Missionary Orthopod in the Making

So it is 5:40am and I am almost done with my 32 hour shift of being on call. To be honest I know that I have it easier than the 3rd years did last year because I actually got 5 hours of sleep last night. Last year the 3rd years got 0-2 hrs of sleep when they were on call but I guess there are more teams now so the load isn’t as terrible. And to be honest I really can’t complain. This morning I ran into a fellow 3rd year who was on her surgery rotation and she had gotten exactly 5 min. of sleep last night because they were in back to back stab wound cases all night. I honestly felt envious because her cases sounded so much interesting and exciting and at least she has a real reason for losing sleep.

So I had some interesting patients. I had a 24yr old black male who 1 month ago suddenly became paralyzed on his whole right side. Neurology did like 6 MRIs and a lumbar puncture and they found nothing. They did however treat him with steroids which improved his paralysis some. So basically presented again with worsening symptoms to the ed so we had to admit him. He really is a mystery diagnosis so I hope the neurologists can figure it out.

I got the chance to pray with one of my patients who was bleeding seriously from a GI ulcer. I’ve been praying for the insight to see which ones of my patients I should offer prayer to and God has certainly been helping me. Speaking of religion, it really sucks being on call during the sabbath (sunset friday to sunset saturday). Last night I started studying after we had admitted all of our patients from the ED and i honestly forgot it was the sabbath. The week just feels like one big day when you are in the hospital.

Things might be looking up on the research and publication front so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.