Undead Astronauts

The end of night has arrived. The dream of an uneventful night came to fruition once over the 31 nights, but did happen. Now is time to move on to different responsibilities. Now is time to integrate back with civilization, during the times when the sun arises. And enjoy the comfort of my own home and mattress. Alas back to normal circadian activity.

During this month, this popped up in the news:

“Women in Denmark who developed breast cancer after many years of working night shifts have received compensation…”

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/mar18_1/b1152

Does this mean that every single physician, whom in training and in practice, have frequently worked night shifts, or any other job that has required night shifts, will be compensated in some way?

At last, my dream has come along. The hectic darkness at rest tonight. It could come at not a better time. As there is a balance of sleep that needs to be compensated. Now that the dream has come to fruition once, I know that it exists. The hope of it coming true again is slim, but there is hope.

The night is young, the work is persistent. The month long theme continues. Myself growing tired, but resilient. Trying not to get the blues. The downpour of rain. Seems to have calmed the night. Has helped keep me sane. And keep alive the light. I will continue to dream. For that night uneventful No matter how futile it may seem…

The continuous influx of those in need continue to bombard the gates of my fortress. The full moon continues to energize the creatures of the night. No rest amongst us. As the moon hints of fading away, the door open to the feared Friday the 13^th. The bizarre, eerie, and disorderly in the midst.

The dream for all to rest in the night, once again shattered. As I ponder, I can not help but we wary of the Ides of March. Dream on…

Arriving to work, we noticed the moon was full and bright. The feeling of a rousing night was imminent. The premonition held to be true. Every dimension of the workplace was bustling. We could only put our heads down, center our own chores, and do it. Winding through the stench of burnt flesh, cries of insanity, on top of the usual commotion, we only hoped for time to pass, for this night the ailing were relentless; not even a chance to sit. The dream of a quiet night, everyone staying home…tonight this dream has been drugged, penetrated with bullets, hit by a car, disseminated with bacteria, to be left for dead….we pray the dream will endure the night and give us hope for a quiet tomorrow.

Finally a night that where it seems the most, not everyone but most, are enjoying their humble abodes. At the least, not infiltrating the doors of my fortress. This is a greatly appreciated detour from the previous nights.

This time has allowed a brief reflection of the journey to my current state. Four years of undergraduate schooling, of which good friends were made. The examination used for entry into the next level was barely sufficient, but allowed me to stumble into the next stage. Slipping through the cracks and into medical school, nothing could have prepared for the hardships of attempting to drink from the fountain of knowledge. Only to discover the fountain was akin to an open fire hydrant, spewing information relentlessly and mightily, unwary of what was in its way. The assessment they call Step 1 was completed. Some comrades were left behind, myself almost victim. By the grace of few, I was permitted to resume my journey. Again, along this journey, another assessment, Step 2. This was a hurdle that I tripped upon many a time, but conquered. Finally scrapping through into the next trial…Residency. Now, once again, another evaluation they call Step 3. Again, I have stumbled, and again I must focus for this is key in completion of my journey, although not the last assessment.

Many have chosen this journey. There are many paths, but one entity is shared-The voyage is long. For such an extended expedition, one must, on occasion, be able to take a breath, relax, and cherish the moment. Thinking of the plight that awaits, sitting tired in an uncomfortable chair, in a room with a peculiar aroma, in a building full of illness, I am…appreciative.

Springing forward in time as daylight savings rolls into effect. I hope that as daylight lingers longer, less people are inclined to fall prey to the perils of the night. Fairly quiet thus far, we have been able to settle down after a little work tonight. Much appreciated.

As I hope to enjoy the extended sunlight, I am reminded of an interesting article I came across last year(MI=myocardial infarction, a.k.a heart attack):

Researchers reporting a link between acute MI and daylight saving time say their findings may also explain why more heart attacks occur on Mondays.

AMI rates among Swedish men and women, recorded in the Swedish AMI registry, increase by 5% during the first three weekdays after daylight saving time begins in the spring but decrease slightly, by 1.5%, for one day after the end of daylight saving time in the fall (as compared with weekdays two weeks before and two weeks after the time changes). The net effect of this time shift is likely negative, they say, since the increased risk in the spring is greater and persists longer than the slight reduction in AMI rates in the autumn.

Their data are published in the October 30, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

http://www.theheart.org/article/914557.do

Sometimes we take for granted the many layers of autoregulation that occur constantly, as well as the abuse that the body endures.  Watch yourself.