Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Things could change...
No, this isn't about the weather. It's about my...well, my life, and it started yesterday with a message on my answering machine. It seems that there is a need (in a city north of here) for a part time cardiologist. The job description fits my previous searches perfectly. Monday through Friday, no night call, no procedures (I've done thousands of heart caths and have had enough x-ray exposure, thank you). While it is true that I would have a drive of several hours to get there and would be away from home, there are other positives aspects with this possibility.

To begin, I would be back in the game (that could be both good and, on the other hand, tiresome). I do some educational work now, but do miss the stimulation of practice. More than that, I miss the patients, and I miss the sense of feeling useful that practicing medicine can provide in a way like no other.

Secondly, the assignment is in good paddling country. I would have my evenings free, and the daylight will go well into the late hours for several months. Finally, it is an area to which Lady Linda could find things to do should she decide to accompany me for a week.

I can do as many or as few weeks a month as I wish (if this all pans out), so I would not have the old fear of loss of control of my life. During my years in practice I was on 24/7 and literally could not go to the bathroom without a phone or beeper. Planning anything became a mocking torture as I never knew when the alarm would go off and send me rushing to the hospital to open a clogged coronary artery.

Part of me fears even the loss of a little of the freedom and free time to do as I wish, when I wish. It is, in the end, a trade off, but one I am considering strongly. I will know more in a few days. So, for now, I will go paddling today. After all, it's my day off.

Paddle safe...
DS

x

8 comments:

Kristen said...

Opportunities happen for a reason, Silbs. If you read back over your blogs over the last few months (not withstanding your grotty weather up there), something seemed to have been missing. Perhaps this is it?

Silbs said...

Perhaps. Hmmm. Very perceptive. Thanks, Kristen

Unknown said...

Hi Silbs, maybe you should paddle all spring and summer and repair hearts in winter when you are landbound.

Silbs said...

That would be nice, Steve. However, these jobs sometimes only exist until a full time doc is found. Besides, in the snow, the drive up there can be murder

JohnB said...

Even without the snow the drive up there can be bad (don't know that "murder" is correct though).

Time for a VW Bus/Campervan to drive up and park in the parking lot of the clinic/hospital--Work Tuesday - Thursday, kayak Friday - Monday. That's it! That's the ticket!!!

DaveO said...

When will the approximate location of this opportunity be divulged? I know a few folks in the northern part of the state as well as the UP......

Silbs said...

I can only say that it is north of Green Bay

DaveO said...

Nice country.......and much closer to Gitchee Gumee. I'll be very interested in following this 'breaking story'. I hope your drive to Cincy was as painless as possible.