My Quora Answer to: "What was the longest night you ever had as a doctor?" August 25 2019
In the ER in Shawano, Wisconsin.
It was the Sunday before Labor Day. I saw 56 patients in 24 hours, inclouding a Native American man who was run over by another Native American girl after he passed out drunk on a major highway. His was the bloodiest case I have ever seen, and he didn't make it despite our most valiant efforts.
I was obviously up all night, I spent another 4 hours dictating after my shift. For free. When I finally walked out of the hospital to drive home, I discovered that one of my tires was flat. So I walked to a nearby convenience store and bought a can of Fix-A-Flat. Please note that all of the car repair shops were closed for the holiday.
I lived 6 hours from Shawano. Once the tire started to bump, I had to stop and buy another can to reinflate the tire. All told, there were five cans, lots of lost time with my family, and continuous infusions of caffeine. Once I got home I slept for 18 hours.
And to think some people really believe doctors are greedy and in the business for the money. Shame on you.