On Call

I am the last of my group to work an overnight on call -- I was supposed to be first, but had to switch due to a family wedding last Saturday. That on call was very busy, I heard; hopefully this one will be quiet. I have called a priest from outside the building (not on the hospital staff) because a wife requested it for her husband who is having heart surgery tomorrow. The regular on-staff priest is on vacation this week, but he generally doesn't come at night anyway. So the priest is coming in about 20 mins. and I want to go meet him and watch him do his schtick (sacrament of the sick). I got to bless a dying woman yesterday before she was extubated. I don't think I did it very well, but the family seemed satisfied. It was a learning experience for me.

So far it is pretty quiet, but I did work through dinner (stupid me, didn't realize the cafeteria closes at 8 p.m. -- and I was visiting patients all that time) -- and the hospital pays for your meals when you're on call! Oh, well. Had 2 calls to the emergency department this afternoon, which ate up a lot of my patient-visiting time -- but I got to sit with a man who rode in the ambulance with his brother, and I got to feel more comfortable down there.

I gave devotions at morning meeting today -- read from Henri Nouwen -- and folks told me they liked it, but my supervisor told me to leave my Christology at home! Ooops. We are supposed to be multi-faith (even though everyone in the room was a Christian -- the Jewish chaplain was not in today), so I am to not mention JC so much (at all). I'll know for next time....

I'm having a tough time living at home with my folks (and they are having a tough time living with me), but we will get through it. I just have to keep my mouth shut and leave the room when conflict is brewing! Argh. I knew this would be hard, but knowing it and living through it are two different things. It's actually nice to spend a night away!