During some of my call nights on Burn, I also cover the Surgical ICU. It's been a little bit stressful. My first night, I realized that some of these people are actually pretty sick and that I'm kind of there by myself. So when the nurse calls me to tell me that someone's tachycardic to the 140s or has stopped making urine, things can go downhill rather quickly. Let's just say that sleep has been rare and rest even more so.

We had one patient in the burn unit last week who was slowly fading away before the family decided to stop ventilatory support. We have a couple more now who aren't doing so well. One of them came in with 55% total body surface area burns and started developing some respiratory problems last night during my call. We were fighting with his vent settings and low blood pressures all night. He had stabilized a bit by the morning, although he still didn't look all that great. When I looked in on him one last time this morning, I noticed a balloon that his family had left in his room. It was one of those mylar balloons, and it was floating by the window. In bright, colorful letters it read, "Get well, Dad."

Soon after, I stumbled home, ate, and fell asleep. And in my dreams, peace, like a river, attended my way.

Myung said there was a girl counselor at the youth group retreat who was cool and funny and artsy and I should totally go for her. To which Christine responded, "That's a friend type." And Myung objected in vain.

After softball on Sunday, Myung and I took Anna out to eat for her birthday. After stuffing ourselves, we decided to go for some ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. When we walked in, I noticed a couple of girls at the counter that seemed like they were dressed for a night of clubbing. Myung gasped something like, "Dios mio," and went over to talk to one of the girls. Anna and I went and got our ice cream, and when Myung came back over, he said, "It's fate. That's her. That's Blue Child."

So we finished our ice cream and left. We left without Myung even introducing me to her, and with me thinking she dressed a little hoochie. Well done, Myung.

When I mentioned it to Maria later, she said, "That's just how single girls that age dress for church. See? It got your attention." Yeah, but that's not fair. I just happen to like hoochie.

As for work, I've now left the world of behinds behind, and started on Burn. It's a little intimidating because it's my first ICU experience and the chances of me actually killing someone has increased exponentially. One thing that makes it a little easier is that Faaiza, the Rush 2nd-year from the last rotation is also doing Burn now. After a 2-day schedule discrepancy, we're doing a reunion tour. She's got an easy-going and occasionally slightly obnoxious personality that works really well with me, so it makes going to work a little nicer. Alas, she's married.

I will admit, though, that there's a girl at Stroger that I kind of have a crush on. Great, right? Well, I'm pretty sure she's got a boyfriend, and she's got a mouth like a sailor, and I barely know her, but it's nice to walk by in the hallway and exchange smiles. Another little something to brighten my day.

I'm trying to enjoy the light before the shadow of winter. It's an early Indian summer.