We’re on a road trip now and i’m no longer at the hospital which feels hectic. After having such a purpose and belonging for so long I feel a bit out on a limb now. I know they’re struggling at the hospital too with many drs off sick and it makes me want to go running back to help and makes me feel guilty for being on holiday. Such a strange experience having a year like this. I feel like a different doctor, i think i am still the same person, just a bit more hardened to the harshness of the world. I found leaving SO emotional, saying goodbye to these amazing friends was heartbreaking. Especially Liz and Mo who were my girlies. Hopefully we’ll see them at the wedding. Felt I got a good time to say bye to Karen and Roger as they kindly hosted us for our last few days. They rock.
My last three months were on female ward which was much harder going that Paeds. Basically the Paeds nurses are great and my new ward was somewhat apathetic. It was like trying to squeeze blood from a stone getting any banter or enthusiasm from some of them. I even resorted to complimenting one nurse on her shiny white teeth one morning in the hope it would cheer her into a good ward round. I immediately felt dirty and arse kissing, and it didn’t help the ward round flow anyway. I did manage to chirp them up with some home made buns (they call them cookies here in SA, so wrong). The ward was hard going, the theme being HIV +ve with gastro, in denial of status and not yet on ARV medication followed by grim death. Or the other theme was ‘sick person who i’d like to do further investigations on but we have a shitty referral hospital so can;t get them so they die’. A bit bleak.
Also had some great moments though, a few Paeds kiddies who I’d looked after on Paeds I saw in out patients and they looked great and my heart filled to bursting. That was brilliant.
Towards the end of December the oncalls were harsh and miserable. Had one horrible evening where I was up ALL night and had to deal with an awful case where a whole family’s rondavel was struck by lightnening (common). Most of them were fine but the 7 yr old girl must have been hit the worst because she was dead on arrival. It was awful having to announce this to the family. It was 2 days before Christmas.
My body has sort of physically collapsed after the mentalness of the year. Both me and pete are in bed with our final gift from the hospital...one last does of diarrhoea and vomiting. Misery. We were meant to climb a big hill today, that had to be cancelled (there is always a silver lining to every distater since i am not a mad hiker!). Maybe I’ll shed a few pre wedding pounds too?
Can't wait to see you both.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how you've changed/grown over the year. You've certainly shared some incredible experiences and sound to have met some outstanding people.
You'll never be short of tales to tell when you're old like dad and me.
Shame about the dia....wotsit.(Never was a brilliant speller!)
Hope you're both soon fighting fit.
Enjoy your well earned holiday. xx
Ah, the old 'discomfort' one GP warned me about... labour. He was a bloke and I did explain a few things to him about his terminology. Seem to remember him smiling, all smugness well-contained. Tori was amazing; ditto a very anxious Al;and gorgeous wee FredPete. Your man Pete just may have raised the bar in the 'fantastic people' awards and folk to look up to - more on his own blogs later.
ReplyDeleteYou are a great couple. Have a great holiday. Good that Pete has , with his usual solidarity, started a pre-suit diet too. It will be just lovely to see you both. ASAP.