Work, Sleep, Repeat.

Nights on night float is a lot of fun. I'm learning a lot in a short amount of time, I get to see many different patients and only have to manage acute problems and learn from their presentation and disease processes without worrying about completing notes or ensuring that everything I do is properly billable etc. for instance, I recently saw a patient with an acute crisis of scleroderma, with digital infarction. I had literally just studied the morning before, and the last question I answered was regarding initial treatment for acute scleroderma flair, and I had answered it incorrectly (I really had no idea what was the proper management). So when I received sign out of this patient, I was so pleased with myself because I knew how I would manage her overnight. It's one thing to handle the day to day things we see commonly; it's a whole different kind of satisfaction when you can manage a specialist's problem as a mere intern. And now ill never forget - acute digital infarction secondary to scleroderma requires prostacyclin to enhance vasodilation (as well as warm ambient environment and adequate pain control to prevent vasoconstriction). My co-intern was dead impressed with my knowledge - he thought I just knew that off the top of my head. The perks of forcing myself to study after working 13 hours - I look smarter! (Maybe it's because I am getting smarter, but I wouldn't go that far...!).

I love the team I am working with. I am now certified to independently place arterial lines, obtain ABGs, and place internal jugular central lines. That's not bad for only being an intern for less than 3 months. And I keep practicing to develop my skill - there's nothing as valuable as learning from proper experience. My senior is incredible. He's brilliant and he's a patient teacher, so I am really learning so much from him. My whole team is really top notch. I'm so lucky. When I'm working, I am so happy and I'm doing such amazing and rewarding things. But - this is how my life looks:

7:30am: Leave work.

8am: Arrive home, eat breakfast.

8:15am: Go to bed and sleep.

5:15pm: wake up and do something useful for 15 minutes (like clean the dishes or write an email or walk the dog or run a quick mile or two).

5:30pm: Shower and get ready for work.

6:15pm: Drive to work.

6:45pm: Work.

7:30am: Leave work.

Only having 15 minutes a day of "free time" is really starting to wear me down. The worst part is that I haven't spent time with my husband in what feels like a month (it's really only been 3 weeks). I miss my life. But I do still enjoy what I do - I just wish I did a little bit less of it.

Only 4 nights left. I'm actually kind of sad about it!