Does anyone else feel like they have hit a wall this weekend? I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin. I just stood outside in the rain in bare feet and a T-shirt (45 degrees) just to FEEL something. I want to go on a date with my husband and push myself at the gym and roll my eyes in person with my coworkers and laugh with book club over delicious food at a new restaurant. Sob. And it is totally ridiculous because everything is fine. The only major stressor is fear for my ER nurse mom. I have no idea why I am struggling so badly with this.
So, actually? Everything isn't fine. You're really minimizing your reality to try to tell yourself this. (I mean that in a nice way, not in a critical way.) Even if you aren't directly impacted by any specific aspect of the current economy or pandemic, it's everywhere and most people's stress levels are very high. What I mean is, I think you should cut yourself some slack. It's okay to feel like you feel. You don't have to be working in an ER yourself to think that the whole world being upside down is scary and hard.
Does anyone else feel like they have hit a wall this weekend? I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin. I just stood outside in the rain in bare feet and a T-shirt (45 degrees) just to FEEL something. I want to go on a date with my husband and push myself at the gym and roll my eyes in person with my coworkers and laugh with book club over delicious food at a new restaurant. Sob.
And it is totally ridiculous because everything is fine. The only major stressor is fear for my ER nurse mom. I have no idea why I am struggling so badly with this.
It’s a huge change for many people. I have also found that the constant news cycle, stress, and fear has left me pretty numb. And also exhausted.
It’s okay to feel like you do. It’s completely normal to struggle.
Post by penguingrrl on Mar 28, 2020 18:54:45 GMT -5
My sister got word that her medical school will be graduating 4th year students early, in early April, so they’re free to begin residency early. Basically a wartime promotion. I’m curious if and when this has ever been done before (did medically students graduate early during the 1918 flu?) and whether brand new doctors are particularly useful. She’s in general surgery (but also in north Jersey), so I’m curious if she’ll treat a lot of COVID patients or not in her field. We knew this was coming since other med schools have already done it, but it’s still a bit startling.
My sister got word that her medical school will be graduating 4th year students early, in early April, so they’re free to begin residency early. Basically a wartime promotion. I’m curious if and when this has ever been done before (did medically students graduate early during the 1918 flu?) and whether brand new doctors are particularly useful. She’s in general surgery (but also in north Jersey), so I’m curious if she’ll treat a lot of COVID patients or not in her field. We knew this was coming since other med schools have already done it, but it’s still a bit startling.
They will be useful as bodies in the room to treat patients but without residency, they haven't really done any real training and can't be alone with patients without an attending, who, frankly, can't take the time to train them :/
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
penguingrrl, based on my curated twitter feed, with lots of medial professionals, I would expect she will be on the front lines. It seems like every MD is expecting to be treating some. My intensivist friend (like actual friend, not twitter friend) is putting out vent management training videos for non-ICU docs.
Post by ruthie7532 on Mar 28, 2020 19:15:03 GMT -5
I was of very little use right out of medical school. I mean, I could write notes, but it took me hours to admit a patient, and I had to check with my senior resident before I could submit any orders, not just because that was the rule, but because i knew so very little. Doctors usually tell their families never to get sick in July for a reason (because this is when the new residents start). On the other hand, you learn by doing, and you learn fast. This will be a trial by fire for them, but they will become competent very quickly.
I was of very little use right out of medical school. I mean, I could write notes, but it took me hours to admit a patient, and I had to check with my senior resident before I could submit any orders, not just because that was the rule, but because i knew so very little. Doctors usually tell their families never to get sick in July for a reason (because this is when the new residents start). On the other hand, you learn by doing, and you learn fast. This will be a trial by fire for them, but they will become competent very quickly.
I’m going to overshare here. I had my first cycle of chemo on June 27. It blocked me up very very bad. Like but the 1st, my H was threatening to take me to the ER bc I couldn’t even sit. I said no! For many many reasons. Namely it was fucking embarrassing. But I was joking that I would have been great intern fodder 🤣
I was of very little use right out of medical school. I mean, I could write notes, but it took me hours to admit a patient, and I had to check with my senior resident before I could submit any orders, not just because that was the rule, but because i knew so very little. Doctors usually tell their families never to get sick in July for a reason (because this is when the new residents start). On the other hand, you learn by doing, and you learn fast. This will be a trial by fire for them, but they will become competent very quickly.
I've that September is the issue--interns are pretty well supervised at first, and most are terrified of making a mistake. They get more independence a few months in and start to get cocky.
Post by cattledogkisses on Mar 28, 2020 19:33:53 GMT -5
I've been thinking about things that I'm looking forward to doing when this is over.
I can't wait to do weekend brunch with my friends again. There's a place we go that does a kickass brunch and we like to sit outside when the weather is nice.
There's a local coffee shop that I love to go to and treat myself to a cappuccino, and sit there and sip it while I read something.
I miss my family and can't wait until we can all hang out again. We're a close-knit bunch. My brother is in a new-ish relationship and he's decided that he wants the family to meet her, so I'm excited about that.
And, silly as it sounds, I'm planning what I'll to wear to do all these things, because I'm looking forward to putting on something besides leggings, a tunic sweater, and slippers every day. I bought some new clothes before everything shut down and I haven't had a chance to wear them yet.
My sister got word that her medical school will be graduating 4th year students early, in early April, so they’re free to begin residency early. Basically a wartime promotion. I’m curious if and when this has ever been done before (did medically students graduate early during the 1918 flu?) and whether brand new doctors are particularly useful. She’s in general surgery (but also in north Jersey), so I’m curious if she’ll treat a lot of COVID patients or not in her field. We knew this was coming since other med schools have already done it, but it’s still a bit startling.
Yes intern year of surgery residency is pretty much managing patients on the floor and ICU anyway. Interns don't really get much time in the operating room. A good surgeon is also good at medicine, so they have to learn the bread and butter of medicine from the beginning.
We've pulled residents from pretty much all other rotations to help manage patients on the floor. A couple of our incoming interns have also graduated early and they're staying local, so they are trying to figure out best to get things going and to make sure they're paid. In normal situations interns are helpful they're just so sloooooooow, as expected! You really do learn quickly though. The "all hands on deck" mentality that's happening now is to help free up anesthesia and intesivists to help manage the critical cases, but there are also a lot of stable covid patients on the floor that we're managing as well.
My sister got word that her medical school will be graduating 4th year students early, in early April, so they’re free to begin residency early. Basically a wartime promotion. I’m curious if and when this has ever been done before (did medically students graduate early during the 1918 flu?) and whether brand new doctors are particularly useful. She’s in general surgery (but also in north Jersey), so I’m curious if she’ll treat a lot of COVID patients or not in her field. We knew this was coming since other med schools have already done it, but it’s still a bit startling.
My friend who’s a dermatology resident in NYC got pulled to work in the ICU, and he’s working alongside psychiatry residents. So they are mobilizing everyone available.
Post by penguingrrl on Mar 28, 2020 21:36:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the pep talk ladies! She actually worked as an OR tech for 15 years prior to going to medical school (and weekends while in school), so she has more real world experience than most new grads, which will serve her and her patients well. And her residency is where she is currently in medical school, so no need to move and sort of those logistics to start early, so I’m sure she’ll be working fairly soon, and hopefully helpful despite being brand new!
Post by RoxMonster on Mar 28, 2020 22:05:30 GMT -5
Well we had a tornado just touch down in town. We are safe and I have not heard of any damage or injuries yet, so I'm hoping all is good. That was scary. Then as soon as we were safe, my mom called and her house was in the path of a different tornado in a different part of the state. They are now safe too.
I don't know what the fuck is going on between the pandemic and tornadoes hitting mine and my parents' towns, but all this bullshit can cut it out now. I can't handle anymore stress. OK thanks.
Post by sparrowsong on Mar 28, 2020 22:15:36 GMT -5
If anyone wants a movie recommendation, I just finished Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It’s French with English subtitles. Available on Hulu, not sure where else. Just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It’s the first time I’ve watched a movie and haven’t touched my cell phone the entire time in ages. It was nice to forget the world for a little bit.
Post by sofamonkey on Mar 28, 2020 22:23:15 GMT -5
Email check in with my doc. Still no results from my swab last Saturday. She is also frustrated, but what can you do? I’m still feeling terrible and I’m beyond frustrated.
I’m watching kitchen nightmares with DH, which is helping me feel better about the state of my kitchen. Haha. I also was texting with my boss earlier, as she’s been checking on me. I told her I thought I’d lost a bunch of weight, but it turns out my sweatpants came untied. Gotta keep up on laughter!! LOL
Post by AdaraMarie on Mar 28, 2020 22:33:11 GMT -5
I can't relate to the people planning outings for when this is over. I feel like two weeks in I am getting comfortable with it. We are basically under shelter in place and now that I don't have to wonder if/when it is coming a lot of my anxiety has lifted. I feel like I will never feel comfortable going out or being in crowds again.
I was of very little use right out of medical school. I mean, I could write notes, but it took me hours to admit a patient, and I had to check with my senior resident before I could submit any orders, not just because that was the rule, but because i knew so very little. Doctors usually tell their families never to get sick in July for a reason (because this is when the new residents start). On the other hand, you learn by doing, and you learn fast. This will be a trial by fire for them, but they will become competent very quickly.
I've that September is the issue--interns are pretty well supervised at first, and most are terrified of making a mistake. They get more independence a few months in and start to get cocky.
Yeah, I could see that. I will say, as an attending teaching residents the July interns scared me a lot more than the September ones. By September they at least were pretty good at the common things like heart attacks and strokes. I had to make sure that they didn’t miss something less common instead of being worried about every order. But they were still inefficient and sleep deprived. Interns aren’t going to be a huge help volume-wise, but if they have good seniors they will still take some of the burden off the system.
Post by suburbanzookeeper on Mar 29, 2020 1:10:22 GMT -5
I just bought pink hair butter to temporarily dye my hair because I know I won’t have in person meetings for at least as long as it’ll last. My husband goes back on duty tomorrow and his city will now be Covid testing all employees once a week to try to contain spread and get those who’ve already had it/recovered back to work faster.
I had to yell at my twin sister (over the phone) this morning because she was hugging our older sister. They live in the same city and older sister lives alone. I am sad she's isolated too. BUT I want people to live and to get out of quarantine before summer if at all possible. So do your fucking part!
Are you going 6 months without human contact? Have you ever? If not yelling might not have been the most empathetic way to handle it
I just bought pink hair butter to temporarily dye my hair because I know I won’t have in person meetings for at least as long as it’ll last. My husband goes back on duty tomorrow and his city will now be Covid testing all employees once a week to try to contain spread and get those who’ve already had it/recovered back to work faster.
TBH I’m scared shitless.
I’m sorry for your husband’s situation! I think it’s great they’ll be testing everyone frequently though.
I used overtone and dyed my hair rose gold (which came out more reddish) yesterday. I hope you enjoy your pink hair!
Post by mrsukyankee on Mar 29, 2020 5:16:36 GMT -5
I really hope that the small shops/restaurants/etc in our area survive all of this. We moved here due to the fact that big chain stores hadn't taken over and it was a great place to walk around for a variety of stores/bars/restaurants. I'm sad that we moved and bam, it's all closed down.
I am grateful that the cool veg/fruit shop has stayed open and are doing it in a socially responsible way (one-in-one out shopping, offering to deliver locally). I'm grateful that the tiny little brewery are doing a similar thing and allowing you to bring in water bottles to get beer to take home (they encourage growlers but water bottles are fine for those who don't have them). I'm grateful for the no plastic shop which is adjusting to this new normal so I can keep getting lentils to make soup on a weekly basis.
Post by mrsukyankee on Mar 29, 2020 5:17:33 GMT -5
Oh, and now that my hair is almost entirely white/grey and I'm not seeing any clients for about a month, I'm going to go some sort of purple (probably a light purple) - this summer I'm going to put in other colours.
I can't relate to the people planning outings for when this is over. I feel like two weeks in I am getting comfortable with it. We are basically under shelter in place and now that I don't have to wonder if/when it is coming a lot of my anxiety has lifted. I feel like I will never feel comfortable going out or being in crowds again.
I am right there with you. I’m officially now at 2 weeks since I left the house, and I feel so much physical and emotional relief that I’ve made it past the supposed incubation period. Maybe it’s just because I’m high risk thanks to pulmonary fibrosis, but the thought of rejoining society at some point in the future terrifies me. I honestly don’t know how to come to terms with the idea of one day things returning to some semblance of normal.
I can't relate to the people planning outings for when this is over. I feel like two weeks in I am getting comfortable with it. We are basically under shelter in place and now that I don't have to wonder if/when it is coming a lot of my anxiety has lifted. I feel like I will never feel comfortable going out or being in crowds again.
The shelter in place isn't really a whole lot different than our normal lives, except that I don't go to the grocery store as much. So I can do this for as long as it takes.
I had to yell at my twin sister (over the phone) this morning because she was hugging our older sister. They live in the same city and older sister lives alone. I am sad she's isolated too. BUT I want people to live and to get out of quarantine before summer if at all possible. So do your fucking part!
Are you going 6 months without human contact? Have you ever? If not yelling might not have been the most empathetic way to handle it
I have not gone 6 months without human contact. And ftr I tried talking nicely to twin sister last week.
I did not yell at older sister who lives alone. I've said nothing to her about it. I do call her at least every other day to check in/chat.
My twin sister whose husband is essential/being exposed daily through work should not be hugging people other than him right now. As I told her, I want all of you to be alive and healthy when this is over. Then we can have a massive hugfest for as long as she wants.
I can't relate to the people planning outings for when this is over. I feel like two weeks in I am getting comfortable with it. We are basically under shelter in place and now that I don't have to wonder if/when it is coming a lot of my anxiety has lifted. I feel like I will never feel comfortable going out or being in crowds again.
I am right there with you. I’m officially now at 2 weeks since I left the house, and I feel so much physical and emotional relief that I’ve made it past the supposed incubation period. Maybe it’s just because I’m high risk thanks to pulmonary fibrosis, but the thought of rejoining society at some point in the future terrifies me. I honestly don’t know how to come to terms with the idea of one day things returning to some semblance of normal.
I think I’m here. Like, when does it become over? How will it really be safe to leave again? Especially knowing the virus expected to just continue to circulate. And when can my husband move home? At this point, it’s really something like after he gets it and recovers, but he is a pessimist and is convince he’ll get it and then end up dying alone, on a cot in the convention center. And it breaks my heart to hear him say that.