Appreciate life..and live it!

[Geoff]

Ok...I write and compose this thread in a VERY over tired state. I've just finished a 12hr night duty in the ICU and sometimes (actually often) it makes me really really appreciate my life and how LUCKY we are if we have good health. I've been caring for two critically ill young people over night whom will probably pass away, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week but within a year, more likely a few months...one of them is 31 and the other is 35...

I don't want this thread to depress anyone out there but seriously if you have your health then you should try to maximise your time on this earth and live each day to the full. I've been nursing now for nearly 10 years, 7 of those 10 in Intensive Care. It's one of the reasons I've decided to branch out and move to something different..photography. I love my nursing job but boy it really makes me stop and smell the roses and I just wanted to stress to you guys that if you wake up each morning and you're reasonably healthy, then cherish this cos if you don't have your health then you are well behind the eight ball and there are so many simple things that you can't enjoy.

Anyway, everyone..have an awesome week end. To those going to the minimeet (it would have started by now...) have a great time. For those spending time with their families...make the most of it and for those having some personal time out...enjoy that too...self time is crucial for good body mind and soul...

Ok...I've ranted enough...This was not meant to be a lecture and I hope no one has taken it the wrong way.. Tis time I slept. Over...and out....zzzzzz.

[Oneputt]

Very well put Geoff. I am married to a nurse who works in surgical and I hear too many stories for me to take life for granted.

[MCWB]

Yeah, I can appreciate how ICU does that to you. I spent a week in ICU/ECU at Darwin Private last year with my late grandfather, and I honestly don't know how the ICU/ECU nurses stay sane and function normally, crazy stuff. During and after that week I actually considered doing nursing/medecine after I finish my PhD, but it'd take so damn long I don't think it's a realistic option.

[Geoff]

Yeah, I can appreciate how ICU does that to you. I spent a week in ICU/ECU at Darwin Private last year with my late grandfather, and I honestly don't know how the ICU/ECU nurses stay sane and function normally, crazy stuff. During and after that week I actually considered doing nursing/medecine after I finish my PhD, but it'd take so damn long I don't think it's a realistic option.

Don't do medicine..lots of study, no...LOADS of study and not really good pay until you've done at least 10 years of study...nursing (in my opinion ) is soooo rewarding, you get to REALLY care for your patients...you get to know them, not just check them over at the head of the bed once or twice a day. The bed pan stories are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO over exagerated, trust me . The pay in nursing IS improving. That said I'm wanting to build my photography business

[Paul]

I take those words of wisdom very seriously and use them every day.
I had a serious car accident about 8 years ago and it gives you a big wake up call to life.
That's part of the reason I moved to Sydney, I was just plodding along in my safe secure job back home and thought bugger it lets take a risk and try something completly new.
I've made a ton of new and different friends, seen sights I only ever dreamed of and I've have my future wife who loves me dearly.
Enjoy your weekend Geoff, You've thoroughly deserved it mate!

[TonyH]

Geoff

what characterises you and what your job entails just came after reading your post, in the acronym of your department ICU.

Maybe it should really mean I See You. Because that is what you and your colleagues actually do!

Keep up the good work and caring!


Tony

[Nikon boy]

Geoff,I just want to reinforce what previous posters said and add the following, (in my humble opinion) ICU people are all special, i have seen them at first hand a lot over the past few years with members of my family being patients, it is an underpaid, undervalued job that most members of the public have little or no knowledge of, you should be very proud of the work you do, few of us get the chance to contribute to life as you do,
In regards to your photography from what i have seen you are talented and passionate, and it shows through your pics/posts, this is a great forum for support and learning ,keep posting and that photography business will grow and grow,
and you did not rant by the way !

[wendellt]

Your a very noble and caring man for loving a job of nursing for over 10 years, I know people who just leave after a couple of months of it.

Yeah i do appreciate life now, as i have stopped smoking since a couple of months ago.

so many wonderful things to do and you can only do them well if your healthy and strong!

[Manta]

Thanks for the inspirational message Geoff.

We all need to sit back and take stock every now and then and really measure the worth of those things around us that we so easily take for granted. Our families, our friends, our health, our lifestyle.

What legacy do we leave if we can't appreciate what we have now?

[Ben]

Hi Geoff

I am sorry to say but I am one of the silly people studying medicine and doing it late (started when I was 27). I am currently in fourth year with one more to go. I must say I am not regretting it at all but like you I have seen way to many young people with so much ahead of them in really bad shape, had a 38 year old bleeding out in front of me on the operating table just last week after falling out of a tree, kids in the waiting room...so tragic. This has made my wife and I take stock of what we want out of life and whilst I am still really committed to becoming an awesome doctor we are taking next year off and travelling around Australia in our 4WD and camper trailer. Our budget will be shoestring, we may have to sell the house and it will be a long time before my lens lust is appeased but sometimes you have to remember to stop and live life, enjoy your kids, smell the roses as they say. You just never know how long they will be there.

Ben

[birddog114]

Geoff,

Thanks for your messages!

I have been down that road so many times not same as yours but in more terrible states.

I hauled the severe wounded soldiers and death bodies in poncho liners behind my seat of my "Dust Off" to the rear many times during my time in the military, I seen so many death bodies stacked up at the open morgues waiting to be boxed and sending back to their loves.

I had many nights which I slept with the stinch of the human blood on the floor of my medivac aircraft.

I heard the cries from the wounded and they only begged to have few drops of drinking water or just a pop of a cigarette. The simple wish from them, from human lifes and sometimes it never come true.

I seen my colleagues was cremated inside their choppers after they were shot down and their aircraft bursted into flame, I could not do anything to help them, only my tears traded off for my shock and hurt.

Death and alive or survive was my fate in those days!

Man! Life is life! I valued my life very much! I survived the deaths few times in my life, I was reborn once I was resettled in The USofA and escaped the death sentence from the Communist regime nearly 25 years ago.

Man! I'm a real human, I have had enough, and I live for my family, my children, I'm enjoying the fruits of my labour and looking more relaxation with all other friends on this board same as their camaraderies which they always give me as a big bonuses and values for the rest of my life.

[Geoff]

Birdy,
I don't think anyone could possibly have a smidgen of insight into what you've been through but by reading this post of yours gives a glimmer of what has been your past. We are fortunate to have you as a friend and forum champion!!

[DionM]

Agree completely.

About 4 years ago - at the ripe old age of 24 I spent a week in intensive care (coronary care) with a heart disease. I did a number of things I had been meaning to immediately after - bought a house, got married, travelled overseas, indulged a few hobbies, bought a new car I couldn't really afford but I really wanted (and enjoy every day owning).

Sadly of late (as some of you who know me in real life know) my job has been too much at the forefront, and I am looking soon to change that.

Gotta keep that balance in life!

[Hudo]

Geoff,

Well said. Last Sunday I lost my 5 month old nephew after he had what we thought recovered from open heart 2 weeks earlier. It makes me appreciate what I have even more.

It's not what happens to you it's what you do about it. So get out there and live life to the max !

Mark