I went for an eye follow up today.
It had been a long time since I last went.Hospital duties had taken over everything.Long shifts,back to back patients,charting,rounds and then more rounds.By the end of the day my brain felt fried and my eyes felt worse.I kept telling myself I would go next week.Next week turned into next month.
Finally I decided enough is enough.If I do not take care of myself then who will.So I took some time out and went to Buch International Hospital for my eye check.
The building is big and bright.The sun was out and those yellow planters in front made the place look less like a hospital and more like somewhere you could actually breathe.I walked in feeling guilty for taking time off but also relieved.
The doctor checked my eyes properly.Asked about screen time,sleep, headaches all the things I usually ignore.Turns out staring at monitors for 12 hours and then scrolling on the phone does not help.Who knew.
We talked about glasses,about drops, about taking breaks.Basic stuff that I tell patients every single day and never do myself.It was a good reminder.
The truth is we get so caught up in taking care of everyone else that we forget our own health.We think we can push through fatigue and blurry vision and dry eyes.But we cannot.If our eyes go,if our body gives up then we are no use to anyone in the hospital either.
So this was my small reset.A follow up,a few prescriptions and a promise to myself to actually follow them this time.I grabbed a coffee after,stayed outside for ten minutes and just looked at the sky without squinting.
It felt good to put myself first for once.
Health is important.Not later.Not after the next duty.Today.
Let this be the reminder I needed.
