Life as a houseman in QEH

Have always known that QEH would be hell, but the first day was really overwhelming.  On the first day, with nothing in my head, already had to manage a lot of problems: drop in blood pressure, desaturation, raised Troponin I with chest pain, fast atrail fibrillation...it was too much and too sudden for someone like me, for I used to take on problems slowly... But in the hospital patients like to have problems together, and they like to do it at night when you have that least support from seniors and other staff.

The first night oncall was a long night.  Complaints and ugly-looking lab results kept pouring in from 10+ wards from night until dawn.  There was no time for a drink, not to mention to sleep or even a short nap.  Feeling of loneliness and helplessness flushed in as I saw the sunrise during that night.  Luckily I could still hold on.

Procedures I've done so far: >10 bone marrow aspirations, 2 lumbar punctures, 2 abdominal tapping, 1 venesection .  Sounds like I've done a lot, but the price of doing a pricedure is a mountain (or several mountains) of work piled up in other wards.

So far, I haven't the chance to sleep during my oncall nights like the others did.  I guess I really have to work on my effiency.  But have to admit I'm quite happy working here, even I worked my ass off.  I have very nice and supportive colleagues and  I can feel a team spirit is emerging within us.