Empty cups

I read something somewhere not too long ago, probably on Facebook, that said "you can't pour from an empty cup." Or something like that. The bottom line was that we as healthcare providers, nurses especially, suffer from a lack of self care. Yeah, I believe that. Because we want to be there and give 110% to our patients. Can't do that if we're not there. I am a wholehearted believer in taking sick days...when  you're actually sick. They're there for a reason, use them. My roommate and I differ on this. She has no problem going into work if you're sick as a dog and has told me she's done it before, with pneumonia. While I didn't come right out and say "that's really stupid" I basically said I would never do that. Why on earth would I succumb myself to a stressful job while my immune system is already under stress while trying to fight an illness? If I go to a doctor, it's for a good reason, and I HATE going to the doctor. Yes, there is a point to all of this.

I have bronchitis, again, for the 2nd time this year. Was just diagnosed again this past Monday. Tuesday was not a great day. I went back to work, and now looking back on it I realize I shouldn't have. I was completely and utterly exhausted, I was in charge that day, I was in a lot of pain and I was definitely not functioning at my best. I knew it, my patients knew it and my very worried co-workers knew it. Many of them told me to go home but I insisted on staying to finish the day. By the time the day was over I was practically falling asleep on the way home (I didn't drive that day). I was exhausted, simple exertions wore me out and I was experiencing a lot of pleuritic pain. Unlike the last time I had bronchitis, so some of my co-workers were worried it was turning into pneumonia. Taking a breath hurt. Coughing hurt. I had to talk slower because if I talked the way I normally did, I'd get winded. Walking down the hallway and I was sucking wind. And I was just. Exhausted. So I went back to the urgent care that night; chest x ray was fine, thank goodness. The PA was concerned about the pain and my extreme fatigue, so an IV of Rocephin and Decadron later and I was sent on my way. Oh, and 2 days off of work, and I quote "You're getting time off of work whether or not you want it." Funnily enough, I didn't argue.

No, I don't like missing work because I'm sick. But if I'm told to stay home or if I'm recommended to stay home, I'm going to. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. I don't care what other people say. I HAVE to take care of myself. My job is stressful enough as it is, and if I'm not at my best than I'm not doing anyone any favors. I'm certainly not doing my patients any good if I'm miserable and not feeling well. I'm not doing my co workers any good if I'm not at my best and feeling lousy, and I'm certainly not helping myself. I really don't understand why people show up to work if they're feeling so crappy. The working world is not going to crumble if you miss one day, God forbid. Take a sick day IF YOU NEED IT. Heck, take a mental health day IF YOU NEED IT. As for me, I'm very fortunate to have had the last 2 days (yesterday and today) to laze around at home and do nothing. It has done wonders for me, and I feel so much better than I did 2 days ago! I'm thanking myself right now, honest to goodness. And now, I have my sister coming in TOMORROW and I actually feel up to the time we are going to be spending together. The bottom line is this; listen to yourself. Take care of yourself. We can't pour from empty cups. And I'll say it again;

TAKE A SICK DAY IF YOU NEED IT.
TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH DAY IF YOU NEED IT.