Conversing with Life

Hello Dr...

Night calls.

It is of the common opinion that night calls are tough and just plain tiring.

Hearing your phone ring non-stop gets on the nerves especially when you are overworked, under-appreciated, helpless, hungry and frustrated.

How many people have thought about like smashing their phones or just switching it off, which of course we never do.

Busy, definitely.

But last night I've learnt that nightcalls can be really useful.

The best way to learn is through experience, and memorable experiences are those which I have gone through crap, hardship and mistakes.

Nightcalls can be exciting. When faced with a patient who is dyspneic and suddenly realising that you are staring at Kussmaul's breathing is the best clinical example of bedside learning.

Acidosis of pH 6.800 is incompatible with life. Somehow the patient survives the night, only because it was picked up and treated.


Sometimes assuring relatives that it is time to let go can be emotionally daunting, but we have to believe that death does happen eventually.

So even in the midst of it all, we are growing.

Just remember: a fall in the pit, a gain in wit.

Wei Qiang converses @ 17:02