Markus, I was a school teacher in a "past life"...It seemed to be all-consuming at times. Retired at 50, and within a year realized I missed it. (no, not the money as that was never an issue anyway). Got asked to come back and teach talented/gifted students in my area. Happy, happy.

You deal with life & death everyday. It would not be eating at you so much if you were not so serious about your work. Many people thank God there are people like you out there. Take a deep breath fluffer, and get back to work. My hat's off to you.

I tell you what Markus, if my work could change the look of a sick little girl like you describe, I would climb through fire to see it happen one more time. WOW, what a validation of all of your hard work!!!

you will drive home tired and spent..
But elsewhere ..because of you..
a Mother will be on cloud nine...
a Father will smile and give hugs..
a sibling will cry she touched me first..

then you will see your's...and smile once again..
remember ..not everyone has a Fluffer who REALLY cares..

Rika

You doctor guys are our heros. We're impressed, and your patients' lives are improved by your attentions. People of medicine are special. I'm comfortable taking a car apart, but cannot imagine accepting the responsibility to mess with someone's body. My hat is off. And I also appreciate the price you pay. It HAS to be a killer, like Moses describes. And finally, from my perspective, the most impossible profession would be pediatric medicine. Unimaginable sorrow.

Like Moses says, you do the best you can Markus, and then hang up your gloves to save yourself, if you need to.

Livi, I am in the business and I understand completely. I am 44 but have a hard time imagining another 20 years at this. We'll see what the future brings...

Markus, You have chosen a tough life for yourself, but there are kids here today because you were here yesterday, same for tomorrows kids, your today is for their tomorrow. I for one could not do what you do.

Twenty-five years ago, half my face went dead. It was diagnosed as Bell's palsy. Scary, but mostly harmless and it cleared up in about 2-3 weeks.

Sounds like Another day in Paradise........maybe this video will help.

http://www.hulu.com/superbowl/55633/super-bowl-xliii-ads-careerbuildercom-tips

Doh, I was going to say Bell's Palsy, do you have 15 yo crack heads over there?

Sounds to me like the 3 yo IDDM kid's parents need a bit of education.

That is an awful lot of sick kids, guess the fluffer gig fell through, too bad.

Maybe you go get a massage, some strapping blonde lass with strong hands...

Just remember, your job makes a difference, along with the bad, you help a lot of people, you literally save peoples lives. You are making a difference!!!!

Me, I describe my job as baby sitting, but I have to keep other people working, but you save lives!!!! Keep it up & don't let a few hours get you down!!

Thanks for all your support and kindness. I am certain my line of work is not worse than others. Every kind of work, be it a lawyer or a farmer, can probably be equally draining. Some days are good other days are critically painful. The one thing I dread is the day when I make a bad call and do harm to a child. That day will come.

Thanks.

Hang in there Markus!!! If I had a child who was sick, I'd sure want someone like yourself (or Moses, or numerous other docs that are here on PPOT) treating them...because you guys truly CARE. Be well...

Don't kid yourself markus. The consequence of a wrong call you may make is much more grave than anything I might do wrong. There is a reason they have those stress counselors at burn clinics. Even venting here is probably sort of therapeutic, unless you don't have dipso on ignore, then you might go kind of mental

So, what are your options if/when the stress actually does become too much?

Can you retire at 50? Are there less demanding positions? Can you work your way into a supervisory role?

At some point we can all transition into a clinical practice. It's much less stressful. Even though there are complicated and severe problems, in a clinic setting you have the luxury of TIME. You can search medical literature, place a call to a colleague or even send a patient to a specialist for a second opinion.

Acute care is different. Bad hours, exhaustion and you must make rapid decisions with no backup. You are completely on your own. The decisions you make in an instant may determine if someone lives or dies. If you're a caring human like Markus, the emotional burden is extraordinary.

I've met doctors who are unfazed by these things. They can work through critical surgical complications and bad outcomes with calm detachment. Not one of those doctors is worth a damn, in my opinion. They are sloppy and careless. After years of reading Markus' posts, I think I have a pretty good grasp of who he is. He is caring for your children as if they are his own. God bless him.

My cousin is a trauma surgeon. He's had his share of difficulty dealing with the things he's seen (and described in graphic detail) He ended up losing himself in alcohol for a while. Thankfully, he's worked his way back and his son has just entered UCLA medical school.

Markus, Just keep in mind of all the good you and other doctors do on a daily basis. Of course you could always find some hot Swedish blonde and be all like "Hey baby, I'm a doctor..." :cool:

This certainly is therapeutic. I guess thats why I, at times, choose to spill my whining in your laps, guys. Thanks a lot for listening.

Huh, did you say something?

:D

Go to bed, Dave.

Markus,

Take time for yourself too... in the mean time as a father of two kids, I wish every Dr cared as much as you.