Last night was my last night of resident call. Unfortunately, it wasn't the last time a patient will wake me up in the middle of the night.
I think it's fitting that my last outpatient clinic call was from someone requesting pain medications - which, of course, they didn't get, and which, of course, resulted in some not so nice comments before they hung up.
It's also probably fitting that for my last inpatient admission I couldn't even get a history from the patient because they were so intoxicated.
Yes, I will be taking call at my next job, but with a smaller group of doctors, and with patients of my own who I can coach on when it is appropriate to call, it will hopefully be a little less busy.
As much not fun as it is to wake up to that beep, it's a compromise I'm willing to make. For now.
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I've learned that my children will always wake me up in the middle of the night.
Even on nights that I'm not on call, it is pretty rare to get a "good night's sleep." All of you other parents (or dog owners) know what I'm talking about. Someone is constantly crying, thirsty, restless, scared, or angry.
Unfortunately, I don't think this is something they are going to outgrow anytime soon. Just the thought of three teenage boys all driving at once is enough to keep me awake already.
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