Call

THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE LAST WEEKEND OF CALL JEFF WILL TAKE AS A RESIDENT.  IN OUR HOME THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED. 

I VIVIDLY REMEMBER HIS FIRST NIGHTS OF CALL AS AN INTERN, WAKING (OFTEN BEFORE HE ROSE) TO THE INCESSANT BEEPING COMING FROM HIS PAGER.  I WOULD WAIT AS THE BLUE SCREEN ILLUMINATED A NUMBER OR BRIEF TEXT ALERTING HIM TO CALL THE HOSPITAL.  I THEN HELD MY BREATH AS HE RESPONDED WITH, "JEFF LARSON RETURNING A PAGE" WONDERING IF HE IN FACT NEW HOW TO CORRECTLY ASSESS THE SITUATION, PROVIDE THE CORRECT DOSAGE,  OR SOLVE THE ISSUE AT HAND.  I COULD FEEL HIS UNEASE, SENSE HIS TENSION, AND SHARED HIS CONCERN.  AFTER A TIME, HIS CONFIDENCE GREW AND WITH IT SO DID MINE. 

 AND, NOW WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF HIS FIVE YEARS OF TRAINING.  THERE ARE ONLY A FEW MORE CALL DATES LEFT ON OUR GOOGLE CALENDAR.  GRADUATION WILL SOON BE UPON US.  WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH. 

 I NO LONGER HOLD MY BREATH WHEN HIS PAGER GOES OFF.  HE ANSWERS EACH PAGE WITH CARE, CONFIDENCE AND EASE.  I AM FILLED WITH PRIDE AS I HEAR HIM RESPOND TO PATIENT CALLS, ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND PROVIDE SOLUTIONS.  I NOW SEE THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOR (IF ONLY I COULD WATCH HIM OPERATE), AND AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL WE HAVE LEARNED THROUGH THIS SEASON OF TRAINING. 

EACH SET OF SCRUBS THAT I WASH AND FOLD IS A REMINDER OF ALL HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED. I AM GRATEFUL TO BE THE ONE TO WASH THEM.