Burning the Candle at Both Ends
First allow me to apologize to my blog followers and managing editor, Jill Rollet, for missing my deadline. Between the new job, kids on summer break, baseball practices/games, being the family's social worker (now I remember why I moved to Wisconsin), and a very dear friend enrolled in hospice, I don't know whether I am coming or going.
I am being pulled in a hundred different directions, only taking time for the bare necessities. Something has got to give. There is no way I can keep up this pace for much longer. I am exhausted.
Every time I check off one thing on my to-do list, it seems as if two more things mysteriously appear on the list. Baseball season is finally over. My oldest son's team won their league's championship. With three kids playing baseball at different times on three different teams, I sure don't miss spending my Saturdays at the baseball field. I even got to sleep late this past Saturday. I can now check baseball off the list, but I am going to keep that little secret to myself.
My duties as family social worker have a "hold" status. Thank heavens for caller ID. I am screening all calls. The children have been warned not to answer the phone, unless it is one of their friends. Only mommy and daddy answer (or not) all other calls.
There are some things I can't put on hold. Therefore, I will travel to Texas in about a week and half to visit with my friend and his family. I don't want to think of it as a good-bye trip, but I know it very well could be the last time I see him alive. Just the thought brings me to tears. So, that's all I am going to say about that.
Next on my list is my job. Just as I predicted, none of my patients have been "simple" annuals or problem visits. The first problem visit ended up being a direct admit to the hospital for surgery. The second problem visit was complicated enough to leave the veteran office NP scratching her head. I eventually ended up consulting with the patient's physician who was on call at the hospital. The third problem visit was supposed to be just a follow-up. Well, she was scheduled for next day surgery.
In all the above cases, everything worked out great. I kept my cool and was very pleased with myself for the way I jumped right into my new role of provider. I told you I am at my best under pressure. Besides, if you start at the top, it is all down hill from there. Right??