I got sick right after returning from vacation (it figures) but am feeling better now.
The new work schedule is all right. It's VERY nice when I have a long weekend; less so when I have to work on Saturday and get split days off. The new doctor seems very nice and has made it easier for us to book more same-day appointments when clients need them.
Some days are ridiculously slow and others are jam-packed (like today) with very sick patients. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, either. I'm still planning for a slow down and have cut back on a lot of things in preparation for that. We'll see how it goes.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Vacation
D and I are here for a long weekend since one of my good friends from vet school got married yesterday.
Friday we went to Disney's California Adventure, which was fun. Today we went to the Getty Museum. Gorgeous buildings and gardens but the art is generally not my cup of tea. There was a lot of medieval and religious artwork - I prefer more modern artists. There was a really great visiting photography exhibit however. Tomorrow we're going to Disneyland and then back home.
This week our hospital will start being open later on Mondays too. I will now work Monday - Thursday and every other Saturday (yay!) I haven't spent much time with the new doctor so no opinion yet. I really hope they are easy to work with because I'll be spending a ton of time with them!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
2nd Opinions
I've had a few 2nd opinion appointments lately - some for skin issues, some for (ugh) internal medicine issues.
Sometimes I want to scream "Really?! You really expect ME, who has been a doctor for only 16 months, to provide a second opinion?! Are you high?!"
Appointments like that scare the beejesus out of me. I feel like such an imposter.
Sometimes I want to scream "Really?! You really expect ME, who has been a doctor for only 16 months, to provide a second opinion?! Are you high?!"
Appointments like that scare the beejesus out of me. I feel like such an imposter.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Farewell, old friend
Our old lady kitty went downhill quickly over the past few days and we let her go this morning. My colleagues were amazingly supportive and compassionate. They let me just be "mom" and not a doctor for which I am so grateful.
I had a lot of things on my to do list today (working 10 days straight means many other tasks pile up), but I don't think I'll get to many of them. I'm too tired and too sad right now.
I had a lot of things on my to do list today (working 10 days straight means many other tasks pile up), but I don't think I'll get to many of them. I'm too tired and too sad right now.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
The Longest Day
Last Wednesday was pretty rough. This was not a typical day for me. Here were my appointments:
- Puppy with vaginal discharge after her spay last week (no, I didn't perform it) whose owner was freaking out. Looked like puppy vaginitis.
- Newly adopted rescue dog, just preventive care. Fairly straightforward.
- Eye recheck for a dog with red irritated eyes, improved but not resolved.
- Rechecks for kittens who had upper respiratory infections, now resolved.
- Dog with recurring urinary tract infections, unable to get urine since she went just before her appointment.
- Dog with horrible skin issues (a breed who is notorious for severe allergies) whose owner repeatedly declines workup, changes the dog's diet frequently without consulting us, and sometimes forgets flea preventative then wonders why the dog's skin is always messed up. Repeat my speech on dog allergies for the 3rd? 4th? 100th? time with that client.
- Dog who needs vaccines but the owners have no idea what he needs or when he last had vaccines. They sat there with their arms folded across their chest as though I was supposed to use my magic psychic powers to figure that out.
- Ancient dog with 7-8 major problems and an owner with no money who wants to chat about everything that *could* be done for the dog but that they won't do for the dog. This appointment set me behind schedule by about 15-20 minutes.
- Dog ear infection recheck. I'm only allocated 20 minutes because it's a recheck appointment but hey doc, the dog is limping now too, could you check that out in less time than you usually have for a new problem?
- Itchy cat recheck. Owner just changed to limited ingredient diet and has been keeping all cats on monthly flea preventative. Say a silent thanks for this client because they are awesome.
- Recheck of cat being pet sitted by owner's EXTREMELY high-strung and rude daughter. Ugh.
- Wellness exam for a grumpy cat whose owner is pretty awesome.
- 30 minutes before closing emergency hit by car stray kitten who is 95% dead. Have to help it the rest of the way.
I came home, had a beer, and cried.
- Puppy with vaginal discharge after her spay last week (no, I didn't perform it) whose owner was freaking out. Looked like puppy vaginitis.
- Newly adopted rescue dog, just preventive care. Fairly straightforward.
- Eye recheck for a dog with red irritated eyes, improved but not resolved.
- Rechecks for kittens who had upper respiratory infections, now resolved.
- Dog with recurring urinary tract infections, unable to get urine since she went just before her appointment.
- Dog with horrible skin issues (a breed who is notorious for severe allergies) whose owner repeatedly declines workup, changes the dog's diet frequently without consulting us, and sometimes forgets flea preventative then wonders why the dog's skin is always messed up. Repeat my speech on dog allergies for the 3rd? 4th? 100th? time with that client.
- Dog who needs vaccines but the owners have no idea what he needs or when he last had vaccines. They sat there with their arms folded across their chest as though I was supposed to use my magic psychic powers to figure that out.
- Ancient dog with 7-8 major problems and an owner with no money who wants to chat about everything that *could* be done for the dog but that they won't do for the dog. This appointment set me behind schedule by about 15-20 minutes.
- Dog ear infection recheck. I'm only allocated 20 minutes because it's a recheck appointment but hey doc, the dog is limping now too, could you check that out in less time than you usually have for a new problem?
- Itchy cat recheck. Owner just changed to limited ingredient diet and has been keeping all cats on monthly flea preventative. Say a silent thanks for this client because they are awesome.
- Recheck of cat being pet sitted by owner's EXTREMELY high-strung and rude daughter. Ugh.
- Wellness exam for a grumpy cat whose owner is pretty awesome.
- 30 minutes before closing emergency hit by car stray kitten who is 95% dead. Have to help it the rest of the way.
I came home, had a beer, and cried.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Ultramarathon
Scratch that previous post. My colleague is sick so I'm working this afternoon to cover them. That's day 7 in a row and by Thursday it will be 10 days in a row.
I like my job but this is getting ridiculous.
I like my job but this is getting ridiculous.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Marathon
I survived this week!
6 days in a row:
Tuesday - volunteered at the shelter in the morning, then went to work for a full shift
Wednesday - worked and had a crazy draining day (more about that later)
Thursday - worked
Friday - covered one of the other doctor's shifts at work
Saturday - worked
Today - worked my very last vaccine clinic (YAY!!!)
Unfortunately I only have tomorrow off and then it's back to work again for 3 days - including that mastiff puppy spay on Thursday.
6 days in a row:
Tuesday - volunteered at the shelter in the morning, then went to work for a full shift
Wednesday - worked and had a crazy draining day (more about that later)
Thursday - worked
Friday - covered one of the other doctor's shifts at work
Saturday - worked
Today - worked my very last vaccine clinic (YAY!!!)
Unfortunately I only have tomorrow off and then it's back to work again for 3 days - including that mastiff puppy spay on Thursday.
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