on call again

One day on, one day off, then on again. I slept about 3.5 hours mid-day on Friday, after sleeping 1.5 hours Thursday night -- then I got up and stayed awake for a bit, then went back to bed at 9 p.m. Up again at 5-ish, and here to work another 24-hour shift by 7:30 a.m. I'm not too tired, but this on-call Saturday is diametrically opposed to my Thursday. I have yet to receive one page. So far, so good (knock wood, literally). I've done all my referrals -- seen several patients -- and have made PA announcements on 11 floors inviting patients to church in the chapel tomorrow morning. If I'm not too tired, I may either stay for it myself (I get off at 8 a.m.) or check out the local Presbyterian churches in town -- I understand there are 2 -- one conservative and one liberal. Hmmmm. Wonder if I could tell the difference between them

Every now and then I bump into patients' families around the hospital. They give me a little update of how their family member is doing -- it's nice to feel a little connected in this non-congregational setting. I'm thinking of sending a sympathy card to the couple who lost their only child in an auto accident... My supervisor says it's OK if a particular case touched you, but I don't want to be crossing any boundaries, and I certainly don't want to be a hospital spokesperson (sad we have to think of this). Also, one of the points of CPE is that you learn to let go -- that people leave and you don't get a chance to say goodbye, literally and figuratively. Something we deal with our whole lives long, the reality of parting, on good terms and not such good terms. Bummer.

Not much else new. Thinking of cutting my hair and donating it to Locks of Love if they will take it. It's supposed to be 10" long; and they say you can straighten out curly hair to reach the 10", so I think I'm good.... Father's Day tomorrow -- got Dad a card and a gift -- the card sentiments took some shopping.... Couldn't quite find one that says, "Dad, you don't act like you love me, but Mom says that you do, and I realize you'll always be my father and I'll always be the executrix of your will, because you wouldn't trust anyone else..." Kind of loses something as it goes on, doesn't it? Ai dios mio! Ciao for now.