I'd really love that if my mouse could be prayed for. I tossed and turned thinking about it last night, and have located a vet in case of emergency (very near by) but having cleaned them out this morning and played with the mouse in question I'm not going to take him until he shows signs of unhappiness. It'll be expensive and not beneficial, plus it'll only stress him out which if he hasn't got long left then seems a waste of time. Instead he is maximising his wheel time.

My last day on special care was lengthy, but far more interesting this time. I looked after a collodian baby. It's where a membrane covers the baby about 2 sizes too small for it. Everything is squashed and contained underneath. It's referred to as being like a sausage skin, and it really is exactly like it. It sheds over time and then either the skin underneath is normal, or there are further dermatological problems. Practically it means changing dressings every 3 hours (each change takes and hour and a half) and applying a tub of vasoline each time and three layers of bandages. She was absolutely gorgeous. A very happy baby, she was the most content (and hungry) I have seen in a long while. I was worried when we were doing the dressings it would be painful, but she seemed to love it, it must be like an all over body massage, plus cool soothing cream. The only time she wasn't happy was when she was hungry, then she demonstrated her lung power.

The most upsetting thing about her was the fact that evryone seemed to think it was OK to come and stare at her. Other members of staff, parents and so on. I understand that a rare case is a teaching opporunity if used correctly, but people were commenting on how awful she looked and how the parents must wish they'd never had her. It was awful. So we put up screens round her, then rigged some brightly coloured cot bumper covers so that she would have some privacy. The only problem with this is I felt a kind of ambivalence that we were doing it to protect her, but at the same time we gave out the message that she needed to be hidden away. This is something which struck me before about breastfeeding on special care. We put up screens so women have privacy, this is obviously important. But one woman said she'd prefer not to have the screens as they increase the already massive heat of the ward. The nurse said she had to have them so as not to offend other parents. But this seemed a bad message to give out. There are reasons why breastfeeding in public rates are so low, and this attitude just semed to be sending the message that breastfeeding is unattractive or in some way offensive.

It's a complicated set of issues I guess, but worth thinking about I think. I've noticed recently that midwifery seems to be covered with areas where things we do to try and protect women and babies can end up doing damage if stuck to without thinking about the individual circumstances.

Enough of that....train tickets are booked for coming home, I am soooooo looking forward to it. Seeing mum, bill, hens and ducks, polly, and everyone else. Really excited now. Also my tutor suggested today that instead of doing a top-up course to convert my diploma into a degree I could do a Masters instead. I have just looked at it and it is fantastic, part time, distance taught, interesting. Something else to think about I guess. Right, off for a walk and window shop.

A stressed mouse-parent

Ok, so I noticed this morning that one of my mice has what looks like a lump on its head. It's not very big, and the mouse doesn't appear to notice. It's doing everything like normal, including being the first to learn how to use the new extra-silent wheel. (They cannot have their normal wheel at night, you can hear it from downstairs with the window closed). So he doesn't seem to be poorly. I think the plan for now is to closely observe and then take him to the vet if needed here, and maybe to the vet at easter if he doesn't go to one here before then. I'm completely twitched about it, but I think it'll stress him out more to take him now as he's carrying on as normal. To carry on watching!!

All toilet rolls would be very very gratefully received as I have to throw them away every few days when I clean the cage out, and they do love them.

Last day tomorrow on SCBU, so the end is in sight. I'm going to try to get the most out of it. I hate not looking forward to something like this so I'll see what I can do. I just hate being up at 6. It's not natural.

I know!!!

Its is a bit wild isn't it. The box says it uses vibrant colours to interest children, but to be honest if the children are only interested in the box then whats the point in having the mice inside? I've been trialing the mice in it while I wash the cage every few days, they love it as long as it has toilet roll tubes in it. I'm sorry to say that I think every time they come out of the end of the tube they think that they are in a new cage. Awww they're only boys so small brains.

Special care baby unit - 2 days down, 1 to go. I just do not like it. It is a prime example of why I did not do midwifery to 'cuddle babies'. I want to be back on the ward talking to drug withdrawing mothers, or women with pregnancy complications. I would enjoy it more if you had the same autonomy on SCBU that you do on the wards, and therefore were more involved in managing the conditions, but they just don't. So you do what the doctors tell you. Ugh. It's not my thing. Plus some of the attitudes are really disheartening. I asked today about the reasons that a term baby might be admitted, and the main reason I got was 'cos you lot have messed up yet again'. And they wonder why neonatal nurses and midwives do not traditionally get on.

Just looking at train tickets, why are they so expensive, and yet often pretty pants! Anyway, not back till Thursday now so I am going to have a nice day tomorrow.
Need to feed my girls, and put the boys house back together.

And by the way, I'm ashamed to say it was 3 in the morning. I don't sleep when I'm worried about shifts, and I really was. So I read a zillion journal articles and wrote some assignment words. It's stupid when I should be asleep, but it's even more stupid to lie awake worrying when I can at least get something out of the way.

Arrival of the transporter cage

I get the feeling that I am going to feel quite silly on the train, but that is the price of mice.
Still I think I might test run it by going and staying at my friends for one night which will involve taking them on the tram.

I start back on placement tomorrow and have all the classic nerves that you always get. And as always they are messing me around with shifts. It's amazing how something so simple and small can ruin so much. The other problem is that often reactions to it can seem over the top to others who don't have to cope with it. This makes for a complicated situation.

I'm meeting a friend I used to live with at my previous university for lunch today. It'll be lovely to see him, but seeing him makes me realise how different my previous uni course was. It wasn't that it was easy, but that the difficult parts of it were things that you could deal with by putting effort in. Midwifery doesn't appear to be like this.

Anyway, had a productive morning, mice cage cleaned, five shelves put up, and some other things sorted. After lunch it's hoovering, sorting folders and getting things ready for tomorrow.

Big headed creatures

It's lovely to have comments from a stranger, Spice will be very big headed that she is the centre of attention. She seems to have dealt with her excitement by now choosing to be haughty, even more than usual, and sleep a lot more. Thats rats for you I guess. I think had I left her to it for any longer before catching her I would have had more of a problem as she would have gone from terrified at sudden freedom, to realising how much potential for destruction exists in a students bedroom.

Today I finished university for the next two months as it is back to practical training at my hospital. There are all the usual problems about shifts, plus the usual nerves prior to going on placement. First week is special baby unit so I'm just reading up on some things for that. The girls don't mind me being on placement too much I don't think, it means I'm around for longer, although the days when I work twelve hour shifts lead to noisy times on my return as they let me know they noticed my lengthy absence. It'll be the first time I've been on shift since I got the boys so I'll wait and see what difference they make.

An update about pictures

There will be more pictures of the boys and girls soon. They are after all quite photogenic little bunnies (well at least somebody is).
I'm pleased to say that the ear appears to be healing nicely. When it happened I went straight on the internet (while cuddling mouse in question - making the process slightly tricky) and logged onto a mouse forum to ask for advice. I have had some lovely replies and welcomes to the site, not to mention really practical advice about how to deal with the situation. It just struck me how nice it is when other people share your craziness about animals and the importance that they have in your life. Not to mention the extent to which people who are enthused in this way will take the time to help other people who are more new to it all. I'm only sorry I don't know more people in the local area who share a love of mice and rats, I'm keeping my eyes open though.
My aim for the near future is to attend a mouse and rat show, not necessarily a mega organised posh one, but one where people bring their animals to mingle with others, especially people who are breeding new strains or colours. I've been doing some reading about it and it is really fascinating. I can't wait until I can have a place with enough space to have more, and maybe breed some mice. It wouldn't be fair to them at the moment due to the size of my room, not to mention the smell that would dominate my bedroom/study all purpose space. But one day.....

I can't remember if I already mentioned this, but I am quite excited about the carry cage I have managed to find really cheap to transport the mice home at Easter. It is one that can be added on to others to expand it as necessary, and is suitable for carrying them in. I dread to think what people are going to think of me on the train with my two travel cases full of rodenty creatures, but we'll just have to wait and see.



Lastly - mice can jump 12 inches vertically if they choose. (My little boys will give that Lurcher a run for his money).

A crazy night

Ugh, the boys and girls all decided to be extra crazy since I'm writing about them. Last night we had a mouse trauma. Mine are brothers who have been together in a cage since birth, and never had any problems. Since they've come home with me they have had a few scuffles but nothing major. However yesterday I think I made a tactical error, I introduced carrot (never had before) and it was a success. Problem is I stupidly put only one piece in and I think this led to a bigger squabble than normal. Now little speedy mouse has a cut ear which isn't major, but to me looks horrific cos I'm in the mega overprotective phase. So from now on three pieces of carrot at once.

In terms of the girls, Spice decided last night to perform an escaping act when I was cleaning out their hutch. SHe bounded out of the carry case and accross the floor. It only took about ten minutes to catch her, but I was ready to have a heart attack by the end of it all. Not good.

Honestly, attention seeking rodents.

I'm away for the night tonight so they have their wheel back (it makes too much noise if I'm sleeping here too) so they've all tried to run in it at once which doesn't work so well and now they're back to sleep.

This is Sugar. She is by far the more extraverted of the girls. However when it comes down to it Spice has the edge if cornered or trying to work something out. At the moment they are both asleep in their brand new little wooden house.
The girls and boys live in their respective cages in my bedroom, with Sugar and Spice closer to my desk on the floor. Whilst it's boring spending a day attached to your desk (trying to prepare presentations for problem-based midwifery) it is definately better when kept company by your rat friends. They come and sit by the bars of the cage nearest to the desk, or start rampaging to get some attention.
I've only just sat back down at my computer after having my tea and within a few minutes they're out to say hello. I have a webcam for talking online to friends on messenger, and for a while I've been thinking that it might be a good idea to position it so that it was always on one cage or another. Sad to say their lives are more entertaining than a webcam on me getting frustrated with my computer.
Earlier one of the mice (they still don't have names, I need help) ran straight accross the keyboard, anything for a bit of attention! In terms of mice names there have been a few suggestions: alvin, simon and theodore (the chipmunks of course) or sausage, egg and bacon. I'm not sure whether to go for three matching names or name them for individual characteristics. So many things to think about, so little time

I also feel like I need to give a special mention to Bill my Lurcher back at home (away from university) and Polly our slightly weight-challenged cat, not to mention the many birds of differing varieties. I feel that Bill will be making an appearance here more than I might like.

Back to the midwifery now!

Day one with the blogging

Ok, so I'm kind of new with this...but here goes.
Sugar and spice are two little girls who came to live with me at the end of the summer 2005. They are cute, brown, whiskery with long tails. Who said that rats can't be lovely? They've managed the transition back to uni lifestyle and shift patterns well, although I do have to take the wheel away at night cos they can be very very noisy girls.
However, not mad enough already, I aquired 3 little mice boys a couple of weeks ago. The transition from rat size to mouse size was quite difficult. And even now when I move from one cage to another I continually suprised by the Alice in Wonderland style of difference. I'm still getting used to the boys, but they're friendly (and smelly) and live on my bedside table.

Anyway, I will update when I have done some more midwifery work.