If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought I sleepwalked throughout the whole week. I worked last weekend and it might have been one of the busiest weekends I’ve worked in a while (at least since the move to Southampton). It didn’t feel like it, until it was over, until it felt like a terrible hangover.
We saw 5-6 new patients both the Saturday and Sunday, we had multiple patients with cord compressions who needed treatment both days, we had several to see in the ward including 3 very poorly patients. On Sunday, I left the hospital at 11 pm (40 min drive, getting home at midnight… with nowhere to park), only to be back at the hospital for 830 am for handover and to start the week again. Yet another character building exercise.
I may just be starting to show my age but it took me nearly the whole week to recover. The Monday handover was the worst, my processing speed was at least 5 minutes. When it was over, I sat in the office staring at the computer trying to get work done, and the brain had just packed up and went on a holiday leaving me behind, incapacitated. By 2 pm, I told the On-Call Reg I was going home. Awkwardly, I drove past a sign that said ‘Don’t Drive Tired.’ I managed a quick nap before picking the kids up.
I floated throughout the week, wondering whether I would ever get a good night’s sleep again. Tired as I was, I had very restless sleeps and still not enough to recharge the battery.
It wasn’t until Friday into Saturday that I managed almost 7 hours sleep. Maybe because my body knew the week was finally over and now I (along with David) am on Annual Leave! It is the kids’ half term break. This time, a staycation is perfect – as it has been at least 25 degrees here!
The plan is sleep. Then morning tennis camp for the kids whilst FRCR Part 2a revision for me and FRCA Final Written revision for David.
And maybe the occasional tree-climbing.
Reach for the Seven Stars 
Oh my goodness, ENJOY that annual leave, Monica! You really need it. It’s so good to hear you’re staying at home and just enjoying the family (well, apart from sweating over FRCR Part 2A and David doing his stuff too!).
That weekend sounds very stressful! From one patient to the next with no chance to surface for air. No wonder your brain went on strike by Monday afternoon – that “Don’t Drive Tired” sign was definitely a hint! 😅
It’s so good you’ve finally caught some proper sleep. I bet you’re starting to feel more human now. And tree-climbing for the win!!
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