January 2011
23 posts
December 2010
28 posts
2010? Was fucking hard. Since I rang it in asleep, in my own bed after a trip to the ER on the 30th after a day of puking my guts up with a virus and a long work day on the 31st, I feel compelled to do it differently this year, despite my desire for an evening on my couch. I think I’m figuring that if it starts differently, sure the trajectory will be different. As further proof that I am...
A patient bit me!
It’s not quite as bad as it sounds. I had to check this patient’s face for midface instability, which is done by grabbing the two front teeth (or top jaw if no teeth) and wiggling it to make sure it’s stable. I told him to open his mouth, I stuck my finger in there and the CHOMPED down and wouldn’t let go! OW!
At least my glove didn’t break and he didn’t draw...
Dear Surgery Chief Resident;
I recognize that you think I’m a moron. But really, we’re even, because I think you’re a bitch. 8 more days and counting.
Hugs,
A
Unpopular sentiment
I was SO happy at midnight last night when I could tell myself that Christmas was over.
Yay, time to move on.
This wine is TERRIBLE.
Do not think that means I’m not drinking it.
Calm, cool, and collected
Those three words have probably never been used to describe me in my personal life. I’m just…not. And that’s ok. Work is a whole different story, though. This afternoon (about 2 minutes before I would have been out of there, damnit) there was a trauma activation. The man was FINE - totally FINE and I quickly finished my exam. As we discussed whether he could be moved out to...
Denial
I find myself in denial that it is Christmas Eve eve. And that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. And that the day after is Christmas. The first Christmas I will miss with my family. I miss my family so much it hurts, and I don’t see that getting any better over the next day or two.
When my mother calls me on Christmas and tells me how much she loves and misses me, it’ll be a miracle if...
The Cheese Truck is not out today, and that is a bit of a travesty because I’m in desperate need of comfort food. This week has been hard. This weekend will be harder. My sanity is hanging on by a thread, a thread that is slowly being unraveled.
Anonymous asked: Hey Ashley -
I have the start of a winter/holiday package for you but then work got crazy and I haven't finished it yet. I hope to have it in the mail within the next few days. I'm sorry I didn't get it out sooner!
Love, TB
I have the start of a winter/holiday package for you but then work got crazy and I haven't finished it yet. I hope to have it in the mail within the next few days. I'm sorry I didn't get it out sooner!
Love, TB
I started writing this big long post about how and why the trauma service is so tough. But writing it made me start crying, so I’ll polish it up and post it when the emotions have worn off a bit.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that doctors don’t care. People who don’t care don’t cry over work at midnight on Friday.
Overcaffeinated, underslept
Overcaffeinated, underslept, overworked. That is me in 3 words. Happy for a weekend with my family, but kind of wishing I could just curl up on the couch and sleep for a few days.
Food was consumed at 26 hours since my last meal. I’ll be surprised if I make it through this month without a bleeding ulcer between stress, coffee, and lack of food.
I would legit kill for a meal right now. 23.5 hours and counting.
“Push hard, push fast, don’t stop.”
– New layperson guidelines for CPR as relayed by my advisor. Giggle.
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent…not even surgeons.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt (addended to be relevant to my life)
I will have to take this down
because I fear it could be used against me if the wrong person were to discover this little space.
A patient I discharged from the emergency department two days ago came back yesterday and since yesterday has had a really really terrible and scary hospital course. I feel like shit. I don’t think sleep is happening any time soon.
My heart is so heavy. I try to tell myself that I love...
I'm so flipping tired
(Yes, I’ve decided to use “flipping” instead of another word that starts with f. Deal with it.)
I worked noon-midnight last night and arrived home shortly before 1 AM. I tossed and turned, got up to make train reservations for the weekend before Christmas and then worried about whether I’d mailed my car payment and where it was if I hadn’t mailed it. Then the...
Confession
I am EXHAUSTED. My apartment is a mess. No, really, a mess. I have not had a day off to DO NOTHING in probably 6 weeks, but I honestly haven’t counted. I’ve either been working on a lecture, at conference, or sick (and doing nothing while sick doesn’t count, but I still did stuff while I was sick). Yesterday I had planned to take a “me” day, but I was needed...
I am officially grounded from shopping for myself indefinitely. Good thing I’m starting trauma on Wednesday! No time = no shopping. Except not really with the Internet.
reallynic asked: As the resident doctor, can you recommend any changes that I can make and stick with to help control my acid reflux?
Anonymous asked: SO, I'm sure you want to talk about anything other than work but you're the only doctor i "know." Also, TMI, TMI, TMI, but HELP!
I have been getting in-grown hairs right along my bikini area and they get very sore and swollen and I try to leave them alone and let them heal...however...this is not working.
They are right were my panty line is, so it is painful...
I have been getting in-grown hairs right along my bikini area and they get very sore and swollen and I try to leave them alone and let them heal...however...this is not working.
They are right were my panty line is, so it is painful...
umcanyounot asked: From one Ashley to another! How's it going? What's the craziest medical story you've experienced that you can share with the group?
I'm very bored
So, please, ask me anything! As always, anonymous asking is enabled.
We’ll call it TMI Tuesday, procrastination style.
I am not at conference today
Because last night involved a 5 AM drive to the nearest open pharmacy (side note: there are, like, 2 in this entire section of the state and one of them is half a mile from me) and buying NyQuil and ANOTHER box of tissues.
In case you are EVER tempted to buy generic Rite Aid Sudafed - DON’T. I know Sudafed and that stuff didn’t work for shit.