Wednesday

9:35am Wednesday morning. The next morning I got an email from a former client. She was effusive, and quite pleasant, with her praise for our service. Despite worries (we were short staffed), she was pleased with the attention offered her family. She said she wanted to donate to the general fund and was inquiring how to do so. She had no doubt the money would go to a good cause and help families in need. I provided the information and thanked her for the generous offer.

Coffee

8:35am Thursday. On my way down the hill, just before work, I ran into Tara, a social worker on staff. It was fortuitous we met. I had papers she needed to sign. She said she was running late but would catch up with me at 8:30. A short time later she texted to tell me it would be closer to 9. Then 9:15am. For the most part she isn’t very punctual; or reliable. But she is friendly and I enjoy talking with her. Besides, finding social workers of any caliber can be challenging.

Thursday night

11:05 Thursday night. On Thursday morning I went to a community and did a chaplain visit. Another chaplain provided the care, I observed. After the visit we discussed the different skills and aspects of care. After I left I recalled similar visits from years ago and a life that long since past.

Monday night

6:56pm today was a better day. I felt more confident. I am still dealing with the staffing issues from last week but I am not as frustrated. Tomorrow morning is the interview for the job in Denver. I don’t have much expectation there but I am curious to hear about it.

Waiting

9:58am at a Starbucks in Gilbert Arizona. I am waiting to meet with the nurse who resigned yesterday. today I have good energy. I can deal with stress better. It was nice to recharge yesterday.

Big surf

12:45pm in my office. Eating lunch. The call went alright. My supervisor is frustrated. I don’t blame her. I shared what we are doing to control costs and increase business. We have a plan. We are doing it. Things are getting better. I have to catch myself and not own the bullshit. I walked into tough circumstances five months ago. It is not going great but I am not giving up. The last month and a half sucked. I admit the service failure in June and the sale of the company earlier this month lowered my energy. Today is the first day in a while I have felt focused and driven. I am ready to face the obstacles and find success. Staying in a situation like this is like surfing big waves. If you are able to ride the crest it can look amazing. Even be exhilarating. If can’t get get on top of things you will be torn apart. I got torn apart for a couple of weeks. Time to ride high again.

Better

4:12pm the day got better. I did the presentation I had been working on. It went well. Now is the moment of truth. Implementing the plan. Then replicating and scaling.

Reprieve

6:07pm we have an admission tonight. I don’t like to celebrate the fact that someone is terminally ill but from a provider standpoint it is helpful. We need to care for patients or we cannot serve our mission. I am sitting outside a pancake house.m, waiting to pick up dinner. That was the consensus choice. Overcast sky. Looks like a nice cooling rain storm possible. It is still 103 degrees.

Tired

2:56pm the company transition is complete. The mock survey team has left. Census is still down. I am exhausted. I need to rest and regroup

Talent wins

9:04am at work. My phone was in the bedroom this morning while my wife was sleeping so I couldn’t do my usual early check in. Thought for today. Like being a football coach at the ends of the day talent wins. In hospice having talented nurse case managers grows census. Amazing how much easier this job is when you have a talented team