Resolutions, Version 27.0

After a year of being knocked out by sleep deprivation (did I even have resolutions last year?) I thought I’d try this resolution business again. This time I’ve had more sleep, and more time to soak in the world around me. So much, that even though my call this month in the NICU is every five nights instead of the standard four, I still feel like I’m being run to the ground.

But, as self-improvement is an adventure in itself, I have some great ideas brewing. Some of my resident friends here may join me in my most ingenious idea. If it works, I shall blog about it in a year, if it ends disastrously (Wikepedia says I have an 88% chance of failure) it will still be worth writing about, as it will surely be an ingenious disaster. :-)

Here are a few other ones I came up with: (Hold me accountable!)

1. Take time to read more often. For example, for the past year our clinic has had a shortage of the Hib (Haemophilus influenza B) vaccine. This vaccine was a breakthrough in preventing one of the most common potentially deadly illnesses and reason for hospital admission in children. Never really questioned the shortage, but after reading this, I know that Merck made a mistake, kids ARE getting sick again, and if anything this may help parents understand the importance of childhood vaccinations.

2. Get the flu vaccine. (I hope my chief residents aren't reading this... I'm gonna get it soon!)

3. Try not to suck so badly at Kareoke again. The uncomfortable silence and nervous laughter after my version of "Mr. Jones" during my friend's new year's party comes to mind...

4. Do something kid-like at least once a week. Yesterday I played basketball for the first time in years. It was with a group of men and women with an average height of like, 5’3". I know... I know... but man it felt good. ;-)

5. Stay updated on current events. Despite the instability surrounding us now, I’ve never felt so patriotic or proud of our country before for the version of leadership we’ve chosen. In the past it’s usually been an apathetic detachment, or disappointment that issues I supported (or cared enough to form opinions for) were in the minority. It’s a humbling, wonderful thing, this witnessing of who we are slowly becoming.

The NICU is a crazy place. Crazy, but always interesting. A baby with a sacrococcygeal teratoma was born today, there's a giant mass coming out of her lower back/rectal area. I wonder if there's teeth in it. Extra eyeball? :-) Ew... ok subject change... another resolution maybe?




6. Celebrate Bunnies more often! AWWWWWWW!! :-)