The post Christmas sales start…and it’s back to work for me

While every crazy shopping mad fucker was queueing at 5am this morning for the post Xmas sales, I was almost out of bed in order to make my tedious journey to work today, and every other morning so far. Still feeling knackered before arriving at work, throughout the day and towards the end of the day. Still not feeling like I’m enjoying ITU yet. Hopefully things will get better when I’m back on the general ITU ward, as it’s a bit busier and time goes quicker. I’m on-call next weekend- hopefully it will be interesting and I’ll do some ‘cool’ procedures.

Just watched the final ‘Extras’. Cheesy, but OK. Never saw the 2nd series though. The Les Dennis episode from the 1st series was cringe worthy too the max.

Sad news today. The former PM (of Pakistan) Bhenazir Bhutto was assassinated today. I was shocked to find out this afternoon, after one of the Cardiothoracic reg’s mentioned it in passing. Hardly a great way to end the year. Things have already kicked off. Once again a fanatical minority has fucked it for the majority, and for the dreams of democracy.

Christmas approaches…but life in the hospital continues

I live in rented shared accommodation. Most of my flatmates have the Xmas period off to enjoy the holiday. Most of them are professionals like me, but unlike them, I work in a place which needs to be open 24/7, 365 days per year, without fail. Banks, shops, post offices, even the GP surgery, are all closed over the main Xmas days, except hospitals.

Usually, I am lumbered with working either Xmas day or NYE, but alas, this year, for once, I have both off. But some of my colleagues are less fortunate. And with ITU, there is always going to be critically ill patients.

No real plans of what I’m going to do. Try and see family.

Still alive and kickin in 2007….

I’m being a bit sad now as i’m watching the 1st episode of Celeb BB 2007.

Just had a busy few weeks. I worked Xmas day and did nights over the New Year weekend, which was busy but manageable. Our team was on-call for 2 days and therefore we had loads of patients when we returned to the ward on Tuesday. Thankfully we’ve managed to whittle down the numbers, thankfully by discharging them and not killing them off a la MG ward.

By working Xmas day i got an extra day of holiday, so i need to start using the days of A/L.

My future plans this month consist of: job applications for ST1, MRCP Part 1 exam in Jan 23rd and maybe go on holiday sometime soon. Oh yeah! and to get the DSLR camera i want and maybe do some locum work in my last job!

Dirk Benedict from the A-Team is in the celeb BB house— so cool!

The 2 day working week

Due to the extended Xmas holiday period up to Tuesday and me starting a weekend of nights from Friday, it seems as though my working week this week is only 2 days. Yesterday felt like Monday, but alas it was Wednesday, and today is my last day at work this week till 11pm NY weekend—god i hope it isn’t too busy, as it will be the 2nd NYE i’ve worked, though the 1st on nights!

Having been doubling my efforts to study for my MRCP Part 1 exam which is on 23rd Jan 2007. Still feel stupid, but i’m understanding how to answer questions better. Fingers and toes crossed.

My other plan is to buy another gadget. I’ve been thinking of getting a Digital SLR for a while and have decided to got for the Canon EOS 400D, after checking magazine reviews and internet forums. It’ll set me back nearly £500, but i may be able to get a discount. The photo below is of the earlier model, the 350D:

A random night on-call

It seems the only time i update my blog is when i am on nights. Well tonight i have another random one off nights and so far it has been ok—i’ve seen 3 patients so far. For the medics it wasn’t too bad, but A&E was swamped with pissed up patients and injuries a few hours back.

Next week on Xmas day i have my 1st day on-call and then once again i am on a night on-call over the NYE weekend. I have so far spent only one day pn my ward and done one clinic, for which i still have to dictate my letters. I’ll do that tomorrow AM before going home.

I’m trying to get some of my F2 competencies done while i’m on nights—it’s such a hassle.

I’ll update this later today with further adventures of my night on-call…

Feel shattered, but now wide awake…

I finished my last day of nights today at 7am and got home feeling knackered. I managed to sleep till 2pm and eventually ventured out to do some shopping. Felt really shattered towards the evening but decided not to go to bed early and passed on the opportunity to go out for a few drinks as i was worried i would fall asleep.

Generally the week of nights was ok. Monday night was really hectic and i was busy till 3am. There were several cardiac arrests and i felt a bit of a loose end initially since it has been so long since i have attended an arrest. Unfortunately, on Tuesday I was part of the arrest team that failed to revive a 25 year girl who came in hypothermic and almost asystolic—was really sad! The rest of the week was fine, and eventually my body clock adjusted to my new hours, so now i know i am tired and yet i don’t feel sleepy. Bizarrely in this job i will have random one day nights, so my next night on-call is next Tues. Plus i am working Xmas day and the NY weekend. Oh well! This is better than Psych!

Gotta go to bed. Footy tomorrow AM.