Blessing, Laughter, and Fun

I only have 6 shifts left at Phoenix Children's Hospital and 3 full packing days. I have thought a lot about the last couple of years of traveling. I still can't believe I've been traveling this long. I've thought a lot about the opportunities I've had. This blog didn't begin until March...I think. A lot happened before then so I thought it would be fun to share some of the fun I've had. I have taken more pictures than I can count to remember the journey. I've picked a few to share with you...but it was a hard decision!! My journey began in February of 2006 when my friend Ashley and I headed to Washington, D.C. From there I headed West to San Diego. I stayed in California, but drove north 2 hours to Orange County. I was then given the opportunity to go to Boston. After 6 months in New England, I headed West (again) to San Diego...I really wanted a winter in California again! Then I made a promise I wasn't going past Missouri for any future assignments, so I headed to Denver. I wasn't tolerating night shifts very well, so I headed south to Phoenix.
Probably the CRAZIEST thing that happened while traveling is not documented in pictures, only in my memory...where it will stay for a LONG time!! A guy fell out of a third floor window and landed on my ground floor patio while I was living in San Diego the first time. YES, this is a true story. No, I will NOT go into details...I don't want to gross out anyone with a weak stomach. Yes, from what I found out, the guy did live....although he had many injuries. I should have learned my lesson and never lived on the ground floor again...however fast forward to Phoenix. I live on the ground floor here....something I was thankful for when I was moving in at the end of August! However, a few days after moving in, a 20oz soda was dropped from the third floor and hit me on the head! Now I think I've learned my lesson about the ground floor and maybe I should read Chicken Little again...he may be right...the sky is falling.
San Diego holds more memories than the one I just shared. It was the first place I went by myself. I knew no one and meeting people seemed like the impossible task. But, God answered my prayers and blessed me with a church and an amazing group of friends! He also blessed me with the opportunity to serve Him in Jamaica with MilesAhead Ministries (see previous posts). I have so many memories of San Diego. Going to Tijuana for tacos at 2 in the morning, walking on the beach, Sunset Cliffs, salsa dancing, children's ministry, 7pm church service, game nights, Bible studies, going away parties (I had 3 total), hiking Torrey Pines, Disneyland, feeding dolphins at SeaWorld, and the list could go on forever. The following 3 pictures are from San Diego.


Above, (L to R), Jenn, Serena, me, Allison at motorcross racing in Qualcomm Stadium. Allison and I picked who would win the race based on what color the rider was wearing....we're not girly at all!

Above: me, Don, Nick in Tijuana at 2 in the morning eating tacos. Macrina was with us...she took the pictures. My friends felt no Kansas girl could leave San Diego without visiting Tijuana for tacos.

Above: Jenn, Pastor Miles, Serena, me after the big crusade in Kingston, Jamaica. God changed lives in Jamaica during our 10 days there.

Living in Boston was a dream for someone who likes to play tourist...and that is what I did for 6 months. Ashley joined me in Beantown and we had a great time seeing the sites. My time there included spending a few days on Cape Cod with my mom and her friends, going to Martha's Vineyard, going to NYC twice, visiting Newport, Rhode Island, cheering on the Red Sox, and much more! I became a savvy big city girl...walking or taking the subway everywhere. Below is a picture of the sunset from Cape Cod. This was only a few blocks from the house we stayed in!!

I couldn't talk about this amazing journey without mentioning my mom. Until she had to care for my grandma full time, she traveled with me. She would fly to the city I was in and then drive home with me. Then we would set out for the next city. By the time we went back to San Diego for the 2nd time, we had unpacking my apartment down to a science. She always started in the kitchen and I started in my closet. Then for about a week after she left I would have to go through every cupboard and drawer in the kitchen looking for the things I needed! My mom isn't the best navigator, she's great fun to have on the road. We had some adventures....Mom driving through NYC and me navigating as we made our way to Boston. I was driving as we left Boston....I missed the on ramp for the highway and we had to turn around and drive almost all the way back to Boston to fix the mistake. I was the one chasing the directions around a gas station parking lot in the middle of New Mexico when they all blew out of the car. We both had panic attacks when Savannah (my cat) wedged herself in between 2 of my containers and we couldn't find her. We were in the middle of the Rocky Mountains at a gas station in May practically unpacking the car (in the snow) looking for her. But what I enjoyed most was having my mom's company. I loved that she was able to share so many experiences with me. She not only visited Boston, but Washington DC (with my dad), San Diego, and Denver.

The last picture is Ashley and I in DC. It was our first day to go see the sites. We went to the National Archives that day as well....where Ashley managed to get in trouble from security for using her flash...a big no no when you're surrounded by very old, important documents! We had fun touring DC, visiting Baltimore, Mount Vernon and much more!

The picture below is my sister and I in Cancun. My friend Ashley got us tickets to the Ellen show and it happened to be her 12th day of Christmas giveaways. We each received 2 round trip tickets to Cancun and a week stay in a brand new hotel. The best part of this was surprising my sister with my second ticket. Ashley took one of her sisters and we had a great time. It was really hard to keep the ticket a secret from my sister. I had her convinced if she saved her money she could definitely come with me.

I could write all day about the blessings and adventures of being a travel nurse. I will be forever grateful to God for leading me down this path. I've learned so much about myself, my relationship with Him, and trusting in Him. I do plan to use my blog once I'm settled back in KC. I have a lot of friends who don't live in KC and want to keep them updated on life. Plus I enjoy sharing what God is doing in my life. One thing I didn't mention in this blog was work. Yes, I did work during this time....I worked at some of the top children's hospitals in the US. I've definitely grown as a nurse. I could write all day about my experiences with patients....but really isn't it more fun to read about anything besides a hospital. I will update once I'm back in Kansas. Until then, I'm counting my days and packing my stuff for the last time!

I Hate Dealing with Car Problems

So, I guess I'm what you would call a girly girl. I know....some of you are laughing right now because it's totally true. I'm okay with being girly and I admit that I am. Part of my girliness is a hatred for dealing with car problems. I can barely stand to go have the oil change. If I had someone to take care of my car all the time, I wouldn't complain! Wait...I do have someone to help me with car problems....Daddy. But, Daddy lives in Kansas and right now I live in Phoenix (where it's STILL above 90 degrees). So, when my car wouldn't start today in the Old Navy parking lot I was on the phone to daddy. But, daddy wasn't home. So, the next best thing is mom....who hates car problems as much as me. So, plan C....the guys standing outside the New Balance store. Now, I do have jumper cables in my car....and I kind of know how to use them and I do know where my battery is (see...that's pretty good for a girly girl)...however I haven't had a single car problem since buying my car 3 years ago. So, the guys were kind enough to come over and attempt to jump start my car. That failed miserably. In the meantime dad had arrived at the hospital to see my mom and grandma before heading to work (another story...another time). So, he was able to talk to me. He agreed with the guys helping me....my battery was DEAD. I'm so grateful that there are still good, kind people in this world. One of the guys offered to take the battery out and the other guy offered to drive me to a store down the road to buy the battery. The guy who took the battery out put the new one in for me. We took the old battery to the store and they tested it....just to make sure. It was so dead it wouldn't even register on the little machine they use (which I'm sure has a fancy name). The guy who put the battery in went to school to be a motorcycle mechanic and knows how to do some things with cars...including put in a battery. So, I definitely felt better about his skill in putting my battery in. I'm truly grateful that my battery decided to go dead in an Old Navy parking lot and not in the middle of the desert in New Mexico. I'm grateful for 2...actually 3 guys who helped me get a new battery. I forgot to mention the 3rd guy....he poured Coke on my battery to get rid of some corrosive or some stuff like that. How can I forget to thank a guy for pouring a can of coke in my car. I also am grateful for lessons learned: 1. I need a socket wrench set in my car. 2. I will never not have jumper cables in my car. 3. My dad needs a cell phone. 4. There are still good people in this world...no matter how messed up it seems right now.
So, this girly girl has a new battery in her car....before driving 18 hours back to Kansas alone. I still hate car problems, but I have a great respect for the people who can fix them. I hope my next car problem is in Kansas with Daddy near by to help! It's good to be a daddy's girl.
Oh....FYI grandma is ok...she was discharged from the hospital today...again...another story for another time. I'm planning for my next post to have some fun highlights of my traveling days.

Unexpected Changes are Blessings in Disguise

Unexpected is definitely the word I would use to describe what has happened over the last couple of weeks. I wanted to fill everyone in on where God is taking me next!! He is so good and faithful!
A couple of weeks ago I was offered an extension on my contract here in Phoenix. They offered me a 13 week extension which would take me to the end of February. The fact that I was offered the extension was amazing because the Children's Hospital is cutting back on travel nurses (budget crunch, construction, etc). So, the nurse manager wasn't sure she would get to keep a few travelers. So, I said yes...which I had planned to do all along if they offered. A few days later I was on the Children's Mercy (in KC for all my non Kansas friends) website just to see what job postings were available. Much to my surprise there was a full time day shift position on the Oncology floor (where I worked prior to becoming a travel RN). I was shocked because there had not been a full time day shift position in a LONG time. After talking with my family and praying I decided to try to get in touch with the nurse manager at Children's Mercy and apply for the job. I was offered the job and found out today that all my references and background checks came back okay (I was kinda worried...well...not really!). So, now it's time to start working out the details. God has made it very clear this is the path He wants me to take. I feel so at peace with my decision...so does my family and a few close friends. I'm so excited to be going home and can't believe my traveling days are coming to an end! Of course those of you who know me well remember I wasn't going to travel for more than 6 months!!
So, I am done in Phoenix around November 11 and will make my last roadtrip back to Leavenworth, KS. My plan right now is to live at my grandma's house (across the driveway from my parents) for a few months. This works out well for me for a few reasons....no rent, Mom's cooking close by, Mom, Dad, sister close by, and it gives me some time to look for an apartment. I will also get to help my mom with my grandma. She lives with my parents and her dementia has worsened lately. My mom cares for her full time and I'm excited to spend time with both of them. Many of you know I'm extremely close to my family.
I will be back in Kansas hopefully by the weekend of Nov. 15. I will leave for Germany to visit my friend from nursing school on Nov. 19. I come back to the states on Dec. 2 and then start work around Dec. 15. My mom and I have lots of plans for my 2 weeks off. This is my first time home for Christmas in several years and I plan to enjoy every minute. Eventually I will move into KC...maybe with my sister!
Well, this has been a very long update, but I wanted to fill everyone in! God has blessed me with almost 3 years of travel nursing and now with the opportunity to go back to a hospital I truly enjoyed working for!
Please pray for me as I finish my last month in Phoenix. I plan to update soon with some fun highlights of the last few years and maybe even some pictures! ~Wendy

Blessings

It's been so long since I've updated...almost 2 months!! In that time I've changed jobs...the nature of being a travel nurse. I accepted a position at Phoenix Children's Hospital on the hematology/oncology floor. The biggest blessing of this job is that I am on day shift again!! This was definitely a reason I decided to leave Denver. I really liked the hospital in Denver, but my body did not like working night shifts. As a travel nurse, finding a day shift position can be challenging. God definitely answered a prayer. So, I packed up and drove a BORING 13 hours from Denver to Phoenix. I have been at the hospital for about a month now. I like the floor and all the staff have been really nice. I have a great apartment. I also have a friend from home nearby. God has really answered prayers...which shouldn't surprise me at all. I truly feel like I'm where God wants me to be right now...which feels great! I'm hoping to check out a church I've heard a lot about this weekend. I'm also planning a trip to Germany to visit a good friend and her husband!

To some people, these blessings may not sound like a big deal. But, they are. God's blessings are always a big deal. I don't deserve ANY of the blessings from God. Lately I've been thinking a lot about all my blessings. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. For those of us who work in the world of pediatric cancer or the families daily fighting to win the battle of pediatric cancer, you are AWARE of childhood cancer EVERY DAY....all days before September 1 and all the days after September 30. Lately I've been very aware of how blessed I am. I have so much to be thankful for every day. I love my job and am humbled to care for children battling cancer. When I look at these children, I don't see cancer. I see kids who love to play games, draw, color, show off all their hats. I see kids who don't dwell on their illness. I long for the day when we can offer a cure! In the meantime I continue to follow God's will for me and my role as a nurse. Please remember children fighting cancer and their families. Pray for them, the doctors and nurses, the scientists researching to find a cure!!

Among remembering all my blessings, I continue to pray about my future. It seems there are so many questions I ask in my prayers. When do I stop traveling? Where will I work when I go home? When do I go back to school? Do I want to go back for my nurse practitioner? Where will I live? I know God already knows the answer to all these questions, but I can't help worrying about them! In the meantime, I will be in Phoenix until sometime next year. I hope everyone is doing well and remember to thank God for all the blessings in your life!!

Denver Pictures

I am finally getting some pictures up from when Jenn, Allison, Serena and Cara visited. We had a great time together. These are just a few of the many pictures taken! Below is Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.

We hiked almost a mile to Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was beautiful and definitely worth it!

On our way to Pikes Peak, we stopped at Garden of the Gods to see all the rock formations.


When we reached the top of Pikes Peak, the snow and hail was beginning. We were lucky to get a quick picture before we had to go inside.

Birthday Surprise!

This year, I had no big plans for my birthday. I had 4 days off from work and planned to just hang out at home, run a few errands, and have dinner with my friend on my birthday. However, that all changed quickly. I worked Sunday night, so I went to sleep Monday morning at about 9:00. But, first, I talked with my mom to see what she was up to. She was apparently on her way into Kansas City to run a few errands. So, off to sleep I went with plans to get up by 2:00. I work up at 1:30ish and went down to the couch...I know...I didn't go very far. At about 3:00 my cell phone rang...it was my mom. She asked me to open the door because she and my grandma were outside. I honestly could not believe it. I opened the door and sure enough...there they were. My mom decided she wanted to see me. So, she hopped in the car early Monday morning with my grandma and started driving. The 9 hour drive from eastern Kansas took her 10 1/2 hours. Not bad considering she was traveling with my grandma...who has dementia. Shock doesn't really begin to describe my face. I truly couldn't even believe she came. For those of you who don't know...she takes care of my grandmother full time. It's no easy task..especially on days where my grandma doesn't want to cooperate. But, my mom decided she could care for my grandma at my house just as easily at my house. We had a great time...didn't do anything exciting at all but that didn't matter. She truly managed to surprise me. I'm so glad she came. We had talked when I first came to Denver about how difficult it would be for my grandmother to climb all the stairs to my apartment. But, she did it...really well! My mom never ceases to amaze me. She has given up a lot to care for my grandma so she doesn't have to be in a nursing home. It was definitely a good birthday and one I won't forget for a long time! Thanks mom!!

SNOW IN JULY??

I was lucky enough to have 4 friends from San Diego come out to visit for 4th of July weekend. We filled our days enjoying Denver sites. Our first day together, we took the train up to Pikes Peak. The ride up was beautiful....full of lush green trees, wildlife and amazing sites (like Western Kansas). Once we reached the top, it was a different story. Denver, 5, 280 feet high, was warm and sunny that day. Pikes Peak, over 14,000 feet high, not so much. It was cloudy, cold (the temperature dropped 30-40 degrees during our climb), and it was snowing and hailing at the same time. Our tour guides called this grappling (don't know how to spell it). My friends and I called it "snailing." If it's snowing and hailing...wouldn't it make sense to combine those 2 words. We thought so. Besides, snailing is way more fun to say. While we didn't get to see a lot at the top, we had a great time and our ride down (what I remember...I fell asleep) was just as beautiful as the ride up.

We spent 4th of July in Westminster, CO...just 30 minutes west of Denver. We enjoyed the fireworks and Chik-fil-a was there which made us all excited. We were also able to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park with perfect weather. I had such a great time with these girls and definitely needed to see some good friends from San Diego. I've missed San Diego more than I thought I would.

As for the rest of this assignment...it's going well. I'm enjoying the hospital. I have definitely had my ups and downs being back on the oncology floor. There have been some kids/families that have really made me question my place as an oncology nurse. I've also struggled with the "Why?" question a lot lately. Why cancer, why kids? But, God is so faithful in reminding me He has me here for a reason. The simplest act of taking care of a child with cancer is humbling and life changing for me. Despite my doubts, my heart knows I'm in the right place. I can't cure cancer, but I can help by standing side by side with these kids and families in the fight against cancer. I can listen, care, show compassion, and advocate for my kids...and that can make all the difference. God definitely uses my kids and their families to encourage and strengthen my faith.

God has really answered my prayers regarding my plan after the 13 weeks in Denver. I've been on night shift here, but my body isn't really cooperating with me. Nights have always been a challenge for me. I was praying for some day shift travel assignments to show up...and they did. I have accepted an assignment in Phoenix, AZ at the children's hospital there. I will be on the oncology floor again...but this time on day shift. I know many of you may be asking "Why Phoenix?" Well, it's a day shift position with good pay, it's on an oncology floor, it's 5 hours from San Diego, and I have a friend there. The positives of the assignment definitely outweigh the negatives (the heat!). I start in mid August and will be there until mid October. As hard as it is to leave Denver and my best friend, this definitely feels like the right move for me. I'll keep everyone updated on the rest of my time in Denver! Please keep kids with cancer and their families in your prayers.

Well, that's a life update from 5,280 feet high! Check back soon for pictures...still working on that part but they're coming I promise!! :)