I just finished my 15 day posting at the State Covid hospital and honestly, it has changed my life.

For the better?

Maybe.

I was extremely apprehensive when I heard about this posting because being in Ophthalmology for over four years now, I was in my own independant, self-sufficient bubble.

Here, I had to move out of my comfort zone, which is something we’re all uneasy with and take that leap of faith.

I did question my capabilities and wonder whether my ICU clinical skills were still up to date. I was panicky about encountering a situation where a patient needed some critical care and I simply wouldn’t be enough.

Driving to the hospital, coincidentally, I chose to listen to ‘Who moved my cheese?’ – the audiobook.

The whole concept of moving with your ‘cheese’ and adapting to change, inspired me and so I decided to use that as my mantra.

(Incase, you haven’t read ‘Who moved my cheese’, please do and try to figure out which character you’re most like, and which character you should be like.)

Thankfully, the state is handling the pandemic efficiently and our Covid hospital only had a few patients so that part was manageable, but what was even nicer was how helpful the team of Anesthetists and Pulmonologists were to us ‘non-critical care’ doctors.

It was definitely a humbling experience, when you’re used to being a decision-maker to now having to ask for help for the smallest things like settings on a ventilator.

The mortality was harsh. Especially when you’re in a field like mine where there is significant morbidity but hardly any mortality.

There were times I craved an Ophthalmology reference or a Covid positive eye emergency that I could handle independently.

The comfortable hotel rooms, South Goa food delivery options 🤩 and fun company in the form of colleagues and juniors from different departments made the whole experience so much better, though being in that one room away from family and having a monotonous work schedule did get emotionally exhausting by the end of the two weeks.

I was pleasantly surprised that working shifts wrapped in PPE wasn’t as bad as I had imagined it to be.

My highlight of the posting was definitely the time I had to collect four arterial blood gas samples and successfully managed radial artery collections on my first attempt! 😂

Don’t judge. It IS a big deal because my last ABG was during my ICU posting in internship, 5 years ago!

So while I wouldn’t say I saved a life, I did play my part as a doctor along with Obstetricians and Dermatologists to make sure the whole process was smooth and lives were saved.

On a final note, I realised how grateful I am to have Ophthalmology and the joy it brings.

I can’t wait to join back tomorrow and don’t think I’ll take my job for granted for quite a long time now 😊