Things I love about my job

What a difference a year makes!

A year ago, I was miserable at my job, and I had been for at least a couple of years.

One of the rooms I spend a large portion of my weekends in!

Mark knew it, too.  So we devised a plan.

The plan was to learn a new modality (CT), wait until the new hospital opened, then commute from Burnet to Austin for a part-time position there.  You know what they say about the best laid plans; one calamity after another happened.  But I did eventually make it to the new place.  And I have to say, though it has taken me a few months to settle in to the routine of my new shift, I couldn't be happier that I made the move.

For starters:  I'm not overworked and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work.  I'm not on my feet all day, sometimes going without lunch, being sent to challenging situations, running all over a huge Level I trauma hospital for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.  Although I work three 12 hour shifts per week, I have plenty of time to sit, regroup, recharge. And I don't go without breaks. I don't have a narcissistic boss who hates women, discourages upward mobility, and discounts every rational suggestion or reasonable idea.  My boss buys us snacks and sits and talks to us in the workroom. Communication could be better, but suggestions and input are welcome. I don't work with people who call out, slack off, or bring their personal drama to work making a challenging day harder for everyone else. I genuinely like my co-workers and we are all happy to be there - many of transferred from the bigger hospital.  The equipment is new, not perfect, but I'm proficient on it.  After 6 months, I know my way around the hospital and most of the employees I come in contact with.  There is plenty of parking at street level, a Keurig in every breakroom, music on Pandora in the workroom, and I earn more money than I ever have.

Most importantly, I feel valued.

That's a lot to love about my job!

Mom

 Oh, this makes me sad to post.

But its been 2 weeks so here goes.

Jeannette Ogden Parry 3/01/1930 – 9/28/2023

Jeannette Parry of Brenham Texas passed peacefully on September 28, 2023.

Born during The Great Depression, Jeannette, the daughter of Malcolm Ogden and Beatrice Pledger lived a simple, yet idyllic childhood spent roaming the woods and springs of rural East Texas with her brother Robert and cousin Charles, who both preceded her in death.. She graduated high school at age 16 in Coldsprings, Texas and as a young mother of three enrolled in XRay school at Herman Memorial Hospital. This set the stage for a lifetime of work in the medical field of Imaging. In the late 70's she increased her knowledge and training and was the first Ultrasound Technologist at John Sealy Hospital at UTMB in Galveston and served as Chief Technologist, living the example to her children of the importance of an education and training. She worked all over the United States and two hospitals in Saudi Arabia. She was an expert at anything she put her mind to: quilting, crochet, embroidery, cooking, raising chickens, gardening, traveling. She had a zest for life and an indomitable spirit.

Jeannette was married four times and had eight children – 6 girls and two boys: Jeannette, Sherry, Alene, Margaret, Kenneth (deceased), Gina, Melissa, and Kurt. She recently expressed how happy she was to have been a mother. In addition she had 23 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren. She created a legacy of love and resilience in the face of adversity and was a force to be reckoned with. She was predeceased in death by all of her husbands, her son Kenneth, and her beloved companion Gus. Through it all, she never lost her faith or her strength of character. Good job, Mom - you were a courageous and strong woman who set an example for all of us. We look forward with great joy to being with you again someday. 

Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh glory
I'll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away

I just want to add, that I may have put a kinder touch to things or made it seem like a peaceful passing.  But it wasn't, really.  The last two months were traumatic and stressful for my sisters and myself.  How much Mom understood was happening is unclear.  There was a sense that she was trapped in a body and brain that did an incomplete job of dying. Since none of us knew exactly what to expect, what we should do, nor how to do it, grief started up almost immediately.  And because of the way my mother arranged her affairs, it will be months before we can finalize them and move on.

So, an 8 month timeline for my mother's mastectomy, stroke, fall, hospitalization, decline, death, burial, will probate, and disposition of property.  Cue hair loss.

Happy things for October

 A little work-related humor:

Because this has happened to every XR tech

*After a couple of months that were over-the-top stressful and terrible, Mom passed.  I'm not sure if I will ever blog it.  Maybe I will post her obit on this blog and write a few words. It may sound terrible to anyone reading this, but I feel relief mixed in with the sadness.

*The weather is cooling!  We had a good drenching rain and the grass and shrubs and trees are greening up!  Finally, Fall.  

*I got myself scheduled for painless fillings on the bottom row of my front teeth that will improve my smile.  I got a haircut that released a lot of bounce and looks far less straggly.  I am getting back on a regular schedule with my vitamins.  And I am not eating fast food or junk snacks. I am not letting grief or depression take over aspects of self-care.

*Grayson got a part-time job. I have big blocks of time where the house is all mine.  I can play music loudly,  do loud chores (vacuuming, putting up dishes), and cry when and where I need to.  Hooray for alone time.

*I continue to organize and clean out spaces at my house -  it feels good to stay on top of things.  I put out a few Fall decor items which make my home feel cozy and pretty.  And I have plans to do some things for the house that the weather will make much pleasanter.

Fall feels like a mini New Year.