Oncology nurses get similar responses when people find out what they do for a living. We hear, "Isn't it depressing? That must be so hard. I could never do that," to which I reply: Yes, sometimes it's a tough job but I love my patients and taking care of them and their families. Caring for them and seeing them along their journey through diagnosis, treatment and planning for the unforeseeable future is nothing compared to the physical and emotional suffering that they experience every day. If I can help to make that journey a tiny bit easier, then I have done my job. I can not imagine doing anything else.Note to self: You are human.
This morning, I left work a big bawling baby. A total of four embarrassing melt downs, one of which occurred at a patient's bedside. Six nights on a pod full of confused, yelling, incontinent patients is manageable. Add to that the previously discussed elements of the job I love and it is just a matter of time before the breaking point is reached.
I feel like I'm insane.No alarm. I woke up at 7pm. I have decided to take tonight off from work. I talked with the designee (charge nurse, head nurse) and arranged a preplanned sick call.
Tonight, I am regaining my sanity with mind numbing TV (currently an ANTM mini-marathon), celeb bashing magazines and junk food. I am going to play with my puppy, catch up on your blogs and eat pizza.
My first bite and I already feel better.
Thanks Head Nurse for the advice on how to do it right.
7 comments:
Nice looking pizza. Sorry about your night. Enjoy the pleasant things, warm puppy fur, good wine and the knowledge that we are all here for you.
Enjoy yor MHD! It's cold and rainy outside, a nice change after being in the 80's all week. A perfect day to stay inside and do nothing productive. Oh wait, but I just had the last 4 days off, might be a little hard to justify.
bf3- wine and pizza?
lori- i want cold and rainy!
Yes, wine and pizza (of course on my mental health days it could be pizza and beer or wine or martinis - or all of the above)!
Enjoy the time off and get a little puppy love, nothing like a pup to lift the spirits.
I'll second the cold and rainy...I can't wait to have my Irish coffee, wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa by the fire, drooling over, I mean, watching the latest rugby match via satellite...ya gotta love those straining thighs!!! ;D
good on you for taking the day off...'it' does get to you; and I hope it helps you to know that you're not alone in needing the MHD!
Good to take a night off. I see nurses at work taking care of the sick and often dying kids and I'm amazed at how well they hold up. But,you're right, sometimes you reach a breaking point and, for your sake and your patients, you need down time.
And yes, my dear, pizza and a nice pinot noir are the perfect combination.
I am having pizza and beer tonight for dinner, and I am raising my bottle of Fat Tire to you. For all you do. At the risk of sounding corny, you are a hero to me.
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