Archive for January 2009
The following are some patterns that remind me of that as seen on tv snuggle blanket.
http://www.joann.com/static/project/0608/PA00015.pdf
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/surplus/surplus.html
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/plaid/plaid.html
Butterflies For Memory Boxes
Posted on: January 26, 2009
Along with the crocheted angels from a previous post, I thought that this would make a nice addition to memory boxes for mothers who have had an infant loss.
http://crochet-mania-grannysquare.blogspot.com/search/label/Butterfly
You can make the butterflies in either pink or blue or any other combination that would look good. More than likely these items will be used as part of the first photos that will be taken. They will be placed next to the baby and a picture will be taken. The parents will be informed that pictures were taken. Releases will be signed and when the pictures come in the parents will receive a phone call. At the parents convenience they will return to the hospital and talk to the bereavement counsellor. She will then go over the pictures with the parents. Nothing can ever replace the loss of an infant. But it is nice to know that someone cares. Contact your local hospital’s labor and delivery unit to see what needs that they may have.
I Met A Child……
Posted on: January 25, 2009
I met a young child tonight with Neurofibromatosis. I’d have to admit it’s not in my scope of medicine so I had to Google it. Here’s a site I found about the subject.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurofibromatosis/neurofibromatosis.htm
I can only imagine how difficult it must be for her parents to go through such a difficult and trying time. Their daughter will be going through a clinical trial over the next few weeks. She will be given 3 months of medication. I will keep this little girl and her parents in my prayers.
Mindful Knitting
Posted on: January 19, 2009
Knitting can be very relaxing. When I knit I tend to stay focused on the intention that I am making for the person that will be using the item. I have two comfort shawls in the works now. I tend to choose colors that are soothing and relaxing to the eye. The yarn needs to be soft to the touch as to reach the sense of touch of the wearer. The pattern can be as simple as you want or as complex as you want. Since I am a new knitter I tend to choose patterns that do not frustrate me.
I came across this site today. It seems like a wonderful thing to do for a peaceful retreat.
http://www.tarahandknitting.com/MindfulKtgRetreat/MindfulKnittingRetreat.htm
Tags: mindful knitting, retreat
Not to long ago I responded to a fellow nurse who had experienced some of the same things I did. After so long in one position, job burnout can be an issue. But how is this possible you might say. Especially on a Labor and Delivery unit. Under staffing was a big problem. Fear of something going terribly wrong while being there was another. Not too long ago I talked to someone who still works on the unit who told me about an incident that had happened. My only response was this…I am glad I wasn’t working at the time. It will be a lawsuit for sure. It’s one of those things that every nurse dreads. You wonder. Will the hospital attorney’s back me up. Do I need to hire my own attorney. Why didn’t I have extra malpractice insurance? Being a Labor and Delivery nurse can be very fulfilling. There is nothing more joyous than being a part in a couple’s birth story. I came across the thank cards I received from so many years ago. It’s so hard for me to part with them. It reminds me why I loved being a nurse. I have always like the fast paced action when it was time to scramble and get the patient ready for delivery or an emergency c section. One of my most memorable emergencies happened when I was 7 months pregnant with my son. My coworker had a patient who had a prolapsed cord. I was the one who discovered it. I’ll never forget riding on the patient’s bed with her back to the OR. The coworkers helped me get off the bed. Everyone was concerned not only for the patient and her baby but also for me since I was the one under the surgical drapes. The outcome was a viable baby. When I heard the baby cry, it brought tears to my eyes. Another successful outcome. Another live birth. Another life to live. Another birth story to tell. I still dream about being a Labor and Delivery nurse.
Knit Blankets For Babies
Posted on: January 19, 2009
Here are some knit baby patterns for the bundle of joy in your life.
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/babafgk.html
http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/cotton_chenille_babyblankt.html
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/baby.html
http://www.innerchildcrochet.com/patterns/starry_starry_night.php
http://www.fortheloveofyarn.com/Issues/07Winter/patterns/winter07_heartblanket.shtml
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATThoover.html
http://www.fortheloveofyarn.com/Issues/07Winter/patterns/winter07_pearlsblanket.shtml
http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/knitting-suppliesli.html
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babyafbear.htm
http://www.localgringos.com/KnittingPatterns/BelizeBabyBlanket.htm
Tags: baby blanket patterns, knitting
More Angel Craft Ideas
Posted on: January 18, 2009
http://www.craftown.com/angels/angels21.htm
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/holangel.htm
http://christmas.howstuffworks.com/how-to-make-christmas-ornaments1.htm
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/blog/2008/11/30/little-angel-crafts/
http://childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=377
http://craftythisandthat.blogspot.com/2008/03/wire-ribbon-crafts-angels.html
Tags: angel crafts
Making Lap Robes
Posted on: January 17, 2009
I have two months to finish crocheting some lap robes for a friend. They will be given to a local veterans hospital. Here are some patterns that I have found.
http://crochetme.com/patterns/easy-patterned-throw
http://crochet.about.com/b/2008/05/16/carry-along-project-afghan-crocheted-in-panels.htm
http://www.gallentine.org/Knitting/CranberryLapRobe.html
http://www.gallentine.org/Knitting/FernLapRobe.html
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=b14&d_id=22
http://web.archive.org/web/20041011104140/www.thesmartyarns.com/patterns/April00/RaspberryChevron.html
http://www.pagebypage.com/blanketfeatherandfan.php
I worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 17 years. For the most part I loved my job. I loved the one on one time I shared with my patients. I hated to chart. I would often get yelled at by my head nurse for talking too much to my patients. She never quite understood that for me the patient came first and the charting came last. I wanted my patients to have the best possible care. If I could do it all over again I would have become a nurse midwife. I am presently looking into becoming a labor doula. I look forward to starting my own business someday.
During labor a patient can truly sense if her nurse is a caring individual or someone who just doesn’t care at all. I experienced many coworkers who just didn’t care about their patients. From the comments they made to the comments that my patients would tell me after their nurse just finished her shift. Many times my patients would thank me for explaining the labor process to them. I would often get great big hugs from my patients after their deliveries. I miss being a Labor and Delivery nurse. By becoming a doula, I feel that it will help me get back into the health care field on a volunteer basis first. Who knows…..I might land a job as a Labor and Delivery nurse in a new hospital with a different head nurse.
Knit Stethoscope Warmer Pattern
Posted on: January 14, 2009
