Intern Schedule

Okay ... I am hoping not to come across too negative here. My hubby just survived a horrific month in surgery because the other intern went on vacation and he had to cover. He has been on call 5 days in the last week and only got 2 days off thewhole month of September. He just got his October schedule. He has another month of surgery and the new intern also is taking a week vacation. Russ now has 13 days of call this month, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for three of the four weeks!!! He has one full day off scheduled for October. UGH!!!! They give him the three days straight saying that it "might" not be bad because it will be home call. He has rarely had a light day at this hospital and usually spends the night because it is too late to come home. Sorry ... just venting I guess. I was hoping this month would be a little better but I think it will be worse, which I didn't think was possible.

Sorry for the vent. We are living for November 1st!!!!! Kelly .... I don't know how you survive your hubby doing surgery!!! You are AWESOME! Claudia, you too!!!!!

Robin

[DCJenn]

Robin-

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are 100% behind you. Don't worry about being 'too negative'! You were a lot more positive than I would have been.

That just stinks! Who did their schedules? In my husband's program no one can take leave during an inpatient rotation- except in the most dire of emergencies or if requested months in advance. No exceptions.

I can't believe they let it happen two months in a row! (Well, I can beleive it, but it still sucks)

We're here for you. and if you need a break, just give me a shout! I'm pretty sure I can handle four boys for a few hours at least! (I'll bring Rick- he's used to lots of kids!)

Jenn

[houseelf]

Robin,

Let me say just two things.

No. 1--- I'm so very sorry for you. I can't imagine what a strain this must be on you and your boys. I'm sure that you are all on edge. I hope that things smooth out soon. I will tell you that part of the problem with surgical rotations is that there is an underhanded punishment system for dedicated physicians. The more competent and dedicated that a surgeon is, the more work that s/he gets because people can rely on her/him. The incompetent weasels are rewarded with less responsibilities. It is pretty unfair. Tell Russ to slack off a bit and whine to the powers-that-be. It seems that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The problem probably lies in the fact that he is too dedicated and bright. (WHEN did I get so cynical about the system? Somebody slap my hand here.) But if you dh is anything like mine, this ain't gonna happen.

No. 2---How very thoughtful of you to validate me. It feels wonderful. Flattery will get you everywhere. *But* I guess that we are all just doing what we have to do. We are all dealing with different variables that life throws us with different coping mechanisms. It is hard to compare because none of us really knows what the other has to deal with. But thanks, nonetheless.

Kelly

Thanks for the support!!!

Jenn - you have no idea what you have offered to watch my 4 boys!!! Really, I appreciate it. Fortunately for me, Jacob is now old enough that I can run to the store or somewhere else close and leave him in charge. It has been an absolute lifesaver!!!!! It gives me a little break.

We are still trying to figure out how this whole schedule works here. I think we are basically the idiots who didn't decide to take a vacation during surgery too!!! Each department says whether you can take vacation in their rotation. Surgery actually happens to be one that says you can with permission. The only other two times you can take it is when you are on geriatrics or preop rotations, which is when Russ plans on taking his. Surgery would have been the time to take off I guess but the kids are in school and, being naive, Russ thought it would be a disadvantage to his learning to take off during surgery! I told you ......NAIVE!

We will get through it. It is just a pain. He has complained about it to the chief. He said it wasn't fair but there is nothing else he can do. He has put up with a lot in the last month. The last intern and the 3rd year resident are pregnant with "limited duties", which left Russ holding the bag. I am beginning to dislike pregnant surgeons!!!! I guess it is time for Russ to become a slacker.

Thanks again for the comments. I just needed to express my FRUSTRATION! Is it November yet?!

Robin

Hi Robin well you are not alone with this intern schedule my hubby has 3 continous months in the same rotation and i can understand you , but lucky me we don't have kids yet and i decided to take a vacation visiting my family but at the same time i feel so angry because i don't see my hubby and he is so tired when he came home and i missed him a lot and in this rotation if he wants to have a day off he has to work more and supposedly he is q4 but is not true !! is like q1 , but i wish that you can feel better later , don't be sad,and negative , i am sorry about that..........

Take care
Ludy

Robin:
Just think. . .only 30 more days! Truly, it is the countdown that allows you to survive each month! My husband is home every night during this rotation and next and it is amazing. Unfortunately, I am starting to count down the days until it goes back to "normal"! Surgery can put out some horrendous schedules and it is *awful* when other residents take vacation during a surgery rotation! We've had that happen a few times and those weeks are pure hell!
Don't feel bad that you are venting! Remember, we have all been there and will be there again! You are a tough cookie!

[Amiens]

Robin-
You can do it! I remember intern year very well. Even though Matt was doing internal medicine, it was just as bad as doing surgery at Univ of CO. I remember I went a week without seeing him, pretty much. He would get up at 530/6 am and go to the hospital, only to come home at 9 pm and crash on the couch. To top it off he was q4, which meant post call nights he sometimes didn't get home until 1030 pm (I would be in bed by this point.)

That is great the Jacob is old enough to watch the younger ones. I, too, take enjoyment going to the store by myself just to have a moment to think. You will be in my prayers.

I know I have said this before, but next year, Russ' R2 year in anesthesia will be ten times better. I tell Matt all the time, I am so glad that the intern year was horrible and rough, because now it seems so easy. Matt is on-call tonight, and it is reassuring that he will be home at 7 am and have the entire day off.

We are here for you!!
Crystal

[SueC]

Wow, sounds like your husband got a raw deal! It seems like the crummy months around here always fall on the full 31 days, too! My husband just started a horrible rotation yesterday, so I'm bracing myself--sorry you guys are having to get through 2 months like that back to back!

[PrincessFiona]

late response....

Robin,

I'm late in responding to this..............I just wanted to add my sympathy to the mix.....I think that the hardest part for me of internship year was just getting used to having him gone so often and so tired when he was home.....That first year is really an adjustment!

Hang in there....and vent anytime!!!

Thinkin' about you,

Kris

Thanks for all the support. Some days I handle this better than others. I am more frustrated with myself because I am not handling it as well as I should be. I seem to be "grumpy" a lot of the time and my poor kids suffer the consequences!! I have to focus on myself and figure out what to do to make this month survivable. I did load up the wagon in the van and went to a park this morning. I took a BRISK walk pulling Dallin in the wagon for about 45 minutes and that helped me relieve some tension.... Now I want to climb into bed!!!

The good news of all this .... next month Russ has anesthesia with no call or weekend work for the whole month!!! YEAH! Then he has preop. and he learned yesterday that they close from Christmas Eve to New Year's!!! SO, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, which will prepare us for the next six months of internal med.

Thanks Crystal for adding light to my tunnel!!! Knowing that next year will be better is very encouraging. Russ talked to one of the 2nd year Anes. residents and he said that "life is good"! I really look forward to that.

Anyway... thanks again for all the support.

Robin