November

It’s been 19 years since I last wrote a letter to the BCMJ, at which time I put forth the Peter Finch quote from the movie Network, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

For most families in BC the dinner hour of 6 p.m. and onward is a time for coming together to eat and enjoy some relaxation after the work of the day. For a family or individual to be deprived of this expectation requires some compensation. MSP is morally wrong in not compensating surgeons and their assistants for the loss of this sweet time, disruption of meals, and reduced family togetherness if an operation starts before 6 p.m. and continues to 11 p.m. Cynically, MSP pays at night rates for the few procedures that start before 8 a.m. and continue into business hours.

How up to speed are you on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Snapchat? Would you know how to reach @doctorsofbc or @awruddiman, or what to do with #ilovesocialmedia or #physicianleadership? If you’re like many people and professionals, these social media terms may be familiar yet applying them can be a little mind boggling. We’ve all heard the term social media and generally speaking we know what it is, yet understanding how to embrace and use it may be a little daunting for some.

Cock-a-doodle-doo! Sun rays hit the room. Max the cat is in my face whining to be let out. Baby’s foot is in my ear. Hubby is snoring. It’s 5:30 a.m. Good morning!

Here I go—hit the bamboo floors running. First sip of tea does it. Ahhh! Good morning world!

I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go.

Love going to work. Love my assistant, Connie, who seems to know what I’m thinking at all times and is always one step ahead of me. Love the patients who ask how my day is going and how my daughter is doing (every one of them asks) and who share special tidbits of their lives.

“Take the coast road. It’s in way better condition and much nicer to drive.”