saved

My feet ached. My energy ached more. Gatvol is that not-so-pleasant (eek) Afrikaans word that describes me. We are just pushing along this 24hours.

I do a zombie walk to the gynae ward at 3am, and scrutinize the files through the light of the passage. The patients' groans don't strike me as anything strange - most woman in this rotation are groaning anyway. As I scan the drs notes, the pt whispers "bietjie water asseblief" (some water please).

The gatvolness in me flares up - in retrospect unnecessarily so - my thoughts race... this is not my job, does anyone know how tired I am... I'm not a Sister, speaking of which where are them Sisters? Uff, sleeping as usual. If I have to walk around handing pts water I will never learn what I'm supposed... there's not even any cups in sight...

 Wait a min.

A parable of primary Madrasah comes back to me through my zombieness - 'that sinner-lady of long ago was granted Jannah (heaven) when she gave the thirsty dog water, using her shoe as a cup.'
I shook my sleepy head, severely rebuking myself for allowing my frustration get the better of my humanity. Of me, being Muslim.

Everything around me suddenly took the shape of a possible water-holding utensil.

I thanked Allah, glad that thoughts were not counted as deeds. It still bothers me as to why I was thinking of myself as not worthy of handing out water. As a Dr once told me  - its time for a career change if patient care is no longer the most important.
 May all my evil thoughts be highlighted so I can stop them in time.

Bored On Call

السلام عليكم
I'm terribly bored. Its @ times like these, you actually appreciate being busy. So this is my third night call of my life - obs & gynae dept. We have no patients other than two that are going for Caesarian-sections. So there is nothing we can do. Nothing, beside hope for some emergency case to come and liven us up. I need to watch two more normal deliveries + an episiotomy + do two post-partum examinations. So I'm really hoping that there are some babies meant to born @ National Hospital tonight. Maybe something totally exciting will come - who knows: amulance siirens, screaming, baby half out. sjoe, I could deal with some drama right now...
I'm still worried about my results, which are supposed to be released this Wednesday; after-which, I could possibly start concentrating on this years work. It really sucks to have started a new academic year without knowing whether you've passed the previous year.
I've already read Esha, checked my Twitter timeline about 5times, read all the lastest blog posts, exhausted stories with my collegue, and I'm way to awake to sleep now...

What is everyone else up to?
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