Its been awhile. Im doing ok. How are you?
Since its been so long. I have a list of things I have had on my mind, and here they are in no particular order:
Winter Tires. OMG. These should be mandatory. Seriously. I have them. You should too. Enough said.
NKOTB and BSB unite to become NKOTBSB and I want to see them.
I had a great time in LA. I haven't put up an album on facebook yet. I should do that. I ate like a disgusting pig in LA and now feel gross and guilty over it. I want to do a cleanse. Any suggestions?
I did score new shoes and a dress. I did not have sex. Oh wait, I did. Once. When I travel, I never want sex. Is that normal? Its stressful and I never sleep right and its go go go..all day long and generally lots of fresh air. Plus the pressure of knowing I should cos were on vacay crushes me. Anyone else like that?
Spending time with friends in LA was great, I miss my other friends :(
I need a new bra to go with my dress for the WJ Christmas Party. I am beyond excited for that!! Gonna dance with my friends all night long...all night, yeah, alll night, all night long..all night...*thinking of Lionel Ritchie"
Up next is Christmas. I still have a lot to buy. I should get on that. After that I am off to Montreal for a weekend of uber fun for my friend Michele's 25th birthday! I am so excited! Crystal, Sam, Bari and I are headed to Montreal to celebrate since Michele is not coming on our BNL cruise :( Should be an awesome time!
After that is my cruise. If you know me, you know how excited I am. If you're going its only 76 days from today!!! I can't wait for the preparty weekend in South Beach!
I need to finish dinner. In closing, I have a canker sore. It totally sucks.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Update on my medical drama
Today, I saw the Dr who sent me for my ultrasound. I love her. That might be a bit strong. But she deserves it.
So, first I had a pap with a lady from Switzerland. She was great. That went well. Glad they opened a pap clinic at my Medicenter.
Then I waited for Dr. Kotkas. She came in and was like "Hi! How can I help you today?" then it went like this:
me: remember me? you sent me for an ultrasound to see if I had fibroids, and if they were the cause to my heavy periods.
Dr: Oh yes, we're trying to see what is going on to control your iron!
me: yes, I came in on Monday and met a mean Dr. She started my time with her off with "what's wrong with you?"
(Dr. Kotkas gasps) then I told her I was called in for my results...etc...I told her what the conversation of which was in my last blog. The whole time Dr. Kotkas is gasping, rolling her eyes, etc...
me: She also gave me this prescription to help with my periods. But I didn't feel good about that appt at all so , here it is (passed it to her)
Dr: Are you serious? This is hardcore, this will stop your periods completely. I really don't feel like this is the solution at all. In fact, I haven't had a chance to look at your results, can you give me a minute to read this?
me: of course...and I don't want that prescription.
Dr Kotkas smiles and rips it up and puts it in the garbage. She reads my file and then says
Dr: Ok, so you have a fibroid but its fairly small and most likely not the cause of your periods, but lets talk about that first. Do you know what a fibroid is?
me: not really, well sort of.
Dr: (she goes on to explain it all) This is important...
Estrogen makes it grow and shrink, being overweight, fat stores the estrogen meaning you have a lot. Of course that makes you look young! Sometimes thin girls will look older cos they have less estrogen, so we need to get you to the right amount of estrogen. Which brings us back to your CRP test, and how we discussed you changing your lifestyle. If you lose weight, you will lose some estrogen making that fibroid shrink, which will in turn lighten those periods. See how we came full circle? Take care of you and you will be ok.
I love her.
me: absolutely! I have changed my diet already, have only had 2 pcs of halloween candy, been going to the gym and my dear friend at work created a Biggest Loser comp so I have like 16 people helping me lose weight! (I love you Jesse)
Dr: fantastic news! You are taking this seriously and I am so glad you have a great support system. Now, if you do all that and take your iron pills we won't need to go to drastic measures. I don't want to stop your periods, that has complications on its own. I don't want to put you on birth control as that will raise your blood pressure and increase your chances for a stroke, we can't have that. I just want to make sure you take care of you. Eat right, exercise and take all your supplements.
me: absolutely.
Dr: Lets try this for 3 months, then come back in for a test on your iron, of course you can come in anytime if you need me.
me: Is it ok, if I only come in when you are here?
Dr: of course.
She told me what she takes every single day because its so hard for a person to get this much from their diet:
In the morning:
Multi vitamin
Vitamin D - 2000 mg/day
Calcium/Magnesium
Omega 3
At bed:
Vitamin C with my Iron Supplement.
Oh and she gave me new iron pills cos my other ones made me soooo sick.
So, I am gonna follow her advice. Eat right, exercise and take all those vitamins. Lets where that will take me in the next 3 months :)
Suddenly, things don't seem so bad.
So, first I had a pap with a lady from Switzerland. She was great. That went well. Glad they opened a pap clinic at my Medicenter.
Then I waited for Dr. Kotkas. She came in and was like "Hi! How can I help you today?" then it went like this:
me: remember me? you sent me for an ultrasound to see if I had fibroids, and if they were the cause to my heavy periods.
Dr: Oh yes, we're trying to see what is going on to control your iron!
me: yes, I came in on Monday and met a mean Dr. She started my time with her off with "what's wrong with you?"
(Dr. Kotkas gasps) then I told her I was called in for my results...etc...I told her what the conversation of which was in my last blog. The whole time Dr. Kotkas is gasping, rolling her eyes, etc...
me: She also gave me this prescription to help with my periods. But I didn't feel good about that appt at all so , here it is (passed it to her)
Dr: Are you serious? This is hardcore, this will stop your periods completely. I really don't feel like this is the solution at all. In fact, I haven't had a chance to look at your results, can you give me a minute to read this?
me: of course...and I don't want that prescription.
Dr Kotkas smiles and rips it up and puts it in the garbage. She reads my file and then says
Dr: Ok, so you have a fibroid but its fairly small and most likely not the cause of your periods, but lets talk about that first. Do you know what a fibroid is?
me: not really, well sort of.
Dr: (she goes on to explain it all) This is important...
Estrogen makes it grow and shrink, being overweight, fat stores the estrogen meaning you have a lot. Of course that makes you look young! Sometimes thin girls will look older cos they have less estrogen, so we need to get you to the right amount of estrogen. Which brings us back to your CRP test, and how we discussed you changing your lifestyle. If you lose weight, you will lose some estrogen making that fibroid shrink, which will in turn lighten those periods. See how we came full circle? Take care of you and you will be ok.
I love her.
me: absolutely! I have changed my diet already, have only had 2 pcs of halloween candy, been going to the gym and my dear friend at work created a Biggest Loser comp so I have like 16 people helping me lose weight! (I love you Jesse)
Dr: fantastic news! You are taking this seriously and I am so glad you have a great support system. Now, if you do all that and take your iron pills we won't need to go to drastic measures. I don't want to stop your periods, that has complications on its own. I don't want to put you on birth control as that will raise your blood pressure and increase your chances for a stroke, we can't have that. I just want to make sure you take care of you. Eat right, exercise and take all your supplements.
me: absolutely.
Dr: Lets try this for 3 months, then come back in for a test on your iron, of course you can come in anytime if you need me.
me: Is it ok, if I only come in when you are here?
Dr: of course.
She told me what she takes every single day because its so hard for a person to get this much from their diet:
In the morning:
Multi vitamin
Vitamin D - 2000 mg/day
Calcium/Magnesium
Omega 3
At bed:
Vitamin C with my Iron Supplement.
Oh and she gave me new iron pills cos my other ones made me soooo sick.
So, I am gonna follow her advice. Eat right, exercise and take all those vitamins. Lets where that will take me in the next 3 months :)
Suddenly, things don't seem so bad.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Well then....
Many of you knew that today I was going back to the Medicenter to get the results of my ultrasound.
Quick recap:
Iron was low as was my hemoglobin. My C Reactive Protein test indicated inflammation in my body. I have very heavy periods, and this likely the culprit for my inflammation and low iron. So an ultrasound was ordered to see if I have any fibroids (benign tumors) which could cause my heavy periods.
So, on all hallows eve, I get a phone call at like 8:15pm from the Medicenter saying "We have the results of your ultrasound and we would like you to come in tomorrow"
Today at work, I started to experience some flu like symptoms, sore throat, stuffed sinus', chills and a little cough. But, despite a chaotic day at work, feeling like crap, I headed over to the Medicenter. I called ahead asking if there was any long waits. I was assured that there was barely anyone there, so I headed over. I got there and it was quite busy. I put my name in and waited.
and waited.
and waited.
Many times I passed out sitting upright, startling myself awake, almost dropping my phone a couple of times.
2 hours go by and I finally got called in and placed in an exam room.
This is how it went down when the doctor who I have never met before came in:
Dr: What's wrong with you today?
me: I was asked to come in to review my ultrasound results
- she takes a minute to read a letter in my file
Dr: Ok, so your ultrasound came back somewhat inconclusive. You have a fibroid but they don't feel this is what is causing your heavy period.
me: oh, ok
Dr: So what meds are you on?
me: for my iron?
Dr; for your period
me: Nothing
Dr: why not?
me: Well, this result is a step to a path to figuring out whats wrong with me
Dr: Ok, do you want meds? For your period? Do you want to go on birth control? I can get you something else.
me: blank stare.....uhm I guess
Dr: You know what, I am going to send you to a gynocologist.
me: blank stare...uhm ok.
Dr: Well, do you want to do something about your period?
me: Well, of course, I just want to sure that's the next step for what is going on
Dr: Well what is going on is that you have heavy periods and I am trying to fix that so here is a prescription and you can try that, and I will call you with an appt with a gyno.
me: I have a pap on Wed
Dr: so?
me: Well does that play into this at all?
Dr: a pap is a pap it has nothing to do with this
She started to leave
me: uhm, wait, you said I have a fibroid?
Dr: yes, but its of no concern.
me: so I just ignore yet?
Dr: Yes
She left.
I wasted 2.5 hrs to get no further ahead and to be treated like garbage. Because its a Medicenter, I can get a different doctor each time who will only read the first page of my thick file. My last visit was fantastic so on my way out I shoved the prescription in my pocket and asked when the doctor I liked would be in. Wednesday. I will talk to her on Wednesday.
Quick recap:
Iron was low as was my hemoglobin. My C Reactive Protein test indicated inflammation in my body. I have very heavy periods, and this likely the culprit for my inflammation and low iron. So an ultrasound was ordered to see if I have any fibroids (benign tumors) which could cause my heavy periods.
So, on all hallows eve, I get a phone call at like 8:15pm from the Medicenter saying "We have the results of your ultrasound and we would like you to come in tomorrow"
Today at work, I started to experience some flu like symptoms, sore throat, stuffed sinus', chills and a little cough. But, despite a chaotic day at work, feeling like crap, I headed over to the Medicenter. I called ahead asking if there was any long waits. I was assured that there was barely anyone there, so I headed over. I got there and it was quite busy. I put my name in and waited.
and waited.
and waited.
Many times I passed out sitting upright, startling myself awake, almost dropping my phone a couple of times.
2 hours go by and I finally got called in and placed in an exam room.
This is how it went down when the doctor who I have never met before came in:
Dr: What's wrong with you today?
me: I was asked to come in to review my ultrasound results
- she takes a minute to read a letter in my file
Dr: Ok, so your ultrasound came back somewhat inconclusive. You have a fibroid but they don't feel this is what is causing your heavy period.
me: oh, ok
Dr: So what meds are you on?
me: for my iron?
Dr; for your period
me: Nothing
Dr: why not?
me: Well, this result is a step to a path to figuring out whats wrong with me
Dr: Ok, do you want meds? For your period? Do you want to go on birth control? I can get you something else.
me: blank stare.....uhm I guess
Dr: You know what, I am going to send you to a gynocologist.
me: blank stare...uhm ok.
Dr: Well, do you want to do something about your period?
me: Well, of course, I just want to sure that's the next step for what is going on
Dr: Well what is going on is that you have heavy periods and I am trying to fix that so here is a prescription and you can try that, and I will call you with an appt with a gyno.
me: I have a pap on Wed
Dr: so?
me: Well does that play into this at all?
Dr: a pap is a pap it has nothing to do with this
She started to leave
me: uhm, wait, you said I have a fibroid?
Dr: yes, but its of no concern.
me: so I just ignore yet?
Dr: Yes
She left.
I wasted 2.5 hrs to get no further ahead and to be treated like garbage. Because its a Medicenter, I can get a different doctor each time who will only read the first page of my thick file. My last visit was fantastic so on my way out I shoved the prescription in my pocket and asked when the doctor I liked would be in. Wednesday. I will talk to her on Wednesday.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
What is wrong with you? Oh...a few things...
OK, so most people know that there is something up with me. I haven't really talked about yet. To some very close people I have but I keep getting asked if I am OK by those not in the loop. So here goes.
I went to the doctor one day last month stating that my arm hurt due to past poor ergonomics. Also, my bowel movements aren't going so well and lastly, the last time I donated blood my iron was low. (I have been anemic in the past, took supplements and then came back with OK levels). So, the doctor sent me for an xray on my elbow, sent me for some blood work to test my iron and told me to get some metamucil.
The results came back from blood work that my iron levels were ok, my hemoglobin was low. So she sent me for more bloodwork, getting 6 blood tests and a stool test to check for colon cancer. I was vitamin D deffeciant. She asked me to start taking Vitamin D supplements with Calcium supplements.
The results came back from those tests with some interesting information. My iron levels were dangerously low, as well as my hemoglobin. Trying to figure out what is making that happen. Its my periods. I practically hemmorage every month. So, the doctor wants to see what is causing that to happen and see what we can do about my iron levels.
Also, one of those 6 tests was a random test called C Reactive Protein. Here is some info on that.
So, my CRP came back at 3.2. I was told immediately to start a lifestyle change as cardiac arrest is imminent. I have already started eating better and going to the gym. I can always use advice in this area! I would love a gym buddy. Recently, Jesse at work has started a Biggest Loser club and I have joined. Hopefully some support and competition will assist me in obtaining my goals.
Today, I had an ultrasound to check to see if I have fibroids in my uterus. That was interesting as I sat in the waiting room in my gown, bladder full of water. They were running behind, I had to pee so bad that it started to come out. I couldn't take it anymore so I went to the bathroom and pee'd. I was upset, I was going to have to reschedule! I came out and the tech was looking for me. Thankfully, I had enough left in me to complete the ultrasound. Then she told me to empty my bladder and come back for the second part of ultrasound...the camera up my vagina part. OH! Oh, OK. Wasn't aware of that! It didn't hurt anything, but still..wow!
Tonight, I have to fast as I am getting a diabetes test tomorrow, plus another cholesterol test. While there, I will hand in my stool samples.
I also have a pap test booked for November 3rd to see if that will yield more information, plus to potentially go on the pill to control some of my period even tho I have been "fixed"!
So, a bit overwhelming these past two weeks. I will know more next week if anything shows from ultrasound, diabetes and cholesterol test.
So that is what is up with me!
I went to the doctor one day last month stating that my arm hurt due to past poor ergonomics. Also, my bowel movements aren't going so well and lastly, the last time I donated blood my iron was low. (I have been anemic in the past, took supplements and then came back with OK levels). So, the doctor sent me for an xray on my elbow, sent me for some blood work to test my iron and told me to get some metamucil.
The results came back from blood work that my iron levels were ok, my hemoglobin was low. So she sent me for more bloodwork, getting 6 blood tests and a stool test to check for colon cancer. I was vitamin D deffeciant. She asked me to start taking Vitamin D supplements with Calcium supplements.
The results came back from those tests with some interesting information. My iron levels were dangerously low, as well as my hemoglobin. Trying to figure out what is making that happen. Its my periods. I practically hemmorage every month. So, the doctor wants to see what is causing that to happen and see what we can do about my iron levels.
Also, one of those 6 tests was a random test called C Reactive Protein. Here is some info on that.
Your doctor may order this test to:
Check for flare-ups of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis
Determine if anti-inflammatory medicine is working to treat a disease or condition
However, a low CRP level does not always mean that there is no inflammation present. Levels of CRP may not be increased in people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The reason for this is unknown.
A more sensitive CRP test, called a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assay, is available to determine a person's risk for heart disease. Many consider a high CRP level to be a risk factor for heart disease. However, it is not known whether CRP is merely a sign of cardiovascular disease or if it actually plays a role in causing heart problems.
Normal Results
Normal CRP values vary from lab to lab. Generally, there is no CRP detectable in the blood.
Your doctor may also use a highly sensitive test called hs-CRP to help determine your risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association:
You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0mg/L
You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L
You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A positive test means you have inflammation in the body. This may be due to a variety of different conditions, including:
Cancer
Connective tissue disease
Heart attack
InfectionInflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Lupus
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatic fever
Tuberculosis
This list is not all inclusive.
So, my CRP came back at 3.2. I was told immediately to start a lifestyle change as cardiac arrest is imminent. I have already started eating better and going to the gym. I can always use advice in this area! I would love a gym buddy. Recently, Jesse at work has started a Biggest Loser club and I have joined. Hopefully some support and competition will assist me in obtaining my goals.
Today, I had an ultrasound to check to see if I have fibroids in my uterus. That was interesting as I sat in the waiting room in my gown, bladder full of water. They were running behind, I had to pee so bad that it started to come out. I couldn't take it anymore so I went to the bathroom and pee'd. I was upset, I was going to have to reschedule! I came out and the tech was looking for me. Thankfully, I had enough left in me to complete the ultrasound. Then she told me to empty my bladder and come back for the second part of ultrasound...the camera up my vagina part. OH! Oh, OK. Wasn't aware of that! It didn't hurt anything, but still..wow!
Tonight, I have to fast as I am getting a diabetes test tomorrow, plus another cholesterol test. While there, I will hand in my stool samples.
I also have a pap test booked for November 3rd to see if that will yield more information, plus to potentially go on the pill to control some of my period even tho I have been "fixed"!
So, a bit overwhelming these past two weeks. I will know more next week if anything shows from ultrasound, diabetes and cholesterol test.
So that is what is up with me!
Friday, October 22, 2010
To Infinity and Beyond: Not a Toy Story blog.
I don't know if this blog will reflect the title. Not meaning I will blog about Toy Story. But originally, I thought I would blog about travel. Specifically, my travel plans. Maybe I will start there.
I finalized my Los Angeles plans. This of course excites me. I will get to see friends, and take my family to LA for the first time. I have gone before, stayed with my friends Mark and Bari in Bakersfield. Bari has gotten us passes to Legoland and Universal Studios, so that saves us a ton of money. We have rented a minivan for comfort so we can have Crystal with us at all times!
I have built an itinerary, I will share in case you want to stalk me.
Arrive on the Thursday Nov 11
check into Tangerine
dinner and hollywood blvd
go to bed at The Tangerine
Fri nov 12
Go to Santa Monica Pier, see the sign etc...
go to bed at Tangerine
Sat Nov 13
wake up and go to Legoland
Go to bed at Tangerine
Sun Nov 14
check out and head to Universal Studios till 5pm
Andrew's birthday dinner
drive to BAKO (Bakersfield)
check into Doubletree
Monday Nov 15
chill day at Gonzos
go to bed at Doubletree
Tuesday Nov 16
check out drive to LA
fly home.
Excited. No clue what I am doing with my pets. Any volunteers? Two golden retrievers, 2 cats.
Also, I am very excited that I have also planned a trip to Montreal January 14 to the 17th. Its Michele's Quarter Century old birthday party. Since she can't come on the cruise a few of us are going to her!! I have never been to Montreal so this will be awesome! Girls weekend, drinking and shopping. LOVE IT!
Plus, my cruise with Barenaked Ladies and Great Big Sea is just 106 days away. We have booked a hotel in South Beach for the weekend of the cruise. There will be roughly, 30 of us staying there and having fun. CANNOT WAIT!!
I have 3 weeks vacation for the 2011 year. Trying to decide what to do with them. Obviously the cruise is one. My parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary next Sept, and if we can, I think we're going to Hawaii! I get a lot of interline deals and my mom wants to go there really bad, I can get us great hotel rates! We can fly on my flight benefits, standby, but possible! So that is two weeks. I guess I could take some time off in the summer to be with the kids and go to PEI for a week. I love going there.
Its almost Halloween and I am so not ready! I think I should start that! I have to get Quinn his costume. For the 5th year in a row, he wants to be a NINJA. I think i will take him to Don's Hobby Shop on Center street.
I have a lot more to say but I don't want my blog to be too long. Maybe next week, we can discuss my health. Ya, its an issue! Till then...safe travels!
I finalized my Los Angeles plans. This of course excites me. I will get to see friends, and take my family to LA for the first time. I have gone before, stayed with my friends Mark and Bari in Bakersfield. Bari has gotten us passes to Legoland and Universal Studios, so that saves us a ton of money. We have rented a minivan for comfort so we can have Crystal with us at all times!
I have built an itinerary, I will share in case you want to stalk me.
Arrive on the Thursday Nov 11
check into Tangerine
dinner and hollywood blvd
go to bed at The Tangerine
Fri nov 12
Go to Santa Monica Pier, see the sign etc...
go to bed at Tangerine
Sat Nov 13
wake up and go to Legoland
Go to bed at Tangerine
Sun Nov 14
check out and head to Universal Studios till 5pm
Andrew's birthday dinner
drive to BAKO (Bakersfield)
check into Doubletree
Monday Nov 15
chill day at Gonzos
go to bed at Doubletree
Tuesday Nov 16
check out drive to LA
fly home.
Excited. No clue what I am doing with my pets. Any volunteers? Two golden retrievers, 2 cats.
Also, I am very excited that I have also planned a trip to Montreal January 14 to the 17th. Its Michele's Quarter Century old birthday party. Since she can't come on the cruise a few of us are going to her!! I have never been to Montreal so this will be awesome! Girls weekend, drinking and shopping. LOVE IT!
Plus, my cruise with Barenaked Ladies and Great Big Sea is just 106 days away. We have booked a hotel in South Beach for the weekend of the cruise. There will be roughly, 30 of us staying there and having fun. CANNOT WAIT!!
I have 3 weeks vacation for the 2011 year. Trying to decide what to do with them. Obviously the cruise is one. My parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary next Sept, and if we can, I think we're going to Hawaii! I get a lot of interline deals and my mom wants to go there really bad, I can get us great hotel rates! We can fly on my flight benefits, standby, but possible! So that is two weeks. I guess I could take some time off in the summer to be with the kids and go to PEI for a week. I love going there.
Its almost Halloween and I am so not ready! I think I should start that! I have to get Quinn his costume. For the 5th year in a row, he wants to be a NINJA. I think i will take him to Don's Hobby Shop on Center street.
I have a lot more to say but I don't want my blog to be too long. Maybe next week, we can discuss my health. Ya, its an issue! Till then...safe travels!
Friday, October 15, 2010
My cathartic blog....
I have vowed to never talk about work in my blogs. I very much dislike it when people talk negatively about their workplace in their private social sites. My thoughts are: if I am so happy to make it a status, then I clearly need to move on. I mean, I know we have tough days, but there are expressing stress or frustrations and then there is bad mouthing your company. Its tough for me, I work for an airline, and I pretty much treat my facebook friends as guests or potential guests. I love my company and I don't want to say stuff in my status that our guests and potential guests could see and form an opinion on. If I put stuff in my status saying negative stuff, then I can only assume my friends are thinking "Geez, if one of their own talk like that, imagine what everyone else says, must be a poor company". I don't know if you are like me, but I will not use a business based on what my friends say. Word of mouth is the BEST way of advertisement and if the advertisement from the employees is that they are stressed, frustrated and mad...then why would I give them our business?
That being said, I want to talk about my work. Bare with me, I am building....
Almost one year ago (tomorrow) was the day we shut down our reservation system to "upgrade" to a new system. What followed was chaos. Insanity. Heartbreak. Stress beyond stress. Frustration levels. All which lead to many tears.
Our old bookings weren't speaking to our new system (well not exactly, but I think that helps the general public understand) and altho we were trained all summer long, the learning system to our live system were nothing really compareable.
This resulted in our guests holding for HOURS. Some of our finest employees would work 12 hr days just to be able to take 4 more calls that day. To help 4 more people. After all, calls were taking 1 to 2 hrs to resolve. We would often answer the phone to hear people snoring, waking them hours after they had called in. In an 8 hr shift, we would talk to maybe 5 or 6 guests. Compared to taking 6 to 10 calls in an hour before.
I wish I could put into words how we felt. But I don't think I can. When I try, my eyes well up with tears. I met some amazing people at work that I had never met before. It was traumatic and we all bonded over it. I made so many new friends and some bonds will never be broken.
The support on the floor was tremendous. We had so many guests who were so understanding and kind. They made it worth while.
We went from 8 hour holds, to 6 hours, to 4 hours, to 2 hours, to 1 hour, and then to none. We finally broke through our hold times in March. I wasn't there that day, but the cheers and tears that occur is a true sign of measurement.
Today, we still have hiccups, but wow, what a difference. Our new system has opened up so many doors and my companies success feels like it has no boundaries.
So today, in my heart are so many who shared so much with me. We succeeded because we cared.
Cheesy, I know.
That being said, I want to talk about my work. Bare with me, I am building....
Almost one year ago (tomorrow) was the day we shut down our reservation system to "upgrade" to a new system. What followed was chaos. Insanity. Heartbreak. Stress beyond stress. Frustration levels. All which lead to many tears.
Our old bookings weren't speaking to our new system (well not exactly, but I think that helps the general public understand) and altho we were trained all summer long, the learning system to our live system were nothing really compareable.
This resulted in our guests holding for HOURS. Some of our finest employees would work 12 hr days just to be able to take 4 more calls that day. To help 4 more people. After all, calls were taking 1 to 2 hrs to resolve. We would often answer the phone to hear people snoring, waking them hours after they had called in. In an 8 hr shift, we would talk to maybe 5 or 6 guests. Compared to taking 6 to 10 calls in an hour before.
I wish I could put into words how we felt. But I don't think I can. When I try, my eyes well up with tears. I met some amazing people at work that I had never met before. It was traumatic and we all bonded over it. I made so many new friends and some bonds will never be broken.
The support on the floor was tremendous. We had so many guests who were so understanding and kind. They made it worth while.
We went from 8 hour holds, to 6 hours, to 4 hours, to 2 hours, to 1 hour, and then to none. We finally broke through our hold times in March. I wasn't there that day, but the cheers and tears that occur is a true sign of measurement.
Today, we still have hiccups, but wow, what a difference. Our new system has opened up so many doors and my companies success feels like it has no boundaries.
So today, in my heart are so many who shared so much with me. We succeeded because we cared.
Cheesy, I know.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Being Thankful
Often we fall on difficult times whether it be losing a job/not gaining a promotion, breaking up with your spouse, illness and sometimes the death of a loved one. But I think what determines the future is being thankful for what remains. Maybe its easy for me to say that as I haven't fallen on many hardships during my adult life. I have had my up and downs but thanks to my partner Andrew, life is going quite well. At the end of the day we can't go back and change what has happened, only do our best to ensure things are easier in the future.
Today I have many reasons to be thankful. I am going to list them, not in order of importance, just as they come to mind.
Andrew - he is my rock and my bestfriend. He takes care of me, and helps me grow as a person.
Hilary and Quinn - my kids ensure that I always strive to be someone who makes them feel loved and be proud of.
My mom and dad - they have always been there for me and did everything they could do to ensure I was ok. They still are there for me.
Friends - this is a big one. I have different tiered friends. My besties keep me sane and help keep me Jody, not just mom or wife. My other besties, who pretty much do the same. My friends (working their way to Besties) - always putting a smile on my face and listening to my jokes. My acquaintances who randomly join me for lunch at work, sit with me for the day and share, on their way to friends. I need all of them! I am nothing without my friends.
My job - I love my job. It works with my personality, made some of my closest friends there, plus I love to travel so it helps! I am also thankful to my leader, Terra. She means the world to me. Without her, I don't know how I would have that job anymore.
My fashion sense - I am awesome there.
Twilight - its my world now.
Bacon - enough said.
I hope you all find atleast one thing to be thankful for today.
Today I have many reasons to be thankful. I am going to list them, not in order of importance, just as they come to mind.
Andrew - he is my rock and my bestfriend. He takes care of me, and helps me grow as a person.
Hilary and Quinn - my kids ensure that I always strive to be someone who makes them feel loved and be proud of.
My mom and dad - they have always been there for me and did everything they could do to ensure I was ok. They still are there for me.
Friends - this is a big one. I have different tiered friends. My besties keep me sane and help keep me Jody, not just mom or wife. My other besties, who pretty much do the same. My friends (working their way to Besties) - always putting a smile on my face and listening to my jokes. My acquaintances who randomly join me for lunch at work, sit with me for the day and share, on their way to friends. I need all of them! I am nothing without my friends.
My job - I love my job. It works with my personality, made some of my closest friends there, plus I love to travel so it helps! I am also thankful to my leader, Terra. She means the world to me. Without her, I don't know how I would have that job anymore.
My fashion sense - I am awesome there.
Twilight - its my world now.
Bacon - enough said.
I hope you all find atleast one thing to be thankful for today.
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