#juniordoctorsstrike

[dreastblogs]

Solidarity for you @dxmedstudent.

I'd join the line if I wasn't on compassionate leave.

[dreastblogs]

Round two of the strikes are upon us.

We got this.

Stick together.

Strike together.

Win together.

[number0seven]

Junior doctors are undervalued and underpaid. They save lives, deliver babies, perform surgeries, look after us in A&E They deserve better! The British Medical Association (BMA) is asking for a pay rise for doctors, with its latest campaign saying junior medics could earn more per hour if they worked in Pret A Manger. 79% have considered leaning the profession but stay because of their love of the job and the vital role they play in saving lives. Many face unbearable workloads and record waiting lists. Real pay has been down 26% since 2006. #thewanderinglondoner #JuniorDoctorsStrike #SOSNHS #IstandWithJuniordoctors #juniordoctors #nhsheroes #nhsstaff #nhsworkers #nhsengland #payrestoration #payrespect #saveournhs (at Royal London Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvfPS2o8vY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[number0seven]

Pret A Manger has announced it will pay £14.10 per hour. A junior doctor makes just £14.09. Yes, you really can make more serving coffee than saving lives. 50,000 junior doctors in England went on strike today to restore pay, to support patients, colleagues, and our NHS. Let us all visit picket lines and get right behind all of our incredible junior doctors this week. #SOSNHS #JuniorDoctorsStrike #DoctorsStrike #NHSstrikes #thewanderinglondoner (at Royal London Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvVUhGI_hz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[dreastblogs]

I may be on compassionate leave at the moment, but I stand with my colleagues on strike today.

I support the #JuniorDoctorsStrike

Save our NHS

[mille-at-home]

#JustPassTheHusband

I wrote the last blog on Saturday thinking, well I guess it might only be one next week as not much else will happen but heck; It’s only Wednesday and I have to do this blog now in anticipation on what might pop up by the end of the week!

Everything was pretty calm on Sunday night, bags were packed for husband to return to work early Monday morning, hot chocolate and Sunday night TV as normal. I woke at around 1:30am (I think because of the snoring initially) but had the most intense awful stomach and back pain which did not seem to want to leave me, I woke poor husband up trying to get comfortable and back to sleep but it was no good. I was clearly suffering a lurgy of some description, ibroprofen, paracetamol and a hot water bottle all collected in haste by trainee nurse Richie didn’t help and he was talking about taking the day off to take Erin to school. This was a great thought but I was more worried about him being arrested for going AWOL than anything and declined this offer. Pain relief eventually kicked in by 5am ish and I must of drifted off. Monday morning didn’t start too well for either of us but husband did indeed phone in and have leave cleared for me. You may think in civvie world ‘big deal’ but believe me in military world, this is a big deal and in the wife’s world this was an even bigger big deal. I have never quite felt so special that he took the day off to help me. I do have to point out that this is only possible as he is currently on course - if at regiment, I could be hospitalised and he would still need proof and clearance - so I kind of thank the course timing!

I recovered on Monday and ate soup as this was all I could face but told husband to go back for Tuesday as I felt better and would be back to work the following day. Erin had tears on Monday night when he left, of course her routine was disrupted. My strong little girl is a stickler for routine; this is just her coping mechanism for the separations she has to endure. It is so emotional to watch and must be just as hard of him as she says 'Dad, don’t go back, I can’t say goodbye’ but once he has gone, Cory steps up the big brother stuff and fetches her huggable hero and her blankie - yes, she still has it and believe me that £3 Primark blankie has been with her for many years. Cory gives Erin a little kiss to her forehand and she starts to calm down. I forget how difficult these times are but I am also thankful that although half the time my children can’t even look at each other in the right way without it starting a mini war zone, when it is needed - they are there for each other.

The next day I want to let the school know she is rather emotional but at the same time I sometimes think, she has gone in fine so it’s not really their business. I have dealt with this and I say nothing and potter off to work, still feeling a little unwell but, I have to keep going. I have a call mid morning saying she has fallen off the monkey bars and hurt her arm and she is very upset so it may need checking. I do say she is a little 'over emotional today due to Dad going out of routine’ but obviously she needs collecting or checking. She seemed happy enough and had her left arm in a sling and no doubt much fuss made over her as she was not distressed when I arrived. When I checked her arm, it was painful to lift up. Ok next stop was Accident & Emergency!

We giggle on the way and laugh at the irony of seeing all the junior Doctors lining the hospital entrance whilst giving a beep beep in support of the strike! Only Erin could pick this day to fall out with the monkey bars! We sign in, have triage and sit and people watch until we are called through for the next examination. Erin and I decide there are many old people and young toddlers who are in and out with falls injuries (plus the odd school child) and many who could probably see a GP. One lady in a wheelchair was quite annoyed with the receptionist that she couldn’t make an appointment as she was on holiday here?! We watched a lady in her early fifties go outside in her coat and little red slippers at least eight times for a cigarette, some young lady in her twenties also being wheeled out for a cigarette all hooked up to a drip, leaning to one side on her phone looking in clear pain?! There was the usual rather drunk young man sat in the corner complete with a fishing rod and bag but couldn’t move/speak, I recognise the Mental health team anywhere and guess he is a regular as they know his name and ask him 'how much have you had to drink?’ Before two non scrub wearing (but laniard wearing) people come and take him to a side room! We had a great giggle with a toddler behind us who had a small bump on his head (seemed perfectly fine running riot) with him was; we assumed, mum, Gran and another Gran all completely over animated and rather loud, funnily enough they were seen pretty quickly and left almost as soon as they had entered through those elusive double doors. The double doors into 'minor injuries’ it’s like heaven when these open and they call your name - everyone sitting watching these doors for movement or a small sign of life on the other side! Well, it was a three hour wait - we had to stay entertained!

We left at four o clock after three and three quarter long hours - no broken bones and feeling like we had indeed just wasted two triage nurses time, one senior doctor/consultant (obviously, because the juniors were by Macdonalds on the picket line) four radiographers (I have no idea either) and the receptionist who booked us in. All fantastic at every stage but I can’t help hoping that someone invents a mobile X-Ray thing or something so we can just check ourselves! My feeling of being ill was kind of put to one side and I went to bed last night with a raging headache. Could have done with the husband fussing again (Could get used to that).

I still have that raging headache today and can not seem to shift it so I am feeling sorry for myself (let me go with it) I am sure it will pass. No word from the estate agent yet, but I do hope we have something soon as today the Hoover ate a piece of the kitchen Lino! If they can hurry up with a buyer they can choose what floor they want to replace it, now that is a good deal I reckon?! So I have told poor long suffering husband (see how the tables have turned with that act of kindness) that he can deal with the kitchen floor on Friday! He is of course quite delighted! Lol…..I’m thinking I might start a new hashtag - #JustPassTheHusband