17 Aug 2015

trying to be everything and anything at the same time

Today is a PJ day. And not out of choice. I don't usually blog on a Monday but I'm taking today easy because I've been sick. And I'm never sick. At least, it happens once a decade or so which means today has been a day of reflection so far. And it's only 10am. However, I've been up since 6am - doing my normal morning routine in preparation for a day in clinic and then on the wards but then just as I was about to leave the house, disaster struck.

Today has been a reminder of why it is so important to take care of yourself. If you saw my week last week, I was on placement between at least 9am - 5pm (or 9-12 on Wednesday as is standard) but I did an on-call shift on Friday too so technically, that was a solid twelve hour day. No biggie - I've done twelve hour days as a waitress before but I usually get two rest days at some point when that happens.  But no, I decided to spend this weekend studying. I'd fallen behind a little in my own schedule I've made for this academic year. This weekend, I used up two full gel pens (I usually go through one a week) so that gives you an indication of how much work I did.

Furthermore, it's been an emotional week: Monday was sad - a patient I clerked poured her heart out to me and it almost broke my own heart; Thursday was sad and angry - another patient's wife started crying when talking to me (her husband had had a severe stroke) and then a scheduled teaching session didn't happen. And Friday's on-call was emotional seeing worried people and their families in Accident and Emergency. I used to think I was quite a strong person emotionally but I'm beginning to doubt this now.

Anyway, the point of this blog post is that I need to take care of myself a bit better. Last week was emotional but also jam-packed where I was going non-stop. I should've taken a breather at the weekend but instead, I've ended up ill today with sickness and severe abdominal cramps which signals a flare-up of a previously diagnosed condition I have.


If I were to write in my own patient notes for today, my 'plan' would be as follows:

1. Spend the day in pyjamas and rest
2. Stay hydrated and eat regularly and well.
3. Books are your best friend.
4. Journal - pour everything out re: the previous week.
5. An early night is essential.

At least my pyjamas are cosy and cute, eh?

Let this be a reminder to us all that we must all take good care of ourselves. After all, there is only one of us and we must realise our own limits of what we can and can't do. And also how much we can and can't do. Agree or disagree?

9 comments

  1. If you have look after your self first, because if you're not well, how can you go out and help other people? Take care of yourself, and I hope you feel better soon!

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    1. So true. And thank you :) Definitely feel better today but still not 100%! Planning on taking things easy this weekend :) x

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  2. Look after yourself. I am at home too. I have a throat infection and conjunctivitis, so I look and sound particularly attractive at the moment. It amazes me that people expect medical professionals to have no emotions. You would make a rotten doctor or nurse if you have no empathy at all. Have a restful day. Happy to share my medicaments :)

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    1. Thank you, Nellie :) Hope you're feeling better today! x

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  3. I highly recommend to you a book I'm reading just now called 'Real Happiness at Work' by Sharon Salzburg. It has a great chapter on Resilience, really aimed at people doing the kind of emotionally charged work you're doing. Hope you feel much better soon!

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    1. Will check out the book! :) My 'to be read' list is so long right now but I'll definitely bookmark it for the future when the list goes down :) Thanks! x

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  4. I highly recommend to you a book I'm reading just now called 'Real Happiness at Work' by Sharon Salzburg. It has a great chapter on Resilience, really aimed at people doing the kind of emotionally charged work you're doing. Hope you feel much better soon!

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  5. In what you do, not only is it physically taxing (12 hour days!!), but mentally as well - and that is lighting the candle at both ends, and somehow making it go even faster! I agree 100% - one should try to always be aware of how much 'juice' they have left, and take the time to recharge when necessary. It's easy to say "oh, well, I can go longer, it's alright." Which it may be, at the time, but it will catch up to you (sadly).
    Hope you are feeling better soon and get much needed rest and relaxation!

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