will be providing facts based on my research that I did for my own personal use as I recognize that I will graduate from Nursing in a world much different than when I started school. I truly am an advocate of an educated patient is a better patient. I hope no one that reads this blog or myself will have to come in contact with the virus, however, seeing as to how our medical systems are failing us, we must be realistic. I want to be better prepared as well as I'd like my loved ones, friends and my fellow readers to be better prepared also.

Let me start with explaining what Ebola really is in simple terms and why the virus is so deadly. Ebola is a virus, meaning unlike bacteria antibiotics can not cure the disease. It comes from the family of viruses called Filoviradae. But, what makes this virus deadly is what it does to the human body and how it can evade our immune system alarms up to 21 days. Here is how it works, the virus enters our bodies through any opening-i.e. our eyes, nose, mouth, genitalia, cuts, scrapes or any open skin. The virus is in the bodily FLUIDS of the infected person. Let me define bodily fluids, this means blood, vomit, diarrhea, saliva, semen and sweat, YES sweat! This means if the person is coughing or sneezing the droplets can get into your eyes or on you skin thus infecting you if you have any cuts on your skin. This means micro cuts or tears that cannot be seen by the naked eye. This is why we see people covered from head to toe when dealing with infected patients. Now that we have a better understanding of how it is transmitted let me take you to a deeper level. According to the research at the University of Berkeley, they have discovered how the virus goes undetected in our immune systems for so long before it is manifested. The virus itself is covered in glycoproteins (attachment proteins) and these glycoprotiens have little spikes attached to the outside, think of a cactus. It has the outer skin with spikes attached. The virus is just like that, now these spikes attach to our cells and bind with them going undetected by attacking our white blood cells, then it penetrates our cells, reproducing until they are ready and break off exposing the virus. This is when we start to feel the symptoms. The issue with this virus is that most viruses are shaped like spheres, Ebola is not, it is like a string wound up so it gets more cells in a shorter amount of time.

This is why we have seen this picture so much since the outbreak, now you understand the reason behind the images. Ebola causes what is called a hemorrhagic fever=bleeding fever. Initially you start off with the fever being 100.4, body aches, muscle aches, sore throat and headaches. The second stage brings on vomiting, diarrhea and internal bleeding leaking through your eyes, ears, nose, mouth and rectum. Not a pretty picture right? The virus causes your internal organ to dissolve if it should run its full course.

This virus replicates at an alarming rate due to its size which is why it is so important for people to seek immediate attention at the beginning of the symptoms. Below you will find what the virus looks like once it has infected a cell. The sooner the treatment the higher rate of survival you may have although much is not known right now as to why some people survive and some don't, much of it has to do with the individuals immune system. One thing is known for sure, quick hydration is essential and of extreme importance, which makes sense if you are beginning to bleed out or have diarrhea. Time is of the essence! 

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/know-enemy/

Ebola is said to be carried in fruit bats which are digested and consumed by other animals, including humans in Africa. Recently the CNN reported that the WHO (World Health Organization) believe they have found the first patient that started the outbreak which is an African child who was 2 years old. They do not know how she contracted the virus and they will probably never know as the family who lived with the child all died sadly within weeks of the child dying as well. You can read about it more by clicking on patient zero. The virus is deadly and it can be scary considering how it can spread, how it kills. Yet, we cannot give into panic or fear or psychosis because the media is bombarding us with bad news instead of educational news. Instead of focusing on all of the dangers, why not focus on preventative measures. How not to catch Ebola! Think of it like this, influenza=the flu is said to kill 30,000 people a year, 30,000 people! Ebola has killed roughly 4,000 to 5,000 of the infected 10,000 people since last December. Why isn't anyone on alert about the flu? Ebola is the newbie on the block and western culture always fears what we don't understand or can control.

Ebola Ground Zero could have been avoided, this isn't its first rodeo people. It had an outbreak back in 1976 when it was discovered by Dr. Peter Piot and other co-founders as well. The virus was named after the closest river of where the first infection happened, the Ebola river. Back then the United States was warned that if the funding for finding a vaccination for this virus wasn't continued that one day it would come back to haunt us. The funding stopped and indeed our day of karmic retribution has come. Now we all live in a world where the possibility of a Pandemic is possible. It is possible to survive the virus but, it all depends on the precautionary measures that we as caregivers take. Among all the tragic things I have read, there does come a beacon of hope by the name of Fatu Kekula. A 22 year old nursing student who is her in her final year of nursing school nursed her mother, father, sister and cousin who all contracted the virus after her father had fallen ill. She nursed her mother, father and sister back to health. Sadly her cousin did not make it. Why is her story a beacon of hope? She nursed 4 sick patients and did not contract the virus. She did this without protective gear, that's right people, no goggles or suits. She invented her own protective equipment that comprised of trash bags, a mask, rubber boots, a raincoat and 4 pairs of gloves on each hand. She started IV fluids immediately and gave them medication, all while taking instructions via telephone from a physician who refused to visit her home. Fatu hasn't graduated yet and she managed to do something that most nurses here don't know how to do and that is care for a patient with extreme care. She is a prime example that if you take your time for preparation and do not cut corners while using logic with common sense and critical thinking, you can survive even the deadliest of viruses. CNN has the whole story if you'd like to read the article just click on Fatu Kekula.

The world we live in is ever changing and evolving, how is a civilization able to thrive without proper knowledge or education on an epidemic? Instead of flashing the dangers, flash the how not to's. Give us also inspiring stories like Fatu. Here is what I think should be done with anyone traveling in from any country that has had outbreaks. They should be quarantined for 21 days. This ensures the safety of not only the person but, our population as well. Also, healthcare providers that have cared for a sick Ebola patient should not be allowed to travel! at all period!! Are we as a people that naive that we can't get sick or worse selfish enough to not think of other people?There is recently a nurse who traveled in from West Africa and is upset because New Jersey has quarantined her, GOOD!! Your a nurse, use your critical thinking skills at least your common sense. You carry the virus and it has roughly a 6-10 day window up to 21 days before you show any symptoms. You flew in from West Africa where the viruses is on a rampage and you don't think you should be quarantined? Maybe they didn't treat you like the four seasons but, lets face it we are not equipped to deal with this kind of a situation. We have never been exposed to something this alarming before which again goes back to people fear what they do not understand.

It has taken me two and a half hours to write this blog, as I accumulate my thoughts and try to give you accurate information. I hope that this information has been useful for you, I simply want to take away some of the fear and provide you with knowledge. A simple thought occurred to me after reading all these articles and watching these videos. If we the caregivers are wearing masks to protect our mouths, nose, and throat wouldn't it make even more sense to give the patient a mask as well? Such a simple answer for the possible spread of Ebola through saliva. Here is the truth, the undeniable ugly truth, this virus has made its way all the way to us. Now what are we going to do about it? Panic and fear cannot be an option, I believe the way we manage healthcare will now be impacted forever. To all my nurses out there, do you still want to do this? or has this made you question if it's even worth it? I leave you with a link to watch a video about the facts of the virus, just click Ebola. May the force be with us all as this world changes.

Post 5. Love and Marriage

Love is so often tossed around as something that falls off trees. Marriage is done without real commitment and fairytale aspirations. Think about it, how many times have you said you loved something without really giving it thought if you really do or how many people have said they loved someone, yet took that person for granted, cheated on them or abused them. At least one person that you know is guilty of this, although they may not admit it. See love is a lot like war, there always casualties and it holds no prisoners. There are only victims. Most of the time we are mended and repaired but, never the same. Still there are those of us who dare to love again, with hope and passion as if we have never been hurt before and then this love turns to marriage. 

The biggest misconception of marriage is that life is over, the old ball and chain. Most guys see it as a necessary evil and women see it as the fairytale ending. How much different could these views be? Funny isn't it!? The one thing I see more and more these days is the immediate divorce, the easy way out. Love is replaceable as is my spouse. This is sad. Marriage is not the end of a life but, a new life together. A better life, a true life, not a fairytale life. Both men and women too, see marriage as their freedom has been taken away. This is not true. If anything, you have more freedom! It's a freedom of not having to compete against another prospective mate, a freedom of knowing that you have someone to come home to, to make love with, take make memories with. It is surrendering to the risk of an unconditional love. A love without resentment, without judgement, without a wall or a back up plan of divorce. 

I have been married, I wanted it to be forever. Sadly, my ex fell into that category of I lost my freedom. So he reasserted himself in the worst way possible with extracurricular activities. But, that was ages ago, I forgave and let go. I moved on, as did he by remarrying. I am happy for him. I have not taken that step yet and although I know I'd like to again the thought scares me. Not because I won't put in the work to the union or that I won't love my future husband enough, it's being afraid that this man I choose to marry may not want to grow old with me years later when things hit the fan. That is what I want more than a fairytale ending or a fairytale wedding or a fairytale love....I want the honor and privilege of growing old with my future husband. In the words of Audrey Hepburn I have an insatiable need to feel loved but, an even bigger need to give love. I want the good, the bad and the ugly as long as it is with the man who wants the same. I really wish people would give more thought to love and marriage, knowing that it is not a battle....it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to really open up to the person you said you couldn't live without. I know that when I say yes to my future husband, he'll be the one I've waited for to walk the rest of this life together. I'll be sure in my heart that I would travel to hell to find him if I went to heaven and he didn't....this my friends is love and marriage. 

Post 4. Scariest thing in my life

I have an oral fetish...for gum. Aha!! Dirty thinkers out there...got you! Yes I have a thing for gum. I chew gum constantly but, this stems from my nervous energy. I've been through a lot my whole life and at age 4 began biting my nails. A very nasty habit, however, those that bite their nails know how hard it is to quit. It can be compared to quitting cigarettes..almost impossible. What made me stop biting my nails or more like who made me stop is my boyfriend. No he didn't force me, one night while at dinner in Fort Lauderdale at one of our favorite restaurants, he asked me to place my hand in his. I did as he asked, staring at my hand laying in his he said "I love the way that looks, your hand in mine. I love your hands and your nails are so beautiful". He looked up and smiled at me. Of course I melted because he has the most beautiful chocolate colored eyes that have ever gazed at me. From that moment on, his small compliment, his small act of admiration made me never want to bite my nails again. He calms the storm that is always raging within me. I call myself a tempest with passions and emotions swirling within yet calm before you approach. Paul quiets the storm, the nervousness I feel goes away when I am with him. It's the little things that people do that can change someones life. From that day forward I chewed gum.

I like 5 gum, you know that black packet of gum with the 5 on it with green, blue, red accenting. I like the winter mint flavor usually the color is icy blue. They recently started having truth or dare on their gum wrapping. You open the gum and read the truth or dares. You choose one to do or ask a person. The concept is cute, it gets you to open up. The one I picked today was truth. It was a question. It read Truth#5 What is the scariest moment in your life? I gave it some thought. That moment was a one year, two months and eight days ago.

The scariest moment of my life was when I went to see my brothers lifeless body in the funeral home where he was being prepared for service. Mind you I have fears like most people, spiders, heights, dark corners, the after life, etc...but this took over every fear I had and turned into child's play. No one is ever prepared to lose a loved one, especially the younger brother you swore to take care of as a child.
I was so afraid to see him lifeless, that I almost didn't fly out to even go to Virginia where he was living at the time. I have seen death before this is not the stem of my fear, it was seeing him in his sleep like state and want to touch him, hug him, hold him, and know that I can't. To tell him that I love him so much and him not be able to hear me or say it back. It was the fear of facing the reality of his non existence. When I was walking through the hallway and I got halfway there, my knees buckled when I saw him through the doorway laying on the embalming table, I screamed for what felt like an eternity. I couldn't walk. I couldn't breathe. I wanted to die with him. How could someone so precious at 22 be taken away so sudden? I regained my composure to walk up to him, I touched his face and he was cold. Wax like, no life left. My little brother suffered a lot while he was here on earth. He died alone in a place where he shouldn't have been. I buried him the weekend of August 15th, 2013. The scariest and hardest thing. This makes all of my other fears irrational, silly even. I was scared he wouldn't know how much I love him but, I believe we are all borrowing our bodies as vessels until our souls are ready to leave and move into another dimension. And he knows I love him. I truly believe in my heart that he left first because the only thing I feared was death itself, who better than to guide me through my departure when my time comes than my own brother? I didn't say good bye the last time I saw him...I whispered into his ear "see you soon" and closed the casket. Now, I live with the future in my mind but, I make sure I enjoy the moment right here in front of me because the things we didn't say become our fears and regrets and I don't want to have any fears anymore.

Education for Working Students

Today is a great day. As a matter of fact everyday is a great day, however, today is exceptional. Why? Do you ask, what makes this day exceptional? Well I am no longer working at the place I was, that's why. I am free of the high school gossip environment, the it's not my job environment and the lets make everything personal environment. Out of all the jobs I have had, this one was just that a job. Although some people were genuine and I will miss them needless to say there are others that I will never care to speak to again. The lack of customer service and professional ethics was just too much to even put up with. I had to dumb myself down to not stick out for going above and beyond. Every time I did go above and beyond they found things to pull me back down. All of that is neither here nor there...I am sure I was just one employee of the many that have rotated through my position because of certain individuals who work that front desk. They are not why I'm writing this blog as they do not occupy my thoughts, never have, never will. 

My reason for this blog is due to the circumstances of how I was terminated from my job. On Monday morning I went into work to discuss with my boss that I have a class that I will have to take on Fridays. I explained that I enrolled for the class weeks ago and had decided to drop once school started but, when I sat down with the registrar I was advised against doing so because it would be the only class I had left and I would have no financial aid. He asked me why didn't I say something sooner and I told him this was an unforeseen turn of events. He was a little upset yet he never said they couldn't work with it. He said "okay I wish you would've told me sooner as I could've worked on it then versus doing something all of a sudden but I think I can pull one of the other girls from one of the other offices to cover it". Mind you it's only on Fridays from 1-4p. I made it understood that I was not pulling out of the class and that I had class this coming Friday from 1-4p and had to leave at 12pm. He said ok and that he would work on it. He never said no you can't go or your fired. He never said no we can't do this. Nothing along those lines were said. I apologized thrice over for bringing such circumstances and left his office happy that I THOUGHT I was keeping my job. I said awesome, they're going to work with me. Friday comes I let the people I work with upfront that I have to leave at 12 for school as our boss is already aware. I clock out at 12p thinking all is great and head to school. Imagine my surprise when at about 2:30 I get a voicemail stating that I left without permission and need to call immediately. At this point I knew that the one of my fellow coworkers decided to text him to verify my leaving. I text him class ends at 4:30 and I'd call him after. I had to see financial aid after class and was going to call at about 5:40 when I see a long text message stating that I didn't call right at 4:30 so I must not want to talk and he is terminating me.

I responded with a few things reminding him how that is not what we discussed and if he hadn't understood what I said he could've asked me questions to get it clear. In any case I was willing to put in my two weeks notice because I was not going to stop going to school. If I endured school when my brother passed away and didn't stop coming, certainly this job was not going to stop me.

This brings me to my point, I think there should be some law or rule implemented for students who are going into fields that the governments needs and are in low supply like nurses. Why not allow a special schedule for nurses and provide a small incentive for those employers who chose to employ these students and work with their schedule? Most of us are single parents or adults who need to make a living while going to school. And these classes are hard! We're constantly stressed out and malnourished because we work and go to school at the same time. The government states how they need nurses. Well, help your future healthcare providers and allow us a break so we don't find ourselves like I find myself right now. At least I say I'm like a cat and I always land on my feet. I know in a short time I'll have something else, someone willing to help me out. Still, why is going to school so frowned upon in employers when this country stresses it so much? Without diplomas we can't get jobs. Without degrees we can't be nurses. Without nurses hospitals wouldn't function. I hope I have given you something to think about and if you own a business and have a nursing student on your hands, be nice to that nursing student because you never know you may end up in her hands one day.

Hospital Care...Not!

Where I am right now is not where I'd like to be and I would be sure to say neither would my mother. Right now, we don't have a choice. My mother awoke me this morning with right lower quadrant pain (for all you future nurses, you know what that means and for those who aren't it basically means right lower stomach pain) which can be typical for appendicitis. We arrived at say about 5:45am and as we arrive I was greeted by the security guard who went and got the nurse. After they assessed her quickly at the window they were taking her back into triage, I was going to follow until the security told me I couldn't go without a visitors pass. Are you kidding me?! My mother is in a wheelchair doubled over with pain, can barely speak, out of breath and about to throw up everywhere; and you want me to not accompany her into triage, so that I can stop give you my license and check in as a visitor? Hmm I guess this isn't an emergency and I must be a high risk to security in my sweats and pale sleepy face. I was appalled by this, had to comply because he kept arguing with me. After she was traiged we were put in a room in the ER where all the nurses came in quickly to asses her. Over all this process went smooth, until I noticed the time 6:30...that means closing time for the night nurses and opening for the next shift. With this being said I should've expected what came next. They never put her hospital band on and when her breathing became labored and her blood pressure was dropping with her heart rate, the machine kept beeping and no one came in until I said something. When I asked questions as to why this was happening no one answered, they simply dismissed it as it's the pulse oxygen meter. I checked it, it was fine.

This is when I put my medical experience to use and let them know that there non chalant attitude was not okay. The issue was rectified once I started speaking politely yet firmly with the nurses and the Nurse Practitioner. See with the whole schedule change we had to start over. Not a fun process.

Needless to say the staff we got now are caring and nice, but the one before wasn't. No wonder so many people complain about hospitals. So many nurses don't care and treat patients like they're ALL drug seekers or that their pain doesn't matter. After my mother being admitted for what turned out to be a massive kidney stone we were moved to a floor where the room is private, yet it's walls are dirty and the cabinet that's made of formica is falling apart. I don't care about the cabinet, I care about the wall. Cleanliness is important as is the staffs level of caring. I am going to school to be a nurse and I know I may be only one but, I do care, I've always cared being a medical assistant for 11 years in many fields, has not stopped me from delivering outstanding customer service and care! Where is the professional ethics? Where is the cleanliness? Where is the compassion? I've heard nurses say give it time you won't care either and I do not agree. You don't just get up and stop caring one day, you CHOOSE not to care. I'm seriously saddened and appalled. Where does the money go for the hospitals? And to boot, the children's playground is right next to a waste management dump, the only thing that separates it is a wooden gate....now I'm convinced that our healthcare system is going to hell in a hand basket. 

Here's a picture if you don't believe me..

Post 1. Better tutoring

As a sophmore student here in South University I find that the hours for tutoring are very restricting. For the amount of money that we are being charged and are paying for our classes I feel that there should be better flexible tutoring hours available. I often found myself this past year and a half unable to go to tutoring because I am a single mother working full time and going to school full time, so what does that mean? It means that like most of the students here I work during the day 8-5 and come to school at night full time, taking anywhere from 4-5 classes and have to provide time for my child as well. Finding childcare on the weekends and evenings is extremely hard, yet I am sure we all figure it out. With this busy schedule I found that the help I needed for all if not most classes were during working hours or class hours, there was no flexible tutoring, for example like on a Sunday even if it is just for two hours or so. Most of the tutoring is during the day or on Saturdays in the morning, I was taking classes on Saturdays as well. I understand that we are responsible for our own education and that we must put forth effort, however, with a school so expensive that I am sure that meets their quota of students to sign up each month, how can they not poll the students to see how we feel about the hours for tutoring? Our voices count, we are the reason the school is here, not the other way around, so what is my proposition?

I propose that we should all do something about it together, there are colleges that provide students with childcare by having a daycare on campus and they do not charge too much either for the childcare. They also have tutoring sessions on the weekends and later in the evenings to help those students who cannot make it due to working or being in class. And last but not least with this day in age in technology why not have webinar tutoring? Where we can log into a virtual video classroom for tutoring or even go on by our smart phones? Or even a listen and talk on speaker phone? I think this should be changed for all students going forward. I am sure if everyone voiced their opinions we could all make a difference.