the longest shift ever!

Posted on Fri 25 May 2007 at 12:14

Got into work, had handover and the clock said  ‘Pre Cambrian Era’. 

The first hour up until tea-time encompassed the separating of the land masses and mans’ discovery of fire.

As we served up the patients’ tea, the Sumerians moved into Mesopotamia (leaving a fearful mess behind them in their old house I might add!)

I had to assess a patient asking for PRN medication: in that time, Alexander the Great was empire building and died at age 32 – sad really……..

Bruce and I went for tea and lo and behold, the Magna Carta was signed as we tucked into our tomato soup.

I did a round-up in the clinical room of out of date stock whilst Galileo did whatever it was he did (1564 – 1642)

Right, got as far as 8pm meds and damn me, that Samuel Pepys  (1633 – 1703) was right at it then:  I’ll give you ‘and so to bed’ Mr Pepys!!

The French Revolution was a mere ripple during my evaluation of a care plan in the mid-evening.

Got as far as starting to do some writing up when Queen Victoria started her reign, managed to finish by her death.

Einstein accompanied me on a check of the ward in the late evening (1879 – 1955).

And by handover to the night shift Everest had been conquered (1953).

By the time I got my bag and left the building, time had fallen back into a more normal frame.

Thank God.

Amen

Talking of frames, I found an advert in the wee press (leaflets) for ‘fish frames 99 cents’.  I had to ask a Kiwi colleague if that was a misprint.  No, it is what is left of the fish once it has been filleted.  They actually sell it!  I worked in a fish factory for long enough to know that we used to throw them out.  THEY SELL THEM HERE!!! 

Well, you live and learn!

I need to add some birthday greetings at this point:

Happy Birthday to my lovely Mother and my brother Pete: miss you  both loads but you can make it up to me by coming to visit!!