Living life to the fullest... and the love that follows it.

I am struggling with a title for this post due to the circumstances, but as I type, I hope to find something that enunciates the feeling that I have for this situation... 




As everyone who reads this blog knows that I am hell bent on getting my BSN degree and become the best Registered Nurse that I can be.

In fact, last week Mike and I were sitting on the couch and were talking about our busy summer coming up with the Beyond the Booth events we have on the books and we got to the subject of school. I instantly started to cry... it was one of those cries when you feel like your SUPER overwhelmed with daily life activities, i.e. school, work, Beyond the Booth, cleaning etc.

As Mike asked why I was so emotional, I couldnt help but reflect my tears towards an exam that I had got a D on. A 'D' does not sit well in this stomach of mine, so I guess thats why it came out in tear form. Well, my "D" got bumped up via extra credit and I feel better about this situation but the tears that initially started all this were followed by my personal reflection of how MUCH I want to be an RN and the intense passion that I have towards my goal. Its something that I have wanted so bad for the longest time and the chance that I get to strive for my passion is so exhilarating!

My ever changing department of choice has changed about 10 times. First, it was Urology based, due to my many many years of experience, then I was obsessed with the ER, then OR. Now... I cant wait for my clinical rotation on the birthing floors and the neonatal intensive care unit. I work in the NICU currently and thats where this obsession started, so we'll see if this changes but I seriously dont think so. Im in love!

Today, however was another tear filled day and my passion for nursing went up x100! My boss had asked me to come in early and help out since the census and STATS were out of control. I got to the hosp. and grabbed my PDA (used to see what patient needs a blood draw and where).

I noticed that I recognized a name and she was in the Intensive Care Unit. I immediently went up to the department and sure enough, it was who I thought. As I walked into the room, my heart broke into about 110 peices. It was my dearest friend's auntie. My friend's family  surrounded  the bed, tears flowing from their eyes made me cry immediently. They had told me that she had been battling breast cancer and her treatments werent 'taking' anymore due to metastasis to her liver.
As I hugged them all, it was evident that it would only be a matter of minutes that she would be will us. As we stood around the bed, watching the monitor, it was at that moment that all you could do was reflect on what an amazing life this woman had lived and how many people she touched.

Her love for fancy recipe's and wine were her pleasures. She also worked as an advocate for the AIDS foundation in Washington D.C and traveled the world, as well as making a difference in the lives of people in Africa living with AIDS.

My favorite story about this amazing woman is the time when she had been working  in Africa, flew home for her nephew's wedding (my dear friend's brother) took a cab from Madison to Elkhart Lake, came for the ceremony and dinner, took a cab back to Madison and flew back to Africa.  The thought that she put towards others was selfless and thats how she lived her life.
I cant say enough about what I had witnessed today, and the emotions that Im overwhelmed with right now but I do know that she is, without a doubt, having the biggest glass of wine right now, knowing that she fought her battle with cancer to the end.... Just the way she wanted. :)



With this experience, I know that this solidifies my career choice.

( Love you Rose. You will be greatly missed.)