New Beginnings

Well, remember that post back in November when I talked about the new job I was offered? When after enduring 2 months of the credentialing and privileging process, I'm finally able to start! (Credentialing sucked more than I'd like to admit so trust me when I tell you it's long story that you do NOT want to hear.)

So? My first day is tomorrow! Since I will be focusing on learning the unit's routines and getting used to the new place, I will be doing 8-10 hour day shifts. Since it isn't really feasible for me to drive 4 hours round-trip every day, Monday through Friday for 2-3 weeks, I will be staying up in Jacksonville during the week for as long as I'm doing the shorter day shifts.

There are some technical difficulties to this adventure that make me a little nervous. Like what will I eat? I don't want to eat out the whole time I'm there. Besides being expensive, that's a lot of rich food for a whole week and I don't think my blood sugars or my belly will thank me for that. So one thing I've done to make it a little easier on myself is book a hotel with a mini-kitchen. I've got a full size fridge, stove, oven, sink and microwave. I'll take up some pre-cooked meals and groceries that will help me fix dinners and lunches I can take to work with me. I'm sure I'll eat out a couple of times but it's better than everyday twice a day for a whole week!!!

I do hope my blood sugars behave while I'm away especially while I'm on the job! This will be my first time away from home on the pump so that will be a mini-adventure in itself. I have horrible memories as a kid on trips away from home where something broke on my pump that I couldn't get a replacement for or I didn't pack enough supplies or my cartridges would break (they were made of glass back then) or even a bottle of insulin would break. So I'm definitely freaked out. To make myself feel better I'm just going to over-pack. :-)

So tomorrow morning I will be up and on the road by 6am. And as much as I'm nervous and hating the idea of being away from Brad for such long periods of time . . . I am so, so, so excited!! And I have no idea what in the world I will do with myself for the rest of my days while I'm there?!? But I'm excited for the work and determined to make new friends there!

YAY!
~Layne