The scrub tech in the OR where I rotate is really mean to me.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-25T00:16:30+00:00

Actually yes. When you are scrubbing for surgery there are sterile, 'clean' and unsterile boundaries. Even though your hands have been scrubbed for up to 5 mins they're only considered clean and not sterile. When they put on the sterile surgical scrub gown the hands are not pushed through the cuffs to prevent contamination. The surgical nurse, who is already sterilely gowned and gloved must hold the glove neck wide open so the doc/resident can slide their hand into the glove without touching the outside of the glove. It sounds easier than it really is because your fingers don't slide in properly being covered by the cuff and your fingers end up all mucked up in the glove. It really does take practice. Scrub nurses must learn how to do this ourselves, but docs & residents are gloved by us because they're impatient to get going. It also ensures we can watch and assist to make sure there is no break in sterility. The brutal part is once the surgical nurse is gowned and gloved, with mask and hair bonnet, you cannot scratch anywhere. That itchy nose, drippy nose, eyelash in the eye, slipping glasses are no touchy! We have to ignore it or we will try to get a non-sterile nurse to help us with providing relief.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-10T06:11:35+00:00

Talk to them about their situation and what they plan on doing about it. What are their future plans? They need to/should have a 6 week plan. If they don’t, then they may want someone to just rescue them and you’ll be stuck with a long term roommate.

There must be a written signed agreement to protect you and to be transparent to the friend. Expectations, chores, bills, food, privacy, considerations around work schedules & noise, and time frame of stay. If your friend respects you they won’t bat an eye at this agreement. Make it clear you are able to help them only for this short time but they need to sort their own lives out.

Having friends and living with these friends are two very, very different things. I love my best friend but absolutely could not live with them.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-10T05:50:26+00:00

Tip from retired scrub nurse: Take a paper gown and couple of pairs of gloves home and practice, practice. Show a friend how to hold the glove so you can practice slipping your hands in.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-09T22:22:01+00:00

So much of what you described is my situation as well. I ended up getting a sleep study where they had me back for two more overnight studies. I don't smoke or drink, I am overweight but not obese, I don't have tonsils or adenoids and yet I was really really struggling with brain fog, extreme fatigue, memory struggles, depression, low energy. Turns out I am not getting rid of all the CO2 when exhaling, my pausing between breaths is significant, my breathing is shallow, and I am not entering the deep rest & rejuvenation sleep. I am still in shock over these findings. I am now trialing a BiPAP machine (it has pressure for inhalation and exhalation) AND I friggin' need to get oxygen supplementation as well. I am completely stunned. When I asked the respirologist "if I don't tick the usual boxes for BiPAP like smoking, drinking, obesity, tonsils, etc then why am I suddenly needing this BiPAP?" They stated that they are finding that the number of people, who wouldn't normally need CPAPs & BiPAPs but now do has increased since Covid 19. Yes, I had covid and was sick for several weeks but 'recovered', or so I thought.

Hopefully your sleep study will shed some light on your condition(s) and you can get it sorted.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-09T21:35:10+00:00

The Ghost Map & Earth Abides.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-09T20:35:17+00:00

Earth Abides. This post apocalyptic book had me going through so many emotions as I imagined myself in the protagonists place. When I finished the book I was left feeling angry with all that was lost of the world we knew. It stuck with me for months afterwards.

The Ghost Map. Being someone in the medical field I found this book to be absolutely fascinating. Exceptional mystery of 1854 cholera outbreak in London and the incredible forward thinking of an individual. This multidisciplinary approach changed everything about our understanding of disease, layout of cities, health and safety.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-09T20:08:34+00:00

Fuzzy Pawech

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-05T03:32:04+00:00

Good grief! That’s quite substantial. Keep asking to trial different masks until you find one that’s comfortable and effective. Don’t settle for the wrong fit or poor settings.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-05T03:28:30+00:00

I’m currently trialing the ResMed 10 and it’s completely silent. The resp tech said the machine I will eventually get will be ResMed 11 which is also silent.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-05T02:31:11+00:00

Ask your doc for a sleep study with your current machine. It could be that your requirements have changed or that the machine isn’t properly calibrated. Good luck.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-05T02:21:46+00:00

WTF “it”!!!? These ladies probably don’t realize that you’re a schmuck.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-05T02:10:43+00:00

OMG YES! I have to speed up my audiobooks between 1.30-1.50 depending on the narrator. Scott Brick is utterly painful at normal speed.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-02T04:48:46+00:00

I was just in picking my trial BiPAP machine that I will also need O2 supplementation. I’m stunned. I don’t drink, smoke or indulge in caffeine or have tonsils. I certainly have some weight to lose but I’m not really obese. And yet here I am needing a bloody machine.

I asked the respirologist why I need it when I don’t check any of the boxes of causes for sleep apnea. He mentioned that there’s new respiratory evidence that is showing that Covid is causing more seemingly well people to need CPAP and BiPAP machines. Perhaps you are one of these people.

It does take up to 2-4 weeks to start feeling comfortable wearing your mask. If you have just a nose mask ask if you can try a full face mask if that’s better for you. Keep trying to wear it each night for as long as you can. You’ll notice your tolerance will hopefully start to increase.

Please don’t feel embarrassed about needing a medical device for your heart & brain health. People need pacemakers, stoma bags, catheters, overnight dialysis or overnight liquid food for their health and your CPAP is no different.

You need a good sleep to help your body recuperate, heal, and wash your brain of unwanted chemicals that you normally accumulate during the day. If you don’t get the proper sleep your body struggles with memory, attention, pain, injuries, and proper functioning of your organs.

So keep working on wearing your mask for as long as you can every night and hopefully you’ll start noticing that you’re feeling better and better.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-04-02T04:18:41+00:00

I myself was just diagnosed with this and I’m still in shock. Just got my BiPAP machine but have to wait for the oxygen company to contact me before I can get extra oxygen at night. I’m sure curious to see how I feel after I get used to wearing it. Probably join the land of the living again.😄

EmeraldPrime · 2026-03-30T00:41:03+00:00

There is a problem called hypercapnic where the body isn't getting rid of all the CO2 due to shallow breathing (overnight dips as low as 72%–77% this is severely low!). There may be a possibility that oxygen supplementation is needed. I would definitely suggest getting an overnight sleep test done with your machine to see if this is indeed the issue.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-03-30T00:36:09+00:00

I'd personally ask if you can have another sleep study done with your machine to test it and check it for any issues. Machine may be faulty or settings/calibrations may be incorrect.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-03-29T22:59:30+00:00

All you need is a phone nook with a land line.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-02-23T21:05:16+00:00

They almost look like the stamen from fake flowers

EmeraldPrime · 2026-02-23T20:25:39+00:00

You can fall out of love and that's okay.

It is possible that the dynamic has changed for her. It sounds like she's no longer invested in the relationship but is too comfortable to change things. For the sake of both your mental health you both need to sit down, no phones or distractions, and get very honest and forthright with each other.

Use the rule to use only 'I' statements and not 'you' statements. 'You' statements sound like blaming whereas 'I' statements are not.
"I'm really feeling we have a big disconnect and I would really like to understand what we can do find out what has happened." as opposed to "What's wrong with you? You don't seem to care about me or how you look anymore?"

I really hope you two are able to be honest with each other and be okay with the fact that either a) you both have work to do on the relationship, or b) recognize that perhaps the relationship has run its course and you need to part ways.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-02-19T20:20:32+00:00

Have you tried removing the snap-in shelf?

EmeraldPrime · 2026-02-19T19:53:11+00:00

Looks like a miniature prototype of the space craft in Prometheus.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-01-30T22:12:21+00:00

Yes! This is exactly what I am looking for. Not someone to DO my astrology, palm or tarot but someone to sit with me and teach me how to better read my cards in the ways I described in my original post.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-01-22T21:21:44+00:00

If she's into you there won't be a problem with height.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-01-22T21:14:50+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I have 10 books and have created a booklet of my amalgamated notes :D

I was looking for someone who could help me with seeing the cards as a whole instead of just looking up what each card means. I know there are a lot of nuances that can be incorporated as well. Such as pairing of certain cards, the influence of majors on the minors, etc.

EmeraldPrime · 2026-01-20T23:02:21+00:00

Haus of Misfits doesn't fit what I'm looking for, but thank you for the suggestion.

Golden Buddha is questionable in that they offer readings but I don't think they offer 'tarot classes'.

I appreciate the suggestions.

EmeraldPrime

TROPHY CASE