How a mid-flight emergency taught me to put myself first

KevinMD December 30, 2024
Pamela Buchanan, MD

It’s crack-of-dawn early, and I’m on a flight. Working swing ER shifts has left me exhausted, barely packed, and running on fumes. But hey, as long as I’ve got my passport and clean underwear, I’m good to go. There’s a mall in every city, right?

I settle in, headphones on, ready to dive into the latest episodes of The Lincoln Lawyer. I’m beyond tired – there aren’t even words for this level of exhaustion.

Suddenly, an overhead announcement breaks through my haze: “Is there a doctor or nurse on board?”

Oh no. Noooooooooo!

I sit for a second, hoping there’s another doctor. To my relief, someone else stands up. Then another. Soon, three medical personnel are helping out. I stay...

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